REPORTS OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE. 695 



I also obtained, through Professor Eenwick, an opportunity of examining Canina's 

 great work on Egyptian, Grecian, and Eoman architecture, published a few years 

 since at Komo. It may be said, in each style of which it treats, almost to exhaust 

 the subject — at least to furnish the best and most extensive modern illustrations of 

 Egyptian, Grecian, and Eoman buildings, to be found in any one collection now 

 extant. As almost all the works on architecture heretofore purchased by us have 

 been on Gothic and Norman architecture only, I think this work would be a valu- 

 able and important purchase. It is the property of a private gentleman, Mr. Parish" 

 who imported it; and I understand, from Professor Kenwick, it could be had' from 

 him at first cost in Home, with duty added. It would be of much use to me in the 

 preparation of the work I have now in charge. 



At Philadelphia I saw Mr. Notinan, and at New York Mr. Arnot ; both of whom 

 expressed a desire that their designs should be published in our work. I think it 

 likely that if we agreed to furnish each of them a hundred copies of the engravin°- 

 (which we can obtain at the cost of paper and printing,) they would supply us at 

 their own cost, with a reduced perspective view from which to* engrave; and if the 

 board votes us an additional appropriation, I recommend that such a proposition be 

 made to them ; and also to Mr. Daniel, of Cincinnati, who has signified to me a 

 similar desire in regard to the publication of his design — a design, as the committee 

 may remember, in the Italian style. 



At Philadelphia I called upon Mr. Joseph K. Ingersoll, who has always shown 

 much interest in the Institution, and he has promised to procure for me from 

 authentic sources, the exact dimensions of the Girard College buildino- • its cost to 

 the present time ; and the estimated cost of its completion. He also stated to me that 

 he would endeavor to procure some particulars regarding the style and dimensions of 

 a large cathedral of which the foundations have recently been laid by the Catholics 

 of Philadelphia. 



I made the acquaintance in New York of Mr. Kellogg, the artist who has charge 

 of Mr. Power's " Greek slave." He expressed to me a strong desire that soine 

 arrangements might be made by which our Institution should obtain that statue and 

 .fit up one of the rooms in our building (perhaps in one of the central towers) for its 

 reception. It is, in my opinion, one of the finest statues that has ever been produced 

 in ancient or modern times, and as well worthy of a separate tribune as the Venus 

 de Medicis. 



BO-BERT DALE OWEN. 



Washington, November 26, 1847. 



On motion of Mr. Owen, it was — 



Resolved, That Professor Benwick be authorized to purchase on behalf of the 

 Institution, of Mr. Parish, Canina's work on Egyptian, Grecian, and Eoman architec- 

 ture, provided the same can be obtained at the first cost in Borne, with the duty 

 added. 



Resolved, That the chairs for the Begents' room and Secretary's room be covered 

 'with maroon-colored leather. 



Report of the Building Committee for the year 1848. 



During the past year the Smithsonian building has been advanced in a manner 

 satisfactory to the committee. 



An inexhaustible supply of freestone of excellent color and quality is afforded by 

 the quarries ; and the deliveries have met with no such interruptions from failures 

 in the canal as were experienced last year, to the great delay of work upon the build- 

 ing. 



The east wing of the building, and the adjacent connecting range, are so far com- 

 pleted that the architect promises a state of readiness for occupation early in January. 

 He reports the whole interior of this part to be finished, with the exception of the 

 shelving of the cases — purposely delayed to enable the Secretary of the Institution 

 to adjust it to the apparatus which it is to receive. He reports, also, that the furnaces 

 for supplying warm air to these rooms, and also the ventilating apparatus, will be 

 completed at the same time. 



The west wing and its connecting range are completed externally, and the interior 

 of the hall of the gallery of art— intended to be used temporarily as a library — is 

 well advanced. Apportion of the book-cases are in progress, and will be placed in 

 this apartment until the library room proper, in the centre building, shall be ready 

 ■for their reception. 



