6 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



to one that may be tilled in like manner, ''and shall not be assigned 

 to any other duties than those pertaining to the particular position to 

 which thus appointed." 



Rule VI is amended to relieve from the requirements of exam- 

 ination or registration the Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian 

 Institution in charge of the United States National Museum, and 

 "not exceeding one private secretary or contideutial clerk to the Sec- 

 retary of the Smithsonian Institution." 



BUILDINGS. 



The fitting up of the lower story in the south tower of the Smith- 

 sonian building as an exhibition room specifically for children has 

 occupied attention at intervals during the year, and the preliminary 

 work is now approaching completion. To obtain a maximum of light, 

 large doors, fitted with glass, protected where necessary by a light 

 grill of wrought iron, have been placed on the south side, and the win- 

 dows have been enlarged as far as could be done without interfering 

 with the masonry. The columns which formerly occupied the room 

 have been removed and the apartment finished in light color. 



The purpose in establishing this room has not been to appeal to the 

 trained adult mind, but to the untrained and even childish mind, and 

 to group the objects with regard to those characteristics attractive to 

 and comprehensible b}^ the general public, and particularly by chil- 

 dren. In this way it is hoped that the child at least will receive 

 impressions which will guide and influence it when serious studies are 

 taken up. 



Further progress has been made in the renovation and rearrange- 

 ment of some of the storage rooms in the south tower, and changes 

 are in progress in the basement of the north tower. 



Improvements in the Museum, the Astrophysical Observatory, and 

 the Zoological Park buildings are mentioned elsewhere. 



FINANCES. 



The permanent funds of the Institution are as follows: 



Bequest of Smithson, 1846 |515, 169. 00 



Residuary legacy of Smithson, 1867 26, 210. ().> 



Deposits from savings of income, 1867 108, 620. 37 



Bequest of James Hamilton, 1875 _ _ $1, 000 



Accumulated interest on Hamilton fund, 1895 1, 000 



2, 000. 00 



Bequest of Simeon Habel, 1880 500.00 



Deposits from proceeds of sale of bonds, 1881 51, 500. 00 



Gift of Thomas G. Hodgkins, 1891 200, 000. 00 



Portion of residuary legacy of Thomas G. Hodgkins, 1894 8, 000. 00 



Total ])ermanent fund ^ 912, 000. 00 



