46 THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART 



tectural designs ; and it is desirable to have in connexion with it 

 one or more studios, in which young artists might copy without 

 interruption, being admitted under such regulations as the 

 board may prescribe. Your committee also think that as the 

 collection of paintings and sculpture will probably accumulate 

 slowly, the room destined for a gallery of art might properly and 

 usefully meanwhile be occupied during the session of Congress 

 as an exhibition room for the works of artists generally; and the 

 extent and general usefulness of such an exhibition might prob- 

 ably be increased, if an arrangement could be effected with the 

 Academy of Design, the Arts Union, the Artists' Fund Society, 

 and other associations of similar character, so as to concentrate 

 at the Metropolis, for a certain portion of each winter, the best 

 results of talent in the fine arts." 



Consideration of the full report of this committee led the 

 Board of Regents to adopt a number of resolutions, of which the 

 two here quoted relate to the fine arts : 



"Resolved, That it is the intention of the act of Congress estab- 

 lishing the institution, and in accordance with the design of Mr. 

 Smithson, as expressed in his will, that one of the principal 

 modes of executing the act and the trust is the accumulation 

 of collections of specimens and objects of natural history and 

 of elegant art, and the gradual formation of a library of valu- 

 able works pertaining to all departments of human knowledge, 

 to the end that a copious storehouse of materials of science, lit- 

 erature, and art may be provided, which shall excite and diffuse 

 the love of learning among men, and shall assist the original 

 investigations and efforts of those who may devote themselves 

 to the pursuit of any branch of knowledge. 



"Resolved, That for the purpose of carrying into effect the two 

 principal modes of executing the act and trust pointed out in the 

 resolutions herewith submitted, the permanent appropriations 

 out of the accruing interest shall, so soon as the buildings are 

 completed, be annually as follows, that is to say : 



"First, for the formation of a library composed of valuable 

 works pertaining to all departments of useful knowledge, and 

 for the procuring, arranging, and preserving of the various col- 

 lections of the institution, as well of natural history and 

 objects of foreign and curious research and of elegant art as 



