tion at the court of the French Emperor. The work is Jand excellent treatise upon the Indian character, showing ¡liustrated with numerous wood-engravings which would the bright side of it and presenting many interesting inhave been admirable if they had been executed with half cidents in border life. For the lovers of fiction two or the spirit manifested in the original drawings which were shown us by Bel Smith herself-but unfortunately many of them have been shockingly done, especially the portrait of Judge Mason, which would hardly be recognised by his friends. We commend the volume to all summer ⚫ travellers as a delightful companion for the railway or the steamboat. A COMMONPLACE BOOK of Thoughts, Memories and ginal novels, both founded on home materials, are offered in "The Winkles" and " The English Orphans." The former work has a numerous but striking dramatis persona which affords the author abundant room for the illus tration of salient points of character. All these publica tions are beautifully printed and may be obtained of A. Morris, 97 Main Street. One of the most delightful books we have read for many a day is "Pictures from the Battle Fields," by the "Roving Englishman," just issued from the house of Truly a charming book-one to carry with you to the idea who this "Roving Englishman" may be, but he has George Routledge, London and New York. We have no country and read beneath the shade of friendly trees the keenest eye for the ludicrous side of life and the most in the long days of summer-indulging in pleasant brilliant way of recording incident and adventure of any "thoughts," running over with happy "memories," and gentleman that has visited the East, since Mr. Titma:sh beguiling with delicate "fancies"-indeed just what we should expect the album of Mrs. Jameson to be. The His pictures of the Turk, the Russian, the French solwent on that famous journey from Cornhill to Cairo. "Revelation of Childhood" is of deep interest as unfold-dier, the Zouave, are wonderfully life-like and fresh, ing the growth and development of a superior mind, and though some allowance must be made for the prejudices abounds in the most important truths concerning educa-of the author. There is withal a rare command of the tion and the proper treatment of the infant character. pathetic displayed in his touching episodes of the pillage We rejoice that the fragments composing the volume and disaster of battle. Beneath the glittering surface of have not been lost to the world, which cannot but profit the writer's wit we detect moreover an earnest purpose of by their genial and healthful philosophy. reforming the abuses of patronage and the senile maladministration which have wrought such evil effects in the Crimean campaign. In the preface especially, the author comes down with just and well-timed severity uppossible to resist the force of his reasoning with regard on the hereditary aristocracy of England, and it is imto this immemorial incubus upon the country. We hope to hear from the "Roving Englishman" again, and com mend him cordially to the American public in the beau tiful dress in which the clear typography of Mr. Rout A MANUAL OF ANCIENT HISTORY. BY DR. LEONHARD Hotel. The object of this work is to give a popular summary of the remote history of the world of which little is now studied except the annals of Greece and Rome. This has been done with great perspicuity by the learned au-ledge has introduced him to their acquaintance. thor who is well known as "Rector of the High School of Edinburgh," and to whom we are indebted for many previous works of permanent interest and value. THE MISSING BRIDE, OR MIRIAM THE AVENGER. By We return our acknowledgments to Ex-President Ty ler for a copy of his "Lecture delivered before the Maryland Institute for the promotion of the Mechanic Arts, on Tuesday Evening, March 20, 1855." It is a valuable resume of historical events in the United States between the years 1812 and 1836, and shows that the distinguish. ed author is not unprofitably employing those intervals of time which are left him from agricultural pursuits, in The scene of this story is laid in this country about the year 1814 and the incidents, as the reader may judge from the terrific title, are of the intensest sort of "thril- his retirement from the public arena. ling interest." The admirers of Mrs. Southworth, and she has created many by her passionately sensuous style, will no doubt find the "Missing Bride" highly entertaining. For ourselves, we never sup on horrors with any satisfaction nor can we approve that class of fiction to which the previous works of this lady belong. Our thanks are due to the Rev. T. V. Moore of this City for a copy of "Prize Essays on Juvenile Delinquency," recently brought out in pamphlet form in Philadelphia. Mr. Moore is the author of one of these Essays, entitled "God's University; or the Family consid ered as a Government, a School and a Church," which, by dignity of style and strength of thought. like everything else that comes from his pen, is marked The busy press of Messrs. Appleton of New York has given us during the month a batch of most agreeable publications. Of these "The Brief Remarker on the Ways of Man, by Ezra Sampson" is compact of earnest thoughts fitly expressed and should be read and pondered by young and old. It might be introduced in Mr. G. M. West has sent us a copy of the "Watch our schools and academies with great propriety as a work man," a novel which has attained a very wide enculatio", on Ethics. "The Iroquois, By Minnie Myrtle" is a full but upon which we cannot here pronounce judgment. PUBLISHED MONTHLY AT THREE DOLLARS PER ANNUM-JNO. R. THOMPSON, EDITOR. VOL. XXI. NO. 8. RICHMOND, AUGUST, 1855. sole chance for survivorship of some invaluable sage, or poet, or historian, through all the perils of its descent, we might wonder rather that it arrived at all, than that it has come SMITHSON'S BEQUEST: ITS OBJECTS AND ISSUES. 1. Eighth Annual Report of the Board of Re- to us mutilated and obscure, a theme for pergents of the Smithsonian Institution, show-petual comment and unlimited conjecture. ing the operations, expenditures and condi- Considering the scarcity of materials for tion of the Institution up to January 1, writing, the conversion of manuscript known 1854, and the proceedings of the Board up as palimpsest must in itself have endangered to July 8, 1854. this whole department of intellectual culture; and Homer, Plato and Livy have no doubt run greater risks from obscure causes like this, than from the brutal rage of a Caligula, or the flames of Saracenic bagnios. II. North American Review. October, 1854. The Smithsonian Institution." III. Congressional Documents. Report No. 141. Thirty-third Congress, 2d, Session. Smithsonian Institution." Later ages have enjoyed an exemption from all contingencies of this sort-thanks as well to the rapid production of paper as For, it While we shall not dispute the right of to that priceless invention of Guttenberg's, the philosophic historian to seek a law of whose just and exclusive distinction it is to development in the complicated web of hu- be termed "the art preservative of all arts." man affairs, we cannot help thinking that a But modern civilization has an interest becurious if not instructive chapter might be yond that of mere preservation-progress is written on the lucky accidents, as we may no less one of its distinctive and indispensaterm them for want of a better phrase, by ble conditions. We can therefore scarcely which civilization has been modified and so- overrate the value of those instrumentalities ciety moulded to the form it now exhibits. which have been devised to secure incesThe “cardines rerum," the pivot upon which sant activity and well directed effort in eveevents have turned, seem at times to have ry department of useful research. been such mere fortuities, that the deus in- would be a mistake to suppose that adversitersit which forms the expedient of the dra-ty of position, whether resulting from isolamatic poet, would appear in actual life to be tion on the part of the cultivators of science, ofttimes a plain and logical necessity. The from a defect of means for communicating hazards we speak of must have been with the public, or even from the pressure of pre-eminently frequent during the ages great national calamities, might not at times when all that was valuable in ancient wis-seriously impede, if not arrest, the progress dom depended for preservation on the safety of philosophic inquiry. To avert these disof a few perishable parchments. There was qualifying influences, and at the same time a time we know when the finding "a book" to give a stronger impulse and more systeof the Law as given by Moses," was of such matic direction to scientific discovery, to moment as to warrant distinct notice by the point out the lines in which it should move by sacred historian-what if it had not been indicating the particulars which most imme-. found-but the eventualities we have in diately demand investigation"-these form view at present, relate only to the transmis- the leading purpose of many existing organsion of that body of secular learning which izations, with the name and objects of which forms so important a part of the mental in-the public is too familiar to make special deheritance of mankind. Could we but follow signation necessary. Of one of the earliest the history of one manuscript, perhaps the and most distinguished, however, the Royal VOL. XXI-58 Society of England, it is not out of place to scribed routine, if such it should be consid remark that it sprang up amidst those great ered; much which, impartially viewed, will convulsions which marked the middle of the excite both admiration and surprise at the seventeenth century, as if science had in- skill and fidelity with which the working stinctively sought shelter in her appointed of a complex system have been ordered, so sanctuary from the storms whose undistin- as to produce the most comprehensive reguishing ravage spared neither the altar nor sults, in the shortest time, with the least domestic hearth. The general idea of such possible pressure on a really inadequate fund. institutions had received light and system, These are the practical requirements of the like so many other important interests, from Smithsonian problem, and there is no reason the pen of Bacon, in whose philosophic ro- to doubt that they have been satisfactorily mance of the New Atlantis might yet be fulfilled. found perhaps useful hints for the ordering) That differences of opinion would arise of similar establishments. "That work," when the eligibility of different modes of the ancient editor informs us," my lord de-accomplishing the objects of the bequest vised to the end that he might exhibit there- came to be considered, might well have been in a model or description of a college,insti- anticipated, yet few probably were prepared tuted for the interpreting of nature and the to expect quite so great a diversity as was producing of great and marvellous works for actually manifested. Still less could it have the benefit of men." No better description been supposed that occasion would have been could be asked of the scope and meaning of given for the heat and animosity exhibited such institutions as they exist at the present by assailants of the Institution at later stages day-and though all their efforts may not of the discussion. But the retreats of learnhave sufficed to fill the circle traced by the ing unhappily are not always the templa se abounding imagination of Bacon-for what rena the poet pictured them. Even were human ministries can hope to do so?-yet worse motives necessarily excluded, there is no unbiassed mind, we are confident, will a bigotry in opinions once advanced and question their actual efficiency or usefulness. warmly supported, which cannot stop within On the contrary, they have found favor in the limits prescribed by common charity, proportion as they have grown familiar to nor always within those prescribed by comthe experience of the intelligent public. mon decency. Zeal, says the Dean of St. Familiar, however, as the idea of organiza- Patrick's, proceeded from a word into a thing, tion "for the increase and diffusion of knowl- and ripened in a hot summer into a tangible edge" for there were examples of both substance. In this quaint deduction a prokinds-had become, there was still some-cess is described which has been before now thing unusual in the conditions under which exemplified in the maturing of an abstracthe establishment of a new one was present-tion-a mere dialectic subtlety it may have ed by the will of Smithson to the American been-into such startling and tangible realiLegislature. Hitherto the choice of specific ties as are represented by the rack and fagmeans for such purposes had been left to got. And though civilization has softened those directly engaged in the work, or was the methods of modern controversy, so that defined by pre-existing considerations in men do not now-a-days burn one another for form as well as destination: legislative sub-opinion's sake, yet, it must be admitted, the vention was invoked only to legalize or en-press is but too often ready to supply the po dow. There might even be room to doubt tential cautery where the actual is out ef whether a determination of the relative ef- the question, and the divine gift of speech ficiency of such instrumentalities in the ab-is employed to show how readily the seeds stract did not lie somewhat beyond the al- of prejudice might yet ripen into the bitter lotted limits of legislation and pertain rather fruits of persecution. Hence there is 12 to the "pensive citadels" of philosophy than ground of surprise, whatever there may be to the balls of popular debate. But there is of regret, when we observe zeal laboring u more than enough in the Reports before us, its old vocation, though without its old wear to justify this step in advance of the pre-pons. Nor, as regards the purely intellec tual issues, as we consider them, suggested and associate of Wollaston and Cavendishi. by the Smithsonian bequest, is there any in-Numerous contributions to the transactions trinsic reason why they should be exempt of the Royal Society, of which he was a from the common fate of other abstract ques-member, prove that his skill and attainments tions, or fail to be sometimes debated with had received the highest acknowledgment an asperity of feeling and language which to which the scientific men of his country might seem more in place, if the affair con- can aspire. He had resided much abroad, cerned not the interests of knowledge, but being without family, but had never visited. the bestowal of a salary or the advancement the country which had become the deposiof a partisan. tary of his fortune and should consider itThese considerations, apart from the per-self the guardian of his fame. Never bemanent interest of the subject, persuade us quest of such an amount was more frugal in that in giving an account of the disposal of words than that by which he wills "his a fund held by the United States for so pe- whole property to the United States of culiar a purpose, we shall at once gratify our America, to found at Washington, under readers and discharge the duty of guarding the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an them against rash and unwarranted impres-establishment for the increase and diffusion sions. We shall perform this duty the more of knowledge among men." The accep conscientiously as we hold every American tance of so general a trust was met in Concitizen to be invested with at least so much gress by some constitutional objections, but responsibility as implies an intelligent con- these were overruled in consideration of sideration of the ends of this important trust, the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal legand, though possessed of quite decided opin-islature over the District of Columbia where ons ourselves, shall endeavor to keep in the Institution was to be established. Havmind the excellent aphorism of Voltaire: Qui discute a raison, et qui dispute a tort. In order to bring the subject methodically nder review, we propose to consider—(1,)) The purpose of the testator in making his bequest: (2.) The provisions of Congress for carrying it into effect. These two heads will introduce the chief topics of controver y which have arisen, and a third may prop erly be occupied in noticing the more recent transactions in Congress bearing upon the interests of the Smithsonian Institution. ing passed this first ordeal, the legacy was formally accepted and in due time paid into the hands of Hon. Richard Rush who had been empowered to receive it. The amount posited in the United States Early the following sessiou, committees of the Senate and House of Representatives mode of carrying into effect the purpose of were appointed for joint deliberation on the mode of carrying into effect the purpose of the testator. Mr. Robbins of Rhode Island and Mr. Adams of Massachusetts were the chairmen, and these enlightened men, on I. In December 1835, the Executive gave behalf of their respective committees, renotice to Congress that a large sum of mo- commended entirely different and incomney, which had been bequeathed by a pri-patible modes of procedure. In the Senate, vate individual to the United States awaited the former introduced a plan for a national in the English Court of Chancery the ac- university or institute of education in the ceptance and disposal of the American Gov- House, the latter advised that the interest of ernment. The testator was James Smithson the fund should be applied in the first inof London, styling himself in his will, son stance to provide an astronomical observaof Hugh, first duke of Northumberland, and tory and afterwards in succession to special Elizabeth, niece of Charles the proud, duke objects of like general and acknowledged of Somerset." He was, in effect, the natu- utility. This opposition of views at the outral son of the first named nobleman. His set may be supposed to have discouraged lite had been devoted to science, chiefly to any farther attempt at immediate solution. chemistry, in which he had shown himself for the subject does not appear to have been no unworthy rival, as he was thus the friend again seriously taken up until 1844, when 66 the same diversity of opinion was found to Diversity of opinion, as we have seen exist, complicated however by still new with respect to suitable means for carrying plans for attaining the common object. The into effect the beneficent intentions of Smithdebate now proceeded, side by side with the son, had marked the introduction of the substill more exciting one respecting the annex-ject into Congress, and prevailed up to the ation of Texas, showing that Congress was moment of final decision. On the judicious at length thoroughly in earnest to redeem solution of this question every thing was the pledge given in 1836, that the money felt to depend, yet for guidance there ap should be faithfully applied to found an peared only the few plain and comprehenestablishment for the increase and diffusion sive, but practically indefinite expressions of knowledge among men." In the Spring which have been quoted from the will. of 1846, after undergoing many modifica- With regard to the verbal construction, none tions, the Act organizing the Smithsonian seemed to doubt, nor until quite lately have Institution appeared as it now stands, and we ever known it questioned, that the inreceived the executive approval the follow-crease of knowledge is not to be confounded ing August--ten years after the passage of with its diffusion, and that in relation to colthe Act of acceptance. lective mankind the former can mean only In the meantime the money had been lent the addition of new truths to the existing to two of the Western States, and when stock, not as it might do, in the case of an now wanted, was found like many invest- individual, the inculcation of old ones. In ments of the period, not available. This this latter sense, as applied to the whole hugave occasion to a somewhat facetious mo- nan family, the increase of knowledge tion on the part of Mr. Adams, to stay far- would still be only its diffusion, and the anather proceedings until the States of Arkan- lytic mind of the man of science must be sas and Illinois could be prevailed on "by supposed incapable of so barren a tautology. the use of suitable means of moral suasion "Knowledge," must be taken in its most and no others" to pay their bonds. Con- comprehensive sense, unless by resorting to gress, however, decided to act promptly and the testator's personal tastes and pursuits (a justly. It recognised the national responsi-doubtful mode of exegesis) a preference bility for the original sum, together with in- might be established in favor of the physi terest for the time it had been unemployed. cal or natural sciences. Yet these princiThe principal was declared to be lent to the ples go but a little way toward the determiUnited States' treasury "for the perpetual nation of definite instrumentalities, and in maintenance and support of the Institution" so wide a field of speculation it is scarcely from the income of the fund, and the ac- to be wondered at, if personal preposses crued interest, amounting to 242, 169 dollars, sions sometimes prevailed over a fair and was placed at the disposal of the Board of logical construction of the testamentary lanRegents "for the erection of suitable build-guage. The views of eminent men in difings and for other current incidental expen- ferent * We may take this occasion to remark that, large as was the legacy, it soon became apparent that a still larger sum could be usefully employed. The Regents determined therefore, as no term for the completion of the building had been prescribed, to protract its erection through a few years in order to accumulate an additional sum from the saving of the annual interest. In this way, now that the building is finished, the capital is found to be increased by an amount estimated at 130,000 dollars. As no delay has been thereby incurred in the essential operations of the Institution, a measure like this must be deemed as judicious, as, in this age of rapid financial disbursements and equally rapid deficiencies, it is likely, we apprehend, to be singular. The gratifying fact was announced in the House of Representatives by Mr. English of Indiana (February 27th 1855) that "after paying parts of the country, having been given in answer to a circular letter issued by the Secretary of State, still farther multiplied the number of plans: so that now there might be considered to be before Congress, in addition to those already mentioned. propositions for a model farm or botanic garden, annual premiums for the best treatises on given subjects, a national library lectures, a normal school or professional institute, with divers combinations or modif all current expenses the funds and property of the lab tution are this day actually worth double the amount the original bequest." |