The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-04-12
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.

JAMES SMrrHsoN claimed 10 be of noble
descent; and in his will declares himself the
son of Hugh. first Duke of Northumberland
ard of Elizabeth, niece of Charles the Proud
Duke Of Somerset. He was educated a
Oxford, and paid particular attention TO iht
study of the physical sciences; was reputeC
10 be the best chemist in the university, ant
was one of the first to adopt the method o
minute analys SIS AS an example OF his ex
pertness in This line, it is mentioned that OF
one occasion be caught tear as il was trick
ling down the face of a lady, lost hall, exam
ined the remainder, and discovered in il sew
eral salts. He made about thirty scientific
communications 10 different societies, prin
cipally on chemistry, mineralogy, and geol
ogy. His scientific reputation was founded
on these branches, though, from his writings
he appears TO have studied and reflected
upon almost every department of knowledge
He was of sensitive, retiring disposition
passed most of his life on the Continent
was never married-appeared ambitious o.
making a name for himself, either by hi
own researches or by founding an institution
for the promotion of science. He declares
10 writing, tha, though the best blooi o
England flows in his veins, this avals hin
not, for his name would live in the memor,
of men when tho ;ities of the Northunber
lands and the Percies are extinct or forgot
ten. He was cosmopolitan in his views
and declares that the man Of science is of nc
countryside world is his country, and al
men his counlrymen. He proposed at one
time 10 leave his money TO The Royal Socie
" of London for the promotion OF science
but on account OF Misunderstanding witt
the council OF. the society, he changed hi
mind and left it 10 his nephew; aud, in CASE
of the death of this relative, 10 the United
States of America, 10 found the institution
which now bears his rame.
The whole amount of money received
from the bequest was s5l5, 1863; and beside'
Ibis, s25, 900 was left in England, as tbs
principal Of an annuity given TO the moihe
Of the nephew of Smiihson. This sum will
also come 10 the Institution at the death o
this person.
The government of the United States &C
cep,ed the bequest, or, in other words, &C
cepted the Office of trustee, and MIR. Rush
of Pennsylvania, gentleman who is still al
active and efficient member of the Board
Regents, and one of the most ardent supper
,ers Of the Institution, was charged with tht
duty of prosecuting the claim. He remain
ed in attendance on tine English courts unit
the money was awarded to him. He brough
/, over in eovereigns-deposi.ed it in ih'
mint OF the United States, where il was re
coined into American eagles--thus becom
ing a part OF the currency Of the county
This money was afterwards lent to some o
the new States, and portion Of ii was lost
but i, did not belong 10 the United Slaies--
it was the properly of the Smithsonian In
sthution--and the government was bound il
honor TO restore it. Congress has ackhowl
edged this by declaring that the money i
still in the treasury of The nation, bearing in
terest a, the rate of six per cent, annually
producing revenue Of about thirty thou
sand dollars.
II may be stated, in this place, that tn
principal remains perpetually IN the treasur.
of the United States, and that nothing bu
the interest can be expended; not only ha
the original bequest been preserved, but
considerable addition has been made TO th
principal. AT the time Of the passing OF tn
act establishing the Institution in 1886, tn
sum Of S242, 600 had accrued in interest
and this The Regents were authorized 10 OK
pend on building but instead Of appro
prialingthis sum Immediately TO ihi, purpose
/ they put IL a: interest, and deferred the com
pletion Of the building for several years, un
til Sl5O,OOo should be accumulated, the in
come Of mhich might defray the expense Q
keeping the building, and The greater poi
ton of the income of The original bequest b
| devoled 10 the objects for which it was de
signed. This policy has been rigidiy adheI
ed TO, and the result is, that besides the ori
ginal sum, and after all that has been devo
ted 10 the building, the grounds, and a
other operations, there is now on han
5000, 900 Of accumulated interest. OF thi
sum, $780, 900 are 10 be appropriated 10 fir
ishing the building, and the remainder is {
be added TO the principal. The funds hav
therefore been carefully husbanded.