ie 
312 Explanations and Illustrations of the plan 
fen obtained, an here a more detailed account can be 
tis scarcely nece sary to remark, that ‘the: preporanies 
Tada without destroying its scientific character. Occasion- 
rts may | be obtained rom abroad—as, for example, ac- 
progress of Page branches of knowledge in for- 
ounts of the 
cic? Pibtriee 2 d these may be translated if necessary, and 
incorp' rated - into er neherts; by ame competent person in this 
country. 
“Besides haste on the progress of knowledge, the pro- 
gramme proposes to publish occasionally brief treatises on partic- 
J Ee _ There are always sr igen of general interest, of 
rief expositions would be of much value. The repara- 
= these, however, should be pers to none but persons 
of charac icter and reputation, and should be subjected to a revision 
By competent and responsible judges before they are given to the 
ble They may be presented in the form of reports on the 
existing state of knowledge relative to a given subject, and may 
‘sometimes consist of memoirs and expositio ons of "particular 
eee of literature and science, translated from foreign lan- 
ages. The reports and treatises of ‘the institution, sold at a 
“price barely sufficient to ay the expense of printing, will find 
eir way into every school in our country, and will ‘be used not 
as first lessons for the pupil, but as sources of reliable information 
for the teacher. - 
_ The second section “of the programme gives, so far as they 
ave been made out, the details of the part of the plan of organ- 
zation \ directed the act of Congress establishing the institu- 
toe The two plans, namely, that of publication and origina 
, and that. of collections of objects of nature and art, are 
ne . Incompatible and may be carried on harmoniously with, each 
tn on Rctect which they will have on one another is 
‘th ing the operation of each, on account of the funds 
“given * "the other. “Still with : judicious application, , and an 
economical expenditure of the i inéome, and particularly by rig idly 
observing the plan of ‘finance, : suggested by Dr. Bache, in abe 
construction of’ the building, much good may be effected in each 
e two branches of the institution. T’o carry on the opera- 
tions Of the first, a working library will be required, consisting 
of the past volumes of the transactions - and proceedings of a 
the learned societies in every lang guage. _ These are the original 
sources from which the most important principle f the at 
knowledge of our day have been drawn. Webel also 
