Mis. No. 48. 33 



^een drawn. We shall also require a collection of the most important cur- 

 rent literature and science for the use of the collaborators of the reports ; 

 most of tliese, however, will be procured in exchange lor the publications 

 of the Institution, and therefore will draw but little^from the library fund. 

 For otiier suggestions relative to the details of the library, I would refer to 

 the report of the assistant secretary, acting as librarian. 



The collections of the Institution, as far as possible, should consist of 

 such articles as are not elsewhere to be found in this country, so that the 

 visitors at Washington may see new objects, and the spirit of the plan be 

 kept up, of interesting the greatest possible number of individuals. A 

 general collection of all objects of nature and of art properly arranged and 

 deposited in one place, would form a museum of the highest interest; but 

 the portion of the income of the bequest -which can be devoted to the in- 

 crease and maintenance of the museum, will be too small to \varrant any 

 attempt towards an indiscriminate collection. It is hoped that in due time 

 other means may be found of establishing and supporting a general collec- 

 tion of objects of nature and art at the seat of the general government, with 

 funds not derived from the Smithsonian bequest. For the present, it 

 should be the object of the Institution to confine the application of the 

 funds, first, to such collections as will tend to facilitate the study of the 

 memoirs which may be published in the Contributions, and to establish 

 their correctness; secondly, to the purchase of such objects as are not gene- 

 rally known in this country, in the way of art, and the illustration of anti- 

 quities, such as models of buildings, &c.; and thirdly, to the formation of 

 a collection of instruments of physical research, which will be required 

 both in the illustration of new physical truths, and in the scientific in- 

 vestigations undertaken by the institution. 



Much popular interest may be awakened in favor of the institution at 

 Washington, by throwing the rooms of the building open, on stated even- 

 ings during the session of Congress, for literary and scientific assemblies, 

 after the manner of the weekly meetings of the Royal Institution in Lon- 

 don. At these meetings, without the formality of a regular lecture, new 

 truth in science may be illustrated, and new objects of art exhibited. Be- 

 sides these, courses of lectures may be given on particular subjects by the 

 officers of the Institution, or by distinguished individuals invited for the 

 purpose. 



Respectfully submitted. 



JOSEPH HENRY, 

 Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 



