The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-09-08
Tho Smithsonian Institution.

10 the Editor OF Me O1lfOn'
was very happy TO it announced in the " Union"
of last evening, authority, that the managers Tor ere
gents,' royal phrase they caed) OF the Smith
sonan Institution have not been guilty of any such act
of folly the purchase of old Bible at $500,
at So 800 at first stated. AS such statement had
gone the rounds of the press without authoritative
radction, feared it might be true, and had given up
pretty much all hope OF any common sense useful
plcation of its funds But suppose the following n
nouncement in Wiley & Putnams prospectus for new
publications is also authoritative, and may be relied
viz:
Inportant books to be issued under the direction of the
Smithsonian Institution for the increase and diffusion Of
knowledge among men
"I In imperial quarto, with illustrations Hints Public
Architecture.
'This work will contain numerous and valuable ustra-
the Smithsonian Institution. The Appendix will contain
the results Of research under the auspices of the Insitu
test the OF The most important building
materials throughout the United States
I'll. American Antiquities. In quarto, uniform with the
Exploring Expedition, with original and elaborate illus
tratlons. Archaeological Researches; an inquiry into the
origin and purposes of The aboriginal monuments of the
Mississippi valley comprising the results Of extensive
original surveys and explorations
Ts work comprises the results of very extensive orgi-
nal surveys and explorations will be illustrated by up
wards OF sixty large quaro plates and several hundred
cravings wood; embracing maps, views, plans, and
sections OF the aboriginal monuments OF the United States,
and sketches of numerous and interesting remains OF
cient 1t will embody large number of new and ex.
aoinay facts relating the ante Columbian history Of
the American continent and tending to eucdate the prob
lem of American standardization"
Now, the first of the above works proposed to be pub
shed under the direction of the Smithsonian Insttu
ion," may be OF value, and will not be very
pensivc But the same be said of the next work
Is the Smithsonian Institution to become the publisher
Of antiquarian researches which may preext
pay famshed avoe authors large salaries for
patiOn and which may anuse curious scholars Is the
publication of such works, which should be got up by
private enterprise, sustained by public patronage carry
ing the intention of the philanthroc estator whose
purpose "to diffuse knowledge among men p And
the farmer and artisan comprising the great mass
of men, to derive benefit from the Smithsonian nst-
tuhons Why is not professorshp founded, or books
published to teach the intelligent young farmer pact
cal knowledge of analytical chemistry ITO instruct hum
IN the art OF analysing grains and SOILS and learning their
adaptation to each Other and the nature OF the manures
which will mt one for the other' And why is not pro-
censorship founded, book published to instruct the
ingenious and enterprsng mechanic in the practical APP
plication OF science to art Mr.. Abbott Lawrence of
Boston, has recently given $4,000 to Harvard University
for the foundation OF such professorshp. Now, | do
not very much applaud the charity which approprates,
even for good purpose, large sum, wrung from his
fellow citizens through the insumentaty of unjust and
partial legislation; but do applaud the sound common
sense which dictated the donation. The act, and the
sound Judgment which suggested it, go far TO satisfy
that If anybody is to be favored by high protective
tariff system, it is such men as Abbott Lawrence
And, in his magnificent donation to the University
at Cambridge, he has set an example OF sound
Judgment and practical common sense, which the
regents" of the Smithsonian Institution would do
well to initiate. Everything depends upon the man.
in which that institution is started upon Its ca
reer OF utility nutility-good or evil. Inc people
will expect to derive benefit from IT. They Will
not expect that it, and all its works, to be gwen over
to bookworms and antquarans and that expensive pub
LEGATIONS (cospng 100000 to get up) upon an'e-I 20
lumbIan' mounds, and aboriginal skulls-tomahawked
and scaped perhaps before the ioodare to be the Ia
bors to which the funds of the Institution be de-
voted The regents must endeavor to ,popuar'ze 1t
the peoples servants in Congress will be very apt to
interfere and set 1t upon the right track. -
ONE OF THE SovEREIGNS
Sept 7, 1s47.