the Smithsonian Institution might undertake to do this, in a monthly or quarterly bulletin.

We will cheerfully co-operate in the astronomical department (now under the charge of Prof. L. C. Garland) by observing as many occultations as circumstances permit.

As respects a meteorological journal, or a series of observations in that department, our officers are collecting and repairing the few imperfect instruments we have, and are willing to do all they can. But they apprehend that, without more perfect means at their command, they will not be able to do enough to serve the purposes of scientific induction.

From Joseph Estabrook.

EAST TENNESSEE UNIVERSITY, KNOXVILLE, TENN., February 9, 1849. At a special meeting of the Faculty of East Tennessee University, held 9th February, 1849, the President presented the "Programme of Organization of the Smithsonian Institution, accompanied by a circular of the Secretary and Assistant Secretary, asking his views in relation thereto, and requesting his co-operation in cases where it may be required.

The President expressed his desire that the Faculty would consider this part of the circular as addressed to them collectively, rather than to himself individually; whereupon it

was

Resolved, That the Faculty take a lively interest in the operations of the Smithsonian Institution; that they have carefully examined the Programme put forth by the Secretary, and, in general, highly approve the views therein contained, and that they will cordially co-operate with the officers of the Institution in their high endeavors "for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men."

It was observed by the professor of natural sciences that he had commenced a careful series of meteorological observations expressly for the Institution; and other members of the Faculty expressed their willingness to prepare memoirs on subjects connected with their respective pursuits.

From F. A. Muhlenberg, Jr.

FRANKLIN COLLEGE,

LANCASTER, PENN., February 10, 1849.

Permit me to state, in reply to your interrogatory, that in general, I approve of the plan of organization, &c., as con

tained in the pamphlet you sent me, and think it excellent and judicious. Of course difference of mental or bodily constitution, natural or acquired preferences, will cause men to differ as to the minute details of any plan prepared by others, and perhaps to find fault with, as they think, the too great prominence given to particular branches. This might be the case with myself, but I do not regard it of sufficient importance to communicate; for if such be the fact, it will correct itself in time. The practical working of the Institution will show better than all theories the best improvements of the plan of organization. As a commencement, in my humble opinion, the plan is a very excellent one; and under the superintendence of its distinguished and able officers, I have no doubt it will be very successful in promoting the noble object of Smithson, "the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men." Though, however, in the language of Smithson, "the man of science has no country," I think a good degree of preference ought to be shown to American and English authors.

From Horace Webster.

FREE ACADEMY, N. Y., February 17, 1849.

The Programme accompanying your communication was duly received. It contains, so far as I am able to judge, all that is essential and important to a most wise and judicious organization of the Smithsonian Institution.

From David L. Swain.

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA,
CHAPEL HILL, February 17, 1849.

I have examined carefully the Programme of the Smithsonian Institution. It appears to me to be exceedingly comprehensive, and, in general, to be well arranged. Were I impressed even less favorably with the leading features of the scheme, I should hesitate about proposing immediate alterations. Time, the greatest, though most gradual of innovators, may disclose defects and suggest improvements, and I can but think it will be commendable prudence to permit the Institute to abide this test, under its present organization.

It will afford me high gratification to have it in my power to co-operate in any measure which may promise in any degree a fulfilment of the great design of the founder.

From Josiah L. Pickard.

PLATTEVILLE ACADEMY, PLATTEVILLE, WIS., March 13, 1849. The Programme, contained in the report, meets our hearty approval; and I am authorized by the board of trus tees of this institution, by a resolution passed at their last meeting, (a copy of which you will please find below,) to assure you of all assistance in our power to render, for the furtherance of the noble objects contemplated by the Smithsonian Institution.

From S. A. Bronson.

KENYON COLLEGE, GAMBIER, OHIO, March 15, 1849. With your Programme I am highly gratified, and shall be happy to further your objects in any way that I am able. In pursuance with this, I would now suggest the propriety, if it falls in with your plan, and you are prepared to ask it, to call upon H. L. Thrall, M. D., professor of chemistry in this institution, to furnish a report upon the present state of the knowledge of electricity, and its relation to light, heat, gravitation, &c., &c.; in short, of the axial forces of matter, I think he would make a report that would not only tend to diffuse knowledge, but to increase it upon this interesting topic.

From John Williams.

TRINITY COLLEGE, HARTFORD, CONN., March 20, 1849. It must be quite superfluous for me to even express approbation of a plan so wisely matured and digested as that contained in the Programme; and it would be more than superfluous to suggest any improvements. If I might, however, venture in a word, I would express the hope that a good deal of attention will be devoted to the publishing of works bearing on our history. There are many such works which will see the light in no other way.

From D. N. Sheldon.

WATERVILLE COLLEGE,

WATERVILLE, ME., March 24, 1849.

I have taken some time to consider the subject, and now say in a single sentence, and in a general way only, (for there is no time to go into details,) that the plan of organi

zation set forth in the Programme appears to me to be comprehensive and satisfactory.

From B. H. Ragsdale.

JACKSON COLLEGE,

COLUMBIA, TENN., April 25, 1849.

The Programme has come to hand, but not having examined it thoroughly we can express no decided opionion for or against it.

Be assured that we will gladly co-operate with you in your enterprise, so far as we can under the circumstances.

From W. F. Hopkins.

MASONIC UNIVERSITY OF TEnnessee,

CLARKSVILLE, May 11, 1849. So noble a beginning speaks highly of the liberal spirit in which the objects of the Institution are to be carried out. Permit me to express my unqualified admiration of the plan of operation developed in your Programme. It seems to me to combine, most wisely and happily, the utmost practicable liberality, with the most faithful regard to the expressed will of the founder. I need not say that if, in my limited sphere, I can contribute, even in the humblest degree, to the grand and beneficent objects of the Smithsonian Institution, I shall feel both proud and happy in doing

80.

From B. P. Johnson.

STATE AGRICULTURAL ROOMS, ALBANY, N. Y., May 14, 1849. I am highly pleased with the Programme of the Smithsonian Institution, and it will give me great pleasure to furnish you, on the part of our Society, every co-operation in our power, to enable you successfully to carry out the very laudable objects of the Institution.

From J. S. Bacon.

COLUMBIAN COLLEGE, WASHINGTON, D. C., July 28, 1849.

I will only say, in general terms, that I like the "Plan" presented in most respects, much. It covers a very wide field, and is well calculated to direct the attention of intelli

gent men to a vast number of interesting and important objects to which their researches and observations ought to be extended. It exhibits too, in a very striking light, the great deficiency which exists among us in the means and resources for conducting extensive inquiries, or for pursuing thorough investigations upon many-nay, indeed, upon almost any important subject. With this view, my own feelings would have led me-and I dare say I am not alone in this to desire that a greater share of the appropriation should have been made at first-for the purchase of books and for the more rapid accumulation of such a library as is ultimately contemplated, and a greater share also to providing apparatus and instruments-all the means and facilities requisite for pursuing original scientific investigations on a more extended scale here, in Washington. I should probably have given to the will of the donor a somewhat stronger interpretation in that direction, especially as he chose to give to his Institution "a local habitation and a name," here, in the metropolis of the nation. Still, this might have been deemed less liberal and less catholic in spirit, and it is, perhaps, better as it is. I certainly have the greatest confidence in the wisdom and discretion of the able and judicious men who have adopted the present arrangement, and should not for a moment think of placing my own judgment in competition with theirs.

The objects embraced in the present plan are all of them important, all valuable, and I should feel the greatest pleasure in being able to contribute, in the smallest degree, to the attainment of any of them. Great credit is certainly due to those who have conceived, and thus far matured the plan for the liberality and comprehensiveness of their views. And it cannot be doubted that all the true friends of learning-all who can appreciate the value of real knowledge and the importance of its "diffusion among men "will hail with pleasure the adoption of such a plan, with such means for carrying it into execution, and will be ready, by their countenance and co-operation, to aid in carrying out its noble objects to their fullest and happiest results.

Permit me, gentlemen, to congratulate you upon the very favorable auspices under which your labors have been commenced, in connection with the Smithsonian Institution, and to express the hope that, in your future efforts, with the ample means placed within your reach, " for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men," you may not only be cheered by abundant evidences of success, but by the approbation of a liberal and enlightened public.