*J;?;;!:t!;[-'^V:v'^^^V;:::i::..:!;ifv.ii . .. n«iV'!':.',';'M,i'''-,'>-. ■■•■' •'•' '■■•'■■■ mmytmmm^m y,-y' •, - : .'.V.V -J -X- v>r;':k. ■..•■•.Sj.'.-.-l.i. ^;M.:-.'" ■.:, : j i-'SPi ■vi -■•:::•»' •,.'•*•?•■>>•. \ x'.K ^ ':?;'■ ■ ■:?. ■ \ 3 r-- v-' . -'\- \iV ■;*a.?;i:3:: '"£-. •'i'-ip ;.. ' ■ - iw UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOUNDED 1836 WASHINGTON, D. C. OPO 16—67244-1 INAUGURAL ADDRESS, DELIVERED IN THE Chapel of the TJniversity at Cambridge, DECEMBER 11, 1816. BY JACOB BIGELOW, M. D. nUMFORD PROFESSOR IN HARVARD UNIVERSITY boston: PRINTED BY WELLS AND hlLhiT. 181T. Latin Classicks. Wells and Lilly have just finished their edition of Cicero's Works, in Twenty Volumes, large 12mo.; price in Boards thirty-six dollars. This is published from Ernesti's third and best edition, with all the Prefaces, Notes and Indexes. The Clavis Ciceromana constitutes the three last volumes ; and the whole has been executed with the greatest attention to typographical neatness and accuracy. Some extra copies of the Clavis have been printed, and may be had separately. This will serve for mo3t editions of Cicero, and may be considered as extremely useful in the illus- tration of any Ciassick author. Some extra copies also, are printed, of Cicero de Oraforc, and of his De OJficiis; which last is accompanied by the treatises De Sencctute and De Amicilia. The number of subscribers to the works of Cicero has fallen very far short of the reasonable expectations of the Editors, they intend however, in pursuance of the plan originally laid down in their prospectus, to commence shortly an Edition of the 'Works of Tacitus. In this the edition of Oberlin will be followed as respects the text. As however, the insertion of all his Notes will be im- possible, such of them will be omitted as have regard principally to the various readings. On the. other hand, his explanatory Notes will be mostly retained. The reputation of Oberlin, as an illustrator of Tacitus, is very high, and in addition to his own, he has inserted the most valuable notes of Lipsius, Brotier, Gronovius, Ernesti, Lallemand, the Bipont Editore, &c. &c. This edition of Tacitus will be accompanied by an Index, and will make three volumes of about 400 pages each, price six dollars^ in neat boards; reckoning, as in the edition of Cicero, $1,50 for every 300 pages. In type and paper an exact uniformity will be preserved, and the greatest attention will continue to be paid fo typographical accuracy. The Editors are very desirous to complete a set of the most valuable LATrN Classicks. To those gentlemen who have hitherto favoured this design, they return their thanks. These are especially due to the Fellows and Corporation of the University ok Ca.mhridkk, without whose liberal aid. this edition would not have commenced, and-".could not 'now be pro* secuted. Subscriptions are received by Wells and Lilly, Boston, and by their > nts. The subscribers to Cicero's Works will be considered as taking ■dUion of Tacitus, unless they notify the publishers or their agents to thv yuaai^iry. INAUGURAL ADDRESS, OELIVERED IN THE Chapel of the University at Cambridge, DECEMBER 11, 1816. BY JACOB BIGELOW, M. D. RUMFORD PROFESSOR IN HARVARD UNITEBSITY. . r ':■ "• ■ boston: PRINTED BY WELLS AND LILLY- 1817. * i ADVERTISEMENT. a BENJAMIN of Rumford, Count of the Holy Ro- man Empire, Knight of the illustrious orders of the White Eagle and St. Stanislaus, Lieutenant General in the service of his Majesty, the King of Bavaria, F. R. S. Foreign Fellow of the French Institute, &c," died at Auteuil, near Paris, August 21, 1814. By his will, and codicils to the same, made in September and October 1812, in October 1813, and in June 1814, besides other legacies, he bequeathed one thousand dollars annually, and the reversion of other sums, to the " University of Cambridge, in the State of Massachusetts, in North-America, for the purpose of founding under the direction and man- agement of the Corporation, Overseers and Govern- ment of that University, a new Institution and Pro- fessorship, in order to teach, by regular courses of academical and publick lectures, accompanied with proper experiments, the utility of the physical and mathematical sciences, for the improvement of the useful arts, and for the extension of the industry, prosperity, happiness, and well being of society." iv ADVERTISEMENT. The joint executors, M. Julius P. Benjamin Baron Delessert, and Daniel Parker, Esquire, in November next following the death of the Count, transmitted notice of his bequest, with an abstract of the will, to the American Ambassador, at Paris, who sent the same to the Corporation of the University, by whom the documents were received in August, 1815. Samuel Welles, Esq. of the house of Welles and Williams, Paris, being then in Boston, and soon to sail for France, kindly offering his services, and those of his partner, the Corporation immediately appoint- ed those gentlemen, (alutnni of the University) at- tornies, with full powers to do every thing requisite for securing to the University the benefits accruing from Count Rumford's will. By letters from these gentlemen, dated in August last, it appeared, that the estate of Count Rumford had been completely settled according to the terms of the will, and the laws and usages of France ; that the property, by virtue of said will coming to the University, and lying in the publick stocks of France, was duly transferred to this Institution, and that a certain part of the funds was in the hands of the agents, subject to the disposal of the Corporation.* The Corporation in attending to the proceedings of the executors, notice, with respect, the proofs of * The sum denied from the Count's will to the College, is about eleven hundred dollars annually, two hundred of which will be due to the Counters, his da»2/iter, during her life, in case she shall fail to receive her annuity of 2000 florins, from the Court of Bavaria. The University has also the reversion of about four hundred and forty dollars annually. after the death of certain annuitants. ADVERTISEMENT. V their judgment and fidelity in the discharge of their trust ; and acknowlege with gratitude and pleasure their liberal spirit, answering to their character, and justifying the confidence reposed in them by their distinguished friend. The Corporation also feel bound to mention the obligations of the University to Samuel Welles and Francis .Williams, Esqrs, for their particular atten- tion and gratuitous services, in regard to this valua- ble interest of the seminary and of the publick. The compensation of the Professor being thus secured, the Corporation forthwith began to inquire for a suitable gentleman to hold the office; and in October last elected Jacob Bigelow, m.d. and enact- ed the statutes of the Professorship, which follow. The election and the statutes being approved by the Overseers, the first Rumford Professor was in- ducted into office, with the customary forms, on De- cember 11th, in the University Chapel, in the presence of the resident officers and members of the Uni- versity, of his Excellency the Governour, his Honour the Lieutenant Governour, the Council, such of the Senate as could attend, and others of the Board of Overseers, the Fellows of the Corporation, the visitors of the Professorship of Natural History, the members of the Boylston prize committee, the Trus- tees of the Dexter fund, the officers of the Society for Theological Education at Harvard University j and distinguished gentlemen in the walks of science or of publick life, particularly invited. A number vi advertisement. of ladies honoured the occasion with their company. After the usual ceremonies of induction, the Profes- sor delivered his Inaugural Address, which is print- ed at the request of the Corporation. JOHN T. KIRKLAND, PRE8IDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY. University at Cambridge, Mass. December 28, 1316. RULES AND STATUTES OF THE RUMFORD PROFESSORSHIP ESTABLISHED IN HARVARD UNIVERSITY, December, 1816. CHAPTER I. ELECTION OF THE PROFESSOR, AND HIS TENURE OF OFFICE. 1- JL HE Professor shall be called the Rumford Professor in the University of Cambridge. 2. The first professor and his successors shall be elected by the President and Fellows, and the election be approved by the Overseers of Harvard College. The Professor shall be a Master of Arts, and shall bear the character of a man of science, piety, and good morals. 3. The Professor after his election, and before he enter on the duties of his office, shall make and subscribe a declaration, similar to the declarations required of the Medical Professors. 4. The Professor shall hold his office by the same tenure generally, as the other Professors on foun^ dations, and shall be subject to removal by the President and Fellows for any cause, by them deem- ed just and sufficient, the Overseers consenting thereto. b rules and statutes. CHAPTER II. THE DUTIES OF THE PROFESSOR. i 1. It shall be the duty of the Professor, to exe- cute the will of the founder; his bequest being • made for " the purpose of founding, under the direc- tion and management of the Corporation, Overseers, and Government of the University, a new institution and Professorship, in order to teach, by regular courses of academical and publick lectureswaccom- panied with proper experiments, the utility of the physical and mathematical sciences for the improve- ment of the useful arts, and for the extension of the industry, prosperity, "happiness and well-being of society." 2. In pursuance of this general design of the founder, it shall be the duty of the Professor to explain, and, as far as may be, elucidate by demon- strations and experiments the manner in which the mathematical and physical sciences are or have been actually applied to the arts and to the purposes of life,—to describe, with illustrations by the exhi- bition of experiments and models, valuable im- provements, inventions, and discoveries, not generally known or introduced into use,—to engage, as op* portunity or occasion may suggest, or the Corpora- rules and statutes. a tion may point out, in particular investigations for making discoveries relating to the theory or practice of the useful arts, and for ascertaining the value of proposed improvements, communicating the results of his inquiries, examinations and experiments, in his lectures, or from the press. 3. It will be the duty of the Professor to point out the sources of information on the various sub- jects comprised in the general design of the Rum- ford Professorship, and which subjects may not be particularly displayed and treated in the lectures of the Professor. 4. He shall annually, at assigned periods, direct the attention of his hearers, and of the publick, to the valuable discoveries and inventions, which have been offered to the world in the year preceding, and shall point out the most prominent objects of atten- tion and inquiry in philosophical, agricultural and economical subjects, which may be prevalent. 5. In the course of his lectures, he shall take due notice of the labours and services of the founder, in this department of knowledge, and the important results of his researches and experiments. And the Professor shall generally perform such duties, rela- tive to the objects of the professorship, as the Cor- poration, with the consent of the overseers, shall, from time to time, prescribe. 6. The time, the particular subjects, and the number of the Professor's Lectures, the manner of 2 10 rules and statutes. giving them, the persons who shall have a right to attend, with the terms and conditions, shall be under the direction of the Corporation. The Corporation, in pursuance of the power con- tained in the last article, have voted to allow the Professor one year from his election for preparing his first course of lectures ; which are to be deli- vered at the University, and to be open to persons not of the University, under proper restrictions, and on sucH Jierras as may be established. \ INAUGURAL ADDRESS. Human ingenuity, in all ages of the world, has been directed to the acquisition of power. The simple bodily strength, with which nature has endowed every one; the inventions which we have sought out to extend and improve our physical ability; the craft and subtlety with which we learn to operate on our fellow-beings have been strikingly employed, at all times, for the promotion of this object. Those men have been great, who have brought others under their dominion ; who have swayed them by their eloquence, or influenced them by the ascendency of their character; or who, by enlarging the boundaries of human knowledge, have increased the extent of their own resources, and obtained a control over the creation around them. , Power, when acquired, may have centred and terminated with the individual, or it may have become the common stock of society, and descended from one age to another. In this respect, we find a remarkable difFerence between the civil and the philosophical history of the world. The power which men and nations exercise in regard to each other, is temporary and transient. The greatest individuals have lived to see the decline of every thing upon which their greatness reposed. Societies and political institutions, which have been distinguished in their ascent, have been not less remarkable in their fall. Those nations and governments which, in former times, have subdued their competitors and controlled, for a time, the destinies of a lSi INAUGURAL ADDRESS. great portion of the world; are now erased from the list of empires, and, perhaps, recognised only in name. In the history of philosophy, on the other hand, every thing is permanent and progressive. The triumphs of the human mind over the obstacles that oppose its progress, have never been suspended in any period of the world. The inge- nuity of mankind has never ceased to devise successful means of perpetuating its own empire. It has never forgotten how to subjugate the elements to its will, and to reduce all natural agents into ministers of its pleasure and power. What one age has acquired, another has not lost, but each succeeding generation have taken up the conquest where their predeces- sors had relinquished it; and if they have not been able to advance into unexplored regions, they have, at least, sacri- ficed nothing of what was already won. Those sciences and arts, which give mankind an ascendency over the crea- tion about them, have never, for a moment, escaped from their direction and use. The navigation of the sea and the cultivation of the earth, the forging of metals and the fash- ioning of wood, though their origin is beyond the memory of man,* yet have continued without ceasing, even to the present day, to be extended and improved. In the progress of philosophy, we have also the con- soling evidence, that its uniform tendency has been to ameliorate the condition and promote the happiness of mankind. Its effect is not merely to aggrandize the indivi- duals who cultivate it, but likewise to benefit those who may be within the sphere of its influence. The branches of natu- ral science, in particular, have this excellence, that they do not terminate in mere speculation, but that most of them have a direct bearing upon the wants of society, and tend to ob- jects of real use. But these are not the only inviting features in their character. As they have hitherto been uniformly progressive, so they will continue to be; and the analogy of INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 13 their previous growth affords an unlimited prospect for the future. Even at the present period of improvement, there is much to be learned in natural science ; and the student, who would be serviceable to his country, may enlist him- self in this department of labour, almost with the certainty of being able to contribute something to the general good. He need not despair at the amount of preparatory acquisi- tion which seems necessary to qualify him for usefulness. The paths to eminence are less circuitous in this, than in some of the more abstract departments of knowledge. Many of the important discoveries in physics have been made by men young in life, restricted in leisure, and per- haps uninformed in the elegant branches of literature. The avenues to distinction in natural science, are propor tionate to the multiplicity of its objects. Independent of the general subjects of investigation, which are open in all countries alike, there are opportunities exclusively local, peculiar to the place of one's own residence, by the study and improvement of which his labours may become inter- esting and valuable. This remark may well be brought home to our own country. If any one here despair of successfully cultivating those branches of physical science, which are pursued by learned men in other parts of the globe, with large establishments and expensive endowments j let him see if there are not subjects within the circle of his own walks, which are neither arduous in their character nor expensive in their cultivation, and which lie open to his unassisted industry. A multitude of such subjects he may find in the face and features of our continent: its structure and composition ; its capacity for the different branches of agriculture, the improvements of which, its present appro- priations are susceptible ; its geography ; its climate and meteorology; its influence on the human body and the hu- man mind ; its diseases; its natural productions, minerals. 14 INAUGURAL ADDRESS. plants, and animals ; the resources which it has already derived from these, and those which it has yet to discover; the local exigences and wants, which may be supplied by the application of foreign inventions and known improve- ments, or by the contrivance and adaptation of new ones; in short, whatever may tend to increase the facilities of subsistence, and the welfare of those among whom we live. Motives of philanthropy may urge the pursuit of sub- jects like these, but the calls of patriotism prefer even a stronger claim. The place of our birth and residence is the proper sphere and object of our exertions. It does not become us to complain of its disadvantages, and de- scant upon the superiority of more favoured spots. We should rather consider how we may overcome its de- fects, and improve its real advantages. We should also see, whether its irremediable faults are not, in some in* stances, productive to us of good as well as of evil. The portion of country in which it is our fortune to live, is not one of exuberant soil and spontaneous plenty. The summer of New-England does not^ elicit a second burden from our trees, nor is even our annual harvest exempt from the contingency of failure. Winter maintains here a long and late influence upon the seasons, and frosts are visiting us in the latest breezes of spring. Our territory is inter- rupted by extensive masses of rock, and broken by moun- tains intractable to cultivation. Our thin and penurious soil rests upon beds of granite, upon flint and sand, which drain it of its moisture, while themselves afford no pabulum for its vegetation. Whatever is raised from the bosom of the jbtrth must be extorted by assiduous and painful cul- ture, and a labourious vigilance is necessary to insure the fruits of the year. Yet has this part of our country become the most popu- lous and enlightened in the continent upon which we live. INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 1£ The very causes which seemed at variance with our pros- perity, have proved its most powerful promoters. A vigor and hardihood of character have grown up, out of the evils which they had to combat; and a spirit of enterprise and perseverance, unknown in more luxurious climates, has become the characteristic of our population. The intelli- gence and the untiring application which were at first the offspring of necessity, have eventually exhibited ample fruits in the features of our land. Cultivated grounds and ornamental dwellings, wealthy cities and flourishing institu- tions have arisen upon a spot, where nature was never lavish of her gifts. A spirit of frugality and a talent of inven- tion, have more than supplied the disadvantages of our natural situation. Around us is comfort, and plenty, and health. Our faculties are not exhausted by the debilitat- ing heats of a sultry summer, nor our constitutions assailed by the miasmata of pestilential marshes. In our climate youth is active, and manhood is hardy. A spirit of adventure carries us every where in pursuit of the means of living, and there is no part of the world in which the New-England character is not represented. The means of information are cherished in our humblest villages; our cities are but little infested with the crimes of the older continent, and among us, to an extent perhaps unexampled, the reign of intelligence and of principle supersedes the coercion of law. Under so distinguished advantages, let us not complain of our lot in a country which gives us natural talents, and a climate which calls them into action. We should rather consider, that the health and alacrity which we possess, are not the common tenants of a rank and luxuriant clime ; that the sultry and tepid breezes which multiply the fruits of the earth and render their qualities more exquisite, do not bring with them a keener relish, a more healthy circulation, 16 INAUGURAL ADDRESS. or a more vigorous frame. Few countries can boast of being what Italy was in the time of her ancient poets, at once the parent of fruits and of men.1 Luxury and indo- lence are the well known concomitants of a torrid atmos- phere and an exuberant soil. If, in our northern and wintry climate, we are strangers to the rich profusion of a southern soil; we have the consolation that this climate, while it yields us but a scanty harvest for a laborious cultivation, yields us at the same time a blessing, for which there can be no equivalent, the capacity of enjoyment that results from vigour of body and activity of mind. In science and the arts, notwithstanding the infancy of our institutions, and the embarrassment which most indi- viduals experience from the necessity of attending to the calls of business; we have not been wholly without improve- ment, and are perhaps not destitute of a name. The re- searches of most of our ingenious men have had utility for their object. They have been performed in intervals taken from professional duties, and have been impeded by a deficiency of books and means. We have had little of the parade of operation, yet we have sometimes seen the fruits of silent efficiency and perseverance. We have had few learned men, but many useful ones. We have not often seen individuals among us, like the laborious Germans, spending their lives in endless acquisitions, while perhaps themselves add little to the general stock of knowledge; yet we have had inen of original talents, who have been fortu- nate enough to discover some province in which they were qualified to be serviceable to their country and mankind. We have had ingenious mechanicians, skilful projectors, profound mathematicians, and men well versed in the use- ful learning of their time. The progress of our internal improvements, and the high state of the mechanic arts among us, as well as in our sister states, has entitled us to INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 17 the character of a nation of inventors. The individuals who have originated and promoted such improvements, have often been men unambitious of fame, whose lives have past in obscurity ; yet there have sometimes been those among us, whose labours have attracted the honorable notice of foreigners, and reflected lustre upon the country of their birth. It has even been our fortune to impose obligations on others, and there are services of our citizens which are now better known than their names. There are some things which, if gathered from the ashes of obscurity, might serve to shed a gleam upon our literary reputation, and to make known at least the light they have kindled for others. It is a fact perhaps not generally realized, that the Ameri- can Philosophical Society at Philadelphia, the Royal Socie- ty of Great Britain, and the Royal Institution of .London, all of them are in a measure indebted for their birth and first foundation to natives or inhabitants of New-England." Among those whom we shall longest remember, are men whose memory is associated with our own institutions, or with the sciences, which they laboured to promote. While we pass over the distinguished names of the Winthrops and Bowdoin, we should not forget that Franklin, the philosopher of the western world, was a native of New- England, and a son of our own metropolis. It was his for- tune to live in times of political importance, and to find in science some paths untrodden by his predecessors. The great national events which he contributed to promote, and the brilliant and imposing nature of his philosophic dis- coveries, have been sufficient to aggrandize his character and immortalize his fame. Many men have been as learn- ed, and many patriots as ardent, but few have left behind them a character to be summed up in a sublimer epitaph, than his,—who snatched the thunderbolt from heaven and the sceptre from tyrants.* IS INAUGURAL ADDRESS. It is with peculiar emotions of gratitude, of patriotism, and pride, that we this day recall the memory of a son of Massachusetts, of one who was transplanted from us at an early period, and destined to flourish under other skies than ours ; but who has left us the memorial that he was not unmindful of the country of his birth, and that for us he has not lived in vain. Few among us are ignorant that Benja- min Count Rumford received his birth and education in the near vicinity of these walls.4 There are now living among us those who remember the features of his boyhood, and recognized the early traits of his unfolding genius. On the present occasion, time would not suffice us to go minutely into the history of his adventurous and important life. He remained long enough on this side the Atlantic to develop those powers of mind and body, which after- wards paved his way to the distinctions of Europe. An enthusiasm in the pursuit of learning, an ardent ambition for fame, a noble and commanding person, and a fascinating address and manner, were as conspicuous in his youth as they were celebrated in his after life. At the commence- ment of our revolutionary troubles, Count Rumford having the misfortune to labour under the combined influence of disappointment and suspicion, which the qualities of his temper were ill calculated to brook j resolved to embark for England, and to entrust to fortune and to his own genius the allotment of his future destiny.5 Arrived in London, it was his singularly good fortune to acquire at once the confidence and esteem of men high in power. His talent for science, as well as his political and military abilities began to display themselves. Early dis- tinctions flowed in upon him, so that while yet a young man, this emigrant from the western wilds was attracting public attention, as a member of the Royal Society, as under-sec- retary of state, and as a colonel in the British army. INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 19 His fondness for travelling and passion for the military hfe drew him to the continent, and at Strasburgh he was so fortunate as to acquire not only the acquaintance, but the personal and intimate friendship of the Prince of Deux Ponts, afterwards king of Bavaria. By this prince he was introduced at the court of the reigning Elector Palatine, his personal and mental talents procured him a reception almost unprecedented, and Munich became the seat of his subsequent residence and fame. In this capital, the quali- ties of his mind had full scope and opportunity to display themselves. His philosophic researches and discoveries became celebrated throughout Europe. His public and domestic improvements were acknowledged and adopted, and though a foreigner in Germanjr, the highest civil and military honors became his reward. Returned to England in the character of minister pleni- potentiary, though for state reasons he was not accredited in this capacity, yet his popularity in that country was ex- tensive and undiminished. A series of essays which he began to publish upon philosophic subjects were generally read and admired, his economic improvements became every where fashionable; the weight and ascendency of his character were such that they enabled him to carry into effect extensive and important innovations; and among other things, the Royal Institution of London, a school of science which has been destined to attain the highest ce- lebrity, and to become a fountain of light to the philoso- phic world,—this institution owes its first existence to his individual influence and efficiency. The paths in which Count Rumford trod were as nume- rous as his success in all of them was remarkable. The literary and philosophic part of his career seems to have furnished the source of his ruling passion, as well as of his most permanent distinctions in society. His scientific in- 20 INAUGURAL ADDRESS. vestigations were laborious, most of them were original, and all of them tending to purposes of practical utility. Those two universal and mysterious agents of our globe, heat and light, so cheering and so necessary, that to procure thefia constitutes more than half the labour of our existence,6 these were incessant subjects of his study and investigation. He experimented on the non-conducting power of different substances, for heat, that he might bring them to practical use in clothing; he investigated the phenomena of radia- tion, and the modes of detaining and economizing heat, that the greatest quantity of caloric might be brought into use with the smallest expense of combustion. Hi3 improve- ments were carried from the fireside of the parlour into the humbler sphere of culinary operations, and their success- ful application has been abundantly realized in a diminu- tion of the wants and expenses of life. His philanthropic institutions for the support and nour- ishment of the poor were among the most fortunate and successful efforts of his genius. In the places of his resi- dence he succeeded in relieving society of one of its most unprofitable burdens, and of substituting industry and comfort, for profligacy and want.. It was his lot to expe- rience what does not always befall the benefactors of man- kind, the real gratitude of those who were the objects of his services. He has described in interesting language the effect produced on his mind during a dangerous illness, by a sound under his window from a procession of th» poor, who were going to church to put up prayers for the recovery of their benefactor. It may not be expedient, at this time, to go into a detail of the principles upon which Count Rumford's various improvements in philosophy, and in private and political economy were founded. In the prosecution of them he was led to the observation of many curious phenomena of INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 21 light and caloric, with which the world have been made acquainted. The application of these to use, and the various contrivances he originated, to increase the convenience, economy, and comforts of living* have given a character to his writings, and are every where associated with his name. His pursuits might even be embodied into a science, for their object is every where known ; a science conversant with a multiplicity of details, but possessing unity of design ; a science humble in the sphere of its operations, but noble in its ultimate destiny ; .a science which every man must practice, but which philosophers and philanthropists must extend ; one, which should it ever demand a definition, would be found to be the science—of clothing, of warming, and of nourish- ing mankind. It will be gratifying to those who have an interest in the character of this great man, to know, that the world was not insensible to his merits ; and that the countries of his residence were not parsimonious of their honors and re- wards. Of the scientific institutions which hastened to enrol him among their members, were the Royal societies of London and Edinburgh, the Royal Academy of Ireland, the Academy of sciences at Berlin, and the Imperial Insti- tute of France. The public thanks of cities were repeat- edly expressed to him in person, and monuments were erected to him during his life.7 His political talents pre- pared his way to civil honors both in England and Bava- ria ; and in the latter place he was successively placed at the head of the departments of war and of general police, and appointed minister plenipotentiary to the court of Great Britain. In the military line, his progress was not less remarkable, and he who commenced his career as a major in the militia of New-Hampshire, ended it as lieu- tenant general of the armies of Bavaria. He was succes- 2% INAUGURAL ADDRESS. sively knighted by the kings of Great Britain and Poland, and that nobility might not be wanting to swell the sum of his greatness, he was raised to the dignity of a count of the German empire. Thus much of Count Rumford, the world knows, and posterity will remember. To say that he possessed a character without faults would be to challenge the incredu- lity of both. But if he had faults they were those of ambition, and his failings were the failings of the great. They were never sufficient to diminish the admiration of mankind for his character, though they sometimes embit- tered the scenes of his private life. The latter part of his days, which he passed in France, does not seem to have been marked by that conciliating demeanor and that happy superiority over circumstances, which had formerly been his passport with the world. Conscious of the importance of his services and accustomed to the homage of those around him, his mind acquired a cast of character little suited to the levity and urbanity of the French metropolis. His schemes and suggestions were heard with respect, but not adopted with eagerness. His intercourse with the so- ciety around him was decorous and formal, but not cordial and unreserved ; a second marriage had not blessed his do- mestic repose ; and he seems at last to Jiave retired some- what in disgust with the world, to his private mansion at Auteuil, near Paris. Thus was the period at length arrived, when Count Rumford reviewed the scenes of his versatile and che- quered life, and remembered the country of his birth. It was the period when the claims of ambition and the vani- ties of the world were to find their true place in the scale against the more ingenuous feelings and convictions of the soul. This man, who had risen into life with a success the most brilliant and unexampled ; who for successive years INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 23 had flourished in the sunshine of royal patronage ; who had seen institutions grow up under his forming hand, which were to enlighten and improve the world; who had been hailed as the benefactor of cities, and caressed as the favorite of courts.—This man in the twilight of his life, felt, that he was a stranger in a foreign land.—With the eye of desire, and of gratitude, he looked back to the rocky shores of New-England, Et dulces raoriens reminiscitur Argos. The world were not indifferent to his death. His cha- racter and biography appeared in the journals of Europe, and his eulogy was pronounced in the Institute of France by one of, the most learned men of the present age— " Surely," said Cuvier, " if worldly honors and renown can ever be superfluous, they must have been so to that man, who, by the fortunate choice of his career, knew how at once to acquire the esteem of the great, and the blessings of the unfortunate." To the country of his birth, Count Rumford has be- queathed his fortune and his fame. The lessons of patriot- ism which we should learn from his memorable life, are important and convincing. It should teach us to respect ourselves, to value our resources, to cultivate our talents. Let those who would depreciate our native genius, recol- lect that he was an American. Let those who would make us the dependants and tributaries of the old world, recol- lect that he has instructed mankind. Let those who would despond as to our future destinies, remember, that his eye, which had wandered over the continent and capitals of Europe, settled at last upon the rising prospects of this western world.—For us, who are destined to labour in the path that he has marked out, and to follow with our eyes, though not with our steps, the brilliancy of his career; it 24* INAUGURAL ADDRESS. may suffice to acknowledge, that we are not indifferent to the honour that has befallen us ; that we are sensible of the magnitude of the example before us; that we believe, that the true end of philosophy is to be useful to mankind, and that we will cheerfully and anxiously enter upon the duties that await us ; happy, if by our efforts, we can hope to add even a humble trophy to the monument of philanthropy and science, that commemorates the name of hint, of whom it may in truth be said, that he lived for the world, and that he died for his country. NOTES. i Salve, magna parens frugum, Saturnia tellus! Magna virum ! Virgil. Geor. II. 173*. AH hail, Saturnian earth ! land lov'd of fame, Parent of fruits and men of mighty name ! Sotheby var. 2 John Winthrop, Governor of Connecticut, and son of John Winthrop, Governor of Massachusetts, was one of the principal founders of the Royal Society of London, in the dedication to the 40th vol. of the Philosophical Transactions, it is stated, that when he was appointed to his office, Mr. Boyle, Bishop Wilkins, and the rest, proposed to leave England to establish their society in the new colony, of which their friend and associate, Mr. Winthrop, was made governor. They were prevented in consequence of the protection and charter granted them by Charles II. Governor Winthrop wrote many anonymous pa- pers on various subjects. " His name," says the writer of the above dedication, " had he put it to his writings, would have been as univer- sally known as the Boyles, the Wilkins, and the Oldenburgs." Count Rumford was the founder of the Royal Institution of London, and Benjamin Franklin was first president of the Philadelphia Society. 3 Eripuit ccelo fulmen, sceptrumque tyrannis. 4 Benjamin Thompson, afterwards Sir Benjamin, and Count Rum- ford, was born in 1753, at Woburn, near Boston, and not at Rumford, (Concord.) as stated in his European Biographies. He served a part of a mercantile apprenticeship in Salem and Boston. In 1769, he at- tended the lectures of Professor Winthrop, on Natural Philosophy, in Harvard University. Among bis early associates were the late Colo- nel Baldwin, of Woburn, his Excellency Johu Brooks, present go- vernor of Massachusetts, and Samuel Parkman, Esq. of Boston. s Count Rumford was decidedly attached to the cause of American liberty, and earnestly sought for a commission in the service of Con- gress. He was present at the battle of Lexington, and afterwards NOTES. remained some time with the army at Cambridge. His expectations of promotion were disappointed, in consequence of suspicions arising from his former intercourse with Governor Wentworth of New Hamp- shire, and some others attached to the British cause. These suspi- cions it was impossible to overcome, although he demanded a court of inquiry, and was honourably acquitted of all intentions inimical to the cause of his country. After remaining some time in fruitless hope with the American army, and seeing the post of his ambition filled by a rival candidate, he retired in disgust, and embarked for England in January, 1776. While at Cambridge, he exerted himself in preserv- ing the library and philosophical apparatus, when the Colleges were occupied as barracks by the soldiery. e It is probable that among us, houses, clothing, fuel, and lights constitute more than half the necessary expenses of living. 7 An elegant and expensive marble monument was erected in the English garden at Munich, during Count Rumford's absence from Bava- ria, bearing the following inscription in German : Stay wanderer. At the creative fiat of Charles Theodore, Rumford, the friend of mankind, by genius, taste, and love inspired, Changed this once desert place into what thou now beholdest. And on the opposite side, To him who rooted out the greatest of public evils, idleness and mendicity; Relieved and instructed the poor, and founded many institutions for the educating of our youth. Go wanderer, and strive to equal him in genius and activity, and us in gratitude. Biographical sketches of Count Rumford, will be found in the Lite- rary Miscellany, published at Cambridge in 1805 and 6, in Thomp- son's Annals of Philosophy for April, 1815, and in Cuvier's eulogy before the Institute of France. BRITISH POETS. WELLS & LILLY PROPOSE TO PUBLISH BY SUBSCRIPTION, AN ELEGANT EDITION OF THE BRITISH POETS. The text collated with the best editions, by Thomas Park, Esq. F. S. A. Tms edition is commonly known by the title of SHARPE'S BRITISH POETS ; so denominated from the name of the publisher. It is undoubtedly the best se- lected work of the kind, and unites in the highest degree accuracy, utility and ele- gance. By omitting several bulky authors of the least general interest, as Chau- cer and Spenser, and also some of inferiour merit, the publisher has been enabled to afford, at a moderate expense, the great mass of English poetry ; including a great number of authors, which have hitherto formed no part of a regular series. The edition will consist of Forty-four volumes; to which are added Five, sup- plementary to the main work. It contains the poems of different authors, in the following order: Vol. 1 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 13 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Milton, vols. 1, 2. —---vols. 3, 4. (Critique on Milton, I Denhaui. Waller, vols. 1, 2. Butler, vols. 1, 2. J-----vol. 3, $ Phillips. Dryden's Fables, 2 vols. ------Poems, vols. 1, 2. <------Poems, vol. 3, i Garth. jAddison, } Tickel. Prior, vols. 1, 2. $---- vol. 3, i Parnell. Gay, vols. 1, 2. (---- vol. 3, (Savage. Somerville, 2 vols. Swift, vols. 1, 2. ---- vols. 3, 4. Pope, vols. 1, 2. .---- vols. 3, 4. Thomson, 2 vols. Watts, 2 vols. Shenstone, 2 vols. Young, vols. 1,2. ------vols. 3, 4. Akenside, 2 vols. • SDyer, W. Thompson. ( Green, jJago, i Hammond, { Lyttelton. Hamilton, 2 vols. IE. Moore, ? Mallet. Vol. 30 33 41 ( Collins, J Gray, J Falconer, (Day. Churchill, vols. 1, 2. $ -------vol. 3. (Jennings. f Blair, | Glynn, ) Shaw, | Lovibond, (^ Penrose. \ Armstrong, (Mickle. i Cunningham, I Cotton. Langhorne, 2 vols., (Goldsmith, j Beattie, ^Johnson, ' J. Warton. Glover, 2 vols. $ Scott, }T. Warton. Burns, 2 vols. ' Smollet. Bruce, Logan, Hoyland, Sir J. H. Moore, Headley, Russell, Oram, Bampfylde, „ Lovell. Sir W. Jones, 2 vqj> Cowper, vol. 1. ----- vol. Z SUPPLEMENTARY VOLUMES. Vol. _f Rochester, Rosrommon, Otw.iv, Foinfrct, Dorset, Stepney, Walsh, Smith, • Duke, King, Sprat, ! ialifax, and I Howe. f Hughes, j Buckingham, j Congreve, | Fenton, and [ Blackmore. S Granville, Valden, Vol. f Pattison, Hill, J Broome, I P'tt, | Ambrose Phillips, and (.Gilbert West. ( Harte, I Richard West, [ Cawthorne, ! Llovd, ) John (iilbert Cooper, I Paul Whitehead, Brown, and t Grainger. f Wilkie, | Dodsley, j Smart, | Graeme. [ Wm. Whitehead, and Blacklock. This work will be printed in an elegant form similar to the English copy, and upon paper of the best quality, made expressly tor this edition. Each volume will contain from one to Jive engravings, amounting in all to one hundred and eleven. These will be executed by the first artists, and in the best manner; and every exertion will be made to render this first American edition of the British Poets deserving of the patronage of the publick. The price to subscribers will be one dollar and twenty-jive cents each volume, de- livered in neat boards. Arrangements have been making for some time ; so that tne ivork, when com- menced, may proceed regularly and with sufficient rapidity. Subscrptions received by the publishers, Wells & Lillv, No. 97 Court-street, Boston. WELLS 05 LILLY, (Boston,) HAVE JUST PUBLISHED, JANE OF FRANCE, An Historical Novel. By MADAME DE GEjXLIS. Translated from the French. In two Volumes. " This tale is perhaps one of the most beautiful and instructive of the kind that has ever been written."—Lit. Reg. Extract from the Preface. This Historical Romance presents a picture, which has never before been offered to the publick eye. In'pourtraying a heroine disgraced by nature, and describing the afflictions attendant on a legitimate hut hopeless attachment—a passion which even virtue itself could not overpower — it has been my object to oppose moral and physical beauty. There is something ideal in physical beauty, because it cannot be quite perfect without an assemblage of a host of circumstances, which it is impossible to find united in one object. The most lovely creature will always have some little defect, either in countenance or person. But there is nothing ideal in moral beauty. Jt is not necessary that a thousand things should combine to com- plete it, for truly enlightened piety alone has often produced it. What imagination will ever be able, in the best work of fiction, to create characters more perfect than those of Saint Louis and Vincent de Paule ? How can actions be invented, more heroically affecting than those which have immortalized their memory ?. The heroes of this work are not saints. I have not disguised the weakness of Louis, but have presented him, as well as Jane, in the light that History displays them. I have, however, at- tempted to describe the goodness of heart, the greatness of soul, and the perfection of senti- ment, which characterized the latter. I trust that the reader, who possesses generous feelings, will like the subject of this romance, which at least resembles no other. Jt has already obtained the approbation of several persons who have perused it in manuscript, and whose good opinion I most highly value. 1 produce it, therefore, und»-r happy auspices, for even before its appearance, it has procured me a degree of satisfaction, which is a thousand times preferable to any that the vanity of an author can desire. S*?F.j: New ^ks, Just published and for"|^ * ^u % Lilly, NO. 97, COURT-STREET, ** ^m/-< BOM^f FJ52 °F CRI™ISM. By the Honourable ^ S^fi? r AMES' °"e °J *he Skaters of the College of Justice, and W"" 2rf,S? ^l?°mm,fS10Uer^0f Justicia«7 i" Scotland. Second American, frSoVi . eighth London edition. Two vols. 8vo. B^ n SE?^I,?INS hy the ,a,e Rev- WALTER BLAKE KIKWAN, Dean of Kdlala.. With A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE. lvol.Svo. ♦kPq™FK^RM0DELS' and IMPRESSIVE WARNINGS for DuthT Hok^lSnoUGHTERS °F INDUSTRY- By Mrs. GRANT. Late of LECTURES ON ANCIENT HISTORY, comprising a general World tmZnA,?,pa erents£ad ?«* in civil History, from the Crettion of the f £L • *u A"S"stau age- Together with an Allegory on GENIUS 4ND TASTE tounded m the History of Ancient Literature. By SAMUEL WHELPLEY A M Member of the Literary and Philosophical Society of New-York. ' ' THE VILLAGE ; A POEM. With an Appendix. toIHET(?RES,T«MIN,S?,REL; a Selection of Songs, adapted JAMES,HOrra7bnp^SclU^ AJ^ FeTof thcm cver before published. By JAiM&b HOGG, the Ettrick Shepherd, and others. FOmRGARET °F ANJ0U- A P(>EM. By MISS HOL- ELLEN; or, THE YOUNG GODMOTHER. A Tale for LXeliol^1^^^1^ ™ "** *~ fin ^tS VATIIEK. Translated from the original French. From (he third London edit'on. THE SUBSTANCE of SOME LETTERS, WRITTEN by an ENGLISHMAN RESIDENT a, PARIS; during the last reign of the Lmperour Napoleon. Willi an appendix of official documents. Pricc 2 Mls 50 dSt ' Flow nations nick, by darling schemes opprcss'ri, " When ven;-eauce listens to the foot's request."— Vawly of Human Wisliesl A PLEA FOR SACRAMENTAL COMMUNION 0\ CATKOLICK PRINCIPLES. By J. M. MASON, D. J). I vol. ilvo. price $2 50. RECOLLECTIONS of ITALY, ENGLAND and AMERICA, with Essays on various subjects in Morals and Literature. By F. A. DE CHATEAUBRIAND, author of "Travels in Greece and Palestine," " Beauties of Christianity," &c. Religion in general—6 The Christian Religion—7 Directions concerning Prayer—il Reading of the, Scriptures. &c.—9 Observation of the Lord's Day—10 Ordinary religious Conversation—11 On the Sacrament—12 IVloral and civil Con- versations and Actions—13 Moderation of the Passious—14 Idleness and Employ- ment—15 Ordinary Employments—16 Employment of young gentlewomen—17 Company, and the Choice of it—18 Recreations—19 Eat ins. Drinking, and Sleep- ing—20 Apparel and Habit—21 Carriage to your Inferionrs, Superiours, and Equals —22 Single Life aud Marriage. READINGS ON POETRY—By Rkhari* Lovki.i. Knr.R- tvorth and Makii Epoi:wo-rtii. wz ■?.:■■ v.1.'-"