390 [ASSEMBLT 



publications which never reach the people. In this case the gov- 

 ernment would have nothing to do but to organize our board of re- 

 gents, and pay our money when it falls due. For all practical pur- 

 poses we wish the Smithsonian Institution ta be as far beyond its 

 reach as the remotest star. Here is a fund consecrated to the diffu- 

 sion of knowledge; a purpose which can be accompli.shed only by 

 the agency of the press. The government has accepted the trust, 

 and we wish them to discharge it by organizing a competent and 

 trust-worthy corporation to employ that agent in our service. More, 

 we wish it not to do — less it cannot do in good faith. Let not our 

 rulers think scorn of so humble an expedient as the sending forth of 

 two annual volumes, to teach us how to take care of ourselves, and 

 of our country — how to labor with advantage, and how to vote with 

 discretion. It shall cost their honors little trouble, and no expense: 

 but the two volumes shall do the nation more good than the two 

 houses of Congress. Our rulers themselves shall have their portion 

 of benefit — these volumes shall show them the right; and make tkem 

 afraid to do wrong. And when they come down from their high 

 places, they shall share in common with us, the blessings they will 

 have bestowed upon their country. 



IN THIS WAY SALES MAY BK INDEFINrTELY EXTENDKD. 



Will it be thought better that the publications of the Institute 

 should be sent out as gratuities? It would Cfst millions to do any 

 thing to the purpose in this way. The books would become the 

 perquisites of officials; and would be distributed by favoritism. But. 

 in the method here proposed, the publication might be extended to 

 the utmost limit of the demand, without additional charge to the In- 

 stitution, and without complicating the machinery. The fund would 

 merely edit, stereotype, and engrave; here its responsibility would 

 end. The publisher would print and sell for his minimum profit; 

 and manage his own machinery with the astuteness of interest. All 

 who were willing to pay one third of their value, could have the 

 books. I have supposed the sets to be worth $8 — to sell for $3 — 

 and the number of sets annually sold to be 100,000. To thi»^ oper- 

 ation the fund would contribute $42,000; the purchasers $500,000. 

 The excess of actual value over the cost, amounting to $600,000, 

 would be in effect an annual donation from the generous foreigner to 

 the American peopJe. The annual increase of bibliothecal wealth in 

 the country would be $800,000. Here would be a creative power 

 constantly employed in putting knowledge into men's heads and skill 

 into their fingers; fertilizing their farms, enlarging, their work-shops 



