REPORTS OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE. 685 



institution not merely for disseminating, spreading, teaching knowledge, but also, 

 and foremost, for creating, originating, increasing it. Where at? In a city whose 

 name recalls the wisest, purest, and noblest spirit of the freest, newest, and broadest 

 land. And among whom ? Not a chosen or designated class — not the followers of a 

 particular sage or sect — not the favorites of fortune, nor the lifted of rank ; but 

 among men — men of every condition, of every school, of every faith, of every nativ- 

 ity. Men! It was with a purpose thus elevated and expansive, thus as well distinct 

 as undiscriminating, that James Smithson committed his wealth to the guardianship 

 of the American Republic. Whatever may be the difference of opinion as to the com- 

 parative merits of the many modes of practically realizing this purpose, it is quite 

 certain that the good faith and best exertions of our country are solemnly pledged to 

 its fulfillment. We must try it — try it sincerely, indefatigably, trustworthily — try it 

 through all the diversified and promising channels — try it with no narrow exclusive- 

 ness of choice or prejudice as to systems, sciences, or arts. The intention of the 

 benefactor was to make his endowment a perennial fountain of wisdom, as well prac- 

 tical as theoretic or imaginative, whose living waters should be unceasingly distribu- 

 ted to advance the intelligence, comfort, and happiness of human beings. 



"When, at no distant day, I trust, it shall be seen that within the walls of this 

 building the truths of nature are forced by persevering researches from their hidden 

 recesses, mingled with the stock already hoarded by genius and industry, and thence 

 profusely scattered, by gratuitous lectures or publications, for the benefit of all ; 

 when it shall be seen, that here universal science finds food, implements, and a trib- 

 une — art her spring to invention, her studio, and her models ; and both shall have 

 throngs of disciples from the ranks of our people, emulous for enlightenment or eager 

 to assist — then the condition of our legacy will have been performed, and the wide 

 philanthropy of Smithson have achieved its aim I 



" As a beginning to the plan for effecting a result so interesting, Congress have 

 deemed and declared the erection of a large and commodious edifice indispensable. 

 The Board of Regents were, by the legislative charter, instructed to select, as soon as 

 they were organized, a site, .and to cause a structure to be reared, and that structure 

 to make ' of sufficient size, and with suitable rooms or halls for the reception and 

 arrangement, upon a liberal scale,' first, of objects of natural history, including a 

 geological and mineralogical cabinet ; second, of a chemical laboratory ; third, of a 

 library : fourth, of a gallery of art ; fifth, of the necessary lecture-rooms ; and, sixth, 

 of the national cabinet of curiosities and relics, now poorly and partially accommo- 

 dated in the upper story of tbe Patent Office. It is the first duty of the Regents to 

 obey the unequivocal behests of Congress, to carry them out faithfully on the scale 

 and in the spirit they obviously import ; and to let their measures flow, not from 

 their own discretion, but from the provisions of the law which they are empowered 

 to execute. I say this in explanation of the dimensions which the building must nec- 

 essarily take. It is consecrated to the various and boundless objects that tend to 

 ' increase and diffuse knowledge.' It is designed to participate, as a satellite, in the 

 duration and march of our glorious Union, to be the depository of all the rare pro- 

 ductions of nature and art which centuries may gather, and to throw open halls 

 sufficiently ample to contain the knowledge-seeking masses of our countrymen. 

 Congress have stamped this character upon it, by prescribing and appropriating its 

 vast interior compartments, and by other positive expressions of their will. 



"To conform strictly to instruction, and yet keep within the pecuniary limits 

 assigned to them ; to provide the space called for, and yet avoid even the appearance 

 of unnecessary expansion ; to combine solidity with architectural beauty, and whole- 

 some ventilation, and to satisfy at once true taste and stern economy by banishing 

 useless embellishment, were aims always controlling and uppermost with the Regents. 

 How far they have succeeded, time will show, and must be left to the candor of pub- 

 lic opinion. Not doubting that the experienced and reliable contractors for the work 

 will accomplish their undertaking, in all its details, with exactitude and fidelity, I 

 may venture to give you an anticipation in brief of the building whose first stone is 

 now laid. 



" Its exterior will present a specimen of the style of architecture that prevailed 

 some seven centuries ago, chiefly in Germany, Normandy, and southern Europe, 

 which preceded the Gothic, and continues to recommend itself, for structures like 

 this, to the most enlightened judgment. It is known as the Norman, or, more 

 strictly speaking, the Lombard style. It harmonizes alike with the extent, the -rave 

 uses, and the massive strength of the edifice ; it exacts a certain variety in the forms 

 of its parts ; and it authorizes any additions that convenience may require, no matter 

 how seemingly irregular thev may be. 



" It will extend, east and west,'an entire front of four ^hundred and twenty-six 



