The Uses of Astronomy - An Oration Delivered at Albany on the 28th of July, 1856 by Edward Everett
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page 6 of 72 (08%)
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COMMERCE. PHYSICS.
SCIENCE. ANATOMY. NAVIGATION. BOTANY. The proceedings of the day were opened with prayer by Rev. GEO. W. BETHUNE, D.D., of Brooklyn. Hon. GARRIT Y. LANSING, of Albany, then introduced Professor LOUIS AGASSIZ, of Cambridge, Mass., who was the first of the "seven men of science" to entertain his audience, always with the aid of the inevitable black-board, without which the excellent Professor would be as much at a loss as a chemist without a laboratory. Professor AGASSIZ spoke for an hour, giving his views of a new theory of animal development. He began by saying:-- We are here to inaugurate the Geological Hall, which has grown out of the geological survey of the State. To make the occasion memorable, a distinguished statesman of your own State, and Mr. FRANK C. GRAY, were expected to be present and address you. The pressure of public duties has detained Mr. SEWARD, and severe sickness has detained Mr. GRAY. I deeply lament that the occasion is lost to you to hear my friend Mr. GRAY, who is a devotee to science, and as warm-hearted a friend as ever I knew. Night before last I was requested to assist in taking their place--I, who am the most unfit of men for the post. I never made a speech. I have addressed learned bodies, but I lack that liberty of speech--the ability to present in finished style, and with that rich imagery which characterize the words of the orator, the thoughts fitting to such an occasion as this. He would limit himself, he continued, to presenting some motives why the |
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