ADVERTISEMENT. 



The materials for a biography of James Smithsou are exceedingly scanty, 

 and no life of him has ever been published. Efforts have several times 

 been made by the Smithsonian Institution to procure facts and incidents 

 relative to its founder, and during the present year unusual exertions were 

 put forth for this purpose. 



Nothing new has been elicited however from these recent inquiries, and 

 Mr. Rhecs has collected all the information likely to be obtained and 

 presents it, for the first time, as an authentic account of the distinguished 

 man who was no less noted for his own scientific attainments than for his 

 remarkable bequest. 



The following pages include a sketch of his life, list of his writings, 

 notices of his death, and tributes to his memory. 



It also gives a concise account of the manner in which the legacy was 

 obtained by the United States, of the legislation of Congress in relation to 

 its acceptance and disposition, and of the final passage of the " Act to 

 establish the Smithsonian Institution." 



SPENCER F. BAIRD, 

 Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 



Washington, October, 1880. 



880— Hi 



