The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-01-25

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rising him. west of tie Capitol buN a'ns.' anu !"
tho midst OF bes-:ifui park, which - 'e-.
snnnishe.- g built in the Norman OF r. aiAne'a..
style OF architecture, OF superior red sandsa nv
Is four hundred and fifty feet BY one hund ano
forty in DEPTH and boing embelshea with psoe e m
ave towers from seventy Ave hundred and d.
fee. In height, presents an imposing appearance -It
did contain Q lecture room capable OF seating
two thousand persons, . large museum for OBJ
jects OF natural history, full and complets
chemical laboratory, a large gallery for Satuary,
paintings, sc, library OF over one hundred thousand
volumes, large plumber Of which are exclusive ana
copyrighted works, and the cabinets OF the dAierens
United States exploring expeditions The building,
Improvement OF the grounds &C. cost over three hun
dred and twenty i've thousand dollars Tn Che park 90
which the building Is located Is the unfinished
national monument TO Washington.
The history Of the Institution Is not less interesting
than It's description James Smithson It's founder wss'
the natural son Of the Duke Of Northumberland and
Mrs. Elizabeth Mace, niece and heiress OF the Duke
OF Somerset During his childhood, and while -
college at Oxford, England, he known James
Lewis Macie but graduating with high honoFs and
a splendid reputation analytical chemist, he
sumed his fathers family name, and Afterwards
known James Smithson His scientific pursuits rnd
chemical researches after years greatly distinguished
him He published previous 10 his death eight no
markabe papers geological and chemical subjects,
and his posthumous works embrace not less than TIVE
hundred manuscripts apparently intended as the basic
of a philosophical dictionary. In 1928 Mr. smthson
executed the will by which the United States subse
queny inherited his entire property and with which the
Smithsonian Institution built The bequest
made contingent the death without issue Of Q
nephew Of Mr.. Smithson. Mr.. Smithson died -
Geneva in 1929. His nephew died chldless and In
in md tho daaca Mad IN thn
government A suit in chancery was necessary, how
ever obtain possession of it, This ended in 1888,
after eighteen months litigation and the net proceeds
paid TO the United States agent Hon Richard Rush,
OF Philadelphia IN English sovereigns These were
shipped this country, and recoined at Philadelphia
noting In American coin tho sum Of $jl5, 100.
1t for several years after s4e, that plan waa
devised by which the magnificent bcquest OF Mr. Smith.
could be carried President Polk asked advice
subject Of many OF tho prominent citizens Of
the country in circular letter addressed to thom. The
reply OF John Quincy Adams eventually formed the basa
of tho which passed by Congress in April ls4d
and which organized the Smithsonian Institute By this
the President and Vice President the several members
Cabinet Chief Justice OF the Supreme Court the
Commissioner Of the Patent once and the Mayor Of
Washington declared directors officers OF the inst
tuition A Board OF Regents, managers, composed Of
the Vice President Chief Justice Mayor Of Washington
and three members OF the Senate, selected by the Pres
thereof three members Of the House. sclerted BY
tho Speaker and six other persons not members OF Con-
gress organized. This Board empowered 70
elect from among its members a chancellor secretary
and executive committee This formed tho executive
power Of the institution Provisions made for the
OF building the decorating and furnishing Of
the laboratory library gallery lecture rooms, &C. which
had been fully carried into effect at the time OF tho
destruction Of the building Among the original Board
OF Regents late Chief Justice Roger fancy;
Prof. A. d. Bache of the United States Coast Survey
ONCE and Gen. Toten OF the United States Engnecrs-
or tho original Board only the last named lived 70 So
tho destruction which has occurred.
United states Supreme Court.
WASHINGTON jan "a, 1865.