No. 216] 481 



that he may follow the wake of civilization, he should be familiar 

 with the French language. No country in Europe is advancing 

 more rapidly to the highest pinnacle of prosperity than that beauti- 

 ful and enchanting region, where this polite and courtly language is 

 spoken. There the arts and sciences are made accessible to all. 

 France has long been the mirror of fashion and standard of taste, 

 whither the flower of all nations resort to acquire the last polish of 

 which man is susceptible. A fluency in speaking and facility for 

 writing this language in a great trading nation, whose commerce is 

 the whole world, will be found a potent and flexible instrument for 

 diplomacy and commercial agency, and also the useful and ornamental 

 appendage of the scholar and traveller beyond the bounds of his own 

 vernacular. 



The German and Spanish tongues are now playing an important 

 part on the American continent, but inclination, or future destination 

 may shape the course of the student, whether he shall drink the deep 

 melodies of Goethe, or enjoy the inimitable wit of Cervantes in their 

 native beauties. And what more can I say for those unrivalled re- 

 mains of the ancient masters of the world, the humblest offering I 

 can bring to their hallowed shrines, is a hope that his ear has at 

 least been attuned to the immortal strains of the prince of Latin poets. 



We trust that the enlightened founders of the contemplated plan, 

 will early appropriate a fund in addition to the other liberal provi- 

 sion, for a professorship in Veterinary Surgery and Medicine. We 

 have already hinted that comparative anatomy and animal physiology 

 would be very desirable for an accurate acquaintance with the dif- 

 ferent domestic animals, but this department in the animal economy, 

 stands in a higher position, when illustrated by lectures, and disser- 

 tations, familiarized by frequent visits to a museum of anatomical 

 preparation, and pathologically exhibited by specimens of diseased 

 organizations. And what will still more enhance the pleasure and 

 proficiency in the acquisition of this much neglected science, is a 

 hospital, where all forms and symptoms of disease and casualities 

 come within the observation of the patient and investigating student. 



A museum of economic geology, or a grand depository of the 

 mineral treasures of this country and foreign regions, would be of 

 immense utility, and every fresh discovery be a desirable accession 

 to the useful and ornamental arts. But these benefits. remain untold, 

 when they and other specimens of various soils, furnished by the 

 different localities, classified as far as may be, according to their 



[Am. Inst.] FF 



