REVIEWS — REPORT OE THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 43 



Again, in reference to the proposed application of the funds to the 

 formation of a library, the Judiciary Committee go on to say : 



" Such an application of the funds could hardly be regarded as a faithful exe- 

 cution of the trust; for the collection of an immense library at Washington 

 would certainly not tend to increase or diffuse knowledge in any other country, 

 not even among the countrymen of the testator ; very few even of the citizens 

 of the United States would receive any benefit from it. 



" This is the construction which the Regents have given to the Acts of Con- 

 gress, and in the opinion of the committee, it is the true one, and, acting under 

 it, they have erected a commodious building, given their attention to all the 

 branches of science mentioned in the laAv, to the full extent of the means afforded 

 by the fund of the institution, and have been forming a library of choice and 

 valuable books, amounting already to more than fifteen thousand volumes. The 

 books are, for the most part, precisely of the character calculated to carry out 

 the inteutions of the donor of the fund, and of the Act of Congress. They are 

 chiefly composed of works published by or under the auspices of the numerous 

 institutions of Europe which are engaged in scientific pursuits, giving an account 

 of their respective researches and of new discoveries whenever they are made. 

 These works are sent to the Smithsonian Institution in return for the publications 

 of this institution which are transmitted to the learned societies and establish- 

 ments abroad. The library thus formed, and the means by which it is accom- 

 plished, "are peculiarly calculated to attain the objects for which the munificent 

 legacy was given in trust to the United States. The publication of the results 

 of scientific researches made by the institution is calculated to stimulate Ameri- 

 can genius, and at the same time enable it to bring before the public the fruits 

 of its labors. And the transmission of these publications to the learned societies 

 in Europe, and receiving in return the fruits of similar researches made by them» 

 gives to each the benefit of the increase of knowledge which either may obtain, 

 and at the same time diffuses it throughout the civilized world. The library 

 thus formed will contain books suitable to the present state of scientific know- 

 ledge, and will keep pace with its advance ; and it is certainly far superior to a 

 vast collection of expensive works, most of which may be found in any public 

 library, and many of which are mere objects of curiosity or amusement, and 

 seldom, if ever, opened by any one engaged in the pursuit of science." 



The Judiciary Committee conclude their report in the following 

 terms : 



" From the views entertained by the committee, after an impartial examination 

 of the proceedings referred to, the committee have adopted the language of the 

 resolution, 'that no action of the Senate is necessary and proper in regard to the 

 Smithsonian Institution; and this is the unanimous opinion of the committee.'" 



Having then briefly considered the origin, proposed objects and 

 mode of action of this magnificent establishment, it remains for us 

 to examine from the report for the year 1855 how far the proposed 

 objects are in course of accomplishment. 



The following are the principal contents of the report of the 

 Regents for 1855 j 



