XVIII PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS. 



the Prussian legislature, which was also very impressive. The whole 

 occasion was most interesting- and everything was most admirably done. 

 The Secretary added that Dr. White had further said in conversation 

 that in all his experience as a minister to P^uropean courts he had never 

 seen so imposing a display of ceremonial magniticence. 



MR. bell's RESOLUTION. 



Under the head of unfinished business the Chancellor called up the 

 resolution offered at the last meeting by Mr. Bell. 



Mr. Bell said that he thought the Institution could not afford to 

 remain silent on the subject of the great questions aroused by the 

 National University project, and that some expression of the good will 

 of the Institution at least might well be given. He, therefore, desired 

 to withdraw the resolution offered last year and to substitute for it the 

 following, which was satisfactory to the Executive Committee: 



In order to facilitate the utilization of the Government Dei>artments for the pur- 

 poses of research — in extension of the policy enunciated by Congress in the joint 

 resolution approved April 12, 1892: 



Resolved, That it is the sense of the Board that it is desirable that Congress extend 

 this resolution so as to afford facilities for study to all properly qualified students or 

 graduates of universities, other than those mentioned in the resolution, and provide 

 for the appointment of an officer whose duty it shall be to ascertain and make 

 known what facilities for research exist in the Government Departments, and 

 arrange with the heads of the Departments, and with the officers in charge of Gov- 

 ernment collections, on terms satisfactory to them, rules and regulations under 

 which suitably qualified persons may have access to these collections for the purpose 

 of research with due regard to the needs and requirements of the work of the Gov- 

 ernment; and that it shall also be his duty to direct, in a manner satisfactory to the 

 heads of such Departments and officers in charge, the researches of such persons 

 into lines which will promote the interests of the Government and the development 

 of the natural resources, agriculture, manufactures, and commerce of the country, 

 and (generally) promote the progress of science and the useful arts, and the increase 

 and diffusion of knowledge among men. 



After some discussion by the Regents, on motion the resolution was 

 adopted. 



REMOVAL OF SMITH SON's REMAINS. 



The Secretary stated that he had received the following letter: 



7 Via Garibaldi, 

 Genoa, 24 November, 1900. 

 Samuel Pierpont Langley, Esq., LL. D., D. C. L., 



Smithsonian Institution, Washington. 

 Dear Sir: The Committee of the Britisli Burial Ground of Genoa (of which, as 

 you are aware, Her Majesty's consul is chairman), fully realizing how keenly you are 

 interested in all that concerns the resting place of the respected Founder of your Insti- 

 tution, has deputed me to write to you and lay hefore you the present position of oiu* 

 cemetery. 



It will lie in your recollection that when I accompanied you some years ago up to 

 the heights of San Benigno you were struck by the enormous quarry which was 



