Founding of the Institution 27 



more deserving of the approbation of mankind than this. 

 Should it be faithfully carried into effect, with an earnestness 

 and sagacity of application and a steady perseverance of pur- 

 suit proportioned to the means furnished by the will of the 

 founder and to the greatness and simplicity of his design as 

 by himself declared, 'the increase and diffusion of knowledge 

 among men,' it is no extravagance of anticipation to declare 

 that his name will hereafter be enrolled among the eminent 

 benefactors of mankind. 



"The attainment of knowledge is the high and exclusive 

 attribute of man, among the numberless myriads of animated 

 beings inhabitants of the terrestrial globe. On him alone is 

 bestowed, by the bounty of the Creator of the universe, the 

 power and the capacity of acquiring knowledge. Knowledge 

 is the attribute of his nature which at once enables him to 

 improve his condition upon earth, and to prepare him for the 

 enjoyment of a happier existence hereafter. It is by this at- 

 tribute that man discovers his own nature as the link between 

 earth and heaven ; as the partaker of an immortal spirit ; as 

 created for a higher and more durable end than the count- 

 less tribes of beings which people the earth, the ocean, and 

 the air, alternately instinct with life, and melting into vapor 

 or mouldering into dust. 



"To furnish the means of acquiring knowledge is, there- 

 fore, the greatest benefit that can be conferred upon mankind. 

 It prolongs life itself and enlarges the sphere of existence. 

 The earth was given to man for cultivation, for the improve- 

 ment of his own condition. Whoever increases his know- 

 ledge multiplies the uses to which he is enabled to turn the 

 gift of his Creator to his own benefit, and partakes in some 

 degree of that goodness which is the highest attribute of 

 Omnipotence itself. 



" If, then, the Smithsonian Institution, under the smile of 

 an approving Providence and by the faithful and permanent 

 application of the means furnished by its founder to the pur- 

 pose for which he has bestowed them, should prove effective 

 to their promotion, if they should contribute essentially to 

 the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men, to what 



