The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-23
TH b UNION.
Smithsonian Institution.

Smithsonian Institution.
The National nellgeneer has the following notice
of the proceedings OF the Board of Regents OF this nst
tuition, which met at Washington recently:
Mr. Seaton, on behalf of the Executive Committee,
presented report of the state OF the funds OF the inst
tuition From this report Il appears that It's financial at
fairs are IN a very prosperous condition. At the time Of
the establishment OF the institution. in addition TO the
original fund OF S5l5,l69 there had accrued in the form
OF interest s242 ,l29; the latter the regents were
authorized by the act of Congress, TO eXpend for the
erection of a building, and for other purposes They
have however thus far encroached upon this only
TO the amount of about $50 00J and II is confidently be-
eved that by adhering 10 the plan OF finance adopted,
at the end of three years within which time the building
is 10 be completely there will be left at least 600 of
interest to be added 10 the original principal for other OBJ
Jects OF the bequest
General Toten, from the building committee, reported
upon the progress OF the Smithsonian edce. From this
appears that the east wing will be finished by the lst
OF January and the west wing early IN the spring. The
main part OF the building has been commenced and from
the results thus far, il is confidently expected that the
building wall be completed and the grounds improved Tor
the sum OF S2jOOoy appropriated b. The board Tor these
purposes
The secretary Professor Henry, presented his report
OF the operations OF the past year, from which we CLEAN
the following particulars:
The programme of organization has been submitted TO
number of literary and scientific societies. and has, in
every case, received their appreciation The officers OF
these institutions have expressed willingness 10 coope
rate with this institution IN carrying out the plans which
have been adopted Until the end of three years from
next March, only half OF the income of the original
und is 10 be appropriated 10 the active operations OF Inc
institution the other pat of the whole income TO be de-
voted 10 the building IL nd aAd therefore, the institution
cannot be put IN u Operation until after the end OF Inc
time above mentioned
Ii will be reco ected that the programme embraces ST.
the plan OF publishing original memoirs on all branches
OF knowledge, In series OF volumes 2lly me lnsuu-
ton OF original researches under the direction OF suitable
PERSONS 3dy, the publication OF series oil reports from
year to year, giving account OF the progress OF the
different branches of knowledge and, 4lh!y the lounda
ton OF library and museum OF objects OF nature ana
The first volume of the Contributions has been pub
shed, and partially distributed 10 colleges and learned
societies. Before the types distributed the authors
permitted to strike off edition for their own ben
eht, and II is this edition which is now offered for sale
Applications have been made for the first volume from
many academies and minor institutions and, were the
means sufficient for the purpose the institution would
supply all demands but, with It's limited income, this is
impossible. The periodical reports however, beng less
expensive, will be much more widely distributed Prep
aTaons have been made for the publication of the second
volume OF the Contributors and sufficient number OF
memoirs have been already accepted, or are IN prepara-
ton, 10 supply the material =.
Under the second head is mentioned the publication OF
occuiatons, for acatn the determination of the lon
gltude ct important place ordered at the last meeting OF
the board. These have been well received that an
other set has been prep ed and is ready for dstr
button for 1872 among all persons interested IN practical
astronomy. An Ephe neris has also been prepared and
published OF the plane I Neptune. beginning has been
made towards esab fishing system OF meteorological
observations ordere the last meeting, the blank forms
being now IN the hands OF the photographer and will
JOIN IN the obse fvaons. Several sets of instruments
have been sent % remote stations on the coast OF the
Pacific and IN the interior OF continent, and IN
vestgallons IN reference terrestrial magnetism have
been institute d. Under the auspices of the instltu-
hon an mp ortan literary enterprise has been com
menced, VIZ: the preparation OF biographical .ac-
count OF all books relating TO- or published IN, Amen,
ca pror 10 the l7oO the expense OF preparation OF
TINS WORK being defrayed by the subscriptions OF mum
Der OF INST tuons and indyinas inns work VIII in1i-
Gale the Libraries in this cou ntry and Europe where The
DOCKS are 10 be found Instr uens nave been ordered
oI oDsev aions IN astronomy magnetism ana oter Ter,
Iesa! Phenomena 10 be placed nhder the Girechoh Oh
Lieut. HilAs, IN his expedition TO Chm. these, IL is
hopeu VIII be paid for by ur her Appropriation py Inc
general 9" sernment towards this 2bjecl. -
VIZ regard TO the periodical exports 10 De pupished
learn the following particulars: These reports are 10
he as extensively circulated II funds oil Inc ns'it-
ton will allow and intended 10 give an account OF
tbr progress of the different bra inches OF knowledge
throughout the world In many asses the periodical re-
morris will be preceded by pemnar y reports on The pre-
vons state of the branch OF knowledge to which the
former pertain number OF the sc are IN process OF
incarnation viz one upon chemistry applied 10 agncu-
lure one upon the forest trees OF America one on inc
phenomena of lightning; one on the aler discoveries IN
psronomv and on the practical use OF meteorological
Instruments a., $50. r 4,
Amended 10 the secrearys report IS the report oil the
assistant secretary Preessor JewetD on the library an
account of which will give our readers IN future
number. ~ :,
Professor Henry's report ends with allusion 10 the
munitcent donation of Dr. Hare, OF Philadelphia, which
| has been already noticed in columns,