form. The general principles explained above are deemed suffi cient as the basis of preparatory arrangement.

"Among the respectable persons consulted respecting the proposed institution, the sentiment, as far as ascertained, is very general and zealous in its favour. It is designed to carry it into effect with as little delay as sound discretion, in reference to character and advantageous arrangements for a favourable commencement, will admit.

"The constitution formed for the Society is purposely a very short one, intended chiefly as the basis for a commencement. A body of scholars, associated for the laudable object of promoting the literature of their country, many of them very familiar with public proceedings, will need fewer legal rules than a bank or a state. Whatever may be the deficiencies of this constitution, experience will be more competent to supply them than any wisdom of anticipation.

"From the peculiar circumstances of our country, the institution will have no guide in any thing which has gone before; but liberal criticism will make some allowance for the difficulties necessarily attendant on first attempts. The same regular progress will not be expected in an untrodden field as on a well travelled road; but in pursuing a noble object with good intention, there is the consolation that those best qualified to judge are least inclined to condemn. If our beginning is a small one, so was that of the Royal Society of London; and we can have no reason to dread more obloquy from the illiberal, than they received.

"Very generous subscriptions, by a number of gentlemen who are not expected to be members, are volunteered, pro patria, and there is an encouraging prospect for funds. If among the variety of character in our country, there is a portion too ignorant, or too grovelling, to depart from their own narrow views of immediate gain, it is hoped that, among ten millions of people, there are enough possessed of talent to estimate, and spirit to maintain, an institution, whose aim is to promote the best interests and lasting honour of the United States. In such a cause it is deemed unnecessary for the institution to solicit pecuniary aid, farther than by a fair exposition of its principles and objects. The subscriptions are to be a free-will offering upon the altar of our country; yet it will be no less creditable to the society, than just in itself, to hold in grateful remembrance, and transmit to future generations, the names of those generous citizens who, by their donations, become at once, the patrons of learning and the vindicators of the American name. It may be one of the good effects of this society to bring patriotic generosity more into fashion, by causing it to be more honoured.

"In behalf of the Association,-Sir, I have the honour to be, &c. "WILLIAM S. CARDELL."

The following are extracts of letters, to gentlemen of the association, from a few of the distinguished individuals in various parts of our country, to whom the circular had been addressedillustrating at once the important objects of the academy, and the spirit with which it will be supported. The names of the writers (if we were permitted to publish them) would give the highest authority to the opinions expressed.

"The period has arrived when an institution of this kind seems necessary; and your general plan is, perhaps, the best that can be devised at the commencement of the undertaking. To attempt the formation of a national language, different from the English in its dialect, would indeed be absurd and impracticable. To fix the standard of a living language, and think to arrest the progress of innovations, which many will adopt as improvements, though condemned by others as corruptions, is a task of equal difficulty. Yet much advantage may be derived from the united efforts of distinguished scholars. Their influence will assist us to banish all cant phrases, to correct vulgar solecisms and improprieties, check the affected pomp of pedantry, and prevent the introduction and increase of foreign phraseology inconsistent with the idioms of the English language. A great number of new names and appellations, as well as terms peculiar to America, expressive of our various customs, inventions, modes of transacting business, both of a public and private nature, arising from our new situation, must necessarily be adopted, for which England can furnish no example or standard. To adopt them is not to change the language, but only to supply the deficiencies of its vocabulary.

"But the value and importance of such a society to the public, will depend wholly on the energy and ability with which its labours shall be commenced and prosecuted, and the united efforts of its members."

"The plan and the objects of this new society meet my unequivocal approbation. Nothing can be more useful to us than to bring together the literary taste and talents of our country, and to excite by generous competition a noble emulation to establish our literature upon a solid foundation. Hitherto we have been somewhat indifferent to objects of this nature, and have rested our national character principally upon our political and civil institutions. Learning, as it usually forms the last, so it constitutes the highest grace of a refined society."

"The evils of a doubtful and fluctuating orthography, pronunciation, and use of particular words are not few, nor without re

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 bonourable 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