REPORT OP THE SECRETARY. 15 



was carried out in regard to the wings, the connecting ranges, and 

 the towers, was abandoned before the completion of the main build- 

 ing. After the exterior of this, including the roof, had been finished, 

 and the framing of the interior was in place, the latter suddenly 

 gave way and was precipitated into the cellar — a mass of broken 

 timber. The attention of the Regents having been called by this 

 accident to" the insecurity of the wood-work, they directed that 

 the further progress of the building should be stopped until means 

 could, be accumulated for finishing the remainder of the edifice in a 

 more stable manner and with fire-proof materials. In accordance with 

 this direction, after an interval of several years, the construction 

 was recommenced under the direction of Captain (now General) B. S. 

 Alexander, of the Engineer corps, and the whole of the main building, 

 except the inside of the towers and the framing of the roof, which 

 had previously been completed, was finished in a substantial manner 

 in iron and brick work. The architect advised the removal of the 

 roof, but as this would have swelled the cost of the building still fur- 

 ther beyond the estimate and the means at command, and as the cov- 

 ering was of slate, the framing under it was thought to be in no danger 

 from fire. This, however, was destined to be the part on which the 

 first attack of the element was to be made. Through a mistake in 

 some workmen, the pipe of a stove which had been temporarily used 

 in one of the upper rooms was introduced through the wall into a 

 furring space resembling a flue, but which discharged the heated air 

 from the combustion into the loft immediately under the roof, in- 

 stead of into the air, through the true chimney. The rafters were 

 set on fire, and before the burning was discovered the entire wood 

 work under the covering was in flames. The progress of the fire 

 was so rapid, that but few of the contents of the upper rooms could 

 be removed before the roof fell in. The flames soon extended to 

 the large towers, and as these acted as high chimneys, they greatly 

 increased the intensity of the combustion. The conflagration was 

 only stayed by the incombustible materials of the main building. Had 

 the original plan of constructing the interior of the edifice in wood- 

 and plaster been fully carried out, the whole structure would have 

 been destroyed, and the valuable library and rich collections of speci- 

 mens of natural history entirely lost. 



The aperture which deceived the workmen was probably made by 

 those who originally plastered the building. It occupied a middle 

 point between two windows, and from its position would naturally 

 lead to the inference that it was designed to conduct the products of 



