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the prayers, or delivering the sermon, in an unknown tongue. It is perhaps owing to this circumstance, that there are so many, who do not join at all in this employment, or who do it with indifference. We therefore wish, that the ballad-like and indecorous compositions of many ignorant modern composers might be banished from publick worship; and that the noble ancient melodies might be recalled from exile,and restored to their just rights and privileges. We would not however entirely proscribe the more quick and complicated melodies, some of which, particularly many by Pleyel, Hadyn, and Costellow, are charming specimens of musical composition, and admirably suited to devotional occasions.

We have indulged in these general remarks, because we always advance with a slow and melancholy step to the painful task of noting the faults of excellent productions. For, as though the editors of The Salem Collection of Classical Sacred Musick' meant to exemplify in their work the truth of the closing remark of the preface, 'that perfection seems only to shun us in proportion to our endeavours to approach her,' we observe defects in this edition, from which the former was in a far greater degree free.

"Let others hail the rising sun,

We bow to that, whose race is run." The eminent professor of musick' has, we think, deformed with modern improvements the grandeur of associations, which ages have consecrated. The airs of the tunes, it is true, remain, in most instances, untouched. But there are in this collection twenty-seven tunes,*

All Saints, Angels' Hymn, Bath, Brecknock, Old Hundred, Oanaburgh, Portugal, Richmond, Rickmanswouth,

in which the other parts, especially the two upper, are so greatly altered, from what they are in any collection of sacred musick within our knowledge, that we hesitate to recommend it, as we were prepared to do, as the companion in churches, and the guide in schools.†

We confess, that several of the tunes, which we have enumerated in the note, have been cruelly mangled by almost every American compiler, who has copied them. If the offence were indictable, no grand jury would find a bill against many of the offenders of this class for any thing short of murder. What! can't they read? or are they Goths and Vandals, who love to make war upon taste and antiquity? The professor' ought, we think, to have furnished some authority, for so widely deviating from the most approved European standards. We admit, that the emendations evince an acquaintance with the rules of musick: but whether it arises from our depraved taste, or from the strength of early impressions, or from our attachment to the doctrines of the reformation; we must confess, that we prefer Old Hundred, as it has generally been sung by the best writers, and as it was probably written by Martin Luther, to any alterations which even a Handel could make. Alterations! this is the age of alterations: science, as well as government, trembles at the revolutionary spirit of the times.

Rockingham, Truro, Winchester, Armley, Mecklenburgh, Putney, CanterbuEighty-One, Pensance, Bangor, Buckry, Colchester, Dunchurch, Irish, Old ingham, Wantage, Sutton, Psalm 96, and Italy.

† When we referred to this Collection in page 51 of the present volume of the Anthology, we had not seen the second edition.

In justice to this selection, it aught to be stated, that the typographical execution is handsome and very correct; that the tunes are, with few exceptions, from the compositions of eminent masters; and that the Introduction to Psalmody' is, on the whole, a useful one. We wish that, consist ently with our fidelity to the pubpick, we could have spoken of this

work only in a style of commendation. But it is no surprising thing, that it should be imperfect. Where is the book, which is free from defect? We console ourselves with the reflection, when we see a good man fall into a fault, or a wise man guilty of an error, 'that there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.'

LITERARY AND

AMERICAN.

PHILOSOPHICAL

INTELLIGENCE.

« Philadelphia, April 15, 1807. "THE opening of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, appointed for this day, was very generally attended by the contributors. It is but justice to the Directors to say, that the number and selection of Casts, they have imported, do great honour to their exertions. The figures are from the choicest pieces of statuary in Europe, and,ar. ranged with taste and judgment, formed a splendid exhibition, and gave universal satisfaction. The following appropriate address on the occasion, was delivered by GEORGE CLYMER, Esq. President of the Institution :

"THE Directors of this Institution, having fixed on a day, for opening the building, dedicated, by your liberality, to the Fine Arts-they now call you together to witness how the trust committed to them has been executed. And intending at the same time, a short ad. dress to you, its founders and patrons, the task of its delivery, from the avocations of some gentlemen, has fallen up

on me.

With this exposure of their work, it would be well, if the directors could say that the funds, so generously supplied, had been equal to the objectsAnd that they could speak confidently of their saving management in the expenditure, but this, I fear, would be a questionable theme; the truth indeed is, that the cost has exceeded the estimate. The calculations of unexperienced zeal are seldom just: And besides they have been less intent upon sparing your money, than solicitous to advance

your reputation: And they have perhaps fallen into that mistake, which is ever fortunate when it gives birth to schemes of publick usefulness, that might, otherwise, not have been undertaken.

This acknowledgment, notwithstanding, I shall present you with nothing like a statement or account, with its de ficient balance; this will come from another quarter, together with a plan from the directors, for relieving the Academy from some present embar rassments, as well as for supplying the means of placing it upon a firmer and broader establishment.

If the contemplation of the pieces of exquisite workmanship, that encircle you, would of itself impart a knowledge, as it will an admiration of the art that produced them, you might expect something, in this address, upon its principles-Some indeed, there are among us, who have a professional acquaintance with such subjects-but these are few, and the rest, not particularly instructed, are, I trust, not inclined to supply the defect of science, by the affectation of taste, or the cant of connoisseurship; their business is not to offer the proofs of any present skill, but to lay the foundation, to furnish the means of the future attainment; and on this, none need apprehend the failure of success. No nation has the proud monopoly of genius, or can make itself its exclusive seat; wherever there are men, there genius is to be found.-Besides the universality of this grant of nature, instances sufficient are in evidence that we have not been omitted in the dispensation. Our country, it is

true, has produced chiefly the bud' or germ; for the developement and expansion of the natural talent, with some very respectable exceptions, it has been as yet much indebted to the fostering care of some other. Hence in one of the most pleasing departments of the arts, a West, a Copley, a Stuart, and a Trumbull, who might have withered & declined in their native bed, by transplantation into a more improved soil, have arrived at the fullest growth of excellence. In this home establishment you provide what may make such excellence all your own-a school for study, a field for competition; and become, moreover, the instruments in diffusing a taste throughout, to ensure general encouragement, and particular patronage.

If your just pride should be excited, from this one consideration, not to neglect a child of your own, it may be no less piqued by another.

ward in one sordid path, there is noth ing sufficiently powerful to allure us from it, either to the right hand or to the left.

Your effectual support of this institution, wherein no personal motive can be pretended, will be so far a practical contradiction of the libel, and prove its best refutation.

Nevertheless, objections will be made to your design, as a departure from accustomed simplicity-Between simplicity and refinement, or if you will, luxury, the question has been frequent and undecided; but if luxury be a consequential evil of the progress of our country, a better question, perhaps, it would be, how is it to be understood? Where an unrestricted, and unoppressed industry gains more than simplicity requires, the excess, as it cannot be pent up, will be employed upon gratifications beyond it-how retain the cause, and repress the effect? Philosophy and the laws would here teach in vain! where a constantly rising flood cannot be banked out, the waters should be directed into channels the least hurtful

would incline towards voluptuousness, to be led off to objects more innoxious -even to those of greater purity and innocence; those that will not pamper the senses, but rather amuse, if not instruct the understanding; and it may, with some truth be observed, that those who carry the whole fruit of an assidu ous and successful toil to the common hoard of national wealth, undiminished by any waste of it, but on the few wants of simplicity, contribute with most ef fect to the refinement or luxuries, to which, in their practice, they seemed most averse.

The visitors to us from the other hemisphere, before the era of our revolution, came to a new country, with dispositions to estimate us, more by our advance on the course, than by our dis--so ought the exuberant riches, which tance from the goal and they were pleased to find that in its nonage, it had proceeded so far in culture and refinement. Those of latter days, now that we have cut the cord of foreign dependence, and set up for ourselves, discov. er a very different humour. Overlook ing or derogating from whatever is valuable or praise-worthy, aggravating some blemishes, and contemning all things,in a new scene, which they have not the faculty to understand-instead of presenting a likeness of the country, they have disfigured it with a moral and physical caricature; insomuch that the notion they have succeeded, in their books of travels, in impressing upon the too willing belief of the ancient world is, that it demands the hardihood of a Ledyard, or of a Mungo Parke, to explore the miseries of our wilderness, and to encounter the barbarity of our

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Such being the consequence of a growing opulence, the alternative would be, not as between simplicity and luxu. ry, but between the grosser and more refined species of the latter. Where is the room then, for hesitation in the choice?

But are our particular objects alone to be cherished? are none else worthy of our care? This is best answered by remarking, that ours are well suited to a voluntary society; that all the liberal arts are of a kindred spirit-kindling at each other's flame; that as members of the same family, they have a mutual sympathy and relation; naturally flourishing together; the best examples in

poetry, eloquence, and history, being always contemporary with those of sculpture, painting, and architecture. In this institution you directly or indirectly promote them all.

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.'

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 geographical 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 states— having seen their effect in part, we may prophecy the rest, that we are destined to a rank and station with the most considerable.

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 city, 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 library-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 civ. ilized 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 government, than the individual at the head,

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 meeting 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 payment 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 erected 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 remaine der, 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 ander 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 these resolutions.

7. All subscribers to the institution, either by contribution or loan, who incline 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 abridgment 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

Mr. Robert Patterson was chosen president,

Mr. Samuel B. Wylie, secretary, and
Mr. Joseph Clay, treasurer.

Messrs. Clay, Wylie, and Delamar, the standing committee of correspondence.

The society being thus organized, proceeded to business, and pitched upon 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 approved 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 re spectively, signifying the candidate's nante and place of residence.

The committee think it unnecessary

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