the atmosphere; which can ascertain the velocity of the wind, or the temperature of the different latitudes of the ocean; and and which can show the movements of our earth, and all her sister planets in their elliptical orbits around the sun. They have improved machinery to be elegant and harmonious, they have connected it with principles of power which are equally energetic and under the laws of control; and they have set it, under the ingenuity of their designs, to ease the toils and relieve the labour of the human fumily. But it is impossible to particularize the scientific improvements in the arts. When Columbus found out America it was an almost universal wilderness; but now it is covered with plantations which grow the produce of every clime; and this is an emblem of the successful labours of the men of science, in the improvement of the arts. The whole face of society is changed, and the wilderness has become a fruitful field.

But the life of man is extremely short; and no parent has the power of conveying, by an arbitrary will, the inheritance of his knowledge to his children. The rising generation have always to learn all which the philosophers of former ages have investigated and ascertained.

Our society has been formed to aid us, and others who may see fit to join it; as, in a great measure, we are all too little acquainted with the philosophical attainments, which, in the different branches of science, the world possesses; and, as we ought not, for our own sake, and the sake of others, to remain contentedly so, in our happy country and flourishing city.

The situation, relations, and prospects of Pittsburgh, have claims upon its citizens equal to most cities in the world. Its prospects are excelled by few. The canals and railroads which connect it with all the flourishing cities towards the east, and with the commerce of Europe, which though immediately terminating in these cities, must receive its most extended and permanent support from the vast regions toward the west, and the Ohio, which connects Pittsburgh with all these fertile western regions, say that our city has prospects solid as are her inexhaustible mines for the support of her manufactories, and permanent as are the streams which flow by her. But is Pittsburgh to become one of the first cities in commerce and manufactures in the world, and her population to remain ignorant of that science which is no less ennobling to the human mind, than it is the solid basis of the prosperity of any place, in the present highly improved state of society and of the arts? No; we must

recollect, that it is by unwearied industry and perseverance that we can, in any degree, become acquainted with the various branches of the sciences and the arts as they now exist; and while our society is formed for our own mutual improvement, it is not more as insulated individuals who might covet the sweets of knowledge, nor as general philosophers, who might enlighten the world around them, that we are to exert ourselves, than it is as inhabitants of Pittsburgh-a place to which great wealth must flow, and where almost every art, which requires science to provide its materials, and to preside over their operation, will flourish. Agriculture has a claim on our assistance to improve our surrounding country, that the growth of our city may be in no degree impeded by the difficulty of procuring subsistence; our manufactures, while they may greatly flourish under the practical experience of our industrious citizens, yet, if possible, should be examined and improved under the eye of science; and our navigation should be aided by every suggestion respecting economy, safety, and facility. We should examine our surrounding botany, and our mineralogy, and we should extend, by correspondence, our inquiries respecting these subjects, to the borders of our great lakes, and to the regions of the Mississippi and Missouri. Our society having commenced, should provide itself with an apparatus, as full and as perfect, as it can; and while it may keep in view the contributing a little, perhaps, to the general current of improvement which has now such a full stream and a rapid flow, our main object, for a long time, must be to enter ourselves as scholars, to be taught what is already known; and to commence the operations of a society, which the place, where Providence has assigned us our lot, has a right to call her citizens, however little practised in philosophical pursuits and investigations they may be, to attempt to commence and steadfastly to prosecute.

In conclusion, permit me to remark, that the benediction which will arise, on the whole, as an unction to our understandings, from the eminent attainments we are about to contemplate in natural science, will be, that, while all tend to illustrate the perfection of infinite wisdom and power, they will change the aspect of philosophy into a view the very opposite of that of the ancient heathens respecting matter. Those of them who considered the soul as an immaterial substance, complained of matter as the dregs of existence, and an incumbrance on their being; but we are led to see infinite space peopled with it, and our earth, which they supposed to comprehend the

most of it, is diminished into an almost imperceptible speck in the creation, and yet all teems with the elements of exalted science. What, then, we are led to ask, must be the character of our existence, if we are to enjoy immortality? There must be a congeniality in the nature of our being to the home of these heavens into which we are about to enter. Yes, our souls will be connected with material organs, that we may be enabled to examine and admire the infinite wisdom and knowledge which the boundless material universe will for ever present to our examination, and to feed and maintain, in part, at least, our adoration of the Author of all spiritual and material being.

AMERICAN LYCEUM.

[We shall continue to present occasionally such intelligence as we can procure concerning this interesting and popular institution. It seems to be rapidly extending over the New-England States; and we hope to hear of its introduction in NewYork and other parts of the country, and especially wherever common schools are established; as it seems likely to be of great service to the cause of popular improvement in this way.

It will prove immediately useful to the community by its influence on the progress of the arts and sciences connected with the business and the enjoyments of life. But, as a school for teachers, affording them valuable information at a very moderate expense, it seems peculiarly adapted to the circumstances of most young men, in country places particularly. Few of the individuals who teach a district school can command the means of a complete course of education; but all may sustain their share of the expenses of a Lyceum, on the plan proposed.

While offering the following articles to our readers, we would take the opportunity to suggest that the Lyceum might be rendered still more useful, were there formed in each of our larger seaports an association of individuals who are capable and desirous of promoting the diffusion of useful science, and who would take the requisite measures for making suggestions, and communicating intelligence, which might be deemed conducive to the objects of the Lyceum. Peculiar facilities for the purposes of useful science, are enjoyed in most cities and large towns; and the transmission of these, as far as practicable,

would be an aid of great value in situations comparatively remote from such advantages. But this subject is one on which we cannot enter at present to the extent which its importance demands. We must defer farther observations on this head till the publication of our next number, when they may be presented in a separate form.]

American Lyceum.-The branches of this institution, already in operation, have varied in their subjects of attention, the manner of conducting them, and their consequent success. Some have confined their attention almost exclusively to the sciences. To give each science a portion of attention, the Society is divided into several classes, viz. a class of mechanics, one of chemists, another of astronomers, one of geologists, &c. Each class chooses a foreman, and occupies the floor and attention of the society, according to agreement among the whole. When mechanics is the subject before the meeting, the foreman calls upon one of his class to illustrate the lever, another the screw, the wheel and axis, pully, &c.; making an application of each to the practical pursuits of life. A similar course is pursued by the class of chemists, geologists, astronomers and others. Upon this plan, it is not uncommon for six or eight, or perhaps ten or a dozen, to take a part in the exercises of an evening. Under proper regulations any member present is allowed to question the persons making the illustrations, and to dispute any point he conceives to be erroneous. This sometimes leads to a full discussion of certain points, which never fails to fix them permanently in the minds of all present, and frequently introduces them as topics of general conversation, and among those who are not members of the Society.

In other Lyceums the instruction is communicated more in the form of lectures, or dissertations, where the whole work of an evening devolves upon one or two persons, each one being left to choose a subject, to suit his taste, acquirements and judgment. The subjects however are generally intended to be of a practical character, and treated in a plain, familiar way, fitted to the comprehension of all the members. Upon this plan lectures have been given upon Chemistry, Natural Philosophy, Astronomy, Geology, Railways, Canals, powers and debilities of the stomach, the structure, diseases and management of teeth, the structure and movement of clocks and watches, fruit-trees, fruit, fuel and various other subjects of agriculture and domestic economy.

Besides subjects of a scientific and definite character, some societies have occasionally, and others generally, introduced those of a more general or miscellaneous nature; involving principles of expediency, rather than science; and relating to government, law, political and domestic economy, agriculture, education, morals, &c. These are conducted in the form of common debates.

In some instances, exercises particularly designed for young and inexperienced minds, such as reading, declamation, composition, particularly letter writing, also grammar and geography have been introduced.

The plan of the General Society admits and supposes that each town, county and state Lyceum, will manage its concerns on most points, in a manner perfectly independent of all the rest, and fitted to the views, pursuits, acquirements, taste, ages and wants, of those coming within their sphere.

It will be seen at once, that upon whatever plan the exercises of a Lyceum are conducted, it answers the great and important purpose of introducing into family and social circles, proper and useful topics of conversation, and converts amusements and daily intercourse into great and powerful vehicles for diffusing knowledge, and for enlightening, purifying and elevating human society.

From experiments already made by Lyceums, two results somewhat unexpected have been observed. First, that the natural diffidence and backwardness which the members sometimes have in attempting illustrations, very soon wholly disappear; and they enter upon them as readily and cheerfully as they do upon any exercise in their ordinary pursuits; and, second, that the principles and subjects of discussion at their meetings, become in a short time, certainly and thoroughly, though insensibly, understood by most who attend them.-Bost. Pat.

This institution proposes a system of mutual instruction, fitted to the towns and villages in New-England, and other parts of the country. The instruction is to be conducted at weekly or occasional meetings for reading, conversation, discussions, dissertations, illustrating the sciences, or other subjects of useful knowledge, or popular, practical education.

To aid these exercises, it is proposed to have each branch or town Lyceum, supplied with books, simple articles of apparatus for illustrating the sciences, and their application to the business of the farmer, mechanic, and civil engineer; also, specimens of