8 PROGRAMME OF ORGANIZATION. 



10. In order to compensate, in some measure, for the loss of time 

 occasioned by the dehiy of eight years in establishing the Institution, 

 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 the organization, and not the converse. 



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

 benefited by the bequest, and that, therefore, all unnecessary expend-, 

 iture 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. 



Plan of organization of the Institution in accordance tvith the foregoing 

 deductions from the ivill 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 vol- 

 umes, in a quarto form, and entitled Smithsonian Contributions to 

 Knowledge. 



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

 publication which does not furnish a positive addition to human 



