Literary and Scientific Associations. 263 



been particularly distinguished, and, it is believed, 

 is the only one of this nature in the United States 

 which has made a regular publication of its pro- 

 ceedings, and of the principal memoirs communi- 

 cated by its members/ The useful effects of these 

 institutions are undeniably great, in various parts 

 of our country. They have excited a spirit of in- 

 quiry, experiment and diligence in agricultural 

 pursuits, among a considerable portion of our 

 citizens; they have contributed to raise the dig- 

 nity and importance of agriculture in the popular 

 opinion ; they have collected facts and doctrines, 

 from different districts, for more full trial and satis- 

 factory comparison ; and if they have encouraged 

 in any cases a disposition for speculative and visi- 

 onary farming, they have promoted, in a still greater 

 degree, practical and valuable improvements. 



The literary and scientific associations of the 

 eighteenth century differed considerably from those 

 which were formed in preceding times. Besides 

 being more numerous, they were also more exten- 

 sive in their plan, and embraced a greater number 

 of distant and foreign associates; they directed 

 more of their attention to the physical sciences, and 

 rendered the mode of inquiry by experiment more 

 general and more accurate; and, finally, they were 

 more active in their exertions, kept more heads 

 and hands at work, and engaged more of the public 

 attention, than the societies of preceding times. 



t The Agricultural Society of Massachutetts has made, it is believed, several 

 jmall publications ; but the author has not been so fortunate as to see them, 

 or to be particularly informed of their contents. 



