The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-09-08
The smithsonIan Institution.


ingtOu: Thomas Richie, printer.
This pamphlet presents in very clea
Eybt The aims OF the Smithsonian Institu
ION and the means taken 10 arrive at them
We have before pointed out, in comment
mon one Of the publications Of Professor
Henry included in this pamphlet Literary
Void. No. 93,) his Interpretation of the
txoCold plan indicated or prescribed in the
b1sf direction Of the testator "for the in
crease and diffusion Of nowledge among
men" by the illustration Of the two sets o.
soc;stes in England, as the Royal and
astronomical societies for the purposes oil
o-;gipsl research, and the Mechanics In.
sYtions, the Useful knowledge society,
&c. for the diffusion OF learning. How
we're these Two ends TO be secured in the
s,ms institution, and without limitation Of
me objects Of cultivation, the terms Of the
grant conveying no preferences? How re.
concile literature and science; the studies oil
me few with the instruction of the many;
The abstract and reconcile with the popular
and diHusiyel There was much TO be done,
and the means were comparatively small
vberewith to accomplish it.
On reflection, the method adopted ap-
pears to US to be a perfect solution Of the
difficulty; simple in its outline, and. with
silhiulness on the part of the Regents,
likely to prove satisfactory to all in its re-
suits.
In the first place, for the increase of
knowledge, provision has been made for
original investigations in science, by pru.
IDENTIFY granting sufficient sums Of money to
facilitate the requisite processes, as in the
case OF Astronomical pursuits, which require
time. patience, and some outlay to carry
them on. To anticipate discoveries in this
way IS one of the most beneficial employ
ments Of fund for the support of learning.
An appropriation Of one thousand dollars
has thus been made for the commencement
Of a series OF meteorological observations,
with particular reference TO the phenomena
Of American storms. Instruments are furn-
shed to observers in different parts Of the
country. The observations made will be
incorporated in the publications OF the So
ciety
Alongside Of investigations yet to be
made, arOther and highly important aid to
the increase Of knowledge is the bringing
TO light original works, which, from their
abstract character or the cost Of production,
would remain hidden from the world. To
meet this claim the Institution undertakes,
under certain circumstances, the publica-
lion Of memoirs. These are to be sub.
s!antial additions to knowledge, resting on
original research. The quarto volume, as
yet the only one published, meets these con-
dldons. Ii is the memoir On the Ancient
Monuments of the Mississippi Valley, pre-
pared BY Messrs. Squier and Davis. A
second volume will include various astro-
nOmical and other scientific memoirs. In
this series of the Smithsonian Contribu-
tons to knowledge" will be included q
photographed work, essential to the study
Of American history, comprising descrip.
ion Of all books relative to, or published
in America prior TO the year 100. with re.
ierences to the Libraries in which they may
be found. Mr.. Henry Stevens, the pro.
lsctor Of this work, Submitted his plan; va
hOus individuals Of the requisite standing
we're consulted and the Institution pledged
itself to adopt the work as one Of its publ
cations, if on its completion il passed salts
iactorily the usual reference to an adequate
commission, well informed in the premises,
On this undertaking Mr.. Stevens has OBJ
tanned aid from a number of gentlemen and
Institutions, whose Libraries will be referred
to for the preparation Of his work. The
work itself again will react upon the
plans Of the Institution, in the essential
aid II will render in the formation Of its
library.
This library is a third distinct means Of
fulfilling the will Of the founder in the in.
crease Of knowledge. We shall glance pre-
sently at some Of the provisions made in this
direction.
There remains the class Of efforts ma
KING for the diffusion Of kno Wedge. This
u comPrehensiyely provided for in the pub
heatOn Of series Of reports, giving an &C
count Of the progress OF the different
branches OF knowledge in every part Of the
world. These are to be printed in a popu-
lar iorm, and widely disseminated. The
report indicates their promised value. They
are TO be "above rather than below the ave.
rage Intelligence Of the country to start
historically ''from a given epoch" and,
what will add vastly TO their completeness
snd interest, Sin most cases be preceded by
orIei exposition Of the previous state oil
each subject" n faithfully executed these
Tscs will accomplish for the future the
desirable work OF a history Of human
knowledge.
arrangements have been made for CON-
mehclng some of these preliminary reports,
a well as reports on the state Of oul
knowledge Of special subjects; among these
de-
i. Airport on the present state OF chem
huy as applied TO agriculture.
-. A report on the forest trees of Nortl
america, giving their economical uses, thei
nooe oil propagation, and their history.
% a report on the present state Of on
anoWledge Of lightning. and the best mean
r. guarding against accidents from its eli
A report on the late discoveries il
astronomy.
o. a report on meteorological instrG
%Menis, with practical observations an
hem." ''"'' " '"' '''