Gazette Of The United States

From the Columbian Centinel.

CABINET of ORES and other Minerals in the UNIVERSITY at CAMBRIDGE.

ABOUT two years ago, the public were informed that Dr. Lettsom, of London, had sent a rich and extensive collection of Minerals, as a present to our University. Since that period, the worthy Dr. has added considerably to his first donation, so that the whole amounts to more than Six Hundred articles, and a fresh supply of Spanish Ores, are expected in the next ship, from the same gentleman. Here are several specimens of gold ore, a great variety of silver, a still greater of copper, iron, tin, lead, zinc, antimony, arsenic, bismuth, cobalt, nickel, and manganese; not to mention innumerable spars, crystals, petrifactions, salts, and alkaline earths; with mixtures and combinations of each, forming a very useful and splendid collection. The minerals were collected from Mexico, different parts of Germany, from Transylvania, Hungary, and Poland, as well as from Turkey, Russia, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, and elsewhere.

In the course of the last year, the Council of Safety, or Supreme Executive of the Republic of France, sensible of the great benefit, which the study of Mineralogy would entail on their allies the Americans, directed the Agents of their mines and public works, to transmit to our University, as well as sorted collection of Minerals chiefly natives of their own territories. The number of the articles sent, amounts to nearly two hundred, and are in general very large and valuable.

These were entrusted to the particular care of Citizen Mozard, Consul from the Republic, to New-England, now resident at Boston, to whose attention and politeness in this commission, we find ourselves very much indebted. These with the Lettsomian donation, form by far the richest and most extensive collection of Minerals in the U. States.

Both the English and French collection, happened to be more deficient in Italian marbles, and volcanic lava, than in almost any other sort; which deficiency has been generously supplied by the Hon. Mr. Bowdoin, who has presented the Cabinet with an hundred and fifty specimens of those two productions.

This rich collection, is now arranged in an elegant mahogany Cabinet, eighteen feet long, and from ten to twelve high, placed in the Philosophy Chamber, at Cambridge, for the inspection of the curious. As the front is glazed, the specimens can be easily seen by the ordinary visitants. But the curious in this science, can at any time have a nearer access to them, by applying to Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse, to whose care they are entrusted by the Corporation.

These Minerals are arranged with but very few exceptions) in systematic order: Each article is numbered, which numbers answer to those of a descriptive catalogue which has been carefully made out for public inspection; for besides the name of the Mineral and the place it came from, the opposite page contains definitions and explanatory notes; an addition not wholly superfluous in a region where the science of Mineralogy is but in its infancy. To advance the means of studying this useful branch to advantage, the Corporation have ordered an assaying apparatus, to assay such specimens as may be collected from different parts of our own country.

The importance of studying the Mineral Kingdom, has been felt and acknowledged by all Europe. In Sweden and Germany, Mineralogy, is considered as a branch worthy the attention of the government. They have Colleges in which it is regularly taught: it forms a distinct and honorable profession, like that of the soldier, the merchant, or the barrister. Its superior officers make a part of the administration of the State. This example has been followed by the French, Russians, and Spaniards. The French have erected a Mineralogical School at Paris, to which a considerable pension is annexed. Subterraneous Maps of the whole Kingdom, were tracing before the Revolution, and have been continued with great care under the Republic, and journals of the public mines, foundries, forges, and manufactures of steel, &c. have been regularly transmitted to our University. How happy should we be, could we gratify them with similar returns from this country.

Being so far helped to the means of studying Ores and other Minerals to advantage, by our friends in France and England, it would be unpardonable to neglect collecting specimens among ourselves. We have reason to believe that our country abounds in Ores, and other valuable Minerals; and that we have treasures now hid in the earth for want of persons properly instructed to draw them forth. Is it not to be regretted that these recesses of wealth have not yet been entered, and that we at this day remain dependent on foreign nations, for riches that lie under our feet?

The benevolent Thomas Hollis, of London, wrote in the blank leaf of a book on Mineralogy, which he sent to the College in 1768, the following advice—"A Professorship of Chemistry and Mineralogy, to be instituted in Harvard College, which alone would, it is apprehended, bestow wealth on New-England, with maintenance of its industry, cannot be too much recommended to the gentlemen there, as individuals and Legislators."

It is therefore requested that every well-wisher to the prosperity of his country, who finds any Mineral Production beyond the appearance of a

(*) Preface to Kirwan's Mineralogy.

* Rich Tin Ore, has been lately found within 20 miles of Boston, and Copper within 40.

The greatest benefactor of Harvard College.
Common tone, would take care to transmit it to the Cabinet at Cambridge, where if valuable, it will be preserved with the donor's name.

Cambridge, May 17, 1796.

B. W.

As the above has for its object the public good, the Printers in the United States, are requested to give it a general circulation.