49 The Smithsonian Institution 



"6. An abstract, or popular account, of the contents of 

 these memoirs to be given to the public through the annual 

 Report of the Regents to Congress." 



In illustration of this portion of the program, Professor 

 Henry wrote: 



" The publication of original memoirs and periodical re- 

 ports, as contemplated by the program, will act as a power- 

 ful stimulus on the latent talent of our country, by placing in 

 bold relief the real laborers in the field of original research, 

 while it will afford the best materials for the use of those 

 engaged in the diffusion of knowledge. 



" The advantages which will accrue from the plan of publish- 

 ing the volumes of the ' Smithsonian Contributions to Know- 

 ledge,' are various. In the first place, it will serve to render 

 the name of the founder favorably known wherever literature 

 and science are cultivated, and to keep it in continual remem- 

 brance with each succeeding volume, as long as knowledge is 

 valued. A single new truth, first given to the world through 

 these volumes, will forever stamp their character as a work 

 of reference. The contributions will thus form the most be- 

 fitting monument to perpetuate the name of one whose life 

 was devoted to the increase of knowledge, and whose ruling 

 passion, strong in death, prompted the noble bequest in- 

 tended to facilitate the labors of others in the same pursuit. 



"Again, the publication of a series of volumes of original 

 memoirs will afford to the Institution the most ready means 

 of entering into friendly relations and correspondence with all 

 the learned societies in the world, and of enriching its library 

 with their current transactions and proceedings. But per- 

 haps the most important effect of the plan will be that of 

 giving to the world many valuable memoirs, which, on account 

 of the expense of the illustrations, could not be otherwise 

 published. Every one who adds new and important truths to 

 the existing stock of knowledge, must be of necessity, to a 

 certain degree, in advance of his age. Hence the number of 

 readers and purchasers of a work is generally in the inverse 



