X JOUENAL OF THE BOARD. 



same position until 1875, when another was appointed in his place. He 

 appeared again, however, in 1877, and we were never afterwards de- 

 prived of his counsels until he was elected President of the United 

 States, which made him ex officio the presiding officer of the Smithso- 

 nian Institution. 



From the beginning his i)resence here was felt. He was eminently 

 fitted for such a trust. 



He was himself a scholar, and the " increase and diffusion of knowl- 

 edge among men" always gave him the greatest pleasure. 



At every meeting of the Board during his successive terms when he 

 could be present, his name appears among tlie active and thoughtful 

 members. He manifested his appreciation of the place he filled by 

 always doing what it was his privilege to do, and doing it well. When 

 on former occasions the Board has given expression to its feelings upon 

 the death of a member his words of heartfelt sympathy have often been 

 heard. The records show that he knew and appreciated the great and 

 good qualities of Chief Justice Chase, and that he fully realized the 

 debt science owed to Agassiz. But the crowning act of all was when, 

 out of the fullness of his heart, at the memorial services in the hall of 

 the House of Eepresentatives, he made those who heard him feel how 

 great the life of Professor Henry had been. 



It is not for us to say he ought to have been spared longer. Few 

 men seemed to possess greater power for good. He died as he lived, an 

 lionor to human nature. 



The Secretary presented an exhibit of the finances of the Institution, 

 showing the condition of the permanent fund, the receipts and expend- 

 itures for the year 1881. 



Dr. Parker presented the annual report of the Executive Comiuittee, 

 which was read. 



On motion of Dr. Gray, it was — 



Resolved, That the report of the Executive Committee for 18SL be ac- 

 cepted. 



Resolved, That the income for the year 1882 be appropriated for the 

 service of the Institution upon the basis of the above report, to be ex- 

 pended by the* Secretary with full discretion as to the items, subject to 

 the approval of the Executive Committee. 



General Sherman presented the report of the National Museum Build- 

 ing Commission for 1881, with the report of the architects, which were 

 read. 



On motion of Dr. Coppee, it was — 



Resolved, That the report be accepted and the Commission be dis- 

 charged, with the thanks of the Board for the able and satisfactory man- 

 ner in which it had discharged its duties. 



On motion of Dr. Parker, it was — 



Resolved, That, in accordance with the recommendation of the National 

 Museum Building Commission, the thanks of the Board of Eegents of 



