104 PROCEEDINGS OF THE REGENTS. 



Dr. Priestley, however, though he made a large number of experi- 

 ments in regard to it, remained in ignorance of its true nature until 

 March, 1775; but in the course of this month, says he, "I not only 

 ascertained the nature of this kind of air, though very gradually, but 

 was led by it, as I then thought, to the complete discovery of the con- 

 stitution of the air we breathe." 



That the lens now exhibited to the Board is the one_ with which 

 this important discovery was made cannot be doubted, since, accord- 

 ing to the statement of his grandson, it has never been out of the 

 family — is twelve inches diameter, and has a focal length of precisely 

 twenty inches. 



The annual report of the operations and condition of the Institu- 

 tion was presented by the Secretary, and read in part. 



On motion of Mr. Pearce, the Board then adjourned to meet on 

 Saturday next, at 10 o'clock. 



Saturday, February 4, 18G0. 



A meeting of the Board of Regents was held this day, at 10 o' clock a.m. 



Present: Hon. John C. Breckinridge, Hon. James A. Pearce, Hon. 

 S. A. Douglas, Professor C. C. Felton, Professor A. D. Bache, Hon. 

 J. G. Berret, and the Secretary. 



Mr. Breckinridge was called to the chair. 



The minutes were read and approved. 



The Secretary announced the death of the following persons who 

 had been connected officially and otherwise with the operations of the 

 Institution: Washington Irving, an honorary member; Professor Par- 

 ker Cleaveland, also an honorary member; Professor W. W. Turner, 

 Professor James P. Espy, and G. Wiirdemann, esq. 



Professor Felton then addressed the Board as follows : 



Mr. Chancellor: The year 1859 will be memorable in the history 

 of civilization for the number of illustrious men who have passed away 

 from the scene of their earthly labor in its course. The year 1769 

 was remarkable for the number of men born in it, who have changed 

 the whole aspect of science and letters and the political condition of 

 the world. Of the great men born in that year, one, Humboldt, the 

 most eminent of all, lived to the year 1859, thus spanning over the 

 interval between them by a life of 90 years consecrated to the highest 

 objects of human pursuits. 



The Smithsonian Institution has to lament an unusual number of 

 those connected with it among the distinguished dead of the past 

 year. The venerable Mr. Rush has already been fitly commemorated 

 by a member of the Board. I take the liberty of oifering a few re- 

 marks upon two others whose death the country deplores. 



Professor W. W. Turner was born in England in 1810. At the age 

 of five years he was brought by his father "to the United States. The 

 fortunes of his family being humble, he learned the trade of a carpen- 



