proach to that portion of the community, who claim any considerable knowledge of their native language.

"It is of much importance, that all questions on these subjects should be settled with accuracy; but it is of still more importance that they should be settled-although not, in all cases, in strict conformity to philosophical principles."

"I am inclined to think, that such associations often fail of their object, by making it too general and extensive-Unless specific subjects are selected for investigation, and those subjects few in number, not much is usually achieved, which proves permanently useful. There may be speeches, orations and correspondence, but they will evaporate in the day which gave them birth, like water spread over a large surface and neither new discoveries will be made, nor doubtful rules settled, nor errors exploded.—The active duties will of course devolve on the resident members'—and after consulting on what are the greatest deficiencies in our 'Language and Belles Lettres'—those deficiencies will I hope be selected for discussion and correction, and the attention of the members concentrated on them alone, till there is hopeful evidence of a reform."

"The objects, which it proposes, are of the greatest importance to all communities speaking the English language. The inconveniences of our present literary condition are extensively felt by every individual, who has any solicitude to be an accurate and elegant scholar,-in regard to orthography; orthoepy; punctuation; obsolete and neoteric words; those also, which are entirely provincial; those, which retain their old meanings, but have acquired new ones, and are thus partly provincial; the manner, in which English poetry is scanned; and some of the received principles of prosody at large. There are some anomalies, which may be corrected. Improvements are yet to be made in our mode of studying the language. The want of a National Philological Academy is particularly obvious in the western interior. Education is not yet reduced to a system here; and, while we greatly need some standard, to which we shall be willing to appeal, we have not to contend with some prejudices, that have gained an influence with you, in consequence of existing establishments. An institution of the kind, which you have projected, will, if conducted upon liberal principles, and supported with animation and energy, acquire a useful literary power, and be extremely salutary in its operations."

"I entertain no doubt, that the proposed association may, by proper exertions, be rendered highly useful and honourable to our country, and I perceive no sufficient reasons, why it should be

commenced with any indications of conscious inferiority. It is scarcely two hundred years, since the English language was first adopted as the language of science and philosophy in England itself. During the last century, some of the best specimens of British literature, are to be found in the writings of men, who were neither Englishmen, nor educated in English universities. Our ancestors who settled this country, were of that class of energetic men, who first broke the chains of tyranny, and established civil and religious liberty in Great Britain. They possessed a full share of the learning of their age ;-and the history of their descendants proves, that they were never deficient in any branch of knowledge, adapted to their circumstances. Their literary treasures have never been collected and arranged. They are, in a great measure, unknown to the present generation and are wholly inaccessible to foreigners. If the elegancies of language and the refinements of prosody have not been extensively cultivated; if the compilation of books has not been pursued merely as a lucrative profession; still we have not been deficient in men of powerful talents, brilliant wit, and extensive erudition, whose elevated researches have conferred dignity and happiness on their own country, and eminently contributed to awaken the intellectual energies of mankind, after a long repose under systems of barbarism, ignorance and servility.

The English language, amplified and embellished by the wonderful improvements in science and in the arts, which have signalized the last age, (to which the United States have furnished their full proportion) is now the language of the dominant race of men throughout North America. It is firmly established in a great part of Asia; is widely extending in Africa; and is daily becoming more and more the language of commerce, throughout the world. Nothing now tends to destroy its purity, symmetry and elegance, so much as its rapid extension.

I sincerely hope that men of liberality and learning in every country where the English language is spoken, will perceive the utility, and unite in promoting the views, of the Society;—or if concert of action should be found impracticable, that an active and efficacious support may be realized throughout the United States."

"The object of the new society has my most hearty approbation. I wished to have seen the business fairly before the public many years ago. Our language is enriching in vocabulary beyond any thing I have known, but its idiomatic proprieties are in a state of progressive deterioration. I rejoice that New-York has taken up this seemingly low concern. You say that objections are made; but what good thing has ever been seen without appended objec

tions. What may be the result, nobody knows-but it is a fair, legitimate object of trial. I, for one, go into your plan most cheerily. If I have, or ever should have it in my power to promote such an object, count upon me.”

"As to the fear suggested of "British Critics," I confess their insolence and injustice to American literature rather stimulates me to resistance and independence; which, if maintained with due caution and modesty, will, very soon, liberate us from their odious tyranny. I would show no rash contempt for legitimate authority in English literature; but this is to be found rather in the authors of the last century and beyond it, than in the impudent pretensions of some of those who now affect to give examples and laws to the republic of letters. Instead of being innovators, let us be the restorers of genuine purity and taste; instead of pretending to form a new language, I would revive the strength and energies of that which has been neglected for meretricious ornaments and disgusting affectation. I am so unfashionable as to prefer the poetry of Dryden, Spenser, Pope, Goldsmith, &c. to all the forced prettinesses of Walter Scott, Lord Byron, and the whole school of modern poets, with their gaudy singularities, tricks and surprises."

"Doubts, difficulties and ill forebodings, constitute the sapience of little minds, which never stay to observe the operation of those tacit, but powerful agents, in the disposition of human affairs, time and circumstance. It is from this quarter you are threatened with the lowering front of the literati of Europe:-from whom you have nothing to fear. The influence of that mighty struggle which has so shaken the world for the last five-and-twenty years, has not been confined to the political relations of countries-the effect upon the human mind has been prodigious ;-the days of literary vandalism have gone by, and those who do not perceive it, are deceived by the mist raised by scribblers, which forms the halo around the living literary genius of a country.-But although you have no hostility to apprehend from the true literary genius of Europe, I presume you do not look for active services. Depend on it, the fate of your institution will be decided in your own country. To Europe you can only look for a good wish; and a friendly interchange:-But the existence of the academy must depend upon the literary attainment and taste in the United States; and not upon the frowns, jealousies, or favours of the old world. That your national pride will suffer occasional mortification in the beginning, is, I presume, expected by you. It must be so, because the great struggle with us is, and has been, for wealth. Literature has occupied but a secondary place. In saying this, I say nothing in support of the often repeated slander that we are an

avaricious people. We are not one atom more so than the Europeans. The difference between us, lies in that boundless field for the acquisition of wealth, which is opened to every class of our people, by the nature of our government, the comparative thinness of our population, the situation and extent of our new country, and the native fertility of our soil. Hence it is that you see such a universal struggle for money, because it is within every one's reach. Give the European the same means of wealth, and he would be equally assiduous. Upon what ground, different from that which would influence an American, does he expatriate himself and come to this country? and when here, an adopted citizen, who sees him less attentive to his interest than a native? But, although this will relieve us from the charge of depravity, it is impossible that it should free us from the natural consequence of things. That faculty which is most cultivated, will always be in most perfection; and should we turn out at this time, better Traders than Scholars, we should neither be surprised nor discouraged. We must take the same course which other nations have taken,-with the certainty, from the actual state and situation of our country, and of the world, of immensely outstripping every thing that has gone before us. If the academy fail, it will not be for want of talent, but for want of talent enough at leisure, to cultivate the learning required.

There has never been a greater mistake, than in exhibiting the undoubtedly superior fruits of the mind which Europe can furnish, as evidences of a more excellent native grade of intellect than we possess. Not to insist upon the disparity in years and advantages, the very difference in the mode of life between us and the European, would account for all. In Europe, every thing is pursued singly; and the whole time and talent of the individual, are devoted to one object. If, for example, he betakes himself to literature, he never mixes agriculture nor merchandise with it as a vocation, and so vice versa,- as is almost always the case in the United States. It is plain, therefore, if we would equal them, we must pursue the same course; or Nature must give us double the intellect she gives the European. I mention this to show that you ought not to be discouraged, although the academy should for some years be less brilliant, than similar institutions on the other side of the Atlantic. That we shall, at no distant day, be first in literature, in commerce, and in arms, does not, I think, require any conjuring to foretell. The unprecedented immensity of the raw material existing within our limits, imperatively declares, that it must and shall be so. But if you now find, as I fear you will, the literary attainment of our country fall short of what is looked for, by yourself and your associates, 1 again say, be not discouraged, nor cease to trim the lamp you have lit in the Temple. We are but pursuing the course which it has pleased God to mark out for the VOL. II.

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sons of men; with this difference, that we cleave the air on the wings of the eagle, while other nations, creeping along the earth, have only gained the point where we now stand, through the slow progression of ages.

I have looked attentively over your constitution, and as I see nothing palpably wrong, I consider it a good constitution to begin with. That it has been so fortunately constructed as not to require new modelling, is what no man on earth can tell, however grave he may look, or wise he may pretend to be. The fitness of a law, or the soundness of a constitution, can only be disclosed by the working of events. The constitution of any society, whether great or small, must not guide, but be guided by, the genius, habits and opinions, of those who are to live under it. The facility with which your constitution can be altered, therefore, is one of the best points in it. In this susceptibility of change, there is an immense difference between a literary society and a state; therefore do not suppose me to confound them. In the government of a nation, to have its constitution as open as its statute book to amendment, would be little short of keeping a mine, ready loaded, where people habitually pass with brands and torches." a

A Constitution has been adopted, founded upon the principles stated in the Circular Letter, as follows,

The Preamble and 1st Article express the name and objects of the Institution.

The 2d Article embraces the classification of Members-(as at p. 73.) the fees of Membership-and the mode of admission.

The 3d Article states the Officers to be-a President, three Vice-Presidents, a Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, and thirteen Counsellors-of whom the President and Corresponding Secretary are two-to be chosen annually [1st Monday in June]-a vacancy to be filled at any quarterly meeting:-The officers to form a standing committee,-who may appoint a Librarian, &c.

The 4th Article provides for a quarterly meeting on the 1st Monday, in each season of the year-and other meetings by adjournment.

5th. That a member is to be selected to deliver a public address at each annual meeting.

6th. That amendments to the constitution, may be adopted at one meeting for consideration, and shall be carried, by two thirds of the votes at a subsequent quarterly meeting.

The 7th and last provides for confirming this constitution by fifty members.

[a This letter is from a gentleman of North-Carolina.]