8 PROGRAMME OF ORGANIZATION. 



11. In proportion to tlie wide field of knowledge to be cultivated, the 

 funds are small. Economy should, therefore, be consulted in the con- 

 struction 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 shouhl also be but few individuals permanently supported 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 bene- 

 fited by the bequest, and that, therefore, all unnecessary expenditure 

 on local objects would be a perversion of the trust. 



14. Besides the foregoing considerations, deduced immediately from 

 th'fe 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 con- 

 tain them, 



SECTION I. 



Flan of organization of the Institution in accordance icith the foregoing 

 deductions from the will of Smithson. 



To INCREASE KNOWLEDGE. It is proposed — 



1. To stimulate men of talent to make original researches, by offering 

 suitable rewards for memoirs containing new truths ; and, 



2. To appropriate annually a portion of the income for j^articular re- 

 searches, 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 i^roduction of original memoirs on all 

 branches of knowledge. 



2. The memoirs thus obtained to be published in a series of volumes, 

 in a quarto form, and entitled Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge. 



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

 lication which does not furnish a positive addition to human knowledge, 

 resting on original research ; and all unverified speculations to be re- 

 jected. 



4. Each memoir presented to the Institution to be submitted for ex- 

 amination to a commission of persons of reputation for learning in the 



