136 American Antiquarian Society. 



inferior quality. In our journey we had passed very near the spot 

 whence it came ; yet we saw no rock but gneiss : still, it is very 

 possible that an anthracite formation may come into view in that neigh- 

 borhood ; and if so, it no doubt belongs to that of Rhode Island, which 

 has already been traced as far north as the borders of New Hamp- 

 shire. In a letter upon this subject, dated January 13th, Mr. Rich- 

 ardson remarks, — "Mr. Brooke the proprietor of the coal mine 

 at Bath, remains very sanguine in the belief that he shall find coal. 

 He informs me, he has found specimens that would burn very well 

 with the aid of a small portion of charcoal to effect their ignition. He 

 continues to excavate slowly ; and has been encouraged by two En- 

 glish coal miners who have lately visited him, and offered to be at 

 the whole expense of excavating, on being allowed two thirds of the 

 profits." If, however, the anthracite should be found, I fear it will 

 afford no advantage to the Iron manufactories ; since all attempts to 

 apply it to use in the reduction of iron ores, so far, at least, as have 

 come within my knowledge, have failed of success. 

 (To be continued.) 



Art. XXIV. — JVotice of the American Antiquarian Society; ahridg- 

 ed from a letter* addressed by Dr. Jacob Porter to M. Fursi 

 Laisne, of Paris. 



This Institution was established at Worcester, Mass. in 1812, a 

 charter having been given by the legislature of that state. From a 

 notice of the society published in 1813, it appears that its object is 

 neither personal, local nor temporary ; nor coincident with that of any 

 other society established in the United States, there being no other 

 institution whose object is exclusively retrospective. 



Although American antiquities, natural, artificial and literary, have 

 the first claims on the attention of the society, it desires and receives 

 also those from other countries, and all of them are not only inter- 

 esting to the curious but highly instructive to the philosopher and 

 historian, often presenting a mirror of other times and frequently 

 symbolizing them by tangible memorials. 



The society has wisely chosen for its anniversary the 23d of Oc- 

 tober, in commemoration of the discovery of America by Columbus. 

 The first anniversary was honored by an address from the venerable 



* All the facts respecting the Antiquarian Society have been preserved. 



