224 MONTHLY JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE. 



the supremacy of the intellect, to display the inventive genius of our country- 

 men, and, by all these means, to confirm in them the sentiment of patriotism, 

 and inspire the hope of yet higher renown for our once glorious country, in all 

 the blessed arts of peace, and ways of true national glory. 



Such being oBviously the high aims of those who are invested with the 

 management of this favored and popular insiilution— successful as they have 

 been, to their hearts' content, in winning the universal support of the press, 

 and in attracting the public countenance and patronage, from far and wide — 

 we may venture the assurance that effectual measures have been taken to ena- 

 ble the anxious and patriotic inquirer to judge with some exactness, from sys- 

 tematic reports, in what consists the real improveinents in the various arts and 

 branches of industry, within the past year, as elicited by the high rewards and 

 honorary encouragements of the Institute ; and wherein there appears to be room 

 and demand for the still farther exercise and application of ingenuity and science ; 

 for this, in short, creates the necessity for, and constitutes the usefulness of, all 

 such institutions. To aim merely at getting up a glittering spectacle, and to 

 draw a crowd, by factitious excitements, would be altogether unworthy the am- 

 bition of men whose days are devoted to the highest purposes that can engage 

 the anxieties of the patriotic and the virtuous. With confidence, then, we may 

 repeat the assurance that the public will be favored and enlightened by elab- 

 orate reports of men of high standing, of whom we have so many in all the 

 walks of science and industrial ptirsuits, who are familiar with the existing 

 state of the various arts and manufactures, and who can state, with precision 

 and effect, as well the advancements which have been made, as brought out by 

 the premiums of the Institute, and illustrated by these exhibitions, as those 

 which are still needed, and may be hoped for. 



The deliberate and careful reports (referring only to what is really new and 

 useful) of such men, known and respected for their acquirements and judgment, 

 and properly remunerated, (without which their labors could not be expected,) 

 will command earnest attention, and do honor to us at home and abroad ; and 

 will convey far and wide through the press, and send down to posterity, inform- 

 ation of ten thousand times more real utility than the mere exhibition, to ad- 

 miring crowds, of the countless variety of beautiful articles that serve to make 

 up such a show. 



These reports, from Committees of disinterested scientific and practical mon, 

 will serve to advise the public whether what may have appeared new and beau- 

 tiful to the uninitiated, is commended to public favor by anything truly original 

 and useful in principle or quality, or Avhethcr it was a mere repetition of an in- 

 vention, or duplicate of a manufacture, as old as the hills, and stale as a tale 

 twice told. These reports, in a word, will serve to draw from their obscurity 

 the names of modest and meritorious inventors, and men of exemplary perse- 

 verance in useful labors and researches, and to place them where they deserve 

 to stand, far above those of the intriguing charlatan and self-sufficient pretender. 



From what we know of the expanded views of those who regulate the affairs 

 of the Institute, we cannot doubt that measures have been taken to give this 

 useful and practical turn to their labors, and to secure for the indoor study and 

 lasting benefit of its constant patrons such descriptive statements and reports in 

 respect of every considerable branch of industry illustrated at the late Anniver- 

 sary Fair, as will present a summary view of what has been accomplished in 

 each department. The genius and ambition of our countrymen will moreover 



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