REPORT OF ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 73 



nistorical collections. — There has been a decided increase in tlie num- 

 ber of specimens received during- the year, as well as in their scientidc 

 value. The number of accessions or lots of material has not. how- 

 ever, been above the average, there having been 43 ''permanent'' and 

 19 " temporary '' accessions. 



The most important additions were as follows: 



A collection of the coins of the Chinese Empire from 770 B. C. to 

 date, comprising- L',0L*5 pieces in gold, silver, and bronze, and including 

 governmental and private notes, amulets, and bamboo tallies. This 

 collection was beipieathed to the Smithsonian Institution by Mr. G. B. 

 (Jlover, an American gentleman connected for many years with the 

 Maritime Customs Service of China. It is believed to be the most 

 complete series of Chinese money in the world. 



A collection of bronze medals of the sovereigns of France was obtained 

 by purchase. The series comprises 75 pieces, all of which are in perfect 

 condition. 



Mrs. A. B. Van Deusen deposited a collection of ceramics, consisting 

 of -04 plates, pitchers, etc., illustrative of American history. 



A collection of relics of the Kevolutionary war was deposited by the 

 Society of the Daughters of the American Eevolution. 



A sword presented to Gen. Gabriel R. Paul by his command was 

 deposited by Col. Augustus C. Paul, Soldiers' Home, Hampton,Virginia. 



]\Irs. Abner Doubleday transmitted a sword worn by General Double- 

 day during- the war of the Revolution, 



Students of history have in a number of instances received i)ermis- 

 sion to make jihotographs or drawings of objects on exhibition, to be 

 used in illustrating works intended for publication, especially in con- 

 nection with the biographies of General Grant and other soldiers of 

 the late war. The Washington relics have frequently been examined 

 by writers of colonial history. 



Tliat ])ortion of the collection Avliich is on exhibition is in good con- 

 dition, and there are many objects of historic interest which could be 

 advantageously displayed if there were room. Much remains to be done 

 in arranging the study series. 



Mr. A. Howard Clark, custodian, makes the following statement with 

 reference to the work performed in caring for the collections : 



During the i>ast three uioiifhs much progress has been iiiado in catiiloguing and 

 ]»ernianontly arranging the valuable collection of coins and medals belonging to the 

 Museiim. Several series have been placed on exhibitlou, aud the ditlicult problem 

 of installing large series of coins has been solved by the use of upright cases with 

 sloping diaphragms covered with olive-green velvet. 



A great deal remains to be done to complete the labeling of the collection, but 

 the work is steadily progressing. 



The series of portraits of representative men has been increased somewhat, and 

 the entire collection has been arranged for ready reference. 



Considerable time was devoted to the preparation of a collection of 

 medals and coins pertaining to the colonial period of American history, 

 for display at the Tennessee Centennial Exposition at Nashville. 



