THE COLUMBIAN INSTITUTE FOE THE PROMOTION OF 

 ARTS AND SCIENCES. 



By Richard Rathbun, 

 Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution in Charge of the 

 United States National Museum. 



INTRODUCTION. 



In his " Genesis of the United States National Museum," * Dr. 

 George Brown Goode has given a vivid sketch of a very important 

 epoch in the scientific history of this country, showing how a learned 

 society of Washington, at one time possessing 1,600 members, 

 markedly influenced the plan and organization of the Smithsonian 

 Institution, and especially its museum feature. The National Insti- 

 tution, later changed to National Institute, was established on May 

 15, 1840, by the adoption of a constitution and a declaration of its 

 objects, which were " to promote science and the useful arts, and to 

 establish a national museum of natural history, etc." The founding 

 of this society, as Dr. Goode explains, " was doubtless to a very great 

 degree due to the stimulating and inspiring effects upon public 

 opinion of the Smithsonian bequest." It acquired extensive collec- 

 tions of its own and for a short time also had custody of the Gov- 

 ernment collections, which were assembled and exhibited in a large 

 hall in the Patent Office building, whence, in 1858 and 1862, they 

 were transferred, in accordance with law, to the Smithsonian 

 Institution. 



The plan of the National Institution, says Dr. Goode, "was con- 

 ceived in a broad and liberal spirit ; its membership was a strong one, 

 including at the beginning about ninety representative men of Wash- 

 ington, Members of Congress, scientific men, clergymen and promi- 

 ent citizens, and as many more corresponding members, among whom 

 were all the leading men of the country. Among its principal offi- 

 cers were the Secretary of War, the Secretary of the Nav;f, ex-Presi- 

 dent Adams, the Chief of Engineers of the Army, and other promi- 

 nent officials. The meetings were well attended, the membership 



Annual Report of the United States National Museum for 1891, pp. 273-380, 

 and reprint in the report of the same for 1897, vol. 2, pp. 85-191. 



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