observation as cannot fail to reward us with new and interesting results. It is proposed to organise a system of observations which shall extend as far as possible over the North American continent; and, in order to do this, it will be necessary to engage the co-operation of the British government. I have accordingly addressed a letter to Lieutenant Colonel Sabine, Corresponding Secretary of the Royal Society, who assures me that, as soon as the plan is fully matured for this country, there will be no difficulty in establishing a system of corresponding observavations in the British provinces. I have also addressed letters to several gentlemen distinguished for their attainments in meteorology, asking for suggestions as to the plan of observation; and I beg leave to refer the Board to the accompanying report of Professor Loomis, of New York University, and also to the communication of Professor Espy, received in answer. The former contains an exposition of the advantages which may be derived from the study of meteorology, and what has been done in this branch of science in this country, and what encouragement there is for the further prosecution of the same subject, together with a general plan of operations. The present time appears to be peculiarly auspicious for commencing an enterprise of the proposed kind. The citizens of the United States are now scattered over every part of the southern and western portion of North America, and the extended lines of telegraph will furnish a ready means of warning the more northern and eastern observers to be on the watch for the first appearance of an advancing storm.

All which is respectfully submitted.

JOSEPH HENRY, Secretary.

To the REGENTS of the Smithsonian Institution.

REPORT

OF THE

COMMITTEE OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES,

APPOINTED TO

CONSIDER THE PLAN PROPOSED FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.

SUBMITTED TO THE ACADEMY, DECEMBER 7, 1847.

The Committee of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, to whom was referred a letter of Professor Henry, of the 30th September, together with the programme of the organization of the Smithsonian Institution accompanying the said letter, have had the same under consideration, and beg leave to submit the following report:

Professor Henry is understood to be desirous of ascertaining the opinions of the scientific bodies of the country on the subject of the proposed organization of the Smithsonian Institution; and the free expression of their views is invited by him.

The interesting nature and high importance of this foundation, and the novel and peculiar circumstances attending its establishment, make it highly expedient, in the opinion of the committee, that every step taken in its organization should be deliberately considered. They think it no more than just to express their satisfaction, that the control of the infant establishment has been placed in the hands of a Board of Regents of the highest intelligence, respectability, and weight of character; and in the wise selection made of the officers on whom the active executive duties of the Institution will devolve, the committee perceive a satisfactory pledge as far as they are concerned.

Prof. Henry's programme commences with "General considerations which should serve as a guide in adopting the plan of organization.” He points out the nature of the bequest as made to the United States for the purpose of founding at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men. The bequest is accordingly for the benefit of mankind. The government of the United States is but a trustee to carry out this noble design. Even the people of the United States are interested only so far as they constitute one of the great families of the human race.

The objects of the Institution are twofold: first, the increase; and second, the diffusion of knowledge; objects which, although frequently in a vague way confounded with each other, (inasmuch as it often happens that knowledge is diffused by the same acts which increase it,) are nevertheless logically distinct, and require to be separately regarded. No particular kind of knowledge is specified by the founder as entitled

to preference; all branches are entitled to a share of attention; and the order and degree in which they are cultivated must be decided by a wise regard to means and circumstances. Knowledge may be increased by various modes of encouraging and facilitating the discovery of new truths; it is diffused chiefly, though not exclusively, through the instrumentality of the press. The organization should be such as to produce results not within the province of the existing institutions of the country. It was, for instance, evidently not the design of the liberal founder to establish a collegiate institution or a place of education; nor would it be wise to appropriate his bequest for such an object, already sufficiently attained by the ordinary resources of public and private liberality. Considering the novelty of the undertaking, it would be manifestly unwise to stake too much on the success of the first efforts. The organization should be such as to admit of changes and modifications under the light of experience. As several years have elapsed since the fund came into the possession of the United States, it seems no more than equitable that a considerable portion of the accruing interest should be added to the principal, to make up for the loss of time. The committee consider this suggestion as perfectly reasonable, and trust it will receive the favorable consideration of Congress. Liberal as is the original bequest, the sum is but small compared with the great objects to be accomplished. This consideration suggests the absolute necessity of economy in any outlay on buildings and fixtures; in reference to which a prudent regard must be had, not merely to the first cost, but to the future expenses of repairs, and the support of the establishment. Great care must be taken not to multiply the number of persons to be permanently supported by the Institution. A clear and settled idea of its organization and mode of operation must precede the adoption of a plan of building; lest after the completion of a costly edifice it should be found nearly or quite useless, or worse than useless, by forcing a character upon the Institution which would not otherwise have been given it. All view to mere local ornament or advantage should be discarded at the outset, in the management of a trust created for the benefit of mankind.

Such, very slightly expanded in a few of the propositions, are the general considerations proposed by Professor Henry as guides in adopting a plan of organization. They command the entire assent of the committee, and none of them more so than those which refer to the necessity of strict economy in the expenditure of the fund on a building, and the exclusion of undue regard to local ornament. It would not be difficult to point to a memorable instance in which the most munificent bequest ever made for the purposes of education has been rendered comparatively unavailing, in a sister city of the Union, by the total disregard of these wise principles. It is an additional reason for observing them, that the attempt to erect a highly imposing building for local ornament will not only crush in the bud all hope of fulfilling the ulterior objects of the bequest, but will be almost sure to fail of a satisfactory result, as far as the edifice itself is concerned.

The Secretary's plan of organization in reference to the increase of knowledge is so accurately digested and so thoroughly condensed, that the committee think it would be best to quote his own words:

"TO INCREASE KNOWLEDGE, it is proposed

"1st. To stimulate men of talent to make original researches, by offering suitable rewards for memoirs containing new truths; and

"2d. To appropriate annually a portion of the income for particular researches under the direction of suitable persons."

These methods of increasing knowledge are further unfolded in the following "detail of the plan" for that purpose:

"I. By stimulating researches.

"1st. Rewards, consisting of money, medals, &c., offered for original memoirs on all branches of knowledge.

"2d. The memoirs thus obtained to be published in a series of volumes in a quarto form, and entitled 'Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge.'

"3d. No memoir on subjects of physical science to be accepted for publication which does not furnish a positive addition to human knowledge; and all unverified speculation to be rejected.

"4th. Each memoir presented to the Institution to be submitted for examination to a committee of persons of reputation for learning in the branch to which the memoir pertains, and to be accepted for publication only in case the report is favorable.

"5th. The commission to be chosen by the officers of the Institution, and the name of the author, as far as practicable, concealed until a favorable decision shall have been made.

.

"6th. The volumes of the memoirs to be exchanged for the transactions of all literary and scientific societies, and copies to be given to all the colleges and principal libraries in this country. One part of the remaining copies may be offered for sale, and the other carefully preserved to form complete sets of the work to supply the demand from new institutions.

"7th. An abstract or popular account of the contents of these memoirs should be given to the public through the annual report of the Regents to Congress.

66

"II. By appropriating a portion of the income annually to special objects of research, under the direction of suitable persons.

"1st. The objects and the amounts appropriated to be recommended by counsellors of the Institution.

"2d. Appropriation in different years to different objects, so that in course of time each branch of knowledge may receive a share.

"3d. The results obtained from these appropriations to be published with the memoirs before mentioned, in the volumes of the Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge.

"4th. Examples of objects for which appropriations may be made: "(1.) System of extended meteorological observations, for solving the problem of American storms.

"(2.) Geological, magnetical, and topographical surveys, to collect materials for a physical atlas of the United States.

"(3.) Solution of experimental problems, such as weighing the earth, new determination of the velocity of electricity and light, chemical analyses of soils and plants, collection and publication of articles of science accumulated in the offices of the government.

(4.) Institution of statistical inquiries, with reference to physical, moral, and political subjects.

“(5.) Historical researches and accurate surveys of places celebrated in history.

"(6.) Ethnological researches, particularly with reference to the present races of men in North America; also explorations and accurate surveys of the mounds and other remains of the ancient people of our country."

The committee have made this long extract from Professor Henry's programme in order to give to the Academy an adequate idea of the proposed plan, as far as it refers to the first branch, or the increase of knowledge. It has, in some of its features, been already adopted. It is already announced that one voluminous memoir, copiously illustrated by engravings, is already on its passage through the press, under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution. The committee refer to an elaborate memoir, by Messrs. Squier and Davis, on the aboriginal mounds discovered in large numbers in various parts of the United States, and especially in the region northwest of the Ohio. This memoir was accepted on the favorable report of the Ethnological Society of New York, to which it had been referred by the Secretary of the Institution, and in whose Transactions an abridgment of it has appeared. It is also understood that a memoir on one of the most interesting subjects which engages the attention of geometers and mathematicians at the present moment, viz., the planet Neptune, has been invited by the Secretary from one of our own members.

While the committee would deprecate all attempts unduly to stimulate the increase of knowledge, as sure to prove abortive, and to result at best in the publication of crude investigations, they believe it quite possible to remove some of the obstructions to its progress. Narrow circumstances are too apt to be the lot of genius when devoted to scientific pursuits; and the necessity of providing for personal and domestic wants too often absorbs the time and faculties of those who might, if relieved from cares of this kind, have adorned their age and benefited mankind. To such men a moderate pecuniary advantage derived from a successful investigation might be of vast importance. The efficacy of market upon production is not limited to the creations of physical labor. It is seen in the history of science and literature of every age and country. Invention in the mechanical arts and skill in practical science are well paid in this country, and how great is the harvest! The extraordinary effect even of an honorary inducement is seen in the case of the medal offered by the King of Denmark for the discovery of Telescopic Comets. On these principles it may be hoped that by offering a moderate pecuniary compensation for researches of real merit, valuable contributions to knowledge will be produced; while their publication will tend directly to the diffusion of knowledge.

An encouragement somewhat similar toward the promotion of the increase of knowledge would be afforded by another part of the proposed operations, that of providing the requisite apparatus and implements, and especially books, to be placed in the hands of those engaged in particular lines of investigation. In this way it is not unlikely that a considerable amount of talent may be rendered effective, which at