104 



with individuals eminent for their researches in this master branch of 

 the natural sciences. 



With the doctrines of the leading political economists he was also 

 familiar ; and, being uninfluenced by any motives of personal inte- 

 rest, he was at liberty to entertain those enlarged views of trade, com- 

 merce, and productive labour, which best comport with national pros- 

 perity. 



Mr. M'llvaine was well enabled to draw from the fund of his dis- 

 ciplined intellect, matter which might have been deemed deserving of 

 more than transient notice; but his modesty induced him to slightly 

 estimate the value of his own acquisitions. He, however, occasion- 

 ally contributed to the journals short essays on popular topics. But 

 these ephemeral productions were so little regarded by him, that he 

 showed no solicitude to perpetuate their remembrance, by an avowal 

 of authorship. Unlike many, he shrunk from notoriety ; humbly con- 

 tent to enjoy, among a select circle of friends, those pleasures which 

 spring from the intercourse of polite and cultivated minds. The re- 

 gret of these friends, at the loss of their respected associate, is not a 

 little soothed by the reflection, that, as his course through life was 

 highly exemplary, so, in its termination, he was exempted from those 

 sufTerings which usually accompany the exit of humanity : he expired 

 without a struggle or a groan. 



Prof. Frazer offered the following minute and resolutions, 

 which were read, considered and adopted: 



The Society having been informed that an attempt has been made 

 to induce Congress to alter the Act establishing in the City of VVash- 

 ington, the Smithsonian Institution for the increase and diffusion of 

 knowledge among men, in such a manner as to divert the whole or a 

 large portion of the funds from the objects to which they have been 

 applied by the Regents, to the formation of a public library ; — and be- 

 lieving that such a change would be very detrimental to the usefulness 

 of the Institution : — 



Be it, therefore, resolved, That, in the opinion of this Society, the 

 present organization of the Smithsonian Institution is a proper and ju- 

 dicious one, — and the funds at the disposal of the Regents appear to 

 have been prudently and fruitfully expended for the increase and dif- 

 fusion of knowledge among rncn. 



Resolved, That, in the opinion of this Society, the withdrawal of 

 any part of the funds now employed in encouraging new researches, 



