LETTERS ON PROGRAMME OF ORGANIZATION. 987 



liffusion of knowledge are both combined, as of necessity 

 .hey must be, But for the simple diffusion of knowledge 

 ilready in existence, another arrangement is contemplated, 

 viz.: 1st, " The publication of a series of reports, giving an 

 iccount of the new discoveries in science, and of the changes 

 made from year to year in all branches of knowledge not 

 strictly professional." 2d. " The publication of separate 

 treatises on subjects of general interest." It is proposed 

 that the reports shall embrace not only physical, but moral 

 and political subjects, and also literature and the fine arts ; 

 similar precautions with those before stated being adopted 

 to insure the substantial value of whatever shall be published. 

 This scheme of operation it is supposed may be carried 

 into execution, in accordance with the act of Congress which 

 requires the formation of a library and museum, by divid- 

 ino- the income into two equal parts one part to be appro- 

 priated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge, by means 

 of publications and researches, as already stated ; the other 

 to be appropriated to the formation of a library, and a col- 

 lection of objects of nature and art, 



It is understood that the interest which has accumulated 

 on the bequest of Mr. Smithson, since it came into the 

 possession of our Government, furnishes a fund sufficient 

 for the erection of such edifices as are immediately required 

 and when we reflect that the collections of the Exploring 

 Expedition, those of the Commissioner of Indian Attairs, 

 and those of the Patent Office, and the deposits that are 

 constantly flowing into the Government from all part 

 the world, through the agency of our army .and navy omcers, 

 and consuls, may, according to the act of Congress, estab- 

 lishino- the Smithsonian Institution, be entrusted to its care, 

 it will be perceived that little outlay need be devoted to 

 the museum and cabinet beyond the expenses of arrange- 

 ment and supervision. 



For the foundation of a library, the Programme contem- 

 plates, first, a collection of such works as are required tor 

 conducting; its active operations, viz., the transactions and 

 proceedings of all the learned societies in the world, the 

 current periodical publications necessary in preparing peri- 

 odical reports, and such catalogues of books, and other 

 materials, as will render the Institution a centre of biblio- 

 graphical knowledge, whence the student may be directed 

 to any work he shall require ; and, in addition to these, the 

 valuable books first purchased to be such as are not now t 

 be found in the United States. 



In the above summary, it is believed, are embraced the 



