124 MEMOIR ON THE SCIENTIFIC CHARACTER 



to " increase " by deepening the sources, and " diffuse " by 

 multiplying the channels of knowledge ; in each and all of 

 these cases, the universal sentiment of mankind awards a 

 grateful recognition to the intellectual, moral, social bene- 

 factor. 



But when, in addition to other circumstances of the bene- 

 faction, the author has selected for the exercise of his benev- 

 olent spirit, not a small circle of votaries of science in a 

 region where the avenues to knowledge are sedulously 

 guarded, but, a great nation, which has made equal rights 

 the basis of its social system, and virtue and intelligence the 

 supports of all its institutions, it is evident that a higher 

 meed of praise, and a deeper feeling of gratitude should 

 spring from the breast of every lover of liberty and of 

 truth. 



Having made our country the recipient of his benefac- 

 tion ; having given us the inheritance of his fame as well as 

 of his fortune, Smithson may justly claim from this side of 

 the Atlantic the tribute of a recognition of his merits, a due 

 appreciation of his own labors, in those paths to which he 

 has invited the scientific efforts of our citizens — efforts on 

 which he has, virtually, and it is to be hoped, not ineffectually , 

 invoked the fostering care of this nation's government. 



Let one instance in our country suffice — let not a second 

 be exhibited, of that shameful violation of trusts, solemnly 

 assumed, which seeks, in the indulgence of personal vanity, 

 in the execution of splendid schemes of architecture, utterly 

 incongruous to their purpose, or in the search after inappli- 

 cable, far-fetched plans of organization, to find a substitute 

 for the simple directions of a man of plain common sense. 



On the basis of his labors alone, the true votary of science 

 is willing to rest his credit with mankind, and his fame with 

 future generations. He can look with indifference on the 

 artificial distinctions which fashion, and the greedy love of 

 notoriety, conspire to throw or to draw around pretension 

 and mediocrity. As he deals with the great truths of 

 nature, and not with the changeful humors of man ; as he 

 investigates and promulgates laws, not subject to repeal ; 

 announces results^ not of bargains and compromises, but of 

 the eternal fitness and congruity of parts in creation, he ex- 

 periences none of the feverish anxiety about adverse inter- 

 ests, that ma}' one day undo his works, which often accom- 

 panies the labors of men in other vyalks of intellectual eftbrt. 



In the view of such a man, the accidents of birth, of for- 

 tune, of local habitation, and conventional rank in the 

 artificial organization of society, all sink into insignificance 



