Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-10-30

Il
AT the recent meeting of the Association of colo
gsts in Boston, Professor HENRY gave the following
account OF JAMES SMITHsoN, to whose lberality we
are indebted for the institution that bears his
"sMIrHsos was born in England in the year l76s He
was educated al the University of Oxford anna
bic disposition and devoted science He the best
chemist IN Oxford, and alter his graduation became the rival
Oh "oaston IN minute analysis and possessed
onay Skin IN manipulation The following anecdote the
point was related on the authority the late President OF the
Royal Society On occasion he observed tear rcklinr
down the face Of lady he caught on piece OF glass; lost
oneha anay the other half and discovered ;cosco
! pic salt
He resided most of the time abroad and was the aptbor
OF upwards OF twenty original on various subjects of
science lie appears to have been proud of his scientific at
tainmen and on one occasion thus The best blood
OF England flows in my veins On my fathers side am
Northumberland my mothers am related to kings But
this of consequence My shall live in the memory
Of mankind when the titles of the Northumberland and Per-
cys forgotten Professor Henry said could find no
evidence that he had written this of the establishment
of an institution
"Smthson died at Genoa in the year 1922 leaving his
property to his nephew, the Of his brother with clause
in his will leaving in trust of the Ued States found
ing institution for the increase and diffusion of knowledge
among men, in the nephew died without He did
die and the money, about $780, O0o came into possession
Of our Government"
Professor Henry then explained his connection with
the Smithsonian Institution, which entirely unsolicited on
his part. He mentioned the plans which had been
suggested for the organization Of the institution well as
that which has been finally adopted compromise Ac-
cordng to this
To Increase acknowledgement is proposed, first, stimulate
of talent every part of the country and of the world
to make original researches by offering suitable rewards
and second appropriate annually portion of the income
for particular researches, under the direction of suitable
persons.
10 DGuse KnoaoLedge-Iti is proposed, first publish
series Of periodical reports the progress of all branches of
knowledge and second publish occasionally separate
Uses on the subjects of general interest.
No memoir of physical science to be accepted
for publication which does not form positive addition hui
man knowledge and all unvered specuaont be rejected
Each memoir presented the Institution be submitted
Tor examination TO commission OF persons of reputation for
learning the branch which the article pertains and be
accepted for publication only in the report of this
mission is favorable.
The reports the progress of knowledge be furnished
by collaborators consisting of eminent the different
branches OF knowledge These reports of three
cassesphysica, moral, and POLITICAL literature and the
fine arts
One half Of the income of the Institution is be devoted
carrying out this plan the other half to the increase and diff
fusion of knowledge by of collections books and OBJ
Jecs OF nature and art
The building, which slowly in progress, be erected,
in considerable part, of the interest which will up
the interest which has accumulated upon the original
since it has been the keeping of the United States.