'94 Proposal for the EstalJUhmcnt of 



verb of all schools : this truth is explained in the most sim- 

 ple manner by the observation of the mental process, which 

 associates impressions with ideas, the present with the past, 

 giving activity to memory, and strength to habit. A mu- 

 seum comprehending all objects of natural science, exhibit- 

 ing in regular arrangement their classes, orders, genera, 

 species, and varieties, while it shall preach and lecture to the 

 eye and to the touch, will illustrate the discourse of the phi- 

 losopher and the divine, and store the mind with images 

 which will readily associate with the obJectE of dctily and of 

 hourly occurrence. 



Perhaps no religious truth has equal force to subdue the 

 fluctuations of the human soul, to repress in the instant of 

 temptation thebegiimings of siul'ul emotion, with that which 

 impresses on the mind and heart the universal actual pre- 

 sence of the all-beholding Deity. It is not a light under- 

 taking, a project of temporary amusement, which proposes 

 to associate every object of nature with this avvful idea, to 

 cause its continual recurrence, and indi'ce it to predomi- 

 nate with the eneray of habit. 



That the scheme of forming a museum with a moral and 

 religious view is rather novel, may perhaps be adnnttedf 

 The curiosity of naturalists has probably impelled them, for 

 the most part, to collect, and some vanity may have 

 mingled with the plnlanthropv which has di.'^played to the 

 public their miscellaneous rarities. These principles and 

 these collections have however been subs^ervient to the views 

 of generiji science ; they have enlarged its scope and ex- 

 tended its career: but scienee itself is destitute of dignity, 

 tinless it be derived from its unwearied service, its high 

 fealty to morals and religion. These can alone invest with 

 proper dignity, and sanction with the broad stamp of utility, 

 the charter of a national museum. 



Yet to encourage public amusements in their nature 

 wholly innocent is not unwortby oFwise legislators. How few 

 public diversions are entitled even to this praise. To diflusc 

 jov amongst the subjects of its care is a glorious effort of an 

 •enlightened government: but to mix ir.struction with de- 

 light — dehctamh par'ilerqia- monendv—U) raiige the passion 



