28 Mis. No. 48. 



edge; though propositions have been frequently made for devoting the 

 funds exchisively to the promotion of certain branches of science having 

 more immediate apphcation to the practical arts of life, and the adoption of 

 these propositions lias been urged on the ground of the conformity of such 

 objects to the pursuits of Smithson; but an examinalion of his writings 

 will show that he excluded from hie own studies no branch of general 

 knowledge, and that he was fully impressed with the important philosoph- 

 ical fact, that all subjects of human thought relate to one great system of 

 truth. To restrict, therefore, the operations of the institution to a single 

 science or art, would do injustice to the character of the donor, as well as 

 to the cause of general knowledge If preference is to be given to any 

 branches of research, it should be to the higher, and apparently more ab- 

 stract; to the discovery of new principles, rather than of isolated facts. And 

 this is true even in a practical point of view. Agriculture would have for- 

 ever remained an empirical art, had it not been for the light shed upon it 

 by the atomic theory of chemistry; and incomparably more is to be ex- 

 pected as to its future advancement from the perfection of the microscope, 

 than from improvements in the ordinary instruments of husbandry. 



The plan of increasing and ditlusing knowledge, presented in the first 

 section of the programme, will be found in strict accordance with the sev- 

 eral propositions deduced from the will of Smithson, and given in the in- 

 troduction. It embraces, as a leading feature, the design of interesting 

 the greatest number of individuals in the operations of the Institution, and 

 of spreading its influence as widely as possible. It forms an active organ- 

 ization, exciting all to make original researches who are gifted with the 

 necessary p(3wer, and diffusing a kind of knowledge, now only accessible 

 to the few, among all those who are willing to receive it. In this country, 

 though many excel in the application of science to the practical arts of life, 

 few devote themselves to the continued labor and patient thought neces- 

 sary to the discovery and development of new truths. The principal 

 cause of this want of attention to original research, is the want, not of 

 proper means, but of proper encouragement. The publication of original 

 memoirs and periodical reports, as contemplated by the progrannne, will 

 act as a powerful stimulus on the latent talent of our country, by placing 

 in bold relief the real laborers in the field of original research, while it will 

 afford the best materials for the use of those engaged in the diffusion of 

 knowledge. 



The advantages which will accrue from the plan of«publishing the vol- 

 umes of the Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge, are various. In the 

 first place, it will serve to render the name of the founder favorably known 

 wherever literature and science are cultivated, and to keep it in continual 

 remembrance with each succeec\ing volume, as long as knowledge is val- 

 ued. A single new truth, first given to the woild through these volumes, 

 will forever stamp their character as a work of reference. The contribu- 

 tions will thus form the most befitting monument to perpetuate the name 

 of one whose life was devoted to the increase of knowledge, and whose 

 ruling passion, strong in death, prompted the noble bequest intended to 

 facilitate the labors of others in the same pursuit. 



Again, the publication of a series of volumes of original memoirs will 

 afford to the institution the most ready means of entering into friendly 

 relations and correspondence with all the learned societies in the world, 

 and of enriching its library with their current transactions and proceedings. 



