892 PROPOSED APPLICATIONS OP SMITHSON'S BEQUEST. 



Indeed, it may proudly compare with similar establishments 

 in France or Germany. 



It enjoys a large share of the favor of the government 

 and people, is most liberally endowed, has extensive philo- 

 sophical and chemical apparatus, and is in every way quali- 

 fied to aid in the great work of " diflusing knowledge 

 among men." It numbers now nearly one thousand grad- 

 uates, many of whom occupy distinguished positions in the 

 scientific and literary institutions of the country, and all of 

 whom are returning to the government a full equivalent 

 for the benefits received. It would hardly seem necessary 

 at the present time to establish an institution in Washington 

 in which the same branches are taught as at West Point; 

 and until the necessities of the country are provided for in 

 other respects, such a course might be deemed unwise and 

 unjust. 



Nor can I agree to the plan which proposes a system of 

 public and gratuitous instruction by lectures on the most 

 popular and practical subjects of human knowledge. I do 

 not believe that any permanent good would result from such 

 a system. A confused and imperfect idea of the various 

 facts of science would thus be communicated, without any 

 basis upon which to build a practical course of instruction. 

 The auditory continually varying ; few, comparatively speak- 

 ing, would iiave the benefit of a full course of lectures upon 

 any one subject, while the lectures themselves would of 

 necessity be of a more popular character than would be 

 consistent with a full and thorough course of instruction. 



An institution that would correspond to the views of the 

 munificent donor, and meet the wants of the whole country 

 should not be devoted exclusively to any particular branch 

 or branches of knowledge. Give it a direction cither for 

 science or literature, and you thus cut off a large class of 

 persons from a participation in its benefits. Although all 

 are interested in the results and achievements of science, 

 there are other subjects of great importance which it should 

 also encourage and promote. The labors of the chemist 

 and geologist contribute greatly to the supply of the neces- 

 sities of mankind, but there are other professions equally 

 important and essential to their comfort and happiness. 

 We should not cramp the influence of such an institution, 

 supported as it would be by the power and patronage of the 

 government; it should embrace every subject within the 

 compass of human acquisition, and aim at the general " dif- 

 fusion of knowledge among men." It should therefore be 

 a National University. It should be supplied with the 



