No. 200.] 215 



ed a conviction of the right, and the perseverance to accomplish it. 

 Since then, lime and events have substantially proved to us, that the 

 old fashioned spirit of safety and the fireside, is not always an advan- 

 ,tage to the progress of the world. For ourselves, we envy not the man- 

 ners of those who claim a kin to the 13lh century, whose ideas are in 

 unison with the dark ages, and yet who have always exercised a suf- 

 ficient influence to stamp every improvement with the black seal of 

 folly and insanity. 



Our countrymen, therefore, cannot too highly respect the history of 

 the late Chancellor, Robert R. Livingston, who seconded the plans 

 and contributed his fortune in sustaining Fulton, in the accomplish- 

 ment of his great designs, and that, too, when public opinion was 

 against the hazard of individual means, and when the advancement of 

 the sciences were liable to be slopped by the sword of war. 



We extract a short synopsis from Colden's entertaining life of Ful- 

 ton, of an account of the first steamboat from New-York to Albany, 

 and we flatter ourselves, at this distance of lime, it may not be alto- 

 gether out of place. 



" The first American steamboat, called the Clermont, was built and 

 launched in the spring of 1807, from the ship-yards of Charles Brown, 

 on the East River, and was completed in the month of August, with 

 an English engine, and moved from her birth-place to the Jersey 

 shore. Mr. Livingston and Mr. Fulton had invited many of their friends 

 to witness the first trial, among whom were the late Drs. Mitchell and 

 Macneven. Nothing could exceed the admiration and surprise of all 

 who witnessed the experiment. The man who had thanked his stars 

 that he had more wisdom than to waste his money on so expensive a 

 machine, now changed the smile of contempt for that of wonder and 

 admiration, and the triumph of genius extorted from the multitude 

 which crowded the shores, shouts of congratulation and applause. 

 The Clermont soon after sailed for Albany, and arrived at her desti- 

 nation without accident. She excited the astonishment of those on the 

 waters and on the shore. She used dry pine for fuel, v/hich sent forth 

 a column of ignited vapour many feet nbove the flue, and whenever 

 the fire was stirred, a galaxy of sparks flew off, and in the night gave 

 a brilliant and beautiful appearance. 



" Notwithstanding the wind and tide were against her, the crews 

 of other vessels saw, with astonishment, that it was rapidly approacli- 



