THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS, 1853-55. 619* 



committee consisted of such scholars as Everett, Sparks.. 

 and Longfellow, and such .men of science as Peirce and 



Since the appointment of this committee Professor Peirce,. 

 of Harvard University, has renewed his testimony to the 

 wisdom of the plan of organization, and has spoken further 

 in relation to the efficiency of its execution. In a letter 

 addressed to the chairman of this committee, he says : 



" Of all men, none can be more sensible of the value of the great store- 

 houses of the wisdom of past ages than they who are obliged to resort to 

 them in the development of their own researches. The knowledge which 

 has already been given to the world, and which is accumulated in the li brary, 

 stimulates and invigorates the mind for original thoughts and supp h< 

 portant materials for investigation ; it is to the author what the collection 

 of models in the Patent Office is to the inventor ; but, nevertheless, the in- 

 crease of knowledge depends chiefly upon the native vigor of intellect ai 

 Us diffusion is performed by the press. To the strong mind the collec ions 

 of the Vatican are a golden opportunity, richer than the mineral harvest 

 of California; but not richer than the hills and streams which abound 

 withfn every man's sight ; not richer than the stone beneath our feet on 

 which is written the history of the world ; than the leaf of the forest on 

 which is inscribed the thought of its Creator; or than the cloud in the 

 Hghtning8 of whlcb the law? and the glory of God are as distinctly re- 

 yfaled to the faithful of the present generation as they were upon Mount 



The valuable contributions to knowledge which have already been made 



i 



Snalitv of thought. Do you believe that Smithson, who was him- 

 Sf en|uge a d Vn chemicJl investigations, could have intended a library by 

 his words an institution for the increase and diffus on ^nowledge 

 nmonir men ?" If you will examine his nine memoirs to the Koyal feociety, 



of Smithson's will and the law of Congress. 



