2Q Transactions of the American Institute. 



the bourti were obliged to erect on Fifteenth street, a temporary 

 structure extending along the whole width of the armory, and cov- 

 ering a portion of the sidewalk, for the accommodations of the 

 boilers which were to furnish steam for driving the numerdlis 

 machines to be set in motion, a certain jjortion being reserved as a 

 restaurant. 



In the meantime, circulars were issued by the board announcing 

 that the grand autumnal exhibition of the American Institute would 

 open on the 12th day of September, and close on the 26th day of 

 October. The rules and regulations adopted by the board and the 

 classification of the articles to be exhibited, adopted by the Insti- 

 tute, were also published. 



Although inventors, manufacturers, and producers generally had 

 but a little more than two months for preparation, the letters 

 received by,the corresponding secretary, and containing applica- 

 tions for space, were soon so numerous the board Avere convinced 

 that the premises provided would be too small to accommodate 

 all who were desirous of becoming exhibitors. It, therefore, early 

 became necessary to refuse admission to certain classes of manu- 

 factures, such as carriages, &c., each of which required considera1)le 

 room, and to restrict the exliibitors of working machines to the 

 use of only such space as was absolutely required. AVithiu a 

 short time after the day designated for the reception of goods, 

 every part of the building was filled. It seemed as though all 

 available space was occupied, yet the subsequent reception of 

 articles from a distance, which had ])een delayed on railways and 

 for other unavoidable causes, rendered further contractions of 

 allotted space necessary, which was generally submitted to by 

 exhibitors, who, by this and other acts, evinced their willingness 

 to ensure the general success of the exhibition. 



A reference to the by-laws adopted by the board will show how, 

 by a proper division of labor, the arduous duties of the manage- 

 ment were performed. It is only to be regretted that the con- 

 tinued absence of several of the managers threw an unexpected 

 burden on the remaining members of the l)oard. 



The whole available space, after laying out the passages and 

 avenues to be used by visitors, was appropriated proportionally to 

 seven departments, each of which was subdivided into seven groups. 

 Each department was placed under the absolute control of a com- 

 mittee of three members, it being understood' that the chairman 

 of each committee was mainly responsible for its action. By the 



