306 ad Hipighiatons and I Pinon h the plan 
- ie following sentiment bearing on this point: “The man of 
raponice has no co Meee the world is his country—all men, his 
nt men.” ‘The origin of the funds, the bequest of a for- 
should also preclude the adoption of a plan which does | 
, in the words of Mr. Adams, “spread the benefits to be de- 
ived from the institution not only over the whole surface of this — & 
‘Union, but throughout the civilized world.” “ Mr. Smithson’s — Zo. 
-reason for fixing ‘the seat of his institution at Washington obvi- — Le 
‘ously was, that there is the seat of government of the United 2 
States, and there the Congress by whose legislation, and the Hx- _ 
ecutive through whose agency, the trust committed to the honor, 
intelligence and- good faith of the nation, | ‘is to” be fulfilled.” 
_The centre of operations being permanently fixed at Washing- % . 
, the character of this city for literature and science will be 
> more highly exalted. in eae as the influence of the in- re, - 
tit tion is more widely di used. i i 
hat the terms increase ad diffusion of knowledge care logi- ‘are 
distinct, and should be literally interpreted with reference 
_ to the will, must be evident when we reflect that they are used 
ina definite sense, and not as mere synonymes, by all who are 
engaged in the pursuits to which Smithson devoted his life. In’ 
England there are two classes of institutions, founded on thetwo 
ideas conveyed by these terms. The Roya al Society, the Astro- 
-nomical, the Geological, the Statistical, the Antiquarian Societies, — 
all have for their object the increase ‘of knowledge; while the 
London Institution, the Mechanics’ Institution, the Surry Insti- eo | 
tution, the Society for the Diffusion of Religi ious Knowledge, — 
“the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge,, are all in- © 
nded to diffuse or disseminate knowledge among men. Inour’ © 
country, also, the same distinction in the use of the terms is 
erved by men of science. Our colleges, academies, and com- _ 
schools, are recognized as institutions partially intended for #3 
iffusion of knowledge, while the express object of some of _ 
‘scientific societies is the promotion of the eeey of new *, ge 
ca 
% 
The will makes no restriction in trae of any particular kind 
har knowledge ; though propositions have been frequently mace a 
for devoting the funds exclusively to the promotion of certa 
_ branches of science having more immediate application to the 
practical arts of life, and the adoption of these propositions has 
been urged on the ground of the conformity of such objects to 
the pursuits of Smithson ; but an examination of his writings 
will show that he excluded from his own studies no branch of 
general knowledge, and that he was fully impressed with the 
important philosophical fact, that all subjects of human thought 
relate to one great system of truth. To pestick: therefore, ae | 
operon of the institution to a anes.) Science or art would do 
