The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-04-13

NO loHoNH'S communication from LAWN
Mcclure, Of Philadelphia, was made to the
Hon. Asher Robbins, Chairman of the Com
mittee Of the Senate on the Smithsonian be-
quest.
PHILaDELPmA Feb. 18th, 1889.
DEAR SIR:-In compliance with the wishes Of some
Of my friends send you copy Of my philosophy Of
education. It is apprehended that It may subserve
the interest Of the Smithsonian Insiitutionto pro-
mote which ! understand you are using your best ef-
forts. My greatest embarrassment ia this matter
arises from my want Of sufficient knowledge of the
nature and design Of this institution; all, indeed,
that have been able learn of il has been obtained
from the brief title the Smithsonian Institution for
the Increase and Diffusion Of Knowledge among
Men" If there be rigid adherence to the term
increase as primary principle, and the diffusion
spoken of only refers TO IT, il is evident that such
Institution will be very limited in its operation, and
will necessarily preclude the ordinary instruction Of
our schools and colleges. But ii the term diffusion
be considered primary, and increase only seconda-
ry, course of education may be established which
will embrace the more elementary branches in con-
nexion with the mos, elevated AMI profound, and
that too, in entire conformity with the will Of the
testator Into such an Institution the system which
have planned may be advan,ageously Introduced.
To difuse knowledge by whatever instrumental.
ties Is certainly equivalent TO disseminate knowledge
and in this view rthe subject cannot be considered
too great stretch Of the term ii knowledge be diff
fused throughout the land through the agency Of
constant succession Of well educated men, Blu, if
such system for The increase and diffusion Of
knowledge among men were contemplated by the
testator, il may be fairly questioned, whether in that
he would not have rather used the term College,
or University instead Of Institution and whether,
too, he would not have given direction as to the
specific manner in which such instrumentality
should be employed, so as most advantageously 10
carry out his important design. From the little light
this subject there appears, must confess, but lit
tie to favor the idea that the founding of school,
college, or university, would be in-conformy with
the design of the testalor; and il II be So il may be
proper here to ask in what way may knowledge be
Increased and difascd Todi6asc knowledge, two me-
diums may be employed; The refers TO udicious,
able lectures and the other TO publications in various
forms. This will require spirit of interchangeable
industry on the part OF those who engage in the
work, connected with good share of talents, espe
peciay OF popular character, whether employed in
lecturng or writing. But to increase knowledge,
will require The operation of The higher powers of an
original mind exercised in the deep investigation of
subjects connected with philosophy, literature and
science. To encourage genius therefore, will OBJ
viousy come within the spirit Of this Institution, and
in this way the onward march of useful science may
be rapid and most beneficial. Men OF great genius
will be well employed in experiments upon subjects
of external truth and by their discoveries, cur coun
try, and indeed the whole world may be greatly bene-
fitted. Moreover, it is we'll known, that the deep
~. a. r. IL:
riments and discoveries in science and philosophy,
rarely writes or lectures with much popularity
This is usually the work Of other minds-of those
who have sufficient talents to become masters OF the
discoveries which have already been made, and
which as rays falling upon such mirrors, happily
adapted by nature for the purposes, strongly reflect
the refnlgence of truth to the delight and improve
ment of all upon which it happily falls.
II lectures are TO be delivered by the professors Of
this Institution, for the diffusion OF knowtcdgc, it
strikes me- that the end would be most effectually
accomplished by course of public lectures grau-
,ousy delivered by each professor in rotation in the
different cities that will provide suitable accommo-
datons For instance, if there be twelve professors
of various branches Of science, twelve cities may
have the benefit Of scientific lectures at the same
time; and arrangements may be SO made That no TWO
professors neeQ interfere With Otuci w
ing in the same field. Three or four sound men,
distinguished for their erudition and originality Of
mind may be permanently located at Washington,
where, surrounded with an ample library and appa-
ralus necessary in the various branches of science,
they may pursue their investigations, and thus pro-
mote the object of the Institution In reference to the
increase while the other professors In their respec
tiv. spheres will be promoting the diffusion of know
ledge among men by lectures and publications.
Your letter, which had the pleasure to receive
some time since, explaining your views OF educa-
tion, meets my most hearty concurrence; and have
no doubt you will be pleased to find, on reading my
work, the great similarity Of our opinions. have
long thought that there is very prevalent error
among men of science Of different ages in seeking
10 Store instead ofusing appropriate means tosreagfh-
en- the mind. This error may be very APPLY illus
,rated BY comparing the mind with its means of ope
ration, to an ingenious art, at which no one can
work adyantageou,ly without great strength, exerf-
sive variety of tools, and a perfect knowledge OF
their appropriate use. Now what advantage is il TO
the artizan, to know The tools merely BY name or