28 S. Mis. 53. 



require more attention and continuous thought than can be generally 

 expected from a promiscuous audience. Hence the scientific lecturer 

 frequently aims at a brilliant display of experiments, rather than to 

 impress the mind with general principles. 



Local lectures are too limited in their influence to meet a hberal 

 interpretation of the will of Smithson; yet they were ordered b}'' 

 Congress, and are calculated to do more good in this city than in any 

 other part of the Union. 



In selecting lecturers the consideration of mere popular effect has 

 not been regarded. The persons chosen have been such as to give 

 weight to the lecture, and to reflect credit on the Institution. The 

 object has been to give instruction rather than amusement — to improve 

 the public taste, rather than to elicit popular applause. The Institution, 

 to be respected, must maintain a dignified character, and seek rather 

 to direct j)ublic opinion than to obtain popularity by an opposite 

 course. 



The moral effect which the lectures have on the city of Washington 

 cannot be otherwise than benefi.cial. When the weather will permit, 

 the room is every evening crowded before the hour of commencement 

 with an intelligent audience. The lecturers have generally been per- 

 sons from a distance, who have expressed surprise to find such a large 

 and respectful attendance , in a city which is commonly thought to be 

 exclusively devoted to politics and amusement. The plan of inviting 

 gentlemen of reputation and influence from a distance renders the 

 Smithsonian operations familiar to those best qualified to appreciate 

 tlieir value, and best able to give a correct account of the character 

 of the Institution in their own districts of country, as well as to 

 vindicate its claims to the confidence and friendly regard of the 

 public. The results of this course, and the distribution of the volumes 

 of Contributions to colleges and other institutions, it is hoped, will so 

 establish the Institution in the good opinion of the intelhgent and influ- 

 ential part of the community, that it may bid defiance to the assaults 

 of those who are ignorant of its true character, or are disappointed in 

 not sharing its honors without the talents or the industry to win them. 



The following is a list of the titles of lectures given during the last 

 session of Congress, with the names of the gentlemen by wliom the}- 

 were delivered : 



A course of three lectures by Dr. E. K. Kane, U. S. N., on Arctic 

 exploration. 



A course of three lectures by President Mark Hopkins, of Wilhams 

 College, on method applied to investigation. 



A course of four lectures by Prof. W. B. Rogers, of the University 

 of Virginia, on the phases of the atmosphere. 



A course of twelve lectures by Dr. Benjamin Silliman, sr., of Yale 

 College, on geology. 



A course of two lectures by Prof. C. C. Felton, of Harvard Univer- 

 sity, on Greek literature. 



One lecture by Job R. T^^-son, esq., of Philadelphia: Queen Eliza- 

 beth and Oliver Cromwell, theii" characters and times, contrasted and 

 compared. ^ 



