3 



POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



SPENCKK F. BA.IRD. 



sonian Institution to " Washington University, for the Benefit of 

 Indigent Children of the District of Columbia," and spoke in 



favor of remodeling the en- 

 tire plan so as to convert the 

 institution into a university 

 to include the manual-labor 

 feature, mechanic arts, and 

 agriculture. Mr. Embree 

 wanted at the same time to 

 graft upon the institution a 

 department for collecting 

 and arranging information 

 on agriculture, common- 

 school education, political 

 economy, and the useful arts 

 and sciences, which infor- 

 mation shall be published 

 and circulated gratuitously 

 among the people. 



These attempts to tinker 

 j with the act of incorpora- 

 tion received their quietus 

 on August 8, 1848, when the 



House of Representatives adopted a resolution to the effect that 

 it is inexpedient to change and modify the act in the manner pro- 

 posed. In 1878, and again in 1894, the act of incorporation was 

 revised and somewhat simplified ; the two Regents were no longer 

 to be chosen from members of the National Institute, which 

 meanwhile had died, and other slight changes were made. 



Congress having appointed Regents, they organized by electing 

 a Chancellor and temporary secretary. The act of incorporation 

 placed great responsibilities in the secretary's office, and the 

 Regents felt that the advancement of the proper interests of the 

 trust made it essential that the Secretary of the Smithsonian In- 

 stitution should be a man possessing weight of character and a 

 high grade of talent ; that he also possess eminent scientific and 

 general acquirements ; that he be capable of advancing science and 

 promoting letters by original search and effort, and well qualified 

 to act as a respected channel of communication between the insti- 

 tution and scientific and literary individuals in this and foreign 

 countries. To this important position the Regents invited Prof. 

 Joseph Henry, of the College of New Jersey, widely known in 

 both hemispheres by his splendid discoveries in electro-magnet- 

 ism and universally respected as a man by all who knew him. 

 His acceptance of the secretaryship was a most fortunate event 

 for the institution, insuring its high scientific standard, its wise 



