4 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1906. 
might probably 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.” 
The important points in this report are, (1) that it was the opinion 
of the Regents that a museum was requisite under the law, Congress 
having left no discretion in the matter; (2) that ethnology and anthro- 
pology, though not specially named, were yet as important subjects as 
natural history; (8) that the history of the progress of useful inven- 
tions and the collection of the raw materials and products of the 
manufactures and arts should also be provided for; (4) for the gallery 
of art the committee had models in existence, and they proposed, pend- 
ing the gathering of art collections, which would of necessity be slow, 
to provide for loan exhibitions by cooperating with art academies and 
societies. 
In the resolutions which where adopted upon the presentation of 
this report, a museum was mentioned as ‘‘one of the principal modes 
of executing the act and trust.” The work was to go forward as the 
funds permitted, and, as is well known, the maintenance of the 
museum and the library was long ago assumed by Congress, the Insti- 
tution taking upon itself only so much of the necessary responsibility 
for the administration of these and subsequent additions to its activi- 
ties as would weld them into a compact, scientific whole, which 
together forms a unique and notable agency for the increase and 
diffusion of knowledge, for the direction of research, for cooperation 
with Departments of the Government and with universities and scien- 
tific societies in America, and likewise affords a definite correspond- 
ent to all scientific institutions and men abroad who seek interchange 
of views or knowledge with men of science in the United States. 
Since that early day no material change has been suggested in the 
general scope of the Government museum; it has only remained to 
elaborate the details, and the opportunity is now close at hand to 
realize all that the first Board had in view, since ample space will be 
available in about another two years. 
The development of the Museum has naturally been greatest in those 
subjects which the conditions of the past sixty years have made most 
@ Resolved, That it is the intention of the act of Congress establishing the Institu- 
tion, 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 accumula- 
tion of collections of specimens and objects of natural history and of elegant art, and 
the gradual formation of a library of valuable works pertaining to all departments of 
human knowledge, to the end that a copious storehouse of materials of science, 
literature, and art may be provided which shall excite and diffuse the love of learn- 
ing among men, and shall assist the original investigations and efforts of those who 
may devote themselves to the pursuit of any branch of knowledge. 
