Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-12
a trust is the only instance of such al
action in our history.
Government Bureaus Under Him.

But by virtue of his office the new secre-
tary will be also the administration head
of five government institutions, the National
Museum bureau of American ethnology,
bureau of international exchanges astro-
physical observatory and National Zoologl-
cal Park
The real function of this great motherhen
of science, the Smithsonian Institution
proper, is understood by a surprisingly
small proportion of the public. The major
ity of visitors to Washington depart with
the impression that its chief work is the
collection of natural history specimens,
misconception due to the fact that the
many-towered Norman castle occupied by
the offices of the secretary is, owing to the
crowded condition of the present National
Museum building, also used largely as re-
positary for the overflow collections of the
museum. When asked to define the functions
of the Smithsonian, Prof. Henry once an
swered: ITO assist men of science in max
ing original researches. to publish them In
a series of volumes and to give copy OF
them to every first-clasS library on the
face of the earth" The Smithsonian has
not only made grants of money to many
investigators throughout the world, but
has supplied books, apparatus and labora-
tory accommodations to thousands Its aid
is not limited to Americans. but is just as
accessible to the citizens Of one nation as
to those of another This broad scope or
its usefulness seems to be expressed In the
will of James Smithson, who bequeathed his
fortune Ito found at Washington, under the
name of the Smithsonian Institution. an
establishment for the increase and diffusion
of knowledge among men," The last two
words have been interpreted to mean
among all mankind
Pathos in Founders Life.
In England there fourished during the
seventeen hundreds powerful lord, Hugh.
first Duke of northumberland. In 1910,
when this peer had been Sir Hugh Smith
son of Stanwick, he had married Elizabeth
Seymour of the illustrous family of Percy.
Twenty-six years later his dukedom was
created for him by Georre III. Thirteen
years after his marriage this lord had
liaison with Elizabeth, 'heiress of the Hun
gerfords of Studley and niece to Charles,
the proud Duke of Somerset At the time
of this liason this former Miss Huntley
was Mrs. Macie. The issue, in 1854, was an
illegitimate son, James, who was given his
mothers family name, Macie. His father
provided a liberal allowance for his sup
port and education. and entered him at Ok
ford, where he eXcelled in the study of
chemistry, to which he devoted even his
vacations At his graduation, still under
the name James Lewis Macie, he received
the degree of A. NJ. and the next year he
became fellow of the Royal Society.
This young man brooded over the cir
cumstances of his birth. Stunned society
on their account and wandered restlessly
over Europe, seeking secluslon and forget
fulness While in London he lived in
Bentick street, pursued his studies and IN
vestigations and passed his leisure with
authors artists and scientists of note but
for long spells he circulated principally be-
tween Paris. Berlin. Florence and Genoa.
| During these trips he made frequent eXcur
sions for the collection of minerals, carry
| ing into the field a portable laboratory.
/ 'f1e could draw platinum Wire as fine as
| a SPIDERS web and construct a galvanic
| battery in thimble." according to a con-
| TEMPORARY His authority on mineralogy
| and chemistry was quoted by the leading
| scientists OF Europe and he an init
mate friend of Arago After 1891 he adopt
! ed his fathers name, and hence was there
! after known James Smithson. new
! mineral which he discovered after that
| time is called Smithsonite in his honor
''The Sins of the Fathers"
| SO sensitive was he over his birth that
| he never married. He died in 1929 at Ge