988 LETTERS ON PKOGRAMME OF ORGANIZATION. 



leading and controlling principles of organization and oper- 

 ation embodied in the Programme, omitting details that 

 simply elucidate their practical execution. 



There are, however, two practical suggestions that are 

 worthy of being particularized. One is, that the Institu- 

 tion should aim to produce results which cannot be produced 

 by the existing institutions of the country. The other, that, 

 as in proportion to the wide field of knowledge to be culti- 

 vated, the funds are small, economy should be consulted in 

 the construction of the buildings ; and not only the first cost 

 of the buildings be considered, but the expense of keeping 

 them in repair, and of the support of the establislmient 

 necessarily connected with them. Moreover, that there 

 should be but few individuals supported by the Institution. 



Two ofiicers only are named as demanded by the present 

 wants of the Institution. The Secretary, who is general 

 superintendent of the literary and scientific operations, and 

 editor of its publications, and the Assistant Secretary, who 

 is acting librarian, and joint editor of the publications of 

 the Institution. These officers are also expected, occasion- 

 ally, to illustrate new discoveries in science, and exhibit new 

 objects of art, by lectures during the session of Congress. 



It is certainly gratifying to feel assured that the splendid 

 bequest of Smithson is not to be exhausted in costly build- 

 ings, like the great public legacy of a late American citizen. 

 It is well, also, that the trust is not to be in a measure per- 

 verted to local purposes, by confining its resources to the 

 establishment of a national library. The plan of rendering 

 it the seat and centre of vital energy and activity to the 

 science and literature of a youthful republic, an ever pul- 

 sating heart, distributing life and strength throughout the 

 body politic of letters, prompting, sustaining, and guiding 

 every department of intellectual exertion here, and thus 

 eft'ecting an influence upon mankind at large, is not only 

 more accordant with the intentions of the philanthropic 

 testator, but is in itself a nobler enterprise. As an expo- 

 nent of universal science for our whole country; as the 

 headquarters of bibliographical information ; and as a reg- 

 ister of the progress of knowledge, where the latest achieve- 

 ments of the human mind may be found — in mercantile 

 phrase — " posted up " for convenient reference, and the 

 farthest footsteps of the last traveller in the paths of learn- 

 ing duly noted for the benefit of subsequent adventurers, 

 the Smithsonian Institution may equally fulfill the design 

 of its founder. 



It is true that its operations will sometimes be carried into 



