After transacting the usual business, the Society went in procession to the Chapel Church, where after prayers by the Rev. Mr. Gray, a scientific discourse, embracing the great objects of the Society, was pronounced by Dr. John C. Howard. The officers of this Society are chosen in Dec. At a meeting of the Massachusetts Society for promoting Agriculture, June 13, the following gentlemen were chosen ; His Excellency CALEB STRONG, President. SOCIAL LAW LIBRARY. On Wednesday, 13th June, the first annual meeting of this new institution was held at Con-cert Hall. The following gentlemen were chosen officers for the year ensuing-viz. Trustees. Hon. THEOPHILUS PARSONS, Esq. Presid't. State of Fabrenbeit's Thermometer, and the Day. ∞ 1.. 69 82 64 2.61 61 57 3.. 59 75 63 4.. 62 80 60 5.65 79 65 G.. 63 72 66 7.. 68 80 64 10 1..29.9 29.9 30. 30. 29.9 4.. 29.7 8.64 70 59 9.66 82 68 9.. 29.9 10 .. 74 86 76 10.. 29.8 EXTREME HEAT. Augusta (Maine), June 21, 1804, On Sunday last, at one o'clock, the Mercury rose to 92° in the shade, at two o'clock up to 95°, and stood above 92° at three o'clock. NOTICE FROM THE EDITOR. OUR literary friends, though few, are yet too numerous to be particularly thanked. The Botanist No. 1, if received, shall appear in the next Anthology, provided we may realize the hope, that no part of it, not even its prefatory remarks, will be previously elsewhere published. We honestly aver the inability of saying, what other editors sometimes say, we have formed an extensive and crudite correspondence, and repose on promises of the highest credit. Such correspondence we have yet to estab lish, and such promises still to elicit. Nevertheless, much as we are terrified with the indolence of scientific men, and mortified as we are with the paucity of original communications, we are by no means discouraged. Our correspondents multiply, our patronage 29.7 increases, and we have aids in expectation, which at once excite our gratitude and zeal, and confirm a modest hope of eventual success. 30.2 29.6 29.6 5.29.7 29.7 29.7 6.. 29.7 29.7 29.8 7..29.9 29.9 30. 8.. 30.1 30.1 30. 29.9 29.8 29.7 29.8 29.8 29.9 30. 30.1 $0.3 30.4 30.4 30.5 30.4 30.3 30. 29.9 29.9 29.9 30. 30.1 30. 30. 29.9 29.9 29.8 29.8 29.7 29.7 68 24.. 29.7 29.8 29.9 29.9 29.9 29.8 62 28.. 29.8 29.8 29.8 62 29.. 29.8 29.8 29.8 30.63 65 6430.. 29.9 29.8 29.7 18.72 83 70 18.. 29.9 19.68 66 6319.. 30. 20.. 63 62 61 20.. 30.1 21 62 64 60 21.. 29. 22 62 64 62 22.. 29.8 23.. 63 67 68 23..29.7 24.. 70 72 Still however we sue for assistance from the enlightened historian, the acute reviewer, and the classic writer of moral essays. There are bards and orators in Massachusetts, and in the metropolis, whose labours would impress the seal of immortality on any "collection." These are the minds we would embrace. We cannot take them in meshes of gold; but we will teach our infant publication the ensnaring accents of solicitation and applause. July, 1804. THE MONTHLY ANTHOLOGY. JULY, 1804. FOR THE ANTHOLOGY. ON THE INFLUENCE OF REFINEMENT OF MANNERS, CONTRASTED WITH THAT OF RICHES AND KNOWLEDGE, IN PRO MOTING THE HAPPINESS OF A COMMUNITY. lineated, we easily follow the strokes of the pencil, until the animated portrait glows with life, and speaks the perfection of his being. Before this noble attainment, how numerous the vicissitudes in the human system! What a multiplicity of contradictory motives alternately promote and THE endless diversity in the obstruct the emancipation of the customs and manners of antient times, with a view of their respective effects on the happiness of communities, might afford the reflective eye a curious and entertaining retrospect. This indulgence, Mr. Editor, the limits of an essay preclude. A review of particular histories aside, a general reference to the past must suffice for the knowledge of those principles and habits, which constitute the basis of individual and public felicity. Let us revert therefore to the morning of man. When we behold on the canvass of history, the elements of his nature de soul from her native rudeness! The conflict at length subsides. The social principle of man, powerfully assisted by a love of wealth, and a thirst for knowl edge, soon gains the ascendancy. Then passion for fame, joined to that force of nature, which irresistably urges to perfection, extricates him from the horrours of barbarism, whilst the soft hand of civilization conducts him over the stages of riches and knowledge, and seats him on the throne of refinement. Thus exalted, the subjects of a community can receive little accession to their essential happi ness from the sources of wealth and knowledge. These have already been exhausted in effectuating this happy purpose. That they are the means, nay more, the very causes of national refinement, we are full in the belief and, as such, are happy to extol their beneficial effects. But, as independent qualities, to suppose their influence in promoting the happiness of a community, more availing, than the cultivation and refinement of the customs and manners of a people, is an estimation as erroneous, as that of preferring the inanimate earth to 1 the delicacies of her fruits. Previously to the existence of society, the possession of exclusive property is one of the first steps to civilization. The accumulation of riches is productive of a more rapid refinement, than can possibly be expected from the indolence of collective bodies. Valuable purposes, also, they answer in civil society. But do they not engender the most hateful distinctions among men Does not the galled African rise against wealth, and curse her as the dire authoress of all his chains? This is not all. Her influence is yet more extensive in the subjection of empires,by erecting the standard of military power, which too often proves the engine of oppression. Far more advantageous to society are the effects of knowledge. On this pillar rest all the structures of human invention. In her bosom were nursed the sciences, with all the arts of civilized life. To this fountain we are more immediately indebted for those streams of rational pleasure, which may be account, ed some of life's purest waters. But its best, its noblest influence in promoting the happiness of communities and mankind in general, is, to clear the world of that antique rubbish, to wipe off from society that barbarous rust, so generative of superstition, and to polish the minds and the manners of men. Ineffectual here, its tendency to promote the happiness of communities is questionable. To the refinement of manners, however, gold and literature, without doubt, happily conduce: and in the accomplishment of this great end, the felicity, not of a single individual, nor yet of whole communities, but the perfection and the glory of mankind, are deeply involved. To. this grand object both savage and enlightened nations have ardently aspired. In this, the views of the greatest monarchs and the wisest princes have universally centred; and here, I may add, have terminated the limits of human ambition. The reasons are obvious. If the subjection of cruel and tyrannic passions; if to harmonize the contending interests of party spirit; if to regulate the laws of human policy and social life, be objects worthy our attention;if to wake from their slumbers all the peaceful virtues, and unfold to the mental eye their countless charms; in a word, if the vast magazines of nature and of art contain luxuries for man, behold in civilized life all that is grand and sublime in the one; behold in refinement all that is useful and pleasing in the other, |