HISTORY OF THE SMITHSONIAN EXCHANGES. 715 



institutions and individuals cultivating science in this country, under 

 such regulations as might appear most fitting. This proposition gave 

 rise to communications between the president of the Eoyal Society and 

 the chairman of the parliamentary committee on the one part, and the 

 treasury and the principal commissioner of customs on the other; the 

 result of which has been the concession of the privilege of admission, 

 duty free, into England, of scientific books from all countries, designed 

 as presents to institutions and individuals named in lists to be prepared 

 from time to time by the Eoyal Society, after communication with other 

 scientific societies recognized by charter — under the regulation, how- 

 ever, that the books are to be imported in cases, addressed to and pass- 

 ing through the Eoyal Society. This arrangement has come into oper- 

 ation ; and it may be interesting to notice, as giving some idea of its 

 extensive bearing, that the first arrival from the United States, which 

 has taken place under these regulations, consists of packages weighing 

 in all not less than three tons. 



" There is another branch of the same subject which is more difficult 

 to arrange, viz, the international communication by post of scientific 

 pamphlets and papers at reduced rates of postage. The parliamentary 

 committee have directed their attention to this part of the subject also; 

 and I earnestly hoiie that their exertions will be successful." 



In his annual report for 1852 Professor Henry states : 



" The whole number of articles received during 1852 is 4,744, which 

 is more than three times that of all the previous years. The publications 

 i-eceived in many cases consist of entire sets of transactions, the earlier 

 volumes of which are out of print and cannot be purchased. They are 

 of use in carrying on the various investigations of the Institution, and 

 of value to the country as works of reference. 



" The principal object, however, of the distribution of the Smithsonian 

 volumes is not to procure a large library in exchange, but to diffuse 

 among men a knowledge of the new truths discovered by the agency of 

 the Smithsonian fund. The worth and importance of the Institution is 

 not to be estimated by what it accumulates within t-he walls of its build- 

 ing, but by what it sends forth to the world. Its great mission is to 

 facilitate the use of implements of research, and to diffuse the knowl- 

 edge which this use may develop. The Smithsonian publications are 

 sent to some institutions abroad, and to the greater majority of those 

 at home, without any return except, in some cases, that of cooperation 

 in meteorological and other observations. 



"In carrying out this plan the Institution is much indebted to the 

 liberal course adopted by the Government of Great Britain and the 

 ready co-operation of the Eoyal Society of London. All packages in- 

 tended for Great Britain, for some parts of the Continent, and the East 

 Indies, are directed to the Eoyal Society, and on the certificate of its 

 president are, by a special order of the government, admitted duty free, 

 and without the delay and risk of inspection. The i)ackages are after- 



