- 
have preceded it, from the same source, it is characterized by 
y; Z 
i ’ 
186 Miscellanies. 
Gentlemen, accustomed to such duties, are engaged to give short 
courses of lectures in different departments of science, arts and 
literature, and it is expected that a mental entertainment will thus 
be afforded during nearly every week in the year. The lectares 
are open to strangers as well as to citizens; the charges will be 
only sufficient to pay the expenses, and should there be any thing 
remaining, it will be devoted by Mr. Brewster to the formation of 
a library for the institution. At the head of it, is placed Mr. C, 
U. Shepard, a gentlemen already advantageously known as a zealp 
ous and successful cultivator of natural knowledge, especially of chem- 
istry and natural history,* and more especially of mineralogy and bot- 
any. Mr. Shepard will be responsible to give system and effect to 
the lectures; and at three preliminary meetings the design of the ine 
stitution has been already explained to different divisions of citizens 
and strangers. We need scarcely say that Mr. Brewster’s example 
is worthy of all praise and imitation, especially when we add, 
his exertions and contributions are equally conspicuous in the prome 
tion of every other important interest of the community. i 
We hope to announce, at no distant day, another example,—n 
of a mechanic, as in this instance, but of a practical farmer, who, 
earning his money at the plow, and willing to see good done while 
he is yet in vigorous, middle life, bestows his earnings, by thousands, 
for the promotion of liberal knowledge. 
13. Alddresses of the Rev. Adam Sedgwick at the anwersty 
meetings of the Geological Society of London.—The last of these 
very able addresses was delivered Feb. 18, 1831. Like those thal 
great 
learning, vigor and discrimination. Professor Sedgwick’s master 
summaries of the progress of geological discovery and induction 
the best history of the science, during the period which they 
cover ; and there is no conclusion which they tend more fully to & 
tablish than the necessity of great caution in drawing general “ 
ferences from a limited view of facts. Tio be justly appreciated: 
these discourses must be studied with attention, and it is to be es 
reseD 
that the learned author will, in some other form if not in the P 
: i ; : e 
(since he has ceased to preside over the geological society,) contin 
his reviews of the progress of geology with unsparing although cou” 
teous criticism. 
or 
* See his papers in this Journal, passim. 
