THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 



" In selecting lecturers, the consideration of mere popular effect has not been re 

 garded. The persons chosen have been such as to give weight to the lecture, and 

 to reflect credit on the Institution. The object has been to give instruction rather 

 than amusement to improve the public taste rather than to elicit popular ap- 

 plause. The Institution, to be respected, must maintain a dignified character, 

 and seek rather to direct public opinion than to obtain popularity by an opposite 

 course. 



" The moral effect which the lectures have on the city of Washington cannot be 

 otherwise than beneficial. When the weather is favorable, the room is every 

 evening crowded before the hour of commencement with an intelligent audience. 

 The lecturers have generally been persons from a distance, who have expressed 

 surprise to find such a large and respectful attendance in a city which is com- 

 monly thought to be exclusively devoted to politics and amusement. The plan of 

 inviting gentlemen of reputation and influence from a distance, renders the Smith- 

 sonian operations familiar to those best qualified to appreciate their value, and 

 best able to give a correct account of the character of the Institution in their own 

 districts of country, as well as to vindicate its claims to the confidence and 

 friendly regard of the public. The results of this course, and the distribution of 

 the volumes of Contributions to colleges and public libraries, it is hoped, will so 

 establish the Institution in the good opinion of the intelligent and influential part 

 of the community, that it may bid defiance to the assaults of those who are ignorant 

 of its true character, or are disappointed in not sharing its honors without the 

 talents or the industry to win them." 



In the report of the Committee on Or- 

 ganization, of the first Board of Regents, 

 January 25, 1847, the nature of the 

 duties of the Secretary are set forth, and 

 the importance of his position duly con- 

 sidered. It is stated that inasmuch as 

 the Chancellor being a Regent, can re- 

 ceive no salary for his services, it results 

 almost necessarily that the Secretary 

 should become its chief executive officer. 

 The charter seems to have intended 

 that he should occupy a very responsi- 

 ble position ; granting as it does to the 

 Secretary, in conjunction with the Chan- 

 cellor, the power to determine the ne- 

 cessity and the amount of appropriations 

 made for the purposes of the Institution. 

 The Committee stated that in their opinion "upon the choice of this single 



PROFESSOR HENRY. 



