56 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



should be annually made for it in this new depository, equivalent to 

 the cost of its support while in the Patent Office; and the appropria- 

 tion for this purpose had been limited until the last session of Congress 

 to the sum of $4,000. But this sum, on account of the rapid increase 

 of the collections and the great advance in prices, is not now nearly 

 sufficient even for the preservation of the specimens, to say nothing 

 of the equitable claim which the Institution might rightfully advance 

 for interest on the money which it has expended in providing the 

 accommodations for this museum. It is but just to say that, in view 

 of the peculiar condition of our affairs, the appropriation was, last 

 year, temporarily increased to $10,000; but even were this con- 

 tinued, it would be still quite inadequate to the suitable maintenance 

 of a national museum. 



National Library. — The transfer of the library of the Institution to 

 the care of Congress, authorized in 18G6, was completed during the 

 last year. The reasons for making this transfer were given in full 

 in the last report, but it may be proper briefly to recapitulate some 

 of the leading points. 



First. The collection and support of a large library is not in strict 

 conformity with the will of Smithson, as now generally interpreted. 



Second. The whole of the income would in time not be more than 

 sufficient to meet the wants of a rapidly growing library, the tendency 

 being to absorb more and more of the funds with the increase of the 

 number of the books, and hence even a library adequate to the wants 

 of the various departments of government can only be properly 

 supported by the appropriations of Congress. The government has 

 already commenced such a library, and even if there were no objec- 

 tions to expending the income of the bequest of Smithson in the pur- 

 chase of books and the maintenance of a library, it would be unneces- 

 sary to establish two libraries in such close proximit3^ 



Third. By combining the two libraries in one, the expense of 

 accommodation, of care and of management will be much diminished, 

 and a greater facility as to consulting the works afforded. 



Fourth. The portion of the Smithsonian building in which the library 

 was deposited is not fire-proof, and was filled to overflowing, while fur- 

 ther accommodations and protection could not be afforded without 

 encroachment on the funds which had been set apart as the perma- 

 nent capital. 



Fifth. By the terras of the transfer, the cataloguing, binding, and 

 entire care and management of the books are at the expense of the 



