Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-28
NOT TO BEBRDUGHT
JAMES sMITHsoNb REMAINS TO
STAY AT GENOA.
Regents Of the Institutioa Voted to
Transfer the Foufder'sn Body to
@tcn : 49,"
Another Cemetery In That Place.

dispatch has been received from Genoa.
Italy. to the effect that Dr. Alexander
Graham Bell, a member of ethe board of
regents OF the Smithsonian Institution, is
in that city for the purpose of conveying
from their resting place there the remains
Of James Smithson, the founder Of the
Smithsonian Institution, to this city, where
It is proposed that they shall be re-entomb-
ed In the grounds surrounding the institu-
ton which bears his name.
At the Smithsonian Institution today 1t
was said that Prof Langley was absent
and would not return until Wednesday.
His secretary did not feel at liberty to say
whether or not DR.. Bell had been sent to
Italy for the purpose Of bringing the re-
mains Of Smithson to this country.
As far as can be learned, the reason for
thu removal at this time Of the body of the
founder OF the Smithsonian Institution
from Genoa to this country is because a
stone quarry has encrOached on the En-
that it has become necessary to remove
all the bodies inferred there.
Not Likely to Be Brought.
According to recent letter to The Star
from William e. Curtis at Genoa, Italy,
the regents Of the Smithonian Institution
decided last spring to have Smithson's re-
and rejected the proposition to have them
brought to this country. Mr.. Curtis. de-
scribing the approach by sea to Genoa,
wrote:
From the deck of the steamer we can
see the little Protestant cemetery at the
top Of the ridge by which Genoa IL sur
rounded, and where the rocks beneath are
gradually being eaten away by quarrymen,
who are taking out stones to be used in ex-
tending the harbor. In short time the
- kl-~k
municipal officials have already condemned
the property and have given to the Church
of England, to which the property belongs,
tract Of land adjoining the regular ceme-
terry on the other side of the city. The trus-
tees of the church and the consuls of Great
Britain and the United States have con-
sidered it wise to accept the offer without
putting the city to the expense of con-
demnatiOn proceedings, particularly as the
owners of the quarry agreed to pay all of
the expenses of removing the remains.
I'VE are particularly interested in this
matter, because James Smithson. founder of
the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.
lies buried there. 1t has been proposed to
remove his body to Washington and bury it
in the park surrounding the institution, but
at one of their meetings last spring the
regents rejected the proposition and In
structed Prof. Langley to provide for the
removal of the remains and monument to a
suitable site in the new cemetery. This will
be done under direction of the United States
consul.
Smithson's Tomb.
Mr.. Smithsons tomb is one of the most
conspicuous in the little churchyard, and is
in every way appropriate. The grave is in
closed by an iron fence. to which is at
tached a marble tablet bearing the follow
ing inscription: 8E1ejs<
James smithsoan,. F. r. IS,
Founder OF the Smithsonian Institution,
Washington, D. G.
Erected by the Regents,
1895, sc
within the railing is q csnotaph of white
marble of dignified proportions resting upon
pedestal of the same material, Inscribed:
James Smithson ESQ.,
Fellow Royal Society London.
b. I Who died at Genoa. June 90 1929
.4 Age IS Years. qf
Upon the other side the following lines
are carved: 80 40,s
This monument is erected snd5 the ground on
which It stands is purchased In -perpetuity BY
Henry Henry Hungerford ESQ. the deeeassds nephew in
token OF gratitude to generous benefactor and
as a tribute to departed worth" a. rFal