LITERARY ANI) SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES.-Th ere are several associations in New York whose prominent object is the promotion of general and scientific knowlege. The following are the most important.
New Fork Historical association originated from the example of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Its commencement was in 1804, and an act of incorporation was obtained in 1809. Its professed object is to collect and preserve what ever is best calculated to illustrate the natural, civil, political and ecclesiastical history of the Unit ed States and the state of New York in particular. That the society has not been unmindful of this high trust, its extensive and unique library of ten thousand volumes, embracing materials for the Ame rican historian, its cabinet of medals, maps, engrav ings and valuable MSS., abundantly evince. It has published several volumes of Collections, illustrative chiefly of facts and circumstances in American his tory. Its most efficient founder was John Pintard. This society has recently obtained an admirable lo cation in Broadway.
Literary and Philosophical associa tion originated in 1814, and was incorporated by an act of the legislature the same year. It has pub lished one volume of Transactions, quarto, which contains among other matters the inaugural dis course of its first president, De Witt Clinton, L.L.D. The second volume, part 1st, is enriched with the results of Capt. Sabine's late experiments.
Lyceum of Natural society was in corporatcd in 1718. It possesses a valuable cabinet of minerals, an herbazium of great extent, a rich cabinet of zoology, ichthyology, &c. &c. No in stitution in the state has so ably and so zealously devoted itself to the important object of its forma tion, and its printed transactions, in several volumes, are extensively known and commended. Its most distinguished patron was the late Samuel L. Mitchell, M.D. L.L.D., who long held the office of president.
Horticultural Society . in March 1822. This association has effectively directed its energies to the best means of improving the culti vation of our vegetable productions, and to the ac climation of exotics of an esculent nature. It has
acquired a substantial reputation for the services it has rendered horticultural science. A periodical journal under its auspices is published in the city. The society, besides ordinary members, has hono rary and corresponding members.
.1cadcmy of is the oldest institution of its kind in the United States. It was commenc ed in 1801. Among those who suggested the plan of the undertaking, and who have zealously patron ized it, might be enumerated the names of several gentlemen of the first importance in the state. The property of this association consists of a large col lection of fine paintings, among which are a por trait of their former president, Chancellor Living ston, and a full length portrait of Benjamin West, painted by Lawrence, a large collection of antiques, statutes, busts, bass-reliefs and a library of books on the fine arts. Besides these treasures, the socie ty possesses a copy of the engravings and views of Piranesi, in twenty-four superb volumes, presented to the Academy by Napoleon Bonaparte. The ac commodations of the institution are well calculated for the purposes of its exhibition, and are situate in Barclay street, near the Park. The members are divided into academicians and associates; the former must be artists by profession. The venera ble historical painter, John Trumbull, Esq. is the present president.
National .qcaderny of the lints of Design.—The enterprise of a number of young gentlemen, artists and amateurs, gave origin to this association. It was organized in 1826, and opened its first exhibi tion in a private room in Broadway. They have recently been accommodated with suitable apart ments in Clinton Hall. None but the productions of living artists are admitted for exhibition. The ob jects of the society, as announced by them, are the mutual improvement of its members, and the in struction of all others who wish to become students of the arts of design. To secure these intentions, lectures are delivered, and apparatus and models furnished to the pupil.