- Fillmore Millard
- Love
- and Swarms
- Mitchell O. M.
This morning I delivered to professor
Mitchell my answer to the Resolution of the Cincinnati
Astronomical Society of the 18th. instt. inviting me to lay the corner Stone of
the observatory which they propose to erect; and to deliver an Oration
on the occasion— I have accepted the invitation, and promised to perform
the duty; if in my power some day in the month of November next, to suit
the convenience of the Society. This is a rash promise, and in
faithfully analysing my motives for making it I wish I could find them
pure from all alloy of vanity, and self-glorification. It is an arduous,
hazardous and expensive undertaking, the successful performance of which
is more than problematical and of the event of which it is impossible
for me to forseee any thing but disappointment— Yet there is a motive
pure and elevated and a purpose benevolent and generous, at least
mingling with the impulses which in this case I obey, and upon which I
may without irreverence invoke the blessing of Heaven as I do, for
fortitude, energy and perseverance to accomplish what I have promised—
Mr Mitchell after receiving my answer,
took his departure to return to Cincinnati— Mr. Millard
Fillmore and Mrr Fillmore
delivered to me a similar written invitation signed by 13 citizens of
Syracuse— I went this morning with Genl. Porter to Goat Island to
bespeak a warm bath at the bathing house just above the single sheeted
fall from which it borrows the stream that supplies the bath— They had
then no heated water, but promised to have some ready for me this
evening.— I then walked about an hour before breakfast with the General
to re-inspect all the points from which the cascades and the rapids are
seen to the best advantage— The sky was unusually clear, the Sun shining
in cloudless splendour and the snowy foam of the spray reflected the
burning beams in a constantly shifting rainbow adding exquisite beauty
to the awful grandeur of the falling flood.— After breakfast, General
Porter, with Mr
Brooks, Mr and Mrs
Grinnell, Mrs Charles and her Son, descended the steps to the
ferry, and crossed the river in a small ferry boat over a placid and
gentle stream scarcely conscious of the falling tempest so close above
them— The ascent on the western side, of the river, though steep and
rocky, is practicable, and we found at the landing two Carriages waiting
for us, in which we ascended the heights, and rode first to view the
scene of the Action at Lundy’s Lane on the 5th. of July 1814. in the last War with Great Britain— We then
went to the Clifton house and ordered dinner— Then leaving the Ladies
there we proceeded to the plains of Chippewa, where General Porter
explained to us the movements on the battleground at that place, on the
25th of July 1814 of which day this is
the anniversary— Returning we stop’d and saw the phenomenon of the
burning spring and I drank a tumbler of its cool sulphuric water. Dined
at the Clifton house— Visited the table rock and the cavern under it—
Returned over the ferry. Warm bath— Evening party at Genl. Porter’s.