28 NINTH ANNUAL REPORT OF 



in the evening. It was attended by delegates from almost every part 

 of the United States, and has published a journal of its proceedings, in 

 which due credit is given to the Institution. 



The second was the American Association for the Advancement of 

 Science, which met the last of April and continued in session until 

 about the 10th of May. Special preparation was made for this associ- 

 ation ; and although the building was still in an unfinished state, it is 

 believed the members were well satisfied with their accommodation, 

 as well as the hospitality and attention they received from the Presi- 

 dent and officers of the general government. 



The third was the Association of Medical Superintendents of Hospi- 

 tals for the Insane, which continued in session several days. The sub- 

 jects discussed were not only of much importance relative to the treat- 

 ment of diseases of the mind, but also of interest to the psychologist. 

 Some, too, were of a practical character, connected with the general 

 economy and management of public institutions. The subjects of heat- 

 ing and ventilating were fully discussed. 



The fourth was the meeting of the American Association for the Ad- 

 vancement of Education, which has just closed its session. The Smith- 

 sonian Institution is thus assisting to render the city of Washington a 

 centre of literary and scientific association, which may serve to diver- 

 sify its character as the political metropolis of the nation. 



Lectures. — In conformity with the law of Congress, a series of lec- 

 tures was given during the winter of 1853-4, and the experiment was 

 made of establishing a full course on a single subject, namely, ( f chem- 

 istry. This was given by Dr. J. Lawrence Smith, late of the Univer- 

 sity of Virginia, and now professor of chemistry in the Louisville Medi- 

 cal College. The interest in all the lectures was fully sustained until 

 the last. 



A number of lectures were also given before the Mechanic's Institute 

 and the Young Men's Chiistian Association in the Smithsonian lecture 

 room. 



The following is a list of the lectures given, with the names of the 

 gentlemen by whom they were delivered. 



A course of three lectures by Benjamin Hallo well, of Alexandria, 

 Virginia. 



1st. The general principles of astronomy, with the movements and 

 consequent phenomena of the bodies of the solar system. 



2d lecture. The sun, Neptune, the asteroids, and comets. 



3d lecture. Fixed stars, nebulae, and stellar systems. 



A course of three lectures by Professor C. W. Hackley, of Columbia 

 College, New York. Subject : History of institutions of learning and 

 science. 



A course of two lectures by W. Gilmore Simms, esq., of Charleston, 

 South Carolina. Subject : The moral character of Hamlet. Also two 

 lectures for the Young Men's Christian Association, on poetry and the 

 practical. 



One lecture by Professor W. J. Whitaker, of Massachusetts. Sub- 

 ject: Method of teaching the art of design. 



A course of three lectures by Park Benjamin, of New York. Sub- 



