American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-05

The SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION The following
suggestions for increasing the usefulness of the
Smithsonian Institution we copy from the New
York Erpress
This institution, founded by magnificent
oequest OF an enlightened plilanthropist, has
now been IN active operation for several years,
and presented to the country and the world
some appropriate and valuable works which
1orm some of the highest ornaments Of our
bookstores and costly libraries. Copies of tiIese
are already objects Of admiration to many of
the learned OF foreign countries, and have
greatly added to the reputation of Americans,
as men OF science taste, and Skill while they
nave made knewn a great amount of important
truths relating to the history Of America-a
subject hitherto proverbially obscured by loose
and unsatisfactory coniectures fn ..ar.
lhe LnsSltut1on has now large and SUBJ
stantaa edihce in the city of Washington and
is under the direction of Board of intelligent
rnen, with gentleman at it's head distinguished
| tor zeal and industry in promoting the objects
designed as well as for emineace in scientific ac-
qmrements and researches to which his life has
/ been devoted
Inc institution has now accomplished so much
by the publication of large books that some of
| Its most ardent admirers and strongest we'll
wlshers begin to long for the day when they
will undertake the publication of works of a
size, style and price adapted to general use
The large volumes, already referred to, con-
tam large amount of information as interest
ing to millions of intelligent people in all parts
of our country, as to those few to whose hands
and minds it must be confined so long as the
size and cost of the works remain as they are
And why, we may ask with great emphasis
should not the public have the enjoyment and
benefit of it? The labor and expense of collect
ing the facts, of dgesting them, of having them
examined and approved, have already been in
CURED, and need not be repeated Not only so,
out the drawings and engravings are made
| ana therefore the cost of publishing thousand
| or many thousands, more would be but small
most convenient and useful way of difus-
ing the matter widely would be in small parts
periodically issued at reasonable rates, to be
delivered to subscribers in pamphlets at a few
dollars year, through the post office, agents,
and booksellers. The same matter might be
collected in a volume at the beginning or end
OF each year, or at other seasons, for the libra
ries of the rich, the learned and the literary
institutions. Much might be said in favor Of
the advantages Of such an arrangement; but
intelligent readers, certainly such as give the
subject particular attention, will readily dis
cover Its advantages. Probably we risk nothing
in asserting that this would be the most effec-
tual way to make the Smithsonian Institution
generally known, appreciated, and supported
by all intelligent people AS evident il is, that
this would be the most effectual way Of per-
forming the duty assigned by the admired
founder Of the institution in those brief but
comprehensive words in his will, which define
the objects Of his more than princeIy bequest
ms being 10 collect and dlguSe ttsefm knotcledge
We may perhaps resume this topic hereafter.
In the mean time we hope to hear from some
quarters expressions Of intelligent opinions re-
specting it.