NATIONAL MUSEUM BUILDINGS. 211 



four manuscrii)ts of original imx'stigations which had Ijeuu adopti'd by the Instilii- 

 tion for pubhcation; a large number of papers and scientific notes of the Secretary; 

 a series of diaries and memorandum and account ])ooks. Fortunately, however, a 

 detailed history of the general operations of the Institution is preserved in the 

 printed reports, and a large amount of correspondence connected with natural his- 

 tory and meteorology was saved. 



Since the occurrence of the fire all the operations have been carried on in the lower 

 story of the east wing of the building (the upper part still continuing to be the resi- 

 dence of the Secretary) and in the several rooms of the adjoining east range. Con- 

 nected with an office in the latter, the lower story of the tower attached to the 

 southeast corner of the main building has been converted into a fireproof vault, in 

 which all the valuable papers and records are constantly kept, except for the usually 

 short time they are required for consultation. To insure the wakefulness and fidelity 

 of the watchmen we have introduced the use of an instrument called a "detector," 

 which records the number and the times of his visits to the several parts of the 

 building. For this instrument, which has rendered good service during the past 

 year, we are indebted to the liberalitv of its inventor, Mr. J. E. Bauerk, of Boston, 

 who, in consideration of the loss which the Institution has sustained by fire, kindly 

 presented it free of charge. 



A circumstantial account is given by the building committee of what has been 

 done toward the reconstruction of the edifice. From this it will l)e seen that the 

 plan adopted contemplates not merely the repair of the damage by the fire, but the 

 restoration of the several parts in firejiroof materials, and with such alterations in 

 the division of the interior space as will better adaj)t it to the uses of the Institution. 



The plans have been jirepared and the work superintended l)y 'Mr. Adolph Cluss, 

 an architect who v,-as w'armly recommended by the mayor of Washington as having 

 been successful in designing and erecting the public schoolhouses of the city, as well 

 as a number of churches and other buildings. These plans have been critically 

 examined and, in some cases, modified by the chairman of the building committee. 

 General Uelafield, who, by his knowledge and experience in the line of engineering, 

 has rendered the Institution valuable service. 



No appropriation has yet been made by Congress to aid in the restoration of the 

 building. Considering, however, the large amount of Government property intrusted 

 to the care of the Institution, it can scarcely be doubted that in a normal condition 

 of the national finances, an appropriation for such purpose would have been readily 

 granted. 



In consideration of the extraordinary outlay required for the reconstruction of the 

 building, an effort has been made to reduce as much as possible the miscellaneous 

 expenses, and to engage in no enterprise that is not absolutely necessary to the con- 

 tinuance of the general operations. So many articles, however, of furniture and 

 stores of hardware and stationery were to be replaced that we have not Iwen able to 

 reduce the expenditures to as low a point as we could wish; yet it will be seen that 

 they fall somewhat below those of the preceding year. * * ^ 



The cost of the restoration of the building in fireproof materials without changing 

 the external appearance has, as formerly stated, been far greater than was antici- 

 pated. Whether the portion of the work yet to be executed will much exceed in 

 cost that which has already been completed will depend upon the price of materials 

 and of labor. The Institution may in time be able to finish this work without 

 encroaching on its present capital, provided the Secretary of the Treasury shall 

 recognize the inadetjuacy of the i)ayments of interest whii'h for three years were 

 made in the depreciated currency of the time. If this allowance be not made and 

 no as;?istance be received from Congress, then, in order to secure the l)uildiiig and 

 its contents from injury by the weather the Institution will be obliged to sacrifice a 



