Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-04-06
Correspondence of the Grand River Times.

our government in the advancement of human
knowledge. know it is commended by some
that governments should have nothing 10 do
with such objects. That it taxes the nation to
pay for objects in which only few are interes-
ted that it is outside of the compact OF civil
government, not necessary to the discharge OF
its functions, and that it is therefore wrong to
tax the people with it, "lf therefore," say |
these persons, "any association of men wish to
prosecute scientific examinations Of the Dead
Sea, or the Islands of the Pacific, or discover
North West Passage or n Southern Continent,
let them do it, and incur all the expense they
choose, but foot their own bills, and not tax
those for it who have no taste for or interest in
such matters"
Such is the reasoning of some, trust not
many, for my impression is they mistake total
ly, the legitimate objects of human government
They seem to think it sort of partnership in
which nothing can be done without unanimous
consent, and that its sole object is physical res.
trant | do not suppose it is necessary to ar
que this point That the dissemination of
knowledge among Matchmaking them intelli-
gent is one of the best means of "insuring do
nestle tranquility" promoting the general
welfare" and securing the blessings of liber-
ty,' is foregone conclusion. 1t is too late in
the nineteenth century to argue it. The time
was when this government was more insensible
to this subject than man. If mistake not the
Smithsonian Institute, in its inception and pro-
gress, has had more influence than anything else
in giving scientific direction to the plans Of
the government. James Smithson, from whom
the Institute derives its name, was an ilegti-
mate son of the Duke of Northumberland, and
born in England, in l76S. The Duke, his faith
err, recognized and educated him at Oxford He
was amiable in his disposition, and enthusiastic
cally devoted to science. He was called the
best chemist in Oxford, and was especially skill
ed in minute analysis, of which an amusing an
ecdote is given. He at one time saw tear
trckling down lady's face. He caught it on
piece of glass, lost half of it, and analysed
the rest, discovering microscopic salt. Though
he spent most of his time on the Continent he
kept up his home correspondence, especially
with his scientific friends. His father died and
left him pretty large property and living at
his ease he continued his favorite pursuits, and
wrote and published twenty or more memoirs
on various subjects An extract from one of
his letters, shows the drift of his thoughts and
aspirations He says" The best blood of
England flows in my veins-on my fathers side
| am Northumberland. On my mothers | am
related to kings. But this is of no consequence.
NY name shall live in the memory of mankind
when the titles of Northumberland and the
Perceys are forgotten"
Mr.. Smthson died at Genoa, in 1929. In his
will he left his property to his brothers son,
with proviso that if his nephew died without
issue, the property should 60 to the United
States government in truSt for founding an In
sttution for the increase and diffusion of knowl-
edge among men. The nephew died leaving no
children, and soon after, the American Minister
l at the Court Of st. James, received a notice OF
the facts, which he Immediately communicated
to the Secretary of State. In obedience to the
instructions of the government he commenced
proceedings to recover the money. He succee.
ded, and the amount received by the govern.
ment was about 100000. The subject was
: allowed to sleep for some years, and nothing
definite was done till 1916, when the present
plan was adopted. That plan is substantially
this:
/. To increase the amount of human knowl
edge-by offering suitable rewards to stimulate
talented men to investigation, and by appropri-
a ating part of the income every year to spe.
cial researches under the care of suitable per.
. sons
2. To diffuse knowledge among men. TIC
do this it is proposed to publish a series of re-
y ports on the progress Of all branches of know
0 edge and occasionally to publish separate treat
$ ses on subjects of general interest.
= No treatise or memoir is to be accepted OF
e published that does not make positive addi
a ton to human knowledge, nor until it has beer
n examined and approved by a commission com
y posed of men of high altainments in that par
: ticular branch of learning.
The reports on the progress of knowldg'
D. are to be prepared by co-laborers consisting o
men Of the most eminent attainments in TIT