10 
refer to the improvements daily produced in domestic com¬ 
forts, and in the enjoyments of social life. “We are,’ 9 
says an elegant writer, “ much happier for the discovery of 
“ Barometers, Thermometers, Steam Engines, and all the 
u innumerable inventions in the arts and sciences. We are 
“ every day, and every hour reaping the benefit of such in- 
u genuity.”f 
Addressing myself to a society, whose aim is the promo¬ 
tion of useful knowledge, whose first wish is its advancement 
in our native country, I cannot refrain from congratulating 
its members on the great and important improvements, that 
have been made in the Arts and Sciences, since its first or¬ 
ganization.! During the last twenty years, the march of in¬ 
vestigation has been unusually rapid, elucidating something 
in every branch of knowledge, and improving the systems of 
all. Although our country, from its peculiar situation, and 
the pursuits of its inhabitants, has contributed but little to¬ 
wards this happy result, yet its effects are not the less advan¬ 
tageous to our citizens. The want of.fortune, and leisure, 
prevent in a great measure the severe study necessary for 
inventive pursuits, still however the application of discove¬ 
ries to useful and economical purposes, has not been want¬ 
ing in many interesting, and even in some splendid instances. 
The progress of discovery, and invention has peculiarly 
adorned the age in which we live. Amidst bloodshed and 
tumult, Science rises proudly pre-eminent, and claims ex¬ 
emption from the common lot of mortality, as W'ell by the 
magnitude, as the utility of her designs. In no depart¬ 
ment has such rapid improvement been made, as in that 
styled .mathematical and physical science. Chemistry has to¬ 
tally changed its form. Instead of remaining a mass of bar¬ 
barous names, and crude theories, it has become a science at 
once stupendous and beautiful, wonderful alike for the ex¬ 
tensive research and minute accuracy that it combines. 
• f Edinburgh Review, vol. 15, p. 282. Amer. edit. 
t- The Society for the Promotion of Agriculture, Arts and 
Manufactures,” was organized in 1791 ; at the expiration of its 
charter in 1804, it was re-incorporated under its present name., 
'*■ The Society for the Promotion of Useful Arts.” 
