. An account of the Smithsonian Institution, its founder, building, operations, Smithsonian Institution. 5t) THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. "In selecting lecturers, the consideration of mere popular effect has not been re garded. The persons chosen have been such as to give weight to the lecture, and to reflect credit on the Institution. The object has been to give instruction rather than amusement—to improve the public taste rather than to elicit popular ap- plause. The Institution, to be respected, must maintain a dignified character, and seek rather to direct public opinion than to
. An account of the Smithsonian Institution, its founder, building, operations, Smithsonian Institution. 5t) THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. "In selecting lecturers, the consideration of mere popular effect has not been re garded. The persons chosen have been such as to give weight to the lecture, and to reflect credit on the Institution. The object has been to give instruction rather than amusement—to improve the public taste rather than to elicit popular ap- plause. The Institution, to be respected, must maintain a dignified character, and seek rather to direct public opinion than to obtain popularity by an opposite course. "The moral effect which the lectures have on the city of Washington cannot be otherwise than beneficial. When the weather is favorable, the room is every evening crowded before the hour of commencement with an intelligent audience. The lecturers have generally been persons from a distance, who have expressed surprise to find such a large and respectful attendance in a city which is com- monly thought to be exclusively devoted to politics and amusement. The plan of inviting gentlemen of reputation and influence from a distance, renders the Smith- sonian operations familiar to those best qualified to appreciate their value, and best able to give a correct account of the character of the Institution in their own districts of country, as well as to vindicate its claims to the confidence and friendly regard of the public. The results of this course, and the distribution of the volumes of Contributions to colleges and public libraries, it is hoped, will so establish the Institution in the good opinion of the intelligent and influential part of the community, that it may bid defiance to the assaults of those who are ignorant of its true character, or are disappointed in not sharing its honors without the talents or the industry to win ; Ii]e Seclrci^^lj. In the report of the Committee on Or- ganization, of the first Board of R
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Keywords: ., bookleafnumber5, booksubjectsmithsonianinstitution, bookyear1858
