9 



' Forth comhig ScienliJJc Worlds. 207 



It is peculiar to the history of this country,' that It comnicnces witli 

 precise data. The names, character, and complexion of tlie set- 

 tlers ; their motives for emigration, and their success in subduin": the 



I wilderness and its savage inhabitants ; the origin and progress of 



arts and letters j of society and government — are all matters of 

 record. Nor arc die capacities of the country omitted. The cli- 

 mates, seas, rivers, soils, metals, minerals, and animal and vegetable 

 products, are extensively described from actual observation and sur- 

 vey. This advantage appears peculiarly striking, when we obscive 

 the labors of tlie curious or philosophical inquirer, in the old worlds 

 who bores the solid earth, navigates unknown oceans, uncovers burled 

 cides, or reveals the secrets of the catacombs to find some clue lo die 

 origin of nations, to discover the founders of cides, and to ascertain 

 the progress of science, of mechanical skill, and of mental improve- 

 ment In earlier ages. 



Amon^ the numerous w^orks teeming; with information reladvc 



to this country, is MacAuley's History of New York. This is in 

 many respects a valuable, lliough not a very agreeable book. It 

 comprises a vast amount of facts, which give stronger evidence of 

 the author's patience and industry in collecting materials, than of 

 his skill and taste in arranging them. The details are very minute, 

 and somedmes extended with repedtious prolixity ; but w^hoever 

 will persevere in die labor of reading them, will obtain a dior- 

 ough knowledge of the origin and setdement of die State — of its 

 progress in population and government — and of Its aspects and re- 

 sources. ' The first volume describes its physiological features j the 

 other two contain some Interesting accounts of the Indians, with ex- 

 tensive statistical details, and die history of the State from its first 

 setdement in 1614 to the adoption of the federal constitution after 

 the close of the revolutionary war. 



9. Practical Instructions for the cxdture of Silk and the Mul- 

 berry Tree; by Felix Pascalis, M. D. 2 vols. 8vo. pp. 112 and 105. 

 New York ; and Essays on American Silk and the best means of 

 rendering it a source of individual and national icealth^ with direc- 

 tions to farmers for raising silk loorms; by John D'Homergue and 

 Peter Stephen Duponceau. 12mo. pp. 120, Philadelphia. The first 

 part of die interesting and valuable work of Dr. Felix Pascalis on 



silk, 



XVII 



Both 



this and the recent treatise from the Philadelphia press are valuable 



