SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 369 



But of all the public institutions at Washington, the 

 Smithsonian is that which ought most to interest an 

 Englishman. Founded by an Englishman, for the &quot; In 

 crease and Diffusion of Knowledge among Men,&quot; it 

 promises to become one of the most distinguished among 

 the numerous scientific institutions of the United States, 

 and to contribute very much to the future scientific 

 reputation of North America. 



Fondly attached to experimental science, and known 

 to many, both of the past and present generation, in 

 England, for his theoretical knowledge and practical 

 skill in the department of chemistry, Mr Smithson, re 

 motely connected with the house of Percy, and emulous 

 of its fame, believed that he should at once confer the 

 largest benefits upon science, and obtain the most lasting 

 reputation to himself, by leaving his fortune to the 

 United States of America, in trust, to found an institu 

 tion at Washington, bearing his own name, and which 

 should have for its objects &quot; the increase and diffusion 

 of knowledge among men.&quot; This trust was accepted 

 by the United States; and an act of Congress was passed, 

 in August 1846, constituting certain parties a corpora 

 tion, under the name of the &quot; Smithsonian Institution, for 

 the Increase and Diffusion of Knoivledge among Men&quot; 



The amount of the bequest was upwards of 100,000, 

 (515,000 dollars.) After defraying the expense of a 

 magnificent building, in the Norman style of the twelfth 

 century, which is now nearly completed, this sum, by 

 the accumulation of interest, will still have increased to 

 660,000 dollars, yielding an annual income of 40,000 

 dollars. Of this income, one-half, by act of Congress, is 

 to be expended in the gradual formation of a library, a 

 museum, and a gallery of art ; the other half in the in 

 crease and diffusion of knowledge, by means of original 

 researches, publications, and lectures. 



VOL. II. 2 A 



