:924 PROPOSED APPLICATIONS OF SMITHSON'S BEQUEST. 



over by the bright eyes of childhood, and the dim vision of 

 age. They would furnish delightful occupation for the 

 hours of leisure; turn aside the temptation which wounds 

 the idle ; give expansion to ideas narrowed by ignorance ; 

 cultivate a taste for solid reading, and make many a winter 

 evening more charming than a morning of spring. 



Development of Talent and Genius. Their effect upon the 

 future destinies of many young persons would be most 

 salutary. Many are born with high capabilities whom ne- 

 glect and ignorance doom to obscurity, perchance to ruin. 

 These volumes would find their way into the hands of 

 thousands of these neglected ones, kindle in them the latent 

 fires of genius, and call into action the faculties of a future 

 race of Franklins, Fultons, Whitneys, and Wests. Napo- 

 leon owed his success mainly to his rare discernment of 

 qualities, and his tact in putting every faculty of the millions 

 to its appropriate use. Nations too, become great by apply- 

 ing the talisman of education to individual character ; 

 throwing down the barriers of inferior caste ; and stirring 

 in the bosoms of the young the instinct which will guide 

 them to the paths for which nature has fitted them. One 

 of these volumes, well read, would impart more real knowl- 

 edge and mental vigor, than all the novels in the language. 

 Many a peasant boy will begin by spelling out in solitude 

 the pages of these volumes, and will distance the college 

 dunce in the end. 



Increase of General Intelligence and Wealth. The benefits 

 which would accrue to the country, would admit of no 

 human estimate. To increase the intelligence of a people 

 is to promote social virtue and happiness. To enlighten 

 private industry, is to augment public wealth. To call out 

 the latent talents of all ranks, is to develop the true sources 

 of a nation's glory. Such effects would, to some extent, 

 follow from the adoption of this plan. Education among 

 the masses, for the most part, ceases with the years of child- 

 hood ; but these perpetual serials would furnish the means 

 of a continued adult education ; the only means which can be 

 made to reach the millions the only education their labors 

 will admit. While educating the man, they would mend 

 his fortune, and put bread upon his board. They would 

 lead to the exploration of new mines of wealth enriching 

 the country by enriching the citizen. They would add mil- 

 lions to the common wealth by improvements in agricul- 

 ture, millions by the introduction of new staples, millions 

 by extending and perfecting our manufactures, and that 



