72 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



Nor has the usefulness of the Institute been limited to this 

 class of persons ; for its halls have constantly been croAvded with 

 the learned and the curious, attracted by the beautiful and inte- 

 resting displays of that mechanical genius which it has done so 

 much to foster. 



Here have been seen the results of patient industry and the 

 triumph of the inventor's skill, and here has many a meritorious 

 mechanic received the encouragement which was essential to suc- 

 cess, and without which some truly useful discovery might have 

 slumbered in obscurity, and perhaps died with its originator. 



The ornamental arts, also, have not been neglected ; and the 

 visitor was wont to see on every side objects which charmed the 

 most cultivated taste. 



We see no specimens of mechanical skill around us to-night ; 

 there is no great engine puffing and panting in the distance, mov- 

 ing with its iron arms the mighty press, or those great Cyclopean 

 masses of machinery which, under its influence, seem instinct 

 with life and power. 



The Institute on this occasion has set before you a display of 

 the productions of nature improved by the fostering care of man, 

 a show of the most beautiful plants and flowers, and of the choi- 

 cest fruits. Agriculture and horticulture have, on this occasion, 

 taken the position which used to be assigned to manufactures, 

 and Nature, in her most beautiful manifestations, sits enthroned 

 in the place of Art. 



The citizens of New York are indebted chiefly to Messrs. Car- 

 penter and McElrath, of the Board of Managers of the American 

 Institute, for this chaste and beautiful exhibition, which has 

 given so much pleasure to refined and cultivated minds. 



The idea was a noble one, and it has been ably carried into 

 effect by the active and zealous co-operation of the entire man- 

 agement of the Institute. 



An exhibition of this character was peculiarly appropriate at 

 this time ; nature has, during the past season, been most boun- 

 tiful to us ; the Divine promise, that " seed time and harvest 

 shall not fail," has been more than fulfilled ; with a very few ex- 

 ceptions peace and plenty reign in every part of our vast national 

 domain ; our fields have been bright with the rich harvest of the 

 golden grain ; our gardens and orchards have yielded abundantly, 

 and our store-houses and granaries are filled almost to repletion 

 with the abundance of the earth. 



