Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-06-05
THE LAYING OF THE CORNER
STONE OF THE SMITHSONIAN
INSTITUTE. ...r.


counts of this ceremony, which took place
in that city on Saturday May lst, in the
presence of large concourse of people,
embracing the President, Heads of Depart
ments, Masonic and Odd Fellow fraterni-
ties, Volunteer Companies, and other citi-
zens amounting together to some 5000 per-
sons. Rev. ]. N. McJilton, Rector of ST.
Stephens Church, Baltimore, and Grand
Chaplain of the Grand Lodge, opened the
exercises with prayer. B. B. French, Esq,
officiated in the Masonic ceremonies. He
wore the apron presented by the Masonic
Lodge of France to Gen. Washington
through Lafayette. One of Washington's
descendants had presented it toa Lodge
in Sheperdstown, Va, and by them it was
transmitted TO the capitol that morning for
the occasion. Mr.. F. used the same gavel
with which Washington officiated when he
laid the corner stone Of the Capitol. In
the hollow of the stone Mr.. F. deposited
copy Of the Constitution of the United
States, specimens of our national coins, a
sheet of Bancrofi's history, evidences of
the grant and origin of the Smithsonian
Institute, newspapers of the day, and a
plate containing the name of the President
of the U. s. and names Of all the mem.
bers of the Corporation and board of Re-
gents, of the Institute, Secretary, Archi.
tect, &C., &C.; after which he poured the
customary wine, oil and corn upon the
stone, accompanied by an address. Mr..
Vice President Dallas, who is Chancellor
of the Institute, then delivered an Grafton
from which we make the following ex-
tracts for the information of such of our
readers as may not be as fully acquainted
as they wish with the origin, design and
progress of the Institutes:
James Smilhson, Londoner born, and claim
ing to be the son Of distinguished nobleman,
gave his life exclusively TO intellectual pursuits,
and especially to researches in physical and ex-
perimental science. Supplied with larger means
than his wants required, and steadily practising
strict scheme OF personal economy, he amassed
a considerable fortune. He died at Genoa in
1929, and by his will bequealhed his accumu.
lated property to this Union-a country that
Notwithstanding his frequent change Of abode,
he had never visited, whose citizens he had never
associated WITH but in whose inevitable future
he saw the most solid ground on which to cast
time the subject Of litigation in the British Court
of Chancery, was finally secured, brought over,
and received into the treasury Of the United
States on the list of September, 1888. Its
exact amount, when deposited five hundred and
fifteen thousand one hundred and sixty nine dol
lars.
"The legacy was accompanied by declaration
OF its design; and the execution of that design
has been assumed, as well by acceptance Of the
money as by several open and formal avowals
by our government. 1t was $50 found an inSti
tuition at Washington for The increase and diFu
sion of knowledge among men," to found, not an
academy, not college, not a university, but
something less technical and precise, something
whose import and circuit should be holder and
more comprehensive: an institution, not merely
for disseminating, spreading teaching knowledge
but also, and foremost, for creating originating
increasing it. Where al? In the city whose
name recalls the wsest, purest, and noblest
spirit OF the freest, newest, and broadest land
And among whom? Not chosen designated
class-not the followers OF particular stage OF
sect-not the favor,es Of fortune, not the lifted
OF rank-but among MEN-men OF every condi.
ton: OF every school, Of every faith, Of every
nativity!-men!
GAS beginning to the plan for effectng g
result so interesting Congress have deemed and
declared the erection Of large and commodiou:
edfce indispensable. The board of regent:
were, by the legislative charter, instructed lc
select as soon as they were organized, site, and
10 cause structure to be reared, and that struc.
ture to make "of sufficient size, and with suila
able rooms or halls, for the reception and ar
rangement, upon liberal SCALE first, of objects
q Of natural history, including geographical and
neurological cabinet; second. OF a chemical
laboratory third, OF library; fourth. of gallery
OF art; fifth, Of the necessary lecture rooms; and
sixth, of the national cabinet of curiosities, and
relics, now poorly and partially accommodated
in the upper story OF the Patent Office.
Its erection will not subsract one dollar from
the fund entrusted bya generous stranger 20 the
a contribution voluntarily added by Congress
from our own treasury, under the name OF in
terest accrued before the first Of July, 1885,
Its exterior will present specimen of archi
lecture that prevailed some six centuries ago,
chiefly in Germany Normandy, and Southern
Europe, which preceded the Gothic, and contin.
ues TO recommend itself, for structures like this,
TO the most enlightened judgments 1t is known
as the Norman, or. more Strictly speaking, the
Lombard style. II harmonzes alike with the
extent, the grave uses, and the massive strength
of the edifce; it exacs certain variety of the
forms OF its parts; and it authorizes any additions
that convenience may require, no matter how
seemingly irregular thew NAV be-