459 
THE APRIL MEETING, 1844 . 
that further delay may be prevented by “laying hold,” to use the words of the en¬ 
lightened Duponceau well nigh four years ago, of a trustworthy association already 
in successful operation, with its business habits established, its official routine 
approved, and ready to become, under the control of Congress, which can so easily 
enlarge upon the foundation, the instrument for giving prompt life and value to the 
precious fund. We may thus at once free ourselves from the disadvantages and 
reproach of its being longer buried in oblivion. 
Further and higher inducements appeal to Congress for taking the subject in 
hand at once. Our political institutions are dear to us all. In looking to our pro¬ 
gress under them, the predominance of blessings in the past justifies the best hopes 
of the future. But, partaking of the imperfection of human things, let us not 
forget that one tendency to danger in them is in the too intense and absorbing 
party passions which they are apt to engender. We are now upon the eve of 
periodical agitation which a contest for the Chief Magistracy in so great a coun¬ 
try must always bring with it, and which, in all probability, is destined to become 
more and more intense as time goes on. To expect its extinguishment would be 
idle, even if it were desirable; nevertheless, considerate men seek, in the meliora- 
ting influences of letters and science, some counterpoise to the excesses to which 
this kind of agitation is prone under popular institutions. The “Royal Society” 
of London, that body whose annual volumes have made such contributions to the 
stock of knowledge for a century, was founded through the desire formed in a few 
contemplative minds to retire from the turmoils of political contention, consequent 
upon the civil wars in England. Happy might it prove, if, under such an analogy, 
this present Congress would signalize its present session by enabling the National 
Institute to exert these meliorating influences. By investing it with the Smith¬ 
sonian fund, and giving it the Smithsonian name, rational hopes might be cherish, 
ed of creating pursuits at this political centre of our Union, thence to the diffused 
to its extremities, in the excitements of which salutary diversion might be found 
from the harsh collisions incident more or less to all political strife. Especially 
might resources grow up in such an establishment, under the diversified attractions 
of literature, science, and the arts, which the scope of the will would embrace, for 
the members of the legislative branch of our Government, annually assembling at 
Washington, so many of whom would know how to turn them to delightful and 
profitable pastime. At the battle of Talavera, the English and French armies 
suspended all conflict to drink at a stream between them, handing the cup from 
one side to the other. How beautiful, in like manner, if our two great political 
parties at this metropolis could be seen seeking common refreshment from the in¬ 
tellectual streams which the National Institute would copiously cause to flow from 
the rich fountain of the Smithsonian bequest! 
In conclusion, I must hope to be pardoned for obtruding an item of personality 
into this paper, but only as it bears on its main purpose. 
When in England in 1838, on the interesting errand of procuring this fund, it 
was my fortunate lot to mix with some of the members of the Royal Society. 
From them I learned how esteemed and valued a member Mr. Smithson was of their 
ancient body. From them I received felicitations on obtaining for my country 
that fortune which he had expended almost exclusively in the cultivation of 
science; the pursuits of which constituted his passion and his pleasure, for his own 
sake, and that of his fellow-men every where. From them I heard ardent wishes 
expressed for the auspicious results of this fortune among us; as consonant to his 
