65 



that its patronage may be always liberally 

 extended for the developement of the natu- 

 ral resources of the country, and finally, 

 that no mistaken economy may be opposed 

 to the prosperity of these sciences which 

 are intimately connected with the best in- 

 terests of the nation. 



CONCLUSION. 



In taking this rapid, and, I am sensible, 

 imperfect review of the labors of our coun- 

 trymen, several thoughts are naturally sug- 

 gested. It will be perceived that without 

 any greater incitement to exertion than 

 what is derived from the laudable curiosity 

 which prompts us to investigate the opera- 

 tions of nature, and with no other reward 

 than the satisfaction derived from the inves- 

 tigations themselves, our naturalists have 

 been industriously employed. In other coun- 

 tries, from the unequal distribution of pro- 

 perty, it not unfrequently happens that large 

 fortunes in the hands of private individuals 

 are munificently expended for the encou- 

 ragement of the Natural Sciences, and the 

 fostering hand of government is liberally 

 extended towards these objects. Splendid 



