THE RETROSPECT OF THE YEAR. 139 



These gentlemen, through sub-committees of their own 

 number, promptly and successfully discharged their func- 

 tion, and the appeal of their sub-committee on subscriptions 

 called forth the liberal response indicated in the subscrip- 

 tion list herewith printed in full. The appeal contained 

 among other statements the following passages : 



"The following abstract of the report of a sub-committee 

 of the Directors will indicate the changes proposed : on 

 the first floor, a large room 40 by 18 for meetings and so- 

 cial gatherings ; an office or reception room ; a room for the 

 publications of the society ; an historical museum room ; a 

 fire-proof room for manuscripts and valuable documents ; 

 toilet rooms ; etc. On the second floor : a commodious, 

 convenient and well-lighted double room fora general read- 

 ing room, which is to contain the current reviews, period- 

 icals, magazines, newspapers and books of reference ; a 

 room for the Story library ; separate rooms for special li- 

 braries, with tables and conveniences for readers and stu- 

 dents ; and a fire-proofroom for the collection of war relics. 

 On the third floor : special library rooms, and stacks for 

 books and printed matter, but not of such general interest 

 as the libraries located in the second story. Attic and base- 

 ment, for duplicates and general storage purposes. Certain 

 slight alterations to be made in the house, besides building 

 a new stairway and rendering fire-proof certain rooms in the 

 brick addition. The library and reading rooms to be neatly 

 furnished, and so arranged as to be attractive for members 

 and others visiting them, and the additional advantages to 

 be given to the members of the Institute will be such, that 

 a large increase of membership will probably follow the 

 proposed change. It is estimated that the sum of fifteen 

 thousand dollars will cover all the expenses proposed in the 

 foregoing plan, besides providing a sum sufficient to pay the 

 extra running expenses for the next three years ; also for 



