Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1847-10-16
A sketch OF smIthsom, /,

PLANS OF TIE INSTITUTE The Association
of American Nsturulsts adjourned at B'sion on
Saturday, TO meet next September. in Phiadel-
phia. The Boston Journal gives the following
report Of an interesting communication BY tho
emuen, philosopher whose scientific research
es have conferred honor upon our country:
Professor Henry read q paper on the plan anu
objects Of The Smithsonian Institution. lie gave
briet historical account Of Smi'fsor, who was
born in EoglaDd, in the year l76s. lie was
educated in the University Of Ox'orc-w a
man Of smisble disposition and devoted to eel
ence. He was the best chemist in Cx'ori. and
| after his graduation became ;he rival ~ VOL
laston, in minute analysis, and possessed most
extraordinary skill in manipulation. The 'ol.
lowing anecdo,e 10 the point was related on the
authority Of the late President Of the .,oyol So
ciety.
On one occasion he observed a tear trickling
down the face of lady-he caught it on piece
of glass, lost one half --snay zed the other half
and discovered a microscopic salt He resided
most Of the time abroad. and was the i!leglti-
mate son of the Duke of Northumberland, who
recognised him, and left him handsome pro-
psr,y. He was the author Of upwards oi twen-
ty original memoirs on various subjects OF eel.
ence lie appears to have been proud OF his
scientific attsinments, snc on one occasion wrote
thus:
"The best blood Of England flows in my veins
ON nv fathers side am a Northumberland
on my mothers am related 20 kings But this
is Of no consequence. My name shall live IN
the memory Of mankind, when the titles OF the
Nortbumberlands and the Percys are forgotten"
Professor Henry said he could find no evidence
that he had written this in view Of the estab'
ishment Of an Institution.
Smi,hson died at Genoa in the year ls2o'
leaving his property to his nephew. the son OF
his brother, with clause in his will leaving 1t
in trust to the United States, for founding an
institution for the increase and diffusion OF
knowledge among men, in case the nephew
died without issue. He did so die, and the mo-
ney, aSou, $500 600. came into possession OF our
government. II was idle to say that this mo-
oey was lost when il was lent 10 Arkansas and
other States. II could not be lost, for the ma
,ioual government held it in trust, and having
accep ep,ed the trust, ives bound to see it devoted
to the purpose designated in the will Of Smith
son. Various schemes had been proposed to
carry the plan into execution. but none was ds
ini,ely decided on untila year since, when'
act of Congress was passsi, organizing the
| stitutiou Professor Henry then explained h
. own connection with the Smithsonian in' tin
ton, which was entirely unsolicited on b" par
} lie mentioned the several plsns which ne d bee
suggested for the organization OF the lns' tuition
. as we'll as that which had been finally sdop,e,
as q comprolaise.
A farmer. wife in New Conneetcrt, Chio. i
preparing an immense cheese for prsssat 10
!. Queen Victoria. With some few Of her neigh
!, Dor. she he, procured the milk OF 500 COW, for
h one day, The production 10, cheese weigh
soo lnnnnas,s sa.s Is .-'ns
D Every person has '-''' -
E wants csns- ,.ss ~ uNseh p.ids a. h