1841.] 
THE NATIONAL INSTITUTION 
107 
From Peter S. Du Ponceau, President of the American Philoso¬ 
phical Society, Philadelphia : Suggesting that the Picture of M. 
Guizot, painted for the Americans in Paris, and destined for Wash* 
ington, might be placed in the Hall of the Institution. 
From Mr. James Glenn, of New-York State: Transmitting a 
manuscript on Light, he., to be laid before the Institution. 
From Henry Bauer,. New-York: Proposing to the Institution to 
exchange objects of Natural History, with C. A. Kuster, Professor 
at the Technical Gymnasium, at Erlangen, in Bavaria. 
From F. L. Castelnau, New-York: Offering observations in 
explanation of the so called Shower of Blood, lately witnessed in 
Tennessee. 
From the Hon. Mr. Granger, Postmaster General : Consenting, 
in reply to a request from the National Institution, to deposit a col¬ 
lection of Plants, lying unclaimed in the dead letter office. 
The following communication from Mr. John Pickering, of Bos¬ 
ton, to the Corresponding Secretary, was submitted to the meeting. 
Boston, September 1, 1841. 
Dear Sir : I have received your letter, enclosing a copy of the amended consth 
tution of “The National Institution for the Promotion of Science” in the United 
States, and I will now have the honor to submit some considerations on the subject 
of that interesting association. 
The object of the National Institution, as- described in the general terms of the 
original plan, is “ to promote science and the useful artsand the subjects in¬ 
tended to be comprised in that general description are arranged under eight depart- 
ments, or classes, as follows: 
1. Astronomy, Geography, and Natural Philosophy. 
2. Natural History. 
3. Geology and Mineralogy.- 
4. Chemistry. 
5. The Application of Science to the Useful Arts- 
6. Agriculture. 
7. American History and Antiquities.- 
8. Literature and the Fine Arts. 
All these subjects, I need not say, are entitled to the fostering care of a rich and' 
flourishing people, who are ambitious of sustaining an equal rank with those illus¬ 
trious nations to whose researches in the same sciences the inhabitants of both con¬ 
tinents are so largely indebted for the Various arts and comforts of social life which 
so much distinguish the present age. It is true that the ultimate results of pro¬ 
found investigations in mathematical, or even physical science, are not always so* 
obvious as te command the immediate approbation and encouragement of Govern- 
No. 2, 6 
