86 



even a very small portion of the effect they are intended to bring 

 about, I shall be most delighted and well rewarded as a citizen of 

 the District, and as an American who asks and wishes for naught 

 that is not a national blessing and advantage. 



Yours, respectfully, J. C. B. 



LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC CONVENTION OF THE NATIONAL 

 INSTTUTE. 



LETTER XVII. 



WASHINGTON, May 25, 1844. 



GENTLEMEN: There has been no event, in my opinion, for a long 

 time past, that ought to be deemed more interesting and important, 

 by the scientific and intelligent portions of the community, than 

 the late Convention of the National Institute, which commenced 

 its sessions in this city on Monday, the 1st of April of the present 

 year. 



The reunion for good and useful purposes, under the auspices, 

 and at the invitation of an association devoted to intellectual pur- 

 suits, of those of our fellow-citizens who direct the powers of their 

 minds to the improvement of their species, is well fitted to bring 

 forth fruit of the best and most useful description. That a large 

 number of men should have been found willing to leave their avo- 

 cations and families, and for no other end than to indulge in the 

 communion of mind, and to aim at something for the benefit of 

 their common country, should have journeyed hither from great 

 distances, at no small expense and sacrifice, argues well for their 

 zeal and enthusiasm, and is sufficient proof of the existence amongst 

 us of a body most respectable and progressing, as to size, patriot- 

 ism, and attainments. That the proceedings of the Convention 

 gave satisfaction to the community who honored the sessions by 

 a regular and select attendance, and afforded proof to the pub- 

 lic that the addresses and papers were of no common merit and in- 

 terest, is what no one who has had an opportunity of judging will 

 presume to deny. Honored by the presence of many of the first 

 savans and intellectual men in the land rendered attractive and 

 instructive by the selection and distribution of the matters then dis- 

 cussed characterized throughout by the cordial and agreeable inter- 

 course of the guests and their flattered hosts, it is no idle assertion to 



