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To facilitate the approach to the building at the time of these lectures^ 

 the walks were temporarily improved, at a considerable expense to the in- 

 stitution. It is hoped that the authorities of the city of VV^ashington will 

 cause bridges to be erected across the canal, and walks to be constructed 

 through the public grounds, to facilitate the approach to the building, and 

 that the institution Avill not be expected to provide accommodations of this 

 kind. 



Buildwcr. 



The east wing of the building was taken possession of by the Secretary 

 in April last, and has since been constantly occupied. The west wing is 

 now finished, and it is contemplated to occupy it temporarily as a library 

 until the portion of the main building intended for this purpose is com- 

 pleted. 



The plan of the Smithsonian building was designed by the architect, 

 and recommended to the board by a committee of the Regents, before the 

 programme of organization was adopted. It is not strange, therefore, when 

 the building came to be occupied, that changes in the internal arrange- 

 ment should be deemed advisable which would better adapt it to the 

 wants of the institution. Such changes, at my suggestion, have been 

 made; and for the propriety of these I am responsible. They are princi- 

 pally, however, those of simplification, and in themselves add nothing to 

 the cost of the edifice. An increased expense, however, will arise out of 

 the furnishing of new rooms which have been acquired by the alterations^ 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 



JOSEPH HErvRY, 

 Secretary of the Siniihsonian Institution.. 



