70 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



manu, of Xew York, and many similar articles were in liis ovru rooms in 

 Guatemala. These, by an arrangement with bis executor, Mr. Wester- 

 manu, were gathered together by Mr. Francis Sarg, a fellow countryman, 

 who was also a resident of Guatemala; and by the kind mediation of 

 Capt. John M. Dow, forwarded to the Smithsonian Institution, filling 

 five boxes. 



An inventory of this property was made by the Institution and trans- 

 mitted to Mr. Westermann, who also had i)repared a catalogue of the 

 first collection, the whole of which constitutes a very important mass of 

 historical and scientific matter, both in print and manuscript; and it is 

 to be hoped that some arrangement may be made by which this can be 

 added to some public library in the country, and no better depository 

 could be found than the Library of Congress. 



Although engaged for many years in the researches referred to, Dr. 

 Berendt had printed but little, so that unless his manuscripts are care- 

 fully edited and published, his life work will have left but little on record. 

 With an assurance of long life and an ultimate oj^portunity of publica- 

 tion, a feeling not uncommon among literary men. Dr. Berendt allowed 

 the opportunity of presenting his labors to pass while aiming at further 

 perfection. 



Donations. — A large fire-proof safe was presented to the Institution 

 for the National Museum by the Herring Safe Company of New York ; a 

 notice of which was given in the last Eeport. This safe has just been re- 

 ceived, and is an admirable specimen of the well-known skill of this enter- 

 prising company. It stands about seven feet high, and by its fine finish 

 forms an attractive piece of furniture. It will prove a very useful re- 

 ceptacle for small objects of special rarity and value belonging to the 

 Museum. 



Mention should be made of several other contributions of interest. 

 One of such has been a pair of Howe scales, i)resented by Messrs. F. P. 

 May & Co., of Washington, the agents of the Howe Company. These 

 scales have been ])laced in the entrance hall of the Institution, and are 

 constantly in use for weigiiing visitors. 



Among the contributions to the Institution of a miscellaneous char- 

 acter during the year is that of a hydro-pneumatic fire-extinguisher, pre- 

 sented by the agent of the companj^ in Washington. This is claimed to 

 possess specially valuable qualities which fit it for jiractical use in pub- 

 lic and private establishments, and is kept in order for ready applica- 

 tion should an emergency requiring it arise. 



Of the works published by the United States Government during the 

 last few years none has had more popularity than the narrative. of 

 the second arctic expedition made by Capt. C. F. Hall, edited b^' Prof. 

 J. E. Nourse. Congress has ordered several editions of this work and 

 placed copies of it for sale at the mere cost of paper and printing. In 

 this work illustrations are given of Esquimaux life, manners, and cus- 



