8 PROGRAMME OF ORGANIZATION. 



a considerable portion of the interest which, has accrued should be 

 added to the principal. 



11. In proportion to the wide field of knowledge to be cultivated, 

 the funds are small. Economy should therefore be consulted in the 

 construction of the building ; and not only the first cost of the edifice 

 should be considered, but also the continual expense of keeping it in 

 repair, and of the support of the establishment necessarily connected 

 with it. There should also be but few individuals permanently sup- 

 ported by the Institution. 



12. The plan and dimensions of the building should be determined 

 by the plan of organization, and not the converse. 



13. It should be recollected that mankind in general are to be bene- 

 fitted by the bequest, and that, therefore, all unnecessary expenditure 

 on local objects would be a perversion of the trust. 



14. Besides the foregoing considerations deduced immediately from 

 the will of Smithson, regard must be had to certain requirements 

 of the act of Congress establishing the Institution These are, a 

 library, a museum, and a gallery of art, with a building on a liberal 

 scale to contain them. 



SECTION I. 



Flan of Organization of the Institution in accordance ivith thetforegoing 

 deductions from the will of Smithson. 



To Increase Knowledge. It is proposed — 



1. To stimulate men of talent to make original researches, by offer- 

 ing 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. 



To Diffuse Knowledge. It is proposed — 



1. To publish a series of periodical reports on the progress of the 

 different branches of knowledge ; and 



2. To publish occasionally separate treatises on subjects of general 

 interest. 



DETAILS OF THE PLAN TO INCREASE KNOWLEDGE. 



I. — By stimulating researches. 



1. Facilities afforded for the production of original memoirs on all 

 branches of knowledge. 



2. The memoirs thus obtained to be published in a series of volumes, 

 in a quarto form, and entitled Smithsonian Contributions to Know- 

 ledge. 



3. No memoir on subjects of physical science to be accepted for 

 publication which does not furnish a positive addition to human 

 knowledge, resting on original research ; and all unverified sj)ecula- 

 tions to be rejected. 



4. Each memoir presented to the Institution to be submitted for 

 examination to a commission of persons of reputation for learning in 



