The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-09
THE DAILY UNION.

The circumscribod limits Of the room, and the great
number Of models, will admit. The third story ~
comprised entirely in one large hall, denoMna,ed
the National Gallery. tn designed Tor the rePos-
tory and exhibition of works of art, and specimens
of the manufactures Of the United States-thus ex-
hibiting to the eye the progress and perfection Of
the arts and manufactures of the country. Atpres-
ent il is occupied maiay by the specimens OF nau-
raj history brought home by the Exploring Expedi-
ton, which has done so much TO illustrate the lber-
atty Of our government and the enterprise and in
trepidity of our countrymen. There are also in the
National Gallery many fine specimens of American
manufactures, and many rare and valuable articles
and relics presented TO our government by the sove-
Ieigns of foreign nations and by private individuals
The National Institute has also few things IN the
gallery, some Of which are rare and valuable.
En- passani it may be proper to correct an impress
sion which has gone abroad in relation to the Ma
ton Institute in connexion with the National Gal
lery. The public seem to have the impression that
the National Gallery of the Patent Office is under
the control of the National institute, and that the
splendid museum OF curioslues II contains Is the
property, and under the control, of the Institute
The impression is a very erroneous one, and, in
justice to others, deserves to be removed. So far
from the institute having control of the National
Gallery, it is only permitted to have Its specimens
kept there by sufierance and Of the vast collection
of curiosites which amaze and bewilder the eye Of
the visitors, il has, comparatively, but very few. II
is due to truth to say, that the National Gallery is
not the National Institute, nor the museum it con-
tains the property of the Institute nor in any man.
ner under It's control. Yet this is not said with a
view to deract from the just merits of the Institute
which would, if carried out according TO the design
of it's founders, be ornament and an honor TO our
country. Ii is an Institution which deserves the
fostering care Of the liberal and enlghtened and it
would not be amiss to suggest, that there are few
objects more worthy of the patronage of men of
wealth. than this national society for the cultivation
of science and the diffusion of its benefits and bless
ngs Next to religious and charitable objects, none
is more worthy of the legacies Of the benevolent.
few liberal bsgxsts would place it upon foundation
which could not be shaken by the common acci-
dents Of time. May this hint be remembered by
those generous and liheral-mnded men who desire to
have their memories embalmed in the incense oil
science.
The National Gallery has become place of great
resort not only for the resident population of WASH
ngton, but for citizens from all parts of the Union.
Its splendid collection of natural curiosities, for
which the country is mainly indebted to the Elk
porng Expedition, is well worthy of the magnif,
icent hall which Congress has provided for Its re.
ception.
The innumerabe works of nature and of art to
be found in the National Gallery doubtless furnish the
chief attraction tho great majority of persons who
visit the Patent Office. But it is among the models
those mute but eloquent tongues of genus-that the
contemplative mind sees most to delight and as
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dependency of the inventor, in his ceaseless and
untring efforts to discover-of the boundless Joy
which overfows his heart when the secret for which
he has devoted years of solitary labor, and per
haps all his scanty means, first breaks upon his
yearning vision--and of his exuting triumph,
when success at last crowns his patient but anxious
endeavors Who can imagine the labors, anxieties,
sacrifices, Notifying neglects but final success and
reoicings, of a Watt, a Fulton, an Arkwright, and
other lustrious inventors whose discoveries in the
field of science and art have been the of un.
numbered benefits to their racer The Patent Office
at Washington contains the miniature resemblances
of machines which cost their inventors as much
toll and mental anxiety as any which those illus
trious men produced They viii bear favorable com.
parson with the productions of genius in any Other
land under the sun.
The Patent Office Of this republic is one of the
noblest monuments ever dedicated by nation to
science and art. 1t is an institution which should
be cherished as the best visible exponent of the &c
MUS aud talent OF the country. B.