70 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT OF 



the floor for the rooms above finished. The brickwork of the upper 

 story has also been completed; in short, the masonry from the founda- 

 tion to the roof, and more than nine-tenths of the brickwork, have been 

 finished. The principal part of the work yet remaining to be accom- 

 plished, according to the statement of the architect, may be classified 

 as follows: 



1. Finishing the necessary stairways for the lecture room and gal- 

 lery. 



2. Supporting the roof, so that the columns in the second story may 

 be dispensed with. 



3. Completing the interior finish, such as flooring, plastering, paint- 

 ing, &c. 



4. Fitting up the lecture room with seats. 



The Committee found great difficulty in deciding u|X)n a proper posi- 

 tion and plan of a lecture room, and, after much deliberation and frequent 

 consultations, finally concluded to ])lace it in the second story, in the 

 middle of the main building, where the greatest width could be ob- 

 tained. 



The orighial plan contemplated the placing of the large lecture room 

 on the first floor ; but in this position it was impossible to procure a 

 sufficient space, uninterrupted by large columns, which would materially 

 interfere with the employment of the room tor the purpose intended. 

 In endeavoring to overcome this difficulty, it was at one time proposed 

 to support the floor of the whole space of fifty feet in width, by means of 

 heavy girders ; but this being considered unsafe, the idea was abandoned. 

 The only plan, therefore, at the option of the Committee tor providing a 

 suitable lecture room, was that which has been adopted. Accoidmg 

 to the present income and policy of the Institution, this is cheaper than 

 any other plan proposed ; and should the building ever be required for 

 other purposes, such as an entire museum or library, the division walls 

 could easily be removed, and the whole space reconverted into one 

 large room. The plan adopted, therefore, makes the best provision tor 

 the present wants of the Institution, and can readily be adapted to any 

 proposed change in the tuture apphcation of the building. The whole 

 ot the first story has been thrown into one large room, with arrange- 

 ments tor dividing it, if necessary, by screens, into two apartments, 

 with a central hall or wide passage between. 



The Committee have kept constantly in view the idea of rendering 

 the main building entirely fire-proof, and of constructing it in the most 

 durable and substantial manner. This they have been enabled to ac- 

 complish through the constant supervision of Captain Alexander, who", 

 as it appears to the Committee, has successfully evinced in this work a 

 combination of practical skill and scientific knowledge. 



From a comparison of the work done with that wliich remains to be 

 accomplished, the architect is of opinion that, should nothing happen to 

 prevent it, the building will be finished during the present year, and 

 at a cost within the estimate; consecjuently, the"$58,U00, recommend- 

 ed to be set aside by the Executive Committee in their last report, 

 together with a portion of the income of the past year, will be sufficient 

 to deti-ay all the expenses, and leave the $150,000 untouched. This 

 refers, however, mainly to the completion of the building, and not to 



