The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-06-02
Gro BE- ecNTISuED.l
Smithsonian Inssituse.

Smithsonian Institute.
The National lntelligencer has the f1llowin
notice Ci tae proceedings OF the BoaId of Re
gents Of this Institution, which met a. Wash
ington on Monday last:
Mr.. SEAToS, on behalf of the Execu
live Committee, presented a report of IN
safe OF the funds OF the Institution. From
ibis report, it appears that its financial at
lars are IN very prosperous condition.
AT the time Of the establishment OF the in
>lituIion, in addition TO the original fund L
S5l4, l69, there had accrued, in the form
of interest, S2i2, 1919; the latter sum The
Regents were authorised, by the act of Con
gress, 10 eSpend for the erection of build
ing, and for other purposes. They have
however, thus far encloached upon this
sum only to the amount Of about $50, 900;
and il is confidently believed, that, by ad
herring to the plan of finance adopted, al
the end Of three yeas, (withn which time
the building is 10 be completely theIe will
be left at least $50. 600 Of interest, to be
added to the original principal for other OBJ
jects Of the bequest.
General TorrEN, from the building com
miitee, reported upon the progress Of the
Smithsonian edifice. From this It appears
that the east wing will be finished by the
first OF January, and the west wing early
in the spIing, The nam part OF the build,
ing has been commenced, and, from the
results thus far, it is confidently expected
that the building will be completed. and
the grounds improved for the sum Of $3.50
900, appropriated by the board for these
purposes.
| The Secretary, Professor Henry, pre-
scented his report Of the operations Of the
past year, from which We CLEAN the fol
lowing particulars;
The programme Of organisation has beer
submitted 10 a number of literary ono
scientific societies, and has, in every case
received their appreciation. The officer:
Of these institutions have expressed will
lingness to co-Opci ate with this institution
in carry ing ont ,he plans which have been
adopted. Until lie end Of three year:
from next March, only one.half Of the in
come Of the original fund is to be sppro
priated TO the active operations Of the lnsti
tuition, the other part Of the whole income
to be devoted to the building fund; and
therefore, the institution cannot be put into
full operation until after the end Of tn,
time aforementioned.
1t will be recollected that the programm,
embraces; 1st, the plan Of publishing origin
al memoirs on all branches Of knowledge
in series OF Volumes 2dly, the institution
of original researches under the direction O
suitable persons; 3dly, the publication OF
series of reports, from year TO year, givin,
an account of the progress of the daeren
branches OF knowledge; and, 4lhly, tn,
foundation Of library and a museum o
objects of nature and art.
The first volume Of the contributions ha
been published, and partially distributed L
colleges and learned societies. Before tn,
types Were distributed, the authors wer,
permitted TO strike off an addition for thei
own benefit. and it is this addition which
is now offered for sale. Applications hav,
been made for the inst volume from man,
academies and minor institutions, and
were the means sufficient for the purpose
the institution would supply all demands
but, with its limited income, this is impos
sible. The periodical reports. howe err
being less expensive. will be much NOR
widely distributed. Preparations have beer
made for the publication OF the seconc
volume of the contributions, and sUffici
ent number Of memoirs have been ALREADY
accepted, or are in preparation, to supply
the materials.
! Under the second head is mentioned III,
publication OF OCCUPATIONS for facilitatin,
the determination Of the Longitude oil i'm
poIlant places, ordered at the last meeting
Of the Board. These have been so vel
received that another set has been prepaI
ed, and is now ready sor distribution, TO
l849, among all persons interested in praC
teal astronomy. An ephemeris has ais
been prepared. and published, of the plane
Neptune. A beginning has been made &c
wards establishing a system Of msterolog
cal observations, ordered at the last NEE
ing, the blank forms being now in III
hands Of the photographer, and will shortl
, be ready to send to those who may be vii
ing to Join in the observations. Sewers
sets Of instruments have been sent TO r,
, mote stations on the coast Of the Pacific
, and in the interior Of our continent, an
investigations in reference to terrestrii
magnetism have been Instituted. Undo
the auspices of the institution, an importar
literary enterprise has been commences
, namely: the preparation Of geographic:
account Of all books relating d, or publish
i ed in America prior to the year 100; Ii
I expense of preparation Of this work bein
betrayed by the subscriptions Of numb'
/ of institutions. This work will indica
tho Libraries in this country and EuroF
where the books are TO be found. Instr,
} nlents have been ordered for observation
; in astronomy, magnetism, and other terre
, trial phenomena, to be placed under Il
direction of Lieutenant Gilliss, in his e
! petition to Chill. These, il is hope
E will be paid for, by further appropri
H. L. AZ