The New York herald., 1851-12-29

rendered most important service to the oountys By
the Introduction of moro eoourate ingtrumeno, as
Of the institution would permit have been attended
to, and the results of researches In natural hory,
geology, 60, obtained; collections nom the Upper
Missouri have been furnished By Mr.. Culbertson,
to the institute Eve large stone idols from Central
America and several smaller objects, Is the begin
ming Of an chronological museum. -
The library, which is temporarily placed IN the
the last report, 5,657 books, 423 pamphleN, .Se2
engravings, with maps, music ana drawings
Several Of the books donations, others are copy
rights, and those which are purchased are OF I'M
mediate necessity. The collection of engravings,
although not the largest, is considered - the
choicest in the country, and was made Dy dis-
tipguished American scholar and statesman, with,
it is stated the special design of illustrating the
progress and resources of the art of engraving, IN
all its branches from its early masters to tho pre-
sent time, and contains mum Der OF specimens
that ore rare and beautiful
BY the aid of Congress, establishing the Smith
sonian Institution all objects of natura history be-
longing hereafter to belong, to the United States
to be delivered to persons authorized to receive
them-thus forming a national museum; but from
the gradual manner in which the buildings to be
specimens, engravings, &C., can be deposited,
classified, and arranged therein; aad loaa from
the public treasury-the amount TO be repaid by
the annual surplus OF interest, arising from the
Iuu0eu CdpudA-NoVll uSot tRc III
this respect.
At present the Us sness Of the Institution is limit
ed 10 the a,quuement Of the means OF future USE
funess, the circulation OF its publications., aad the
delivery oil lectures, and as the latter never pub
lished ia complete form, the advantage to be de-
rived from this source Of instruction is Limited to
the Inhabitants Of Washington, and strangers who
may be there while Congress is in session. The
lecture room, however, will not accommodate al
who wish to attend; and hence it is conte plated,
should large audiences continue, to provide large
lecture room in the main building which is at pre-
seat In an unfinished state.
The Institution il situated on part OF the public
grounds. on what is called the "ls.and,' which IS
separated from the city by the canal; it ia built of
handsome led sandstone, with numerous towers
and turrets aad possessing no claim to archiSectu
rat beauty or design at distance the baidiny
may be easily mistaken for ous ia ruins or IN the
course OF erection. From the east and vest oors.
plank walks have been laid to the extremities OF
the Smithsonian grounds; beyond these il belongs
to the Cooperation Of the city to provide for tao
public conveIience and consequently, Of DARK
night, whoN the weather is wet ald the roads mud
dy, much dticulty Is expsriancet in reaching the
Institution.
An appropriation has beea m ade by Congress-
fog the general i'm pIoyemeat Of the public grounds
on each side Of the canal, called the Snail, aud
plan is being mature5 for converting the whole in
cludiug ne Smithsonian grounds, into extensive
Landscape gsl ldea.with grayeled walks and carrags
drives in ddleEent directions. to be planted vita
all tie variety OF tgees that will flourish in this
climate,
| have only to State in conclusion, that viSiters-
the average number of which annually is upwards
Of fifteen thousand-will meet with the most cour-
teous and oblgDg treatment from Professor Jewett,
Librarian Of the Institution and the other gentlemen
who are connected with it. The former has devised
plan for stereotypiDg catalogues of libraries, with
separate movable titles, by which difficulties that
before were considered as insuperable may be over
come, and new editions Of rapidly increasing cata
logre3 be published at comparatively triaing ex-
pense. lie has also, with much trouble, collected
such historical statistical and descriptive notices Of
public Libraries in the United States, as he deemei
would be Of general interest, tsgether with such
special details as may be beneficial to those who
are engaged in the organization and care Of similar
Establishment w.