Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-27

quence in the world, and in the aggregate
exceeds that Of more than half OF the other
great institutions combined.
Institutions of Learning Assisted.
But the practical benefit resulting from
the management Of the institution extends
still further down. 1t reaches beyond
adults into college halls and school rooms
Every institution Of learning in the country
can be assisted and many of them are.
| Last year, for example, nearly $4,000 speci-
mems were sent out in exchange and dis
tributed among educational Institutions. In
deed. during the past two decades over 100000
specimens have been distributed, while at
the present time the various duplicates In
the institution are being prepared and ar
ranged for similar distribution. The inst1-
tuition also publishes for the use Of colleges
and schools, and individuals as well, various
small books and pamphlets containing prac-
teal instruction for the various interesting
and profitable treatment of animals birds,
insects, flowers ct cetera. 1t will tell man
or child just how to skin a snake, dissect
flower or preserve a bird or butterfly In the
most approved manner In addition to all
this for adults and youth. it opens its doors
to the children Of schools Of all grades and
denominations. In fact, the law requires
that to be done, and it is gratifying to
learn that many of the schools here and
elsewhere take advantage of the opportuni-
ty. 1t is estimated that every year many
thousand children examine the numerous
II
there every day separately and in classes.
Sometimes they seek knowledge Of animals
Tor essays, sometimes examine war imple-
ments and musical contrivances, but most
generally to study mineralogy and geology.
Judging from the location of specimens in
these departments one might imagine that
they were established chiefly for the use of
amateurs and school children They are ar
ranged In the order of natural progression
and relationship in accordance with accept
ed text books, SO that as classes progress
In their studies they may from time to time
examine corresponding specimens. In the
department of geology the system Is most
instructive. A division is made of strata
graphic and economic exhibits, 80 that the
scholars may pursue a course of occult
study Of all that pertains to earth-building
ana production. Frequently classes from
outside institutions visit the museum and
to show the appreciation of the advantages
ly visited the building declared that he
would gladly bring all his pupils here for
several weeks stay, If he could procure
suitable adjacent accommodations. In this
connection the thought suggests itself that
a spacious and healthful structure suitable
for the accommodation of college students
and school children, located in the vicinity
OF the museum might do p-osperously well
as resort for visiting scholars and their
preceptors.
EARLY Troubles of the Institution.
And yet with all these advantages-with
all It's reputation-the great helpmate 1t is
to science, and the vast practical good 1t
Is doing for the old and young, through
what narrow escapes this great tutelar OF
science has passed-how easily II might
have died before it was born-how bitterly
II was antagonized in its inception by even
some Of the most distinguished men in our
Congress!
Mr.. James Smithson of England left. as
may be remembered. 100000 to a nephew
Tor life upon condition that "if he shall
ole without issue. then give my entire es-
late 10 the United States. to found in the
city or Washington an establishment to be
called the Smithsonian Institution for the
increase and diffusion of knowledge among
men After the death of the nephew
without marriage, and considerable Difficult
", the Will was sustained, and the United
states was accorded undisputed right to the
fortune, which now bore the royal crest of
Great Britain as If to sanction the indi-
vidual act of one of her departed subjects
But then another danger arose and that
the legacy of 100000 was not in the deep
bosom OF the ocean buried was due to no
foresight on the part of Mr.. Richard Rush,
who had been sent to England by our gov
eminent to look after the matter With
over-zealous care he refused to pay the ex-
change, which at that time was excessively
in favor of the English and. converting the
Smithson securities into English gold he
packed II into boxes and shipped Ii unin-
sured on small sailing vessel bound for
the gold reached our shores: had it been
lost they might have held Mr. Rush's.
Then a new troublesome danger arose.
with the money in our treasury
itself against applying the money
One great senatorial statesman de-
clared that the United States gov
eminent could not lower it's dignity by be-
coming the beneficiary of any defunct Eng
ishman, and others followed in the wake
of opposition. But the scheme was not
without its friends and advocates, foremost
among whom were John Quincy Adams and
Mr.. Preston, who, about the twelfth year
of congressional antagonism. finally shap-
ed into law the establishment of the Smith
sonian Institution at Washington. Hardly
had the law passed, however, when il was
discovered that the money had been loaned
somehow or other to western states and lost
in wildcat bank ventures. But the gov
eminent was, of course responsible, and
made good the principal amount and inter-
est. aggregaung then for the institution a
capital stock of little over three-quarters
of a million.
If that amount be considered large for
the establishment of an institution of learn
ing, 1t should be borne in mind that many
small colleges in the United States of only
100 pupils have had richer endowments,
and Harvard University could not survive
years struggle on the dividends that ac-
crue to the Smithsonian. In the Metropoli-
tan Museum, in New York, for example,
one contributor alone has deposited S6OO, 700
worth of specimens of jade alone but of
course. that does not enter into the ques-
ton materially.
The Smithsonian values varieties and not
quantities of specimens. Already there are
more specimens than can be shown in the
next twenty years, unless a wise Congress
will wisely make necessary appropriations
for much reeded additional space and in
creased help. The institution now is the
cheapest institution the United States MAIN
taiDs, and yet 1t is its chief honor in the es-
timation of enlightened people Surely, IL
this government could consent TO build its
proudest and most useful institution on the
corner stone of dead Englishman's bones
1t ought to be willing to maintain 1t proper
ly with view to its fullest usefulness At
present the congressional appropriations an
nually exceed only by about two-fifths the
100000 interest on old Mr.. Smithson's en-
dowment fund, making in all about SlGO coo
to pay the entire running expenses of the
institution, including salaries, construction
of exhibits, expenses of travel, purchases Of
specimens and all the varied expenditures
| incident to a gigantic institution of knowl-
| edge. To show how economical the Smith
sonian authorities must necessarily be- the
| fact may be stated that while the American
Museum of Natural History for example
expended SOB $50. 50 for additions to its
natural history collections alone during the
| past year the National Museum, which is of
very much wider scope expended only
| S. 769. 10 during the same period for colec-
| lions OF all kinds.
Joseph Hcnry's Great Work.
| If it be asked of some Smithsonian official