DISCOURSE OF W. B. TAYLOR. 277 



Of the two distinct objects of endowment specified by Smithson's 

 Will, — "the increase — and the diffusion — of knowledge," Henry 

 forcibly remarked: "These though frequently confounded, are very 

 different processes, and each may exist independent of the other. 

 While we rejoice that in our country above all others, so much 

 attention is paid to the diffusion of knowledge, truth compels us to 

 say that comparatively little encouragement is given to its increase.* 

 There is another division with regard to knowledge which Smithson 

 does not embrace in his design ; viz. the application of knoM'ledge 

 to useful purposes in the arts. And it was not necessary he should 

 found an institution for this purpose. There are already in every 

 civilized country, establishments and patent laws for the encourage- 

 ment of this department of mental industry. As soon as any 

 branch of science can be brought to bear on the necessities, con- 

 veniences, or luxuries of life, it meets with encouragement and 

 reward. Not so with the discovery of the incipient principles of 

 science. The investigations which lead to these, receive no fostering 

 care from Government, and are considered by the superficial observer 

 as trifles unworthy the attention of those who place the supreme 

 good in that which immediately administers to the physical needs 

 or luxuries of life. If physical well-being were alone the object 

 of existence, every avenue of enjoyment should be explored to its 

 utmost extent. But he who loves truth for its own sake, feels that 

 its highest claims are lowered and its moral influence marred by 

 being continually summoned to the bar of immediate and palpable 

 utility. Smithson himself had no such narrow views. f The promi- 



exclusively to the study of a single insect, is not spent in vain. No animal how- 

 ever insignificant is isolated; it forms a part of the great system of nature, and is 

 governed by the same gencFal laws which control the most prominent beings of 

 the organic world." {Smit7isonian Report for 1855, p. 20.) 



*[SWAINS0X the Naturalist, the countryman and friend of Smithson, has very 

 pointedly marked this recognized distinction. "The constitution of the Zoological 

 Society is of a very mixed nature, admirably adapted indeed to the reigning taste. 

 It is more calculated however to diffuse than to increase the actual stock of scien- 

 tiflc knowledge." (Discourse on the Study of Natural History, Cabinet Cyclopaedia, 

 16mo. London, 183-1, part iv. chap. 1. sec. 221, p. 31-1.) And again : " It Is very essential 

 when we speak of the diffusion or extension of science, that we do not confound 

 these stages of development with discovery or advancement; since the latter may 

 be as different from the former as depth is from shallowness." (Same work, part 

 iv. chap. ii. sec. 210, p. 313.) ] 



t[In regard to the value of scientific truth, Smithson in a communication 

 dated June 10th, 1821, has forcibly expressed his strong "conviction that it is in his 



