Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-11-06

plants collection and publication Of scientific acts a,
4 oumuiated In the Offices Of Government.
institution Of statistical inquiries with reference
physical, moral, and political sabjects
historical researches and sscurate SURVEYS az nlacs
oeeorated In American history.
chronological researches particularly with reference
Inc an erent races OF men in Worth America also, 0,
porations and surveys of the mounds and
remains OF The ancient people Of oar country.
The plan Of dleasng knowledge provides for the pub
hcaon Of series Of reports giving account Of tn
new discoveries in science and of the changes made from
year to year in all branches of knowledge not strictly
and for the publication Of separate
on subjects of general interest
Seven quarto volumes of the Smithsonian eoutribu
tons to Knowledge have already been published.
The subject Of the first memoir is the planet ssNeptune
| and was contributed by s. c. Walker This is a work
which has received decided appreciation from the first
Of this country and Europe and is in many
important particulars, standard of reference The
second published contribution is upon Physical Geogra-
ply by Chas. Ellet Jr This followed by Abort
ginal Monuments of the State Of New York. by E. G.
Squier.
The fourth is the "Exposiyeness of Nitre by Dr.
r. Hare.
The fifth memoir is upon the Reciprocal Action Of
Two Galvanic Currents" by A. Secchi of Georgetown
College.
The sixth is g Classification of Insects from Embryoo
gica Data, /" by Louis Agassiz
Number seven is Monograph of Mosasauras and the
Allied Genera" by Mr.. r. Gibbes.
Fifteen hundred copies of each passed contribution
are printed at the expense of the Institution Exchanges
are then made with all the principal scientific and learned
societies of the United States and Europe copy is sent
to every college in the Union and limited number pre-
sened to the author, the remainder being kept in the
Library of the Institution open public inspection and
to be disposed of to those who manfesy interested
in the subject of each memoir
The test OF the soundness of these publications as adj
dons TO knowledge severe yet admirable because the
judges are chosen from among those persons most con-
versant with each topic and whom the Of the au
thor is unknown unless favorable decision be- made
This mode the snerested opinion Of the highest
talent Of the country, well the close scrutiny Of the
Secretary of the Institution.
One OF the most interesting papers to the psychologist
is that presented by Prof Leber of South Carolina Col
lege, upon the signs used by Dr. Howe in his exraord
nary education of Laura Brdgman the blind and deaf
mute daguerreotype Of this lady, whose almost mi
racuous literary performances among the greatest
wonders of the age may be seen at the Smithsonian In
stitution.
The scientific abors of the Smithsonian have been yalu
able and practical in their character In the matter of
barometers thermometers and other useful meters the
attempt has been successfully made to obtain strict accu
racy For this purpose sets of those instruments have
been tested at London and Paris by the best makers and
the ablest scientific operators of those cities By the in
struments thus corrected Mr. James Green of New York
city, is enabled to furnish thermometers and barometers
which reliable and precisely accurate Meteorologi-
cal statistics from all parts of the country may be found
at the Smithsonian The facts presented are worthy of
much philosophical investigation and form highly impor
tant additions to meteorological science.
Much interesting information has been gained in refer
ence to the much dscussed topic of American Mounds
The library is already unique and valuable. 1t is in
creasng as rapidly as may be desired In the museum
single branch is taken up, and an effort will be made
to make each collection complete kind before engaging
In another The subject under classification and
Illustration is "reptes and fishes" being the lowest
class OF vertebrate animals large number of interest
ing specimens is already in the building.
In the choice Of Contributions" an important distinc
ton is made between discovery" and invention" the
preference being invariably given the former The
discovery OF new principle is necessarily addition to
knowledge, while invention is commonly the success
full application Of wel-known principles
may crafty our city readers to know that several
eminent and scientific gentlemen, including Professors
Siman, Hare Alexander, and Rogers win lecture at the
Smithsonian Institution during the ensuing winter tits
supposed by many intelligent persons that the lectures
afford the greatest amount of local benefit arising from the
founding the institution in this city But we think this
view Should the institution continue its pre-
sent mode of scientific and rigid analysis of all important
subjects brought before its notice. the result in time
will interest Washington to only surpassed by
the location of the seat of the General Government The
Smithsonian name will call to city men of science
and letters from all parts Of the world while the mocha
mic, the navigator the artisan and the farmer win find
in this institution neverfang of knowledge in
calcuabe in practical benefits and inesmable as the
results of researches made and endorsed by the most vi
gorous and disciplined ntelects of young America