AND RESEARCHES OF JAMES SMITHSON. 141 



institution " for the increase and diffusion of knowledge 

 among men." 



It may at least enable us to decide whether it was any 

 undue assumption on his part, to constitute himself a patron 

 of science. Those who look at the matter in the humble 

 light of a mere pecuniary transaction, will, readily enough, 

 answer the question. They will say " every man has a right 

 to do what he will with his own." 



But the inquiry is one of far higher import, it addresses 

 itself to men of science. Had Smithson the qualifications 

 which should authorize and require us to defer to his judgment, 

 were he now living, in regard to the specific objects of 'an institu- 

 tion, founded in the broad and comprehensive terms employed in 

 his will ? To this, I think, there can be but one answer. 

 If anybody has a right to direct how institutions of science 

 should be founded and conducted, it is they, who have in- 

 ured their own hands to the work, who have taken the 

 laboring oar, and won, by its use, an honorable distinc- 

 tion. Such a man, we have seen, was JAMES SMITHSON. 



A single question more. "What would have been the 

 purposes of an institution founded by Smithson in his life- 

 time? 



To this, his lifetime is a sufficient answer. 



Eesearches to " increase " positive knowledge, and publi- 

 cations to "diffuse" and make that knowledge available 

 to mankind such were the great objects of his own con- 

 stant, praiseworthy, and laborious efforts.* 



*The Smithson fund in possession of the Government of the United 

 States, now amounts (April 10, 1844) to $700,000, of which the interest is 

 $42,000 per annum. Two years' interest are said to be unpaid. (?) 



