176 INTRODUCTION, 



The want of coal, however, is compensated by the discovery of rich deposits of 

 salt, lime, marl, peat and gypsum, and of plumbago, copper, zinc, lead and iron. 

 The field within which economical science has recently pursued its investigations, 

 with results so well calculated to exalt our sentiments of wonder, gratitude and 

 devout veneration, and so propitious to the future welfare and happiness of our 

 race, is greatly enlarged, and many obstructions to those investigations are re- 

 moved. Although thus far the survey has resulted only in adding accumulations 

 to the mass of facts already acquired, yet even that is no unworthy contribution 

 to human knowledge ; and it may be hoped that a spirit of inquiry has been sti- 

 mulated, which will not rest content until that philosophical classification of facts 

 shall be made, which is necessary to enable us to read with, accuracy the impe- 

 rishable pages on which the physical history of the earth is written. What 

 new light the discoveries, thus to be made in cosmogony, will throw upon the 

 designs of the Creator and the destiny of our race, cannot now be conjectured ; 

 but it is enough to stimulate and reward our highest efforts, to know that while 

 the range of research is infinite, the human mind is perpetually progressive. 



In submitting to the people of New- York the results of the scientific survey, 

 conducted under their patronage, it has been thought proper and even necessary 

 to record the incidents connected with the origin and progress of that enterprise ; 

 and since it is a national characteristic to be careless in regard to the preservation 

 of memorials of our social progress, the occasion has been deemed a proper one for 

 collecting from various sources some facts, which might illustrate the advance of 

 civilization and refinement within our limits. The review which has been taken of 

 that progress, comprehends a geographical and political description of the state ; 

 a sketch of the history of education, of the system of public instruction in colleges, 

 academies and common schools, and of the foundation and endowment of libra- 

 ries ; a history of the press ; a notice of the theological profession, with a sketch 

 of theological learning ; an account of medical science and the medical pro- 



