20 The Smithsonian Institution. ’ 
made against this Journal: for a greater amount of acceptable 
matter is offered us than we can publish, and we are obliged to — 
make our own selection; while the Smithsonian Institution, in” 
each case, calls in the aid of the sien experts it can find in the 
country, and holds their published names responsible for their” 
judgment. And the author of a rejected memoir could surely 
have his treatise referred to a second committee, or bring it before 
the world in some appropriate periodical journal, or give it to some 
one of our learned societies; which are willing enough, and gen" 
erally able, to publish any such really important contribution to 
kn nowledge, if not accompanied by numerous and costly plates, 
2a + to publish as much as is 8 heme to bring the new 
ery or new ideas before the world. The publication of 
a detalla and of the needful Sp aksnak illustrations is indeed im- 
portant; and herein the Smithsonian Institution is of great use, 
by publishing valuable memoirs with pee which are be- 
yond the means of the author and of our learned societies: but 
this service is rendered, not so much se the author, who may al- 
the agency of the Institution, the present “Smnithsontal memoi 
* would all have been published, some in journals or transactions 
of societies, and some in respite books,—not, perhaps, in so- 
elegant a style.” This, we know, is not the case as respects 
some of the larger mennoht and if the rest had been so pub- 
lished, an equal quantity which the principal learned societies and | 
journals have in the meantime given to the world could not have — 
appeared. 
The suggestion that the Institution might be administered as 
a bureau of the Department of the Interior, strikes us as by no 
suggestion, that the Institution “ would be found to work most 
- saan under two ee executive officers, is likely 
0 be seriously entertained. Nor can we agree with him that the 
Fresbat system is faulty, and “ necosearity surrounded with yes: 
great difficulties.”” The whole committee bear witness to 
“ zeal, sincerity, integrity, and high motives and aims” of “ those 
vere shggested and have labored to carry out that system.” 
ed 
c 
a fair trial, free from the embarrassments 
position” on the part of any one charged with the duty of car- 
