LETTERS ON PROGRAMME OF ORGANIZATION. 969 



The collection of scientific apparatus and instruments of research is no 

 less needful in the furtherance of the above-mentioned plan, which, as it 

 proposes to aid individuals in the prosecution of important researches, may 

 often do so most effectually by the loan of the instruments required for a 

 particular investigation. They will also be needed, especially at Washing- 

 ton, for carrying out, under the most advantageous circumstances, the 

 various experimental investigations in physics already pursued by the Sec- 

 retary, with such credit to himself, and such honor to the scientific character 

 of the country. 



The Smithsonian Institution is also to be intrusted with the conservation 

 of a national museum ; Congress having, by a clause in the act of incorpo- 

 ration, devolved upon it the charge of the immense collections belonging to 

 the public, of which those brought home by Captain Wilkes from the Ex- 

 ploring Expedition form the greater portion, but which are daily increasing 

 from many sources. These collections, when a proper and convenient place 

 shall have been prepared for their reception and preservation, are likely to 

 accumulate with still greater rapidity in time to come. 



While there is an obvious propriety and convenience in thus intrusting 

 the care of the public collections to the officers of the Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion, it will not, the committee trust, be forgotten by Congress, that the 

 income of the Smithsonian bequest moderate at best, and consecrated to 

 an object distinct as it is elevated ought not to be burdened with the cost 

 of constructing an edifice for the reception and exhibition of the public 

 collections, and their preservation and care. These objects would alone 

 absorb a considerable portion of the fund. If drawn upon to carry them 

 into effect, its efficiency for any other purpose will be seriously diminished, 

 if not altogether destroyed. 



The plan also contemplates a museum of the fine arts, as well as a scien- 

 tific apparatus ; it proposes to procure " casts of the most celebrated articles 

 of ancient and modern sculpture," and " models of antiquities." While it 

 is undoubtedly true, that a gallery of this description would find an appro- 

 priate place in an establishment devoted to the increase and diffusion of 

 knowledge in its broadest sense, the committee cannot but hope that the 

 immediate execution of this part of the plan will not be attempted ; but 

 that it will be deferred till other objects of more decided utility have been 

 provided for, and until a surplus of unappropriated funds shall have accrued. 



The Academy will perceive that the most novel and important feature of 

 this plan is that which proposes to insure the publication of memoirs and 

 treatises on important subjects of investigation, and to offer pecuniary en- 

 couragement to men of talent and attainment to engage in scientific research. 

 It is believed that no institution in the country effects either of these objects 

 to any great extent. The nearest approach to it is the practice of the 

 Academy, and other philosophical societies, of publishing the memoirs 

 adopted "by them. These, however, can rarely be works of great compass. 

 No systematic plan of compensation for the preparation of works of scien- 

 tific research is known by the committee to have been attempted in this or 

 any other country. It can scarcely be doubted that an important impulse 

 would be given by the Institution, in this way, to the cultivation of scien- 

 tific pursuits ; while the extensive and widely"ramified system of distribu- 

 tion and exchange, by which the publications are to be distributed through- 

 out the United States and the world, would secure them a circulation which 

 works of science could scarcely attain in any other way. 



It is an obvious characteristic of this mode of applying the funds of the 

 Institution, that its influence would operate most widely throughout the 

 country ; that locality would be of comparatively little importance as far 

 as this influence is concerned ; and that the Union would become, so to say, 

 in this respect, a great school of mutual instruction. 



The committee would remark, in conclusion, that, in a plan of operations 

 of this kind, very much depends upon the activity and intelligence with 

 which it is administered. The character of the Board of Regents is a 



