102 EULOGY ON PROFESSOR ALEXANDER DALLAS BACHE. 



the coutiuent of North America ; the discussion of the general theory 

 of the tides; the magnetic condition of the continent; and the imjirove- 

 ment of the general map of the United States, by determining its rela- 

 tion to the coast line, and the precise geographical positions of the most 

 important points in the interior. Though his hopes in regard to these 

 problems were not destined to be realized by himself, fortunately for 

 the cause of science they have been left in charge of a successor in the 

 person of his ardent friend and collaborator. Professor Peirce, to whose 

 genius and industry we may confidently look for that full exposition of 

 the work which, while it entitles him to the highest approbation of 

 the scientific world, will render ample justice to the labors and sagacity 

 of his lamented predecessor. 



Besides having charge of the Coast Survey, Professor Bache was 

 Superintendent of Weights and Measures, and in the exercise of this 

 function directed a series of investigations relative to the collection 

 of excise duties on distilled spirits, and likewise superintended the 

 construction of a large number of sels of standard weights and meas- 

 ures for distribution among the several States of the Union. He 

 was also appointed one of a commission to examine into the condi- 

 tion of the light-house system of this country, and to report upon any 

 improvements calculated to render it more efijcient. In the investiga- 

 tions pertaining to this subject, involving, as they do, a knowledge of a 

 wide range of applied science, he took a lively interest, and rendered 

 important ser\'ice in the organization of the admirable system which was 

 adopted and still remains in operation. This conimissiou of investiga- 

 tion was afterward merged in the present Light-House Board, of which 

 he continued a member until the time of his death. 



In 184G he had been named in the act of incorporation as one of the 

 Eegents of the Smithsonian Institution, and by successive reelection 

 was continued by Congress in this office until his death, a j)eriod of 

 nearly twenty years. To say that he assisted in shaping the policy of 

 the establishment would not be etiough. It was almost exclusively 

 through his predominating intiuence that the policy which has given 

 the institution its present celebrity was, after much opposition, finally 

 adopted. The object of the donation, it will be remembered, had been 

 expressed in terms so concise that its import could scarcely be at once 

 appreciated by the general public, though to the cultivators of science, 

 to which class Smithson himself belonged, the language employed failed 

 not to convey clear and precise ideas. Out of this state of things it is 

 not surprising that difference of opinion should arise respecting the 

 proper means to be adopted to realize the intentions of the founder of 

 the institution. Professor Bache with j)ersistent firmness, tempered by 

 his usual moderation, advocated the appropriation of the proceeds of 

 the funds principally to the plan set forth in the first report of the Sec- 

 retary, namely, of encouraging and supporting original research in the 

 different branches of science. Unfortunately this policy could only be 



