INTRODUCTION 



The law establishing the Smithsonian Institution luas signed 

 by President Polk on August lo, 18^6, and the first organic 

 act of the histitution was a meeting of the Board of Regents, 

 held on Septe^nber 7 of that year. As far back as i8gj, in 

 viezv of the approaching completion of the first half ce7itu7y, I 

 discussed with the Executive Committee of the Regents the 

 best method of celebi^ating this event. 



It seemed quite impracticable to arrange for a gathering of 

 delegates from other scientific institutions, such as is ofte^i held 

 on similar occasions by institutions aiid learned bodies, and the 

 simplest and most efiective means of commemorating it ap- 

 peared to be the publication of a sici table volume, which would 

 give an acco7i7it of the history, achievements, and present con- 

 dition of the Smithso7iia7i l7istitutio7i. 



Doctor G. B7VW71 Goode, zvhose acquai7ita7ice with its history 

 was unrivaled, drew 7ip a C077ip7^ehe7isive pla7i for the vohmie, 

 a7id 071 its app7'oval, Doctor lames C Welli7ig, a Rcge7it, 

 agreed to U7ide7^takc its edito7Hal supe7^visio7t. Doctor Well- 

 ing s death sce7ned to put a stop to the pivposed work, for there 

 appeared to be 710 07ie S2cfficie7itly acquainted zuith the history 

 of the histitution who had the ability, the willi7ig7iess, a7id 

 the leisu7^e to assu77ie this ve7y co7iside7^able task. It was the7i 

 that Doctor Goode told me of his great desire to imdertake the 

 work. K7iozvi7ig how ittmierotis his duties already were, I at 

 first refused, a7id it was 07ily at his ear7test solicitatio7i that I 

 agreed to his request. 



The 77ianuscript was so fa7^ advanced at the ti77ie of his death 

 as to render possible its co77ipletio7t for the press, a7id its publi- 

 cation tip07i the li7ies he laid dow7i. He had 7iot 07ily writte7i 

 many of the chapters, but had 77tade ain'a7ige77ie7its for the illus- 



