or ARTS AND SCIENCES. 187 



portion of the accruing interest should be added to the principal, to 

 make up for the loss of time. The committee consider this suggestion 

 as perfectly reasonable, and trust it will receive the favorable consider- 

 ation of Congress. Liberal as is the original bequest, the sum is but 

 small compared with the great objects to be accomplished. This con- 

 sideration suggests the absolute necessity of economy in any outlay 

 on buildings and fixtures ; in reference to which a prudent regard 

 must be had, not merely to the first cost, but to the future expense of 

 repairs, and the support of the establishment. Great care must be 

 taken not to multiply the number of persons to be permanently sup- 

 ported by the Institution. A clear and settled idea of its organization 

 and mode of operation must precede the adoption of a plan of build- 

 ing, lest, after the completion of a costly edifice, it should be found 

 nearly or quite useless ; or worse even than useless, by forcing a 

 character upon the Institution which would not otherwise have been 

 given it. All view to mere local arrangement or advantage should be 

 discarded at the outset, in the management of a trust created for the 

 benefit of mankind. 



" Such, very slightly expanded in a few of the propositions, are the 

 general considerations proposed by Professor Henry as guides in 

 adopting a plan of organization. They command the entire assent of 

 the committee ; and none of them more so than those which refer to 

 the necessity of strict economy in the expenditure of the fund on a 

 building-, and exclusion of undue regard to local ornament. It would 

 not be difficult to point to a memorable instance, in a sister city of 

 the Union, in which the most munificent bequest ever made for the 

 purpose of education has been rendered comparatively unavailing, by 

 the total disregard of these wise principles. It is an additional reason 

 for observing them, that the attempt to erect a highly imposing build- 

 ing for local ornament will not only crush in the bud all hope of ful- 

 filling the ulterior objects of the bequest, but will be almost sure to 

 fail of a satisfactory result as far as the edifice itself is concerned. 



" The Secretary's plan of organization in reference to the increase of 

 knowledge is so accurately digested and so thoroughly condensed, that 

 the committee think it would be best to quote his own words : — 



" ' To INCREASE Knowledge, it is proposed, 



"'1. To stimulate men of talent to make original researches, by 

 offering suitable rewards for memoirs containing new truths ; and, 



" ' 2. To appropriate annually a portion of the income for particular 

 researches under the direction of suitable persons.' 



