1870] WRITINGS OP JOSEPH HENRY. 465 



of energy in the way of interest without diminishing the 

 original amount. It is therefore in the highest degree in- 

 judicious in the founding of an estabhshment to exhaust the 

 source of its power by architectural displays not absolutely 

 required and which may forever involve a continual expense 

 from the remaining funds to keep them in repair. As a 

 general rule the buildings of educational or scientific insti- 

 tutions should be gradually evolved from the experience 

 and wants of the establishment, and not as is too frequently 

 the case from a priori misconceptions of those who have no 

 adequate idea of the uses to which the structure is to be 

 applied. It should be impressed upon the public that huild- 

 ings do not constitute an institution, and that reputation and 

 usefulness in science do not flow from visible and tangible 

 manifestations, but are the immaterial fruit produced by 

 the spirit of an organization. I trust that millions of human 

 beings yet unborn will be familiar with the intellectual 

 results of your observatory, although a single inquiry may 

 never be made as to the style of the building in which these 

 results have been produced. 



My advice then would be, first, if possible that the right 

 man be procured for director; secondly, that the principal 

 instruments be constructed under his supervision ; and 

 thirdly, that the operations be commenced in an inexpen- 

 sive wooden building, which will be found better in many 

 respects for physical and astronomical observations than one 

 of stone and brick. The instruments could be insured, I should 

 think, at a small premium, and in that case if destroyed by 

 fire might be replaced by others embracing the improve- 

 ments which may have been suggested in the meantime. 



As an illustration of what I have just said in regard to 

 the building, I may mention that on a visit to Mr. Lockyer 

 I found him carrying on a series of observations which have 

 challenged the admiration of the world in a temporary 

 structure made of rough boards, unplastered, and scarcely 

 including a space of fifteen feet square. 



As to the location of your observatory, you will infer from 

 what I have said that I think it important to connect it with 

 some w^ll-endowed and well-established college or university. 



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