New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-07-12
WASHINGTON.
The Smithsonian Institution.
Correspondence OF The N. Y. Tribune.
WAsuINGrnN Eridau Innn 25. II

Correspondence OF The N. Y Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Friday, June %, 1852.
Whatever political changes may attend
the coming in of the next Administration, let us
hope it will affect for good only the government
and management of the Smithsonian Institution.
To be sure, the Board OF Regents presents to the
public a striking enumeration of well-known
and respected names, but nevertheless the In
stitution is in fact given into the power of
single, and in the highest degree despotic, will
which as with all despots, is one. sided and pre-
sumptuous. This will regulates everything, Civ
ing impulse and pseudo life to the whole. What
the end will be, nobody can guess; as yet bot
tomless,, chasm separates all that has been done
from the real intentions of the minded founder.
Thus far, one can find nothing which justilies the
comprehensive name of Institution for the In
crease and the Diffusion of knowledge among
Men," In one of my former letters touched
upon the subject of the shapeless mass of buildings
erected for the Institution and also the pitifu
condition of what is shown as the Library, not
withstanding it boasts of the possession of a well
salaried Librarian. With these topics have
finished, and this time shall review other depart
ments of the Institution as it is now managed.
In the Reading-room is to be found less than
the average number Of well-known English and
American periodicals taken in establishments of the
like character. At all events, less than in the
Boston Athen9um or the Newly rk Society Lii
brary. The selection comprises little more than
the principal local newspapers, some few Of little
name and influence from other places, ssme week.
Hes-as The Home Journal, The Carpet Bag,
and the Xix e-and one or two French and German
publications.
The Physical Cabinet, with all its apparatus, is
not to be compared to that Of any Of the smallest
and poorest Gymnasia in Germany or France. A
few instruments for philosophical experiments,
still fewer for mechanics, or few for electro mag
netism, chemistry, optics and acoustics, are all
In a word it is very poor collection, and most
of the individual articles are the gifts of private
individuals. And this is all in this department to
serve for the increase and diffusion of kaorlexge
among men.
should mention that the funds Of the Instita
ton have been increased by s2O000O funded inte-
rest of the original capital. Thus its materia
powers and resources have been greatly increased
how does it stand with the Il teiiectual?
Two volumes of the Smithsonian Contributions
10 knowledge have been published. However
interesting their contents may be-especially in
that part relating to the celebrated pupil of DIR.
). Il. Howe, Of Boston, doubt whether, as
whole, they answer to the pompous announce
ment of thsm, and the rich and costly STYLE Of
their publication. / am sure that, did the Direc.
tors possess minds OF more elasticity, American
pens might have furnished contributions far more
worthy to be placed in the class of those iacreas
ing human kROrledge.
The Smithsonian Institution publishes list of
those foreign institutions with which it is in cor
respondence, and with which it exchanges publ.
cations. Their number is about 80. This has
an amazing sound-still, to call things by their
right names, it is merely trap to catch gulls
Out Of this great number, hardly one-ffth are |
really worthy OF mention, a possess any consid-
Grafton in the learned world, aud these alone pub
lish anything worthy of an exchange. This i.
known to all who are at all acquainted with such
matters. The rest will never rise from their OBJ |
security and nothDgness. But the lst astonishss
and puzzles the public and the innocent Regents,
tnd gives them high idea of the activity of the
directing mind.
In pia'n terms, let me say, that presumption,
inss, and scientific onesidedness, prevail through.
out the whole, as II human knowledge were limit
I'd m its range Of topics, and must be confined
10 The natural and the more or less practical
sciences Ne doubt, in the present state Of soei.-
y N Ameriea, these sciences are oil ths highest
Importance, aud are niorc really useful aud necss-
'ary than anywhere else. Bar Tor this very