INTROD UCTION 



The law establishing the Smithsonian Institution luas signed 

 by President Polk on August 10, 1846, and the first organic 

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

 held on September 7 of that year. As far back as 1893, in 

 view of the approaching completion of the first half century, I 

 discussed with the Executive Committee of the Regents the 

 best method of celebrating this event. 



It seemed quite impracticable to arrange for a gathering of 

 delegates from other scientific institutions, such as is often held 

 on similar occasions by institutions and learned bodies, and the 

 simplest and most effective means of commemorating it ap- 

 peared to be the publication of a suitable volume, which would 

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

 dition of the Smithsonian Institution. 



Doctor G. Brown Goode, whose acquaintance with its history 

 was unrivaled, drew up a comprehensive plan for the volume, 

 and on its approval, Doctor James C. Welling, a Regent, 

 agreed to undertake its editorial supervision. Doctor Well- 

 ings death seemed to put a stop to the proposed work, for there 

 appeared to be no one sufficiently acquainted with the history 

 of the Institution who had the ability, the willingness, and 

 the leisure to assume this very considerable task. It was then 

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

 work. Knowing how numerous his duties already were, I at 

 first refused, and it was only at his earnest solicitation that I 

 agreed to his request. 



The manuscript was so far advanced at the time of his death 

 as to render possible its completion for the press, and its publi- 

 cation upon the lines he laid down. He had not only written 

 many of the chapters, but had made arrangements for the illus- 



