The native American., 1839-01-05
FROM THE NATIONAL INTELLiGEVcEa.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.

seems proper that the public attention should be
caledio it-and particularly the inhabitants ofthis
District who, from its location among them are
specially interested in the matter should awake to
its Importance, and endeavor, if possible TO have
the initatorv steps towards its organization taken
in the wisest and most efficient mode. Much di-
versitv Of opinion exists as to the most suitable
way of efecting the object intended by the donor.
have heard, however, but three plans suggested,
that are at all likely to please the public taste l.
The establishment of regular university on the
plan of the most celebrated German institutions,
where a very extensive course Of instruction
should be pursued. 2. A college proper, like
most of our seminaries, where regular classical
education, and nothing else could be obtained-
And 3. The appointment of professors to lecture
merely, on most branches ofscience and literature,
but without any regular collegiate organization,
andwthout the power Of comforting degrees.
1t seems to me, however, that an examination
of the various plans will decide every rejecting
citizen in favor of the first for this, if for other
reason that If can redily be modified to pre-
sent all the advantages ofthe other two combined.
while it will offer some possessed by neither. In
deed the only plausible objection that have ever
heard urged to this scheme is, that the funds placed
at our disposal are inadequate to accomplish it, and
that it would be better to have an institution
small scale than to attempt more than could be
well done. This objection, however, consider
more specious than solid, as hope will appear in
the course Of this discussion. Permit me then,
Messrs. Editors, without occupying any more
space in preliminary remarks to present briefly an
outline Of such an institution in my humble
opinion would be best adapted to the wants of the
District and the surrounding country, and best
suited to the amount of the funds left for its sup
port
Iwould have then University embracing
collegiate course proper, where the system adopted
in most of our colleges would be pursued to be
crownedat its termination by the degree OF Bachelor
of Arts-and also popular courses OF lectures on
all the most important branches of science and
learning which should be open to all persons, Of
both sexes and all ages. Whether medical and
a law choo should also be organized, might very
well be left for future consideration, and, at any
rate, they need not in any way alter or modify the
other part of the plan. In this way, it seems to
me. the acquisitions of the learned gentlemen who
will fill the various professional appointments may
be rendered most extensively useful to the Public.
A thorough classical and scientific education
might be obtained by those who are willing to
devote the time necessary for complete collegiate
course while those whose time, or circumstances,
or pleasure, or destination in lite might lead them
to pursue any particular branch Of science or lite
rature, might also be gratfed. Thus, the me-
chanc, the engineer, the merchant, the gentlemen
in public office the officers of the army and navy,
could each attend to such departments Of learning
as might be best adopted to his peculiar situation
and pursuits.
Facilities should be afforded for instruction in
the following branches: Intellectual and Moral
Philosophy, Political Economy, Bellies Letters,
EIocution English Latin Greek, French, Spanish,
German, and Italian languages and literature;
Mathematics Engineering Natural Philosophy,
Astronomy, Chemistry, Botany, Geology, Nine
ralogv; Anatomy, Human, and Comparative
Physiology, Zoology, Hygiene and Dietetics, Gene
raj Principles of Law Painting, Drawing Archl-
lecture, Application of Mechanical Philosophy to
the Arts
These branches could be taught by eight or ten
professors assisted by afew lecturers ornstructors,
with salaries varying from $500 to $1,000, accord
ing to the amount OF time and labor each might
be required todevote to the duties of his chair, and
TO the extent of fees he would receive from those
attending his course. The persons attending the
different courses of lectures should pay small fee
(say So to go for the privilege-because what Is
obtained for nothing is generally little valued, be,
cause it would assist to support the professors, and
because it would offer high stimulus to them to
discharge their dulles in the best manner, as the
amount of their income would thus depend, in
part, on the number of their pupils. By this
mode. iii believed very handsome incomes might
be realized by competent individuals, without
drawing very heavily upon the permanent funds of
the institution. The whole annual expense OF
supporting the faculty, in addition to the fees re-
ceived from students, need not exceed $4,000,
which would leave surplus OF Sil,000 Tor the
erection of additional buildings procuring library,
annaratus. scientific collections. &c.
with respect to buildings ct there be erected,
in the first instance, but one edit'ce for the public
purposes of the university, containing rooms tor
rec;tations lectures, cabinets library, &c one
sufficiently large for these purposes (and IN style
Of architecture which would be ornamental 10 the
ci,y1 could be constructed for S9oooo' AND
this should be done without encroaching upon tne
principal of the fund-(the whole OF which !.
Should be sacredly reserved for the benefit OF
future generations and, in fact, there can be no
nreence for expending more than the interest, Tor
tbe building cannot be erected in less than two
wears and one years income (SN0O'D will have
been already boarded by the time it can possibly be
commenced. Houses for the accommodation OF