Biograplacal Notice of Dr. Bruce. 303 
His connections with mén. of science. on the continent, were of 
the first order, and to be familiar at Mr. Greville’s, and with 
Count Bournou, was: to have access to every thing connected with 
science in England and France. Dr. Bruce was also at home at 
Sir Joseph Banks’s, the common resort of learned and illustrious 
men. ‘hus he enjoyed évery advantage in England, and when he 
went to the continent, the abundant means of introduction which 
he possessed, brought him into contact with the distinguished 
inert of ‘Paris, and of other cities which he visited. The learn- 
ed and estimable Abbé Haiiy was among his personal friends and 
correspondents ; and many others might be mentioned in the 
same character, whose names are among the first in the ranks of 
science in various countries of Europe. 
Returned to his own country, after being so long familiar with 
the fine collections in natural history, and especially in mineral- 
ogy, in various countries in Europe, Dr. Bruce manifested a 
strong desire to aid in bringing to light the neglected mineral 
treasures of the United States. He soon became.a focus of in- 
formation on these subjects. Specimens were sent to him from 
many and distant parts of the country, both as donations and for 
his opinion. respecting their nature. In relation to mineralogy 
he conversed, and he corresponded extensively, both with Europe 
and America; he performed mineralogical tours; he kindly 
Sought out and encouraged the young mineralogists of his own 
Country, and ofien expressed a wish to see a journal of American 
mineralogy ‘upon the plan of that of the School of Mines at Paris. 
This. object, it is well known, he accomplished, and in 1810, pub- 
lished the first number of this work. Owing to extraneous cau- 
Ses, it was never carried beyond one volume: but it demonstra- 
ted the possibility of sustaining such a work in the United States, 
and. will always be mentioned in the history of American science, 
“8 the earliest original purely scientific journal of America. 
» Dr. Bruce had, ina high degree, the feelings of a man of sci- 
thee, He was ever forward to promote its interests, and both 
at home and abroad, was considered as one of its most distin- 
Suished American friends. 
