REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 45 



sold to individuals, and thus separated. Mr. Stanley^ tliougli possess 

 ing mncli enthusiasm and liberality in regard to his art and com- 

 mendable pride in this collection, will feel compelled, injustice to his 

 family, to dispose of it to individuals, unless Congress becomes the 

 purchaser. 



The Institution possesses a valuable collection of engravings, well 

 calculated to illustrate every epoch in the history of the art, as well as 

 the style of the greatest masters. It is desirable that a catalogue be 

 prepared^ under the names of the engravers, in alphabetical series and 

 with references to the volume and page, of the authors by whom the 

 pieces have been described and criticised. The smaller engravings 

 should be mounted in portfolios or volumes, and the larger regularly 

 arranged, and where necessary, mounted on sheets of thick paper or 

 paste-board, and placed in portfolios. A sufficient number to illus- 

 trate various styles, and also such as are of extraordinary merit, rarity, 

 or cost, ought to be framed as a means of preservation as well as of 

 exhibition. 



It was a part of the original programme of organization, to furnish 

 accommodations free of expense for the exhibition of works of art, and 

 since there is no city of the Union visited by a greater number of in- 

 telligent strangers than Washington, particularly during the session 

 of Congress, it is, perhaps, one of the best places in our country for 

 this purpose. A few artists during the past year have availed them- 

 selves of the advantages thus afforded, and perhaps others would em- 

 brace the opportunity were the facts more generally known. 



Lectures. — Arrangements have been made for the usual number of 

 lectures during the present session of Congress. The plan previously 

 adopted has been adhered to, namely, to give courses of lectures on 

 particular branches of knowledge, interspersed occasionally with single 

 lectures on particular topics. It may be proper to mention that the 

 amount paid the lecturer is merely intended to defray liberally his 

 expenses, and not as full remuneration for his services. Frequent 

 applications have been made, as in previous years, for invitations to 

 lecture ; but as a general rule, the honor has not been extended to 

 those who appeared most solicitous to obtain it. Men of standing 

 and established reputation have principally been chosen, and the dis- 

 courses which they have delivered have been such as to improve the 

 moral and intellectual character of the audience. All subjects of a 

 political or sectarian character have been excluded. 



