38 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 
deemed it expedient to invest the money in such State stocks as were 
then considered most eligible, and accordingly there were invested 
In— ‘ 
Indiana 5 per cent. stocks +eee- eee eee cece ee weneee $75,000 
Virginia Go se BRL de ae gh ba ee MN 53,509 
Tennessee He Bess as a eae STa,0 ile, di Ale RVeNee iene ies 12,000 
Georgia Pe SL OO ai wig hie he tap) MGS E aI aE Le 500 
Washington), 67 "") <° Cid sNARORCAL CRs arse ais Thales ANE) ol ples 100 
Amounting HID AL OG ei snes hota hes hae varleked tekerone ter eheies doco 141,100 
oo“ ___ 
This scheme has afforded an ample opportunity to compare the 
relative advantages of the two principal plans of organization and to 
verify the predictions which were originally made in regard to the 
building. Though but a portion of the income has been devoted to 
the active operations, they have produced results in the way of in- 
creasing and diffusing knowledge abundantly sufficient to justify the 
anticipations which were entertained in regard to them, and to con- 
vince the most skeptical of their primary importance. As to the 
building, it is now abundantly proved that a structure of one-fifth of 
the cost would have been sufficient for the wants of the Institution, 
and that two grave errors were committed in the adoption of the pres. 
ent one: first, the plan was but little adapted to the uses to which the 
edifice was to be applied ; second, the style of architecture required a 
far greater expenditure than the amount to which the cost of the 
building was limited. For the purpose of architectural effect the 
interior was very inconveniently divided; the buttresses, turrets, and 
towers, while they add very little to the accommodation of the build- 
ing, greatly increased the cost. To have constructed the building 
in a substantial and durable manner, in strict conformity with the 
Lombard style of architecture which was adopted, would have re- 
quired an expenditure of at least double the amount of the sum 
appropriated for the purpose. It was, therefore, necessary, in order 
that the exterior might be constructed in freestone, that the interior 
should be finished in wood and stucco, and that thus recourse 
should be had to the presentation of a falsehood to the eye in the 
very inauguration of an enterprise for the advancement of truth. 
The two wings and the two connecting ranges were completed in 
this manner. The main building, which is 200 feet long and 50 wide, 
embellished with six towers, was also in process of completion, the 
framing of the interior having been finished, when the underpinning 
gave way and the whole of the woodwork fell to the ground. After 
the occurrence of this accident a commission of architects, appointed 
