REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 6 



temporary edifice was erected, the entrance to which was made through 

 the eastern doorway. 



In the anticipation of a possible failure of the receipts to meet the 

 outlays, the committee asked and obtained permission to give a prome- 

 nade concert on the following night, which was also largely attended, 

 and the results of the two evenings were entirely satisfactory, enougli 

 money having been taken in to pay all expenses, and to relieve a num- 

 ber of persons from their responsibility who had guaranteed the nec- 

 essary funds for the occasion. 



Numerous applications were received from various organizations, 

 civil and military, for the use of the room during the inauguration 

 week, but, in accordance Avith the instructions of the board, these were 

 refused. 



Death of General Garfield. — In the last report (for 1880) was men- 

 tioned as one of the most noteworthy events of the year the elevation 

 of an honored Eegent of the Institution, General James A. Garfleld, 

 to the highest position in our National Government. Little, indeed, 

 could it then be anticipated that an administration soon to be inaug- 

 urated with more than the usual tokens of good will and general satis- 

 faction would, within six months, be suddenly closed under peculiarly 

 grievous circumstances. In the present report Ave have the painful 

 task of recording the death of the President by a murder most atro- 

 cious and unprovoked. Mortally wounded by the bullet of an assassin 

 on the 2d of July, 1881, he lingered through suffering borne with he- 

 roic fortitude for two and a half months, breathing his last on the 19th 

 of September. 



Eminent for his abilities as a scholar, an orator, and a statesman, 

 distinguished by his dignified and gracious bearing no less than by his 

 prudence and solid judgment, he found time to give a large share of hfls 

 attention to the meetings and consultations of the Regents, and he 

 always proved a warm friend to this Institution and an earnest cham- 

 pion for the advancement of its highest interests. Thoroughly con- 

 versant with the history of the early struggle of opinion in framing the 

 plan for its operations, he was in full accord with its established 

 methods for the promotion of original research. In his eloquent trib- 

 ute to the memory of Professor Henry, in the Capitol of the Nation, 

 on the occasion of the memorial services held therein on the Gth of 

 January, 1879, he held this language : 



" Smithson did not trammel the bequest with conditions. In 

 nine words he set forth its object — 'for the increase and diffusion of 

 knowledge among men.' He asked and believed that America would 

 interpret his wisli aright, and with the liberal wisdom of science. . . . 



•' For ten years Congress wrestled with those nine words of Smithson 

 and could not handle them. Some political philosojjliers of that])eriod 

 held that we had no constitutional authority to accei)t the gift at all. 



