354 BULLETIN OF THE 



misconception, of contumely and denunciation, the modest income 

 of tlie fund (husbanded and increased by prudent management) 

 was yearly more and more withdrawn from merely popular uses 

 and interests, and more and more applied to its truest and highest 

 purpose, the fostering of abstract research, the founding of a 

 pharos for the future, — the "increasing and diffusing of know- 

 ledge among men," — who that knows all this, can say that Henry 

 was mistaken in his devotion, or that his ripest years were wasted 

 in an unprofitable mission ? But in addition to this vast work, — 

 accomplished as probably no one of his scientific compeers would 

 have had the fortitude and the indomitable persistence to carry 

 through, his personal contributions to modern science (as has 

 been shown) have in the meantime been neither few nor unim- 

 portant. 



One remarkable circumstance relating to Henry's directorship 

 of the Smithsonian publications (which have had so wide a dis- 

 tribution and influence)* must not be here passed over. Having 

 himself amidst the absorbing occupations of his position conducted 

 so valuable original investigations — on the strength of building 

 materials, — on the best illuminants and their proper conditions, — 

 and especially in his last great labor on the philosophy of sound, 

 we should naturally expect to find them displayed in the " Smith- 

 sonian Contributions ;" — where in interest and importance second 

 to none contained in that extensive and admirable series, these 

 memoirs would have found their fitting place, and have given 

 honor to the collection. But as if to avoid all semblance of a 

 personal motive in his resolute policy of administration, he pub- 

 lished nothing for himself at the expense of the Smithsonian fund ; 

 his numerous original productions being given to the public 

 through the channel of various official reports. And thus it has 

 occurred that his writings scattered in the different directions 

 which seemed to him at the time most suitable, with little thought 

 of any special publicity or perpetuity, have largely failed to reach 

 the audience which would most appreciate them. And many of 

 his most valuable papers — never by himself collected — must be 

 searched for in unsuggestive volumes of Agricultural or Light- 

 House Board Reports, f 



* " The number of copies of the Smithsonian Contributions distributed,, 

 is greater than that of the Transactions of any scientific or literary 

 society ; and therefore the Institution offers the best medium to be found 

 for diffusing a knowledge of scientific discoveries." (^Smithsonian Report 

 for 1851, p. 202.) 



f Many valuable communications made to the American Association, 

 to the National Academy of Sciences, to the "Washington Philosophical 

 Society, and to other bodies, from rough notes, which their author was 

 prevented from writing fairly out, by the unceasing pressure of his mul- 

 titudinous official and public duties, have unfortunately been published 

 only by title. 



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