334 Memorial of George Broivn Goode. 



try l)iit our own. It is therefore from theory, rather than example, that we must 

 reason on this subject. There is no doubt but that the fine arts, both in those who 

 cultivate and those who only admire them, open and expand the mind to great ideas. 

 They inspire liberal feelings, create a harmony of temper, favorable to a sense of 

 justice and a habit of moderation in our social intercoiirse. By increasing the circle 

 of our pleasures, they moderate the intensity with which pleasures, not dependent on 

 them, would be pursued. In proportion as they multiply our wants, they stimulate 

 our industry, they diversify the objects of our ambition, they furnish new motives 

 for a constant activity of mind and body, highly favorable to the health of both. 

 The encouragement of a taste for elegant luxuries discourages the relish for lux- 

 uries that are gross and sensual, debilitating to the body, and demoralising to the 

 mind. These last, it miist be acknowledged, are prevailing in our country ; they are 

 perhaps the natural growth of domestic affluence and civil liberty. The govern- 

 ment, however mild and paternal, cannot check them by any direct application of its 

 powers, without improper encroachments on the liberty and affluence, that give them 

 birth. But a taste for the elegant enjoyments which spring from the culture of the fine 

 arts, excites passions not so irresistible, but that they are easily kept within the limits, 

 which the means of each individual will prescribe. It is the friend of morals and of 

 health ; it supposes a certain degree of information ; it necessitates liberal instruc- 

 tion ; it cannot but be favorable to republican manners, principles, and discipline. 



A taste for these arts is peculiarly desirable in those parts of our coiintry, at the 

 southward and westward, where the earth yields her rich productions with little 

 labor, and leaves to the cultivator considerable vacancies of time and superfluities of 

 wealth, which otherwise will, in all probability, be worse employed. The arts of 

 drawing, painting, statuary, engraving, music, poetry, ornamental architecture, and 

 ornamental gardening, would employ a portion of the surplus time and money of our 

 citizens; and at the same time be more likely to dispose their minds to devote another 

 portion to charitable and patriotic purposes, than if the first portion had not been 

 thus employed. 



In England there is a Royal Academy for the fine arts, as well as a Royal Society 

 for the sciences ; though men of merit in other learned labors are not associated. 

 In France the two classes of eminent men who pursue the sciences and the arts, are 

 united in the National Institute. Besides those, and besides the colleges and univer- 

 sities, there exists in each of those countries a variety of institutions iiseful in their 

 different objects, and highly conducive to the general mass of public improvement, 

 as well as to private instruction. 



The French Government supports, 



1. The School of Mines, an extensive establishment ; where is preserved a collec- 

 tion of specimens from all the mines, wrought and unwrought, that are known to 

 exist in that country ; where, with the free use of a laboratory, lectures are given 

 gratis one day in the week for nine months in the year, and where 3^oung men receive 

 what is called a mineralogical education. At this place the proprietor of a mine, 

 whether of metals, coals, or other valuable fossils, may have them examined without 

 expense ; and here he can apply for an able and scientific artist, recommended by the 

 professors, to be the conductor of his works, as well in the engineering as the metallur- 

 gical branch. 



2. The School of Roads and Bridges; whose title ought to extend likewise to 

 canals, river navigation, and hydraulic architecture; since it embraces all these 

 objects. Here are preserved models and drawings of all the great works, and many 

 of the abortive attempts, in these branches of business. It is a curious and useful 

 collection. This establishment, too, maintains its professors, who give lectures 

 gratis, and produce among their pupils the ablest draftsmen and civil engineers, 

 ready to be employed where the public service or private enterprise may require. 



