No. 105.] 471 



the geological survey of the State was granted, that in all justice 

 provision would be made for perfecting their cabinet by a complete 

 •set of the many specimens which were obtained ; and it is still 

 hoped that justice, though long delayed, will eventually be done. 

 It has, however, recently been determined to wait no longer, but to 

 commence at once, and a room is now fitting up for the purpose of 

 displaying such specimens as have been or hereafter may be bestow- 

 ed. And further contributions from all parts of the country will be 

 solicited. 



These preparations are made in the confident hope that we shall 

 soon be enabled to perfect our cabinet by the rich varieties which the 

 State ;has the means of supplying. 



The conductors of this Institute were early impressed with the im- 

 portance of an annual public exhibition of the choice products of 

 agriculture and the arts, accompanied with the distribution of premi- 

 ums for those adjudged most excellent, as being calculated most 

 effectually to promote the object of the charter of the Institute. They 

 have therefore been held every year since its organization. The 

 effect was at once seen to be salutary, and a powerful emulation was 

 awakened through all the ramifications of industry, and over a vast 

 area of our country. Curiosity, a deep American feeling the pride of 

 national independence, at the first notice, filled the halls of the exhi- 

 bition with admiring spectators. Three great incentives to human 

 exertion and improvement, pride, ambition and interest were brought 

 into action in their full potency. Continual approbation greeted the 

 €ars of the ingenious contributor, and his meritorious productions 

 were gazetted through the country. This was not all. At the close 

 of the exhibition more durable evidences of merit were bestowed in 

 premiums publicly awarded in the presence of vast concourses of the 

 people. The very first exhibition roused a spirit of competition 

 which spread throughout our land, and has been growing more and 

 more intense ever since. The amount of improvement which has 

 resulted from the powerful stimulus the exhibitions have afforded for 

 eighteen years, continually increasing in magnitude, and attended 

 with the strong and encouraging approbation of the public, no one 

 can measure, while all must be satisfied that our unparalleled pro- 

 gress has been greatly accellerated by their impulses. For the pur- 



