At the time of this writing, June 10, 1929, up- 
wards of a score of volumes are assembled and so far edited 
as to he practically ready for binding. I have called 
these n Random Records.” Ho attempt is made to write a 
story, hut the indexing for each volume will enable the 
inquirer to find the particular features of the record that 
may interest him. The series of volumes begins with a 
brief biography, a simple outline of my three-quarters of 
a century of contact with the world of affairs, and more 
than half a century association with the Smithsonian Insti- 
tution. Two of the volumes XUland Xlty must prove especially 
interesting to the future personnel of the Institution as 
they embody upwards of one hundred photographic portraits 
of Smithsonian people, all of whom I know or have known 
personally. The list begins appropriately with the 
portrait of Secretary Joseph Henry, the first Secretary of 
the Institution. 
