JAMES SMITHSON AND HIS BEQUEST. 17 



Smithsou's father, scales, umbrella-case, and riding-whip, sword-belt and 

 plume, silver spoons and butter-knife, ornamented spools for winding 

 gold wire, copper plate with his name engraved on it ; minerals of Smith- 

 son, a very superb collection, though small; silver candlestick ; an ele- 

 gant service of silver, containing a great many pieces. These are all 

 very much discolored by sulphurous gas. A marble head of Saint Ce- 

 cilia, by Thorwaldsen, presented to Mr. Smithson at Copenhagen by 

 Dr. Brandis, physician to the King of Denmark. A fine old original 

 painting by Bcrgham, cattle piece, peasants, &c. ; an old building in the 

 .distance. Its subject is rustic and familiar life. The treatment is 

 chaste and mellow. The depth of the foreground is really surprising, 

 and appears to bo produced without an effort j the background is trans- 

 parent and aerial ; the middle distance sober and clear j the atmosphere 

 and vapors pellucid and tremulous ; the quiet and docile animals, the 

 groups of peasantry, and the strongholds of power are equal to any 

 other great effort of the celebrated Bergham. Many specimens of pet- 

 rified wood. Notice several beautiful specimens of marble, which it 

 would be difficult to distinguish from a fine landscape painting. Glass 

 model of the great Eussian diamond, valued at about 600,000 pounds 

 sterling." 



In an "Account of the Smithsonian Institution, &c.," by Wm. J. Rhees 

 published in Washington in 1859, the foUowing statement is made: 



" In the room used by the ' Regents' and the < Establishment' as a 

 hall for their meetings, are now deposited the personal effects of James 

 Smithson. Here may be seen his trunks, umbrella, walking-cane, sword, 

 plume, riding-whip; a set of silver-plate; a miniature chemical laboratory, 

 which he used when travelling; thermometers, snuff-box, scales, candle- 

 sticks, &c. Hanging in this room is an original painting by Bergham, 

 a rural scene, the property of Smithson, a marble head of St. CeciUa, by 

 Thorwalsden, «&c." 



The will of Smithson was prepared by him on the 23d October, 1826, 

 while residing in Bentinck street. Cavendish Square, London, three years 

 before his death, showing that it was made with deliberation and con- 

 firmed by mature reflection. Its provisions are in some respects so re- 

 markable that they have been attributed to a mere whim or eccentricity 

 of character; but knowledge of the man as a scientific investigator, 

 accustomed to the use of precise language, fond of the most minute de- 

 tails, and yet of broad and comprehensive views, precludes this infer- 

 ence. An interesting circumstance has come to light from a recent care- 

 ful examination of the books in Smithson's library. A volume has been 

 found entitled "Plain advice to the pubhc, to facilitate the making of 

 their own wiUs, with forms of wills, simple and elaborate, containing 

 almost every description of bequest, especiaUy the various modes of set- 

 tling property for the sole use and benefit of married women for their 

 lives, with powers of appointment to them by deed or will ; tables of the 

 stamp duties on probates and letters of administration ; special rules 



