Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-23
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.


Meeting of Regents of Smithsonian Institution.
The Board of Regents of this Institution met at
the room of the Vice President on Monday last
agreeably to adjournment. There was a general
attendance Of the members now in Washington,
(Messrs. CHoATE and HAwLEY not having yet ar
rived.)
Mr. SEAroS on behalf of the Executive Committee, pre-
scented report of the of the funds of the institution
From this report appears that its financial affairs in
very prosperous condition At tho time of the establishment
of the institutions in addition the original fund of S5l5 1872
there had accrued in the form of interest 42 1895 the latter
the Regents authorized by the act Of Congress to
expend for the erection Of building and for other purposes
They have however, thus far encoached upon this only
the amount of about $780, 600 and is confidently beiey
ed that by adheng the plan of finance adopted at the end
of three years (whn which time the building is TO be COM
peed there win be left at least 1000 Of interest to be
added original principal for other objects Of the beques,
General TorrEs from the Building Committee, reported
upon the progress of the Smithsonian edce From this
appears that the wing will be finished by the first Of jan
uary and the wing early in the spring The main part
of the building has been commenced, and from the results
thus far is confidently expected that the building will be
completed for the of oOO appropriated by the Board
The Secretary Professor HENRY presented his report of
the operations Of the past year, from which CLEAN the fol-
lowing particulars
The programme of organization has been submitted to
number of Literary and Scientific Societies. and has in every
received their appreciation The Officers Of these ins
tutons have expressed willingness operate with this
institution in carrying the plans which have been adopted
Until the end of three years from March, only
half Of the income Of the original fund to be appropriated to
the active operations of the institution, the other part of the
Aghols be devoted the building fund and there
fore the institution be put full operation until after
the end Of the time above mentioned.
will be recoleced that the programme embraces ls the
plan Of publishing original Memoirs all branches Of know
ledge in series of volumes 2dy, the institution Of original
researches under the direction Of suitable persons 3dy the
publication OF series of reports from year year. giving
Of the progress of the different branches of knowledge
and 4thy, the foundation of library and Of OBJ
jects Of nature and art.
The first volume OF the contributions has been published
and partially distributed colleges and learned societies Be-
fore the types distributed the authors permitted
strike off edition for their benefit aud is this edi
ton which is offered for sale. Applications have been
made for the first volume from many academies and minor in
situtons and the sufficient for the purpose, the
institution would supply all demands; but with its limited
income this is impossible The periodical reports however
being expensive will be much widely distributed.
Preparations made for the publication Of the second
volume Of the contributions and sufficient number Of
mors have been already accepted in preparation to sup
ply the materials.
Under the second head is mentioned the publication Of
cultations for facilitating the determination Of the longitude
important places ordered at the last meeting of the Board
These have been well received that another has been
prepared and ready for distribution for $40 among all
persons interested in practical astronomy An Ephemes has
also been prepared and published Of the planet Neptune
beginning been made towards establishing system Of Me-
neurological observations ordered the last meeting the blank
forms being in the hands Of the photographer, and will
shortly be ready send to those who may be willing 10 join
in the observations Several Of instruments have been
stations the coast Of the Pacific and in the
interior continent and invesg in reference
terrestrial magnetism have been instituted Under the auspices
of the institution important literary enterprise has been
copmenced, viz the preparation Of photographed account
Of all books relating published in America prior the
year 1900 the expense Of preparation Of this work being de-
ayed by the subscriptions Of number Of institutions and
dviduas This work will indicate the Libraries in this
try and Europe where the books are to be found Insru
meas ordered for observations in astronomy mag
nesm, and other terrestrial phenomena be placed under
the direction Of Lieut. GILIIss, in his expedition Chill
These is hoped, will be paid fer BY further appropriation
by the General Government towards this object.
With regard to the periodical reports be published,
learn the following particulars These reports
ten,vcy circulated the funds Of the institution will allow
and intended give Of the progress Of the DIFF
fereni branches knowledge throughout the world In many
the periodical reports win be preceded by preliminary
reports the previous state Of the branch Of knowledge
which the former pertain number Of these in process
Appropriation, yz upon Chemistry, applied to Agricul
ture upon the Forest Trees Of America the
Phenomena Of Lightning the later discoveries in As
sronomy and the practical Of Meteorological in
struments.
Appended the Secrearys report is tho report Of the As
sistant Secretary (Proossor JEwrTr) the Library
count Of which viii give readers IN future number.
Professor HESRrs report ends with ausion TO the
ncent donation Of Dr. Hare Of Philadelphia which has al
ready been noticed in our columns.
OPINION ON THE rIrpnprAN CONTINENT