PROPOSED APPLICATIONS OF SMITHSON'S BEQUEST. 931 



man accustomed to the strict nomenclature of exact science. 

 They inform us, that a plan of organization, to carry into 

 eflFect the intention of the testator, must embrace two ob- 

 jects; one, the calling forth of new knowledge by original 

 research; and the other, the dissemination of knowledge 

 already in existence. 



Smithson's words, liberal and comprehensive, exclude no 

 branch of human knowledge; nor is there any restrictive 

 clause in the charter under which we act. That charter in- 

 dicates a few items, chiefly relating to one of the above ob- 

 jects, and leaves the rest of the plan, under the general 

 provision of the bequest, to the discretion of the Board. 



First. It sets forth, as one of the objects of the institution, 

 a library that shall contain valuable works in all depart- 

 ments of human knowledge. 



Second. It requires that there be provided in the buildings 

 of the institution a hall or halls suitable for a museum cap- 

 able of containing, on a liberal scale, collections of natural 

 history, including geology and mineralogy, and objects of 

 foreign and curious research; the large collection now in 

 the Patent Ofiice being transferred to the institution. 



Third. It requires that there be included in said building 

 ii chemical laboratory. 



Fourth. The building is to contain, also, " the necessary 

 lecture rooms." And, 



Fifth. A gallery of art. 



These items, with the exception perhaps of the laboratorj^, 

 relate to the difl'usion of knowledge only. They render 

 necessary an annual appropriation to collect and support a 

 library; another to maintain a museum; and indicate an 

 intention, that a portion of the annual interest should be 

 applied to the advancement of physical science and the arts, 

 in part by lectures. 



But, after enumerating these items, the framers of the 

 charter added a clause of plenary powers, authorizing the 

 Board, as to all funds not required for the above special pur- 

 poses, to make of them " such disposal as they shall deem 

 best suited for the promotion of the purpose of the testator." 



In obedience to the requirements of the charter, which 

 leaves little discretion in regard to the extent of accomoda- 

 tions to be provided, your committee recommend, that there 

 be included in the building a museum of liberal size, fitted 

 up to receive the collections destined for the institution ; 

 and that library room sufiicient for a hundred thousand vol- 

 umes be provided. They further recommend, that the lec- 

 ture rooms required by the act shall not exceed two in 



