PROPOSED APPLICATIONS OF SMITHSON'S BEQUEST. 859 k 



You will perceive that I have said nothing about profes- 

 sorships in the department of metaphysics. I would rather 

 leave the whole business of ethical and moral philosophy to- 

 be taught elsewhere, than to introduce it as a distinct course 

 in a national institution of learning. 



Some of the above professorships are of a local and novel 

 character; but this, I trust, will not be urged as an objection 

 against them. The achievement of our independence formed 

 an epoch in the political world. Let, then, the institution 

 of this, our first national university, form an epoch in the 

 republic of science. Much might be said in recommending 

 the branches appropriate to our country. They are such as 

 ought to be adopted, out of a regard to our reputation and 

 to "our present wants and future prospects. What have we 

 done, as yet, to enrich and improve our own tongue ? Be- 

 sides, when we consider that the English language imbodies, 

 perhaps, richer treasures of science and literature than any 

 other, and when we consider that it is spoken by two of the 

 most commercial, enterprising, and powerful nations upon 

 the earth nations which are doing more than any other two 

 that can be named, in forming colonies, and in diffusing 

 knowledge arid the light of Christianity how powerful is 

 the motive to cultivate and carry it to the highest state of 

 refinement and power. 



With regard to buildings, it may be remarked that it 

 would be wisest to erect no more than are necessary for the 

 library, the apparatus, a cabinet of minerals, collection of 

 models, specimens, curiosities, &c., for the accommodation 

 of the professors when lecturing or engaged in their inves- 

 tigations. The scholars, instead of eating in common, 

 might be accommodated in private boarding houses. If 

 this course be pursued, the interest which has accrued and 

 which will accrue on the bequest, before the institution can 

 be organized, w T ill probably be sufficient to erect all the 

 necessary buildings, and leave a handsome sum to be ex- 

 pended upon a library, apparatus, &c., so that the whole of 

 the original donation may be invested for a permanent 

 fund. 



It will be of vital moment that the professors and stu- 

 dents should be rich in the external means of knowledge 

 an extensive and well-chosen library, instruments, appara- 

 tus, models, specimens, &c. Especially would I recommend 

 that there should be an astronomical observatory connected 

 with the institution. The expense of this would not be 

 very great, and the Government are already in possession 

 of many of the requisite instruments. By such means, a> 



