DISCOURSE OF W. B. TAYLOR. 357 



amidst the absorbing occupations of his position, conducted so valu- 

 able original investigations on the strength of building materials, 

 on the best illuminants and their proper conditions, and espe- 

 cially in his last great labor on the philosophy of sound, we should 

 naturally expect to find them displayed in the "Smithsonian Con- 

 tributions ;" where in interest and importance second to none 

 contained in that extensive and admirable series, these memoirs 

 would have found their fitting place, and have given honor to the 

 collection. But as if to avoid all semblance of a personal motive in 

 his resolute policy of administration, he published nothing for him- 

 self at the expense of the Smithsonian fund ; his numerous original 

 productions being given to the public through the channel of vari- 

 ous official reports. And thus it has occurred that his writings 

 scattered in the different directions which seemed to him at the 

 time most suitable, with little thought of any special publicity or 

 perpetuity, have largely failed to reach the audience which would 

 most appreciate them. And many of his most valuable papers 

 never by himself collected must be searched for in unsuggestive 

 volumes of Agricultural, or Light-House Board Reports. * 



For him it seemed enough that what was once established, would 

 not be willingly let die ; that the medium or the occasion of com- 

 munication was of comparatively little consequence, if but a new 

 fact or principle were thrown into proper currency, and duly 

 accepted as part of the world's wealth: and beyond all ordinary 

 men he seemed to feel the insignificance of personal fame as com- 

 pared with the infinite value of truth. The most appropriate monu- 

 ment of such a man would be a full collection of his writings, 

 produced in a worthy and appropriate style of publication. 



Less than a year ago, (on the evening of November 24th, 1877,) 

 he delivered in this place before this Society his annual address, 

 shortly after his re-election as its President; an address which as 

 we beheld the remarkable fulness and freshness of the speaker's 



* Many valuable communications made to the American Association, to the 

 National Academy of Sciences, to the Washington Philosophical Society, and to 

 other bodies, from rough notes, which their author was prevented from writing 

 fairly out, by the unceasing pressure of his multitudinous official and public 

 duties, have unfortunately been published only by title. 



