REPOET OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1914. 17 



north range, which are directly within the main entrance. The fur- 

 nishings of the north hall consist of a continuous wall case on each 

 side, 65 feet long, 8 feet high and 4 feet deep, and of many floor cases, 

 numbering 56 at the close of last year. The type mainly used on 

 the floor is the Gray pattern of the Kensington case, the remainder 

 consisting of other patterns of the same a.nd of various other types. 

 These cases are arranged in two rows on either side of a wide passage 

 leading from the entrance to the rotunda, but with some departure 

 from the rule in places. In the west north range the cases are of 

 several types, disposed in four rows — one on the north or window 

 side and three on the south side of the principal passage, which 

 extends from the main entrance to the northwest pavilion. 



The collections contained in these two halls are especially rich in 

 relics of American Army and Navy officers, including swords, 

 uniforms, and other objects, which recall the names and services 

 of their illustrious owners and illustrate the changes in fashion in 

 these articles from the time of the Revolution to the present day. 

 Next in importance of representation is probabl}^ the progress and 

 attainments of science in this country, demonstrated by large num- 

 bers of medals and documents bestowed in acknowledgment of 

 achievements, and personal articles of various kinds. Supplementing 

 these is a large amount of material relating to the civil, domestic, 

 economic, and art affairs of the country, interesting as typical of 

 different periods and in many cases associated with some figure 

 notable in connection with these phases of our history. Also in- 

 cluded in the collection is an important series of historical maps, 

 paintings and engravings, and many announcements of awards of 

 honor and merit, commissions and diplomas. 



In the arrangement of the exhibition it has not been possible to 

 proceed on a thoroughly systematic basis. The limitations of space 

 would alone prevent this, and the conditions accompanying loans 

 generally require that each be displayed as a whole. Moreover, the 

 collection is being added to so often and so extensively that each 

 new acquisition would require an entire shifting of cases and the 

 reinstallation of some of them, and even under the method followed 

 this has to be done to a greater or less extent from time to time. 

 With a sufficient amount of space and number of cases and the 

 absence of any restrictions, a much better and more comprehensible 

 installation could be made, and this desirable result, it is hoped, may 

 some time be possible of attainment. The present basis of arrange- 

 ment is mainly the individual collection, each series of objects re- 

 lating to a particular person being, as far as possible, kept intact 

 and the articles in each placed near together. With these condi- 

 tions fulfilled, and in view of the limitations referred to, the order 



71159°— NAT MUS 1914 2 



