456 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



high interest. The microscope now co-operates in analytical chemistry Vfith 

 great power. There is great room for its application. Chemistry wan Is 

 all the aid that mathematicians can give it. 



Prof. Mason. — My want is a grand concentrated system of examination, 



Mr. Veeder desired a continuance of this subject, in reference to its 

 great value in discovering the truth in articles of commerce, and hoped 

 that the Institute would place on the table the best microscopes for use, 

 and instruction how to use them — for knowing soils, plants parasitic evils, 

 grain, colors on straw, &c., due to causes, which, when developed by the mi- 

 croscopic power, would also lead us to the preventives and remedies. 



Prof. Mason. — I thank the gentleman. To enlighten our fellow men 

 was the object of our friend Tallmadgc, whose portrait looks at us from 

 the wall. Let us go on ! In the progress of my democracy, I have been 

 compelled, sei'iatim, to drop my hopes of teaching much to the negro 

 or to the masses — some become exceptions — but there are no hopes for the 

 many. No sir ; not even for a bit of our immense dominion on which to 

 concentrate learning in the culture of vegetation ! Our national concen- 

 trated political wisdom at Washington, will not, ca7i not do that wise act 1 



Prof. Hedrick. — If our learned friend Prof. Mason is right as to the lack 

 of popular wisdom, he must allow me to add "and that of the class Doctor." 



Thomas Godwin offered a resolution for a special committee, to confer 

 with the Institute as to the organization, offices, &c., of this club. 



On motion, laid on the table. 



Prof. Mason. — Arch Bishop Hughes would like a proper examination of 

 the material to be used in his new Cathedral ; so would the Commissioner 

 for building our new City Hall. Even in England, for lack of proper ex- 

 amination, their buildings in general do not last five hundred years ! Sci- 

 entific men, there, have taken up this scrutiny of material to be used. 



Mr. Stetson. — And in all mechanism, a like examination is very much 

 wanted, especially and perevijjtorily in metals — as boilers, shafts, &c., so 

 that their power to sustain their work safely may be exactly known, and 

 so save millions of money and numerous precious lives. 



Alanson Nash. — Wished such examination could be made here. Look 

 well to the structure of our marbles, formed probably by atomic animals ; 

 look through vegetable structure, to the dead horse which fed the plants ; 

 look to animal and vegetable, as the origin of existing matter. 



Questions, by the committee of science, &c. : " The microscope as re- 

 lated to the nature and quality of materials, in chemistry and mechanic 

 arts," and " The best materials for public buildings in cities." 



The club then adjourned. 



H, MEIGS, Secretary. 



March 2d, 1859. 

 Present.— Messrs. R. L. Pell, Leonard, Nowlan, Prof. Mason, Prof. 

 Hedrick, Everitt, Bruce, Cohen, Seeley, Witt, John Johnson, Haskell, 



