1 50 Memorial of George Brown Goode. 



In his report for 1851, Professor Henry, sure of his position, spoke 

 still more boldly. " It is to be regretted," said he, " that Congress did 

 not leave the entire choice of the plan of organization to those who were 

 to be intrusted with the management of the bequest. ' ' 



These plain words were called forth by the fact that the building was 

 still unfinished, and that a large additional appropriation from the fund 

 was required to make it ready for occupation. 



It is worth while to remember that his previous impressions of nuiseums, 

 or at least of recent years, had doubtless been founded upon the cabinet 

 in the National Institute, which, before Professor Henry came to Wash- 

 ington, had become completely torpid. Its collections, housed in a hall 

 not under its control, belonged to it only in name. The miscellaneous 

 assemblage of specimens in the hall of the Patent Office had been well 

 described in the Smithsonian charter by the name ' ' National Cabinet of 

 Curiosities," for it did not deserve to be called a museum. 



Professor Henry evidently had that in mind in protesting against ' ' a 

 promiscuous collection," but for the first time explains that he does not 

 underrate "the (scientific) importance of collections in themselves." 



The following quotation will show, however, that he was not so averse 

 to the museum idea as he had formerly been, although very doubtful as 

 to the advisability of accepting aid from Congress : 



The inuseuni is to consist, according to the law of Congress, and the terms of the 

 compromise, of "objects of art, of foreign and curious research, and of natural his- 

 tory, of plants and geological and mineralogical specimens." It would, however, 

 be unwise in the Institution to attempt the formation of full collections of all these 

 objects, or, in other words, to form an establishment similar to that of the British 

 Museum. The whole income devoted to this object would be entirely inadequate. 

 The portion of the main building appropriated to the museum consists of a single 

 room, two hundred feet long by fifty feet wide. This space may be entirely filled in 

 the course of three years, without the purchase of a single article, if the means be 

 adopted which present themselves at the seat of government for making collections. 

 But when this .space is filled, the accunuilation of specimens must cease, or an addi- 

 tion be made to the building, which, to harmonize with the present edifice, would 

 involve a large expenditure. The question then arises, from what source is this 

 money to be obtained? It can not be derived from the annual income of the capital, 

 for this would cripple the more important operations. It may be said that Congress 

 will furnish the means; but this is relying on a very uncertain soiuce, and the policy 

 of applying to Congress for any aid is doubtful. 



Having said this much, it was easy to continue by expressing the opinion 

 that the Regents had been in error in supposing it necessary to put up a 

 building for the reception of the great musetim of the exploring expedition 

 presented b}^ Congress. 



tioned, was understood to be under the charge of the Smithsonian from the time of 

 its incorporation. The nuiseum clauses of the charter were so imderstood by the 

 first Regents and by Professor Henry, who, in his first programme of organization, in 

 1847, wrote: "When the building is completed, and when, in accordance with the 

 act of Congress, the charge of the National Museum is given to the Smithsonian 

 Institution, other assistants will be required." 



