THE APRIL MEETING^ 1844. 469 



that further delay may be prevented by "laying hold," to use the words of the en. 

 lightened Duponceau well nigh four years ago, of a trustworthy association already 

 in successful operation, with its business habits establislied, its official routine 

 approved, and ready to become, under the control of Congress, which can so easily 

 enlarge upon the foundation, the instrument for giving prompt life and value to the 

 precious fund. Wo may thus at once free ourselves from the disadvantages and 

 reproach of its being longer buried in oblivion. 



Further and higher inducements appeal to Congress for taking the subject in 

 hand at once. Our political institutions are dear to us all. In looking to our pro- 

 gress under them, the predominance of blessings in the past justifies the best hopes 

 of the future. But, partaking of the imperfection of human things, let us not 

 forget that one tendency to danger in them is in the too intense and absorbing 

 party passions which they are apt to engender. We are now upon the eve of 

 periodical agitation which a contest for the Chief Magistracy in so great a coun. 

 try must always bring with it, and which, in all probability, is destined to become 

 more and more intense as time goes ou. To expect its extinguishment would be 

 idle, even if it were desirable ; nevertheless, considerate men seek, in the meliora- 

 ting influences of letters and science, some counterpoise to the excesses to which 

 this kind of agitation is prone under popular institutions. The "Royal Society" 

 of London, that body whose annual volumes have made such contributions to the 

 stock of knowledge for a century, was founded through the desire formed in a few 

 contemplative minds to retire from the turmoils of political contention, consequent 

 upon the civil wars in England. Happy might it prove, if, under such an analogy, 

 this present Congress would signalize its present session by enabling the National 

 Institute to exert these meliorating influences. By investing it with the Smith- 

 sonian fund, and giving it the Smithsonian name, rational hopes might be cherish, 

 ed of creating pursuits at this political centre of our Union, thence to the diffused 

 to its extremities, in the excitements of which salutary diversion might be found 

 from the harsh collisions incident more or less to all political strife. Especially 

 might resources grow up in such an establishment, under the diversified attractions 

 of literature, science, and the arts, which the scope of the will would embrace, for 

 the members of the legislative branch of our Government, annually assembling at 

 Washington, so many of whom would know how to turn them to delightful and 

 profitable pastime . At the battle of Talavera, tho English and French armies 

 suspended all conflict to drink at a stream between them, handing the cup from 

 one side to the other. How beautiful, in like manner, if our two great political 

 parties at this metropolis could be seen seeking common refreshment from the in- 

 tellectual streams which the National Institute would copiously cause to flow from 

 the rich fountain of the Smithsonian bequest ! 



In conclusion, I must hope to be pardoned for obtruding an item of personality 

 into this paper, but only as it bears on its main purpose. 



When in England in 1838, on the interesting errand of procuring this fund, it 

 was my fortunate lot to mix with some of the members of tho Royal Society. 

 From them I learned how esteemed and valued a member Mr. Smithson was of thoir 

 ancient body. From them I received felicitations on obtaining for my country 

 that fortune which he had expended almost exclusively in the cultivation of 

 science ; tho pursuits of which constituted his passion and his pleasure, for his own 

 sake, and that of his fellow-men every where. From them I hoard ardent wishes 

 expressed for the auspioious results of this fortune among us j as consonant to hi* 



