Br. T. R. Beck's Address. 



Art. XVII. Address delivered before the Lyceum of Natural 

 History, (now the Second Department of the Institute,) at its 

 first Anniversary, March 1, 1824. By T. Romeyn Beck. 

 It is with no small degree of pleasure, that I meet the members 

 of the Lyceum, to celebrate its first anniversary. Having been a 

 witness, rather than an actor, in this place, I can with the more 

 freedom, bear testimony to the activity which has characterized its 

 proceedings, and the success which has attended its youthful ef- 

 forts. The uncertainty that accompanies every untried undertak- 

 ing, was early dissipated by the generous patronage of our fellow 

 citizens, while our progress in advancing the objects of the institu- 

 tion has been prosperous even beyond the hopes of the most san- 

 guine. A permanent foundation is laid for the study of several of 

 the sciences that appertain to natural history, and as the informa- 

 tion which is so advantageously acquired in a society, increases, 

 we may confidently hope for the elucidation of the remainder. 

 These are subjects worthy of congratulation, and they deserve to 

 be noticed at this time, as commendations for past exertions and 

 incentives to future endeavours. 



Natural History with the governments of Europe, is deemed an 

 object worthy of regal patronage. There is no civilized nation, I 

 believe, in that quarter of the globe, which has not at one time or 

 another, sent forth her scientific missionaries to investigate the 

 productions of other lands, and to bring back the fruit of their toils 

 to the bosom and for the benefit of their country. In some instan- 

 ces, these have been connected with commercial or warlike expe- 

 ditions ; while in others, the promotion of science has been the 

 leading and permanent object. The French and English govern- 

 ments, in particular, have adopted such views with steadiness and 

 with unparalleled success. The expedition of Bonaparte to Egypt 

 was attended by a corps of scientific men, who pursued their 

 studies amidst the din of arms and the horrors of the climate ; and 

 when that sagacious individual became the ruler of France, he 

 embraced the first moment of peace to dispatch vessels on a voy- 

 age of discovery to the Australasian continent. So also with the 

 British government, from the days of Captain Cook down to the 

 present period. Individuals are at this very time employed in 

 every part of her magnificent East India empire, in collecting the 



