No. 151.] 305 



of natural science, is usually ascribed to Lord Bacon. The philo- 

 sophical writings of this great man were the text books of succeed- 

 ing generations, and guided the minds of such inquirers as Newton, 

 Priestley and Franklin, whose brilliant discoveries were amongst 

 the earliest fruits of the new philosophy. From their days to the 

 present, a constant progress has been made in natural science, W'ith 

 which the cultivation of the useful arts has not failed to keep pace. 

 One brilliant discovery has succeeded another, until it has become 

 difficult for the imagination to conceive what will be the next 

 achievment of science. The flight of a balloon with passengers 

 across the Atlantic, or a visit to the moon by a similar conveyance, 

 ■would produce scarcely less astonishment than was excited by the 

 operations of Morse's magnetic telegraph, when first communicated 

 to the public. What wonder next? is now the anxious inquiry; and 

 Morse shares with Herr Alexander the reputation of being the great- 

 est magician of the age. 



One of the objects of the American Institute is to encourage the 

 application of science to practical purposes. This Institution had 

 its origin during the gloomy period of the w^ar of 1812, when the 

 "wants of the country led to associated efforts for the encouragement 

 of the useful arts, especially as applied to domestic manufactures. 

 For this purpose an association, called the American Society, was 

 formed in this city at that period, under the auspices of the Order 

 of Saint Tammany, and flourished for a number of years. It enrolled 

 among its members all classes of politicians, who vied with one 

 another in the encouragement of domestic industry. At a subse- 

 quent period that association took the name of the American Insti- 

 tute, or was merged in this institution, under an act of incorporation 

 passed in 1829. The objects that its founders had in view, are 

 briefly stated in that act to be " for the purpose of encouraging and 

 promoting domestic industry in this State and the United States, in 

 agriculture, commerce, manufactures, and the arts, and any improve- 

 ments made therein, by bestowing rewards and other benefits on 

 those who shall make any such improvements, or excel in any of 

 the said branches; and by such other ways and means as to the said 

 corporation or the trustees thereof, shall appear to be most expe- 

 dient." To these legitimate and important objects the labors of the 

 Institute have been strictly confined, with what success it is unne- 

 cessary for me to state; for, were other evidence wanting, the pre- 

 sent magnificent exhibition is enough to convince the most sceptical 

 mind of the triumphant results that have crowned the unwearied 

 efforts of its officers and members. 



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