03 [1] 



mote danger of fire, and which, especially so fur as it shall consist of 

 donations, will involve the implied condition that it shall be safely 

 ])reserved. 



In accordance with this result, a resolution was adopted, directing the 

 interior of the centre building to be constructed in fire-proof, and that the 

 time of finishino; it be extended until the accumulatino; interest would be 

 suflicient to meet the adthtional expense. 



Accortling to the decision of the Architect, who, by the terms of the 

 original contract, is the umpire between the Regents and the contractor, the 

 latter is entitled to the sum of $18o,154 for completing the whole exterior 

 of the building and the interior of the wings, ranges, and towers. When 

 this much is finished, the present contract will terminate ; though the same 

 contractor has agreed, should the Regents choose to accept his proposition, 

 to finish the remainder of the interior in fire-proof, on the terms mentioned 

 in the annexed report of the Architect. 



Agreeably to the estimates of Mr. Renwick, and the proposition of ]\Ir. 

 Cameron for fire-proofiing, the whole cost of the building when finished, 

 will be $284,000; but as the preliminary expenditure for premiums to 

 architects, and other incidental charges connected with the work are not 

 included in this estimate, the committee think it will be safer to state the 

 whole cost at, say in round numbers, >iT^oOO,000. 



Since the commencement of the building, there has been expended on the 

 grounds $3,747 51. The conmiittee, however, are pleased to be able to 

 intbrm the Board, that but little more expenditure on this account will pro- 

 bably be necessary beyond that which is requisite for the preservation of 

 the trees and shrubs already planted. 



An appropriation has been made by Congress for the genci-al improve- 

 ment of the public grounds, or, as they are commonly called the Mnll. Mr. 

 Downing, the well known writer on Rural Architecture, at the request of 

 the President, is now preparing a plan for converting the whole mall, 

 including the Smithsonian grounds, into an extended landscape garden, to 

 be traversed in difierent directions by gravelled walks and carriage drives, 

 and planted with specimens, properly labelled, of all the varieties of trees 

 and shrubs which will flourish in this clin:iate. 



In the opinion of the committee, the adoption of a general plan for the 

 improvement of the public grounds is an object of much importance. A 

 small appropriation, annually expended with reference to a well digested 

 j)lan, would do more in a few years to produce lasting effects, than many 

 times the same sum, expended in accordance with the peculiar fancy of each 

 succeeding superintendent. 



If the ]ilan before mentioned be ado])ted, (and the committee hope that it 

 will be,) the Smithsonian lot will form a part of an extended park, of which 

 the Smithsonian l)uilding, by its site and picturesque style of architecture, 

 will Ibrm a prominent and niost attractive feature. 



For the accommodation of those who attend the lectures, ])liink walks 

 have' been put down from the doors of the building to the east and west 

 extremities of the Smithsonian gi-o\mds. Much difficulty is still found, 

 however, in getting access to tlie building during muddy walking ; but in 

 the ojiinion of the committee, it belongs to the corporation of the city of 

 Washington or other authority to construct and keep in good condition the 

 approaches to the building which are beyond the Smithsonian possessions. 



A foot bridge across the canal at Tenth street, would greatly in- 



