The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-05-12
THE UNION.


important that the institution should call Tor the prepare
ton OF report the history OF The progress OF original
science IN America down TO the end OF The present nail
century This report would exhibit constant increase
IN the number and importance OF the researches made
in our country, and might be found OF much service IN
giving due credit 10 the abos OF those who have been
really engaged in the advance of knowledge among us.
report of this kind however, would require the asso-
cation OF number OF persons combining literary WIN
scientific attachments.
Occasional publication Of separate heatise subjects 81
general interest.
This part Of the plan of organization requires TO be
carried into operation with much caution IL is liable 10
much abuse, unless the publication be confined TO mar
row class OF subjects, VIZ: to scientific reports on t,e
present state of knowledge Of given subject TO precede
the periodical reports, TO Transactions from ioregh ia-
gnages OF papers OF general interest," and occasionally
perhaps, the exposition of subject on which, al par,
cuar time, popular knowledge is required we should
US n'o dc u us The way Of declining the publication
OF works which may be presented 10 us. scarcely
week passes in which the institution IS not requested 10
publish essay compilations and the funds which
can be devoted to all our Pubicalions would mot no.
suffice for half OF those offered OF this kind Inc
only work of this class which has yet been attempted by
the institution, entitled "liints on Public Archtec
ture," under the direction of the Building COMMITTEE Al
though the Secrearys mentioned IN the reso'
luton authorizing the publication OF this treatise ye he
has thus far had connexlon with It, The publication
authorized before the details OF the plan oil organZa
ton were fully settled 1t at first intended merely
as report of The Building Committee giving an account
Of the plans submitted. and the one adopted Tor the
nithsonan building together with report OF the inves.
legations of the committee with regard to the materials oil
construction &c. Ii was afterwards changed INTO the
form of regular treatise order that might be referred
TO commission of persons chosen TO examine II, and
that the institution might thus be relieved from the re-
sponsbly of pronouncing upon It's fitness for publication
think it important that besides the preface OF this work,
full account OF lis origin should be given in an intro
ductory advertisement
Library
crease by donations and by the books which have BEEN
deposited by publishers in accordance with the 10th
ton of the establishing the institution The require
of this act however, not strictly observed by
all publishers and would direct the attention OF the
board special report of the assistant secretary with
reference TO the point The whole subject will probably
come before Congress during its present session.
Prof Jewett, the assistant secretary has been indusr
oqsy engaged during the past year in procuring statistics
plans for the details of the library of the institution, and
beg leave refer you the able and interesting report
siderable portion OF the copies Of the Smithsonian Con
trbutions will be presented TO public institutions which
publish transactions and which able to present us in
return with additions TO library. The volume now
in process of distribution has been preceded by circular
requesting exchanges of the works of all institutions
which issue transactions and catalogues OF all Libraries to
which the Contributions may be sent
Preparation for lecturing
The plan Of organization contempates series of free
lectures, particularly during the session OF Congress
These will be commenced as soon as the bull ling is ea
dy for the purpose This part Of the plan also cannot be
put into full operation until after the building Is COM
pleed number of gentlemen have consented to favor
with their services men OIL nOWcVeT, CaInOt
be expected leave their homes and subject themselves
to the expense of visiting Washington and to the trou
BILE of preparing for of lectures without proper
remuneration 1t will be necessary therefore, that an
annual appropriation be made for this purpose The
amount however must necessarily be small until the
building is completed, until all the interest OF the fund
be devoted to the primary objects of the institution
Besides this the lecture room IN the east wing now I'M
shed will scarcely hold more than five hundred persons,
while the one in the main building is nt.aded to
modate twice many.
Donation.
| Dr. Robert Hare OF Philadelphia having resigned the
chair of chemistry in the University of Pennsylvania,
which he had filed with honor to himself and his coun-
fry for nearly thirty years, has presented to the Smhso
Institution the instruments OF research and llustra
ton collected and used by himself during his long and
successful scientific Many OF these instruments
the invention of the donor connected with his
our day. The gift is important, not only on account OF
its intrinsic value, but also establishing precedent OF
beraty which will be freq uenty observed by
others, well as being expression OF DR.. Hares ap
probation OF the plan and confidence in the stability of
the institution number OF other donations have been
received, of which list with the names of the donors,
will he given in the next report.
| In view of what has been stated in the foregoing
port the Secretary that the Board of Regents will
be satisfied if they had any doubts the subject,
that the plan adopted well calculated 10 carry out
the benevolent intentions of the donor of increasing and
dfusing no Wedge among men and that satisfactory
has been given TO the question frequently asked
namely when is the institution to begin3 1t will be
that has the most important part Of its ope-
raons, and the results now IN progress OF disSemna
| ton in every part of the civilized world.
For convenience of reference. have appended for re-
publication the programme and IFS explanations, given in
my last annual report.
Respectfully submitted: - -
| JOSEPH HENRY,
Secretary Of the Smithsonian Institution.
--
| fOrc Ing ne q