PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON. 315 



over filled to overflowing; and a more extended and secure 

 depository could not be obtained, except by another large draught 

 on the accumulated funds intended to form part of the pei maueut 

 capital.'"* 



Secol^d Visit to Europe.— Ki a meeting of the Board of Re- 

 gents, held February 3rd, 1870, "General Delafield in behalf of 

 the Executive Committee, stated that they deemed it highly 

 important for the interests of the Institution in the promotion 

 of science, and due to the Secretary for his long and devoted 

 services, that he should visit Europe to consult with the savans 

 and societies of Great Britain and the continent ; and he therefore 

 hoped that a leave of absence would be granted to Professor 

 Henry for several months, and an allowance be made for his 

 expenses. On motion of Dr. Maclean it was unanimously Re- 

 solved, That Professor Henry, Secretary of the Institution, be 

 authorized to visit Europe in behalf of the interests of the Smith- 

 sonian Institution, and that he be granted from three to six 

 months leave of absence, and two thousand dollars for travelling 

 expenses for this purpose."f 



It is not necessary here to recount the particulars of this 

 second visit of Henry to Europe, more fully than in the brief 

 account given by him in his annual Report. "Before closing 

 this report, it is proper that I should refer to a resolution 

 adopted by your honorable Board at its last session, granting 

 me leave of absence to visit Europe to confer with savans and 

 societies relative to the Institution, and making provision for 

 the payment of my expenses. The presentation of this propo- 

 sition was entirely without my knowledge, but I need scarcely 

 say that its unanimous adoption was highly gratifying to my 

 feelings; and that I availed myself of the privilege it offered 

 with a grateful appreciation of the kindness intended. I sailed 

 from New York on the 1st of June, returning after an absence 

 of four and a half months, much improved in health, and with 

 impressions as to science and education in the Old World, which 

 may be of value in directing the affairs of the Institution. Al- 

 though limited as to time, and my plans interfered with somewhat 

 by the war, I visited England, Ireland, Scotland, Belgium, parts 

 of Germany and France. But deferring for the present an ac- 

 count of my travels, and the observations connected with them, 

 I will merely state that as your representative, I was everywhere 

 kindly received, and was highly gratified with the commenda- 

 tions bestowed on the character and operations of the Institutiou 

 intrusted to your care. "J 



* Smithsonian Rpport for 186fi, p. 14. 

 t Smithftonian Report for 1 869, p. 89. 

 X Smithsonian Ecporl for 1870, p. 45. 



89 



