what for a public institution, and one under national auspices, we could whenever we desire it, obtain permission to take casts directly from the

statues.

The expense of doing so would of course be somewhat greater than that of purchasing such copies as might be found in the market, but a small difference in expense is not to be thought of in such a case. It would further be desirable to commence the purchase of the models of antiquities, such as models in cork of some of the houses, temples, theaters, baths, &c., &c., in Pompeii and Herculaneum. These can be procured at comparatively small prices. Models of every interesting part of Pompeii which has been excavated, presenting in miniature a perfect view of nearly the whole on the scale of 1 foot to 150, might be procured for about $2,000. It might also be well to procure a few Etruscan vases; also a few antique coins and medals, sufficient to convey some illustration of numismatics, as a subsidiary branch of history. The regents should of couse decide what proportion of the appropriation for collections should each year be expended for these purposes. I will merely remark that $1,000, or even $500 at the outset, prudently expended, would procure a very interesting collection.

I have thus stated quite in detail the work which must be done before the library can be ready for use, or rather before any part of it can be placed upon the shelves. Before it can be ready for use much more is to be done in arranging and cataloguing. To lay properly the foundation of a large library is a slow work, and much time must necessarily be consumed in producing but small visible results.

I am, my dear sir, very truly, your friend and servant,

Professor JOSEPH HENRY,

Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.

C. C. JEWETT.

LETTERS RELATIVE TO THE "PROGRAMME OF ORGANIZATION" OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION PROPOSED BY PROFESSOR JOSEPH HENRY.

From T. Romeyn Beck.

ALBANY, N. Y., November 29, 1847. I have perused the copy of the "Proposed Organization" which you have been good enough to send me.

I notice an omission, which may be either intentional or not. It is the exclusion of medicine and surgery from the physical class. It appears to me that there are subjects belonging to them, which are legitimate subjects of philosophical research and therefore should be included. I instance, the materia medica, i. e. the discovery of new remedies or the improved application of old ones; improvements in surgery; discoveries in physiology; and lastly, the applications of one or more to medical jurisprudence.

True, you are careful in your specifications, to leave room for this addition, but you must be aware that the medical profession embraces in this country a considerable portion of the talent and learning that might be roused into activity by the adoption of your plan, and I submit whether the insertion of these subjects is not due to them.

There is another branch intimately connected with the above, which deserves every encouragement. It is the promotion of the health of communities, or hygiene as the French call it. No subject is less understood-none calls for public encouragement and attention more strongly than this dreadfully neglected matter.

You will see that I refer in all this to the division of reports. The "British Association" in directing attention to and popularizing (if I may use the word) this plan of diffusing knowledge has done more good than most of the learned societies in the world.

I prefer, with your permission, to give you my ideas in this way, instead of noting them on the programme.

I will in conclusion only hint at a danger, which unless early and constantly guarded against, may render your scheme unpopular, and hence in a measure impair its usefulness. It is, the possibility of the selection of particular

persons-or of associations of persons in different places, who may appear to assume the control in any particular department of science-in other words, the formation of predominant cliques. These are the curse of most of our most distinguished societies at home and abroad-and in this country the danger is greater, from the fewness of men well grounded in science, and the disparity that exists between those claiming to be adepts.

These views I give you, if I know my own heart, with a sincere desire that the Smithsonian Institution may attain the highest usefulness under your administration, and that it may go on, "prospering and to prosper."

I forgot to add, what indeed I expressed to you verbally, that your plan as a whole has my unqualified approbation.

From Benjamin Silliman.

YALE COLLEGE,

NEW HAVEN, December 4, 1847. Your letter of November 26, with the programme of the Smithsonian Institution, was duly received, and I have endeavored to bestow upon it a degree of consideration proportionate to its importance.

Regarding the will of Mr. Smithson as the rule and the only rule which ought to govern, I have no hesitation in saying that the views propounded in the programme are sound and correct, and ought, therefore, to be sustained.

It is obvious that Mr. Smithson intended that his fund should operate intellectually, and no further physically than is necessary for the mental effects. Books, instruments, and museums of objects of nature and art are necessary to that end, and are, therefore, within the views and purpose of the donor; but splendid buildings, of costly materials and construction, if erected at the expense of the Smithsonian fund would prove a perversion of the design and an abuse of the trust.

The neglect in which the bequest was allowed for eight years to lie, creates a claim, both of honor and equity, which ought to result in the enlargement of the fund by the appropriation of the accumulated interest to become a part of the productive capital. It would be a meritorious application of a portion of the National revenue if the buildings requisite for the accommodation of the Smithsonian Institution were to be furnished by the Government in aid of the great design for the "increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.'

If, however, that course is impracticable, we may well inquire whether an appropriation of the income of a single year-say fifty thousand dollars-might not afford sufficient funds for the requisite building constructed in a style of chaste and elegant simplicity without expensive ornament, and adapted mainly to utility.

If this course were pursued, the fund would be preserved inviolate, and it would seem to be a wise forecast to limit the annual expenditures, so that an accumulating fund might be formed, which, in a few years, with compound interest resulting from frequent investments of savings might augment the capital to a million of dollars.

If it is within the views of the Government to bestow the National Museum upon the Smithsonian Institution, the very bequest would seem to draw after it an obligation to furnish the requisite accommodations without taxing the Smithsonian funds; otherwise the gift might be detrimental instead of beneficial; and if the Government should retain the proprietorship of the National Museum, but at the same time impose upon the Smithsonian Institution the burden of providing a building for its accommodation-not to say for its increase-this would obviously be an invasion of the rights of the Institution which could not be justified.

Will not every purpose promotive of the object of Mr. Smithson be accomplished by allowing the National Museum to remain in buildings furnished by the Government, and augmented from time to time as the exigency of the collections may require.

It will then be equally accessible to all cultivators of any field of knowledge demanding such illustrations, and the Smithsonian Institution will be left at liberty to pursue its own objects in its own way.

As regards the objects of research indicated in the Programme I would suggest that in addition to the law of storms-not confined, however, to American storms-observations should be made on our various climates in relation to temperature, moisture, and electricity, and their effect upon agriculture and health.

Under the head of surveys it is desirable also to include our most important mineral resources in coal and metals, and in permanent materials for architecture and for civil and military engineering.

No mention is made of natural history in extenso, and zoology and botany are not named.

The outline of subjects might perhaps be made more concise and still more comprehensive, and it is desirable

not to enact unnecessary limitations which might prove embarrassing.

As Mr. Smithson's object was all men-not merely Americans or Englishmen-it is desirable that every latitude should be allowed for co-operation with all cultivators of knowledge.

I have had no opportunity to consult the Connecticut Academy, but will lay the subject before them towards the close of the month. I have the coinciding opinions of Mr. Dana and my son with the above.

From the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

BOSTON, December 8, 1847.

DEAR SIR: I am directed by the Academy to communicate to you the accompanying report, made on the subject of your programme, laid before the Academy, with your note of the 30th September, and to express the great interest which the Society feels in the important subject to which it relates.

ASA GRAY, Corresponding Secretary.

The committee to whom was referred the "Programme for the Organization of the Smithsonian Institution," submitted to the Academy by the Secretary, Professor Henry, with his letter of the 30th September, made 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 organ. ization of the Smithsonian Institution; and the free expression of their views is wished 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 estab lishinent 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.

Professor 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; 1st, the increase, and 2d, the diffusion, of knowledge,-objects which, although frequently in a vague