REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT. 227 



Leaving out of view the present paucity of artists within our 

 own State, and the difficulty, supposed to be necessary, of finding 

 adequate patronage outside of the cities, there could hardly be 

 found anywhere in this country, a more suitable or more desira- 

 ble spot for an institution of the kind suggested. And even the 

 objection alluded to would affect onl}^ such artists as are limited to 

 one or two of the several branches of art. The landscape painter, 

 the historic artist, and the idealist in either painting or sculpture, 

 would each find themselves happily placed here, in an exception- 

 ally pure atmosphere, in a region remarkable for its healthfalness, 

 and in the midst of scenery unparalled for beauty. As this is a 

 matter ia which the Academy, the State University, artists of the 

 Northwest, and the friends of Art generally, must all feel an inter- 

 est, we are not without hope that practical results of some im- 

 portance will follow the effort thus systematically begun. 



The Library of the Academy is under the management of a com- 

 petent and zealous librarian, through whose efforts it must make 

 steady, if not rapid growth, xis was stated in my first report (for 

 1870-72) it has not been, and is not now, the purpose of the 

 Academy to build up a general library, separate and distinct from 

 that of the State Historical Society, which is fast becoming the 

 great general library of the State, but rather to supplement the 

 forces therein at work by efforts to make collections especially rich 

 in the publications of learned, scientific and other kindred socie- 

 ties and associations of all countries, and in works generally which 

 properly belong to the several departments embraced within the 

 Academy, and which are not likely to be supplied otherwise. 

 Large results in this direction have not been accomplished, but the 

 agencies are at work, and will yield fruits more abundant as the 

 years go on. Regarding the Academy from this standpoint, it is 

 quite desirable that its Transactions should be published annually, 

 instead of biennially; for such more frequent publication would 

 render it easier to effect exchanges with other institutions of like 

 character, as well as with the periodical press of the world. 



The Museum of the Academy is making more growth than out- 

 wardly appears. For, owing to the connection of several of the 

 members most active in making collections, with the Geological 

 Survey, now in progress, much of the material which would other- 

 wise have come directly to the Museum, has very naturally and 



