1842 .] THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE* 257 
Italian Architect, of 1835.— From the Author. 
Address delivered before the American Whig and Cliosophic Socie¬ 
ties of the College of New Jersey, September, 1840.— From J. 
H. Causten , Jr. 
Report from the Department of Astronomy, &c.: 
“Lieut. Gilliss stated to the Department that the bill authorizing the honorable 
Secretary of the Navy to erect an Observatory had become a law, and that he had 
been directed by the Department to consult the most eminent astronomers on the 
best plan for its construction. 
He stated, also, that this, the first National Observatory, would be commenced 
under the most favorable circumstances. The site proposed is Camp Hill, and the 
buildings will probably be completed in January, 1844. 
At a regular meeting of the Department held on the 9th September, instant, it was 
ordered, that the above information be communicated to the National Institute by 
the Secretary. 
SILAS H, HILL, Secretary .” 
Abstract of Correspondence. 
Circular addressed to fifteen foreign societies in August, transmitting 
first and second bulletins, and asking their correspondence, &c., 
&c. 
Letters and Communications. 
From Professor H. C. Kutser, Technical Gymnasium of Erlangen, 
in Bavaria, March 13, 1842: On the subject of exchanging objects 
of natural history—furnishing a list of specimens for exchanges, and 
requesting orders from the Institute. 
From Dr. T. G. Flugel, U. S. Consul, Leipsic, March 25, 1842: 
Stating that he has forwarded to Hon. Mr. Adams, for the Institute, 
a specimen of German industry, an allegorical napkin, manufactured 
by Mr. Schiffner, of Saxony, and expressing a hope that the Institute 
will take some step to recommend the fabric to the American public.— 
American autographs. 
From Dr. Robley Dunglison, Secretary of American Philosophi¬ 
cal Society, Philadelphia, July 15, 1842. 
From Hon. E. Everett, American Minister, London, July 29,1842. 
From Edmund Ruffin, (to Mr. Upshur,) Petersburg, Va., July 
29, 1842: Proposing to send or bring on a suite of Virginia tertiary 
fossils to exchange for duplicates of the Exploring Expedition. 
From Capt. George W. Hughes, Topographical Engineers, West 
River, August 7, 1842. 
From Dr. T. Purrington, Washington, August 8, 1842: Present- 
ing in the name of Midshipman Geo. W. Harrison, U. S. Navy, 
various articles of natural history. 
From Lieut. Benj. Alvord, U. S. Army, August 9, 1842: De¬ 
scribing the polar plant of the western prairies, with a sketch of it, 
a dried specimen of which he has presented to the Institute. 
From Thomas G. Clemson, Lumpkin County, Georgia, August 9, 
