[1] 



28 



REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY 



m CHARGE OF THE LIBRARY OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, FOR 



THE YEAR 1850. 



To the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution : 



Sir: — With the close of the year, it again becomes my duty to 

 present to you my annual report upon the affairs of the Library. 



The rate of increase is still slow. We cannot expect it to be rapid, 

 until after the a])propriation of the full income of the Institution to itj 

 permanent ol)jects. 



The following table exhibits the number of books and other articles 

 added to the Library since my last report, with the sources from which 

 they have been received. 



I'urchnses, - . . . . 

 Donations and Lxclianges, 

 Copyriglils, . . . . . 



.— o o 



I 513 

 1,098 

 24 986 



2.597 



Adding these to the numbers previously reported, we obtain the fol- 

 lowing statement of the present siice of the collections. 



donations, 

 Copyrights, - 

 Deposits, - ■ 



40 



4,189 



2.051 



2,057 



873 



46 I 9,171) 



These numbers are, it is true, small in comparison with the demands of 

 the community, and with our own hopes and prospects. Rut it must be 

 borne in mind' that the Institution is as yet in but partial operation; that 

 the funds are still, in a great degree, devoted to the building; and that 

 tlie systematic collection of a Library has hardly been commenced. 



The books which have been bought, are for the most part such as were 

 of immediate necessity. The lists which accompany this report, in con- 

 nection with those previously transmitted, will show the composition of 

 the Library. Though not complete in any department, this collection 

 TX)ssesses from the outset, a decided and peculiar character. The list of 

 books received by donation and exchange contains the titles of the latest 

 publications of many of the learned societies of Europe, with complete 



