‘*° . “AMERICAN 
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND ARTS. 
* 
[SECOND SERIES,] 
Arr. XXVIII © Hiplanilions o and Illustrations of the plan of 
Sec an 
the Smithsonian peeps daaeal by Prof. Henry, LL.D., 
Smithsonian Anstitution.* 
Autuoueu the leading thy ae of the programme of the ‘ 
Smithsonian Institution have been fully discussed by the Board, 
yet it will be arian to offer some remarks in explanation : 
- and illustration of them 
: ‘That the institution is not a national establishment, in the 
* sense in which institutions dependent on the government for 
' cela a are so, must be evident when it is recollected that the 
oney was ‘not absolutely given to the United States, but in- 
‘aatered to it fora special object, namely: the establishment of 
an institution for the benefit of men, to bear the name of the 
donor, and, consequently, to reflect upon his memory the honor 
of the good which may be accomplished by means of the be- 
The operations of the Smithsonian Institution ought, 
“ 
quest. 
thekefore, to be mingled as little as possible with those of the , " 
go vernment, and its funds should be applied exclusively and 
faithfully to ‘the i increase and diffusion of knowledge among men. 
That the bequest is intended for the benefit of men in gener- . 
al, and that its influence ought not to be restricted toa single 
district, or even nation, may be inferred not only from the words 
of the will, but also from the character of Smithson wae 
and I beg leave to quote, from a scrap of paper in be cea 
* The programme of the Smithsonian Institution, fom the rece Sou 
published on page 289. The article here presented ou » follows cag pro- 
gramme in the Report. 
Szconp Srnizs, Vol. VI, No? 18—Nov., 1848, 
f 
