The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-09-18
The Observation-Disclosures.

In ihe able agricultural address OF F r. BLAIR, esq
published in the Union Of Friday, passing ausion wa,
made the Smithsonian Institution, aud It's proposed
connection with praci ca illustrations OF agriculture II
is doubtless the design OF the Smithsonian 10 do all |,
egimaiely 10 promote agricultural knowledge.
scislly il may be brought out by the investigations
OF sciences but the scope OF the institution is wide,
that is impossible 10 lose sight Of the fact that its n1a.
ence must continue to be, its founder designed ii
should be, very general in Its character. Agriculture,
scts and il cannot. appsh-nd, turn any further at
,enon 10 that subject than it pays, without injury
TO other equally important interests.
II should be borne in mind that the Institution
has been in existence but few years, and ha, much
of this time has been necessarily spent in the cree
lion and furnishing OF suitable buildings. The
pleton OF the present edihce has been for several
years delayed. in order not 10 interfere too much
with the accrued and accruins interest of the fund The
plan OF finishing the interior with wood and plaster has
been abandoned All the former materials have been
moved, and the whole interior OF the main building il.
now IN process OF construction entirely with bick and
ifon The space OF this part is 400 feet long, SO
wde and nearly 10 high. This 10 TO be divided into
basement aud connected stories. The FIRST story j.
intended 10 contain the library and part OF the collections
OF scisace, art and cxiosues. On the second story is
to be very comnodious scure-room. built IN the form
Of q theatre, and capable oi accommodating upwards Of
two thousand persons There will also be other rooms
on the second story, adapted the apparatus and other
collections OF the Institution Workmen are now busiIy
engaged in this Improvement, and il will be completed as
soon possible.
uf tph al mi has air Hv
done. we may ba, has realized all the just an,ic
ipalons OF it's friends During it's nis,ory experience OF
six years. while engaged IN the construction OF i,s edi-
fees ii hs. secured and published many important facts
with regard 10 the planet Neptune !, has furnished val
liable scientific instruments 10 the CHILEAN expedition i,
has aided in developing the topography OF country,
especially in the valley Of the Mississippi it hos ad
vanesd the scenee Of me,eorology; supplied several
standard instruments, provided tables OF the a,mos-
phere furnished practical series Of facts with regard
he climate OF this county, and the meteorology OF the
globe; secured preliminary exploration Of the Upper
Missouri. and Of the extraordinary remains in that guar.
ter OF the continent, made various additions to the science
Of botany, illustrated in the productions Of New Mex.
leo, Texas and California published severa! books w.
usiratng different branches Of science. and the beat
methods for preserving specimens, made discoveries in
terrestrial magnetism connected itself with all the libra
res in the world obtained statistics of their contents
and originated and put 10 operation plan for sereo
typ'ng their catalogues; obtained for preservation useu
Information respecting The ehnoogy and phlooey Of the
Indian tribes secured observations and investigate
a. to the different theories of winds and established
gsne'a system Of scientific exchange that the pro
grsss Of the wokngs Of The Institution. and to certain
MI h.. IN
bodies and others ,hroushou the civilized world
10 the prosecution Of these great works the s"nhso-
nian Institution has gone steadily forward under The s-
hcsn, management Of Professor Henry and his assoc-
They have been encouraged ny the action Of some
OF the foreign Governmsnts tina, have adssd the pns-
cations OF country ssnt by The Institution, da'y hse
The Roy. Society Of London has rsndersi s.ssn'a ser
vice by employing appoprias agents to dsribsh The