!mE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 7 



all fclie good which results from the expenditure of the funds is accredited to the 

 name of Smithson, 



It will be observed that the object of the bequest is twofold — first, to increase, 

 and, second, to diffuse, knowledge among men. These two objects are entirely 

 separate and distinct, and to view the case understandingly the one must not be 

 confounded with the other. The fii-st is to enlarge the existing stock of knowledge 

 by the addition of new truths, and the second, to disseminate knowledge thus 

 enlarged among men. This distinction is readily acknowledged by men of science, 

 and in Europe different classes of scientific and other societies are founded upon 

 it. The will makes no restriction in favor of any particular kind of knowledge, 

 and hence all branches are entitled to a share of attention. Smithson was well 

 aware that knowledge should not be viewed as existing in isolated parts, but as a 

 whole, each portion of which throws light on all the others, and that the ten- 

 dency of all is to improve the human mind, and to give it new sources of power 

 and enjoyment. A prevalent idea, however, in relation to the will is, that the 

 money was intended exclusively for the diffusion of useful or immediately practi- 

 cal knowledge among the inhabitants of this country, but it contains nothing 

 from which such an inference can be drawn. All knowledge is useful, and the 

 higher the more important. From the enunciation of a single scientific truth 

 may flow a hundred inventions, and the more abstract the truth the more im- 

 portant the deductions. To effect the greatest good, the organization of the In- 

 stitution should be such as to produce results which could not be attained by 

 other means, and inasmuch as the bequest is for men in general, all merely local 

 expenditures are inconsistent with the will. These were the views expressed by the 

 Secretary, Professor Henry, and constantly advocated by him. They were not en- 

 tertained, however, by many, and consequently difficulties have been encountered 

 in f'arrying them out. A number of literary men thought that a great library should 

 be founded at Washington, and all the money expended on it ; others considered a 

 museum the proper object; and another class thought the income should be de- 

 voted to the delivery of lectures throughout the country ; while still another was 

 of opinion that popular tracts should be published and distributed amongst the 

 million. But all these views were advanced without a proper examination of the 

 will, or a due consideration of the smallness of the income. The act of Congress 

 directed the formation of a library, a museum, a gallery of art, lectures, and a 

 building on a liberal scale to accommodate these objects. One clause, however, 

 gave the Regents the power, after the foregoing objects were provided for, to 

 expend the remainder of the income in any way they might think fit for carrying 

 out the design of the testator. The plan they have adopted is to stimulate all 

 persons in this country capable of advancing knowledge by original research to 

 labor in this line ; to induce them to send their results to the Institution for 

 examination and publication; and to assist all persons engaged in original 

 investigations, as far as its means will allow; also to institute, at the ex- 

 pense and under the direction of the Institution, particular researches. This 

 plan has been found eminently practicable, and by means of it the Institution has 



