The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-09-03
From Edsa. O6rrsspoadeace Of Paa. Press.
Smithsonian Institute.

W dSouu1e an III npOEtauCS, NHlCu lOi SuIuc
time after its first establishment, many
predicted it would never attain. You
may recollect that its organization was
principally effected, and that it has OBJ
tanned its present form through the able
and assiduous efforts of that accomplished
scholar and statesman, General John A.
Dix, whilst Senator in Congress. Many
even objected to the receipt of the be-
quest of Mr. Smithson, Gan English bach
elor gentleman of fortune, the natural son
of the Duke of Northumberland,) and
some. were for returning it, though. Gen.
eral jackson had appointed Mr.. Rush to
special mission to England, to procure
at from the British Court of Chancery.
After the receipt of the large sum be-
queathed by Smithson "for the establish
ment at Washington of an institution for
the increase and diffusion Of k1lo1oledge
among men," it was unfortunately invest
ed in Arkansas State stocks, which short
ly after greatly deprecated. But the
Federal Government very properly as
sumed the debt, and made up the def
cheney. No little diversity of opinion
existed in the outset with respect to the
character of the institution to be estab-
lished, as indicated by the terms of the
bequest quoted Some thought large
library should be founded-others were
in favor of the organization of an acade-
my for adults General Dix hit upon
the true intention of the testator in the
act of incorporation proposed by him, and
passed BY Congress in 1916. By that act,
and by the proceedings of the Board of
Regents under it, the institution has been
organized as a scientific corporation is
principally devoted to the diffusion of
knowledge, by premiums to our scientific
and literary citizens for the delivery of
lectures, and publication of books (under
the sanction of the institution) on scien-
tiic and literary subjects of general inter-
est.
The late Professor Hare, of your city,
donated to the institution his splendid
philosophical and chemical apparatus.
Many other highly valuable gifts and be-
quests have been made to it. The Insti-
tute has published many important works
and continues such publications regularly
which are exchanged with other institu
tions. or gratuitously distributed, and the
sauans of this country take pride in con.
tributing their efforts to promote its OBJ
ieets,
Professor Joseph Henry, who is at the
head of the Smithsonian Institute, (borr
in New Jersey,) is one of the most re-
: markable men of the age. Self-taught
without the benefit of an early classical ed
ucation, his inquiring and vigorous mint
and unwearying industry, even in hi
. youthful days, called him from the hum
j bier walks in private life to the profes
sorship of one of the Oldest public school
J of the country, at Princeton, in his owl
: State. His discoveries in electricity are
d in the United States, second only to thos
n of Franklin and Rittenhouse. You mus
n have noticed that within the last fey
), days ne presented to the association fo
,, the promotion of American Science, whic
5. met in Springfield, Mass, paper of re
! markable character. This document, i
n referring to the various theories in rels
IS ton to winds, &C., asserted as fact tina
it he had ascertained by experiment, th
o truth of statement made by him, thf
Ic he was enabled by telegraphic informs
r ton received at Washington, from Cir
As cinnati, and other points, as to winds,
n predict with certainty, at Washington
is whether the next day would be clear {
ID cloudy, warm or cold, and whether
Ip would rain or shine, and thus, to use h
al own language, "decide whether or not
l. have meeting Ct the Smithsonian Inst
D. tute to hear lecture on the next evenin
Id or to postpone it," The correctness
ID this novel theory, l learn, has been yer
ie fi-d again and again at this place, and
On the most important practical fact that b
been ELECTED during the several years
n the existepce of the scientific associatio
IL This is only one of the achievements
de Professor Henry, and mention it to sho
in YOU the character of the man who reg
til lates the Smithsonian Institute.
me The edifce in which the institution
~ located (though much criticised) is,
he my judgment, the most appropriate stru
ich ture in the United States. This desis
b. though in some respects faDciful; preset
N to the mind, as was intended, striki
ed emblems of the progress of man since t
he dawn of Christianity We have the NJ
lie. man, or Romanesque style, illustrate
nd the early ages-the fortress aud the me
IN astery (; then literature, the arts, mechs
to les, music, chemistry, &C., ending W
full the type of liberal government, civil
ID erty, and free church. The length
al the building is 450 feet; its breadth,
his feet; and it has nine towers, some
;ed which are seventy-fve feet high. I
de, lecture loom is capacious enough to b
:es. two thousand auditors.
The museum of natural history is
5. hundred feet in length. There Is
perb laboratory, and library room la
md enough for one hundred thousand '
blv umes, and gallery for pictures and s
ne. uary, one hundred and twenty feet
all length, in which may be found some V
ont interesting-though not in every case
; to tistic-portraits. In all such enterpr
lvn as this there must be a beginning,
~ criticism has been freely INDUCED in
,use gard to the Smithsonian Institute. Q
find quarrels have arisen between various
vou enti6c men. There were early fact
Ter. in the Board of Regents, now hap
mid stiIled, and Professor Henry has ha
one merry time Of it since he has had
/ ed reins. The conflict between Henry
With Jewett, with all its details, reminded
I an of many another intestine warfare, WI
lace while terribly exciting to those imm
DIiia ately engaged, was ineffably amusin
the outside barbarisns. But Profs
Henry conquered, and his discounted
versary was compelled to withdraw
beaten forces from the field. In this
natl, Professor Henry had the efficient al
ex- that accomplished scholar, James a
rs to Pearce, of Maryland, Professor Bach
g for the Coast Survey-one of your Phil
,eing phia favorites-and Vice President
one las, who was the first Chancellor oi
and institution. President Buchanan j
'st of cFicio one of the members Of the b
anti and attends regularly, making, occasi
i the ly, very agreeable little speech.
'afess Out of all the confusion which hs
L., l@.,Iol +ho cov,nr,auoar.ape of this