CHAPTER LXVI.

The Smithsonian Institution.

1. THIS institution, though differing materially from almost every other government establishment, should be noticed in a work of this kind; although nothing but the official machinery by which it was at first set in motion, and is continued in operation, belongs to the government. The funds with which it was founded, were furnished by an individual, and he a foreigner. The history runs thus: A noble-hearted Englishman, whose name was James Smithson, residing in the city of London, bequeathed all his property to the United States of America, for the purpose of founding in Washington an establishment to be known as the "Smithsonian Institution," for the purpose of increasing and diffusing knowledge among men. The United States accepted the bequest, and in 1846 passed an act for the purpose of carrying out the beneficent design of Mr. Smithson. This act created "an establishment," as it is denominated in the act, by the name before stated. It might have been called a corporation, for it has perpetual succession, and many of the powers incident to a corporation.

2. By this act the President and Vice President of the United States, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of War, the Secretary of the Navy, the Postmaster General, the Attorney General, and Chief Justice, the Commissioner of the Patent Office, and the Mayor of Washington-during

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The Smithsonian Institution

inth, though differing materially from the government establishment should se of this kind; although nothing Machinery by which it was at first sot in

med in operation, belongs to the The fonds with which it was founded d by individual, and be a foreigner is thus: doble-hearted Englishman, te was James Smithson, residing in the city Loom, berneathed all his property to the United erica for the purpose of founding in Wita an establishment to be known as the Institution," for the purpose of erons sing knowledge among men. The Unt censed the bequest, and in 1846 passed an

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use of carrying out the beneficent des Tou This act created an establish 1-denominated in the act, by the pane

It night have been called a corporation oral secession, and many of the poss Corporation..

the President and Vice President of abec.be Secretary of State, the Secretary Trry, the Secretary of War, the Secretary of Su., the Postmaster General, the Attorney General, and Chief Justice, the Commissioner of the

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Fat Ones, and the Mayor of Washington-dering