FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18   19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29   30   31   32   33   34   35  
36   37   38   39   40   41   42   43   44   45   46   47   48   49   50   51   52   53   54   55   56   57   58   59   >>  
tten on the black-board by the gentleman from Cambridge (Prof. Pierce) of no practical value, because they cannot be read by the uninstructed eye? A single line may contain the elements of the motions of all the heavenly bodies; and the eye of science, taking its stand-point at the center of gravity of the system, will see in the equation the harmonious revolutions of all the bodies which circle the heavens. It is such labors and such generalizations that have rendered his name illustrious in the history of mathematical science. Is it of no practical value that the Chief of the Coast Survey (Prof. Bache), by a few characters written upon paper, at Washington, has determined the exact time of high and low tide in the harbor of Boston, and can determine, by a similar process, the exact times of high and low water at every point on the surface of the globe? Are not these results, the highest efforts of science, also of the greatest practical utility? And may we not, then, conclude that _there is nothing truly practical which is not the consequence of an antecedent ideal_? Science is to art what the great fly-wheel and governor of a steam-engine are to the working part of the machinery--it guides, regulates, and controls the whole. Science and art are inseparably connected; like the Siamese Twins, they cannot be separated without producing the death of both. How, then, are we to regard the superb specimens of natural history, which the liberality, the munificence; and the wisdom of our State have collected at the Capitol? They are the elements from which we can here determine all that belongs to the Natural History of our State; and may we not indulge the hope, that science and genius will come here, and, striking them with a magic wand, cause the true practical to spring into immortal life? Remarks were also uttered by Prof. CHESTER DEWEY, President ANDERSON, and Rev. Dr. COX. And thus ended the Inauguration of the State Geological Hall. We turn to the Observatory, in regular order of succession. INAUGURATION OF DUDLEY OBSERVATORY. The Inauguration of the Dudley Observatory took place under the same tent which was appropriated to the dedication of the Geological Hall, and on the day following that event. An immense audience was assembled, drawn by the announcement of Mr. EVERETT'S Oration. At a little past three o'clock the procession of _savans_ arrived from the Assembly Chambe
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18   19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29   30   31   32   33   34   35  
36   37   38   39   40   41   42   43   44   45   46   47   48   49   50   51   52   53   54   55   56   57   58   59   >>  



Top keywords:

practical

 

science

 

history

 

Inauguration

 

Geological

 

Observatory

 

determine

 

Science

 

bodies

 
elements

immortal
 

spring

 

uttered

 
ANDERSON
 

President

 

CHESTER

 
Remarks
 

munificence

 
wisdom
 

collected


Capitol
 

liberality

 

natural

 

regard

 

superb

 

specimens

 

Pierce

 

genius

 

striking

 

indulge


belongs

 

Natural

 

History

 
gentleman
 

announcement

 

EVERETT

 

assembled

 
immense
 

audience

 
Oration

savans
 
arrived
 

Assembly

 

Chambe

 

procession

 

succession

 

INAUGURATION

 

regular

 
DUDLEY
 

OBSERVATORY