55o 
[September, 
Analyses of Books . 
an abrupt end. An entire number of the “Journal of Science ” 
would not suffice for the worthy exposition and discussion of its 
views. We can only hope that the specimens we have given 
will lead our readers to study it for themselves. 
Annual Report of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian 
Institution for the Year 1879. Washington : Government 
Printing-Office. 
This report presents, as usual, an assortment of matter, some 
of it of very general and permanent importance, whilst others 
refer merely to the working details, the financial condition, &c., 
of the Institution. 
A biographical notice of James Smithson, the founder, and of 
his bequest, conveys the information that he — contrary to the 
general belief — had not been during his life specially connected 
with the United States. “ He is not known to have had a single 
correspondent in America, and in none of his papers is found 
any reference to it or its distinguished men.” But we cannot 
regret that this illustrious Englishman should have selected the 
American nation for the trustees of his magnificent endowment. 
Had he bequeathed his fortune to be employed in England, “for 
the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men,” it is easy 
to guess what would have been its destiny. As it was, some 
discussion ensued concerning the acceptance of the bequest. 
Some maintained that Smithson intended to found a university. 
The “ men of words ” felt an especial longing to have the control 
of these funds. F. Wayland, President of Brown University, 
proposed a university to teach Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Oriental 
languages, rhetoric, poetry, the law of nations, &c. The pro- 
posal to devote the money to the formation of a great national 
library seemed at one time likely to carry the day. It was even 
urged that the bequest had better be sent back to England and 
returned to any heirs of the donor who could be discovered. It 
was r.ot, in short, until after long and acrimonious discussions — 
in which one of the representatives asked, “ How did it happen 
that this Government accepted such a boon from a foreigner, an 
Englishman too?” — that the constitution of the Smithsonian 
Institution was settled in its present form. 
A large part of the present volume is taken up with an illus- 
trated memoir of the Savage weapons displayed at the Philadel- 
phia Exhibition, 1876. 
The succeeding papers are on the “Antiquities and National 
Monuments of Denmark,” and on the “French Half-breeds of the 
North-west.” Contrary to what is often asserted concerning 
mixed races, we are told — “ They are not stronger than the 
