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Smithson intended the former, the Will "will" underlined twice" should have be declared void on the ground of his mental incapacity; of the latter, the intention evinces both his wisdom and philanthropy. An Institution founded at Washington, (on the basis of $515,000-) to discover a new planet beyond the orbit of the Georgium Sidus, to invent a magnetic Telegraph, to find out new methods of propagating the dahlia, or to find "find" struck through discover diamonds in the Rocky Mountains, would have been an absurdity. The men who find such things are designated by God a chance himself but not because they are incorporated by an Act of Congrefs, for these specific purposes. But an Institution for the increase and diffusion of 1 useful knowledge among the milions of succefsive generations, is (a design worthy of the wisest and best of men— it has) an object, definite, practicable, and fraught with substantial benefits to mankind.

        The methods of applying the Fund, which have been under

consideration at Washington, for the most part seem to afsume that Mr. Smithson had in view an Institution of discovery "institution of discovery" underlined, as well as of diffusion. "diffusion" underlined A cursive V orslanted ampersand is drawn hovering in pencil In their details, the former mainly is kept in sight, while the latter is almost altogether overlooked. The plan which I am about to propose is adapted to the object, which I believe the Testalor? to have had mainly in view— the diffusion of knowledge; leaving future discoveries to time, to chance, & to men whom God shall endow with the Skins? of excellent wisdom. If