424 PROCEEDINGS OF 



ductions so rare as to admit no counterpart find a place in the halls of the Insti- 

 tute, those halls, and all they contain, will be the rightful resort of the curious ; and 

 the property of all will, in its central resting phce, be easily accessible and bene- 

 ficially available to all. The ofiicers of the Institute will thus become custodiers 

 for the friends of science tliroughout the world. These are no dreams of fancy. 

 Stores of valuable productions have already been accumulated and are in daily pro- 

 gress. They wait only the means of arrangement and classification, to realize nil 

 of the bright hopes that have been indulged. 



In calling together a large assembly of persons, we are not insensible to the 

 somewhat peculiar character of the invitation. It promises to our guests only an 

 intellectual banquet, and it looks to them for the production of the food. We 

 have further calls to make upon their indulgence. In former circulars it has been 

 stated that appeals are to be made to public liberality. This is the occasion when 

 an appeal must be made. "Wherever success has attended oven public enterprises of 

 this nature, it lias been the result, in a great degree, of private munificence. The 

 names of liberal donors have gone down to posterity with some of the noblest mon- 

 uments of national pride. If they who shall honor the meeting with their presence, 

 could bring along witli them pledges of good will from their fellow citizens and 

 friends, offerings such as these would give interest and zest to future exhibitions, 

 in the success of which every liberal donor would have a share. They will be wel- 

 come, and well applied, from the profuse outpourings of generous affluence, to the 

 humble tribute of the widow's mite. 



The Institute is of the broadest popular character. Its permanence, and its 

 freedom from the usual dangers which beset almost all newly-formed popular esta- 

 blishments, are relied on, mainly because of its connection with the Government. 

 The property which it receives, is the property of the nation. It is subject to no 

 individual neglect, or caprice, or personal or corporate liability. Every object 

 which, in permanent ownership or temporary deposite, may be placed in the 

 care of the Institute, is to bo regarded as the absolute or qualified property of tho 

 Government. It is held, indeed, for the purposes of the Institute, and through its 

 administration; but it acts only as tho agent and organ of the Government. Ofii- 

 cers of the association are thus representatives of the nation. As such they will 

 hold the stores, manage the concerns, receive the contributions, exchange the or- 

 tides, and diffuse with sedulous care the benefits of the association. They are trus- 

 tees of a greater corporation, wliich has necessarily invested certain corporate 

 powers for limited purposes in them. Not partaking of any political elements of 

 power, they will indirectly aid in some of the best political purposes — tho advance- 

 ment of genpral knowledge, and the elevation of the national character. Like the 

 keepers of a congressional library, the managers, on a larger scale, and with chart- 

 ered authority, are trusted wilh the important oiBce oftakingcareof the objects which 

 nay come into their hands. In the cflectual care of them, the field of usefulness 

 is boundless. They will not be buried talents. Sources of various knowledge, 

 they will bo restored in streams of instruction throughout the country and the world. 

 Observation and experience may from time to time unfold the true moans of ditl'us- 

 ing it, and they will be resorted to with alacrity and zeal. Masses of elementary in. 

 formation will be received. The methods are numerous by which they may bo 

 made subservient to the purposes of men . I)iff\!rent ages and countries have pre- 

 ferred difiurent systems of communicating knowledge, and the wisest have endea- 

 vored by turns to employ them all. Popular lectures und disciplined schools, 

 practical and familiar illubtralions, didactic discourse, the text book, the distorti- 



