26 



Annual Address. 



and which will make it attractive as the seat not merely 

 of political power, but of learning, of culture, and of social 

 refinement. In such a work as this it is within the pro- 

 vince of the Institute to perform an important part, and 

 our present corporate powers are such as are fully adequate 

 to the purpose. 



The term arts, as used in the charter of the original so- 

 ciety, was understood in the old sense of the term as em- 

 bracing both the fine arts and the useful arts ; and the old 

 by-laws, in classifying the objects of the society, specifically 

 designated as one of them : " The fine arts, comprehend- 

 ing painting in all its branches, sculpture, modelling, en- 

 graving, music, and architecture." 



It was, I think, a wise foresight in the charter of the 

 Institute that provided, in addition to the two original de- 

 partments, for the creation of a department of history and 

 general literature. This last department was organized 

 many years ago, and has already been productive of valua- 

 ble results, in the interest it has excited and in the valua- 

 ble contributions it has called forth. One of our members, 

 whose press is known throughout the country for a nicety 

 of literary selection, and a beauty of typography not un- 

 worthy of the Elzevirs, or the Stephenses, has shown us 

 by his antiquarian researches and publications how rich a 

 vein of historic interest may be found in the local annals 

 of our city and its neighborhood. As time goes on, these 

 memorials of the past become of deeper interest in them- 

 selves, and of priceless value as materials for the future his- 

 torian, and I think we should give every possible aid and 

 encouragement to their preservation. 



The proj ect which has been for some time past under your 

 consideration, of procuring a new edifice, or at all events 

 suitable rooms for a place of meeting and for our library 

 and collections, is one that should commend itself not only 

 to our members, but to all the citizens of Albany. For al- 



