DISCOURSE OF W. B. TAYLOR: NOTES. 399 



ployed a revolving time index on a dial, arrested by the armature 

 of an electro-magnet. The arrangement adopted by Breguet and 

 Konstantinoff in 1844, resembled much more closely that described 

 and published by Henry in 1843, than that devised by Wheatstone 

 and published in 1845; and both were really more complete for the 

 specific purpose of measuring the velocity of projectiles, than the 

 last-named, and first invented. Moreover, while the latter was a 

 " chronoscope," the two former were really " chronographs." 



Henry's second plan of registering by the induction spark, was 

 far more delicate and exact than either; as it dispensed with the 

 inertia of a moving galvanometer needle, or magnetic armature. 



NoteH. (From p. 275.) 



The plan for the organization and conduct of the Smithsonian 

 Institution, as more fully presented by the Secretary in his first 

 annual report made December 8th, 1 847, and adopted by the Board 

 of Regents December 13th, 1847, is regarded as sufficiently inter- 

 esting and important to be here given at length : 



" INTRODUCTION. 



General considerations which should serve as a guide in adopting 

 a Plan of Organization. 



1. Will of Smithson. The property is bequeathed to the United 

 States of America, "to found at Washington, under the name of 

 the SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, an establishment for the increase 

 and diffusion of knowledge among men." 



2. The bequest is for the benefit of mankind. The Government 

 of the United States is merely a trustee to carry out the design of 

 the testator. 



3. The Institution is not a national establishment, as is frequently 

 supposed, but the establishment of an individual, and is to bear and 

 perpetuate his name. 



4. The objects of the Institution are, 1st, to increase, and 2d, to 

 diffuse knowledge among men. 



5. These two objects should not be confounded with one another. 

 The first is to enlarge the existing stock of knowledge by the addi- 

 tion of new truths ; and the second, to disseminate knowledge, thus 

 increased, among men. 



