5 



the walls of this building the truths of nature are forced, by per- 

 severing researches, from their hidden recesses, mingled with the 

 stock already hoarded by genius and industry, and thence pro- 

 fusely scattered by gratuitous lectures or publications for the 

 benefit of all ; when it shall be seen that here universal science 

 finds food, implements, and a tribune — art, her spring to inven- 

 tion, her studio, and her models ; and both shall have throngs of 

 disciples from the ranks of our people, emulous for enlightenment 

 or eager to assist — then the condition of our legacy will have 

 been performed, and the wide philanthropy of Smithson have 

 achieved its aim ! 



As a beginning to the plan for effecting a result so interesting, 

 Congress have deemed and declared the erection of a large and 

 commodious edifice indispensable. The Board of Regents were, 

 by the legislative charter, instructed to select, as soon as they 

 were organized, a site, and to cause a structure to be reared, and 

 that structure to make " of sufficient size, and with suitable rooms 

 or halls, for the reception and arrangement, upon a liberal scale," 

 first, of objects of natural history, including a geological and 

 mineralogical cabinet; second, of a chemical laboratory; third, 

 of a library ; fourth, of a gallery of art ; fifth, of the necessary 

 lecture rooms; and sixth, of the national cabinet of curiosities 

 and relics now poorly and partially accommodated in the upper 

 story of the Patent Office. It is the first duty of the Regents to 

 obey the unequivocal behests of Congress — to carry them out 

 faithfully, on the scale and in the spirit they obviously import; 

 and to let their measures flow, not from their own discretion, but 

 from the provisions of the law which they are empowered to 

 execute. I say this in explanation of the dimensions which the 

 building must necessarily take. It is consecrated to the various 

 and boundless objects that tend to "increase and diffuse know- 

 ledge." It is designed to participate, as a satellite, in the dura- 

 tion and march of our glorious Union — to be the depository of 

 all the rare productions of nature and art which centuries may 

 gather, and to throw open halls sufficiently ample to contain 

 the knowledge-seeking masses of our countrymen. Congress 

 have stamped this character upon it, by prescribing and appro- 

 priating its vast interior compartments, and by other positive 

 expressions of their will. 



To conform strictly to instructions, and yet keep within the 

 pecuniary limits assigned to them ; to provide the space called 

 for, and yet avoid even the appearance of unnecessary expan- 

 sion ; to combine solidity with architectural beauty and whole- 

 some ventilation, and to satisfy at once true taste and stern 



