FRANKLIN INSTITUTE, The, of the State of Pennsylvania for the Promotion of the Mechanic Arts, institution founded in Phila delphia in 1824 for the dissemination of knowl edge of the arts and sciences. The work of the society is carried on by means of lectures and rep6rts, exhibitions, class instruction, a journal and a reference library. At first the lectures gave systematic courses of instruction, but are now limited to a presentation of the latest dis coveries in the arts and sciences. The lectures may be divided into two classes — popular lec tures and strictly technical discussions confined to the special divisions of the institute. A committee was formed in 1834 to report on new inventions and discoveries; it consists of 60 members, and its work has greatly enhanced the standing of the institute. The found ing of a journal in 1826, by opening the way to the establishment of exchange relations with other societies, proved an invaluable help in promoting its growth. It is issued monthly, gives a record of the institute's work and pub lishes articles on the advance of science. The institute maintains a library of scientific litera ture, in some branches unique, and embracing the publications of the principal scientific and technical societies of the world, and the lead ing periodicals devoted to science and the arts. At the present time the collection consists of about 68,492 volumes and 29,716 pamphlets.
Several of the foreign governments have de posited with the library complete sets of their patent-office publications. It contains records of the patent office of Great Britain since 1617, of France since 1791, of Switzerland since 1888, of the United States since 1790. Abstracts of the patents granted by Germany, Russia, Hun gary and Austria can also be consulted. The tnstitute has held 29 exhibitions of American manufactures, the most notable being that of 1884, which was the first exhibition in America devoted .exclusively to the electrical arts. Medals and premiums are awarded for notable inventions. It maintains a school of architec tural and mechanical drawing and night schools of machine designs and naval architecture. Any one interested in the purposes and objects of the institute and expressing a willingness to further the same may become a member when prOposed by a member in good standing and elected by the board of managers. The Insti tute fills the need felt by inventors and discov erers of some competent, trustworthy and im partial body, to whom they may safely appeal for advice, and on whose judgment they may confidently rely for an opinion as to the useful ness of their inventions and discoveries. Con sult Wahl, W. H., 'Franklin Institute: A Sketch of Its Organization and History' (Phila delphia 1895).