EEPORT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 5 



were given to the United States for its National Museum, were of much 

 intrinsic value, but were still more important in that they led to the 

 erection of a large building for the expansion of the Museum itself. 



From 1870 to 1881 was a period of quiet preparation for future effort. 

 From 1881 to 1890 its growth lias been rapid, though the organism is 

 still in its infancy. These have been years of experiment, but it is 

 hoped that it is now evident to the people and to Congress that the 

 Museum has now begun a promising progress toward maturity. 



PROGRESS IN THE WORK OF THE MUSEUM. 



Among the more important features of the work, up to the present 

 time, certain definite steps of progress have been taken, among the 

 most important of which may be mentioned : 



(1) An organization of the Museum staff has been effected — efficient 

 for present purposes and capable of expansion and extension as occa- 

 sion may require. 



(2) Through the agency of this staff, the materials in the Museum, 

 the accumulations of nearly half a century, have been examined, classi- 

 fied, and brought under control. 



(3) The collections have been fully quadrupled in extent. 



(4) A considerable beginning has been made toward the development 

 of a thoroughly labeled exhibition series, available for the instruction 

 of the public. 



(5) A thorough study of the organizations and systems of classifica- 

 tion in other museums throughout the world has been made, the results 

 of which are beginning to appear in the work of the Museum staff. A 

 report upon the great museums of the world is in preparation. 



(6) Many new methods of installation have been developed by ex- 

 periments m the Museum, and in the expositions in which the Museum 

 has participated. These are finding favor, and are being adopted in 

 many similar establishments at home and abroad, and will certainly add 

 to the economy and success of our own administration. 



(7) Science has been forwarded by the publication of many hundreds 

 of papers describing the materials in the Museum, while the work of 

 specialists in the production of these papers has greatly improved the 

 significance and value of the collections. 



NECESSITY FOR A NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



That the United States must have a National Museum is so evident 

 that the proposition needs no argument for its support. 



Every considerable nation has a museum or group of museums in its 

 capital city — centers of scientific and educational activity — the treas- 

 ure-houses of the nation, filled with memorials of national triumphs in 

 the fields of science, art, and industrial progress. 



They are legitimate objects of national pride, for upon the character 

 of its museum and libraries, intelligent persons visiting a country very 



