Memoir of William Maclure, 393 



among his most pleasing reflections, as age and infirmity 

 drew near, that he had once trodden almost solitary and un- 

 heeded, that path which is now thronged with votaries of 

 science and aspirants for honour. 



In truth, what among temporal considerations is more re- 

 markable and gratifying than the progress which has been 

 made in elucidating the Geology of this country during the 

 past thirty years ? So extended a field, so many obstacles, 

 and so little patronage, seemed at first view to present in- 

 superable difficulties ; and it was feared, and not without 

 reason, that while every part of Europe was explored under 

 the patronage of national governments, the vast natural re- 

 sources of this country would long remain unsearched and 

 unimproved ; not for the want of zeal and talent, but from a 

 deficiency of that encouragement which is necessary to great 

 and persevering exertion. Happily, however, the day of 

 doubt has passed ; and our State governments now vie with 

 each other in revealing those buried treasures which mi- 

 nister so largely to the wealth, the comfort and the intelli- 

 gence of man.* 



The time which Mr. Maclure allotted to repose from his 

 Geological pursuits was chiefly passed in Philadelphia ; 

 where he watched the rise of a young but promising institu- 

 tion, devoted exclusively to Natural History, and numbering 

 among its members whatever our city then possessed of 

 scientific taste and talent. This institution was the Acade- 

 my of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia ; and as its history, 

 from this period, is inseparably connected with the life of 

 Mr. Maclure, let us pause and inquire into its origin and 

 progress. 



The Academy was founded in January, 1812, at which 

 period a few gentlemen, at first but seven in number, resolv- 



* We hope a day may yet arrive when this example will not be lost, as it has 

 been hitherto, upon the Government of India.— Ed. 



