The Genesis of iJic United States National Museum. 103 



In every country in Europe, those who cultivate the arts and sciences enjoy the 

 advantage of finding in each capital a central establishment, such as we propose. 



In London, the Royal Museum, which was commenced by the enlightened liber- 

 ality of an individual, and subsequently enriched by similar bequests, and now 

 liberally patronized by Government, possesses all that is necessary to protect and 

 encourage literature, science, and the arts. 



The Society for the Promotion of Science and the Useful Arts in Dublin, having 

 an extensive nniseum of natural history, a botanic garden, and school of design, 

 fulfills effectually the objects of its institution, and justifies the very liberal patronage 

 of the British Government. There students in every branch of science find the means 

 of improvement, and .some of the most accomplished artists in England have been 

 instructed in this school. 



In this country, we are best acquainted with the museum, botanical and zoological 

 gardens, and liberal course of instruction at the Jardin des Plafttes, in Paris, where 

 strangers resort, from every quarter of the world, to consult the collections and listen 

 to lectures, which are open to all who choose to attend them. These courses of lec- 

 tures are delivered by the ablest and most eloquent men in France, on every branch 

 of science. In the suunner botany is taught in a garden abounding in all the vege- 

 table productions of the world ; zoology in the midst of specimens of every known 

 animal, and other branches of natural history, with the advantage of extensive 

 collections, which are augmenting daily by an enlightened and active system of 

 exchanges ; chemistry and technology are illustrated by well-conducted experiments 

 and admirably adapted apparatus, and every branch of natural philosophy taught 

 with clearness and precision, and explained by the most ample means of illustration. 

 These lectures are attended by students who have completed their academic course, 

 and by men of science who seek to increase their knowledge. 



There can be no doubt that a national institution, such as we contemplate, having 

 at its command an observatory, a museum containing collections of all the produc- 

 tions of nature, a botanic and zoological garden, and the necessary apparatus for 

 illustrating every branch of physical science, would attract together men of learning 

 and students from every part of our country, would open new avenues of intelligence 

 throughout the whole of its vast extent, and would contribute largely to disseminate 

 among the people the truths of nature and the light of science. 



A fortunate concurrence of circumstances offers a favorable occasion to carry all these 

 important objects into immediate effect. A liberal and enlightened Englishman, fore- 

 seeing the benefits which would result to science throughout the world, by its success- 

 ful cultivation in the vast and extensive field offered by these vStates and Territories, 

 with enlarged views and praiseworthy philanthropy has bequeathed a fiind to be 

 employed for the sacred purposes of increasing and diffusing knowledge among 

 men. This bequest will enable the Government to afford all necessary protection to 

 the promotion of science and the useful arts, without the exercise of any doubtful 

 power, by the application of the annual interest of this fund to the establishment of 

 an observatory, the erection of suitable buildings to contain the collections, and for 

 lecture rooms, the purchase of books and instruments, antl the salaries of professors 

 and curators. 



Poinsett's enthtisiasm was contag;ioiis, and his argtiments, based as 

 they evidently were upon careful observations and judicious rea.soning, 

 and in.spired by hopeful patriotism, brought him many sympathizers. 

 Among these the Hon. Levi Woodbury, who had been a member of the 

 same Cabinet with Mr. Poinsett, and sub.sequently was in the vSenate, 

 Senator W. C. Preston, one of the directors of the Institution, Senator R. 

 J. Walker, of Mississippi, Senator ly. F. lyiuu, of Missouri, corresponding 



