No. 129.] 147 



evinced the most generous philanthropy m their efforts for hu- 

 man happiness and advancement. If it should be inquired by 

 the envious what has the American Institute of New- York done 

 more than other institutions ? I would reply — and I think con- 

 sistently — look around and tell me what they have 7io^ done! 

 Sir, the " Farmer's Club,'' the meetings of which are held within 

 the walls of the American Institute is the parent of every similar 

 union in the United States ! The advantages offered to agricul- 

 turists, &c. by the professional c^^mmunications and exchanges 

 made at these meetings are most honorable to the Institute and 

 must result in the highest practical advantages to the people of 

 this great country ! 



Sir, there is an imperative necessity for an interchange of this 

 nature, which I trust you will readily admit when we reflect for 

 one moment how much has been lost to mankind in every branch 

 of science by this unfortunate neglect and inobservance. I re- 

 member that the late William Dunlop, of the New- York Drug 

 Mills, — with whom I was engaged when I first came to this coun- 

 try — and who was always experimenting in some way or another, 

 discovered a process for rendering steel particularly, I may say 

 adamantinely hard! He died in 1833, and the secret of his dis- 

 covery was lost to mankind. The principle he employed was of 

 course contraction, but further, as to the particular method he 

 employed, we know not ! This is an instance which came under 

 my own observation ; but how many other lights of science of 

 which we have neither record or conception, have been oblitera- 

 ted by this — I cannot call it less than idle neglect of the discov- 

 erer. 



A writer in a late work of distinguished excellence, has feel- 

 ingly lamented that the men of science of the present day are 

 so deficient in earnestness, and that they have satisfied themselves 

 with the mere statement of facts, without pursuing the inquiry 

 to what additional powers these facts may be regarded tributary ; 

 'that profession supplies the place of performance, and that words 

 have usurped the stern dignity of thought ! This sir, is a sweep- 

 ing accusation, but let us inquire if it is not founded on truth ! 

 We boast of the present as a religious age, and yet we have in 

 too many instances lost sight of the divine power in nature and 



