Annual Report of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, 1846 (Classic Reprint)
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| Stand: | 2015-08-04 03:50:33 |
Produktbeschreibung
Excerpt from Annual Report of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, 1846 It will be observed that the object of the bequest is twofold - first, to increase, and, second, to diffuse, knowledge among men. These two objects are entirely separate and distinct, and to view the case understandingly the one must not be confounded with the other. The first is to enlarge the existing stock of knowledge by the addition of new truths, and the second, to disseminate knowledge thus enlarged among men. This distinction is readily acknowledged by men of science, and in Europe different classes of scientific and other societies are founded upon it. The will makes no restriction in favor of any particular kind of knowledge, and hence all branches are entitled to a share of attention. Smithson was well aware that knowledge should not be viewed as existing in isolated parts, but as a whole, each portion of which throws light on all the others, and that the tendency of all is to improve the human mind, and to give it new sources of power and enjoyment. A prevalent idea, however, in relation to the will is, that the money was intended exclusively for the diffusion of useful or immediately practical knowledge among the inhabitants of this country, but it contains nothing from which such an inference can be drawn. All knowledge is useful, and the higher the more important. From the enunciation of a single scientific truth may flow a hundred inventions, and the more abstract the truth the more important the deductions. To effect the greatest good, the organization of the Institution should be such as to produce results which could not be attained by other means, and inasmuch as the bequest is for men in general, all merely local expenditures are inconsistent with the will. These were the views expressed by the Secretary, Professor Henry, and constantly advocated by him. They were not entertained, however, by many, and consequently difficulties have been encountered in carrying them out. A number of literary men thought that a great library should be founded at Washington, and all the money expended on it; others considered a museum the proper object; and another class thought the income should be devoted to the delivery of lectures throughout the country; while still another was of opinion that popular tracts should be published and distributed amongst the million. But all these views were advanced without a proper examination of the will, or a due consideration of the smallness of the income. The act of Congress directed the formation of a library, a museum, a gallery of art, lectures, and a building on a liberal scale to accommodate these objects. One clause, however, gave the Regents the power, after the foregoing objects were provided for, to expend the remainder of the income in any way they might think fit for carrying out the design of the testator. The plan they have adopted is to stimulate all persons in this country capable of advancing knowledge by original research to labor in this line; to induce them to send their results to the Institution for examination and publication; and to assist all persons engaged in original investigations, as far as its means will allow; also to institute, at the expense and under the direction of the Institution, particular researches. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
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