4 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



pretation of the will of Mr. Sinithson that the main functions of the 

 institution should be "the increase and diffusion of knowledge among 

 men." 



Numerous illustrations of the policy of Professor Henry in regard to 

 the first principle adopted by him can be adduced. No matter how 

 favorite the branch of research might have been with him, nor what 

 amount of reputation might be gained to the Institution by prosecuting 

 it, he was always ready to transfer it to those who could carry it on with 

 success. The most noteworthy instance, perhaps, was that in connection 

 with the subject of meteorology, which had from the beginning been one 

 of special interest to him. The very earliest action in the scientific direc- 

 tion of the Institution had reference to the adoption of a general system 

 of meteorological observations throughout the United States and the 

 adjacent portions of America, and the proper reduction of the results in 

 a systematic form. Up to the time of the establishment of the Signal 

 Office, this was by far the most important feature of Smithsonian activity. 

 It embraced a connection with about six hundred observers from all 

 the walks of life and in all parts of the country. With -these, constant 

 communication was held, and from them were received monthly detailed 

 observations of various degrees of minuteness and accuracy on blanks 

 furnished to them previously by the Institution: and an extended 

 correspondence was maintained with them, not only on meteorological 

 subjects but upon others of scientific interest. For more than twenty- 

 five years this relation continued with the most important results, the 

 work extending and enlarging year by year in a rapid ratio. 



As soon as the operations of the United States Signal Office were 

 established by government, under General Myer, Professor Henry 

 offered to turn over the Smithsonian system with its observers to that 

 establishment, and this offer being accepted the transfer was made; 

 since then the Institution has confined itself to working up the results 

 of a quarter of a century's labors and publishing them in a systematic 

 and digested form. The series of such digests has been nearly com- 

 pleted and the whole will be finished as rapidly as the funds of the 

 Institution will permit. 



It was to this restriction of effort to subjects of importance, in a scien- 

 tific or practical point of view, which were not otherwise provided for, 

 that is due the impression made upon the progress of learning by the 

 Smithsonian Institution as administered by Professor Henry. There 

 are numerous establishments in the United States, not of precisely sim- 

 ilar character, but with the same general object, and with equal or larger 

 funds of endowment, but which are scarcely known or even heard of 

 outside of the limits of the city in which they may happen to be sit- 

 uated. The name of the Smithsonian Institution, on the contrary, is a 

 familiar one in every part of the world; and it may almost be said that 

 it is even better understood, comprehended, and appreciated in the 

 remotest parts of Europe than it is in some sections of the United States. 



