92 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



Do siicli institutions as these form any part of a university of 

 the arts ? 



Government Works. 

 I have not time to notice here the doings of our government directly 

 or indirectly, in aid of science, the coast survey, the patent office, the 

 nautical almanac, the National observatory, the ordinance and engi- 

 neer departments, the Surgeon General's department, the topogra- 

 phical bureau, the recent e5.peditions of Perry, Page, Ringgold, 

 Rogers and Berry man, nor the institution founded by the munificence 

 of Smith son, nor those Arctic expeditions,chiefiy set afloat by a gene- 

 rous-hearted progress-loving merchant of New- York. All these bring 

 in their place and degree, renown to the country. I have sometimes 

 thought that if they could be directed by an academy of sciences, 

 so as to prevent occasional misdirection and jostling, they would 

 contribute better to the great end which all have in view; but 

 perhaps independent action and rivalry are, after all, the best for 

 them, since the tendency of government works is usually towards 

 inactivity. Indirectly connected as they now are with the science 

 of their country, a wholesome stimulus is found in scientific 

 opinion. That this is exercised leniently, even to a fault, must 

 be admitted; and our men of science are awaking to this con- 

 clusion and to a knowledge of the mischief which it has done to 

 the progress of true science in the United States. Generosity is 

 the right side to err upon, but it may be carried too far. 

 Free Passages from Europe. 

 At a recent meeting of the American association for the 

 advancement of science, free passages from Europe, and return 

 passages to Europe, were freely offered by -the Collins, the Cuuard, 

 the Belgian, Glasgow and Bremen steamship lines, for such dis- 

 tinguished foreigners as might be invited by the association to 

 attend their meeting; and the additional passages offered by the 

 owners of the lines of sailing packets were so numerous, that it 

 might be well said there was no limit to the hospitality which, 

 through their intervention, might be extended to the savans of the 

 old world. How admirably such deeds illustrate the character of 

 our merchant princes, and how they speak to the old world of the 

 warm-hearted liberality and regard for learning in the now. On 



