242 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT OF 



taken from life, and are accurate representations of the peculiar fea- 

 tures of prominent individuals ol forty-three different tribes, inhabiting 

 the southwestern prairies, New Mexico, California, and Oregon. The 

 faithfulness of the likenesses has been attested by a number of intelli- 

 gent persons who have visited the gallery, and have immediately re- 

 cognised among the portraits those of the individuals with whom they 

 have been personally acquainted. The artist expended in the work of 

 obtaining these pictures ten years of his life, and perseveringly devoted 

 himself to his task in the face of difficulties and dangers which enthu- 

 siasm in the pursuit could alone enable him to encounter. The Institu- 

 tion has published a descriptive catalogue of these portraits, which are 

 of interest to the ethnologist as representatives of the peculiar physiog- 

 nomy, as well as of many of the customs, of the natives of this continent. 



Lectures of the Institution. 



Public lectures have become one of the characteristics of the day, 

 and next to the press perhaps tend, more than any other means of dif- 

 fusing knowledge, to impress the public mind. The liberal price paid 

 by the Lowell Institute, and some of the associations in our large cities, 

 induces men of reputation to devote themselves to the preparation of 

 popular lectures. In some parts of the county a number of adjacent 

 cities or villages enter into an arrangement by which the same lecture 

 may be repeated, in succession, at each place ; and in this way the 

 amount paid becomes sufficient to call forth the best talent. A plan ol 

 this kind has been adopted by the Athenaeum of Richmond, Virginia, 

 with reference to the lectures before the Smithsonian Institution, the 

 effect of which has been mutually beneficial. Popular lectures appear 

 better adapted to present literary and historical facts, and to give 

 information relative to subjects of art and of morals, than to impart a 

 knowledge of scientific principles. These require more attention and 

 continuous thought than can be generally expected from a promiscuous 

 audience. Hence the scientific lecturer frequently aims at a brilliant 

 display of experiments, rather than to impress the mind with general 

 principles. 



Local lectures are too limited in their influence to meet a proper 

 interpretation of the will of Smithson; yet they were ordered by Con- 

 gress, and are calculated to do more good in this city than in any other 

 part of the Union. 



In selecting lecturers, the consideration of mere popular effect has 

 not been regarded. The persons chosen have been such as to give 

 weight to the lecture, and to reflect credit on the Institution. The 

 object has been to give instruction rather than amusement — to improve 

 the public taste rather than to elicit popular applause. The Institution, 

 to be respected, must maintain a dignified character, and seek rather 

 to direct public opinion than to obtain popularity by an opposite 

 course. 



The moral effect which the lectures have on the city of Washington 

 cannot be otherwise than beneficial. When the weather is favorable, 

 the room is every evening crowded before the hour of commencement 

 with an intelligent audience. The lecturers have generally been per- 



