54 



Every person, and all collections of individuals, whether lay or 

 clerical, scientific or artistical, mechanical or agricultural, political 

 or municipal, should feel immediately interested in this matter. 

 By sending their superfluities to the National Institute in the way 

 of exchange, they are clearly the gainers in every sense of the 

 phrase. They part with that which they can easily spare, and 

 receive that which they have not. This reciprocity becomes soon 

 the means of spreading knowledge far and wide, and those who are 

 desirous of being benefactors of their race are amply provided with 

 all the materials required for their great and philanthropic purpose. 

 We are in an age when knowledge is power. The gigantic strides 

 of man in the march of mind are waxing more wonderful and ac- 

 celerated with every passing year. It is emphatically an age of 

 experiments and daring undertakings. Steam has almost annihi- 

 lated distance, and the pen has nearly superseded the sword in the 

 settlement of questions between nations. Space is becoming a 

 word of no meaning before the startling results of the application 

 of electro magnetism, and the day is not remote when those who 

 are now severed by deserts, mountains, and vast oceans, will be 

 made neighbors by communications, almost miraculous and incre- 

 dible for their frequenc}^, economy, safety, and celerity. All these 

 being either facts or events highly probable, (for they cast their 

 shadows before,) it becomes every man, who wishes to escape the 

 charge of being a sluggard, and indifferent to what is transpiring 

 around him, to gird his loins for the race and to store his mind for 

 the encounter. But as knowledge is the fruit of study and expe- 

 rience, it is necessary that we should have those two important 

 elements at our command ; and not one method more piactical and 

 advantageous can be discovered than the association of men ac- 

 tuated by a laudable thirst after instruction, who together do that 

 which as individuals it would be vain for them to attempt. Among 

 the numerous associations for intellectual purposes established in 

 this country, the National Institute has taken a highly respectable 

 position, and has exercised a great and salutary influence upon the 

 public mind. Having proved their sincere devotion to the good 

 cause which they are pledged to advance and support by every 

 honorable means, the members of the Institute have deemed the 

 subject of National and Domestic Exchanges worthy of a most stren- 

 uous effort to carry it into operation, and for that purpose earnestly 



