JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS. 155 



when measures of revenue were violently disputed ; minister to France when the 

 monarchy was a second time overthrown and a republic again proclaimed. To these 

 great and varied employments he brought integrity, ability, intelligence, firmness, 

 courtesy, and a directness of purpose which scorned all finesse, and which served his 

 country to the full extent of all that could have been demanded or hoped. He was a 

 good scholar, having graduated at Princeton College, and cultivated literature, as 

 well as the severer studies of his profession, with great zeal and success. 



Withal lie was remarkable for the kindness of his temper, the amenity of his man- 

 ners, and the charms of his conversation. 



With this establishment he had the earliest connection, having, under the authority 

 of the Government, caused the institution of legal proceedings in England for the 

 recovery of the fund with which it was founded and endowed, and superintended 

 their progress to the close. 



The act of Congress of 1846 having established the Smithsonian Institution, he was 

 appointed one of its first Eegents, and was constantly continued by Congress a mem- 

 ber of their Board. His zeal for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among 

 men, and his sound judgment, contributed to the adoption of the system of operations 

 which, so far, has borne the happiest fruits ; and his interest in and care for its suc- 

 cessful management furnished one of the enjoyments of a tranquil old age, "attended 

 by reverence and troops of friends." 



I offer the following resolutions : 



Resolved, That the Board of Eegents have learned with deep regret the death of 

 the Hon. Bichard Bush, one of their members, whose long and distinguished career 

 of public usefulness commanded their entire respect, and whose moral and social worth 

 won their highest esteem and regard. 



Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the family of the de- 

 ceased. 



The resolutions were unanimously adopted. 



On motion of Mr. Mason, it was ordered that a copy of the re- 

 marks of Mr. Pearce be included in the proceedings, and also trans- 

 mitted to the family. 



The Treasurer presented the account of receipts and expenditures 

 for the year 1859, and a general statement of the finances, which 

 were read and referred to the Executive Committee. 



The Secretary read the following letter from the Duke of North- 

 umberland, and presented the books to which it refers : 



Northumberland House, July 4, 1859. 

 Sir : Permit me to present to the Smithsonian Institution some books which I have 

 had privately printed as materials for the history of the county of Northumberland. 

 There is a survey of the Roman wall which was built across the North of England ; 

 coins of the Boman families, some of which were found in this country ; and an ac- 

 count of some ancient castles which have historical interest. 



I again beg to express my thanks to the members of the Smithsonian Institution 

 for the valuable publications which they have had the kindness to send me. 

 I am, sir, your obedient servant, 



NOETHUMBEELAND. 



The Secretary exhibited a burning lens and a condensing air- 

 pump, which had been presented to the institution by J. R. Priest- 

 ley, Esq., of Northumberland, Pa., a grandson of the celebrated 

 Dr. Priestley, and made the following remarks : 



This lens is undoubtedly connected with the history of one of the most important 

 chemical discoveries of the latter part of the last century. Dr. Priestley, who has 

 been styled the father of pneumatic chemistry, made a series of experiments on dif- 

 ferent kinds of air, which greatly extended the science of chemistry, and has been of 

 material importance in the improvement of various practical arts. 



