three streets and is open on its west side, so that natural light 
is secure to it from all its exposures. It is believed to be not 
more than large enough to meet the wants of the institution 
during the next half century. 
It is designed to erect upon the Race street side of this lot a 
wing of the proposed building for the accommodation of the 
present collections, leaving to our successors the task of its 
extension and completion. The wing will cover an area of 
12,144 square feet. Although this might he placed on the lot 
offered by Mr. Gibson, the space left after it should be sur¬ 
rounded by contiguous structures would be insufficient to 
secure lateral light, which is essential for a lower story. 
There would be a space of only eleven feet on the north and 
south sides, and less than fifty feet on the west end of the pro¬ 
posed edifice. No considerable addition to it could be made 
to meet the prospective requirements of the institution. It is 
not considered expedient to locate the academy on a lot from 
which it would probably become necessary to move again 
within a quarter of a century, for want of space whereon to ex¬ 
tend its building when needed. 
The board is of opinion that, duly considering its size, loca¬ 
tion, neighborhood and advantages of light, no better site for 
the academy is procurable with the means at command. It is 
supposed that in the estimation of very many, if not a majority 
of the contributors to the building fund, a location on Broad 
street is preferable; but on that great highway no lot of 
dimensions sufficient for the present and future wants of the 
institution, and at the same time convenient to its working 
members, is procurable by the trustees. 
For such reasons it is now believed to be expedient to com¬ 
mence building on Race street, as soon as it may be practicable 
without incurring the risk of pecuniary failure, unless by some 
fortunate chance a suitable lot on Broad street shall be pre¬ 
sented, so as to enable the trustees to convert the lot in their 
possession into money for building. The sum which might be 
realized from the sale of this property, added to the money on 
hand, would be almost if not quite sufficient to realize or exe¬ 
cute the approved plan of building if a site for it were pro- 
