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FORTY-FIRST MEETING— November 26, 1847. 



Present, Messrs. Seaton and Owen. 



The chairman, on his return from New York, made the following 



REPORT. 



In regard to the illustrations of the work on Public Architecture, 1 find 

 that to procure execution in a manner that shall be creditable to the insti- 

 tution, will cost more than 1 had anticipated. Mr. Drayton, who has 

 charge of the publications of the Exploring Expedition, and has, in con- 

 sequence, great experience, both in regard to the relative talents of en- 

 gravers and to the proper cost of engravings, has afforded me much assist- 

 ance in this matter. We found it impossible, however, to contract for the 

 steel engravings, giving two perspective views of the institution, one from 

 the southeast, and the other from the northwest, and executed in the best 

 style of art, for less than from three hundred and fifty to four hundred 

 dollars for the two ; which is fifty per cent, more than I had expected to 

 pay. 



Having satisfied myself, however, that engravings of this character 

 could not be obtained for less, I empowered Messrs. Sherman and Smith, 

 corner of Broadway and Liberty street, to whom Mr. Drayton recom- 

 mended that they should be intrusted, to proceed with one specimen ; 

 after which, they would be able to fix the exact price at which the two 

 could be completed. 



For the reasons above stated, and considering the very limited amount 

 placed at the disposal of our committee, for illustrations, I judge it pru- 

 dent chiefly to trust, for the other illustrations, to wood cuts, which are 

 now executed in New York in very good style, and which will not cost 

 more than half as much as steel engravings. 



Accordingly, I called on Mr. Adams, by whom were executed the wood- 

 cuts in Harper's Pictorial Bible, and who has since, as I learn, retired 

 from the profession. I had been advised to consult him as one who knew 

 more about the relative talents of wood-cutters in this country than prob- 

 ably any other man, and he recommended, as the best for architectural 

 engraving, Mr. John H. Hall, Fulton street. I had several interviews 

 wuh Mr. Hall, obtained his prices, and inspected several specimens of his 

 work, with which I was well pleased, and of which two are herewith 

 submitted to the committee. The effect does not seem to me greatly in- 

 ferior to that of steel engraving. 



Mr. Hall offered to execute the perspective view of the Gothic plan of 

 Mr. James Renwick, ordered by resolution of this committee of April 10, 

 (see page 120,) and which requires more work than the perspective view 

 of the institution, for $100. 



It will be necessary to employ more than one wood -cutter, in order to 

 complete the illustrations in reasonable season ; and if the committee de- 

 cide that it is best to procure the illustrations chiefly on wood, I have 

 made the arrangement for putting them in hands. Mr. Roberts, whom I 

 stated in my report of April (3 (see page 117) to have been recommended 

 by Mr. Durand as the best wood-cutter in this country, I found exclu- 

 sively engaged by one of the tract societies. 



In regard to the application made by resolutions of this committee, 



