THE GENESIS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 291 



enjoy the advautage of finding- in each capital a central establishment, 

 snch as we propose. 



In London, tlie Koyal Museum, which was commenced by the enlight- 

 ened liberality of an individual, and subsequently enriched by similar 

 bequests, and now liberally X)atronized by Government, possesses all 

 that is necessary to protect and encourage literature, science, and the 

 arts. 



The Society for the Promotion of Science and the Useful Arts in Dublin, 

 having an extensive museum of natural history, a botanic garden, and 

 school of design, fulfills effectually the objects of its institution ami 

 justifies the very liberal iDatronage of the British Government. There 

 students in every branch of science find the means of improvement, and 

 some of the most accomplished artists in England have been instructed 

 in this school. 



In this country we are best acquainted with the museum, botanical 

 and zoiilogical gardens, and liberal course of instruction at the Jardiu 

 des Plantes, in Paris, where strangers resort from every quarter of the 

 world to consult the collections and listen to lectures, which are open to 

 all who choose to attend them. These courses of lectures are delivered 

 by the ablest and most eloquent men in France, on every brancli of 

 science. In the summer botany is taught in a garden abounding in all 

 the vegetable productions of the world; zoology in the midst of speci- 

 mens of every known animal, and other branches of natural his- 

 tory, with the advautage of extensive collections, whicli are augment- 

 ing daily by an enlightened and active system of exchanges; chemistry 

 and technology are illustrated by well-conducted experiments and ad- 

 mirably adapted apparatus, and every branch of natural philosophy 

 taught with clearness and precision and explained by the most ample 

 means of illustration. These lectures are attended by students who 

 have completed their academic course and by men of science who seek 

 to increase their knowledge. 



There can be no doubt that a national institution, such as we con- 

 template, having at its comnumd an observatory, a museum containing 

 collections of all the productions of nature, a botanic and zoological 

 garden, and the necessary apparatus for illustrating every brancli of 

 physical science, would attract together men of learning and students 

 from every part of our country, would open new avenues of intelligence 

 throughout the whole of its vast extent, and would contribute largely 

 to disseminate among the people the truths of nature and the light of 

 science. 



A fortunate occurrence of circumstances offers a favorable occasion 

 to carry all these imj)ortant objects into immediate effect. A liberal 

 and enlightened Englishman, foreseeing the benefits which would re- 

 sult to science throughout the world by its successful cultivation in the 

 vast and extensive field offered by these States and Territories, with 

 enlarged views and praiseworthy philanthropy has bequeathed a fund 

 to be employed for the sacred purposes of increasing and diffusing 

 knowledge among men. This bequest will enable the Government to 

 afford all necessary jn'otection to the promotion of science and the use- 

 ful arts, without the exercise of any doubtful power, by the application 

 of the annual interest of tliis fund to the establishment of an observa- 

 tory, the erection of suitable buildings to contain the collections, and 

 for lecture rooms, the purchase of books and instruments, and the sal- 

 aries of professors and curators. 



Poinsett's enthusiasm was contagious, and his arguments, based as 

 they evidently were upon careful observations and judicious reasoning, 



