152 The Smithsonian Institution 



government not less than one million dollars. To these ex- 

 periments he gave much attention, devoting to them the time 

 of his summer holiday for many years. It is generally con- 

 ceded that the high efficiency of our national lighthouse system 

 is largely due to his labors. 



During the Civil War he was, together with Professor 

 Bache and Admiral Davis, the member of a commission to 

 examine and report upon various investigations and experi- 

 ments intended to facilitate the operations of war and to im- 

 prove the art of navigation. Many of the experiments were 

 conducted at the Institution. From the top of the great 

 tower, night after night, lights were flashed to distant stations, 

 in connection with tests of methods of signaling ; and many a 

 time Professor Henry's companion in these studies was Presi- 

 dent Lincoln, glad to leave the scene of turmoil in which his 

 days were passed and to seek rest and inspiration in the quiet 

 companionship of such a man as Henry. 



Out of the labors of this commission grew the National 

 Academy of Sciences, established in 1863 by act of Congress, 

 to advance science and to report upon such questions of sci- 

 entific character as might be connected with the operations 

 of the government. Bache was its first president, and Henry 

 succeeded him, holding that place until his death. 



VII. 



IT has already been shown that his original investigations 

 during his thirty years at the Smithsonian Institution were 

 not of great extent ; but his influence, not only upon the de- 

 velopment of scientific work in the United States, but upon 

 its character, cannot be overestimated. His official position 

 brought him into constant contact, either personally or by 

 letter, with all in the United States who were engaged in 



