PREFACE. 
m 
ously rise in numerous forms to a reflecting mind ; 
but the means of encompassing this end have hither¬ 
to been unattainable. It is also intended, if possi¬ 
ble, to establish a library, to be composed of publi¬ 
cations relating exclusively to the arts ; this would 
be the means of bringing home to us the improve¬ 
ments that have been made, and which are daily 
making in other parts of the world. Besides the 
fund of useful information which this would pro¬ 
duce, and which would otherwise be lost to us, it 
would enable those who are in pursuit of any un¬ 
discovered good to avoid the track of useless re¬ 
search, and take that which would most probably 
lead to a successful issue; it would also, in many 
instances, save them from the toil and expense of 
inventions which others have achieved before them, 
and it might give an impulse and a direction to 
some genius that would eventually be productive 
of some inestimable good. But this likewise is al-- 
most a hopeless object, unless public aid appear iii 
its favor. 
Distributing premiums for useful discoveries 
and for executions in the arts of extraordinary ex¬ 
cellence, has ever been considered among the most 
powerful stimulants, and much good has been pro¬ 
duced by the energies thus excited. The little 
that has been done by the society in this way it is 
believed has not been without effect; but it is to 
be lamented that but a little is all that could be 
done. The patriotic wish of doing more was 
