46 
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART 
tectural designs; and it is desirable to have in connexion with it 
one or more studios, in which young artists might copy without 
interruption, being admitted under such regulations as the 
board may prescribe. Your committee also think that as the 
collection of paintings and sculpture will probably accumulate 
slowly, the room destined for a gallery of art might properly and 
usefully meanwhile be occupied during the session of Congress 
as an exhibition room for the works of artists generally ; and the 
extent and general usefulness of such an exhibition might prob- 
ably be increased, if an arrangement could be effected with the 
Academy of Design, the Arts Union, the Artists’ Fund Society, 
and other associations of similar character, so as to concentrate 
at the Metropolis, for a certain portion of each winter, the best 
results of talent in the fine arts.” 
Consideration of the full report of this committee led the 
Board of Regents to adopt a number of resolutions, of which the 
two here quoted relate to the fine arts : 
“ Resolved , That it is the intention of the act of Congress estab- 
lishing the institution, and in accordance with the design of Mr. 
Smithson, as expressed in his will, that one of the principal 
modes of executing the act and the trust is the accumulation 
of collections of specimens and objects of natural history and 
of elegant art, and the gradual formation of a library of valu- 
able works pertaining to all departments of human knowledge, 
to the end that a copious storehouse of materials of science, lit- 
erature, and art may be provided, which shall excite and diffuse 
the love of learning among men, and shall assist the original 
investigations and efforts of those who may devote themselves 
to the pursuit of any branch of knowledge. 
“ Resolved , That for the purpose of carrying into effect the two 
principal modes of executing the act and trust pointed out in the 
resolutions herewith submitted, the permanent appropriations 
out of the accruing interest shall, so soon as the buildings are 
completed, be annually as follows, that is to say : 
“First, for the formation of a library composed of valuable 
works pertaining to all departments of useful knowledge, and 
for the procuring, arranging, and preserving of the various col- 
lections of the institution, as well of natural history and 
objects of foreign and curious research and of elegant art as 
