424 
PROCEEDINGS OF 
ductions so rare as to admit no counterpart find a place in the halls of the Insti¬ 
tute, those halls, and all they contain, will be the rightful resort of the curious; and 
the property of all will, in its central resting place, be easily accessible and bene¬ 
ficially available to all. The officers of the Institute will thus become custodiers 
for the friends of science throughout the world. These are no dreams of fancy. 
Stores of valuable productions have already been accumulated and are in daily pro¬ 
gress. They wait only the means of arrangement and classification, to realize all 
of the bright hopes that have been indulged. 
In calling together a large assembly of persons, we are not insensible to the 
somewhat peculiar character of the invitation. It promises to our guests only an 
intellectual banquet, and it looks to them for the production of the food. We 
have further calls to make upon their indulgence. In former circulars it has been 
stated that appeals are to be made to public liberality. This is the occasion when 
an appeal must be made. Wherever success has attended even public enterprises of 
this nature, it has been the result, in a great degree, of private munificence. The 
names of liberal donors have gone down to posterity with some of the noblest mon¬ 
uments of national pride. If they who shall honor the meeting with their presence, 
could bring along with them pledges of good will from their fellow citizens and 
friends, offerings such as these would give interest and zest to future exhibitions, 
in the success of which every liberal donor would have a share. They will be wel¬ 
come, and well applied, from the profuse outpourings of generous affluence, to the 
humble tribute of the widow’s mite. 
The Institute is of the broadest popular character. Its permanence, and its 
freedom from the usual dangers which beset almost all newly-formed popular esta¬ 
blishments, are relied on, mainly because of its connection with the Government. 
The property which it receives, is the property of the nation. It is subject to no 
individual neglect, or caprice, or personal or corporate liability. Every object 
which, in permanent ownership or temporary deposite, may be placed in the 
care of the Institute, is to be regarded as the absolute or qualified property of the 
Government. It is held, indeed, for the purposes of the Institute, and through its 
administration ; but it acts only as the agent and organ of the Government. Offi¬ 
cers of the association are thus representatives of the nation. As such they will 
hold the stores, manage the concerns, receive the contributions, exchange the ar¬ 
ticles, and diffuse with sedulous care the benefits of the association. They are trus¬ 
tees of a greater corporation, which has necessarily invested certain corporate 
powers for limited purposes in them. Not partaking of any political elements of 
power, they will indirectly aid in some of the best political purposes—the advance¬ 
ment of general knowledge, and the elevation of the national character. Like the 
keepers of a congressional library, the managers, on a larger scale, and with chart¬ 
ered authority, are trusted with the important office of taking care of the objects which 
may come into their hands. In the effectual care of them, the field of usefulness 
is boundless. They will not be buried talents. Sources of various knowledge, 
they will be restored in streams of instruction throughout the country and the world. 
Observation and experience may from time to time unfold the true means of diffus¬ 
ing it, and they will be resorted to with alacrity and zeal. Masses of elementary in¬ 
formation will be received. The methods are numerous by which they may be 
made subservient to the purposes of men. Different ages and countries have pre¬ 
ferred different systems of communicating knowledge, and the wisest have endea¬ 
vored by turns to employ them all. Popular lectures and disciplined schools, 
practical and familiar illustrations, didactic discourse, the text book, the disserta- 
