26 • Mis. No. 48. . 



, 8. Also catalogues of memoirs, and of books in foreign libraries, and 

 other materials, should be collected for rendering the institution a centre 

 of bibliographical knowledge, whence the student may be directed to any 

 work which he may require. 



9. It is believed that the collections in natural history will increase by 

 donation, as rapidly as the income of the Institution can make provilfon 

 for their reception, and therefore it will seldom be necessary to purchase 

 any articles of this kind. 



10. Attempts should be made to procure for the gallery of arts casts of 

 the most celebrated articles of ancient and modern sculpture. 



11. The arts may be encouraged by providing a room, free of expense, 

 for the exhibition of the objects of the Art Union and other similar- socie- 

 ties. 



12. A small appropriation should annually be made for models of anti- 

 quities, such as those of the remains of ancient temples, (fcc. 



13. For the present, or until the building is fully completed, besides 

 the Secretary, no permanent assistant will be required, except one, to act 

 as librarian. 



14. The duty of the Secretary will be the general superintendence, with 

 the advice of the Chancellor and other members of the establishment, of 

 the literary and scientific operations of tfie institution; to give to the 

 Regents annually an account of all the transactions; of the memoirs which 

 have been received for publication; of the researches which have been 

 made; and to edit, with the assistance of the librarian, the publications of 

 the Institution. 



15. The duty of the Assistant Secretaiy, acting as librarian, will be, for 

 the present, to assist in taking charge of the collections, to select and pur- 

 chase, under the direction of the Secretary and a committee of the board, 

 books and catalogues, and to procure the information before mentioned; to 

 give information on plans of libraries, and to assist the Secretary in editing 

 the publications of the Institution, and in the other duties of his office. 



16. The Secretary and his assistants, during the session of Congress, 

 will be required to illustrate new discoveries in science, and to exhibit new 

 objects of art; also, distinguished individuals should be invited to give lec- 

 tures on subjects of general interest. 



17. When the building is completed, and when, in accordance with the 

 act of Congress, the charge of tlie National Museum is given to the Smith- 

 sonian Institution, other assistants will be required. 



Explanations andillustrations of tlie programme. 



The programme embraces the general propositions adopted by the Board 

 of Regents at their last meeting, as the basis of future operations. It is 

 intended to harmonize the two modes of increasing and diffusing knowl- 

 edge, and to give to the Institution the widest influence compatible with 

 its limited income. That all the propositions will meet with general 

 approval cannot be expected; and that this organization is the best that 

 could be devised is neither asserted nor believed. To produce a priori a 

 plan of organization which shall be found to succeed perfectly in practice, 

 and* require no amendment, would be difficult under the UiOst favorable 

 circumstances, and becomes almost impossible where conflicting opinions 

 are to be harmonized, and the definite requirements of the act establishing 



