50 



serve and exhibit its cabinets of curiosities, this Government will 

 add to the interest which attaches to the collections so entrusted to 

 its keeping, and make it the interest of the guardian to attend to 

 their proper exhibition and preservation. I know that a small sum 

 of money was appropriated on the occasion of ihe transfer of the 

 articles in question, but, inasmuch as this is not merely a subject 

 for the discussion of positive and actual vested rights, but one that 

 appeals to public sympathy and liberality, I trust this employment 

 of the Institute by the Government may be considered as a prece- 

 dent to show that there are honest and expedient ways of meeting 

 and avoiding the constitutional objections, which so often unluckily 

 arrest and retard the cause of public education and improvement. 

 At all events, I most devoutly hope that even if these suggestions 

 of mine be found impracticable, (but for which I ask at least a fail- 

 hearing and trial,) some expedient may be discovered for saving a 

 meritorious and useful institution from ruin and decay some way 

 for rescuing its valuable collections from destruction. 



In my next I shall continue the discussion of this subject, and 

 dwell awhile upon the question of exchanges ; and, until then, I 

 am yours, respectfully, 



J. C. B. 



LETTEB No. XI. 



ON THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC 

 EXCHANGES. 



FEBRUARY 17, 1844. 



Since the publication of my last number, a strong appeal has 

 been made through your columns to Congress and the public at 

 large for aid in defraying the expenses of the meeting of the Na- 

 tional Institute in this city, on the first Monday of April next, and 

 the printing of the proceedings, &c., on that interesting occasion. 

 The appeal gives a melancholy account of the present condition of 

 the Institute, its inability to make provision for the exhibition of its 

 large and valuable collections, and the rare and important presents 

 lately received from ALEXANDRE VATTEMARE, of Paris. The pe- 

 cuniary and other aid of the citizens and friends of knowledge is 

 earnestly requested, and the appeal is perfectly authorized by the 

 unusual interest of this great scientific reunion, and by the fact that 

 ?ome of our most able and well informed men of learning are under 



