982 LETTERS ON PROGRAMME OF ORGANIZATION. 



stitution. Still I am aware that it is measurably embraced 

 under the head of comparative philology, which can scarcely 

 be pursued a step without calling into requisition the 

 ancient, classical, and oriental members of the Indo-Euro- 

 pean family ? 



You will pardon, gentlemen, this suggestion, which is 

 not made in any spirit of fault-iinding or dictation. I have 

 entire confidence in the competency of the gentlemen to 

 whom the management of the Institution is entrusted, and 

 doubt not they will give such scope to its plans and effects 

 as will conduce most largely to its usefulness. 



From Philip Lindsley. 



University of Nashville, 

 Nashville, Tenn., January 5, 1849. 

 I have carefully examined the " Programme," and I cor- 

 dially approve it. Of course, I have no suggestions to offer. 

 I rejoice that the Institution is fairly at work under the 

 most favorable auspices, and with every prospect of fully 

 meeting the highest anticipations of its friends and of the 

 public generally. 



From Benjamin S. Ewell. 



William and Mary College, 

 Buckland, Prince William Co., Va., January 8, 1849. 

 It would give me great pleasure, had I the opportunity or 

 the power, to co-operate with you in founding the Smith- 

 sonian Institution on a permanent basis, and in extending 

 its sphere of usefulness in the manner requested in your 

 circular, dated November 17th, 1848. I have resid the 

 "Programme of the Institution," and it appears to me to 

 be so full and so complete, in every respect, that there is no 

 room for suggestions of alterations or additions. I will ask 

 if nothing is to be said in the " reports, giving an account 

 of the new discoveries in science" on the progress of math- 

 ematical science, and if the close connection between this 

 science and some of those mentioned does not demand that 

 something be said of it ? Is there any science in which so 

 little has been effected by Americans as in this ? 



From Andrew Wylie. 



Indiana University, 

 Bloomington, Indiana, January 0, 1849. 

 As you have requested, I venture to make the suggestion 

 "whether an annual review of the current, or rather of the 



