2 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



bors, formed tbe essential duties of the place to whieli 1 was liouored 

 by your invitation, though it has happened that this, the first year of 

 these duties, has been passed all but exclusively iu purely administra- 

 tive work, of which there is alone occasion at present to speak. 



The year was begun with the feeling that it was best to closely follow 

 the methods of my predecessors till a longer experience should have 

 brought material for independent judgment; but at its close I desire to 

 be allowed to say that every experience has enhanced my confidence in 

 their policy as a permanent guide; and if it be true, as has sometimes been 

 said, that men eminent in science are aj)t to be devoid of capacity in the 

 management of daily affairs, we must conclude that Professor Henry 

 was a singular exception to such a rule ; for the practical wisdom of the 

 general lines of conduct laid down by him, and adopted by my honored 

 predecessor, so commend themselves to me in the light of daily service 

 that more trust in them is felt with every new trial.- 



From them there may, it seems to me, be deduced some general con- 

 siderations with reference to the Smithsonian Institution and its asso- 

 ciate interests, of which the following brief summary represents those 

 general principles of ofticial action by which I have sought to be guided. 



If the position of the Smithsonian is that of a ward of the Govern- 

 ment, having i)r(>[)erty of its own, for which that Governuient acts the 

 part of a trustee, while leaving its administration wholly with the Re- 

 gents, it follows that the Institution enjoys a measure of independence, 

 and in it a power of initiative for good which ought to be deemed its 

 most i)rivileged possession ; so that any action which is taken by one 

 having its interests at heart, ought to be with this consideration of its 

 independence always in mind. 



The Institution is for "the increase and diffusion of knowledge among 

 men," It is not primarily for the promotion of utilitarian interests, 

 which can be advanced through other channels, but for knowledge 

 in the highest and widest sense, including not only all pure science, 

 but even, in the words of Henry, "the true, the beautiful, as well as the 

 immediately practical;" and these interests it is to guard from all en- 

 tangling alliances, 



In dealing with the circumstances of today, the Institution should 

 still be guided by these principles; but in bringing them to the test of 

 present needs, we are daily reminded that these same principles are now 

 to be often applied to quite new conditions. 



The Smithsonian has under its charge besides the Museum, the Bureau 

 of Ethnology, which will be referred to later, and some minor interests, 

 which are, however, insignificant in comparison. 



It has from time to time been proposed by friends outside of this 

 Institution that it should' take on much wider cares than these, and 

 that it should be the center around which all the scientific establish- 

 ments of the Government might cluster. . In the writer's opinion it 



