8 PROGRAMME OF ORGANIZATION. 



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 lirst 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 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 ex- 

 penditure 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 lo'dl 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 

 diflerent branches of knowledge; and, 



2. To publish occasionally separate treatises on subjects of general 

 interest. . 



DETAILS OF THE PLAN TO INCREASE KNOWLEDGE. 



I. — By stimidating researches. 



1. Facilities to be 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 

 knowledge, resting on original research; and all unverified specula- 

 tions to be rejected. 



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

 examination to a commission of persons of reputation for learning in 



