16 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



iiig the right interpretation of the terms of the Smithson bequest. It 

 is substantially a recognition by the national legislature of the fact that 

 the Smithson fund ought not to be burdened with the support of objects 

 which, while they absorb the income, are locally restricted in their 

 influence, and neither essentially connected with the design, nor au- 

 thorized by the language of the trust. Since Congress has eventually 

 thought proper to assume the care of the library we may cherish the 

 hope that in due time it will also make provision for the separate 

 maintenance of a collection of objects of "nature and art," not un- 

 worthy of the National Capital; and that the proceeds of a fund, now 

 generally recognized as having been intended by the testator for ob- 

 jects of a higher order than those confined to local or even national 

 benefit, will be entirely devoted to the system of operations which 

 an experience of nearly twenty years has abundantly shown to be 

 the best and most practical means of realizing the design of the tes- 

 tator. 



It is much to be regretted that views of this kind did not prevail 

 at the time of the organization of the Institution, for had this been 

 the case no small amount of the funds would have been saved, and un- 

 pleasant discusssion been averted, the tendency of which could only, 

 be to obstruct and retard the full development of a system which now 

 constitutes the distinctive and approved policy of the establishment. 

 It is, however, scarcely a matter of surprise that Congress was not, at 

 the time mentioned, prepared to appreciate the significance of the 

 term.s of the Smithson bequest, since the world generally has failed to 

 recognize the importance of abstract scientific truths . Although these 

 truths constitute the most important elements of modern civilization, 

 since they give man power and control over the inherent forces of nature, 

 and enable him to render these the obedient slaves of his will ; yet, 

 there is even at this time no country, however intelligent it may ap- 

 pear in other respects, that has made adequate provision for the dis- 

 covery and development of these important principles. Our own 

 legislators can give no better evidence of enlightened views and wise 

 policy than a free acknowledgement of the claims of science, and a 

 liberal provision for its encouragement and support. 



The propriety of making provision for the separate maintenance of 

 a national museuna, and of relieving the Smithson fund from the 

 burden imposed upon it in this way, will be evident when the fact 

 is recalled that the plan of the present expensive building was 

 adopted to accommodate the museum of the Wilkes' exploring expe- 

 dition, the care of which had been devolved upon the Institution by 

 the law of Congress. But the Board of Regents, after the building 



