The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1847-12-09

accepted, aud the wedding has just been Gel.
ebratcd.
A SKETCH OF sMITHsoN-PLANs OF
THE INSTITUTE.
The Association Of American Naturalist
adjourned At Boston on Saturday, 10 nee,
next September in Philadelphia. The
Boston Journal gives the following report,
Of an interesting communication by the en-
nent philosopher whuec scientific research.
es have conferred honor upon our country !:
Professor Henry read paper on the
plans md objects oi the Smithsonian Inst-
tuition. He gave brief historical account
of Smiihson, who was born in England, in
l76S. He was educated nj the University
cf Oxford,-was man Of nmiable disposi.
ton aud devoted to science. He was the
hest chemist in Oxford, and nficr his grad
uation became the rival Of Wnlluston, in
minute annly sis, aud possessed most extra
ordinary skill in manipulation. The fol-
lowing anecdo,c to the point was related
on the authority Of the late President OF the
ROYAL Snciety.
On one occasion he observed tear trick
ling down the face ot "A lndy-hc caught il
on piece Of glass, lost one half-nnaly sed
the other halt, aud discovered microscop-
ic salt. lie resided most Of the time abroad
and was the llegi,imate son OF the Duke of
Northumberland, who recognised him. and
left him n handsome property. lie was
the author of upwards Of twenty original
memoirs on various subjects Of SCIENCE
lie appears 10 have been proud Of his sci
cn,ifc attachments, and On one occasion
wrote thus:
"The best blood Of England flows in my
veins-on my fathers aide am n Nor,hum-
bcrland-on my mothers nm related to
the king. But this il Of no consequence
NV name shall live in the memory Of man
kind, when the titles Of the Norihumbcrl nd
md Pcrcys are forgottcn.n Professor Hen
~ said he could find no evidence that he
had written this in view Of the establish
mcnt Of an Institution.
Sniihson died ut Genoa in the year
1920, leaving his property TO his nephew,
the son Ibis brother, with clause in his
will leaving il In trust To the United States.
for founding mn institution to tho increase
and diffusion Of knowledge among men, in
cnse his nephew died without issue. He
did SO die, and the money, about $500, 600,
came into possession Of our govcrnment.-
II was idle to say that this money was lost
when il was lent 10 Arkansas and other
States. II could mt he lost, Ger the ma.
,ionnl government held il in trust, md lav.
ing accepted the trust, was bound To see il
devoted TO the purpose designated in the
will cf Smithson. varions schemes had
been proposed 10 cnrry tho plan into exc
cuiion. Bat none was definitely decided
upon until year since, when an act Of
Congress WIS passed organizing the insti-
tuition. Professor Henry then explained
his own part: lie mentioned the several
plans which had been suggested for the or
ganization of the institution, ns well ss that
which has been finally adopted rs q CON-
promise. According 10 this
TO Increase Knomledge-lt is proposed,
LIST, To stimulate men oftslcnt, in every
part Of the country mud If the world 10 make
original researches by Offering suitable
rewards: and Cd, To appropriate annual
~ portion Of the income far particular re-
searches, under the direction Of suitable
persons.
TO D;fuse Knorledge--It is proposed.
LIST, To publish series Of periodical re.
ports on the progress al all branches Of
knowledge; md I'd, To publish OCCASION
ally separate Treaties on subjects Of gcncr-
al interest.
No memoir, on subjects Of phvsica! sci
cncc, to be accepted for publication which
docs MI iorm posiii, addition To human
knowledge, aud all unveriiied speculatiors
10 he rejected.
Each memoir presented to the institution
TO be submitted far examination To com.
mission ofpersons of reputation for lcnrn-
ing in tho branch 10 which the article per-
,nins. md to be accepted ior publication,
only in case tho report Of this commission
is invorablc.
The reports on tho progress Of knowlcdpc
10 he furnished BY coIaborators, consisting
Of men emincn. in the different branches 81
Of knowledge. These reports to consist Of
three cIasses--Phy sicnl-Moral aud Poli,.
ical--Iiteraturc and the Fine Arts.
One half Of the income Of the Institution
is 10 he devoted TO carrying out this plan
tho other haIfto tho increase and diffusion
acknowledge BY means Of collection OF
books aud objects Of nature aud art.
The building, whichis SLOWLY in progress
is 70 be erected, in considerable part, ont al
the interest which has accumulated upon the
original sum, since il has been in the keep
ing Of the United Sintcs.
uigh liYina md Mean IhiaEins