362 JOSEPH HENRY. 



knowledge among men ; and it emphasized every word of the preg- 

 nant sentence. Not science in its restricted sense, but knowledge 

 was to be first increased, and then diffused world-wide, — by the en- 

 dowment of research ; by the publication and liberal distribution of 

 contributions to knowledge, which may have little value in the market, 

 but which are of transcendent importance to man's culture and civ- 

 ilization; by elaborate reports in special departments, in which the 

 known would be separated from the unknown for the benefit of 

 new explorers ; by the translation of writings otherwise inaccessible 

 to most students ; by opening a highway along which the current 

 literature and science of the day could easily pass from continent to 

 continent, and reach their remotest corners. This sober and catholic 

 scheme, in literal fulfilment of the will of Smithson, was less dazzling 

 to the popular imagination, and enlisted a smaller numerical support, 

 than rival propositions which were more on the level of the average 

 understanding. Because these antagonistic plans narrowed the enjoy- 

 ment of a benefaction, (itself absolutely unfettered.) to a small com- 

 munity, they secured a local influence which threatened to defeat the 

 comprehensive views of the Secretary. These views, recommended by 

 their reasonableness and indorsed by individuals, academies, and soci- 

 eties of science and learning, had a tower of strength in the high 

 scientific reputation and the weight of character of the Secretary him- 

 self. Winning and persuasive in his manner, he was inflexible in his 

 purpose. 



Experience has proved the truth of that which was the contention 

 at the time ; viz. that universities, libraries, museums, lectures, because 

 they confer local benefits, will never lack endowments, whereas the 

 Christian world had waited eighteen centuries for a large-minded and 

 large-hearted benefactor, whose bequest was all knowledge, existing or 

 to be discovered, and whose recipients were all nations of men. Slowly 

 but steadily time lias revealed the wisdom and foresight of the Secre- 

 tary ; individuals and communities, in increasing numbers, have felt the 

 benefits of his administration ; the government of the United States 

 has known where to look for impartial advice on matters outside of its 

 own knowledge, in times of prosperity and also in its darkest days ; 

 and now all opposition has died out; and, after a trial of thirty years, 

 no one probably desires any thing better for the Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion than that the plan, so wisely conceived and so faithfully admin- 

 istered by the first Secretary, should continue the abiding rule for his 

 successors. 



Moreover, the plan of Professor Henry, cosmopolitan in its geo- 



