320 



Manual of the Albany Institute. 



volumes, raainly composed of communications read at 

 its sessions, were published;^ that it exerted a most 

 favorable influence upon agriculture; and that it was 

 for five 3'ears the organ of the state -in distributing 

 premiums for improvements in domestic manufac- 

 tures. 



The premium specimens of domestic woolens, 

 mounted in five folio scrap books, are still preserved 

 in the Institute library. 



" The Albany Lyceum of Natural History" was or- 

 ganized early in 1823, under the presidency of Stephen 

 Van Rensselaer, and was incorporated by the Legisla- 

 ture on the 23d day of April in that year. Directing 

 its labors to the advancement of a knowledge of the 

 natural sciences, it succeeded in forming a museum 

 embracing collections in the various branches, espe- 

 cially geology, mineralogy and palseontology, which 

 were for a time regarded as the most extensive and 

 valuable in the country. 



Circumstances induced a majority of the members 

 of the two latter societies to believe that the objects 

 for which they had been incorporated would be pro- 

 moted by mutual cooperation ; and accordingly, in May, 

 1824, articles of association were agreed to, providing 

 for the organization of "The Albany Institute." The 

 substance of these articles is embodied in the charter 

 granted by the Legislature, February 27th, 1829. It 

 appears from the above that the Albany Institute is 

 the legitimate successor of the pioneer series of asso- 

 ciations formed and incorporated within this state for 

 the promotion of science. Its membership has in- 



1 Society for the promotion of useful arts in the state of New York : 

 Transactions, vol. 2, 3, 4: parts 1, 2. Albany 1807, 1814, 1816, 1819. 

 3 vols., 8vo. Volume 1 is under the first title of the society above. 



