The mechanick arts, we mean those of the more ingenious and elegant kinds, not failing of the inspiration, the workman in them is converted into an artist, and they partake of the common benefit. Every fashion, which always comes in as a beauty, and goes out as a deformity-fashion, on whose incessant change the judgment takes so little part, may be brought more under the dominion of taste, with her fixed principles and fancy ever new.'

But a stronger incentive to second your original efforts remains-your interest in the national reputation. Men identifying themselves with their country, take it with a salutary prejudice to their bosoms, and I trust not from this natural bias, for which we have the strongest pleas, but that we have a pride in whatever tends, in the world's estimation, to exalt the character of our eity, and that we gratulate ourselves on its numerous institutions, which regard our charities, our civil economy and police, and extending in not a few to the interests of literature and the sciences-among which may be particularly distinguished the philosophical society-the very extensive publick li brary-the museum, that spirited labour of an individual-and the enlarged medical school.

An establishment for the Fine Arts is now our principal desideratum, and perhaps more than all, in adding to its attractions, may contribute to determine the choice of the hesitating stranger to Philadelphia, as the desirable seat of reason and politeness.

A further doubt than what has been suggested, may be urged against your design. It is whether your country has reached that point of exaltation which calls for, or justifies it?

Let him who may suggest the doubt, bear this truth in mind, that every civlized and intelligent community, naturally rises in its condition, and that it is only from the defect of wholesome principles in the political association where this consequence is not perceived; it is indeed chiefly in arbitrary monarchies, in which the whole being is of less account in the eye of governwent, than the individual at the head,

and the universal good held in subordi nation to his particular interest, where this tendency is resisted, or a country made stationary or retrograde.

The forms and objects of our various American governments are of this tendency, and when improved by experience, and ameliorated by time, they will, as we are bound to hope, be the guarantees of our growth and prosperity. But there are other contributory causes a geographic position and figure, the most favourable to a foreign commerce; and to supply it, the double fertility of spring and autumn: so unusual to regions of our temperature, with a rapid agricultural improvement. An increase of population, unknown to any modern time, and now proceeding at an accelerated pace. Those, we may say, are the principles that as a nation have already carried us the full length of some, and those not the least considerable, of the European stateshaving seen their effect in part, we may prophecy the rest, that we are destined to a rank and station with the most considerable.

These few considerations, as the subject will be enlarged on by your own reflections, have been thought sufficient by the directors for this occasion-and with these few they venture, to solicit the continuance of your support to this object of your munificence. To solicit indeed is unnecessary-It is enough,they are persuaded, to hint that the institution is still in need of the hand that raised it-that without it, it may decline to a mere monument of abortive zeal, ominous of future undertakings, instead of what it ought to be, the evidence of a successful labour, so highly creditable to your city and to yourselves.

Not that the directors mean to confine themselves to the original patrons, their hope does not rest solely on your liberality: trusting that many there are of a congenial spirit yet untried, who, following in your steps, will cheerfully incline to assist your views."

....

At a mecting of the Members of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, in the Hall of the Academy,

The following resolutions having passed the Board of Directors, were proposed and unanimously adopted, to wit:

Whereas, this Society has obtained

a Charter of incorporation, and by the aid of voluntary contributions, have become possessed of a valuable appropriate building, erected under their own authority and direction; and also of a considerable importation of Casts, from the most celebrated collections of Statuary. For the purposes of more firmly establishing the said institution, and rendering it commensurate with the laudable intention of its supporters, Be it resolved,

1. That the rights and property of the Society shall be divided into 300 shares.

2. That every subscriber of 50 dollars in cash, and paying an annual subscription of 2 dollars shall receive a certificate of proprietorship, for one share, to be held in perpetuity by himself, his heirs or assigns.

3. Transfers of shares may be made by the proprietors in person, or by attorney, with the approbation of any three of the Directors, and in the presence of the President or Treasurer, subject always to the said annual pay. ment of 2 dollars; and the proprietor of each share of stock, for the time being, shall be entitled to a free admission into the Academy at all times within the hours appointed for publick exhibition.

4. The building having been erect ed on two lots taken on annual ground rents for the purpose, Resolved, That the surplusage arising from the annual payment of 2 dollars on each share, after the payment of the said ground rents, shall be solely applied to the forming a sinking fund, until the sum is sufficient to purchase off and extinguish the same, unless other means be adopted for that purpose.

5. That the monies which shall hereafter be received from the subscription for shares, shall be duly applied in the following order, to wit: first, to the discharge of the present claims on the society, for materials and work applied to the building-Second, to the discharge of all monies now held on loan-Third, that the remainder, together with the revenue arising from the exhibition, after deducting the salary of the attendant and other contingent expenses, shall be applied to the further promotion of the objects of the institution.

6. Those who are now subscribers under 50 dollars, shall be invited to

make up their subscriptions to that amount-and such as decline doing so, shall have a free ticket, and enjoy all the rights to which they are now entitled, but shall not be considered as share-holders on the terms of thesc resolutions.

7. All subscribers to the institution, either by contribution or loan, who in cline to become share-holders as aforesaid, may be credited to the amount of their subscription, or any part thereof, in payment for shares of stock as they shall respectively apply for.

American Mathematical Society.

Convinced of the utility of mathematical investigation; its great importance in every part of mechanical science; its subserviency to the convenience of mankind; and the abridg ment of labour, a number of gentlemen of Philadelphia, and other parts of the United States, convened in the Philosophical Hall, in the city of Philadelphia, June 2, 1806, and resolved to institute a society for the promulgation of mathematical knowledge. They then proceeded to digest and adopt a constitution, for the better regulation of their subsequent proceedings.

Having adopted the constitution, the society proceeded to the election of officers, and the standing committee,

when

The society being thus organized, proceeded to business, and pitched up. on the following subjects as prize questions; and

Resolved, 1. That a premium of fifty dollars be awarded to the author of the best approved compendious system of practical surveying.

2. That a premium of thirty dollars be given to the author of the best ap proved piece upon the theory of arches to support weight and pressure. Both pieces to be put into the hands of the secretary on or before the 15th day of April, accompanied with letters respectively, signifying the candidate's name and place of residence.

The committce think it unnecessary

to enlarge upon the importance of such an institution. Should the mathematicians in the different parts of the United States contribute their exertions to its support, not only the present, but future generations will reap the advantage. Animated with these views, the committee of correspondence address the several mathematicians in the United States, with a display of the general outline of the constitution of the society, and most cordially solicit their co-operation in promoting the object of the society, and invite them to attend the next stated meeting.

EUROPEAN.

....

The designs of Mr. Flaxman from the Italian poet Dante, which were originally composed in Italy, for Mr. Thomas Hope are at length preparing for publication, they consist of one hundred and nine subjects, of a smaller size than his compositions from Homer. Mr. Flaxman has also thoughts of publishing his compositions from the Lord's Prayer and acts of Mercy, the result of many years study. He also is employed upon compositions from

1

the Greek poet Hesiod. This eminent artist has in hand the following pieces of sculpture. A great national monument of Earl Howe for St. Paul's Ca thedral, and a statue of Sir Joshua Reynolds for the same place; a statue of Mr. Pitt for the city of Glasgow ; a publick monument to the late Josiah Webb, Esq. for India; with several inferior commissions both publick and pri vate. He has just completed a magni ficent statue of the Raja of Tanjore, for that Prince, and a monument to the Rev. F. Swartz a missionary, who died in the Raja's dominions.

Mr. Northmore has nearly completed an Epick Poem, of ten books, upon which he has been engaged for a considerable time it is entitled, Washington, or Liberty Restored, and, exclusive of the Imagery, is entirely founded upon historical records.

Mr. Janson who has lately returned from America, has brought with him many interesting materials towards furnishing a complete survey of the state of society and manners in that country which will speedily appear in one 4to. volume, accompanied with a number of engravings.

New:

America requires the rigid application of the British Rule of '56. York, Brisban & Brannan. 62 Cents.

The Culex of Virgil; with a translation into English verse. By Lucius M. Sargent. 8vo. pp. 44. Boston, printed at the Emerald Press, by Belcher & Armstrong, 1807.

Transactions of the Society of Duchess County for the promotion of Agriculture; with select Essays on Rural Economy, chosen from various authors, and published by order of the Society, Vol. 1, No. 1. Poughkeepsie.

A Statement of Facts relative to the late proceedings in Harvard College, Cambridge. Published by the Students: 12mo. pp. 12. Boston, April 10, 1807.

Don Quixotes at College, or, a his tory of the gallant adventures lately atchieved by the combined students of Harvard University; interspersed by some facetious reasonings. By a Semor

8vo. pp. 20. Boston, Etheridge & Bliss, for the author.

No. I. of the New-Milk Cheese, or the Comi-Heroick Thunderclap, a semiglobular publication, without beginning and without end. By Van Tromp, (of the honourable society of Knights Errant.) 8vo. pp. 24. Boston, printed at the Van Tromp Press. 1807.

Letters occasioned by Rev. Samuel Worcester's two Discourses on the perpetuity and provision of God's gracious covenant with Abraham and his seed; detecting, by plain scripture, stubborn facts, and sober reason, some of his gross misrepresentations, unfounded assertions, and sophistical arguments. By Daniel Merrill, A. M. pastor of the church of Christ in Sedgwick. 12mo. pp. 92. Boston, Manning & Loring

An Address, pronounced at Hatfield, on the 4th March, 1807, in commemoration ef the inauguration of Thomas Jefferson, as President of the United States. By Samuel Brazer, jun.

An Essay on the Human Character of Jesus Christ. By William Austin. 12mo. pp. 120. Boston, William Pel. ham-price 75 cents.

The importance of preaching the Word of God, in a plain distinguish ing, and faithful manner. A sermon, delivered at the ordination of the Rev. Josiah W. Cannon, to the pastoral care of the church and congregatiod in Gill, (Mass.) By Theophilus Packard, A. M. pastor of the church in Shelburne. Greenfield, J. Denio.

A discourse, delivered at the dedi cation of the new academy in Fryeburg, June 4, 1806. By the Rev. Nathaniel Porter, A. M. Portland. Thomas B. Wait. 1806.

A sermon, delivered at Ashburn ham, May 22, 1806, at the interment of Mr. John Cushing, jun. who expired at the house of his father. By Seth

Payson, A. M. pastor in Rindge. Leominster, (Mas.) S. & J. Wilder.

A discourse delivered next Lord's day after the interment of deacon Peter Whitney, who departed this life Dec. 9, 1805, in the 60th year of his age. By Nathanael Emmons, D. D. pastor of the church in Franklin. Providence. Heaton & Williams.

A sermon delivered at Hartford, January 6, 1807, at the funeral of the Rev. James Cogswell, D. D. late pastor of the church in Scotland, in the town of Windham. By Nathan

NEW EDITIONS OF WORKS.

The New American Practical Navigator: being an epitome of navigation; used with the nautical almanack, in decontaining all the tables necessary to be termining the latitude and the longitude by lunar observations; and keeping a complete reckoning at sea: illustrated by proper rules and examples: the whole exemplified in a journal, kept from Boston to Madeira, in which all the rules of navigation are introduced. Also, the demonstration of the most useful rules of Trigonometry: With many useful problems in Mensuration, Surveying, and Guaging: And a dic. tionary of sea-terms; with the manner of performing the most common evolu tions at sea. To which are added, some general instructions and information to merchants, masters of vessels, and oth ers, concerned in Navigation, relative to Maritime Laws and Mercantile Cus-, tems. By Nathaniel Bowditch, fellow of the American academy of arts and sciences. Illustrated with copperplates, engraved by Hooker. Second edition, with many improvements.Newburyport, E. M. Blunt, (proprietor) for Wm. Andrews, No. 1, Cornhill, Boston. 8vo. pp. 680. May, 1807.

A new system of Domestick Cookery, formed upon principles of economy, and adapted to the use of private families. By a Lady. 12mo. pp. 295. Boston, Wm. Andrews. 1807.

Memoirs of Marmontel, written by himself. Containing his literary and political life, andhanecdotes of the prin cipal characters of the eighteenth century. First American edition. In two volumes. Vol. I. pp. 117. Vol. II. 208. 12mo. New-York, Brisban & Brannan.

A Voyage to Terra Firma, on the Spanish main, in South America, during the rears 1803 and 4. Ey F. Depous, formerly agent of the French government at Carraccas; with a very huge map of the country, &c. 3 vols. 8vo. price $6,50, boards. New-York, Brisban & Brannan.

Select Lives of Foreigners, eminent. for piety; containing biographical sketches of the archbishop of Cambray, Michael de Molinos, Peter Poiret, Anteria Bourignon, Marquis de Renty