The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-22

bns devoted TO science and chiefly chemistry Ths had
him 10 the society Of Csvendish Wolaston and
Others known 10 the Royal Society In Lon
don Of which be was membeE"-Ibid
In mMemoir of the scientific character and re-
| ssaTcbes of James Smithson," prepared two years
aeo by Professor Johnson of Philadelphia, there are
enumerated twenty-four papers or ueatises by
Smithson, published in the Transactions Of the
Royal Society" and other scientific journals Of the
day containing contributions chiefly TO the sciences
Of mineralogy geology, and, more especially, min
eral chemistry. Some Of these contain acute sug-
sestions regarding geological theories, since con-
frmed by more modern observation; others eyinee
the minute care and accuracy demanded by quant-
tatiye analysis while one or two, off more humble
character, show that the man Of science disdained
not to apply his knowledge to common things, even
10 the details Of domestic economy In the San
nails Of Philosophy" (Vol xxi, p. 3d. he has
brief tract on the 'method of making coffee" Ii
contains the following excellent observation
"In all cases means Of economy tend TO augment and
dinuse comfort and happiness. They bring wlihlh
~ ,sass Of es %sd S ssasnsLps aD ons srisls
they allow Of some other enjoyment which was before un
attainabls-'
Even in a tribe like this we may trace the utili-
tartan simplicity and practical beneyolenee OF lanes
Smithson.
The will determines the name of the institution,
and renders imperative its location at Washington.
II decides also that Smithsonian institution shall
have two distinct objects; TO increase the sum Of
human knowledge, the other TO aid in its diffusion:
for we cannot imagine the terms 10 have been EN-.
ployed as SYNONYMOUS. From the character of the
Iestators pursuits, may fairly infer further that
Smithsonian bill, framed in accordance with the
evident intentions Of Smthson himself, must include
the natural sciences, and especially chemistry, to-
gether with their application 10 the useful arts OF
fe among the branches OF kno Wedge 10 be inereas.
ed and difused. And, his own habits were
frugal and unostentatous, so, in all its details,
should be the Institution that bears his name.
Suffer me now briefly to pass in review the his
tory Of our legislative proceedings in this matter.
The money paid into the United States
treasury the LIST Of September, 1888. On the 9th
Of December OF the same year, President Van Blu
rem sent a message 10 Congress, informing that
body that he had in July, 1888, directed the Secre-
tary Of State "io apply to parsons yersed IN science
and familiar with the subject OF public education,
to the mode Of dsposing OF the fund best calcu-
aed 10 meet the intentions OF the testator, and prove
most beneficial to mankind"
From the wording Of this message we may infer
lhat Mr. Van Buren, considered the advancement of
science and Of public education, the proper object Of
Smithsonian Institution.
He communicated to Congress the replies re-
ceiyed. A brief abstract Of the more important Of
these may be useful and interesting at this time.
Professor Wayland proposed a University Of a
high grade, TO teach Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and
the Oriental languages, together with long list Of
other branches including rhetoric and poetry, intel
ectusl philosophy, the law OF nations, &c. A bill
substantially based upon this recommendation was
introduced in 1882 into the Senate and on the 25th
February Of that year, after full debate, was laid on
the table by vote Of 20 TO Is.
DR.. Cooper proposed a University, to be opened
only to graduates Of other colleges, TO teach the
higher branches of mathematics, including its appl
cation TO astronomy, chemistry, &c; also the princ
plies Of botany and agriculture. No Latin or Greek
no mere literature; no medicine or law. The above
recommendations in regard TO botany and agricul-
ure, and also those excluding the learned languages
and professions, have been adopted in the present
Smithsonian bill.
Mr.. Richard Rush proposed a building, with
grounds attached, sufficient to reproduce seeds and
plants for distribution; press to print lectures &C..
courses oflectures the leading branches of phys-
cal and moral science, and on government and pub
lie law; the salaries to be ample enough TO command
the best and admit Of the exclusive devotion Of
their time to the studies and Investigations Of their
posts the lectures when delivered to be the property
of the Institution for publication. Most Of these
recommendations adopted in the bill before you.
Mr. Rush also made the excellent suggestion, that
consuls and other United States officers might great
y aid the Institution by collecting and sending
home useful information and valuable specimens
from abroad.
- The venerable rentlonnan from Massachusetts,
Mr.. ADAMS, who has labored in this good cause
with more zeal and perseverance than ony other
man, expressed, in his reply the opinion, that no
part of the fund should be devoted ito the endow-
ment of any school, college, university, ecclesi-
astical establishment" and he proposed to employ
seven years income of the fund in the establishment
Of an observatory, with instruments and a small
library. This proposal was afterwards, at no less
than four different sessions, incorporated in bill
but failed, these occasions, among the unfinished
| business | believe am authorized in saying for
the gentleman from Massachusetts, that, inasmuch
as these, his Intentions have been since otherwise
carried out and ms we have already, in this District
a government observatory, at least equal in every
thing but the experience of its observers to the roya
observatory at Greenwich, he has ceased TO press
that proposal
Though the plan actually PROPOSED by the gentle
man from Massachusetts was restricted, for some
years, to an observatory, he yet recognised, in
| cordance with the language Of the bequest, "the
improvement Of all the arts and sciences" In a
port made in $780, he adds:
"A botanical garden, cabinet of natural history mu
uating library are undOnbtedy included within thu
| comprehensive grasp Of MIR. Smithson's design"-H
| Report, No. 277, a6th Cong LIST SEES, p H.
These variou, objects are all embraced in the bill
| which has been reported to the House. The gen
tleman also recommended, that the original fund ii
is about S5l5 000) be preserved unim paired and tina
yearly appropriations be made from the accrun!
income only; (Which will amount, on the lst o
July next, to about s242,O00) feature which ha
been incorporated, believe, in every Smithsonian
bill heretofore submitted to Congress. The restric
tons suggested by the gentleman from Massachu
ses have been so far retained in the present bill
to exclude from the institution "any school O
law, medicine, or divinity, or any professorship o
ancient languages"
At the last session, bill was introduced into tn
other branch by Senator Tappan. It's plan include
an experimental farm, botanical garden, and conser
vatores cabinets of natural history, chemical lat
oratory, library with annual appropriation nc
exceeding FIVE thousand dollars, scientific lecture
ships and an establishment for printing scienti6
tracts and other useful treatses. All instruction
be gratutous.
| This bill was subsequently so amended by tn
Senate that the lectures restricted to a cours
or courses to be delivered during the session of Cor
gress at an expense not exceeding five thousan
dollars annually; and the printing, to publicatio
of these lectures; while the annual appropriation 70
a library was to lie "not less than twenty thousan
dollars"
i The experimental farm, botanical garden, an
Conservatives, as well as the museum, laboratory
and scientific cabinets, were nomnally retained: bl
4 ~ hat,