emergent literature of the United States, to be published somehow under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution, might not do good, requesting all authors to send the offspring of their brain to the Institute for inspection, dissection, rejection, selection, as the case might require. Most, we may suppose, would be inspected and rejected at sight; still a good thing worth preservation might be picked out now and then which otherwise the public would know nothing about.

From A. P. Stewart.

CUMBERLAND UNIVERSITY,

LEBANON, TENN., January 9, 1849.

I am requested by the faculty of this institution, to say, in reply to your communication to the president of 17 Nov. last, that the Programme of the Smithsonian Institution, a copy of which was enclosed with the communication referred to, is highly approved by them. From the examination they have been able to give to the subject, they are of the opinion that the plan adopted, is, perhaps, the best that could have been devised for promoting the objects of the testator. They feel greatly interested in the success of an Institution, whose objects are the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men, and will cordially co-operate in furthering these ends, so far as they may be able or as may be required; but are not aware of any important suggestion they could make, that has not already occurred to the managers of the enterprise, in whose wisdom and ability they have full confidence.

From C. W. Parsons.

RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY, PROVIDENCE, January 17, 1849. The donation from the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, with the accompanying circular, programme, &c., presented to the Rhode Island Historical Society, were duly received, and a committee was appointed with instructions to report a suitable reply. At the regular meeting, January 16th, this committee made a report, through its chairman, Prof. Gammell of Brown University. The following resolutions, recommended in this report, were, after full consideration and discussion, unanimously adopted by the Society.

"1. Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be presented to the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, for the copy of the first volume of the Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge, lately received from them-a work which we deem of the highest value and importance in the department of knowledge to which it relates.

"2. Resolved. That in the opinion of this Society, the programme of the Institution submitted in connection with the above-named volume, embraces a comprehensive and impartial survey of the entire field of human knowledge; that, though it contains the fullest provision for promoting the various departments of natural science, yet it by no means neglects the cultivation of general literature, art, or history, and that the plan which it unfolds of collecting a library, of encouraging investigation and research, and publishing their results, is in the good judgment of this Society, worthy of the approbation of the public, and of the co-operation of literary and scientific bodies and individuals throughout the country, and is in all respects suited to further the "increase and diffusion of knowledge among men," the high ends had in view by the munificent founder of the Institution.

"3. Resolved, That this society respectfully commends to the consideration of the Regents, as worthy of a prominent place among the subjects of their countenance and patronage, the science, statistics, and the various public interests and results connected with popular education, as it is found in the different countries of the civilized world.

"4. Resolved, That the Secretary be requested to furnish the information concerning the collections of this society, which is asked for in the Circular of the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, and also to transmit to the Secretary of that Institution a copy of the foregoing resolutions." The circular and inquiries are in the hands of the appropriate officers, and the information requested will be early forwarded.

From David Elliott.

WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, ALLEGHENY CITY, PENN., January 30, 1849. The Programme submitted embraces a range of subjects of great utility, and, as far it goes, meets my approbation. The discussion of these various subjects, by competent persons, and the diffusion of knowledge respecting them, cannot fail to elevate the literary character of the country, and add to its general intelligence.

As you have invited suggestions, I would respectfully submit whether natural theology and the evidences of Christianity might not be included in the second class of subjects to be embraced in the reports. These are not so strictly professional as to forbid their admission to a share in the labors of an Institution established "for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men." Lord Brougham, who has written a treatise on the former, has defined" the place and the claims of natural theology among the various branches of human knowledge "-(Dedication to his Discourse on Natural Theology.) And Addison, Soams, Jenyns, and Erskine, without any professional sympathies, have considered the evidences of Christianity a legitimate subject of historical and philosophical inquiry. Might not these subjects, then, be added to your list without impinging upon the liberal and catholic character of your Institution?

From the American Antiquarian Society.

WORCESTER, MASS., January 31, 1849. The Publishing Committee of the American Antiquarian Society, to whom was referred the "Programme for the Organization of the Smithsonian Institution," beg leave to report as follows:

The joint letter of the Secretary and Assistant Secretary of the Institution, which accompanied the copy of the Programme forwarded to this Society, contains the following request:

"Should the Programme meet with your approbation, we beg leave to request that you will favor us with a written expression of your approval; that you will furnish us with any suggestions relative to the subject which may be deemed of importance, and give us your co-operation in cases where it may be required."

Although the plan of organization proposed for consideration has now been so long before the public, sustained and sanctioned by able men and learned associations most competent to judge of its merits, as to render further testimony of little importance, the Antiquarian Society are happy to avail themselves of the opportunity to express their interest in the purposes of the Smithsonian Institution, their confidence in the gentlemen to whom the management of its concerns has been intrusted, and their cordial desire to cooperate in whatsoever manner the objects of their own establishment may render practicable.

The system suggested by Professor Henry, and his assistant, is so concisely yet clearly stated by themselves, that it is difficult to present its general principles, and the modes of operation which it contemplates, in an abridged form. If, however, the leading principles are just, it may be safe to conclude that a judicious application of them in practice will result from the present wisdom, or ultimate experience, of those who are charged with their administration.

The proposed organization is deduced from certain general considerations which are expressed in the form of an introduction to the details of the plan. The most prominent of these are "1st. That the property is bequeathed to the United States, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men. 2d. The bequest is for the benefit of mankind; the Government of the United States being merely a trustee to carry out the design of the testator. 3d. The Institution is not a national establishment, as is frequently supposed, but the establishment of an individual, and is to bear and perpetuate his name. 4th. The objects of the Institution are-1st, to increase, 2d, to diffuse knowledge among men. 5th. These two objects must not be confounded with one another. 6th. The will makes no restriction in favor of any particular kind of knowledge; hence all branches are entitled to a share of attention."

In accordance with the foregoing, and other deductions from the will of Smithson, it is proposed to increase knowledge in two ways, viz.: "To stimulate men of talent to make original researches by offering suitable rewards for memoirs containing new truths; and, secondly, to appropriate annually a portion of the income for particular researches, under the direction of suitable persons," the results of these researches to be published in a series of volumes, entitled Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge. As a security against the adoption of unverified speculations or imperfectly conducted researches, it is suggested, that every memoir should be submitted for examination to a commission of persons of reputation for learning in the branch to which the memoir pertains, and to be accepted only in case the report is favorable. Moreover, a positive addition to human knowledge, resting on original research, is to be demanded; and the appropriations in different years are to be to different subjects, so that each branch of knowledge may receive a share.

It will be seen that, in this division, the increase and the

diffusion of knowledge are both combined, as of necessity they must be. But for the simple diffusion of knowledge already in existence, another arrangement is contemplated, viz.: 1st. "The publication of a series of reports, giving an account of the new discoveries in science, and of the changes made from year to year in all branches of knowledge not strictly professional." 2d. "The publication of separate treatises on subjects of general interest." It is proposed that the reports shall embrace not only physical, but moral and political subjects, and also literature and the fine arts; similar precautions with those before stated being adopted to insure the substantial value of whatever shall be published.

This scheme of operation it is supposed may be carried into execution, in accordance with the act of Congress which requires the formation of a library and museum, by dividing the income into two equal parts-one part to be appropriated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge, by means of publications and researches, as already stated; the other to be appropriated to the formation of a library, and a collection of objects of nature and art.

It is understood that the interest which has accumulated on the bequest of Mr. Smithson, since it came into the possession of our Government, furnishes a fund sufficient for the erection of such edifices as are immediately required; and when we reflect that the collections of the Exploring Expedition, those of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and those of the Patent Office, and the deposits that are constantly flowing into the Government from all parts of the world, through the agency of our army and navy officers, and consuls, may, according to the act of Congress, establishing the Smithsonian Institution, be entrusted to its care, it will be perceived that little outlay need be devoted to the museum and cabinet beyond the expenses of arrangement and supervision.

For the foundation of a library, the Programme contemplates, first, a collection of such works as are required for conducting its active operations, viz., the transactions and proceedings of all the learned societies in the world, the current periodical publications necessary in preparing periodical reports, and such catalogues of books, and other materials, as will render the Institution a centre of bibliographical knowledge, whence the student may be directed to any work he shall require; and, in addition to these, the valuable books first purchased to be such as are not now to be found in the United States.

In the above summary, it is believed, are embraced the