Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-01-14

country and abroad:
| j. Dissertations on Terrestrial Magnetism.
g Researches on Electrical Rheomery.
g. Contributors to the Natural History OF the esh-
water fishes Of North America
4. First part of the Marine Age Oh INC ooa' VI INC
& Plsnta Wrightianr Te1sno, Neo MeIicans, part i.
6. Law of DepOsite Of the Flood Tide It's dynsmicai
Description of ancient works in Ohio.
S. Occutatons visible in the United States during the
year 1852.
Since the date Of the previous report to the Regents
several articles printed and partially distributed OF
| which we can only find room for three, viz
directions for making collections in natural history
This is pamphlet of twenty pages by Prof BAIRD
and much called for by the correspondents OF the In
stitution.
work by Prof JEwErr, containing exposition Of
the system adopted by the Smithsonian Institution for
catalogues of libraries by of separate
stereotype titles with rules for the guidance OF libra
risns and examples for illustration This work is COM
prsed in seventy eight pages, and though not large IT
has been produced at the expense OF much time and
labor
1.-THE first part of the collection of tables to facilitate
meteorological and other calculations by Prof GuYoT
This mentioned in the last report and has been Ste
reotyped and distributed. 1t is very acceptable pre-
sent to the meteorological observers of the institution
and other persons engaged in scientific investigations"
In reference to the interesting feature OF the public
lectures in Washington, which much of boon to
our resident citizens and strangers visiting here the
Professor remarks:
"In selecting lectures the consideration of popu-
lar effect has not been regarded The persons chosen
been such to give weight to the lecture and to
reflect credit the institution The object has been to
give instruction rather than amusement to improve the
public taste rather than to elicit popular applause. The
institution to be respected. must maintain dgnifed
character and seek rather to direct public opinion thar
L 20 min lnrIfv hy nm
The report on the Library by Prof JEwErr states that
the Library had nearly doubled in size during the year
| and that chiefly by exchange He says:
The accessions from this nearly FIVE times
in number those Of the preceding year They may be
considered but the first fruits of the system of scientific
and literary exchange established and sustained by this
institution They show also that the benefits derivabe
by the library from its connexon with the system Of
tive operations had not been over-estmated. consi
derabe portion of the money expended in publications
returns in the shape of books for the library These
again constantly increasing the efficiency and inte-
rest of the publications.
The value of the books received by exchange cannot
be estimated by their numbers their nominal
price. They works of the first Importance the
scientific student, and which it is very difficult to procure
by purchase even with large funds at command.
The largest and most important of the gifts which
the institution has received from individuals is that from
James Orchard Haiwel Esq, the distinguished archaolo
st This gentleman has the Institution
extremely curious interesting, and instructive collection
OF MS. bills accounts Inventories legal instruments and
other business papers, extending from 1852 to 1892,
neatly arranged and handsomely bound in y-four
lumes mostly of folio sze This collection may justly be
said be unique of its kind is of interest only
the anquary and the collector Of curious relics of oden
times but authentic record Of prices for than
hundred and sixty years it is OF great value As
picture of the mode of life and domestic habits and
penses of English families of former generations, it
most instructive record.
The number Of articles received under the copywrght
last han fhe
ing year 1t has increased from year year since the
organization of the institution although special efforts
have been made to induce publishers to comply with the
law Every book which has been received has been i'm
medately and carefully recorded and certificate of de-
pose sent generally by return of msi osthe depositor
The number of books purchased during the last year
is very small. The money was especially desired for
the successful completion of enterprises undertaken by
the department of active operations Besides this the
temporarily occupied place of deposite for
books were, even at the beginning Of the year. filled
nearly the capacity of the shelves erected and it
thought best not to incur further for
ments which could not be Of permanent utility.
:" The selection of books for purchase has been uni
formly of such Immediately needed not of such
might be remotely useful. 1t would have beer
preposterous to attempt with means the immediate
formation of universal library; though we have moi
ceased to cherish the hope and belief that great library
Of reference and research wumaey be gathered here
sour expectations for the library limited by
immediate means of purchasing books The history
of other libraries in this country shows that any perma
nent and welocaed institution OF the kind may reason
ably expect accessons by donation and beques in pro-
portion to the Importance of its position The
spcaous, central and permanent the establishment, the
likely is attract the liberal notice of those who
have valuable collections to bestow
"The location Of the Smithsonian Institution Mt Wash
ngton, its permanent endowment its independence o.
partisan and seetaan Influences the high position in the
scientific world which has already achieved by its active
operations results the system Of exchanges of which
enjoying but the first fruits, together witt
the various which have been adopted suggested
for aiding other libraries and advancing bibographica
Objects conspre to give prominence to the library of th
institution and they will before many years. render it
il not the largest and important in the country
least very valuable auxiliary to national lterar,
progress We expect however that it will increase
mostly by exchanges and gifts We may Justly hope tina
many valuable private collections of books in particula
departments of learning will be placed here, remain
the best monument that be reared to commemorate
the learning and taste well the iberality Of thei
collectors.
The view which we take Of the necessity Of large col
lectons Of books leads to express the qualification
which feel at the large appropriations made this yea
by Congress for repenishng the desoated shelves Of ii
library. Should this beraty be continued, it will b
providing with great rapdity for many of the want
which it has beea purpose to signaize. We doub
whether any appropriation made by Congress has beer
hailed with intelligent pleasure. 1t revived tht
hopes of the studious throughout the country and led Il
the belief that the hands whchad begun this good worl
would carry it on to perfection. With overfownf
treasury the possession Of enlightened and appreca
il tive nation may well hope that money will not bt
wanting establish the independence of American learn
ing, to render it longer provincial no longer relying
/ for its support upon the libraries Of Europe
Another movement in the same direction, suddenly
i assuming position Of commanding Importance, is the