.O^

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

'^S

^/ /

r/.

1.0

I.I

■SO *^^ M^H

lu iiii 12.2

HI 13^ Mil

Z US, 12.0

11.25 iU

1.6

Hiotographic

Sciences
Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

{716) 172.4503

CIHM/ICMH

Microfiche

Series.

CIHJVI/ICIVIH
Collection de
microfiches.

Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian da microraproductions historiquM

Tachnical and Bibliographic Notas/Notas taehnlquaa at bibliographiquaa

Tlia Instituta haa attamptad to obtain tha baat
original copy availabia for filming. Faaturaa of thia
copy which may ba bibliographicaiiy uniqua,
which may altar any of tha Imagaa in tha
raproduction, or which may significantly changa
tha usual mathod of filming, ara chacicad balow.

nn Coloured covars/
LLJ Couvartura da couiaur

I I Covars damagad/

D
D

Couvartura andommagte

Covars rastorad and/or laminatad/
Couvartura rastaurte at/ou palliculAa

I — I Covar titia missing/

La titra da couvartura manque

I I Coloured maps/

Cartas gAographiquas en couleur

Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/
Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleua ou noire)

Coloured plates and/or illuatrationa/
Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur

Bound with other material/
RaiiA avac d'autres documents

Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion
along interior margin/

La re liure serrie peut causer de I'ombre ou de la
distortion la long de la marge inttrieure

Blank leaves added during restoration may
appear within tha text. Whenever poaaibla, these
have been omitted from filming/
II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajouttes
lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans la texte.
mais, lorsqua cela Atait possible, ces pages n'ont
pas itt filmtes.

Additional comments:/
Commentaires suppiimentairas:

L'InstitMt a mIerofilmA la mailleur exemplaire
qu'll lui a M possible da se procurer. Les details
da eat axamplaira qui sont peut-«tre uniques du
point da vua blbliographique. qui peuvent modifier
una image raproduita. ou qui peuvent exiger une
modification dans la m*thode normale de fiimage
sont indiquis ei-dassous.

n
n

D
D
D

Coiourad pages/
Pagaa da couiaur

Pagaa damaged/
Pagas andommagAas

Pages restored and/or laminated/
Pagas rastaurAas at/ou pailiculAes

Pagas discoloured, stained or foxed/
Paget dAcolor^as. tachet^es ou piquies

Pagas detached/
Pagas d4tach4as

Showthrough/
Transparanca

Quality of print varies/
Quality in4gaia da I'imprassion

Includas supplamanta.y material/
Comprand du matAriai suppiimentaire

Only edition available/
Saula Adition disponible

Pagas wholly or partially obscured by errata
slips, tissuas, etc.. have been refilmed to
ensure the best possible image/
Les pages totalamant ou partiellement
obseureies par un feuiilet d'errata, une pelure.
etc., ont M filmAas i nouveau de faqon d
obtonir la maillaura image possible.

This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/

Ce document est fiimi au taux de rMuction indiqu* ci-dessous.

10X 14X 18X 22X

26X

30X

12X

16X

20X

24X

28X

32X

Th« eopy fllmMl h«r« hat bMn raproduotd thanks
to th« gMMrotlty of:

L'axamplaira film* fut raproduit grica k la
g^nArositA da:

N«w Brunnviek MuMum
tfintJohn

Tha Imagaa appaaring hara ara tha baat quality
poaalbia eonaldaring tha oondltion and iagiblllty
of tha original eopy and in kaaping with tha
filming eontraot apaalf ioationa.

Original eopiaa In prlntad papar eovars ara fllmad
baginning wUh tha front covar and anding on
ttw last paga with a prlntad or iiiuatratad impraa-
•lon, or tho book oovar whan appropriata. All
otiiar original eopiaa ara fllmad baginning on tha
firat paga with a prlntad or iiiuatratad impraa-
ilon, and anding on tha iaat paga with a printed
or iiiuatratad impraaalon.

Tho Iaat raeordad frame on eeeh mierofieha
shall eontain tha eymbol —^(meaning "CON-
TiNUID"K or the symbol ▼ (meaning "END"),
whiehever appUee.

New Brunswick MufMim
Saint John

Lee imeges suhremee ont AtA reproduites avac la
plus grand soln, eompta tenu do ia condition at
da la nattetA da I'exempkiire flimA, et en
conformKA avac lee conditione du eontrat da
fiimaga.

Lee exemplairae origlnaux dont ia couverture en
papier eet imprlmAe sont f llmAs en ieommen^nt
per le premier piet et en terminent soit per le
demlAre pege qui eomporte une empreinte
d'impression ou d'iliuetration. soit par ia second
pkit, selon ie cee. Toue les eutree exempieires
orlgineux sont fllmAe en commen^ent par la
premiAre pege qui eomporte une empreinte
d'impression ou dlilustrstion et en terminent par
la darnlAre paga qui eomporte une telle
empreinte.

Un dee symbolee suhrents spperettra sur la
demiAre imege de cheque microfiche, selon le
cas: le symbols -^ signifie "A SUIVRE", le
symbols y signifie "FIN".

Mapa, plataa, charts, ate., may be filmed et
different raduetlon ratioe. Thoee too lerge to be
entirely ineludod In one expoeure ara filmed
baginning in tha upper left hend comer, left to
right and top to bottom, ae many framee ae
required. Tlio following diegrame liluatrete the
method:

Lee cartes, planches, tableeux, etc., peuvent Atre
fllmAe A dee taux de rAduction diff Arents.
Lorsque le document eet trop grend pour Atre
reproiduit en un seul cllchA, ii eet filmA A pertir
de i'engle supArieur gauche, de geuclw A droit''i,
et de heut en bes, sn prenent le nombre
d'imegee nAceeeeire. Lee diegrammee suivants
iiiustrent le mAthode.

£i^ 'ii

FRiDGRIOTON ATHINIUM,

j-*'.if

FEBRUARY 2G, 1855r

THE HON. NEVILLE PARKER, PRESIDENT.

PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE SOCIETY.

FRB0BRICTON.

PniNTED MT THE ROTAL GAZETTE OFFICE.

1855.

J,
9 1

••wi

ANNUAL ADDRESS

(

DELIVERED

BEFORE THE MEMBERS

OF THE

FRIDERICTON ATHENIUM,

FEBRUARY 26, 1855,

THE HON. NETILLE PARKER, PRESIDENT.

FEINTED BY OBDEB OF THE SOCIETY.

PRBDBRICTON.

PRINTED AT THE ROTAL OAZETTI OFFICE.

1855.

ANNUAL ADDRESS.

Gentlemen,

The close of another year in the life of our Society brings
with it the occasion of recalling briefly the events which have
marked its progress and the subjects which have engaged it8
attention ; and it presents also an opportunity of casting a
glance at the objects for which it was originally established,
and the measure of success with which those objects have been
prosecuted.

The wide field which expands before a Society of this nature,
in prospect, presents much to delight the eye and gratify
refined taste — much to interest and stimulate the powers of
thought : History unfolding her ample page, and courting
enquiry into the customs and usages of distant ages — the origin
of nations — the distinctive characters which diversify the mind
and genius no less than the features of differing races of men —
the various problems which are connected with the early set-
tlement of countries — the impelling causes which have deter-
mined the migrations of the human family and fixed the bounds
of their habitation; all these hold out subjects innumerable for
careful research and curious investigation. Tbo all but hope-
less obscurity with which in many instances the o'hject is en-
shrouded, so far from discouraging enquiry, is but the tempting
veil which we long to draw aside, and the attempt, though often
baffled, is still eagerly renew* 'd.

The vast domain of animated nature which the great author
of the universe has subjected to man spreads before the eye —
nature, irrational, as we call it, but in many of its forms
endowed with an instinct more accurate than reason. Science,
in her different spheres and with her countless developments,
points to the paths she has trodden, and the fields she has won
— her progress, slow and painful at first, gradually but surely

triumphing over tlie secrets of nature, and revealing Iier ex-
haustlcss stores.

The various and attractive objects which thus rise above the
mind's horizon, as embraced within the compass of a literary
and scientific Society, clothe it in imagination with much that
is delightful ; and one would expect to see its numbers rapidly
increase. Itut there is a reverse to the picture, which becomes
more legible as the Society begins to break ground in these
various departments of knowledge ; and it is soon discovered
that a certain amount of toil as well as pleasure awaits the
traveller, when the distant azure of the mountain no longer
hides the steepness and ruggedness of its ascent.

To drop metaphor. Of a Society limited necessarily by the
small circumference of a not very populous neighbourhood, not
a few of its members will always be found to whom the selec-
tion of a subject and preparation of a paper, however viewed
beforehand, is found, when the attempt is seriously to be made,
to be a task of more difficulty than was at first apprehended.
The consciousness that our auditory will include those who are
better informed than ourselves on most subjects that may be
selected, is apt, not unnaturally, to discourage effort; and, if
not resolutely contended against, to render irksome our position
in a Society in which we persuade ourselves that, as we can
contribute little to the joint stock, we are out of place.

But these apprehensions and misgivings are oflen greatly
exaggerated, and should be vigorously combated. They pro-
ceed not always from the source to which we would fain attri-
bute them, and we must not allow the suggestion of, it may be,
a too sensitive vanity, to pass itself upon us for the promptings
of genuine modesty. We must, in short, be contented not to
be very brilliant rr original at first, if we would hope hereafter
to entertain or instruct. Not a few men, I imagine, in public
life, who have attained eminence, have been at the outset
appalled with a sense of their complete failure, and have been
strongly tempted to give up at once in utter despair, and hide
tiioir heads in obscurity. But the feeling gradually wears
away. Calmer reason, or self-love whispers that perhaps the

the

less

ofth(

and

when
H(

proct
ble
from
they
Sii
zeal

ler ex-

ove the
literary
ich that
I rnpicUy
aecomcs
in these
icovered
aits the
) longer

ly by the
mod, not
he selec-
r viewed
be made,
ehended.
3 who are
, may be
; and, if
r position
I we can
e.

n greatly
rhey pro-
fain attri-
it may be,
romptings
;ed not to
5 hereafter
, in public
the outset
have been
, and hide
ally wears
lerhaps the

discomnturc was not in other oyrs so nbsohitc, and perhaps
that all eyes wcro not dircctod to tho exiiihitor at the unlucky
moment; that if it was tlio universal to[)ic, still other topics
W\\\ gradually s\\\\evHCA\e \i ] nnd the result is at length that
another effort is made, accorripnniod, possibly, with less lofty
hopes, but with a more curcful and vigilant preparation, nnd a
gleam of success, presage of a still brighter day, dawns upon
the gloom.

I hope 1 may be pardoned for these remarks. They cer-
tuinly stand in need of sonic upology to those I see around me
who have borne the burthen nnd weight of the Society ; but if
the genius and talent which have been steadily devoted to tho
purposes of our association, have gratified while they informed
nnd continued to keep up the interest of our meetings, I would
desire to draw our younger members into the same honorable
paths, and enable them in time to win the like meed of appro-
bation from their associates, while their best reward will be
their own conscious self improvement.

I hope, I say, I shall be forgiven. My only title to be
didactic is the position in which your kindness has (for the
second time) placed me, as your Piosident.

In the real business of the Society, I confess with all humi-
lity, minima pars fui ; but I hope those I address may prove,
if less honored, more useful members.

1 feel that some degree of resolution is necessary to resist
the seductions of indolence and the fascinations of lighter and
less intellectual pursuits. From various causes, of the number
of the company which, to borrow the metaphor of a reverend
and excellent predcc ssor in this Chair, embarked together
when the ship first left the port, the survivors are but few.

However, our ranks have been supplied, and the Society has
proceeded in its course up to this its eighth year with remarka-
ble regularity, under the difficulties and disadvantages arising
from the multifarious occupations of its members, engaged as
they are in the active duties of life.

Sustained by the untiring energy of our Secretary, and the
zeal of those of our members who have felt the great impor-

tance of cultivating intellectual Imbits, not merely for the im-
mediate gratificiition derived from a few ogreeable hours, but
in its permanent effect in the formation of character, the
Society has been thus far maintained ; and it has during the
years which it has lasted, discussed many subjects of interest,
and has contributed valuable information through its Almanacks
and in other ways, to the public stock. Those have formed the
subject of former observation from this place.

But it is time to turn to the events and doings of the past
year. The Society has lost its Patron, Sir £dniijnd Head,
whose great abilities have recommended him to his present
important sphere a>> Governor General of British North Ame-
rica. His place in our Society, however, has been filled by
His Excellency Mr. Manners Sutton, who has with much
courtesy consented to succeed him. A few new members have
been added to our list.

Owing to domestic affliction in College at the period of our
usual assemblage in March, it was found necessary to intermit
the meeting of tiiat month.

In April we were favoured with a highly interesting paper
from the Rev. W. Shore, which, beside that it afforded much
satisfaction to all who heard it, we gladly looked to as an ear-
nest of other contributions from the same very competent
hand. Our anticipations, unfortunately, have been disap-
pointed by the departure of the author to seek a distant home
in England. His subject was Sepulchral Monuments ; but I
regret to say the monument of his own talents and industry
thus afforded, has been far more transitory than those of which
he so well discoursed, and vanished with its author. No trace
of it remains among the records of the Society ; and I feel it
would be doing injustice to Mr. Shore to attempt from memory
even a slight analysis of his paper. In opening for us these
repositories of the long buried dead which have resisted the
ravages of time, we were led to perceive how rich a mine lies
sometimes buried under the vast tumuli which, with some
variety of outline, are found in many distant regions of the
new world, as Columbus called it, as well as the old, and how

f the im-
)urs, but
cter, the
ring the
interest,
imonacks
trmcd the

the past
id Head,
9 present
ith Ame-
i filled by
ith much
ibers have

iod of our
o intermit

ing paper
rded much
as an ear-
compctciit
een disap-
tant home
Its ; but I
d industry
je of which
No trace
d I feel it
►m memory
or us these
esisted the
L mine lies
with some
ions of the
d, and how

vivid a light is every whnro thonen rnflrcfrd upon the customs
and manners of remote timoM.

The latest of these, the dlHCovnrioN nt Nineveh, among the
most ancient mcniorinls of u highly civili/.ed race, have placed
before the eyes of the present grnrration, hm fresh after the
lapse of thirty centuries as when HrHt from the hands of the
sculptor, records of the greatoNt interest, and signally confir-
matory of some most striking pasNngeN of the history of the
Jewish and Assyrian nations, thus illuHtruting the author's view
of the importance of his subject. It wns, however, with the
Etrurian remains with which the paper chielly dealt. These
were minutely described, and learniMlly discuHscd ; and I must
regret that I am unable to pursue his elo(|uent en(piiry on the
present occasion.

The Rev. Mr. Ketchum, in May, took for his theme, the
Crusades, and gave first a rapid sketch of their history from
the time when the holy enterprise was proclaimed by Peter flio
Hermit, and the successive cfibrtN made by Christendom for the
recovery or retention of the Holy Hepulchre, until the death of
St. Louis; secondly, he considered the prominent characteris-
tics of this ren)arkablo movement ; and thirdly, the important
consequences to Europe which they gave rise to, or materially
contributed to produce. Having adverted to the exciting
cause (the disturbance of the Christian Pilgrims in their visits
to the Holy City,) the writer set before us the long and motley
array which, gathered from every European nation, swept on-
ward under its remarkable leader, and in its course whitened
with its bones the toilsome and perilous track ; the mighty
and still recurring wave continuing to break on the Eastern
shore, until Jerusalem, assailed, taken, and lost, and its recap-
ture fiercely struggled for in vain, gradually ceased in the light
of a more sober age, and of a faith less obscured by super-
stition, to inspire the ardour of contpiest.

The mingled character of the Crusades, and the motives
which in turn illustrated and debased these famous enterprises,
were well though briefly touched. Originating in pure, though
as we now consider it, a mistaken view of religious obliga-

,»

;

tioD, their progress was marked by prodigious sacrifices of
life and fortune, which were freely made by the devoted cham-
pions of the Cross, for the honor of Him whose soldiers they
declared themselves ; but very early, and probably from the
first, in the minds of many, objects far less unworldly mingled
with the more lofty and generous aspirations of the leaders.

It is remarkable that in the East, and certainly in a noble
cause, we- find England and France, (with an interval of
six centuries,) twice arrayed in friendly arms. The bloody
and continuous wars which have unhappily for so many ages
raged between these two gallant nations, have crimsoned the
pages of their history ; and yet to their undying honor all has
been forgotten in the hour of Europe's peril, and their only
contest is the glorious emulation in the cause of civilization, and
in the protection of a weaker and insulted nation. Strange,
too, that the Holy Places should have each time furnished the
occasion of strife ; and that out of a solicitude, real or pretended,
connected with those sacred spots, has grown the quarrel
which has thus twice cemented the auspicious alliance. But
the jealousies and envious bickerings which disturbed its har-
mony before Jerusalem, in the twelfth century, find no place
on the shores of the Crimea, while the daring valour and
indomitable energy displayed at Alma, Balaklava, and Inker-
man, have alike distinguished the gallant warriors of either
nation — a valour which might almost cause the lion-hearted
Richard himself to start in his grave, and, could he have wit-
nessed its display, would have proved to him that England's
sons, however advanced in the peaceful arts which he perhaps
would have despised, were not one whit degenerated from
their heroic sires, whom his spirit-stirring voice had so often
cheered on to victory, and would have further extorted the ac-
knowledgment that France was worthy of their alliance.

Again we find that in the beginning of the thirteenth century,
as Mr. Ketchum tells us, an expedition set out under Count
Baldwin, of Flanders, doubtless with proclamation of its holy
purpose, bound —

Lcrifices of
oted cham-
Idiers they
r from the
lly mingled
I leaders,
in a noble
interval of
rhe bloody
many ages
nsoned the
nor all has
their only
zation, and

Strange,
rnished the
pretended,
he quarrel
ance. But
)ed its har-
d no place
valour and
and Inker-

of either
ion-hearted

have wit-
England's
lie perhaps
'atcd from
ad so often
ted the ao-
ance.

ith century,
ider Count
of its holy

" As far as to the Sepulchre of Christ,
# « • « *

To chasn thoac Pagans in those holy fields,

Over whose acres walked those blessed feet,

Which thirteen hundred years ago were nailed,

For our advantage, to the bitter Cross."

But this gallant expedition stopped short of its work. What
was the cause ? The Byzantine Empire, which lay conve-
niently in his route, presented an easy conquest, and an irre-
sistible temptation ; and the Diadem of Constantinople eclipsed
in the eyes of this vowed soldier the glories of Jerusalem — his
ardour was satisfied, and he proceeded no farther. May we
not fear for the virtuous resolution even of the great Crusader
of the nineteenth century. Surely it is well for the Czar's
reputation that the arms of England and France bar the
passage to the Bosphorus, lest "Stamboul's moslem minarets"
might, perchance, again extinguish the sacred zeal for the
temples of Judea.

Among the permanent effects attributed to the Crusades
was the depression of the power of the Nobles in many parts of
Europe. And undoubtedly the subjection of a fierce and war-
like aristocracy, removed from the strongholds where they
maintained authority almost independent to the restraint of
combined movements under a superior chief, must have been
productive of habits of subordination to which thoy had been
previously unaccustomed, not easily to be cast off afterwards.
The power of the Popes was largely displayed, and at first
perhaps beneficially exerted over the multitudes congregated
under the Holy Banner. But the very exposure of the baser
leaven which was mingled with the mass, the enlarged experi-
ence of men and things resulting from acquaintance with
many differing races, and the mutual intercourse of many
minds, must no doubt have tended to correct the dreams of
enthusiasm, and to reduce all objects, the legitimate power of
the hierarchy not excepted, to their proper dimensions; while
on the other hand, the spirit of chivalry was kindled by the
inspiration of gallant and bigh-soulcd achievements, and shone
forth in acts of disinterested devotion in the cause of the weak
and unprotected. Science moreover was largely extended.

I hnve dwelt porlmps too long on this interesting paper, and
must hasten on.

In June Doctor Robb presented the first of a series of papers
At'hich was continued in October, November, and December ;
papers to us of the greatest value as embodying, in con-
nection with much general information, the earliest notices
of our own land, Now Brunswick. This has been done by
our excellent Secretary in n course of thorough research
and sifting enquiry which 1ms produced a body of facts collected
from various and distant sources, far more complete than has
been before accomplished in any single work, and a consider-
able portion of which was but very little and very inaccurately
known previously.

Dr. Robb has divided his subject into three great periods —
the Indian, the French, nnd the English periods.

In introducing us first to Savage life, in which the materials,
though abundant, were still manogcable, we were glad to find
the more prominent features of the Indian character — stern and
unrelenting as it presents itself to the mind — shaded and soft-
ened when placed in thn light which a more perfect acquaintance
with aboriginal manners and customs and habits of life sheds
over it. It is refreshing to contemplate the first lord of the
soil in other circumstances than when, with stealthy pace and
unerring instinct he tracks the object of his relentless hostility,
and wreaks his vindictive fury on his defenceless foe ; or when
with fiendish glee he revels in the tortures of his victim at the
stake ; or when for the glory of his name in arms, or the
adornment of his person in the eyes of some dusky favourite,
he tears from his victim the bloody scalp. Yet we cannot
read without a shudder the accounts of the first settlement of
our ancestors in the American wilderness. Direful were the
sanguinary attacks which were occasionally made. An instance
of this kind I can well remember to have heard at a very early
period — an anecdote well calculated to make the blood run
cold — when an ancestor of my own, then an infant in arms,
was almost miraculously preserved from a party of Indians,
who suddenly and unexpectedly dashed into the house, and

paper, and

s of papers
December ;
g, in con-
est notices
n done by
i research
ts collected
:e than has
a consider-
laccurateiy

t periods —

! materials,
^lad to find
—stern and
d and soft-
quaintance
r life sheds
ord of the

pace and
ss hostility,
! ; or when
ctim at the
ns, or the
• favourite,
we cannot
tlemcnt of
1 were the
Ln instance
L very early
blood run

in arms,
f Indians,
louse, and

ransacked it from garret to cellar. The presence of mind of
the nurse rl aayod both her own life and that of the child.
She run iiitu mi cellar, and turned over a large tub, under
which she croiiuhed with her helpless charge ; and though one
of the party struck his tomahawk into the tub under which she
lay concealed, happily the child uttered no sound, and they
remained undiscovered.

But we have here had the Indian placed before us in the
seclusion of his retreat, and surrounded by the friendly mem-
bers of his tribe and of his family. We have seen him engaged
in peaceful pursuits, in the prosecution of those simple arts in
which ho evinces unrivalled skill ; we have even seen him en-
gaged in the pursuits of husbandry.

We certainly cannot call the primceval race a great agricul-
tural people ; iuit Dr. Jlobb 1ms done something to retrieve
their reputation even on this point in the interesting details of
their limited farming, lie has also made many valuable ob-
servations on the structure of the language of the Indian tribes,
and has taken much pains to investigate the original Indian
names of various localities, with their affinities. Their reli-
gious opinions and rites and customs have not escaped his
attention.

But the Indian no longer forms the sole object, though he
Jong continues to occu|)y a prominent place. Two mighty and
gallant nations up|)ear upon the stage ; rivals in war as we
have already seen, and no less in commerce and in colonization,
rivals even at the present day, but happily only such in acts of
mutual kindness and of daring and endurance in a common
jcause. It is (pjite impossible in the narrow limits to which 1
iinust confine myself, to attempt even an outline of what has
been so well detailed and described in the series of papers in
which Doctor ll«>bb has traced the history from the arrival of
the first gallant udventurers of both Nations —

" Who sought a home beyond the Atlantic wave."
England claims the j)riority of discovery, as referring her first
act of possession to the lime of the Cabots in 1497, followed, at
a considerable interval, by Sir Humphrey Gilbert. France in

^SmM

1534, through the voyage of Jacques Carter, diicovcrs the
mighty river of Canada. France has the merit of following up
her attempts at settlement and colonization fit (irftt with more
zeal and perseverance then our countrymen, Tho religious ele-
ment perhaps mingled more fully with the doiiro of wealth and
extended dominion, and stimulated tho oxortiotii of powerful
friends, with whom the conversion of tho mvQgQH to tho chris-
tian faith was the soleobject. It was not until a later period that
a determination at all hazards, to achieve civil and religious free-
dom, drew from the shores of England the most romarliublc emi-
gration and perhaps the most important in iti roiults that later
limes have known. But the English Puritans of tho 17th century
were preceded by the French Huguenots of tho 10th, animated
by the same principles, and not very dissimilar in the dis-
tinguishing character of their creed. In the dotailn here given
us, a remarkable coincidence is presented in tho fate of two
distinguished captains of either nation. Tho Siour Roberval
among the French, and the gallant Englishman, ^ir Humphrey
Gilbert, having in the frail barks of that period both safely
surmounted the perils of the out-bound voyage, on their return
home, with all their companions, alike found a wotery grave.
The two nations commencing at different and far distant points
on the vast Continent, in course of years gradnally approach
each other, until an uncertain boundary is elaimod on either side in
the neighbourhood of the Kennebec or Penobscot. We have
much minute and careful delineation of tho operations con-
ducted by both.

What Dr. Robb modestly terms a history of Now Brunswick
embraces indeed in a large measure tho history common to every
part of the North American Continent, The effortn of the ill-fated
Roberval are succeeded by the disastrous attempts at settle-
ment on Sable Island, by De la Roche and his eonvicts. What-
ever the heinousness of their offence, they must have paid a
sufficient penalty during the period that thoy struggled to main-
tain life on this inhospitable sand bank. , Then wo have Pont-
grave at Tadoussac ; Champlain and Do Monts, and the inte-
resting narrative of their residence on the little Inland of the

jjj.

covers the
)tlowing up
with more
iligiotis ele-
wcnttb and
E)f powerful
:otho chris-
pcriod that
ligious free-
rkablc emi-
ts that later
1 7th century
h, animated
in the dis-
n here given
fate of two
nr Roberval
r Humphrey
both safely
their return
rttery grave,
istant points
lly approach
cither side in
Wo have
rations con-

V Brunswick
nion to every
f the ill-fated
)ts at settle-
icts. What-
httve paid a
;lcd to main-
have Pont-
ttud the inte-
«iand of the

St. Croix, now known as Dosia's Island; Poutrincourt j the
Latours, father and son, and the heroic wife of the latter. Dr.
Robb thinks, no doubt with sufficient reason, that the tradition-
ary opinion that Latoiu's Fort, the scene of this lady's memor-
able defence, was at the Jemseg, is without foundation, and he
places it on the western side of St. John Harbour. It is not
easy at the present day to decide the question. The circum-
stance that Latour's grant fronted on the coast and extended
only ten leagues on the river is of itself not quite conclusive
of the point. Grants purporting to convey only a certain quan-
tity of land have been not unfrequently found sufficiently elastic
to cover an extension quite equal, in proportion to the quantity
professed to be conveyed, to that which would embrace '(he
Jemseg within the limits of Latour's possessions. In his time,
probably, there was no very strict guard on the encroachments
of those powerful grantees. It is not impossible, therefore,
that in addition to the Forts at the mouth of the Harbour, that
which was so well known on the spot in question was built by
Latour, as marking the upper limit of his claim on the river.
We have a minute detail of the constantly recurring con-
flicts of the two nations at various points, in which Port Royal,
now Annapolis, holds a conspicous place — a locality which has
scarcely fulfilled the expectation of those who bestowed upon
it its name, French or English, and who seem to have vied with
each other in the desire to connect it with the Royalty of either
nation. We have also what is, perhaps, more interesting to
us, a particular account of the Fort at the Nashwalk, and its
gallant defence. In this comprehensive survey much light is
thrown on the settlement and early history of Canada, as well
as of the English Colonies, under their first Charter Govern-
ments, and the gradual development of constitutions, arising
out of the inherent principles of British freedom expanding in a
congenial soil. At length, by slow degrees, we behold what
was of late the hunting ground of the Savage, throughout the
vast territory in North America, transformed into the abode of
civilized life. Many a feat of daring is here recorded, and
much political sagacity brought to light. Kirk, with his brave

'§il

companions ; Argall, and his gallant band; Phipps and Sedge-
wick ; are here conspicuous. The Pilgrim Fathers, with a still
braver spirit, exhibit the courage of patient endurance, united
with indomitable resolution, in guarding and advancing their
infant settlements. The fisheries, commerce, rising cities, se-
minaries of learning, and a constantly inflowing population, the
feuds — religious and civil — of old Europe, embittering the con-
tests of the New World, in turn arrest our attention. Then
follow the ultra conservative doctrines in regard to trade and
manufactures which fettered the industry and impeded the
progress of the Colonies, until the growing strength of the
youthful giant burst the bonds which had been imposed, and
led to contentions disastrous in their consequences. The
French domain passes under the dominion of her rival.
Wolfe triumphs at Quebec ; but ere long the prophetic conso-
lation of his valiant antagonist, Montcalm, is accomplished by
the revolt of the thirteen Colonies.

Dr. Robb's narrative concludes at 1762, atid during all that
period which intervenes from the commencement of the French
settlements, a few scattered glimpses are all that we can dis-
cover of the condition of our own land. The history of New
Brunswick is, in fact, still to begin; but the author of these
valuable papers has laid deep, as well as wide, his foundations ;
and I feel satisfied that what is to follow will not disappoint
the promise derived from what has been already achieved. I
cannot but hope that an undertaking of so much public interest
may be fostered, and that sufficient encouragement may be
offered to induce Dr. Robb to give to the world the results of
his well directed labours.

I cannot pretend to follow further this interesting enquiry,
but must in conclusion express the thanks which I am assured
we all feel to our worthy Secretary for having conferred by his
learned researches, an obligation of no ordinary value on our
common country.

The concluding paper of the year was given by Doctor
Toldervy on the Electric Telegraph as an instrument for the
accurate determination of Longitude. A paper rendered

and Sedge-
I, with a still
ance, united
ancing their
ig cities, se-
lulation, the
'ing the con-
tion. Then

trade and
fnpeded the
ngth of the
iposed, and
snces. The

her rival,
ihetic conso-
nplished by

ring all that
ft he French
we can dis-
ory of New
or of these
bnndations;
disappoint
ichieved. I
blic interest
jnt may be
e results of

ng enquiry,
am assured
'erred by his
alue on our

1 by Doctor
lent for the
r rendered

particularly interesting as connected with the practical illustra-
tion to which the subject was at this time receiving, b; the
ascertainment, through its means, of the true longitude of
Fredericton. Having first clearly pointed out the distinction
6f time as common to the whole universe, time in the ab-
stract, and local time, or the time in relation to different
localities as marked by the Sidereal Clock ; and hnving
explained the method of observation by which this Clock is
Regulated and corrected, and further cleared the way by shewing
the process by which longitude in arc or the angular distance
|)etween two meridians, may be expressed in parts of a sidereal
jlay or vice versa, he proceeded to consider the various
methods of ascertaining' differences of longitude, the essence
of which is stated to be to find what o'clock it is in two places
at the same instant of absolute time. The difliculty of this,
Especially on the unstable footing of a ship's deck in her course
tiirough the ocean, is manifest.

The greatly improved Chronometers of the present day have
knabled the navigator to approximate to this desirable end,
hnd have conferred an inestimable benefit to commerce.
Rockets thrown up from elevated positions have been resorted
to with effect where the distances are not very great, but
the natural phenomena of the heavens are the great medium.
The most reliable of these are stated to be eclipses of Jupiter's
Satellites, and of the Moon, and occultations of fixed Stars by
the Moon. Lunar distances, the practical application of which
has been greatly facilitated by accurate Tables, and meridian
transits of the Moon, furnish other and valuable methods.

The actual measurement of the earth's surface is the last
mode adverted to priortothediscussion of themore immediate
object of the paper, namely, the superior advantage afforded
for the purpose by that wonder of the age, the Electric Tele-
graph. Dr. Toldervy assigns to the Americans the honor of
first applying this great invention to the determination of lon-
gitudes — an application which has been attempted in England
only within the last year.

The utmost efforts of scienlific men, had been devoted by

the several astronomical means in use, to ascertain tho longi-
tude of Cambridge, Massachusetts, which is the guiding point
in all coast surveys in the United States; and it is thither that
the zeal of Dr. Toldervy and Professor Jack had been for Home
time directed, in order to fix the longitude of Fredericton, or
to test, by a new method, what had been before adopted fii luch
from observations made by an authority of great rospoctahllity.
It is probable that that which the unpropitious state of the wea-
ther rendered impossible at our last meeting may have been
since ascertained, and that the result will be given Ui by Dr.
Toldervy at our present meeting. This highly intereiting
paper, which terminated somewhat abruptly, was concluded
with the expression of a hope that such would be the caic.

I am glad to learn that our expectations will not be diiap-
pointed.*

I have thus very imperfectly glanced at the doingM of the
past year. The length at which I have detained you already
forbids a longer trespass upon your patience.

I will only express the gratification I have felt in aiding,
though in a very humble way, the progress of thin Society ;
and it will be among my very grateful recollections that I have
been enrolled among its members.

* For Report on Longitude of Fredericton, as ascertained by Eleotrio T«l«gr*ph« ••«
Appendix.

. 1

n tho longi'
jiding point
thither that
en for lome
lericton, or
itod ns iuch
ipoctahility.
I of the woa-
' have been
n ui by Dr.
interesting
i concluded
he case.
It bo diiap-

ungn of the
you already

t in aiding,
u» Society ;
i that I have

lo T«l«grapb, »t$

APPENDIX.

To HU Excellency the Honorable Jons Hknhy Thomas Manners Sutton,
LietUenant Governor and Commander in Chit/ of the Province of New
Brunswick, Sfc. Sfc. Sfc.

May it please Your Excellency,

Encouraged by Your Excellency's predecessor, we, the
undersigned, undertook to verify the Longitude of Fredericton
by means of tho Electric Telegraph leading therefrom to
Boston ; and having now accomplished that object, we beg to
report to Your Excellency the result of our operations.

1. The Government of the United States has spared neither
pains nor money in determining by the most approved astro-
nomical methods, and by interchanges of upwards of one
thousand chronometers, the difference of longitude between
Greenwich and Harvard College Observatory, in order that
the latter might serve as a point of reference in conducting
the operations of the Coast Survey. By our telegraphic com-
hfiunication with Boston, and through the kind co-operation of
Professor Bond and his assistants, we have, at a comparatively
insignificant amount of trouble and expenditure, been enabled
to avail ourselves of the labours undertaken for the above men-
tioned purpose, and thus to ascertain the longitude of Frede-
ricton with probably an equal degree of precision.

2. It was originally intended to have an unbroken telegraphic
communication between the Fredericton Observatory and that
of Harvard University ; but in consequence of the wires from
the latter to the office in Boston being out of repair, Professor
Bond found it necessary to trust to two excellent sidereal
chronometers for the interval, and remarks that " on exami-
nation, I am induced to believe that no greater error has
arisen from this source than would have taken place had the
communication been made from the room adjoining the Transit
Instrument."

3. Professor Bond's chronometers were carefully and re-
peatedly compared with his Transit Clock, and with each
other, both before and after interchanging signals, so as to
ascertain their error and rate : and at both Observatories, on
each day of operations, the meridian passages of a number of
stars were observed in order to obtain the error and rate of the
Transit Clocks. But we need not trouble Your Excellency
with the tedious details and long calculations connected with
this part of the work. ,

4. On the evening of the 23rd of January 1855, we received
the first series of signals from Boston. Mr. Coolidge (Mr.
Bond's assistant) commenced at an even minute by his chro-
nometer, and sent us second beats for fifty consecutive seconds.
This was continued for ten successive minutes, beginning
always at the even minute, and we carefully noted the times by
our Transit Clock. On examining all we found that the
times of first signal would be as exhibited in

1 •»'.<>/ 1/..i 'i ' >!! 1. 1 ■ M

TABLE I. 1 1

.■,,,!i • =,.-. ;:',;«

At Fredericton,
At Cambridge,

■ , 1 ! < 1 . 1 1 ^ J ■

Clock Time.

Clock Error -\-.

True Sidereal Time.

h. m. B.
6 29 37-7
6 10 21'5

'' m. 8.

1 40.18
(8-96-f-12!5— )Sl-36

h. m. a.
6 87 5758
6 10 0-14

Difference of LoogitQde = 17 57;38

5. On the evening of the Sod February, we took the initia-
tive, and sent a series of signals to Qostoni th§, rj^sult frpfp
which is given in

- .'• • .. . ■'■■ TABLE IL ■ : ', ' • '■ ■■

At Fredericton, ..
At Cambridge,

Clock Time.

Clock Error -f-

True Sidereal Time.

h. m. 8.
6 38
6 18 13-3

m. s.
2 25-88
(12-68-4-23'8=)38-48

h. m. B.
fi 39 34-18
6 17 36-82

'!!•'•'{ '^ • Hence the difference of Longitude s=s 17 57-30

t_n:

Ily and re-

with each

9, so afi to

ratories, on

number of

rate of the

Excellency

lected with

w received
)lidge (Mr.
ty bis chro-
ve seconds,
beginning
be times by

Sidereal Time.

m. 8.

27 87-58
10 0-14

67;38

L the initia-
rqsult from

Sidereal Time.

m. B.
35 3412
17 36-82

17 57-30

On the sftmc evening \vc sent another series, and the result

deduced from them is shewn in

■., ,, •'

TABLE III.

At Frederieton,
, At Cambridge, ..

Cloeic Time.

Clock Error -{-.

True Sidereal Time.

h. m. f.
6 49
6 29 13-3

ni. g.
a 25-88
3«-48

h. m. R.
6 46 34-12
6 28 30-82

;

Uencu the ditFereiice of Longitude =s 17 2730

On the same evening, we received from Cambridge a series
of signals, which give a result exhibited in

TABLE IV.

)

At Frederieton,
i At Cambridge,

Clock Time.

Clock Error +.

True Sidereal Time.

h. m. 8.
7 4 23-0
fi 44 37

m. 8.

2 25-88
36-43

h. m. 8.
7 1 57-73
6 44 0-52

Hence the difference of Longitude = 17 .'57-20

6. On the evening of the 10th of February, we were again
in telegraphic communication with Boston ; and the result of
the first series of signals which were sent from Frederieton
and recorded at Boston, is exhibited in

TABLE V.

J —

i At Frederieton,
' At Cambridge,

Clock Time.

Clock Error +.

True Sidereal Time.

h. m. 8

7 10
6 40 2705

m. 8.

3 23-7
(17-49-1-30-4=.) 47-89

h. tn. B.
6 57 36-3
6 39 39-16

Hence t

le difference of Longitud

e = 17 57-14

Tlio second series of signals, on the same evening, was
transmitted from Boston and recorded at Fredericton, and the
result is as shewn in

TABLE VI.

At Frederictoii,
At Cambridge,

Clock Time.

CIocV Error -f-.

True Bidereti Time.

h. m. 1.

7 17 81
6 S6 48

m. 1.

3 93 7
47-89

h. m. 1.

7 13 67 3
6 S6 Oil

Hence the difTerence of Lonnitude bs 17 87-19

We next sent a series of signals to Boston, the result deriva-
ble from which is given in

TABLE Vn.

At Frederi Jton,
At Cambridge,

Clock Time.

Clock Error -f-.

True Sidereal Time.

b. m. 1.
7 43
7 22 27

m. e.
3 23-7
4789

h. m. B.

7 39 36-3
7 91 30-11

Hence the difTerence of Longitude :^ 17 S7'19

We then receive'? /'* om Boston and recorded at Fredericton
another series of s .gna.\a (the fourth for the same evening), the
result of which is shewn in

TABLE VIIL

Clock Time.

Clock Error -f-.

True Sidereal Time.

At Fredericton,
At Cambridge,

h. m. 8.
7 51 21
7 30 48

m. B.
3 23-7

(17-49+30-4=) 47-89

h. m. B.
7 47 57-3
7 30 0-11

Hence the difTerence ui i <<iij>'..iie b= 17 97-19

)ning, was
)n, und the

Sidereii Time.

m. 1.

13 673
J6 Oil

17 57'19

suit deriva-

—

Sidereal lime.

m. B.

39 36-3
91 3»'ll

■

17 57-19

redericton
rening), the

Sidereal Time.

m. B.

47 573
30 0-11

57-19

And lastly, wo received from Carnbridgo a linglo tap for the
piir|)08o ufcoiniiariii^ d' Uh, mid the roNult duduciblo from it
ii exhibited in

TABLli. iX

At Fredcrlcton,
At Gambridge,

ClorkTime.

Ct'flkBTror^-.

True 8i<iereal Time.

h. m. B,
ft 7 '^l
7 46 48

m. B.

3 W3 7

47M

h. m. B.

6 3 57 3

7 46 0.11

Hence ilia dKrerenue o( LongUuilo -~l) 17 5719

I .

On examining the operations of February 10th, it will be
perceived that the second bentii of the nonton Chronometer
tind the Fredcricton Transit Clock continued Hynciironous
throughout, and therefore they muNt havo had the same rate,
flence the same clock errors are u|)plicuble to tli< whole of
the series for the evening. We may remark that tW results
obtained from this last night's work are considered tic most
eomplete and satisfactory, and from them alone the duVerence
of longitude would be 0* 17"' 57.18*. If, however, \ o take
the mean of all the operations, the diflforenco would be ^' 17'"
(I7'23' ; and as Cambridge Observatory is 4* 44"' 30-66 west
of Greenwich, it follows that the longitude of Froderict on is
4* 26'" 33*43* west of Greenwich. Converting the above time
into arc, we have

Longitude of Fredericton,

66* 38' 21-5

The Crown Land Department makes it, 66 37 54

Difference, - - - - 27*5

This difr< rence is smaller than could have been anticipated,
or than we should have been warranted in assuming.

8. The longitude of Fredericton having been thus verified
and ascertained with an exactness much greater than it could
have been done by any other method, it might be used as a
oentre of operations for determining, with equal exactness, the
longitudes of all the other places in tho Province that are con-

nected ^ith it by Telegraph wires. To do this would be a
matter of much importance to the geography of the country in
general ; and so far as the sea-ports are concerned, it would
also be of great service to narigation.

9. In conclusion, we would beg to observe to Your Excel-
lency that we are much indebted to Professor Bond for his
kindness and courtesy in co-operating with us, and for the
gratuitous services which he has rendered. We are also
under deep obligations to the different Telegraph Companies
between Fredericton and Boston for the readiness with which
they placed their lines at our disposal, and for the attention
and liberality wlueh we uniformly experienced at their hands.

We beg to subscribe ourselves,

Your Excellency's
Obedient and humble servants.

J. B. TOLDERVY,
W. B. JACK.

Fredericton-, March 5, 1S55.

would be a
B country in
ed, it would

ITour Excel-
tond for his
and for the
^e are also
Companies
\ with which
he attention
their hands.

DERVY,

5K. .