Reference Request
Finding Aids to Official Records of the Smithsonian Institution Archives
Record Unit 158
United States National Museum
Curators' Annual Reports, 1881-1964
Descriptive Entry
The administration of the United States National Museum required curators to submit regular reports on the activities of the departments, divisions, and sections. Prior to about 1900 these reports were often made monthly and semiannually as well as annually. The reports were traditionally submitted to the Director of the National Museum to be used in preparing the published Annual Report of the United States National Museum. The individual reports, however, were not reproduced in their entirety in the published Annual Report and generally contain more information than is to be found in the published version.
Reports were stored by the Office of Correspondence and Reports (later known as the Office of Correspondence and Documents), and then by the Office of the Registrar.
Includes reports submitted to the Director of the United States National Museum by curators and administrators.
Index Terms
This collection is indexed under the following access terms. These are links to collections with related topics, persons or places.
Name
- Baird, Spencer Fullerton, 1823-1887
- Goode, G. Brown (George Brown), 1851-1896
- Kellogg, Remington, 1892-1969
- Rathbun, Richard, 1852-1918
- Ravenel, W. de C. (William de Chastignier), 1859-1933
- Smithsonian Institution -- Administration
- Taylor, Frank A. (Frank Augustus), 1903-2007
- Walcott, Charles D., (Charles Doolittle), 1850-1927
- Wetmore, Alexander, 1886-1978
Subject
Physical Characteristics of Materials in the Collection
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 158, United States National Museum, Curators' Annual Reports
[[reader's handwriting]] One Copy
7-25-'87.
C.R. [[/reader's handwriting]]
Curators' reports
Materia Medica
[[strikethrough]] I 8 upper [[/strikethrough]]
Beyer Annual Rep. '86-87.
Annual Report
of
Section Materia Medica.
1887
[[reader's handwriting]] Miss Tabler
Please make 1 8[[superscript]] 00 [[/superscript]]-copy
[[BDS?]]. July 18, 1887. [[/reader's handwriting]]
1
[[strikethrough]]
U.S. National Museum.
Washington, D.C.
July , 1887.
Mr. G. Brown Goode,
Assistant Secretary Smithsonian Institution, and in charge of the US. National Museum.
Sir, I have the honor to transmit the following annual report on the operations of the Section of Materia Medica of this museum which was intrusted to my care during the fiscal year ending June 7th, 1887. [[/strikethrough]]
Report on [[insertion]] ^ the [[/insertion]] of Mater Medica in the U.S. National Museum for the year ending June 30, 1887.
H.G. Beyer: [[underlined]] Honorary Curator.
[[/underlined]]
[[strikethrough]] I [[/strikethrough]] [[double underline]] General review of the year's work.
[[strikethrough]] a. [[/strikethrough]] [[underline]] Work of preserving the collection. [[/underline]] A collection of materia medica specimens, as it is found in the National Museum and also in a few museums in other parts of the world, consisting as it must, of mostly dried
2.
plants, or the parts thereof, is at best of a perishable nature and, therefore, a large portion of the time at our disposal is, naturally, spent in devising methods and means for its proper preservation, without, at the same time destroying or injuring the specimens in any way whatsoever.
While the mineral products of the collection require but little care after they have once been properly bottled, labelled and placed on exhibition, the vegetable and animal products require constant supervision. The enemies threatening the destruction of these specimens are for the most part parasites of both the vegetable and animal kingdoms, but bacteria and fungi are the most predominant among them. A number of remedies have been tried from time to time with more or less satisfactory results but none, it seems, that were so true from objections and the results of which were so promising
3
as the one which will be briefly mentioned below. As it became an established and widely recognized fact that mercuric chloride, one of the most powerful germicides known, was volatile at almost all ordinary temperatures and, furthermore, as it is entirely out of the question to soak drugs in any of the common fluid preservative agents for reasons which are obvious, it occurred to the curator of the collection to try and take advantage of this property possessed by the chloride in preserving drugs, since this seemed at first sight to present all the advantages of germicidal power without its disadvantages, namely the disfiguring of the specimens.
Experiments with this bichloride of mercury were accordingly begun on a dozen of the worst specimens in the collection and also a few which were less inclined to become mouldy. In the former the process of moulding was decidedly interfered with by the substance; at the end of two months observation, it was found that the
4
moulds began to degenerate and to partly disappear. In those specimens which had previously been cleaned and then treated in the same way with the bichloride even at the end of 8 months, no new crop of either bacteria or fungi has yet made its appearance while formerly, without the bichloride a [[strikethrough]] mouldy [[/strikethrough]] monthly crop was usually sufficient to envelop the specimen.
The climate of Washington seems to me particularly favorable to the growth and development of these parasitical organisms. The atmosphere is moist and damp a portion of the year accompanied with high temperatures and it is perhaps to be supposed that collections of this kind in this vicinity require more attention in this particular than those in the more temperate climates.
On reporting the good results obtained by means of this germicidal agent to the members of the Biological Society, a gentleman asserted
5
that oil of cloves would do the same thing.
This was done with so much confidence, that I determined to give oil of cloves a thorough trial, although its odor makes it rather objectionable for preserving drugs and places it to begin with, rather beneath the bichloride in value. The bichloride of mercury, as it is well known, has no odor whatever and, consequently, does not interfere with the natural aroma of the specimens which, forms a prominent characteristic of some of the drugs. The oil of cloves was dropped at the bottom of some of the bottled specimens, in the same manner as this was done with the bichloride which was placed in substance into these bottles, but, even at the end of 6 months, it must be stated, that mould continued to flourish unabated and the conclusion, therefore, was only natural, namely: Oil of cloves does not answer our purpose in the preservation of botanical specimens of drugs as well as
6.
the bichloride of mercury. These results, not being published any where else, find perhaps a proper place in this report and are, to say the least, noteworthy. The application of the bichloride in the preservation of those of the specimens to which a more direct application of other germicides cannot be made is a very valuable one.
[[strikethrough]] B. [[/strikethrough]] [[underline]] Work of illustrating and labeling the collection. [[/underline]] The work of illustrating and labeling has also called for a large share of our time this year as well as in the preceding years, forming as it does, a rather important feature in a collection of materia medica specimens. In accordance with the newly adopted plan which is intended that every drug on exhibition in the collection shall be illustrated by a pressed botanical specimen of the plant from which it
7.
is derived, by a colored plate, showing the anatomy of the plant and its various parts and, also, by cuts illustrative of the microscopical characters or the structure of the specimen; this work, although in many respects a mere matter of chance, consequently of slow growth, is nevertheless of great importance and has, so far as progress has been made in this direction, done much to make the collection both instructive and attractive. Many of these illustrations having been taken from French and German works, the explanatory remarks accompanying them, had to be translated into technical English which was found in many instances no very easy task, requiring much time and the perpetual consultation of rare dictionaries.
[[strikethrough]] [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] [[underline]] Correspondence [[/underline]] Under the head of general work, the correspondence must be mentioned. The information on various topics which is from time
8
to time demanded from the curator of this section is becoming with every year a more prominent feature and letters, requesting such information, either private or official have steadily increased in number. The characters of the questions asked are either of botanical, chemical pharmaceutical or general medical interest and, in some cases, have little apparent relation to a department of materia medica. Many inquiries to be properly answered, require investigation and much time is, therefore, consumed in this part of the work. Tow or three examples in the form of abstracts form a few of the more typical letters which were received ad answered, will perhaps best illustrate the character and extent of this kind of work: - On August 25th 1886, eight numbered specimens of mustard seed were recieved from John W. Schwaner of Guide Rock, Nebraska
9
for examination relative to their comparative value with the standard commercial article. The result of the examination showed that all compared favorably but that specimen numbered one was the best; No. viii coming next; the balance differing but little in quality from each other: a reply was sent accordingly. On September 13th, 1886, a specimen of a plant was sent to this office by Mr. W.R Brown of Sanders Cal., requesting a botanical determination of the plant together with information as to its medicinal properties. On determination this plant proved to be Solidago californica, possessing the medical properties which are common to the genus Solidago. In October, 1886, a letter of inquiry was received from Mr. Le Gallais of Warrington, Florida, with regard to Prof. Barff's process of making boroglyceride and the manner
10
of preserving food-stuffs by means of this agent. The gentleman requested that some experiments be made with this chemical in order to determine its commercial value and establish the same on a more scientific basis than had been done hitherto, at the same time he gave the results of some of his own experiments and the method by which he had arrived at them. Upon examination and comparison of his method and that of Prof. Barff, it was found that the former had not quite understood the process and therefore, extensive abstracts from Prof. Barff's original paper were made, forwarded to Mr. Le Gallais and his attention particularly called to those points in which he had expressly failed, thus enabling him to make the boroglyceride as well as any one. During the same month a quantity of Tangai Nuts was received from
11.
Messrs. Ignacio Palan & Co., of Bahia, Ecuador, for examination. It was especially desired that a quantitative determination of the amount of fixed oil which they contained to be made. This was done by the employment of several processes requiring several weeks of steady work. The most exact determination was made with the chloroform process which gave 36.4% of oil as contained in the dried nuts. Letters giving these details were of course forwarded accordingly ^[[insertion]] with sample of the oil. [[/insertion]] A great many more instances of this kind might here be cited but these few are perhaps sufficient to show the kind of correspondence which is constantly being carried on with this department and also the amount of work which is generally connected with it. The work which is, as may be seen after a perusal of these letters, mostly chemical, points strongly to the necessity
12.
of a chemical laboratory in connection with this section or at least of better facilities for doing chemical work.
Numerous inquiries from Surgeon-General Gunnell have been received mainly with reference to rare foreign books which were sent to this office and the following letter is cited as typical of the kind of work done in this line; viz:
"U.S. National Museum.
Feburary 12th 1887.
Surgeon-General,
F.M. Gunnell, U.S. Navy.
Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the Handbuch der Hygiene which you were pleased to refer to me for report. The volume which was received from but a small portion of that already well-known and celebrated greater treatise on "General Hygiene",
13.
now in process of preservation. Recent researches in bacteriology having made it appear necessary that a most thorough and painstaking revision of the entire field of Hygiene should be made, a [[gallaxy?]] of some the most celebrated and distinguished hygienists of Germany have combined, each in his own specialty to accomplish this end. Their names, in my opinion, warrant that the undertaking will be a success in more than one respect.
The volume under immediate consideration treats of the soil, its physical and chemical characteristics, their dependencies, the relations which they bear to human health and the changes, either natural or artificial which tend to make the soil either a means for the prevention of disease or, on the other hand, tend to endanger human existence. It treats of the interchanges which take place constantly and which must take place between the constituents of the soil and
14
the surrounding atmosphere and of man's relation to it. Infectious diseases, of course, form an important part in the consideration of these facts.
As a very good example of the kind of questions which are considered in connection with those that are purely chemical, is perhaps the following:
In the chapter, treating of the currents of air in the soils of different composition and densities and the conditions of temperature and moisture upon which their movements depend, he approaches the question of why malarial infection has been observed to take place more easily at night than during the day. According to physical investigations, air currents from soil, and, carrying with it germs, into the surrounding atmosphere, ought to attain their maximum of rapidity at the time when the difference in temperature between these two media is greatest,
15
which, on a warm summer's day would be about noon. It is also a fact, established by experiment, that the more rapid the current, the more bacteria will it carry with it, although comparatively slow currents are required to move bacteria. It is, therefore, clear that there most be a different reason why malarial infection takes place at a time of day when the difference of temperature may be such as to reverse the current.
This peculiar circumstance is explained in the following way: It is considered that from moist soils - malaria most frequently occurs in such soils - during the heat of day currents of moisture as well as air pass in a direction from the surface of the soil toward the upper warmer stratum of the atmosphere. The germs of malarial infection, of course, are carried along but, rapid diffusion takes place, preventing them from concentrating on
16
any particular spot. After sundown, the atmosphere rapidly cools and this fact causes the moisture to return to the soil in a condensed state or in the form of dew, carrying with it the germs emanated from the soil during the day, in great quantity. This seems to me a rather plausible and quite philosophical explanation for we all remember cases when the simple protection by a mosquito bar of persons sleeping out of doors in malarious districts, have proved successful in the prevention of malarial infection, although we also know, the mosquito netting did not do more than absorb the moisture which was deposited during the night, as was evidenced by the fact that it was very wet, while the bed clothes within the netting were perfectly dry. This may, perhaps, serve as an example of the manner in which questions of general interest are treated in this great book.
17
The book closes with a most instructive geological description of the soils of the cities of Berlin, Paris, Munich and Vienna, indicating the relations of soil and subsoil, of water and ground water and their circulation under different circumstances and how they might influence the health of these great cities and suggesting possible remedies in such cases.
The author of the book indicates the lines along which hygienic research must be pursued in order that such research be attended with success and suggests a number of problems yet awaiting their solution.
A thorough chemical and biological investigation of the soil, subsoil, water and ground water of the larger cities of our great country, especially the capitol Washington, would form an excellent theme for the Museum of Hygiene to work upon.
In returning the book and, hoping I have
18.
understood your request, I am,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant.
H.G. Beyer."
[[strikethrough]] I. [[/strikethrough]][[underlined]] Work in Experimental Pharmaco - physiology. [[/underlined]]
This work has been continued and as much time has been devoted to it as circumstances would [[insertion]] allow [[/insertion]] [[strikethrough]] of [[/strikethrough]]. The section not being itself provided with the apparatus necessary for making physiological experiments, the latter were made partly at the Museum of Hygiene in this city and partly in the physiological laboratory of the Johns Hopkins University at Baltimore, Md. Much good work might indeed be accomplished in this line of research and hundreds of new as well as old drugs are awaiting investigation. For the papers published on this subject see bibliography under VT.
[[srikethrough]] II. [[/strikethrough]] [[underlined]] Notes upon the more important accessions received during the year. [[/underlined]]
19.
One of the most interesting acquisitions of the museum this year is a collection of the various medicinal lints and cottons together with silks thread and cat-gut sutures done up in bottles, all of which are now extensively used in what is known as antiseptic surgery.
The treatment of wounds according to the principles of atntisepsis is daily gaining in importance and general application and this collection forms a good nucleus for further work in the illustration of this branch of surgery in connection with this department. It will be added to as opportunity offers and be made so practical that it will prove a guide for the surgeon consulting this part of the collection in the application of this valuable method. A special case has been required for this exhibit which will be placed by itself, filled with these specimens when properly labelled and prepared for that purpose.
20
Special mention must also be made of the addition made to this collection of a bottle of pure Attar of Rose. This bottle contains about 3/4 of a pint of attar, being originally presented to the U.S. Government in 1840 by the Iman of Mouscat. For many years it had been in the vault of the East room of the office of the Treasurer of the United States. In March 1887, it was transferred to the Museum for public exhibition and may now be seen among the specimens of materia medica.
The following is a list of the remaining additions received and added to our collection this year:-
Charpie Baumwolle.
Asclepias verticillata. Carbol gaze
Iodoform charpie Baumwolle. Eisen chloride charpie Baumwolle.
Iodoform Verband-Päckchen
Coton charpie palieglate 4%. Salicyleaure Natta.
Salicyl gaze. Gatgut no. 1.
Coton charpie Phenique 10%. Ligature no. 3.
21
Carbolisirte No. 2. Nähseide. Margarita
Salicylesäure Charpie Baumwolle. 10%
Borsäure lint. Flor de Pena.
Carbolisirte Nähseide. [[Espantiloba. ?]]
Salicylsäure Jute. Palo mitas.
Charpie Baumwolle. (2 sp.) " [[ditto for: Palo]] Santo.
Carbols. Charpie Baumwolle. Tomato de Pesso.
Iodoform Gaze 10%. [[Deir's ?]] Lower Joint.
Lister's Macintosch. Cardo Santo.
Carbolisirte Drainage. Barbasco.
Hydrophiler Veibaudstoff. [[Tilantillo. ?]]
Carbol gaze. [[Boregito. ?]]
Carbolisirte Nähseide No. 3. Arisco
Billroth Batist. Attar of Rose.
Flour de mas. Kola nuts.
Lithospermum multiflorum [[Pinko - Pinko. ?]]
Canella alba. Oil fruits 2 sp.
Comocladia integrifolia Popo nuts.
Simarouba glauca Dye from W. Africa.
Assafoetida [[Bucamassanga. ?]]
22
Bismuth Peptonic. Boadho
Medicament from Kaminu. Mangose Cardamons.
Korean Drugs. 3 [[symbol?]] Albanna Ke.
Pepsin Holz. Blutschwanium.
Fouquinia splurdius. Indian Tea seed.
Thelespuma gracilio. Orthosiphon staminea. Strophanthis seed.
XXX. [[double underline]] Statement of character of routine work in arrangement and classification of the collection, and in the preparation of the exhibition and study series. [[/double underline]] For an account of the preparation of the specimens from the time they arrive here up to the time when they reach the exhibition cases in the collection and in order to avoid unnecessary repetition ,I must refer to previous reports where the process may be found in [[strike]] great [[/strike]] full detail.
23.
The exhibited specimens, however, are arranged in strict accordance with the classification adopted by Bentham & Hooker in their "Genera Plantarum", every single specimen in fact, occupying its place in the collection according to this classification in the exact order and sequence which is there followed out. In time it is intended that every specimen shall be accompanied with the very number (genus as well as species) which is formed to accompany them in this book.
The publication of a large descriptive catalogue comprising the entire collection has been under contemplation for some time but, owing partly to a want of the necessary books of reference and partly also to want of time, this work has been temporarily interrupted but will be resumed as soon as circumstances favor it.
IV. Review of special researches prosecuted
[[double drawn line]]
24.
[[underlined with double line]] upon material belonging to the department. [[/underlined with double line]]
Oil of Tangai Nuts,
by
George & Doening Phar. D.
Tangai nuts are of a brownish black color, varying size from a walnut to about half the size of a man's fist; they have four surfaces and are of such a shape that, if eight of them were placed face to face against their flattened sides a figure approximating to a sphere would be obtained. The shell which is thin and easily broken encloses a somewhat irregular shaped kernel. The integument surrounding the kernel is of a somewhat lighter brown color than the external shell and is more or less wrinkled by the process of drying. The freshly cut surface of the seed presents a slightly pinkish-white appearance upon which, moisture and oil may be seen gathering
25
upon pressure. They are tough and leathery and their taste somewhat disagreeably bitter.
Three experiments were made to extract the oil, Exp. III, however, being the only satisfactory one.
[[circled and underlined]] Experiment I [[/circled and underlined]]
[[forked line drawn from circled text to next sentence]]
On expression at an elevated temperature a quantity of a whitish emulsion was obtained the oil from which refused to separate although permitted to stand in a tall glass vessel for several days, during this period the emulsion darkens in color. Agitating with petroleum spirit resulted in obtaining 2'35 per cent of fixed oil, an amount that was plainly extremely low. This was due to the fact that sufficient pressure could not be brought to with the small hand-press which was used, but even though a powerful machine be employed I strongly doubt if more than 10 per cent. could be got, at all events this process is not a desirable in this case since
26
the oil so obtained readily becomes rancid.
[[circled and underlined]] Experiment II. [[/circled and underlined]]
[[line drawn from circled text to beginning next sentence]]
10 grams of the dried and finely powdered substance, was placed in an extraction apparatus after the method of Church and thoroughly exhausted by chloroform. In this manner all of the oil was doubtlessly extracted but so largely was the oil contaminated with other extractive matters equally soluble in chloroform which so greatly interfered with the production of a clear and pure oil, that this method too was discarded as failing to attain the desired end.
It is safe to assume that all oilproducing substances have one or more solvents that are peculiarly suited for extracting a particular oil than are other solvents, in the present case chloroform was found to be unfitted, while benzine seems to be admirably adapted for this purpose, and therefore was
27
instituted
[[circled and underlined]] Experiment III. [[/circled and underlined]]
[[forked line drawn from circled text to beginning of next sentence]]
75 grams of the dried kernels reduced as before to a fine powder was digested in a flask with 300 c.c. of benzine. The flask was stoppered and the contents frequently agitated for several hours, at the end of which time, the vessel was immersed in boiling water until [[^the]] benzine began to boil. The contents were then poured on a filter and after all the liquid portion had passed through, the residue was twice succesively treated with 100 c.c. more of the solvent.
All the filtrates were then mixed together and evaporated in a tared capsule until the weight remained constant. The 75 grams of dried powder yielded 27'3 grams of oil, which quantity is equal to 36'4 per cent.
The oil as so obtained is of a clear straw color, with a smooth bland taste, a rather agreeable faint odor suggestive of chocolate, and
28
has a specific gravity of 0'8642.
At a temperature of about 10°C. a portion of the oil congeals and may be readily seperated by filtration. The clear filtered oil has a sp. gr. of 0'9478. When solidified by cold and gradually warmed, incipient fusion commences at 5°C. (41°F.) and the oil becomes perfectly limpid at 10°C. (50°F.).
Its cohesion figure does not give a very reliable test, the oil rapidly rolls out in the form of a perfect ring, remains quiet for some moments, then gradually retraces for a short distance with an occasional portion retreating so far as to leave a long narrow strip covered with minute spots which in the course of a few minutes is plainly discernible over the entire surface.
Treated with a drop of strong nitric acid in a few seconds a faint purple coloration is produced changing quickly to a
29.
dark yellowish brown. With strong sulphuric acid there forms instantly a dirty green color changing to black.
It is quite likely that this oil will be added to the list of oils already known and will no doubt become a valuable commercial article, and this because of its feedom from disagreeable odor and taste as well as its tendency to remain unaltered.
Of the botanical origin of Tangai I am entirely ignorant at present; but, Messrs. Parke, Davis & Co., of Detroit, have kindly volunteered to ascertain, through their representative in Ecuador, the natural history of Tangai, and this information together with the chemistry of the constituents of the nuts, is expected to be embodied in a future special report.
[[striked through]] IX. [[/striked through]]
[[double underlined]] Present state of the collection. [[/double underlined]]
[[striked through, double underlined]] including a table showing the number of specimens in the [[reserve?]], exhibition and [[/striked through, double underlined]]
30.
[[strikethrough]] duplicate series, with total. Also the number of the last catalogue entry in June 1886 and in June 1887. [[/strikethrouth]]
Total number of specimens on Register 5516
Total number of specimens on Exhibition 3488
Total number of Duplicates 500
Total number of Labels on exhibition 1970
Total number of Herbaria on exhibition 33
Total number of Colored pictures on exhibition 277
Total number of Photographs on exhibition 136
Number of last entry in June, 1886. 77974
Number of last entry in June, 1887. 78047
A List of the papers published during the year by the Curator is published in [[strikethrough]]the[[/strikethrough]]Part IV of this report. [[strikethrough]] and his official associates upon any subject, and by colaborators, not officially connected with the Museum. Each notice in this bibliography should be accompanied with a brief abstract of the paper.[[/strikethrough]]
31
H.G. Boyer [[strike]] S. [[/strike]] The direct action of Calcium, Sodium, Potassium and Ammonium Salts on the bloodvissels.
Medical News, Sept. 4th, 1886 When these investigations were begunm comparatively little was known with regard to the action of these salts on the bloodvessels. The results which had been recorded were rather indefinite and contradictory and the methods used rather imperfect. It was of especial importance to ascertain by means of new and improved methods, as accurately as possible, the action of potassium salts on the vascular system and so far as this was done in these observations, the few points of interest will here be briefly stated. Bromide of potassium when administered in certain doses is known to produce sleep and acts therefore as an hypnotic. This effect it is supposed, is produced by a condition of cerebral
32
anaemia induced by the drug, owing to contraction of the bloodvessels which is said to ensue when this drug is administrated.
In the above investigations it was found that all the potassium salts tried, namely:- the Iodide, Bromide, and Chloride, dilatation pure and simple with large and small doses was invariably produced and no contraction whatever resulted at any time of the experiments. It is therefore, rendered exceedingly probable by the results obtained in these experiments, that contraction of the bloodvessels is no part of, at least, the direct action of these salts and if the latter produce dilatation at all, it can only be owing to an effect which they might possibly exert on the vaso-motor centre in the medulla.
Central anaemia, however, might still be produced even without the assumption of such an effect on the vaso-motor centre, in about the following manner:- In all the experiments which
33
were made with potassium salts on the bloodvessels, considerable oedema of these organs through which the drug was allowed to flow, was noticed. Hence, it must be assumed that one of the chararacteristic effects produced by these salts is to favor the transudation of fluids from out of the vessels into the surrounding lymphatics. The perivascular lymphatics, however, when completely filled, must necessarily compress to a certain extent the vascular lumen and hence cause a much diminished flow of blood to the part, besides compressing the tissues outside of and immediately against them.
The conclusions drawn from these experiments are as follows:-
1. Calcium salts cause the vessels to contract by virtue of their stimulating influence on the vasomotor ganglia.
2. Sodium an ammonium salts excite, first, the ganglia of the vasodilators; next, those
34
of the vasomotors; hence producing at first dilatation, and afterward contraction of the vessels.
3. Potassium salts stimulate the ganglia of the vasodilators only, and consequently produce dilatation; if, however, as was shown in two observations, the dilatation which they produce is followed by contraction, this contraction is so extremely slight that it may practically be neglected; therefore, any stimulating influence on the vasomotor ganglia which they might possess is insignificant when compared with that which they exert over the vasodilators.
H.G. Beyer. [[striked through]] II. [[/striked through]] On the micro-organisms of lactic fermentation.
Medical News, Nov. 6th, 1886.
This paper is an experimental inquiry into the causes of the souring of milk. The presence of microörganisms in liquids
35
undergoing fermentation has hitherto been interpreted and explained in various ways. While some looked at these low forms of life as the mere associates of these processes, attributing the real cause of the resulting decomposition to chemical ferments, others, though believing in the causation of fermentation by microörganisms, looked at these processes as physiological ones or else attributed them to a certain power of adaptability possessed by certain microbes to different conditions of life.
Lister was, perhaps, the first clearly to point out the fact that the peculiar and characteristic fermentation process by which milk becomes sour, is initiated or directly caused by a certain species of microbe. While, however, Lister had proved this fact, it did not necessarily follow from his experiments alone, that the same process might not also be called into existence by a chemical ferment
36
produced by the lacteal glands and which was already contained in the milk when it left these glands.
The matter, therefore, even after Lister's famous experiments, remained as undecided as ever, and the contention which has grown up between chemists and biologists for ages past, had not been diminished in any way.
In the mean time, our methods of bacteriological research having been greatly improved by the patient and admirable researches of Professor Robert Koch, it had become necessary to reinvestigate this whole question. This task has, indeed, been most ably performed by Dr. Heuppe, whose researches will be found embodied in a recent contribution to our knowledge of lactic acid fermentation and fermentation in general, published in the [[underlined]] Mittheilungen d. kaiserlichen Gesundheitsamtes [[/underlined]], Berlin, 1884.
37.
In this paper Hueppe has, we think, successfully demonstrated the fact that lactic acid fermentation, or the process of the souring of milk, by which the sugar contained in milk is converted into lactic and carbonic acids, is directly dependent on or caused by a certain definite variety of microörganism, the morphological and physiological characters of which render it sufficiently distinct from any other known microbe.
Hueppe has demonstrated his point in the following manner: First, by showing that this particular organism is constantly associated with lactic acid fermentation; second, by separating it from other microörganisms; third, by cultivating it outside the original media in which it occurs, so as to separate chemical by-products; fourth, by the inoculation of pure cultures into the proper medium, producing the characteristic decomposition; fifth,
38
by ascertaining the biological conditions under which this process of fermentation is brought about in the best manner.
Although Hueppe himself is exceedingly guarded in his conclusions, the results obtained by him from the very accurate series of experiments made according to the most modern and advanced methods, will, no doubt, be fully realized by even those who are but slightly familiar with the history of fermentation and the long struggle which has existed for ages, and still exists between chemists and biologists with regard to the nature and causes of fermentation. This alone [[^would]], no doubt, form sufficient pretext for a critical examination and repetition of at least a portion of Hueppe's experiments. But aside from this, and in spite of the fact that the importation of Hueppe's lactic acid germ is most likely to be an almost daily occurence on this side of the Atlantic, the identity between it and the germs
39.
which cause the same decomposition in American milk, must be proven by the same methods and experiments, in order to make this mere supposition a certainty.
With this object in view, I gladly took advantage of an opportunity kindly offered to me this summer by Drs. E.D. Salmon and Theobald Smith, of the Bureau of Animal Industry, of working out this problem in their well-equipped laboratory.
In repeating Hueppe's experiments, so far as this was done by me, it was, of course, thought best to follow out the same course of experimenting and use the same methods as were used by him, and the first question, therefore, which naturally arose was, what microörganisms, if any, do we find in sour milk as it occurs in our market?
Bacterium lactis mas be described as a short, thick, plump, little rod, distinctly ovoidal in
40
in shape, about half as broad as long, and varying in length from 1 to 2 μ, its breadth remaining tolerably uniform. The best specimens may be found in milk cultures, the smallest in beef-infusion-peptone-gelatine cultures. As the bacterium lengthens, a slight constriction about its middle portion becomes noticeable which soon broadens and deepens, giving rise just before complete division takes place, to the figure 8 form. This form becomes more especially noticeable in preparations stained with methyl-violet, which leaves a very minute central portion of the protoplasm unstained. The germ does not liquify gelatine, and when examined on the hollow slide, it is found to be motionless. With regard to spore-formation, our experiments have not been attended by very positive results, although everything else seems to indicate that they do form spores. The settlement of this question will form one of the subjects of future investigations.
41 The results of the foregoing experiments have led me to agree fully with those obtained by Hueppe, namely; lactic acid fermentation, or the process of the souring of milk during which the sugar contained in the latter is converted into lactic acid and carbonic acids, is directly dependent on or caused by the life and growth of a certain definite variety of microorganisms,the physiological characters of which are sufficiently distinct to differentiate it from any other known organism and which, therefore, may be properly designated as bacterium lactis.
H.G. Beyer. [[strike]] III [[/strike]] The direct action of Atropine, Homatropine, Hyoscine, Hyoscyamine, and Daturine on the Heart of the Dog, Terrapin and Frog.
American Journal of the Medical Sciences. April, 1887. The question of this action of atropine and
42.
its congeners on the vascular system of animals, has perhaps, been the most difficult and perplexing which ever presented itself to the physiologist. For a period of fifty year, physiologists have been engaged with this problem many experiments having been made, many bitter controversies having been fought out during this time and yet the question could hardly be said to have been satisfactorily answered. So far as the action of atropia on the heart is concerned, the best authorities still differ in about the following points: (1) That is action may be fully explained by assuming that a paralyzing influence is exerted on the terminal filaments of the pneumogastrics; (2) That atropia at first stimulates and then paralyzes these filaments; (3) That it not only paralyzes these filaments, but also and at the same time, stimulates the vasomotor apparatus
43
of the heart. It seemed to me that the question of the action of atropine had gained anew in interest and importance with the discoveries of Gaskill on the origin, course and distribution of the nerves supplying contain viscera. He found; for instance that the heart of both cold and warm-blooded animals was supplied with two kinds of nerve-filaments, the stimulation of the one accelerating and augmenting the hearts' action, that of the other, retarding or altogether stopping its action. It was thought that by a careful study of the action of atropine on the isolated heart, it might be possible to obtain good evidence, as to how it affected at least the peripheral portions of this double nerve-supply and whether it stimulates or paralyzes the one kind of nerves to the exclusion of the other or whether it affected both alike and if so , how is this action influenced by the quantity of the drug admin-
44
istered at the time. After a great many experiments of this kind, the conclusions which were finally reached were as follows:- 1). Atropine, homatropine, hyoscine, hyoscyamine and daturine are stimulants of the sympathetic nerve-apparatus of the heart. 2). The vasomotor portion of this nerve-apparatus is affected by comparatively small doses of these drugs, giving rise to either acceleration or augmentation of the hearts' action. 3). The inhibitory portion is excited by larger doses only, giving rise to slowing of the hearts' action,and, finally, causing diastolic arrest. 4). The muscular substance of the heart is greatly excited by atropine, homatropine and daturine, and only slightly so by hyoscine and hyoscyamine.
45.
5). The vaso-motor nerves and their ganglia are the first to become exhausted ,the inhibitory ganglia and their nerves are the next, and the muscular substance is exhausted last of all.
6). The slowing of the hearts' action which follows the administration of these drugs in the intact animal, may be sufficiently accounted for by their influence on the inhibitory nerves and ganglia of the heart itself.
7). The acceleration following the administration of certain doses of these drugs cannot be sufficiently accounted for by their action on the accelerator nerves and ganglia within the heart but is principally due to causes resident outside this organ. The essential points brought out by these experiments are that both vaso-motor as well as inhibitory nerves are stimulated by the atropines but that the former are
46
affected by small doses, the latter by large doses only; hence a large dose causing an excitation of the vaso-inhibitory portion of this nerve apparatus may entirely cover up the vaso-motor excitement which is present simultaneously with that of the vaso-inhibitory portion of the nerve-apparatus, In as much, however, as large doses quickly paralyze the vaso-motor apparatus and also, as the vaso-inhibitory nerves, the slowing of the hearts' action following primary acceleration, must be looked upon as a sign of much greater danger than the latter and is indication of much more profound action, for if this influence is not arrested it will terminate is diastolic arrest. A point of interest needing to be emphasized is that different doses of the same drug may produce results on the same organ that are diametrically opposed to each other.
47 The influence of atropine on organs of similar innervations as is the heart is assumed to be identical with that exerted on the heart.
H.G. Beyer [[strike]] IV [[/strike]] On some of the problems to be solved by pharmaco- physiology, with a new out-line classification of Pharmacology.
Medical News, 1887. In this paper some of the more important problems in pharmaco-physiology are discussed. Particular attention is called to the necessity of investigating the action of drugs with due regard to the chemical constitution of the latter and examples are cited showing, beyond doubt the relation which exists between chemical constitution and physiological action. A new outline-classification of the whole science of pharmacology is included in this article with explanatory notes for
48
each of the terms used in this classification which is as follows: -
[[diagram]] |-Descriptive---Pharmaco mineralogy--| |-Descriptive---Pharmaco botany------| |-Descriptive---Pharmaco zoology-----|
Pharmacology-| |-Pharmaco-therapy |-Experimental---Pharmaco physics----| |-Experimental---Pharmaco chemistry--| |-Experimental---Pharmaco physiology-| |-Experimental---Pharmaco pathology--|
H.G. Beyer. [[strikethrough]] X. [[/strikethrough]] The action of Tropin hydrochlorate and sodium tropate on the peripheral bloodvessels.
American Journal of the Medical Sciences. 1887.
By a careful experimental study of the influence of atropine on isolated organs we have been able to furnish good pharmacological evidence in proof of the fact that this alkaloid exerts a double action on those organs which are supplied by both motor an inhibitory sympathetic
49
nerve structure.
It has been shown that very small doses of the drug will stimulate the motor nerve-elements and that larger doses of it will stimulate the inhibitory portion of the nerve-supply of these organs. thus, very small doses of atropine will give rise to contraction of the pupil, to acceleration of the heart's action, to increased peristaltis of the intestine; large doses on the contrary produce dilatation of the pupil, arrest the heart in diastole and stops the peristaltic movement of the intestine. Furthermore, in view if the important researches by Ladenbury on the chemical constitution of atropine, it seemed to me strongly indicated to try and ascertain if this double action of atropine could possibly be explained by a careful study and comparison of the action of its two constituents - tropine and tropic acid.
50.
The pupil did not seem to me a sufficiently typical object for the determination of this all important point and I, therefore, concluded to try the bloodvessels, more especially, since it is now looked upon generally, as a well settled question in physiology that the bloodvessels are supplied by two kinds of nerve-structures namely vaso-motor and vaso-inhibitory or dilator, the stimulation of the former causing vaso-constriction, that of the latter giving rise to vaso-dilatation.
Cosequently, we might argue that tropic acid is that part of the molecule of atropine which causes pupillary dilatation and if we have, furthermore, reasons to believe, that tissues which are identical both in histological structure and physiological function, are also similarly affected by the same chemical stimuli, then it ought to follow that this same portion of the molecule of atropine should
51
give rise to vaso-dilatation. Atropine, however, producing also vaso-constriction (in small doses at least), it would perhaps further, follow that the remaining portion of the molecule should give rise to vaso-constriction.
In these experiments on the bloodvessels with sodium tropate and tropine-hydrochlorate an improved method was used. Instead of an artificial heart and lung to arterialize and pump the blood through the bloodvessels, as had been used in the latest researches of this kind by Drs. von Frey and Gruter, a natural heart and lung were interposed between the blood-reservoirs and the blood-vessels. Hence this method is far from all those objections which still cling to the old method and, consequently, the results ought to be reliable.
After making a number of experi-
52.
ments, it was found that Tropin hydro-chlorate produced vaso-constriction and that sodium tropate gave rise to vaso-dilatation. We have here, then, an important and very decided illustration of the relation of chemical constitution to physiological action and, at the same time, a very striking explanation of the double action of the alkaloid atropin.
H.G. Beyer. [strikethrough][illegible][/illegible][/strikethrough]. The influence of cocaine on the bloodvessels of the dog not yet published.
In these experiments, which were made according to the same method as the preceeding, suffice it to state that it was found that cocaine in large doses and directly applied, gives rise to vaso-dilatation, in small doses, to vaso-constriction. -
[strikethrough] Very Respectfully,Henry G. Beyer [illegible] [/illegible] [/strikethrough]
[[stamp]] S55997 [[/stamp]]
[[stamp]] Smithsonian Institution Division of Correspondence Received AUG. 6-. 86 [[/stamp]]
G
I 8 upper Beyer July 86
[[pre-printed]] UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION Washington [[/pre-printed]] Aug. 6th 1886.
Professor S.F. Baird,
Director U.S. National Museum.
Sir,
During the month of July the following list of specimens were received and entered on the register:
Iodoform cotton Pure cotton
Boric lint
Salicylic cotton Styptic cotton
Lister's macintosch
Carbolic cotton Catgut Carbolized drainage tube
Lithospermum multiflorum.
All the exhibition cases in this section were thoroughly overhauled by the carpenter and put in good condition. The trouble was with the doors, many of which could be opened only with great difficulty.
The annual report of this section for the fiscal year ending June 30th 1886, has been prepared and forwarded to the Director.
[[pre-printed]] UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM UNDER DIRECTION OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION WASHINGTON [[/pre-printed]]
The following material was turned over to the librarian for binding:
11 Vols. Philadelphia Journal Pharmacy
7 Vols. Pharmaceutical Journal & Transactions
1 Vol. Spanish Pharmacopoeia
1 Vol. Bentham and Hooker's "Genera Plantarum"
1 Vol. Christy's "New Commercial Plants and Drugs.
2 Vols. Bentley & Trimen's Botany.
1 Vol. Dymock's Indian Materia Medica.
2 Vols. Luerssen's Botanik.
The mounting of colored plates continues. Some time has been expended in cleaning offices in this department.
Very respectfully,
H.G. Beyer
Hon. Curator Mat. Med. Section.
I8 Upper Beyer Sept. 1886
[[letterhead pre-printed in red]]
United States National Museum
Under Direction Of
The Smithsonian Institution
Washington [[/letterhead pre-printed in red]]
Oct. 5th 1886
Professor S.F. Baird,
Director U.S. National Museum
Sir,
During the month of September but one specimen was entered on the register and this (Solidago californica) was transferred to Prof. Ward. The curator has returned from his annual leave of absence and resumed his duties. All of the pictures have been mounted and the collection is in a fine condition.
Very respectfully,
H.G. Beyer,
Curator Materia Medica Section.
[[letterhead pre-printed in red]]
United States National Museum
Under Direction Of
The Smithsonian Institution
Washington [[/letterhead pre-printed in red]]
December 4th 1886.
Professor Spencer F. Baird,
Director of National Museum.
Sir,
During the month of November the following specimens were entered on the register,viz:- Conocladia integrifolia, Simaruba glauca and Assafoedita. Doctor C.A. White of the Geological survey presented the department with one bottle of Mexican Mescal which will be placed on exhibition.
A letter of inquiry as to the chemical composition of Havanna tobacco and other tobaccos and the method of cultivating them was received and an answer transmitted under date of the 20th Nov.
Four boxes of specimens have been packed and are now ready for storage. These drugs are all duplicate specimens of comparatively little value; they had all
2.
[[preprinted in red]]UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON[[/preprinted]]
been received and were laid aside during Dr. Thiels time and were occupying a good deal of room which is much needed at present.
The chemical examination of the Tangai Nuts is still being pursued and promises well. The curator is still engaged in the physiological investigation of drugs. So far as this work is concerned, done during the last two years, I am pleased to state that I have lately seen extensive abstracts and most favorable criticisms on it, in four of the leading German periodicals. It is my purpose to turn out still more valuable work this winter, than has been done in the past.
The writing of labels is constantly kept up and might be greatly facilitated by the purchase of a few books, so much needed for the necessary
3
[[preprinted]] UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON [[/preprinted]]
informative. More than three hundred new labels have been attached to blocks and placed in their respective places in the museum.
Very Respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
H G Beyer
Curator Sect Mat. Med.
[[preprinted]]UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON [[/preprinted]]
Jan. 4th 1887. [[stamped]] Jan 6 1886 [[/stamped]]
Professor Spencer F. Baird,
Director U.S. National Museum,
Sir, -
During the month of December this office received no donations.
One more box of duplicates were packed and turned over to the Registrar for storage.
83 labels have been turned in for printing, the majority of which, were for the colored plates illustrative of the anatomy of different plants. This work still continues, but, as might be expected, not as rapidly as under other circumstances, since they have now to be translated from the German into English.
2
[[preprinted]]
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON
[[/preprinted]]
15 "absence blanks" have been received from the Chief Clerk's office and their requirements shall be complied with whenever necessary.
On the 13th ultimo a letter of inquiry pertaining to the poppy plant, was received from Dr. W. W. Wolsey of Jacksonville, Florida. and a reply transmitted through your office bearing date of Dec. 15th.
Much of our time is employed in renovating the exhibited collection for it is of a perishable nature. This we have found necessary to do once a month, because of insects and mould. In case of insects we find a ready means of disposing of them
3
[[preprinted]]
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WASHINGTON
[[/preprinted]]
by the use of chloroform; this is very effectual so far as live insects are concerned, but apparently the germs that exist in some specimens are not destroyed, for, after awhile, we have a reappearance of what we hoped to have gotten rid of. I will cite as examples that have come under my notice the following drugs which have been so affected - Aconitum, Ferox, Sarsaparilla, Coriander and other Umbelliferous seeds. With rhubarb and many other roots this however does not happen, as our experience tends to show that with these drugs one application of chloroform is sufficient.
With mould we find that applications of chloroform do no good toward preventing
4
[[preprinted]]
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WASHINGTON[[/preprinted]]
its formation: I will mention under this head, Opium, Pomegranate fruit, Mexican Jalap and Terra Japonica.
The entire subject is one not well understood and is worthy of investigation. Therefore, these observations were deemed of sufficient importance to warrant recording them.
Very respectfully,
H. G. Beyer,
Hon. Curator Materia Med. Sect.
^[[I8 upper Jan 1887. Beyer.]]
[[preprinted]]
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON
[[/preprinted]]
Feb. 5th 1887
Professor S. F. Baird,
Director U.S. National Museum.
Sir:
During the month of January no donations were received.
About sixty-five labels have been prepared and are now ready for printing.
It is a source of much gratification to observe the increased interest manifested by visitors in looking over the collection of materia medica, since the method of illustrating the specimens by colored plates and mounted herbarium specimens has been adopted and is being carried out.
We stand greatly in need of the works sent to the bindery for binding, as they are
2
[[preprinted]]
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UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON
[[/preprinted]]
indispensable for the writing of labels.
In accordance with your valuable suggestions relating to the preservation of drugs and communicated to me by letter which was duly received, I have concluded to make some experiments, with the view of ascertaining the applicability of bichloride of mercury to this end. The application of arsenious acid seems to me plainly inadmissible for reasons which you have already mentioned in your letter. It is also clearly impossible to apply the bichloride of mercury either in solution in water or alcohol, since both these substances are the chief solvents by means of which the active principles are extracted from drugs and consequently would largely tend to alter both their chemical
3
[[preprinted]]
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[[/preprinted]]
composition as well as their natural outside appearance besides adding something new to them. It is especially for the latter reason that liquid germicides are not applicable to drugs.
Since the bichloride of mercury, even in the most minute quantities has been lately proved to be the most poisonous to all vegetable and animal life which we possess in the form of germicides and has for this reason become the most valued means in antiseptic surgery, it seems reasonable to suppose that very small quantities might suffice to prevent the development of, or altogether kill, the various germs and fungi which are commonly found to develop on certain specimens of drugs on exhibition
4
[[preprinted]]
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in the museum collection.
To attain this and without altering the natural appearance of the specimens and without being obliged to saturate them with a solution of the substance in any one of the common solvents, it occurred to me that advantage might be taken of a property of the bichloride of mercury which has been established by experiments beyond dispute and which seems to be a very important one in this direction. This property consists in the volatility of the bichloride of mercury at almost all ordinary temperatures.
In accordance with this property, our experiments will consist simply in placing a few crystals of this substance in the
5
[[preprinted]]
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UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON
[[/preprinted]]
bottom of some of the bottles in which germ-development has so far shown itself to be particularly active and observations will be made from time to time as to the result. The crystals will be carefully weighed before being put in and this weight recorded. The bottles being closed by a well-fitting stopper nothing can practically escape to the outside and the atmosphere within the bottle surrounding the specimen must soon reach a certain stage of saturation. Besides, a certain amount of moisture being, presumably, contained in every specimen of drug, it is evident that all over the surface of the specimen, a very small amount of the bichloride will be dissolved by it gradually giving
6
[[preprinted]]
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rise to a very fine protective covering around the specimen which at the same time will be extremely thin and transparent and not sufficient to alter its natural appearance.
The results, of course, must show the wisdom of the method.
Very respectfully,
H. G. Beyer,
Hon. Curator Mat. Med.
I 8 upper Beyer Feb.87.
[[preprinted]]
United States National Museum
Under Direction Of
The Smithsonian Institution
Washington [[/preprinted]] March 4th 1887.
Professor S. F. Baird,
Director. U.S. Nat. Museum.
Sir:
During the month of February a small but interesting collection of Mexican Drugs, comprising 13 specimens, was received from Dr. Palmer. As being more worthy of notice may be mentioned the "Deer's lower joint", which by simply heating and rubbing over the face is said to cure toothache, itching and swellings. As a preservative against insects, this specimen was poisoned with a solution of arsenic in alcohol, such as Prof. Mason uses. Not less marvellous are the properties assigned to two different species of
[[preprinted]]
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The Smithsonian Institution
Washington
[[/preprinted]]
star fish. Powdered and mixed with water and internally administered one species is credited with the power of bringing on suppressed menstruation, while the other is supposed to check it.
On the 5th ult., a letter was transmitted replying to the inquiry of Mr. Geo. H. Blake of Portland, Maine, relative to the obtainment of the Indigo Plant.
A lot of labels has been received from Mr. Clark, and these have been mounted and put in the collection.
A duplicate copy of Dr. Palmer's Notes has been prepared and will be filed for future reverence.
I understand that Dr. Palmer has
[[preprinted]]
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Under Direction Of
The Smithsonian Institution
Washington [[preprinted]]
[[on right margin: an arc in purple]]
an oil painting of an "Original Drug Store" I would consider it a valuable acquisition if placed in the collection of Materia Medica.
Very respectfully
H G Beyer.
Hon. Curator Mat. Med. Collection.
Beyer March 87. I 8 upper
[[preprinted]]
United States National Museum
Under Direction Of
The Smithsonian Institution
Washington
[[/preprinted]]
April 4th 1887.
Professor Spencer F. Baird,
Director U. S. National Museum.
Sir,
During the month of March the following specimens were received and entered on the register:_
Kola nuts , Pinko-Pinko, Oil nuts from West Africa, ditto from Kameron, Tannic acid from West Africa, Bucamaranga, Bismuth peptonic, Medicament from Kameron, Bradho, Mangose cardamons, Albauna, Pepsin holz, Blutschwanim,
and five unnamed specimens of Korean drugs. In addition to these there was received a bottle of "Attar of Roses" which was transferred from the Treasury Department where it
[[preprinted]]
United States National Museum
Under Direction Of
The Smithsonian Institution
Washington
[/[preprinted]]
had been deposited for more than fourty years. It was presented to the U. S. Government by the Imaum of Muscat and is of great interest as representing in all likelihood the purest form of oil obtainable.
The great portion of our time during last month has been expended in and thorough overhauling and cleansing of all the glass bottles. The adoption of a new system classification of the specimens makes the frequent handling of the collection necessary, which, consequently becomes soiled in the process.
Very respectfully
H. G. Beyer.
Curator Materia Medica
Beyer April 87 I8 upper
[[preprinted]]
United States National Museum
Under Direction Of
The Smithsonian Institution
Washington
[[/preprinted]]
May 3rd '87.
Professor S. F. Baird,
Director U.S. National Museum.
Sir,_
During the month of April but one specimen was received. This was a section of the trunk of a most odd and interesting shrub - [[underlined]] Fouquieria splendens [[/underlined]]. It grows in sandy places. The bark is peculiar in as much as it contains a large amount of wax, which Miss Abbott denominates as a new wax, and proposes as a name, that of [[underlined]] Ocotilla Wax [[/underlined]]. It, however, is of no use in pharmacy, though it may doubtless find its way into the arts, if placed upon the market.
[[preprinted]]
United States National Museum
Under Direction Of
The Smithsonian Institution
Washington
[[/preprinted]]
Sixty-five labels, for specimens and pictures, have been prepared, and turned over to Mr. Clark for printing.
Dr. Palmer has also furnished us with the names of those specimens which we have received since his return, and the information greatly adds to our store of medical literature.
Very respectfully,
H G Beyer,
Curator Mat. Med.
[[stamped in blue]]Jun 10 1887[[/stamped]]
[[green]] 3 [[/green]] check mark
I 8 upper. Beyer May 87.
[[stamped in blue]] S59770 [[/stamped]]
[[preprinted]]
United States National Museum
Under Direction Of
The Smithsonian Institution
Washington
[[/preprinted]]
June 9th 1887.
Professor S. F. Baird,
Director U.S. Nat. Museum.
Sir,
During the month of May a specimen of "Indian Tea Seed" was received from Mr. Thos. Christy of London, and entered on the Registers.
Eighty-five labels have been written and turned over to Mr. Clark, for printing.
Four galleys of proof sent to this office have been revised, and returned to the printer.
The usual routine work has been attended to.
Very respectfully,
H. G. Beyer
Curator Mat. Med. Section.
[[red penciled checkmark]]
^[[Dep. file
Materia Medica
H.G. Beyer, 1887]]
[[strikethrough]] Dr. Flint. [[/strikethrough]]
[[triple underlined]] Report on the Section of Materia Medica in the U.S. National Museum [[/triple underlined]] [[strikethrough]] for the year ending June 30, [[/strikethrough]]
^[[By]] [[double underlined]] H.G. Beyer, ^[[M.D.,[[/double underlined]] [[underlined]] Assistant Surgeon, U.S.N., Honorary Curator. [[/underlined]] ]]
[[strikethrough]] Honorary Curator. [[/strikethrough]]
[[left margin]] [[strikethrough]] ^[[S.C. Long?]] ^[[S.C. Breirer]] [[/strikethrough]]
[[Double underlined]] General review of the year's work. [[/double underlined]]
[[strikethrough]] [[double underlined]] Work of preserving the collection. [[/double underlined]] [[/strikethrough]] A collection of materia medica specimens, as it is found in the National Museum and also in a few museums in other parts of the world, consisting as it must, of mostly dried plants, or the parts thereof, is at best of a perishable nature and, therefore, a large portion of the time at our disposal is, naturally, spent in devising methods and means for its proper preservation, without [[strikethrough]],[[/strikethrough]] at the same time destroying or injuring specimens in any way whatever. While the mineral products of the collection require but little care after they have once been properly bottled, labelled and placed on exhibition,
2.
the vegetable and animal products require constant supervision. The enemies threatening the destruction of these specimens are for the most part parasites of both the vegetable and animal kingdoms, but bacteria and fungi are the most predominant among them. A number of remedies have been tried from time to time with more or less satisfactory results ^[[,]] but none, it seems, that were so free from objections and the results of which were so promising as the one which will be briefly mentioned below.
As it became an established and widely recognized fact that mercuric chloride, one of the most powerful germicides known, was volatile at almost all ordinary temperatures and, furthermore, as it is entirely out of the question to soak drugs in any of the common fluid preservative agents for reasons which are obvious, [[strikethrough]] it occurred to [[/strikethrough]] the curator [[strikethrough]] of the collection [[/strikethrough]] ^[[has attempted]] to [[strikethrough]] try and [[/strikethrough]] take advantage of this property possessed by the chloride in preserving drugs, since this seemed at first sight to present
3.
all the advantages of germicidel power without its disadvantages, namely the disfiguring of the specimens.
Experiments with this bichloride of mercury were accordingly begun on a dozen of the worst specimens in the collection and also a few which were less inclined to become mouldy. In the former the process of moulding was decidedly interfered with by the substance; at the end of two months observation, it was found that the moulds began to degenerate and to partly disappear. In those specimens which had previously been cleaned and those treated in the same way with the bichloride even at the end of 8 months, no new crop of either bacteria or fungi has yet made its appearance while formerly, without the bichloride a monthly crop was usually sufficient to envelop the specimen.
The climate of Washington seems [[strikethrough]] to me [[/strikethrough]] particularly favorable tho the growth and development of those parasitical organisms. The atmosphere is moist and damp a portion of the year accompanied
4.
with high temperature and it is perhaps to be supposed that collections of this kind in this vicinity require more attention is this particular than those in the more temperate climates.
On reporting the good results obtained by means of this germicidal agent to the members of the Biological Society, a gentlemen asserted that oil of cloves would do the same thing. This was done with so much confidence, that I determined to give the oil of cloves a thorough trial, although its odor makes it rather objectionable for preserving drugs and places it to begin with, rather beneath the bichloride in value. The bichloride of mercury as is well known, has no odor whatever and, consequently, does not interfere with the natural aroma of the specimens which, forms a prominent characteristic of some of the drugs. The oil of cloves was dropped at the bottom of some of the bottled specimens, in the same manner as this was done with the bichloride which was placed in substance into these bottles, but, even at the end of 6 months, it must
5.
be stated, that mould continued to flourish unabated and the conclusion, therefore, was only natural, namely: Oil of Cloves does not answer our purpose in the preservation of botanical specimens of drugs as well as the bichloride of mercury.
These results, not being published any where else, find perhaps a proper place in this report and are, to say the least, noteworthy. The application of the bichloride in the preservation of those of the specimens to which a more direct application of other germicide cannot be made is a very valuable one.
[[strikethrough]] ^[[S.C. breirer]] [[/strikethrough]] [[strikethrough]] [[double underlined]] Work of Illustrating and labelling the Collection. [[/double underlined]] [[/strikethrough]]
The work of illustrating and labelling has [[strikethrough]] also called for a large share of our time this year as well as in the preceding years,[[/strikethrough]] ^[[occupied much time]] forming as it [[strikethrough]] does, a rather important feature in a collection of materia medica specimens. In accordance with the newly adopted plan which is intended that every drug [[/strikethrough]]
6.
[[strikethrough]] on exhibition in the collection shall be illustrated by a pressed botanical specimen of the plant from which it is derived, by colored plate, showing the anatomy of the plant and its various parts, and, also, by cuts illustrative of the microscopical characters or the structure of the specimen; this work, although in many respects a mere matter of chance, consequently of slow growth, is nevertheless of great importance and has, so far as progress has been made in this direction, done much to make the collection both instructive and attractave. Many of these illustrations having been taken from French and German works, the explanatory remarks accompanying them, had to be translated into technical English which was found in many instances no very easy task, requiring much time and the perpetual consultation of rare dictionaries.
^[[S.C.breirer]] [[double underlined]] Correspondence. [[/double underlined]]
U ^[[n]] der the head of general work, the correspondence must be mentioned. [[/strikethrough]]
The information on va-
7,
rious topics which is from time to time demanded from the curator of this section is becoming with every year a more permanent feature ^[[,]] and letters, requesting such information, either private or official ^[[,]] have steadily increased in number. The character of the questions asked are either of botanical, chemical ^[[,]] pharmace[[strikethrough]] n [[/strikethrough]] ^[[u]] tical or general medical interest ^[[,]] and[[strikethrough]],[[/strikethrough]] in some cases[[strikethrough]],[[/strikethrough]] have little apparent relation to a department of materia medica. Many inquir^[[i]]es to be properly answered [[strikethrough]],[[/strikethrough]] require investigation ^[[,]] and much time is, therefore, consumed in this part of the work. Two or three examples in the form of abstracts from a few of the more typical letters which [[strikethrough]] were [[/strikethrough]] ^[[have been]] received and answered, will perhaps best illustrate the character and extent of this kind of work:-
On August 25th 1886, eight numbered specimens of mustard seed were received from John W. Schwaner of Guide Creek, Nebraska for examination relative to their comparative value with the standard commercial article. The result of the examination
8.
showed that all compared favorably ^[[,]] but that specimen numbered one was the best ^[[;]] [[strikethrough]] No. viii [[/strikethrough]] ^[[number 8]] coming next ^[[.]] The [[strikethrough]] balance [[/strikethrough]] ^[[other specimens]] differ ^[[ed]] but little in quality from [[strikethrough]] each other [[/strikethrough]] ^[[one another.]] A reply was sent accordingly.
On September 13th 1886, a specimen of a plant was sent to this office by Mr. W. R. Brown of Sanders Cal^[[ifornia]]., requesting a botanical determination of the plant together with information as to its mediciual properties. On determination the plant proved to be [[underlined]] Solidago californica,[[/underlined]] possessing the medical properties which are common to the genus [[underlined]] Solidago.[[/underlined]]
In October, 1886, a letter of inquiry was received from Mr. L. Yallais of Warrington, Florida, with regard to Prof. Barff's process of making boroglyceride and the manner of preserving food-stuffs by means of this agent. The gentlemen requested that some experiments be made with this chemical in order to determine its commercial value and establish the same on a more scientific basis than had been done hitherto ^[[.]] At the same time he gave the results of some of his own experiments and the
9.
method by which he had arrived at them. Upon examination and comparison of his method and that of Prof. Barff, it was found that the former had not quite understood the process ^[[,]] and therefore [[strikethrough]] , [[/strikethrough]] extensive abstracts from Prof. Barff's original paper were made ^[[and]] forwarded to Mr. L. Yallais ^[[;]] [[strikethrough]] and his attention ^[[being]] particularly called to those points in which he had expressly failed,^[[apparently erred]] thus enabling him to make the boroglyceride as well as any one. [[/strikethrough]]
During the same month a quantity of Tangai Nuts were received from Messrs. Ignacio Palan & Co., of Bahia, Ecuador, for examination. It was especially desired that a quantitative determination of the amount of fixed oil which they contained ^[[,]] be made. This was done by the employment of several processes requiring several weeks of steady work. The most exact determination was made with the chloroform process ^[[,]] which gave 36.4% of oil as contained in the dried nuts.
[[strikethrough]] Letters giving these details were of course forwarded accordingly with samples of the oil. [[/strikethrough]]
10.
A great many more instances of this kind might here be cited ^[[,]] but these few are perhaps sufficient to show the kind of correspondence which is constantly being carried on with this department and also the amount of work which is generally connected with it. The work which is, as may be seen after a perusal of these letter, mostly chemical, points strongly to the necessity of a chemical laboratory in connection with this section or at least ^[[to the desirability]] of better facilities for doing chemical work.
[[strikethrough]] Numerous inquires from Surgeon-General Gunnell have been received ^[[,]] mainly with reference to rare foreign books which were sent to this office ^[[,]] and the following letter is cited as typical of the kind of work done in this line; [[strikethrough]] Viz:[[/strikethrough]]
^[[Printer This letter in smaller type & solid]]
"U.S. National Museum.
Februrary 12th 1887.
Surgeon-General,
F.M. G ^[[u]] nnell U.S. Navy.
Sir:
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of [[/strikethrough]]
11.
[[strikethrough]] the Handbuch der Hygiene which you were pleased to refer to me for report. The volume which was received forms but a small portion of that already well-known and celebrated greater treatise on "General Hygiene", now in process of preparation. Recent researches in bacteriology having made it appear necessary that a most thorough and painstaking revision of the entire field of Hygiene should be made, ^[[and]] a gal[[strikethrough]] l [[/strikthrough]]axy of some of the most celebrated and distinguished hygienists of Germany have combined, each in his own specialty ^[[,]] to accomplish this end. Their names, in my opinion, warrant that the undertaking will be a success in more than one respect.
^[["]] The volume under immediate consideration treats of the soil, its physical and chemical characteristics, their dependencies, the relations which they bear to human health and the changes, either natural or artificial ^[[,]] which tend to make the soil either a means for the prevention of desease or, on the other hand, tend to endanger human exis- [[/strikethrough]]
12.
[[strikethrough]] tance. It treats of the interchanges which take place constantly and which must take place between the constituents of the soil and the surrounding atmosphere and of man's relation to it. Infectious diseases, of course, form and important part in the consideration of these facts.
^[["]]As a very good example of the kind of questions which are considered in connection with those that are purely chemical, is perhaps the following :-
^[["]]In the chapter, treating of the currents of air in soils of different composition and densities and the conditions of temperature and moisture upon which their movements depend, he approaches the question of why malarial infection has been observed to take place more easily at night than during the day. According to physical investigations, air currents from soil, and [[strikethrough]],[[/strikethrough]] carrying with it germs [[strikethrough]],[[/strikethrough]] into the surrounding atmosphere, ought to attain their maximum of rapidity at a time when the difference in temperature between these two media is greatest, which, on a warm summer's day would be [[/strikethrough]]
13.
[[strikethrough]] about noon. It is also a fact, established by experiment, that the more rapid the current, the more bacteria will it carry with it, although comparatively slow currents are required to move bacteria. It is, therefore, clear that there must be a different reason why malarial infection takes place at a time of day when the difference of temperature may be such as to reverse the current. ^[[-]]
^[[b]] This peculiar circumstance is explained in the following way: It is considered that from moist soils---malaria most frequently occurs in such soils--during the heat of the day currents of moisture as well as air pass in a direction from the surface of the soil toward the upper warmer stratum of the atmosphere. The germs of malarial infection, of course, are carried along ^[[,]] but[[strikethrough]],[[/strikethrough]] rapid diffusion takes place, preventing them from concentrating on any particular spot. After sundown, the atmosphere rapidly cools and this fact causes the moisture to return to the soil in a condensed state or in the form of dew, carrying with it the germs
[[/strikethrough]]
14.
[[strikethrough]] emanated from the soil during the day, in great quantity. This seems to me a rather plausible and quite philosophical explanation ^[[,]] for we all remember cases when the simple protection by a mosquito bar of persons sleeping out of doors in malarious districts, have proved successful in the prevention of malarial infection, although we also know, the mosquito netting did not do more than absorb the moisture which was deposited during the night, as was evidenced by the fact that it was very wet, while the bed clothes within the netting were perfectly dry. This may, perhaps, serve as an example of the manner in which questions of general interest are treated in this great book.
^[["]] The book closes with a most instructive geological description of the soils of the cities of Berlin, Paris, Munich and Vienna, including the relations of soil and subsoil, of water and ground water and their circulation under different circumstances and how they might influence the health of these great cities and suggesting possible reme- [[/strikethrough]]
15.
[[strikethrough]] dies in such cases.
^[["]] The author of the book indicates such lines along which hygienic research must be p^[[u]]rsued in order that such research ^[[may]] be attended with success and suggests a number of problems yet awaiting [[strikethrough]]their[[/strikethrough]] solution.
^[["]]A th^[[o]]rough chemical and biological investigation of the soil, subsoil, water and ground water of the larger cities of our great country, especially the capitol, Washington, would form an excellent theme for the Museum of Hygiene to work upon.
^[["]]In returning the book [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]], ^[[with the]] hope ^[[that]] I have understood your request, I am
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
H. G. Beyer". [[/strikethrough]]
^[[S.C. breirer]] [[double underlined and circled]] Work in Experimental Pharmaco-physiology.[[/double underlined and circled]] [[strikethrough]]This work [[/strikethrough]] has been continued ^[[,]] and as much time has been devoted to it as circumstances would al-
16.
low. The Section not being itself provided with the apparatus necessary for making physiological experiments, the latter were made partly at the Museum of Hygiene in this city and partly in the physiological laboratory of the John ^[[s]] Hopkins University at Baltimore, Md. Much good work might indeed be accomplished in this line of research ^[[,]] and hundreds of new as well as old drugs are awaiting investigation. For the papers published on this subject [[strikethrough]]see[[/strikethrough]] ^[[the]] bibliography [[strikethrough]] under vi [[/strikethrough]] ^[[in part IV. should be consulted.]]
[[strikethrough]] ^[[S.C.longprimer]][[double underlined]] Notes upon the more important Accessions received during the year. [[/double underlined]] [[/strikethrough]]
One of the most interesting acquisitions of the Museum this year is a collection of the various medicinal lints and cottons together with silks ^[[,]] thread and cat-gut sut[[strikethrough]]tuns[[/strikethrough]] ^[[ures]] done up in bottles, all of which are now extensively used in what is known as antiseptic surgery. The treatment of wounds according to the principles of Antisepsis is daily gaining in importance and general application ^[[,]] and
17.
this collection forms a good nucleus for further work in the illustration of this branch of surgery in connection with this department. [[strikethrough]] It will be added to as opportunity offers and be made so practical that it will prove a guide for the surgeon consulting this part of the collection in the application of this valuable method. A special case [[strikethrough]] has been [[/strikethrough]] ^[[is]] required for this exhibit. [[strikethrough]] which[[/strikethrough]] ^[[This]] will be placed by itself, [[strikethrough]] filled with[[/strikethrough]] ^[[and will contain]] these specimens when properly labelled and prepared for that purpose.
Special mention must also be made of the addition [[strikethrough]] made [[/strikethrough]] to this collection of a bottle of pure Attar of Rose. This bottle contains about [[strikethrough]] 3-4 [[/strikethrough]] ^[[three-fourths]] of a pint of attar, [[strikethrough]] being [[/strikethrough]] ^[[and was]] originally presented to the U.S. Government in 1840 by the Iman of Muscat. For many years it had been in the vault of the east room of the office of the Treasurer of the United States. In March 1887, it was transferred to the Museum for public exhibition and may now be seen among the specimens of materia medica. [[/strikethrough]]
18.
[[strikethrough]]
^[[Printer: put this list in double column, italics.]] the following is a list of the [[strikethrough]] remaining additions [[/strikethrough]] ^[[accessions]] received [[strikethrough]] and added to our collection this [[/strikethrough]] ^[[during the]] year:-
Charpie Baumwolle.
Asclepias verticillata.
Iodoform charpie Baumwolle.
Iodoform Verband-Packchen.
Coton charpie salicylate 4%.
Salicyl gaze.
Coton charpie Phenique 10%.
Carbol gaze.
Eisen chloride charpie Baumwolle.
Salicyl ^[[esäure]] Watta.
Cat-gut No T.
Ligatu[[strikethrough]] n [[strikethrough]] ^[[re]] No 3.
Carbolis [[strikethrough]] ei [[/strikethrough]] ^[[ir]]te No. 2. Nähseide.
Salicylesäure Charpie Baumwolle. 10%
Borsäuu [[strikethrough]] n [[/strikethrough]] ^[[re]] lint.
Carbolis[[strikethrough]] u [//strikethrough]] ^[[ir]]te Nähseide.
Salicyl^[[e]]säure Jute.
Charpie Baumwolle. (2 sp.)
[[/strikethrough]]
19.
[[strikethrough]]
^[[ Double column italics]]
Carbols. Charpie Baumwolle.
Iodoform Gaze 10%.
Lister's Maci^[[n]]tosch.
Carbolis[[strikethrough]]u[[/strikethrough]] ^[[ir]]te Drainage.
Hydrophiler Ve[[strikethrough]]d[[/strikethrough]]^[[b]] andstoff.
Carbol gaze.
Carbolls[[strikethrough]]u[[/strikethrough]] ^[[ir]]te Nähseide No. 3.
Billroth Batist.
Flour de mar.
Lothospermum multiflorum.
Ca[[striekthrough]]u[[/strikethrough]]^[[n]]ella alba.
Comocladia integrifolia.
Simarouba gla[[strikethrough]]n[[/strikethrough]]^[[u]]ca.
Assafoetida.
Margarita.
Flor de Pe[[strikethrough]]u[[/strikethrough]] ^[[n]]a.
Espa[[strikethrough]]u[[/strikethrough]] ^[[n]]tiloba.
Palo mitas.
Palo Sa[[strikethrough]]u[[/strikethrough]]^[[n]]to.
tomato de Perro.
Deer's Lower Joint[[strikethrough]]s[[/strikethrough]]
[[/strikethrough]]
20.
^[[double column: italics.]]
[[strikethrough]]
Cardo Santo.
Barbasco.
Tilantill[[strikethrough]]a[[/strikethrough]] ^[[o]].
Boregito.
Arisco.
Attar of Rose[[strikethrough]]s[[/strikethrough]].
Kola nuts.
Pinko-Pinko.
Oil fruits 2 sp.
Popo nuts.
Dye from W. Africa.
Bucamaranga.
Bismuth Peptonic.
Medicament from Kame[[strikethrough]]v[[/strikethrough]] ^[[ro]]n.
Korean Drugs. 3 sp.
Pepsin Holz.
Fouquieria sp[[strikethrough]]hu[[/strikethrough]] ^[[len]]dens.
Thelesp[[strikethrough]]u[[/strikethrough]] ^[[er]]ma gracilis.
Bradho.
Ma[[strikethrough]]u[[/strikethrough]]^[[n]]gos[[strikethrough]]a[[/strikethrough]]^[[e]] Cardamon[[strikethrough]]o[[/strikethrough]] ^[[s]].
Albanna Ke.
[[/strikethrough]]
21.
[[strikethrough]]
^[[double column italics]]
Blutschwanium.
Indian Tea seed.
Orthosiphon staminea.
Strophanthus seed.
^[[s.c. long primer]] [[double underlined]] Statement of character of routine work in
Arrangement and classification of the collection, and [[strikethrough]] in the [[/strikethrough]] Preparation of the exhibition and study series. [[/double underlined]] For an account of the preparation of the specimens from the time they arrive here [[strikethrough]] up [[/strikethrough]] to the time when they reached the exhibition cases, [[strikethrough]] in the collection [[/strikethrough]] and in order to avoid unnecessary repetition, I must refer to previous reports where the process may be found in full detail.
[[/strikethrough]]
The exhibited specimens [[strikethrough]], however, [[/strikethrough]] are arranged in strict accordance with the classification adopted by Bentham & Hooker in their "Genera Pla^[[n]]ta^[[rum]]", every single specimen^[[,]] in fact, occupying its place in the collection according to this classification in the exact order in sequence which is there fol-
22.
lowed out. In time it is intended that every specimen shall be accompanied with the very number (genus as well as species) which is found to accompany them in this book.
[[strikethrough]]The publication of a large descriptive catalogue comprising the entire collection has been under contemplation for some time^[[,]] but[[strikethrough]],[[/strikethrough]] owing partly to a want of the necessary books of reference and partly also to want of time, this work has been temporarily interrupted [[strikethrough]]but[[/strikethrough]] ^[[. It]] will be resumed as soon as circumstances favor it.[[/strikethrough]]
[[strikethrough]] ^[[s. c. longprimer]] [[/strikethrough]] [[double underlined]] Review of special researches prosecuted upon material belonging to the department. [[/double underlined]]
^[[Mr. Geo. E. Doering, assistant in this section, has made several experiments with a view to extracting the]]
Oil of Tangai Nuts.
[[strikethrough]] by George E. Doering, Phar. D. Tangai nuts[[/strikethrough]] ^[[These]] are of a brownish black color, varying ^[[ in ]] size from a walnut to about half the size of a man's fist; they have four surfaces and are of such a shape that if eight of them were placed
23.
face to face against their flattened sides a figure approximating to a sphere would be obtained. The shell which is thin and easily broken encloses a somewhat irregular shaped kernel. The integument surrounding the kernel is of a somewhat lighter brown color than the external shell and is more or less wrinkled by the process of drying. The freshly cut surface of the seed presents a slightly pinkish-white appearance ^[[,]] upon which moisture and oil may be seen gathering upon pressure. They are tough and leathery and their taste ^[[is]] somewhat [[strikethrough]] disagreeably [[/strikethrough]] bitter. Three experiments were made to extract the oil, Exp. III, however, being the only satisfactory one.
[[double underlined]] Experiment I. [[/double underlined]] On expression at an elevated temperature a quantity of a whitish emulsion was obtained ^[[,]] the oil from which refused to separate although permitted to stand in the tall glass vessel for several days ^[[.]] During this period the emulsion darkens in color. Agitating with petroleum spirit resulted in obtaining 2°35 per cent of fixed oil, an amount that was plainly extremely low. This
24.
was due to the fact that sufficient pressure could not be brought to ^[[bear]] with the small hand-press which was used, but even though a powerful machine be employed I strongly doubt if more than 10 per cent could be [[strikethrough]] got [[/strikethrough]]^[[obtained]]. At all events this process is not a desirable one in this case ^[[,]] since the oil so obtained readily becomes rancid.
[[double underlined]] Experiment II [[/double underlined]] [[strikethrough]] 10 [[/strikethrough]] ^[[Ten]] grams of the dried and finely powered substance [[strikethrough]], was [[/strikethrough]] ^[[were]] placed in an extraction apparatus after the method of Church and thoroughly exhausted by chloroform. In this manner all of the oil was doubtless [[strikethrough]]ly [[/strikethrough]] extracted ^[[,]] but so largely was the oil contaminated with other extractive matters equally soluble in chloroform ^[[-]] which so greatly interfered with the production of a clear and pure oil, ^[[-]] that this method too was discarded as failing to attain the desired end. It is safe to assume that all oil-producing substances have one or more solvents that are ^[[more]] peculiarly suited for extracting a particular oil than are other solvents. In the present cases chloroform was found to be unfitted, while benzene seems to be
25.
admirably adapted for this purpose, and therefore was [[strikethrough]]instituted[[/strikethrough]] ^[[applied.]] [[double underlined]] Experiment III. [[/double underlined]] [[strikethrough]] 75 [[/strikethrough]] ^[[Seventy-five]] grams of the dried kernels ^[[,]] reduced as before to a fine powder [strikethrough]] was [[/strikethrough]] ^[[, were]] digested in a flask with 300 c.c. of benzene. The flask was stoppered and the contents frequently agitated for several hours, at the end of which time [[strikethrough]] , [[/strikethrough]] the vessel was immersed in boiling water until the benzene began to boil. The contents were then poured on a filter ^[[,]] and after all the liquid portion had passed through, the residue was twice successively treated with 100 c.c. more of the solvent. All the filtrates were then mixed together and evaporated in a tar^[[r]]ed capsule until the weight remained constant. The 75 grams of dried powder yielded 27'3 grams of oil, which quantity is equal to 36'4 per cent. The oil [[strikethrough]]as [[/strikethrough]] so obtained is of a clear straw color, with a smooth bland taste, a rather agreeable faint odor suggestive of chocolate, and has a specific gravity of 0'8642. At a temperature of about 10 [[degree symbol]] C. a portion of
26.
the oil congeals and may be readily separated by filtration. The clear filtered oil has a sp^[[ecific]] gr^[[avity]] of 0'9428. When solidified by cold and gradual^[[l]]y warmed, incipient fusion commences at 5[[degree symbol]]C. (41[[degree symbol]]F.)and the oil becomes perfectly limpid at 10[[degree symbol]]C. (50[[degree symbol]]F.) Its cohesion figure does not give a very reliable test, the oil rapidly rolls out in the form of a perfect ring, remains quiet for some moments, then gradually retraces for a short distance with an occas[[strikethrough]]s[[/strikethrough]]ional portion retreating so far as to leave a long narrow strip covered with minute spots which in the course of a few minutes is plainly discernible over the entire surface. Treated with a drop of strong nitric acid in a few s[[strikethrough]]w[[/strikethgouh]] ^[[e]]conds a faint purple coloration is produced^[[,]] changing quickly to a dark yellowish brown. With strong sulphuric acid there forms instantly a dirty green color changing to black. It is quite likely that this oil will be added to the list of oils already known and will no doubt become a valuable commercial article, and this be-
27.
[[strikethrough]]
cause of its freedom from disagreeable odor and taste as well as its tendency to remain unaltered. Of the botanical origin of Tang^[[ai]] I am entirely ignorant at present; but, Messrs. Parke, Davis & Co., of Detroit, have kindly volunteered to ascertain, through their representative in Ecuador, the natural history of Tang[[strikethrough]]ia[[/strikethrough]] ^[[ai]], and this information together with the chemistry of the constituents of the nuts, is expected to be embodied in a future special report.
[[/strikethrough]]
[[strikethrough]] ^[[s.c. long primer]] [[/strikethrough]]
^[[The]] [[double underlined]] Present state of the collection [[/double underlined]] ^[[is shown in this accounting table]]
Total number of specimens on register. 5516
Total number of specimens on exhibition 3488
Total number of duplicates 500
[[strikethrough]] Total number of labels on exhibition 1970 [[/strikethrough]]
Total number of herbaria on exhibition 33
Total number of colored pictures on exhibition 277
Total number of photographs on exhibition 136
Number of last entry in June, 1886. 77974
Number of last entry in June, 1887. 78047.
[[strikethrough]]
^[[s.c. long primer [[Siteparty[[?]] work.
A list of papers published during the year by the curator, may be found in Part IV of the report.]] [[/strikethrough]]
I 8 upper Beyer 85-86 Annual Rep.
[[Right margin]] S [[Stamped]] 55696 [[/stamped]]
[[left margin, in green]] [[GBG?]] [[/left margin]]
[[left margin]] 2 copies 8-24-86. [[/left margin]]
[[Blue oval stamp]] SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
Division of Correspondence
RECEIVED
JUL.23.86[[/Blue oval stamp]]
Annual report
of the
Materia Medica Section.
U.S. National Museum.
Materia Medica Section,
U.S. National Museum,
Washington, D.C. July 22nd 1886.
Professor Spencer F. Baird,
Director U.S. National Museum.
Sir,
In accordance with your directions received at this office June 30th 1886, I hereby, respectfully, submit the following annual report relating to the operations of the department, entrusted to my care, during the fiscal year ending June 30th 1886.
I. [[underlined]] Review of important additions during the year [[/underlined]]
The following is a list of specimens, representing the more important and rare drugs which were received and entered on the register during that period.
A. [[underlined]] Form the Government of Jamaica. [[/underlined]]
Amyris balsamifera Cissamphelos Pereira
Mucuna pruriens Cypherus articulatus
Cassia obovata Capparis cynophallophora
Calotropis gigantea Smilax china
2
Rhizaphora mangle Mikania guaco
Ipomoea purga Bocconia frutescens
Avicennia nitida Croton cascarilla
Gouania domingensis Andira inermis
Lagucularia racemosa.
B. [[underlined]] From the Mexican Exhibit at New Orleans Exposition 1884 - 5. [[/underlined]]
Contrayerba Balsamo prieto
Faban vegetal Bakamo negro
Panita Krameria
Valerian, and dried specimens of the saffron plant - Crocus sativa.
C. [[underlined]] From the Japanese Exhibit at New Orleans Exposition 1884 - 5. [[/underlined]]
Oil peppermint Amanhina aspholoides
Daphne Ginka Platycodon grandiflorum
Artemisia capillaris Rehmannia luta
Schizandra chinensis Asarum variegatum
Ophiopogon spicatus Pinella tuberifera
Kaolin Xanthoxylum piperitum
Cornus officinalis Cocculus Thunbergii
Tritillaria Thunbergii Astragalus lancia
Trichosanthis japonica Citrus fusca
3
Bupleurum falcatum Ligusticum acutilobum
Dioscorea triphylla.
D. [[underlined]] From Mr. F. Stearns, Detroit, Michigan. [[/underlined]]
Mammea americana Melia azedarach
Kola paste Eupatorium aya-pana
Plumeria alba Agar Agar, Japanese
Myristica surinamensis.
E. [[underlined]] From Dr. E. Palmer, [[/underlined]]
Persea caroliniensis Vitis arigonica
Erythrain tridentata Hilaria cenchoides
Tagetes microanthea Liatris odoratissima
Tagetes lucida Eleomurus candidans
Cedronella cana Salvia scorodonifolia.
F. [[underlined]] From W. S. Thompson, Washington, D.C. [[/underlined]]
Oil peppermint Pipmenthol
II. [[underlined]] Character of Routine Work in arranging and classifying the collection. [[/underlined]]
In performing the somewhat peculiar and more or less difficult task of arranging and classifying the collection of materia medica specimens for the
4.
purpose of exhibition, two objects are constantly being kept in mind, namely: -(1) To make the collection both attractive and instructive to the general public, giving them an easy reference to any specimen on which they may desire information. (2) To afford the student of medicine and pharmacy the opportunity of studying materia medica in all its details.
Every specimen of drug on exhibition is accompanied with a small but concise, so-called [[underlined]] generic [[/underlined]] label which is more especially intended to describe the drug itself as it appears in the market. This label will be found attached to the square block upon which the bottle, containing the specimen, is placed. A second kind of label which may be termed the [[underlined]] specific [[/underlined]] label, is much larger and the instruction which it is intended to give, comprises the characters peculiar to an entire species. The third label is also a large one and gives a description of each larger group of plants to which the specimens belong. This will be found at the beginning of each new group in the exhibition cases.
5. Hitherto the collection has been very imperfectly illustrated and, as a whole, did present a monotonous and unattractive appearance, reminding the public of little more than the very unpopular "Drug Shop". To remedy this evil had long been our intention but lack of case-room had prevented us from carrying it into effect until a few months ago, when three new cases were added to the exhibit. There were between 800-1000 very beautiful colored plates of officinal plants which had been mounted on card-board and put into swing-ing frames. Few lookers-on had any idea of their relation to the drugs in the cases and, besides, their plates not being at all classified it would have been too much of a waste of time to try and find a certain one even for those who did trace the relation between the drugs and the pictures in the swinging frames. Besides colored plates, quite a full and neat collection of herbarium specimens had accumulated; these were all well preserved and being stored away, not often looked at. It was now concluded that it would be a decided
6
improvement to mount both colored plates and herbarium specimens on stiff card-board, attach them to blocks and place them by the side of the bottles containing the drug to which they had reference, in the exhibition-cases. This work was only commenced a few months ago and is not yet complete but the improvement in the appearance as well as in the usefulness of the entire collection has been very mark-edly enhanced and will, no doubt be appreciated by both the public and the student. It is our intention to, finally, have every specimen illustrated in the following way: - (1) By a well preserved and mounted herbarium specimen of the plant from which the specimen is derived. (2) By a colored plate, profusely illustrating not only the entire plant in as nearly its natural state as that can be done by plates, but also showing the anatomy of all its parts. (3) By a picture showing the peculiar microscopical structure of the different constituents of each plant. Every one of these pictures will, in time, be provided with a label which shall be
7.
descriptive of whatever it is intended to elucidate. This work, of course, it will require sometime to fully accomplish. At present, we are, by no means in the possession of all the colored plates and herbarium specimens needed to illustrate every specimen in the above described manner and their collection, in many instances, is a mere matter of chance, but a great deal can be done to expedite the accomplishment of the object. A good deal of time has been already devoted to the large descriptive catalogue which we have in contemplation of writing and which is intended, not only as a guide for the general visitor and the student of medicine and pharmacy resident at Washington but which shall also give valuable information on all the rare drugs contained in our collection to druggists and medical men living outside. This work has been progressing slowly for the reason that the library of this section of the museum is not as yet provided with the books which are indispensable to complete a work of this kind.
8 The remainder of the routine work consists in the registering, examining, indentifying and bottling the specimens which are from time to time sent in, for exhibition purposes. The writing of labels for new specimens as well as making constant improvements on old ones is a continued source of work. The invasion of the specimens by insects is prevented in the usual way, by placing blotting paper, moistened with chloroform into the respective bottles which process, so far, has answered the purpose very well indeed. III. Review of researches prosecuted in this department. A list of the papers published in relation to the material and work of this department, [[strike]] has [[/strike]] has been furnished for the bibliography, and it is therefore unnecessary to repeat them in this place. (See under Beyer HQ and [[double underline]] Doerrin [[/double underline]] Gafy
(6 papers)
16.
IV, [[underline]] Present State of Collection, etc. [[/underline]]
Up to last year the arrangement of the specimens was only according to the natural orders as they are found in Bentham and Hooker's Genera Plantarum. The change which has been made this year in the classification and, which is deemed of some importance, is, that each genus is placed in the order in which it occurs in the above mentioned work.
[[the rest of the document is obscured by the following document]]
[[preprinted]]
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
MEMORANDUM. To
[[/preprinted]]
Materica Medica '85-'86
16.
IV. [[underlined]] Present State of Collection, etc. [[/underlined]]
Up to last year the arrangement of the specimens was only according to the natural orders as they are found in Bentham and Hookers' Ginira Plantanum. The change which has been made this year in the classification and, which is deemed of some importance, is, that each genus is placed in the order in which it occurs in the above-mentioned work.
The number of specimens now on exhibition in 3326, out of which 1457 have printed generic
[[Sentence is cut off as one piece of paper is on top of another, obscuring the top of the underlying paper. The obscured part is shown on the next page.]]
V [[double underlined]] Recommendations. [[/double underlined]]
Under this head, I would again respectfully call your attention to the great importance of establishing a laboratory for the investigation of the chemical as well as physiological characters of drugs, in connection with this section of the museum.
In our opinion, there is no doubt, whatever that the establishment of such a laboratory, is a step in the direction in which this department must grow, not merely in order to take equal rank with similar European institutions, but for
labels. In order to enable the curator to label the remainder of the collection a few more books of reference must be provided for. The illustration of the specimens by properly mounted colored plates and herbarium plants, which was mentioned at the beginning of this report, is still in progress and will occupy a few months yet.
V [[double underline]] Recommendations. [[/double underline]]
Under this head, I would again respectfully call your attention to the great importance of establishing a laboratory for the investigation of the chemical as well as physiological characters of drugs, in connection with this section of the museum.
In our opinion, there is no doubt, whatever that the establishment of such a laboratory, is a step in the direction in which this department must grow, not merely in order to take equal rank with similar European institutions, but for
17.
the more real and practical purpose of rendering the rich and valuable material at hand available in the cure of disease. This must always be the principal aim of this department.
An especial appropriation might be urged upon congress for the cost of apparatus and the amount of the annual working expenses, which would be small, considering the work to be turned out.
I am sir,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Henry G, Beyer,
Honorary Curator Materia Medica
[[margin in black pencil]] Jy? 1 copy ?Y [[/margin in black pencil]] [[margin in black ink]] 1 copy G. 10-21-85 [[/margin in black ink]] [[margin in blue pencil]] Requests Beyer I8 upper [[/margin in blue pencil]]
[[printed heading]] United States National Museum
Under Direction Of
The Smithsonian Institution
Washington [[/printed heading]]
Oct. 17th 1885
Professor G. Browne Goode, Assistant Director of National Museum
Sir:
In accordance with your instructions, received Oct. 1st 1885, I herewith respectfully submit the following semi-annual report with regard to the work accomplished in the section of Materia Medica of this museum between Jan. 1st and June 30th 1885.
The work may, for convenience sake, be divided into:
1st [[underline]] Experimental Work: [[/underlined]] The experimental portion of the work which has been accomplished during these six months consists in an investigation of the physiological actions of atropine, cocaine and caffeine on the circulatory apparatus; the paper giving the results of these researches in detail, is published in the July number of the American Journal of the Medical Sciences.
2
[[Letter-head pre-printed in red]]
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN ISTITUTION
WASHINGTON [[/Letter-head]]
Some further experiments on the action of atropine on the heart, and blood of different temperatures upon the same form the subject of separate small papers published, in the proceedings of this museum.
2nd. [[underlined]] Chemical Work.[[/underlined]] Several specimens of Cinchona barks from Guatemala and Costa Rica have been chemically and quantitatively examined and theirs alkaloids determined. A chemical examination of all the different species of Cinchona barks in this collection, numbering over 100, was begun early in June and is still in progress. The results promise to be of great importance in a commercial point of view and will be embodied in a special report.
3rd. [[underlined]] Microscopical Work [[/underlined]] A study of the structure and anatomy of Glottidea pyramidata has been completed and the manuscript with four plates of drawings handed to the Asst. Director of this
3
[[pre-printed in red]]
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN ISTITUTION
WASHINGTON
[[pre-printed in red]]
Museum for publication, as a special Museum Bulletin.
4th. [[underlined]] Routine Work[[/underlined]]. 47 new specimens have been added to the collection, many of which required identification, a matter of some difficulty in the majority of cases. The labelling of the entire collection may now be said to be finished, that is to say, all the labels for the specimens, at present on hand, have been sent in to the printer. The next step under this head will be to rearrange and extend our present exhibit of materia medica specimens.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
W.G. Beyer,
Curator Materia Medica.
[[right margin vertical center of page]]
Beyer.
[[/right margin vertical center of page]]
United States National Museum
Under direction of
The Smithsonian Institution
Washington, October 17, 1885.
Professor G. Brown Goode,
Assistant Director of National Museum.
Sir:
In accordance with your instructions, received October 1st, 1885, I herewith respectfully submit the following semi-annual report with regard to the work accomplished in the Section of Materia Medica of this Museum between January 1st and June 30th, 1885.
The work may, for convenience sake, be divided into:
1st. [[underlined]] Experimental Work. [[/underlined]] --- The experimental portion of the work which has been accomplished during these six months consists in an investigation of the physiological actions of atropia, cocaine and caffeine on the circulatory apparatus: the paper giving the results of these researches in detail, is published in the July number of the American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Some further experiments on the action of atropine on the heart, and of blood of different temperatures upon the same form the subject of separate small papers published in the Proceedings of this Museum.
2d. [[underlined]] Chemical Work. [[/underlined]] --- Several specimens of Cinechona barks from Guatemala and Costa Rica have been chemically and quantitatively examined and their alkaloids determined. A chemical examination of all the different species of cinchona barks in this collection, numbering over 100, was begun early
2.
in June and is still in progress. The results promise to be of great importance in a commercial point of view and will be embodied in a special report.
3d. [[underlined]] Microscopical Work. [[/underlined]] --- A study of the structure and anatomy of [[underlined]] Glottidea pyramidata [[/underlined]] has been completed and the manuscript with four plates of drawings handed to the Assistant Director of this Museum for publication, as a special Museum Bulletin.
4th. [[underlined]] Routine Work. [[/underlined]] --- 47 new specimens have been added to the collection, many of which required identification, a matter of some difficulty in the majority of cases. The labelling of the entire collection may now be said to be finished, that is to say, all the labels for the specimens, at present on hand, have been sent in to the printer. The next step under this head will be to re-arrange and extend our present exhibit of materia medica specimens.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
H. G. Beyer.
Curator: Materia Medica.
[[vertical on right side middle of paper]]
Beyer
Jan - June 1885
[[underlined]] Materia Medica [[/underlined]]
[[/vertical on right side middle of paper]]
United States National Museum
Under direction of
The Smithsonian Institution
Washington, October 17, 1885
Professor G. Brown Goode,
Assistant Director of National Museum
Sir:
In accordance with your instructions, received October 1st, 1885, I herewith respectfully submit the following semi-annual report with regard to the work accomplished in the Section of Materia Medica of this Museum between January 1st and June 30th, 1885.
The work may, for convenience sake, be divided into:
1st. [[underlined]] Experimental Work.[[/underlined]]---The experimental portion of the work which has been accomplished during these six months consists in an investigation of the physiological actions of atropia, cocaine and caffeine on the circulatory apparatus; the paper giving the results of these researches in detail, is published in the July number of the American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Some further experiments on the action of atropine on the heart, and of blood of different temperatures upon the same form the subject of separate small papers published in the Proceedings of this Museum.
2. [[underlined]] Chemical work. [[/underlined]] ---Several specimens of Cinchona barks from Guatemala and Costa Rica have been chemically and quantitatively examined and their alkaloids determined. A chemical examination of all the different species of cinchona barks in this collection, numbering over 100, was begun early
2.
in June and is still in progress. The results promise to be of great importance in a commercial point of view and will be embodied in a special report.
3d. [[underlined]] Miscroscopical work. [[/underlined]]---A study of the structure and anatomy of [[underlined]] Glottidea pyramidata [[/underlined]] has been completed and the manuscript with four plates of drawings handed to the Assistant Director of this Museum for publication, as a special Museum Bulletin.
4th. [[underlined]] Routine Work. [[/underlined]]---47 new specimens have been added to the collection, many of which required identification, a matter of some difficulty in the majority of cases. The labelling of the entire collection may now be said to be finished, that is to say, all the labels for the specimens, at present on hand, have been sent in to the printer. The next step under this head will be to re-arrange and extend our present exhibit of materia medica specimens.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
H. G. Beyer.
Curator: Materia Medica
[[written vertically on right side of the page]]
Beyer
Jan-June 1885
[[underlined]] Materia Medica [[/underlined]]
JYB 2 copies [[BSJ?]] Beyer Jan June 85 [[boxed]] I 8 upper [[/boxed]]
2 copies BJ 12-22-85 [[checkmark]]
[[CJG?]]
[[pre-printed]]
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON [[/pre-printed]] Dec. 12th 1885
[[stamped]] S 19619 [[/stamped]]
[[in blue crayon]] B [[/in blue crayon]]
Semi annual Report of the
Section of Materia Medica of the U.S. National Museum.
Professor Spencer F. Baird, Director U.S. National Museum
Sir,
In compliance with instructions ^[[received]] October 22nd 1885, I hereby respectfully submit the following semi-annual report regarding the materia medica section of this museum.
I. [[underline]] Additions [[/underline]] beginning with January 1st and ending June 30th 1885 are as follows:
Targua.
Aconitum ferox.
Withania coagulans.
Jequirity.
Premna serratifolia.
Compleurum cerulatum.
Cuprea bark.
Justicia adathoba.
Quassia wood.
Cuprine sulphate.
Chaulmugra suds.
Odongo.
Butyrosum tomentosum.
Toddalia aculeata.
Sethia acuminata.
2.
[[preprinted]]
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON
[[/preprinted]]
Black quinine bark. Black canula. Raffia vinifera.
Boussingaultia baselloides. Syzzgium jambolanum. Vitus agnus castus.
Piper betel. Hinteah. Poinciana regia.
Michelia nilghirica. Datura stramonium. Debrudwa wood.
Canutilla mexicana. Aconitum heterophyllum. Palm fibre from Ceylon.
Gracillaria lichenoides. Diospyros embryopteris. Myrospermum toluiferum.
Camacusan nuts. Bucha spinosa. Para rubber seed.
Eupatorium aya-pana. Cinchona Remijia. Herpestris monniera.
Ocimum canum. Remijia Purdeana. Macha root.
Levisticum chinensis. Pterocarpus edulis. Yackasura nuts.
Smilax zeylanica. Guain tea.
[[underlined]] II Character of Routine work. [[/underlined]]
When specimens are received, they are, after being carefully examined, entered upon the register and according to their
3
[[preprinted]]
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON
[[/preprinted]]
condition dried, bottled, and labelled, after which, they are added to the exhibit, which is arranged as follows: first, Animal Products; second, Vegetable Products; third, Products of Fermentation and Distillation; fourth, Inorganic Products; the entire collection being prefaced by an assay of all the "Medicinal Forms" in which medicines occur.
[[underlined]] III Review of Researches and Papers published. [[/underlined]]
In January a translation from the German of Professor Heubner's Experimental Diptheria made by the curator of this section was published by Geo. S. Davis & Co, of Detroit, Mich.
In February two specimens of cinchona bark - one from Guatemala and one from Costa Rica, were presented to this section of the museum for assay. This was performed with the following results: Total alkaloids per cent. Ether soluble alkaloids per cent.
Guatemala 8.00 4.00
Costa Rica 0.80
4
[[preprinted]]
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON
[[/preprinted]]
In March, a package of plants was received from A.R. Fellows, Colorado, for botanical determination. They were found to consist of specimens of Aplopappus Fremontii, and the desired information was forwarded to Mr. Fellows.
In May, a revised edition of the catalogue of materia medica was received and a number of copies distributed. A paper on the action of cocaine, atropine and caffeine by the Curator of this section was prepared and printed in the July number of the American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Also a paper on the "the influence of variations of temperature upon the rate and work of the heart of the slider terrapin (Psuedemys rugosa)."
In June, the assaying of all the cinchona barks in the collection was begun.
[[preprinted red letterhead]]
United States National Museum
Under Direction of
The Smithsonian Institution
Washington
[[/preprinted red letterhead]]
[[underlined]] IV Present State of collection [[/underlined]]
Number of specimens or register 4490
Number of specimens exhibited 3222
Number of duplicates 300
Number of last entry in 1884 53669
Number of last entry in June 1885 53716
[[underlined]] V Recommendations and General Remarks. [[/underlined]]
Under this head I must refer to the recommendations made in my last annual report. The chemical and physiological examinations of drugs in connection with the collection of materia medica and the necessity of providing means to carry on such investigations demand your highest consideration.
Very respectfully,
H G. Beyer,
Curator Materia Medica
[[upper margins]] [[black ink]] 1 copy G. 3.4.86 Beyer. July august & September 1885 I 8 upper [[/black ink]] [[blue & black stamp]] S47691 [[/stamp]] [[3 marks in blue pencil]]
[[preprinted]]
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON
[[/preprinted]]
Professor Spencer F. Baird,
Director U.S. National Museum.
Sir,
During the months of July, August and September [[underlined in blue]] eleven [[/underlined]] specimens of drugs have been received and entered on the register.
The chemical examination of cinchonal barks has been continued and is not nearly finished.
The preparation of the descriptive catalogue has been pursued.
During this time 238 printed labels have been received.
Very respectfully,
H.G. Beyer,
Curator Materia Medica Section
[[upper margins]] [[green pencil]] GBY [[/green pencil]] [[black ink]] 1 copy G 3-4-86. I 8 upper January 1886 [[/black ink]] [[blue stamp]] S51004 [[/blue stamp]] [[/upper margins]]
[[preprinted heading]]
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON [[/preprinted]] February 1st 1886.
[[underlined]] Monthly Report of Materia Med. Section. [[/underlined]]
Professor S.F. Baird,
Director US National Museum
Sir:
During the month of January no new specimens were received. A large number of the labels which were sent to the printer last year have been returned printed; these will shortly be attached to blocks and placed on the specimens on exhibition. A much more detailed arrangement of the collection according to the system of Bentham and Hooker (Genera plantarum) has been made and is now being carried out throughout the collection. Experiments on the physiological action of drugs are in progress. A good deal of time is also devoted to the descriptive catalogue which is under way.
Very Respectfully,
H.G. Beyer
1.
[[top margin in green]] GBY [[/top margin in green]] [[top margins in black]] I 8 upper Beyer Feb ' 86 S.J. 2 cops [[BY?]] 2 cops 3-9-86 [[/top margins in black]] [[top margin blue stamp]] S51760 [[/top margin blue stamp]]
[[preprinted in red]] UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTUTITION
WASHINGTON [[/preprinted]]
March 4th, 1886.
Professor S. F. Baird,
Director of U. S. Nat. Museum.
Sir,
During the month of February a large collection of [[underlined in blue]] Mexican drugs and one of Japanese drugs were received and entered on the register. [[/underlined in blue]] These drugs are those that were exhibited at the New Orleans Exposition 1884 – 5. The [[underlined in blue]] Japanese drugs are well preserved [[/underlined]] and are [[underlined in blue]] labelled [[/underlined]] with botanical names. On the [[double underlined in blue]] other hand [[/double underlined]] the [[triple underlined in blue]] Mexican [[/triple underlined]] collection is labeled with [[underlined in blue]] common vernacular [[/underlined]] names and [[underlined in blue]] only a comparatively few of [[/underlined]] them could be [[underlined in blue]] recognized. [[/underlined]] The following is a complete list of them, viz.: I. Mexican
Contrayerba Faban vegetal Panita
Cost. sangre Tacatlaxcabl Yapotillan
2
Manola Paccara Chichicuahmitl
Balsamo prito Chichicamote Calaguala Jals
Eucalyptus Anicillo Hypericon
Catezona Huachibmitl Maguez root
Telampacote Capotamja Jicamilla
Zacatecas Jalap Krameria
Yerba del pasmo Atamasca Artemisia
Gomia medicinal Ruicata cabra Ajo campestrano
Jalap. Chilillo Flor de Jamaica
Garlic Iangra de ciervo Rem Peru
Comino Damiana Goma de mesquite
Gomia medicinal Mulato Cuapinote
Chilpocle Balsamo negro Ytamo real
Capal Doradilla Salvia real
Flor de Jamaica Capozote Incienso
Inez Tibinagu Tlamacascaxochitl
Oregano Yuva del negro Tzopiloxihuitl
Zacatlaxcale Huttacochl Jicamilla
3
Limoncillo Jalapa digitata Piru o Peru
Estafiate Ajonjoli Huaco
Ocoxochitl Confituria medicinal Hojasen
Yoloxochitl Torongil comun Cantharidas
Valeriana Salvia Tibinagui
Ytamo real Sahmilitzca Cordonsillo
Picamilla Yerba del pasmo Jojoba
Gordoloba Inina Pata de leon
Calaguala Acuicurtzcaxihuitl Yerba de la virgen
Fecoloxihuitl Cantharidas Paeonia
Guanecnepil Jicamilla Setainagui
Fetemecatl Inina Jicamilla
Yerva del indio F. Tzotzomitatl Yerva colorada
Hediondilla Hojasen Pinoncillo
Picosa Yerba Buena Timbe
Huaco Salvia Carolina
Sern. de giganto Romero Cordonsillo
Estafiate Inina Contrayerba
4
Yerba del venada Tlatlancuaye Sayachi hypericon
Acahual Cascara de nava Ocoxochil
Copal quima Cebolleja Chaum
Pinoncillo Melon Torongil del monk
Verbena del campo Chicalote Arnica
Algarroba nigriti Valeriana Cascalote
Seyeccatzi Yerva de golondina Atamo real
Yerba del indio Zorilla Yerva del mango
Yerba del pasmo Tepozan Jicamillo
Luimichnacaz Culantaillo Venicilla
Yerba de la vibora Janilla Yerva del aire
Brazil wood Amargosa R. de Jalap
Semilla de Peru Zigphyllum Jabago Arnica
Valeriana Hoitzelzilxochitl Tabachin
Yerba buena Panete Yerba hedionda
Yerva del mango Te de milpa Yerba del pasmo
Pipocahni Dictamo Cedron te digestica
Zoapatl Miaguayui Yuba del aire
5
Hueynemtzi Hojasen
Atamo real Yurnostal
Damiana Ruda
Menta Romero
Oregano Lancetilla
Verbena o yerva Yerva de stallaria
Cascalote fino
Higuerilla
Tormentilla
II. Japanese
Syr. Iod. Iron Extract Ergot
Cherry laurel water Extract Belladonna
Nitrous ether Extract Gentian
Sol. Ammonia acetatis Extract Dandelion
spr. Ammonia arom. syr. Ipecae
Extract Nux Vomica spr. Ammonia fornic.
Extract Hyoscyamus Ag. Amygdale Arnar.
6
Tr. Ferri Cit. Evodia rutaecarpa Xanthoxylum piperitum
Oil Peppermint Comus officinalis Tritllaria Thum.
Laudanum Schizandra chinensis. Liquorice
Vin. Opii Crocatum Zizyphus vulgaris var. inermis
Aq. Ammonia Gardenia Florida Kaolin
Daphne Genka Panax Ginseng Panax repens
Artemisia capillaris Trichosanthes japonica Gypsum
Oyster shells Ophiopogon spicatus Ginger
Belemnite Cocculus Thumbergii Paeonia Botare
Pruraria Thumbergiana Astraelylis lancea Citrus Fusca
Anemarrhena aspholoides Trichosanthes japonica Cucumis melo
Cinnamomum Lour. Pachyma cocos Magnolia hypoleuca
Pachyma halea Coptis anemaefolia Paeonia albiflora
Iilex divaricatum Platycodon grandiflorum Rehmannia lutu
Bupleurum falcatum Ligusticum acutilobum Persica vulgaris
Asarum variegatum Alisma plantago Dioscorea triphylla
Armeniaca vulgaris Coix lachryma [[strikethrough]] Citrus [[?gariba]] [[/strikethrough]]
Pinella tuberifera Nepeta japonica Aralin pubicalyx
7
Aconitum chinense.
The arranging of the entire collection according to Bentham and Hooker's "Genera Plantarum" as mentioned in last month's report has been finished and it is hoped, that in a few days as soon as all of the labels have been placed under the specimens, the exhibit will present a freshened appearance.
The physiological investigation of the effects of the antipyretics (resorcin, kairin, hydro-chinon, antipyrin, thallin) has been completed and experiments with other drugs are still under way.
Very respectfully,
H.G. Beyer,
Curator Mat. Med. Section.
Beyer. I 8 upper March '86 [[stamp]] S52621 [[/stamp]]
B 91 copy 4-19-86 86 1 copy [[?]]
[[stamp]] Smithsonian Institution Division of Correspondence. Received APR.3-86 [[/stamp]]
[[preprinted]]
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONION INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON [[/preprinted]] April 3rd 1886
Professor S.F. Baird,
Director U.S. National Museum.
Sir,
During the month of March the [[underlined]] following specimens [[/underlined]] have been entered on the register, viz =
Citrus margarita Carapa genansis
Covinha do Malta Debrudeva
Coix lachrymal Henna
Azadarach Agar-agar
Arkoho Arbar
Mammea Americana Guarea tricholoides
Eupatorium Aya-pana Agar-agar, Japanese
Kola paste African fish berries
Anchietea salutaris Pipe guine
Guazuma ulmifolia Plumeria alba
21
[[preprinted]]
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON
[[/preprinted]]
Myristica surinamensis Yerba de vibora
Perfume bark Canintillo
Leucaina glauca Bavica
Jatropha curcas Oneago[[?]]
Baitasco Mastranca
Piper Betel Santese
Picao da Praia Hedeondia
Ipenoa Calconeca
Tibinagui Yerba de la flecha
Manola Chacate
Yerba de la masque Pegote
Saffron Yerba de la Jatroba
Retama Mescal
Una de gato Chepete
Malvos risa Imortal
Romesio Rosetio
3
[[preprinted]]
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON
[[/preprinted]]
Calcomeca
Mansania
Thanurosnea [[?]] mortanum
Ephedra syphiliticum
Cocoloba uvifera
Nalina erumpens
Dasylirion wheelerii
Ionidium
Conchalagua
Atherosperma Novae zeylandica
Caranna
The following is a list of the drugs that belonged to the Mexican collection which have been identified.
Contrayerba = Polypodium aureum
Jalap = Exoginium purga
4.
[[preprinted]]
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONION INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON
[[/preprinted]]
Aniz = Pimpinella anisum
Anicillo = Ichkuhria abrotanoides
Chilillo = Polygonum hydropiper
Damiana = Turnera aphrodisiaca
Balsamo negro = Myrospermum Peruvia
Doradilla = Lycopodium nidiforme
Crameria = Krameria triandra
Goma de mesquiate = Acacia sp.
Limoncillo = Dalea citriodora
Estafiate Artemisia mexicana
Valerian = Valeriana officinalis
Huaco = Mikania Huaco
Jalap = Jalapa digitata
Ajonjoli = Sesamum orientale
Caolina = Kaolin
Chicalote - Argemone mexicana
5
[[preprinted]]
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONION INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON
[[/preprinted]]
Cascalote = Caesalpinia coriaria
Tlatlancuaya = Achyranthus calea
Incienso = Boswellia floribunda
Yerba del indio = Aristolochia foetida
Te de milpa = Bidens tetragona
Una de gato = Rosa canina
Zoapatle = Montagnoea tomentosa
Venmillo = Aclepias linaria
The following are duplicates:
Valeriana, Estafiate, Damiana, Flor de Jamaica, Yerba del pasmo, Salvia, Eucalyptus,Ytamo real.
The following have been rejected because they have been found to be worm eaten, or otherwise injured too much to be preserved
Zacatecas Garlic Chichicamote
6
[[preprinted]]
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONION INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON
[[/preprinted]]
Hutlacochil, Jicamilla, Salvia,
Ajo campestrano, Yerba buena, Tepozan Yerba de la virgen, [[Neutra?]].
This being the spring of the year much time is spent in the extermination of insects, which is done in the usual manner with chloroform.
Very respectfully,
H. G. Beyer
Curator Mar. Med. Section.
SY 2 Copies [[?G]] 2 copies 6-1-86 Beyer I 8 upper April '86
[[blue stamp]]SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION Division of Correspondence RECEIVED MAY 3 - 86 [[/stamp]]
[[preprinted]]
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE
WASHINGTON[[/preprinted]] May 3rd 1886
[[blue stamp]]S53465[[/stamp]]
Professor S. F. Baird,
Director of U.S. National Museum.
Sir,
During the month [[underlined in blue]] of April [[/underlined]] the following [[underlined in blue]] specimens were entered on the register: [[/underlined]]
a. Received from Dr. E. Palmer,
Persea caroliniensis Artemisia mexicana
Tagetes micrantha Coursetia(?) mexicana
Tagetes lucida Rattlesnake's skin
Ficus _______ ? Armadillo shell
Gnaphalium polycephalum. Salvia scorodonifolia
Hilaria cenchoides Pycnanthemum albescens
Cedronilla cana Macrosiphonia hypoleuca
Liatris odoratissima Erythraea tridentata
Elionurus candidus Yerba del Indio
Xariwinskia humboldtiana [[Contanie?]] latifolia
Sebastiana ______ ? Vitis arigonica
Gordoloba Cathesticum
Skunk's skin Limoncillo
Also a specimen of Elephantorrhiza bark from Thos. Christy, London.
Many of the drugs collected by Dr. Palmer are duplicates of those which were received a short time ago from the Mexican Commission at the A. O. Exposition, they are, however, accompanied with interesting and valuable notes. It was thought that if the colored pictures now on exhibition in swinging frames were removed and placed beside their respective drugs that the collection would present a better appearance and be more instructive as tending to attract the public and assisting to fix upon the mind of the students not only the name and appearance but the plant yielding the drug. This has been done so far as possible
and I think with entire satisfaction. Later on it is proposed to place alongside of the drugs photographs of microscopic sections illustrating the minute structure.
All of the printed labels that have come to hand have been placed in the cases. They now number 1330 of which 72 consist of large ones.
My assistant Mr. Doering has received 5 days leave of absence from the 27th inst. and will resume his duties again on the 3rd prox.
Very respectfully,
H. G. Beyer,
Curator Mat. Med. Section.
Beyer, I 8 upper, May 86 [[stamp]] S54415 [[/stamp]]
B [[?BG]] 1 Copy 6-7-86
[[GY?]] 1 copy [[BY?]]
[[stamp]] SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION Division of Correspondence. RECEIVED JUN.-4,86 [[/stamp]]
[[preprinted]]
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON
[[/preprinted]]
June 4th 1886
Professor S.F. Baird,
Director U.S. National Museum.
Sir,
During the month of May one specimen was entered on the register. This was the pomegranate fruit - [[underlined]] Punica granatum. [[/underlined]]
The various herbarium specimens which were presented to this section sometime ago are now being attached to pasteboard, classified, and placed in their proper positions out in the collection. The same is also being done with the colored plates illustrative of medicinal plants. Thus it will be seen that the collection is steadily approaching perfection.
Very respectfully,
H.G. Beyer
Curator Mat. Med. Section
[[?]]
1 copy
[[?]]
I 8 upper Beyer June
1 copy 7-14-86
[[stamp]]
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION Division of Correspondence.
RECEIVED
JUL. 13,86
[[/stamp]]
[[preprinted]]
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON
[[/preprinted]]
July 13th 1886
[[right margin stamp]] S55432 [[/stamp]]
Professor Spencer F. Baird
Director U.S. National Museum
Sir, During the month of June [[underlined in blue]] three specimens [[/underlined]] were entered [[underlined in blue]] on the register [[/underlined]] - Comocladia integrifolia from Jamaica, and a specimen each of Oil Peppermint and Pipmenthol from Mr. W.S. Thompson. My [[underlined in blue]] assistant [[/underlined]] Mr. Geo. E. Daning [[underlined in blue]] received fifteen days [[/underlined]] leave of absence. The daily [[underlined in blue]] work of mounting pictures [[/underlined]] and herbariam [[underlined in blue]] specimens continues. [[/underlined]]
Very respectfully
H.G. Beyer,
Curator Materia Medica.
^[[D Flint 89 -90]]
^[[Mrs Y Please make 3 (2 carbon) copies]]
^[[Mrs Ray O.K. J.M.F. file]]
^[[ [[boxed]] E A [[/boxed]] ]]
Report on the Materia Medica Section in the U.S. National Museum.
During the past year the labors of the Curator^[[,]] with such clerical assistance as may have been available or necessary, have been devoted to the identification, arrangement, display, illustration, and discription of the individual specimens which make up the large mass of material already in hand; to the classification and installation of new material; to the care and convenient arrangement of duplicate and reserve series; and to the consideration of ^[[such]] questions of identity or uses of drugs, as have been referred, from time to time, to this section.
The principal accessions have been: a collection (about 30 specimens) of East India drugs, received in exchange from the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, England, and about 80 specimens of miscellaneous medicinal substances contributed by Messrs. W.H. Schieffelin & Co., of New York, to fill vacances in existing series. Both accessions have been installed and labelled.
The most important routine work has been the preparation of descriptive labels, wh^[[i]]ch work has been systematically and per^[[sis]]tently carried on during the year. Each label, in its preparation, involves the study of the specimen, the comparison of its physical characters with those laid down by the authorities, the determination of its sources, geographical, botanical, etc. and ^[[of]]its supposed medicinal properties^[[,]] and uses. The effort is made to select the most important and interesting facts that can be presented in the few lines appropriate to a Museum label, avoiding on the one hand that meagerness that gives the inquiring visitor nothing but a name, and, on the other, that [[strikethrough]] technical [[/strikethrough]] ^[[fullness of]] detail which discourages by its [[strikethrough]]amount[[/strikethrough]] ^[[length]], or confuses by its ^[[technical]]precision[[strikethrough]] of terms[[/strikethrough]].
^[[2]]
Of these labels there have been prepared, printed and attached to
the specimens 2312, distributed as follows:
General labels - - - - 4
Class and order labels - 103
Generic labels - - - 31
Specific labels - - 1902
For Botanical figures - 218
For Animal figures - - 17
For Micrographic figures - 37
Manuscript for 284 additional labels is nearly ready for the press.
The present state of the collection is quite satisfactory to
the Curator. Most of the specimens are in good condition, and
liable only to [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] unavoidable
deterioration from age, exposure to light, and changes ^[[of temperature]]. It is to be hoped that a substitute for the [[strikethrough]] a [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] present cylindrical bottle may be devised for exhibition purposes, whereby the specimens may be shown behind plane, instead of curved, surfaces of glass. There are now on exhibition 3213 specimens of drugs, classified as follows:
Medicinal Forms - - - - - - 116
Animal Products - - - - - - 112
Officinal Vegetable Products - - - 1237
Chemical and Inorganic Products - - 196
Mineral Waters and their Constituents - 95
Indigenous Vegetable Products - - - 162
Medicines of the North American Indians 116
Mexican Drugs - - - - - - - 43
West Indian Drugs - - - - - - 77
South American Drugs - - - - - 45
Drugs of India - - - - - - 325
Chinese Medicines - - - - - - 469
^[[3]]
Japanese Medicines ----- 113
Corean Medicines ------- 100
Miscellaneous ------------ 7
These specimens are illustrated by 235 Colored Plates and 37 Micrographs displayed in the cases, and 426 Colored Plates and 1 Micrograph mounted in swinging frames, supported upon pillars standing at the entrances to the alcoves.
In the Reserve Series there are:
Cinchona Barks ---------------- 99
Crushed and Powdered Drugs --- 204
^[[*]]Fluid Extracts --------- 200
Pills and Granules ------------ 70
Oils -------------------------- 36
Chemical Products ------------- 33
South American Drugs --------- 108
Corean Medicines ------------- 107
Miscellaneous ---------------- 346 Total -- 1203
The Miscellaneous Drugs include the rare articles, many of them unidentified or bearing only a vernacular name, which are withheld from exhibition until further information can be obtained about them.
^[[*[]] There are about 60 additional bottles of Fluid Extracts from which more or less of the contents have been taken out. For this loss the present Curator is not responsible, as it occurred before his occupancy of the Office, on ^[[this]] tour of duty.^[[]]]
In the duplicate series are 800 specimens, mostly enclosed in pasteboard boxes, and arranged in drawers conveniently accessible.
[[strikethrough]] A Card Catalogue of the collection has been prepared showing [[/strikethrough]]
^[[4]]
Summary.
Exhibition Series ^[[{]] Specimens ---- 3213 ^[[{]] Illustrations - 699
Reserve Series ------------------------ 1203
Duplicate Series ----------------------- 800
Total --------------------------------- 5915
A card catalogue of the collection has been prepared showing the present location of every specimen. This catalogue needs revision, and extension by cross references.
The number of the last catalogue entry ^[[in June 1889]] was 141877; in June 1890 was 142056.
^[[B]]
[[preprinted]]
Smithsonian Institution
S. P. LANGLEY, Secretary
G. BROWN GOODE, Assistant Secretary, in charge of U.S. National Museum
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
Washington,[[/preprinted]] ^[[March 31]], 18^[[90]]
Mr. R. J. Geare,
Sir,
In reply to your inquiry of Mar. 22nd, I have to reply that no papers have been published by me during the fiscal year 1888 & 89.
Very respectfully
J. M. Flint
Curator, Materia Medica
^[[Dr. Flint]]
[[preprinted]]
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
S. P. LANGLEY, Secretary
G. BROWN GOODE, Assistant Secretary in charge of U.S. National Museum
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
Washington, [[/preprinted]]^[[August 5th]], 18^[[9]]0
^[[Ack'd? Entered?]]
Sir,
I have the honor to forward, herewith enclosed, my Report on the Section of Materia Medica, in the U.S. National Museum, for 1890.
Very respectfully
Your obedient servant
James M. Flint
Honorary Curator
Assistant Secretary
G. Brown Goode, L.L.D.
In charge of U.S. National Museum
Washington, D.C.
^[[Copy 3
Copy file]]
Report on the Section of Materia Medica in the U. S. National Museum for 1890.
By James M. Flint, ^[[U.S.N.]] Honorary Curator.
During the past year the labors of the Curator, with such clerical assistance as may have been available or necessary, have been devoted to the identification, arrangement, distribution, illustration, and description of the individual specimens which make up the large mass of material already in hand; to the classification and installation of new material; to the care and convenient arrangement of duplicate and reserve series; and to the consideration of such questions of identity or uses of drugs, as have been referred, from time to time, to this Section.
The principal accessions have been: a collection (about 30 specimens) of East India Drugs, received in exchange from the Royal Botanical Gardens,
Kew, England, and about 80 specimens of miscellaneous medicinal substances contributed by Messrs. W. H. Schieffelin & Co., of New York, to fill vacancies in existing series. Both accessions have been installed and labelled.
The most important routine work has been the preparation of descriptive labels, which work has been systematically and persistently carried on during the year. Each label, in its preparation, involves the study of the specimen, the comparison of its physical characters with those laid down by the authorities, the determination of its sources, geographical botanical, etc. and of its supposed medicinal properties, and uses. The effort is made to select the most important and interesting facts that can be presented in the few lines appropriate to a Museum label, avoiding on the one hand that meagerness which gives the inquiring visitor nothing but a name, and, on the other, that fullness of detail which discourages by its length, or confuses by its technical precision.
Of these labels there have been prepared, printed and attached to the specimens 2312, distributed as follows:
General labels.......... 4
Class and order labels.. 103
Generic labels.......... 31
Specific labels......... 1902
For Botanical figures... 218
For Animal figures...... 17
For Micrographic figures 37
Manuscript for 284 additional labels is nearly ready for the press.
The present state of the collection is quite satisfactory to the Curator. Most of the specimens are in good condition, and liable only to unavoidable deterioration from age, exposure to light, and changes of temperature. It is to be hoped that a substitute for the present cylindrical bottle may be devised for exhibition purposes, whereby the specimens may be shown behind plane, instead of curved surfaces of glass. There are now on exhibition 3213
4
3213 specimens of drugs, classified as follows:
Medicinal Forma ........................ 116
Animal Products ........................ 112
Officinal Vegetable Products ........... 1237
Chemical and Inorganic Products ........ 196
Mineral Waters and their Constituents .. 95
Indigenous Vegetable Products .......... 162
Medicines of the North American Indians 116
Mexican Drugs .......................... 43
West Indian Drugs ...................... 77
South American Drugs ................... 45
Drugs of India ......................... 325
Chinese Medicines ...................... 469
Japanese Medicines ..................... 113
Corean Medicines ....................... 100
Miscellane ............................. 7 ^[[3213]]
These specimens are illustrated by 235 Colored Plates and 37 Micrographs displayed in the cases, and ^[[^also]] 426 Colored Plates and 1 Micrograph mounted in swinging frames, supported upon pillars standing at the entrance to the alcoves.
5
In the Reserve Series there are:
Cinchona Barks ..................... 99
Crushed and Powdered Drugs ......... 204
^[[*]]Fluid Extracts ............... 200
Pills and Granules ................. 70
Oils ............................... 36
Chemical Products .................. 33
South American Drugs ............... 108
Corean Medicines ................... 107
Miscellaneous ...................... 346 Total ...... 1203
The Miscellaneous Drugs include the rare articles, many of them unidentified or bearing only a vernacular name, which are withheld from exhibition until further information can be obtained about them.
-----------------------
*There are about 60 additional bottles of Fluid Extracts from which more or less of the contents have been taken out. For this loss the present Curator is not responsible, as it occurred before his occupancy of the Office, on this tour of duty.
------------------------
6
In the duplicate series are 800 specimens, mostly enclosed in pasteboard boxes, and arranged in drawers conveniently accessible.
Summary.
Exhibition Series {Specimens ........... 3213 {Illustrations ... ... 699
Reserve Series ......................... 1203
Duplicate Series ....................... 800
Total .................................. 5915
A card catalogue of the collection has been prepared showing the present location of every specimen. This catalogue needs revision, and extension by cross references.
The number of the last catalogue entry in June 1889 was 141,877; in June 1890, 142,056.
^[[88-89.]]
PAPERS PUBLISHED BY W. O. ATWATER BETWEEN
JULY 1, 1888, AND JUNE 30, 1889.
[[strikethrough]] A. As director of Storrs (Connecticut) Agricultural Experiment Station: [[/strikethrough]]
1. FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE STORRS SCHOOL AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, Storrs, Connecticut, 1888 (pp. 104).
[[strikethrough]] B. As director of the Office of Experiment Stations of the United States Department of Agriculture: [[/strikethrough]]
2. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS (pp. 537-558, Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Agriculture, 1888).
3. ORGANIZATION OF THE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. February, 1889. Experiment Station Bulletin No. 1, United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Experiment Stations (pp. 82).
4. THE WHAT AND WHY OF AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS. June, 1889. Farmers' Bulletin No.1, United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Experiment Stations (pp. 16).
5. CO-OPERATIVE FIELD EXPERIMENTS WITH FERTILIZERS, March, 1889. Circular No. 7, United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Experiment Stations (pp. 39).
(2)
6. EXPLANATIONS AND DIRECTIONS FOR SOIL TESTS WITH FERTILIZERS.
March, 1889. Circular No. 8, United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Experiment Stations (pp. 11).
7. DIGEST OF THE ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT
STATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES FOR 1888. Part I, June 1889. Experiment Station Bulletin No. 2, United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Experiment Stations (pp. 258).
Each of the above bears the signature, W. O. Atwater, Director, which is also put on the cover.
[[blank page]]
[[stamped in upper right corner]] b.B.G. Oct 9 1891 [[/stamped in upper right corner]]
Copied Oct. 15 [[triple underlined]] Report [[/triple underlined]] on the Section of Materia Mecica in the U.S. National Museum, 1891. By [[double underlined]] James McFlint [[/double underlined]], U.S. Navy,[[underlined]] Honorary Curator [[/underlined]]
[[Paragraph symbol]] Since the last report from this Section the work of arranging, displaying, and providing with descriptive labels the large number of specimens composing the exhibit, has been systematically continued. With the exception of the small collection of Medicines of the North American Indians, and the Chinese and Japanese Drugs, every specimen of drug has now its printed descriptive label attached. In addition to these, of the [[strikethrough]] 892 [[/strikethrough]] 862 illustrations of plants and animals, in the exhibit, 350 have their descriptive labels
2
in place, 460 are printed and ready for display, and the manuscript for the remainder is in the hands of the printer. Accessions to the number of 169 have been received during the year, mostly from Messrs Powers and Weightman of Phila, and Parke, Davis and Co., of Detroit, in answer to requests for specified articles to fill vacancies. Some novel and interesting additions have been made to the botanical illustrations, consisting of herbarium specimens of indigenous medicinal plants, not otherwise illustrated, with the characters of each plant displayed by drawings of the magnified organs. These were prepared with great skill by Mr.
3
Theodore Holm, Temporary Assistant in this Section. As mounted in the Swinging Frames they make an attractive addition to the collection. 102 Photographs of indigenous plants have also been mounted, and the descriptive labels prepared and printed. The Collection remains without material change in condition, location, classication, or arrangement since last report. The accessions above mentioned were distributed principally among the "chemical products," and "indigenous vegetable products. The following summary shows the number of specimens in each series:
4
Exhibition series 3,335
Reserve series 1,223
Duplicate series 815
Illustrations Colored plates 662 Photographs 102 Herbarium specimens 60 Micrographo 38 892 ^[[insert]]862[[/insert]] ----------------- 6,265 ------ ------ 6,235
Last catalogue entry June 1890 142 056 " " " " [[dittos for Last catalogue entry 1891 142,225 It is proper to say, in explanation of the fact that the total number of specimens does not balance with the sum of the accessions for the year and the total of the previous year's report,t hat some of the ac-
5
sessions prove to be triplicates and are absorbed in the duplicate list, that a small percentage of specimens are every year rejected as worthless, either originally or by unavoidable deterioration, and that the illustrations are not entered in the Catalogue.
E
A Copied 9-9-92.
[[Stamped in Red]] Curator in charge Aug 1- 1892 [[/Stamped in Red]]
[[strikethrough]] UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON
JULY, 14, 1892. [[/strikethrough]]
[[Handwritten insert]] Report on the [[/Handwritten insert]] Section of Materia Medica
[[Handwritten insert]] In the U.S. National Museum, 1892.
By Wm S. Dixon, U.S. Navy, Honorary Curator [[[Handwritten insert]]
[[Strikethrough]] In obedience to your instructions I have the honor to submit the following report. [[/Strikethrough]] During the year ending June, 30, 1892, the labelling of specimens and illustrations of plants &c., in the exhibit, was completed. [[line drawn to signify continuing sentence with next paragraph]] Several specimens that had deteri^[[or]]ated were replaced by good examples. [[line drawn to signify continuing sentence with next paragraph]] Fruitless efforts were made to identify some of the vegetable specimens presented to the Museum. Their accompanying history being meagre and essential characteristics absent, a satisfactory recognition was impossible.
[[paragraph symbol]] The accessions during the year number fifty-five (55), received principally from the Royal
Kew Gardens ^[[England.]] Several specimens were received from W. H. Schieffelin & Co., in response to special request. [[line drawn to signify continuing sentence with next paragraph]] The ^[[Exhibition series of]] [[strikethrough]]] display in [[/strikethrough]] this Section, is, essentially, as left by Dr. Flint,^[[the first curator of this collection]] [[strikethrough]] my predecessor [[/strikethrough]].
[[Paragraph symbol]] The following table shows the number of specimens in the varies series.
Exhibition series -------------- 3346
Reserve " [[ditto for series]] -------------- 1223
Duplicate ' [[ditto for series]] -------------- 859
^[[In addition there are the following also:]]
Colored plates 662
Photographs 102
Herbarium specimens 60
Micrographs 38 --------- 862 ____ 6290
^[[The l]]ast catalogue entry ^[[in]] June 1891 ^[[was]] 142225 ^[[, and in]] [[strikethrough]] Last Catalogue entry [[/strikethrough]] June 1892^[[,]] 142280.
[[strikethrough]] G. Brown Goode
Asst Secty. [[/strikethrough]]
[[strikethrough]]
Very respectfully, Wm S. Dixon
Hon Curator.[[/strikethrough]]
[[underlined]] E & A. [[/underlined]]
1 Copy Aug 3, 1893
L.T.
[[stamp]] Division of Correspondence & Reports. Jul 12 1893 [[/stamp]]
Report on the Section of [[underlined]] Materia Medica [[/underlined]] in the U.S. National Museum for the year ending June 30th [[underlined]] 1893. [[/underlined]]
C.H. White U.S Navy Honorary Curator.
(This report was not printed)
The work in the Section during the past year has been entirely on the direction of preserving the collection in its present form, preparing and exhibiting such accessions as promised to be of interest to the public or of use to the student, and giving information on matters relating to this Section. There are a few heir-looms here that seem likely to remain unrecognized, but aside from these, all the specimens
2
are in condition, and position to be immediately available for study.
The Collection is so extensive now, that novel additions are few. With a view to increasing [strikethrough]our{/strikethrough] ^[[the]] collection, I think that a complete catalogue of our possessions might be issued to advantage and circulated somewhat freely to schools, colleges, museums, large drug houses, and to individuals known to be interested in Botany on Materia Medica. This Catalogue should contain not only the name of the specimen, but embody the exhibition label, and give a complete list of our reserve and duplicate series. Its distribution might be accomplished by a circular inviting contributions of new specimens with such information as to the uses and supposed properties as may be
3
in the possession of the donor. Our duplicate material could be utalized in effecting exchanges when new material could be obtained by such course.
As many of our domestic medicines come to us highly recommended by popular opinion, it is fair to presume that some of them contain active principles, which if definitely recognized might extend the use and usefulness of these plants. With a view ^[[to]] [[strikethrough]] of [[/strikethrough]] obtaining a proximate analysis of any specimens we may receive, which have not before been analyzed, I asked the Surgeon General of the Navy, (under whose supervision this collection is Rept.) if he could assist us in this matter. In reply, he said he would order an analysis made at the Laboratory
4
of the Museum of Hygiene, of any specimens we would send him.
There have been twenty six (26) accessions during the year, Dr. E. Palmer, and Merck & Co being the chief contributors. One illustration, a map of South America, showing the distribution of the [[underlined]] Pilocarpus pinnatifolius, [[/underlined]] was added by the gift of [[strikethrough]] Prof. [[/strikethrough]] ^[[Dr.]] D.W. Prentiss.
The number of specimens in each series is as follows:
Exhibition series, - 3368
Reserve series, 1226
Duplicate series - 860
[[total]] 5454
(over)
[[underlined]] Illustrations [[/underlined]]
Colored plates 663
Photographs 102
Aerbarium specimens 60
Micrographs 38 863
Total 6317
Last catalogue entry June 1892. 142.280
Last catalogue entry June 1893. 142.306
Report for 1894
[[right margin]] Mel A Materia Medi[[/right margin]]
1. HOW HAS THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1894 COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS YEAR, AS FAR AS (1) THE NUMBER OF ACCESSIONS AND (2) THEIR SCIENTIFIC VALUE ARE CONCERNED?
[[line]]
There have been received during the year, two specimens for identification and report; but in both instances the information concerning them was so meager that it has been impossible to properly study and classify them. They were sent by Mr. E E. Vidrive of villa Platte, La, and by Mr. Thomas E. Bauster of Gibbonsville, Idaho. It was suggested that further information be furnished us together with some leaves and flowers of the plants, if possible.
The Section was removed from its former location in the south-east range to the north-east court and is now completely installed in its new location. In doing this it has been necessary to condense some parts of the location; this has been effected without interfering with the classifications. The collection is in a state of excellent preservation and also in condition now for examination and study.
The office of the curator was removed during the early spring to the north-east tower. This was satisfactorily effected by storing a quantity of duplicate specimens and material not required for immediate use. The new office, though smaller than the old, is amply large for present purposes and is undoubtedly more healthful.
2. NAME, IN THE ORDER OF THEIR IMPORTANCE, THE ACCESSIONS OF THE YEAR WHICH DESERVE [[underlined]] SPECIAL NOTICE, [[/underlined]] ARRANGED ALPHABETICALLY, AND STATE IN EACH CASE WHETHER GIVEN, LENT, RECEIVED IN EXCHANGE OR PURCHASED.
______________________________________________________________________________
^[[None]]
3. WHAT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN CARING FOR THE COLLECTIONS UNDER YOUR CUSTODY, i.e., IN THEIR PRESERVATION AND INSTALLATION.
________________________________________________________________________________
^[[Already noted in answer to first question.]]
4. INDICATE BRIEFLY THE PRESENT CONDITION OF THE EXHIBITION SERIES AND THE STUDY SERIES, IN YOUR DEPARTMENT.
______________________________________________________________________________
^[[Noted in answer to the first question.]]
5. WHAT SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS HAVE YOU COMMENCED, CONTINUED, OR COMPLETED, UPON THE MATERIAL UNDER YOUR CARE, DURING THE YEAR.
_______________________________________________________________________________
^[[None.]]
6. WHAT EXPLORATIONS (1) BY THE MUSEUM AND (2) UNDER OTHER AUSPICES, HAVE RESULTED IN ENRICHING THE COLLECTIONS UNDER YOUR CARE.
_____________________________________________________________________________
^[[None]]
7. WHAT MATERIAL FROM YOUR DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN LENT TO INVESTIGATORS DURING THE YEAR, AND IN CONNECTION WITH WHAT SPECIAL INVESTIGATION WAS THE MATERIAL NEEDED.
PLEASE ARRANGE ANSWER, ALHABETICALLY, UNDER NAME OF PERSON TO WHOM SUCH MATERIAL WAS LENT.
______________________________________________________________________________
^[[None]]
8. GIVE THE NAMES OF ANY STUDENTS WHO HAVE ACCESS TO THE MATERIAL IN YOUR CARE DURING THE YEAR, EITHER IN WASHINGTON OR ELSEWHERE, AND STATE THE SPECIAL AIM OF THEIR STUDIES.
_______________________________________________________________________________
^[[All students have access to the exhibits.]]
9. GIVE A LIST OF CORRESPONDENTS WHOSE CO-OPERATION HAS RESULTED IN ENRICHING THE COLLECTIONS UNDER YOUR CARE, AND STATE BRIEFLY THE MANNER AND EXTENT OF SUCH CO-OPERATION DURING THE YEAR.
_______________________________________________________________________________
^[None.]]
10. GIVE A LIST OF PAPERS [[underlined]] PUBLISHED DURING THE YEAR [[/underlined]] BY YOURSELF, YOUR OFFICIAL ASSOCIATES AND COLLABORATORS, SO FAR AS THE SAME ARE BASED UPON MUSEUM MATERIAL. EACH NOTICE FOR THE BIBLIOGRAPHY SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY A BRIEF ABSTRACT OF THE PAPER.
_______________________________________________________________________________
^[[None]]
11. PLEASE PRESENT ANY PLANS WHICH YOU MAY HAVE IN VIEW FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR DEPARTMENT.
_______________________________________________________________________________
^[[An exhibit of triturate tablets, as showing the modern approved form in which the active principles of so many medicines is conveniently administered.]]
12. INDICATE THE PRESENT STATE OF THE COLLECTION UNDER YOUR CARE, INCLUDING A TABLE SHOWING THE NUMBER OF SPECIMENS IN THE EXHIBITION, RESERVE AND DUPLICATE SERIES ON JUNE 30, 1894.
______________________________________________________________________________
^[[
Exhibit series 3,368
Reserve series 1,226
Duplicates 860 - 5,454 ----- Illustrations
Colored plates 660
Photographs 102 - 765
Herbarium specimens 60
Micrographs 38 - 98 ----- 6,317 ]]
13. GIVE THE NUMBER S OF THE LAST ENTRIES IN YOUR CATALOGUE ON JUNE 30, 1893 AND JUNE 30, 1894.
______________________________________________________________________________
^[[142,306. - 142,308.]]
[[attached separate note]]
[[preprinted]]
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
_______
MEMORANDUM. [[/preprinted]]
Oct. 22.94.
As no permanent Acc. have been rec'd it is probable that these entries are not correct.
J.
[[underlined in blue pencil]] Not counted [[/underlined in blue]]
[[/attached separate note]]
13. GIVE THE NUMBER S OF THE LAST ENTRIES IN YOUR CATALOGUE ON JUNE 30, 1893 AND JUNE 30, 1984.
_____________________________________________________________
^[[ 142,306. - 142,308. ]]
letter file
H
Monthly Report
Nov. 30, 1883
[[stamp]] EXAMINED BY MR. RATHBUN MARCH 1913 [[/stamp]]
Mr. G. Brown Goode,
Assistant Director, National Museum
Sir: - I would respectfully submit the following monthly report of the work done in the departments under my charge during the month ending November 30th 1883.
By far the greater part of the time has been taken up in running through the collections for the purpose of learning what specimens are on hand, and in transferring all the articles belonging to the food collection to the place assigned for them, and the fibers, textiles etc. to the west entrance, where I am now arranging them.
In the Department of Foods, Mr. Towne has been engaged as constantly as possible in arranging the Indian Foods. The work seems to progress very slowly, but it is hoped it will go on more regularly during the next months. I think all the Indian foods can be placed in the cases during the coming months. As soon as they
2
are all put up the work of cataloguing and labeling can begin.
In the Department of Fibres, Textiles etc. seven cases are full, and some additional boxes are ready to be placed in cases as soon as the latter can be obtained. All the specimens that have been put up by me have written labels, giving the names and localities, but no attempt has yet been made to prepare labels for permanent use. I find it impossible to prepare suitable labels without further study, and I am in want of the necessary books to enable me to make out a satisfactory classification of fibres and woven products. For the most part my time has been given to putting up the specimens, work which seems to be necessary now, but which I hope can soon be undertaken by an assistant, leaving me more time to study up, and work out classification. At present I am obliged to leave
3.
all my study to be done evenings, in order that the installation of specimens may go on as rapidly as I desire.
During the month 122 entries have been made in the Catalogue of Textiles, including many articles recatalogued, and 5 entries in the Catalogue of Foods. It has not seemed desirable to recatalogue the articles in the food collection.
All the specimens in the cases among the Textiles which were put up when I came, have been provided with temporary labels.
In order to identify some of the material on hand a microscope will be quite necessary. I expect to have one that I can use for the purpose in the course of a week, or as soon as a convenient place can be provided where I can place it, and the books and papers I hope to have to assist me in the work.
Respectfully
R Hitchcock
Nov. 30th 1883
Hitchcock
November
1883
1
[[typewritten]] One copy by, W.B.T.
Revised by ^[[REH and WBT]]
Sept. 6th 1884. [[/typewritten]]
[[circeld]] Printed in full [[/circled]]
Year 1883
[[stamped]] EXAMINED BY
MR. RATHBUN
MARCH 1913. [[/stamped]]
Mr. G. Brown Goode Assistant Director. National Museum. Dear Sir, - I have the honor to submit the following report of the section of foods and textiles, for the year 1883. Owing to the short time I have been connected with the museum, it is not possible to know precisely what donations [[strikethrough]] of special importance [[/strikethrough]] have been received during the year, since they are recorded in different catalogues, the special catalogues of the section having been opened in November. So far as I am able to learn, however; there have been no donations to the textile collection of special importance during the year; unless some valuable specimens promised by certain parties in London have been received by Mr. Earll, and are on the way with the other collections.
[[written vertically]] 1883 - 90 [[/written vertically]]
2
In the collection of foods I am likewise at a loss to know just what has been received during the year. Since November, however, I have a perfect record of all that has come in, and among other donations one fine set of specimens, in duplicate, illustrative of the manufacture of cocoa and chocolate is worthy of special mention. This set was received from Messrs. Cadbury Brothers, of Bournville, near Birmingham, England. There are eighteen different specimens, embracing cocoa pods, cocoa beans from seven different localities, and specimens showing the various stages of the manufacture of cocoa and chocolates. Labels for this collection have been written, and are ready to be printed if approved. Messrs. Burgoyne, Burbridges & Co., wholesale druggists, of London, have also presented six specimens of pure vegetable colors used in confectionery. Mr. Charles R. Orcutt has presented three specimens of Indian foods from California, among which is a fine cake of "mesquite" meal. A number of specimens of articles of food used in England have been added to the collections by purchase.
3
2. The work of arranging the food collections has been done mainly by Mr. Towne, who has been almost steadily engaged upon the collection of Indian foods during the past two months. This part of the work should be completed in the course of the next two weeks, when it will be possible to label and classify the specimens. My own work in installation has been mostly confined to the textiles, and particularly directed to exhibiting the different varieties of fibres. It is proposed to separate all the textile material, as the work of arrangement progresses, into three parts, (1.) for exhibition (2) for study-series, and (3) for exchanges. This plan has been carried out thus far; but no attempt has yet been made at a systematic classification of the specimens in either series, for the reason that not a sufficient number of specimens is yet in the cases to make it either practicable or useful.
4
4. There are on exhibition in the collection of fibres and textiles, 318 specimens (including 72 specimens of cotton), and 37 specimens of furs. In addition to these there are a number of old forms of spinning and weaving machinery placed on top of the cases and on the floor, awaiting cases which are to be made for them.
It is impossible to state the number of specimens now in the collection which will be placed in the series for study or among the duplicates. All of the material would require to be looked over and classified, which would require weeks of labor to do in a proper manner, before the number could be even approximately known.
5
In the collection of foods there are, by actual count, 742 specimens in the cases. Besides these there are 270 specimens of seeds, barks and other, unclassified materials, 74 paints and pigments used by Indians, and 158 specimens of oils, making a total of 1244. It is probable that this number will be materially reduced when the collections are properly arranged and duplicates or imperfectly known materials are taken out.
Among the duplicates there are fourteen different specimens of foods from Siam, in most cases five or six specimens of each kind, now ready to be exchanged, twenty seven of China foods, [[strikethrough]] [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] thirty-three Indian foods, and ten miscellaneous samples.
There are also 106 [[strikethrough]] different [[/strikethrough]] specimens of different oils in the duplicate series, of which there are, in many instances, several duplicates.
6
5 To conduct the work of this section in a creditable manner, a certain number of books of reference are absolutely required. The only work that can be done without books is preparing specimens for exhibition, and even this, without a system of classification, is only practicable [[strikethrough]] up [[/strikethrough]] to a [[illegible strikethrough]] limited extent. The food collections will be arranged upon the scheme worked out by yourself. The system for textiles requires much further study. The routine work of preparing the specimens now in the Museum requires, from the acting curator, an expenditure of time which might be used to much better advantage for the Museum, if an assistant or preparator were appointed to work in the textiles division. It would then be possible to devote more time to study, and the perfection of the classification, the preparation of labels, and to what is, in fact, the most important part of the curator's duties. The exhibition of a series of food-stuffs becomes of value only when the specimens are named and explained. The same may be said of every other set of specimens. But to write labels requires more knowledge than any person can posses without access to books of reference. In the textiles division, however, a kind of knowledge is required which cannot be acquired from books alone. It would be of great advantage to the section if the acting curator could spend a short time visiting some of the large spinning
7
and weaving establishments to become practically familiar with the processes. Although it is very desirable that the microscope should be brought into use in the study and identification of the fibres and fabrics, foods and adulterants, the opportunities for such examinations are extremely limited at present. They are certainly important, and the credit of the museum demands that its officers should be competent to treat any question of importance that is presented, intelligently, and with adequate knowledge of the work and methods of others. To do this requires much study and experimenting. At present the acting curator in this section is uncertain whether it would be better to devote this time principally to study and investigation, or to the display of specimens without order or reason. In the one case the benefits would be seen in the future; in the other the activity of the section would be [[strikethrough]] [[illegible]] [[/strikethrough]] seen now. The appointment of an assistant as suggested, would solve the difficulty in the most satisfactory way, by permitting the work of installation to go on steadily, while the other work is progressing.
8
There is one part of the work of this section that has not received any attention as yet, but which can doubtless be begun early in the year, - as soon as the material now being worked up in the food collection is out of the way. This is the arranging of series illustrative of the processes of nutrition, showing the relative value of foods, drinks, etc.; and various other illustrative collections which have already been mentioned in a previous communication.
It is also desirable that specimens showing the process of spinning and weaving should be obtained for the textiles division, and these can doubtless be readily obtained by a personal visit to the mills.
9
It is with no little diffidence that the needs of this section are set forth thus at length, knowing the personal interest you have manifested in its progress and development, and your willingness to advance its interests by every possible means. Nevertheless, since you have asked for "recommendations and remarks" it has seemed a proper occasion to indicate what that the experience of two months has clearly shown to be essential needs for the proper conduct of the work of the section. Without books it is impossible to do the work creditably - they are quite as necessary as the material itself, in a
[[line missing]]
museum. It is to be hoped they can be obtained in some way. Respectfully submitted [[P.?]] Hitchcock
Jan. 1884.
One copy T 3.26.85
K 3 upper 1884 rep
[[circled]]Printed in full[[/circled]]
[[stamp]] EXAMINED BY MR. RATHBUN MARCH 1913 [[/stamp]]
Report of the Sections
of
Foods and Textiles
for the year 1884
R. Hitchcock
1
Mr. G. Brown Goode
Assistant Director, National Museum
Dear Sir:- I have the honor to submit the following report of the department under my charge for the year 1884.
Respectfully R Hitchcock Acting Curator
Washington, January, 1885.
Textile Fibres and Fabrics. This collection of textile fibres and fabrics placed under my charge in November, 1883, at which time there was a large accumulation of material in the museum pertaining to this department, which was stowed away in drawers and boxes. Much of this material was of value, some of it worthless, and it required no little labor to classify and arrange it for display. When this work was begun there was scarcely a single case of textiles on exhibition, properly arranged and labelled. There are now not less than thirty sliding-screen cases completely filled with specimens, each one of which is labelled either with a permanent printed, or a temporary written label. By far the greater number of these have been mounted during the year 1884. In the beginning of work in this department, many difficulties were encountered. It was necessary, first of all, to devise a system of classifications for fibres and fabrics, which would be comprehensive. As regards vegetable fibres, various systems were considered, in the hope that a scientific classification might be found which would serve well for industrial purposes; but a brief study of this subject clearly showed the impracticability of such a scheme. Turning then to purely artificial systems, it is not necessary to refer to the merits and demerits of those which have been proposed from time to time, but merely to say that the system which has seeemed best
[[line cut off]]
2
for museum purposes is based upon the position of the fibres in the plants.
The plan of classification adopted for textile fibres is as follows:-
Mineral Fibres Type, Asbestos
Vegetable Fibres
Grasses, stems, barks, etc., used in the natural condition. Type, Esparto.
Stem, Leaf & Root fibres
Bast fibres Type, Flax
Foliacious fibres Type, New Zealand Flax
Seed Fibres Type, Cotton
Animal Fibres
Wool Type Sheep's Wool
Hair Type Cow's Hair
Silk Type Silk
[[strikethrough]] adapted to the museum collections is as follows:-[[/strikethrough]]
3
Far greater difficulty has been found in classifying textile fabrics, owing to the technical knowledge of the methods of manufacturer required to do this work in a satisfactory manner. No system has yet been perfected, although a general plan has been under consideration for some time, and it [[strikethrough]]is[[/strikethrough]] will doubtless be possible to outline a satisfactory scheme in the course of another year. Meanwhile, specimens are being mounted, [[strikethrough]]and[[/strikethrough]] described, [[strikethrough]][[?]] systems and[[/strikethrough]] and arranged in the cases, according to a provisional classification, based primarily upon their composition (whether of cotton, flax, wool, silk etc.) and secondly upon the method of weaving.
4
1. Important Additions During the year 1884
Twenty-two specimens of jute, grown in Mississippi from seed obtained in India, showing various qualities of the fibre in different stages of preparation. From Hon. W.W. Stone, Stoneville, Miss., President Delta Jute & Fibre Co.
Six specimens, showing the process of manufacturing gunny cloth from Calcutta jute butts. From Mr. Appleton Sturgis, New York.
A large collection of cordage made of jute, and a fine specimen of jute fibre, from the Schlichter Jute Cordage Co., Philadelphia, Pa.
Forty specimens of textile fibres and fabrics of various kinds from different countries, all well named and identified. From the Royal Botanical Garden, Kew, England.
A collection of machine-made laces of various kinds, lace mitts, [[?nubias]], etc. From A.G. Jennings & Sons, New York.
A large number of textile fibres, and fabrics, from Guatemala and San Salvador, received from the Boston Foreign Exposition, of 1883.
Thirteen specimens of textile fibres from Jamaica collected by Mr. V.P. Parkhurst, who was engaged as collector on the occasion of a visit to the West Indies.
Twenty-nine specimens of English laces, [[strikethrough]] for [[/strikethrough]] made in Nottingham and Devonshire, England. [[strikethrough]] France[[?]] [[/strikethrough]] a list of which [[strikethrough]] is [[/strikethrough]] will be found in No. 24 of the "Proceedings" of the Museum. From Mr. A. Robertson with Messrs. Hitchcock, Williams & Co., London.
Twenty-two small samples of English silk fabrics, manufactured in Manchester and
In clo
5
Bradford, and [[strikethrough]] thirty [[/strikethrough]] one hundred similar samples of cotton [[strikethrough]] worsted [[/strikethrough]] and worsted fabrics etc, also from Mr. A. Robertson.
A fine specimen of Jacquard weaving in silk, from Prof. T.C. Archer, Director of the Edinboro Museum.
Nine specimens illustrating the manufacture of hand-made ingrain and rag carpets, from Mr. O. Herring, Maryland Mills, Baltimore, Md.
Thirty-seven specimens of rope and twine made of American, Russian and Italian hemp and sisal, from J. T. Bailey & Co., Philadelphia.
[[strikethrough]] Fifteen specimens of flax, grown and manufactured in New York State, with
A series of fifteen specimens of flax and flax twines, from Mr. E. W. Hartshorn, [[/strikethrough]]
A series of fifteen specimens of flat and flax twine, manufactured at Schaghticoke, N.Y. from flax grown in New York state. From Mr. E. W. Hartshorn, President Cable Flax Mills.
Twelve specimens of rough and hackled flax [strikethrough]] from France, Canada [[/strikethrough]] French, Irish, Dutch and Canadian, from the Barbour Flax Spinning Co., Paterson, N.J.
6
A series of Thirty-seven specimens illustrating the manufacture of raw silk fabrics in the United States. This collection begins with the raw silk as imported, from Italy, Japan, & China, and shows the various stages in the preparation of the silk for the loom. The series is an interesting one because the successive steps in the manufacture are so well shown. Then follow specimens of the finished goods, plain or brocaded, in considerable variety. Received from John N. Stearns & Co., of New York.
Fifteen specimens of raw silks as imported, from Lombardy, Cevennes, Piedmont, Japan and China, carefully [[strikethrough]] prepared [[/strikethrough]] selected as typical samples, and presented by C. Adolphe Low & Co. of New York.
Seven specimens of tapestry Brussels carpets, from the Roxbury Carpet Company, Boston, Mass.
Specimens of "Napier Matting" and "hemp carpetings" made of jute, from the Dolphin Manufacturing Company, [[strikethrough]] of [[strikethough]] New York.
Specimens of [[underlined]] Yucca Brevifolia [[/underlined]] and various kinds of paper made therefrom. From R.E.C. Stearns, National Museum.
Fifteen specimens of fibres mostly of animal origin, from the Custom House, Boston, Mass.
[[strikethrough]] Fifteen [[/strikethrough]] A set of specimens of knit worsted fabrics, astrachan, jersey cloth, stockinette cloth, etc, manufactured in Philadelphia, from John E Hanifen & Co., Philadelphia, Pa.
7
A very valuable collection of one hundred and seventeen specimens, illustrating the manufacture of worsted yarns used in the goods made by the Arlington Mills, and specimens of fine cotton yarns made at the same mills. This is a collection worthy of more than a passing notice. It was prepared with great care and judgement by the superintendent of the Mills, Mr. W.D. Hartshorn, for the purpose of showing the successive stages in the manufacture of yarns from wools of different grades.
Beginning with a certain grade of wool the process is followed from the greasy wool through the preparers combs, gill-boxes, etc. [[strikethrough]] showing before and after dyeing and colored tops [[/strikethrough]] and made into tops. The manufacture of colored top from the same grade of wool is likewise fully illustrated. Then the processes of carding are illustrated by samples of fine Australian wool in successive stages from greasy wool through the scorrer, cards, back,=washing, gill boxes, comb, and finishing gill-boxes. Then [[strikethrough]] various [[/strikethrough]] specimens of the top of various grades are shown, and the processes of reducing top to yarn [[strikethrough]] is [[/strikethrough]] are illustrated by three distinct series of specimens representing three different grades of wool. Then follow numerous samples of yarns.
8
An equally complete, and more comprehensive, series of specimens illustrating the manufacture of worsted and cotton yarns, and also of the finished fabrics and the process of calico printing, has been received from the Pacific Mills, and will soon be mounted for exhibition in the museum.
This collection likewise begins with the wool in the grease. Six varieties and mixtures of wool are represented by large samples, and these are each carried through the successive stages of manufacture, [[strikethrough]] card [[/strikethrough]] washing, carding, combing, etc. to the finished yarn.
The manufacture of cotton yarn is likewise illustrated, two grades being carried through the various operations in parallel series [[strikethrough]] of [[/strikethrough]], the specimens being carefully chosen to represent the processes [[strikethrough]] in [[strikethrough]] as completely as possible.
Calico printing is illustrated by specimens of cloth before and after bleaching, after printing, with color set, and finished. There is also a copper print-roller, taken from the machine, and the process is still more fully illustrated by photographs taken at the mills by the acting curator on the occasion of his visit during the summer.
There is also a fine set of samples of cotton goods, worsteds and delaines representing the large variety of fabrics manufactured by the Pacific Mills.
9
The manufacture of woolen goods, fancy cassimires, etc, is represented by two collections, the first from the Harris Woolen Company of Woonsocket, R.I. which begins with the raw wool and a few samples showing the material in the course of preparation and spinning into yarn. Then follow specimens of worsted fabrics, and wool and wool mixed dress goods. Another collection from the Lippitt Woolen Company, also of Woonsocket, embraces a variety of fancy cassimires. Both these collections will soon be [[strikethrough]]in[[/strikethrough]] on exhibition in the museum.
A series of sixteen specimens of English manufacture, including such as seal-cloth, & astrachan, was presented by Mr. H. Herrman, of the firm of Herrman Steinbach & Company of New York. These specimens, valuable in themselves, are worthy of especial mention because of the information concerning the methods of manufacture which accompanied them.
The manufacture of ginghams is represented by a good collection from the Whittenton Manufacturing Company, Taunton, Mass., embracing a considerable variety of cotton fabrics, plaids, cotton cassimires and tweeds, fancy shirtings, tickings, etc.
An interesting collection illustrating the manufacture of hair-cloth from horse-hair has been received from the Pawtucket Hair-cloth Company. This shows the rough hair as it is received in bales from South America and Siberia, then hackled hair, curled hair, hair prepared for the loom and samples of the woven cloth.
10
A valuable set of specimens has been received from the Bigelow Carpet Company illustrating the manufacture of Brussels and Wilton carpets. Beginning with the carpet-wools employed, the manufacture of yarns is first illustrated by specimens [[strikethrough]] in successive stages [[/strikethrough]] of washed wool, slivers, noils, roping and dyed yarns. Then follow specimens of carpets and borders, in Brussels and velvet carpets.
The foregoing collection is supplemented by some specimens of carpets pf the same kind from the Lowell Manufacturing Company, which includes also ingrain carpets of the same manufacture.
The Roxbury Carpet Company has presented some fine specimens of tapestry Brussels [[strikethrough]] and tapestry [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] carpets, thus making the collection to illustrate carpet manufacture quite comprehensive.
A perfect working model of the original cotton gin invented by Eli Whiney has been received from his son, Eli Whitney of New Haven, Mass. and is on exhibition in the museum.
11
2 Character of Routine Work
The work of the acting Curator consists in obtaining and selecting material for exhibition, classifying and arranging it for the cases, collecting information about textile industries generally, and applying such information to the preparation of labels for the [[strikethrough]] collections [[/strikethrough]] specimens. During the year work of this kind has been greatly facilitated by the means afforded [[strikethrough]] by the [[/strikethrough]] for visiting mills in the East as collector for the New Orleans Exposition. Through the courtesy of Treasurers and superintendents of several of the largest mills, the writer was enabled to spend much time in studying the processes of spinning & weaving, with great advantage to the work in the museum. At the same time, photographs were taken [[strikethrough]] from [[/strikethrough]] of machinery in use, which are of great value in illustrating the processes as they are described on the labels in the museum.
For special courtesies of this nature the museum is indebted to Mr. H Saltonstall, Treasurer of the Pacific Mills, Mr. W. Whitman, Treasurer of the Arlington Mills, Mr. C. Fairbanks, Treasurer of the Bigelow Carpet Company, and to various other firms and individuals whose mills were visited with interest and benefit.
An important part of the curator's duty is to make microscopical [[strikethrough]]obse[[/strikethrough]] investigations of fibres of all kinds, with reference to their value for various purposes, and particularly as to their adaptability to textile purposes. It has been impossible to conduct any systematic work of this kind during the past year [[strikeout]] passed [[/strikeout]] owing to the want of time, and the microscope has only been used occasionally for the purpose of identify-
[[centered, blue]] 12 [[/centered]]
=ing specimens. It will be necessary, however, to employ it frequently in future, for the work will require it.
But little attention has been given to any but the exhibition series of specimens during this year. It is doubtful if a comprehensive study-series would be of value in the museum. A set of fibers of all kinds and from different localities, that can be always accessible for examination, is, however, very desirable if not absolutely necessary, and it is intended to prepare such a series without delay.
The microscopical appearance of the [[strikethrough]] fibers [[/strikethrough]] more important textile fibers will be shown by means of photographs from the microscope [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]] in connection with the fibers themselves, as soon as time permits. To this end, some preparations were mounted for microscopical examination by Mr. Harry English, during his connection with the museum and it is expected they will yield fine photographs.
The manufacture of [[squiggle]] tapestry and Brussels
[[centered, blue]] 13 [[/centered]]
3. Review of Researches
No original investigations have been conducted in this department, the routine work demanding all the time to the exclusion of other interests. A list of the vegetable fibres in the collection was published in No. 24 of the "Proceedings" of the Museum, but since it was prepared the collection has largely increased.
A complete list of vegetable textile fibres, with common local, and botanical names alphabetically arranged, is in course of preparation, but it will not be published for a year or more. This list will give also the [[strikethrough]] position and [[/strikethrough]] classification of the fibres according to the system adopted in the museum.
14
4 Present State of Collection.
During the year 1683 specimens have been catalogued, not all of which, however, are desirable for exhibition purposes. There are now on exhibition, approximately, 2000 specimens.
The number of duplicates and of specimens in the study series cannot be satisfactorily estimating at this time.
[[centered, blue]] 15 [[/centered]]
5. Recommendations and Remarks.
One of the first recommendations the curator would make, is that an assistant be appointed to work constantly upon the textiles collection. The occasional assignment of an assistant, as has been done during the past year, does not prove to be satisfactory, for the reason that to be efficient the assistant must have some knowledge of the work, and of the manner of keeping the records of the department, so that the work may go on without interruption during the curator's absence. The assistent at present engaged is thoroughly competent, careful, and industrious, and his permanent assignment to the work is recommended.
To increase the interest of the collections, to make them more instructive and intelligible, it seems desirable to make use of photography to illustrate the textile industries, even to as great an extent as has been done already in illustrating the fisheries. [[strikethrough]] A beginning has been made [[/strikethrough]] What little has been done has enabled the curator to judge as to the value and practicability of such a scheme, and since it does not involve the employment of a photographer, but only some additional work on his own part, it is recommended that every facility should be given to carry out the scheme in a satisfactory manner. The plan advised, [[strikethrough]] is to [[/strikethrough]] taking the subject of cotton for example, is to begin with the cotton in the field and follow it through its entire commercial history by photographic representations of [[strikethrough]] its [[/strikethrough]] the [[strikethrough]] process [[/strikethrough]] picking, ginning, baling, shipping, and handling until it reaches the mills. There it is also followed through the various machines, until it is finally [[strikethrough]] shown as [[/strikethrough]] photographed in the [[strikethrough]] warehouse [[/strikethrough]] piles of
16
woven fabrics in the warehouse, ready for market.
One great want which was severely felt in this department during the early part of the year, was books of reference regarding textiles. A few books have since been purchased, but there are a number of others still much needed. In addition to [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] such books, there are a number of periodicals published in this country and abroad, which [[strikethrough]] should be [[/strikethrough]] would be of great value. A few of these the curator has succeeded in obtaining [[strikethrough]] for [[/strikethrough]] by offering [[scribbled through word]] the [[underlined]] Microscopical journal [[/underlined]] in exchange for them, but it is doubtful if the others could be obtained in this way, even if such an offer were to be made.
17
Foods, Drinks etc.
The collection of foods, drinks, narcotics etc., which has also been under my charge during the year has received some valuable additions, but it has been impossible to devote much time to arranging or labelling the specimens; the labor required to prepare the collection of textiles for the New Orleans exposition having greatly interfered with the regular work in this department. Such specimens as have been received, however, have been properly cared for, and in most instances placed in the cases with temporary labels attached.
1. Important Additions
Thirty-three specimens of foods, spices and fruits of various countries from the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, England.
Thirteen specimens, including starches, jellies, grains, and fruits, from the Government of Hawaii, received through the Boston Foreign Exposition.
A series of seventeen specimens of Cheshire salt from Cheshire, England, presented by Mr. J.J. Higgin, of Liverpool, England.
[[strikethrough]] Sixty [[/strikethrough]] Seventy-six specimens of foods from Guatemala, including coffees in great variety, cocoa beans, starches, flours, annato, tamarinds and various other articles, received through the Boston foreign exposition.
Nine specimens [[strikethrough]] of [[/strikethrough]] of foods from Brazil, including coffees, maté, sugar, banana paste, araca paste, etc., received through the Boston Foreign Exposition.
18
Fifty-two specimens from San Salvador, including seven specimens of cigars, ten of leaf tobacco, ten of coffee, with varieties of honey, corn, rice, beans, and various other products, received through the Boston Foreign Exposition.
Seventy-nine specimens of canned goods, [[strikethrough]] pickles [[strikethrough]], pickles, sauces and manufactured articles of various kinds, from Messrs. Coosse & Blackwell, London.
Thirty-one specimens of foods of various kinds, collected for the museum by Mr. [[strikethrough]] W. [[/strikethrough]] V.P. Parkhurst, in Jamaica.
Thirteen specimens of the "Dalls" of various qualities used in India, from Rev. C.H.H. Dall.
Foods
19
2. Character of Routine Work.
The collection of foods of the North American Indians, which is large and of great interest, has been arranged in order, but many duplicate specimens are in the cases, which must be removed when there is opportunity for studying the collection. These foods being principally [[strikethrough]] of [[/strikethrough]] vegetable products, which are for the most part used without preparation other than roasting or boiling, it has seemed advisable to arrange them according to their botanical relations.
The other specimens of foods are partly arranged in the cases according to the system proposed by the Assistant Director, and published in volume IV of the "Proceedings", Appendix.
[[centered, blue]] 20 [[/centered]]
[[strikethrough]] 3 [[/strikethrough]] 4. Present State of Collection.
There are now on exhibition
Indian foods, [[strikethrough]] 349 [[/strikethrough]] 349
Other foods, narcotics, drinks, etc 1231 _______
Total 1580
A large number of duplicate specimens are reserved for exchanges, but the number is not known.
21
5. Recommendations & Remarks.
The collection of foods can be made of far greater interest than one who has given no consideration to the subject would suppose. It is not intended to be merely an set of specimens in bottles to show what people eat, but it should be made to indicate the dietetic value of foods of various, kinds, to represent the best knowledge concerning the nutritive value and digestibility of various foods, resulting from physiological and chemical investigations. Not only should it indicate the value of a food, but it should also explain to what peculiar qualities or constituents its value is due, and what combinations of foods are necessary to the maintainance of health and strength.
At present the collection possesses but very little scientific value; but it is hoped that in the course of another year there may be a great change in this respect. Already Prof. W.O. Atwater, whose analyses of various articles of food are well known to chemists, has contributed some valuable results of his labors, in the form of specimens for exhibition to illustrate the composition of the human body. These will soon be displayed, and thus a beginning made toward making a collection which shall be of great educational interest and value. However, the progress that can be made in this work must depend very much upon the assistance which the acting curator receives to carry on the regular museum work.
22
Concluding Recommendation for Foods & Textiles
It would be quite possible for the Acting Curator to conduct the two sections of Textiles and Foods together in a satisfactory manner, if his work could be, as it should be, strictly confined to planning and directing, and to the special study necessary for classifying and labelling the specimens. In other words, if he could be releived of the purely clerical and mechanical work, which could be quite as well, and more economically done by assistants. Two assistants, one to work in the collection of textiles and the other, preferably a student of chemistry, in the collection of foods, could be kept profitably employed, and the result would be quickly seen in [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] immediate results in the museum cases. The appointment of two assistants is, therefore, strongly recommended.
R Hitchcock
[[stamped]] EXAMINED BY MR. RATHBUN MARCH 1913 [[/STAMPED]]
[[encircled]] Printed in full [[/encircled]]
[[margin note]]2 copies [[?]] 11-6-85[[/margin note]]
Hitchcock K3 upper
Textiles Jan-June 85
Mr. G. Brown Goode
Assistant Director U S Nat. Museum.
Dear Sir:- I herewith transmit to you my report of work done in the section of textiles during the months of January to June, 1885,- inclusive in accordance with instructions conveyed in your communication of Oct. 20th 1885.
Respectfully
November 2d 1885
R. Hitchcock
Acting Curator
(1) Among the most important additions to the collection of Textiles during the first six months of the year 1885, may be mentioned the following:-
A model of the original Whitney cotton gin, presented by Eli Whitney.
A fine collection of textiles fibers from the vegetable kingdom used in Brazil, presented by Dr. J. Carlos Benini. This collection was made especially for the museum by Dr. Benini, at my request. It embraces more than thirty specimens, well named, and particularly well selected for museum purposes.
A number of specimens of cocoons, and reeled silk from North Carolina cocoons, presented by Mr. Vizion des Lauriers.
A large number of textiles fibers from the museum of the Department of Agriculture. This collection includes wools, silks, and vegetable fibers. many of which are valuable specimens, but a large number
2
have not been deemed suitable for exhibition, for various reasons, and these have been placed in the study series. The collection of wools in bottles received from the Department, is a good one.
A collection of American and foreign wools from Mr. George W. Bond, of Boston. This is an exceedingly valuable collection, the specimens having been carefully selected by Mr. Bond, who is a recognized authority on wools. More than one hundred different wools have been selected for exhibition, and these, in connection with the specimens from the Department of Agriculture, when installed in museum cases in the manner adopted, will make the largest & most complete collection of wools to be found.
(2) The routine work consists in the identification & cataloguing of specimens for exhibition, and the examination of such as are sent to the museum for reports concerning their value for manufacturing purposes. After a specimen is catalogued it is either placed on exhibition immediately or held in reserve, or put in the study series.
(3) The only scientific [[strikethrough]][[?]][[/strikethrough]][[?]][[/strikethrough]] studies that have been conducted in this section are such as [[strikethrough]] have been required in the ordinary course of [[strikethrough]][[?]][[/strikethrough]] identifying fibres of uncertain character. There has been no opportunity to prosecute original investigations. An article on the "Study of Vegetable Fibres" was published by the curator in the [[underlined]] Amer. Micr. Journ. [[/underlined]] VI p.23, & a "Method of Analysis of Fibres, Tissues etc."
3
translated by my assistant, Mr. Rufus W. Deering, from Etudes sur les Fibres, by M. Vétillart, was published in the same journal, vol. VI, p. 47.
In addition to the ordinary routine work it is intended, as soon as possible, to display with each typical fibre a large photomicrograph, showing the peculiarities of structure as revealed by the microscope. A number of specimens have been prepared and mounted for this special purpose.,
(4) The number of specimens in the collection at the end of June 1885 can only be approximately estimated. Including a large number sent to the New Orleans Exposition there were probably not less than 1520 in the exhibition series, and 200 in the study-series. The number in the reserve series at that time is unknown.
The last number on the Textiles catalogue of 1884 is 6857. The last entry of from 1885 is 7440, making the total number of additions 583.
[[signed]] R. Hitchcock [[/signed]]
[[striked through]] translated from Études sur les Fibres, by Mr. R [[/striked through]]
[[top margin]]
1 copy SF
JYB 1 copy RH
[[double underline]] Jan-June '85 [[/double underline]]
Foods
Hitchcock K3 Upper
[[circled]] Printed in full [[/circled]]
Mr. G. Brown Goode
Assistant Director, U.S. Nat. Museum
Dear Sir:- I herewith transmit to you my reports of the work done in the Section of Foods, Drinks, etc. during the months of January to June, 1885, in accordance with the instructions conveyed in your communication dated Oct. 20th 1885.
Respectfully R. Hitchcock
Nov. 2nd 1885.
The work in the section of foods, drinks etc, which includes narcotics, [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]] the methods of preparing articles of foods, and the comparison of the nutrition value of foods, is comprehensive, and the collection can undoubtedly be made one of the most instructive as well as interesting I the museum. Unfortunately, however, so much time has been required by the demands of the textiles collection, especially in preparing for the exposition at New Orleans, that the work in this section has thus far been almost wholly confined to the routine [[strikethrough]] work [[/strikethrough]] of cataloguing and preserving the specimens.
During the [[strikethrough]] year the [[/strikethrough]] six months the following valuable additions have been made to the collection:-
A collection of the elements of the human body, from Prof. W. O. Atwater.
A specimen of Gail Borden's meat biscuit, manufactured in Mexico, from Professor Baird.
A collection of the compounds of the human body, from Prof. W. O. Atwater. This collection, in connection with the elements already noticed, is intended to represent the composition of the human body. The specimens are on exhibition with temporary labels attached but the set is not yet complete.
The last number of the register of the year 1884 is 480, the last entry of June, 1885 is 547, making the total number of additions 167.
A report of the number of specimens in the collection, on exhibition or ^[[in]] reserve, cannot now be made, since an actual count would necessarily include many that will be thrown out, either as duplicate or imperfect specimens, or as having no place in the collection, when a systematic arrangement is undertaken.
R. Hitchcock
^[[1 copy SF. 10-16-85.]]
^[[JYB 1 copy RH}
^[[Reb 1885]]
^[[Jan-June [[underline]] 1885 [[/underline]] ]]
^[[Regents]]
^[[K3 upper]]
[[purple stamp]] EXAMINED BY MR. RATHBUM MARCH 1913 [[/purple stamp]]
Mr. G. Brown Goode
Assistant Director, U.S. National Museum.
Dear Sir:- I send you herewith my report of the operations of my departments during six months of the year 1885, from January to June, inclusive.
Respectfully
R. Hitchcock
October 12th 1885.
During the first six months of the year 1885 especial attention has been given to the exhibit of textile fibres and fabrics, which has been largely increased by donations from abroad, but especially through collections made by myself while preparing for the exhibition at New Orleans. The object of these collections is twofold; first, to afford an exhibit of the various textile fibres available for use in this country and abroad, with specimens of [[strikethrough]] materials [[/strikethrough]] articles made therefrom, such as cloth, rope, twine, mats. etc.; second to provide a series of specimens of every fibre that can be used in the arts, to be used for scientific examination, tests of tensil strength, and especially to serve as type specimens for the identification of other fibres by microscopical examination.
A number of collections that have been received are worthy of special mention; among these a particularly fine set of fibres from Brazil, collected by Dr. J. Charles Berrini, of Quissaman, who has devoted unusual care and labor to the work. All the textile fibres in the Department of Agriculture Museum were placed in my charge during January, and from this collection some valuable specimens have been selected and placed on exhibition. Mr. George W. Bond, of Boston, has [[strikethrough]] presented [[/strikethrough]] ^[[selected]] [[strikethrough]] prepared [[/strikethrough]] a large collection of native and foreign wools, from samples belonging to the U.S. Customs Department, which have been prepared for exhibition; but they are not yet to be seen in the museum, as the cases for mounting them are not [[strikethrough]] yet [[/strikethrough]] ready.
[end page]
[[underlined]] 2 [[/underlined]]
This collection is probably already the best of the kind to be found in any museum, and when all the wools belonging to the museum are mounted, and incorporated with it, the display of wools will be, if not quite complete, at least very large and valuable.
Owing to the restricted floor-space in the museum that has been assigned to this department, it has been impossible to [[strikethrough]] expand [[/strikethrough]] make the display of specimens as instructive and attractive as it might be. By far the greater part of the collection, [[striked through words]] and some of the most interesting specimens, have been sent to the exposition at New Orleans, where this department of the museum was well represented. A detailed account, however, of the specimens there shown would not be of interest in this report, and the subject may be passed over with the statement that there were sent to [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] New Orleans 290 unit boxes to represent the textiles department of the museum, and the display is said to have been very attractive.
The collection of foods, which is also under my charge, has received but little attention thus far during the year, as other matters have required so much of my time. The number of additions has been small, but some of them of considerable interest. The collection [[strikethrough]] of [[/strikethrough]] is not arranged, and [[scribble]] requires a thorough [[scribble]] re-examination of every specimen as soon as time permits, before it will be in a condition suitable for public display. A case has been temporarily arranged for the display of specimens illustrating the composition of the human body, prepared by Prof. W. O. Atwater; but this set is not yet complete. It is hoped that before the close of the year there will be opportunity to arrange the collection of foods in accordance with the classification prepared by yourself.
[end page]
[[underlined]] 3 [[/underlined]]
The physical apparatus belonging to the Smithsonian Institution has been transferred to the National Museum and placed in cases. The arrangement has been necessarily very unsystematic, owing to the limited space at my disposal, but in a general way it is [[scribble]] classified under three heads [[viz?]], apparatus for experiments on sound, heat and light, and electricity. A list of the instruments in the collection (which is of interest [[scribble]] as having been used by Professor Henry), is in course of preparation. In connection with it may be mentioned the relics of electrical and chemical apparatus of Dr. Joseph Priestley, which is on exhibition in the same place.
[[signed]] R. Hitchcock [[/signed]]
Hitchcock
Mr. G. Brown Goode,
Assistant Director, U.S. National Museum.
Dear Sir:---I send you herewith my report of the operations of my department during six months of the year 1885, from January to June, inclusive.
Respectfully,
R. Hitchcock
October 12, 1885
During the first six months of the year 1885 especial attention has been given to the exhibit of textile [['A' in left margins]] fibres and fabrics [[two vertical lines indicating full stop]]
[[^This section]] has been largely increased by donations from abroad, but especially through collections made by [[striked through]] myself [[/striked through]] [[?]] while preparing for the exhibition at New Orleans. The object of these collections is twofold; first, to afford an exhibit of the various textile fibres available for use in this country and abroad, with specimens of articles made therefrom, such as cloth, rope, twine, mats, etc.; second, to provide a series of specimens of every fibre that can be used in the arts to be used for scientific examination, tests of tensil strength, and especially to serve as type specimens for the identification of other fibres by microscopical examination.
A number of collections that have been received are worthy of special mention; among these a particularly fine set of fibres from Brazil, collected by Dr. J. Charles Berrini, of Quissaman, who has devoted unusual care and labor to the
2.
work. All the textile fibres in the Department of Agriculture Museum were placed in my charge during January, and from this collection some valuable specimens have been selected and placed on exhibition. Mr. George W. Bond, of Boston, has selected a large collection of native and foreign wools, from samples belonging to the U.S.Customs Department, which have been prepared for exhibition; but they are not yet to be seen in the museum, as the cases for mounting them are not ready. This collection is probably already the best of the kind to be found in any museum, and when all the wools belonging to the museum are mounted, and incorporated with it, the display of wools will be, if not quite complete, at least very large and valuable. [[scribble]]
Owing to the restricted floor-space in the museum that has been assigned to this department, it has been impossible to make the display of specimens as instructive and attractive as it might be. By far the greater part of the collection, and some of the most interesting specimens, have been sent to the exposition at New Orleans, where this department of the museum was well represented. A detailed account, however, of the specimens there shown would not be of interest in this report, and the subject may be passed over with the statement that there were sent to New Orleans 290 unit boxes to represent the textiles department of the museum, and the display is said to have been very attractive. [[two vertical lines]]
The collection of foods, which is also under my charge, has received but little attention thus far during the year, as other matters have required so much of my time. The number of additions has been small, but some of them of [[end page]]
3.
Considerable interest. The collection is not arranged; and requires a thorough re-examination of every specimen as soon as time permits, before it will be in a condition suitable for public display. A case has been temporarily arranged for the display of specimens illustrating the composition of the human body, prepared by Prof. W.O.Atwater; but the set is not yet complete. It is hoped that before the close of the year there will be opportunity to arrange the collection of foods in accordance with the classification prepared by yourself.
B [[two vertical lines]] The physical apparatus belonging to the Smithsonian Institution [[^which]] has been transferred to the National Museum and placed in cases. The arrangement has been necessarily very unsystematic, owing to the limited space at my disposal, but in a general way it is classified under three heads, viz.: apparatus for experiments on sound, heat and light, and electricity. A list of the instruments in this collection (which is of interest as having been used by Professor Henry), is in course of preparation. In connection with it may be mentioned the relics of electrical and chemical apparatus of Dr. Joseph Priestley, which is on exhibition in the same place. [[two vertical stripes]]
R. Hitchcock
Hitchcock
Jan - June 1885
Textiles and Foods
fulr [[symbol?]] K3 upper Mar. 1885,
Mr. G. Brown Goode [[purple stamp saying 'MR. RATHBUM MARCH 1913']]
Assistant Director Nat. Mus.
Dear Sir:-
I herewith send you the report of the work done in my department during the month of March, 1885.
Respectfully
R Hitchcock
In the textiles collection 174 specimens were entered in the catalogue during the month, nearly all of them being from the collection of the Dept. of Agriculture. The greater number of these have been mounted for exhibition or placed in the study-series. No accessions of special value have been secured during the month, and the curators attention has been almost wholey devoted to the routine work of cataloguing and installing. [[scribble]]
The apparatus for photo-micrography has been put in order, and is now quite ready for the general work of the museum.
[[signed]] R. Hitchcock [[/signed]]
K3. upper. Jan 1885.
^[[Approved G. Brown Goode]]
[[stamped]] EXAMINED BY MR. RATHBUN MARCH 1916. [[/stamped]]
Mr. G. Brown Goode
Assistant Director National Museum.
Dear Sir:- I send you herewith my monthly report of the operations in the section of Textiles during the month of January, 1885.
Respectfully
R Hitchcock
Feb. 20th 1885.
The following specimens of special value and interest have been catalogued during the month.
A model of the cotton gin invented by Eli Whitney, presented by his son.
A large collection of vegetable fibres from Brazil, collected with great care by Dr. J. Chas. Birrini, of Guissaman, Brazil. This is a collection of unusual value, being accompanied by a letter giving much information concerning the sources and uses of the fibres. The Museum is greatly indebted to the donor for the care exercised in selecting good specimens for [[striked through words]] exhibition, as well as for determining botanical names of the trees from which they are obtained. The collection embraces more than 35 specimens, the greater part of which have been mounted and placed on exhibition with written labels.
Dr. Berrini promises a supplementary collection to fill gaps in this one, and to complete the set of Brazillian textile fibres.
A number of specimens of silk cocoons raised in North Carolina, and silk reeled from them have been received from Mr. Virion des Lauriers, of New York City. This is a portion of a more complete collection promised to represent the raw silk industry of the United States.
Several days were spent at the Depart-
2
ment of Agriculture in selecting specimens of wools, silks, cottons, vegetable fibres, and fabrics from the cases and removing them to the National Museum. A list of the specimens obtained has been prepared, and is now on file.
The collections illustrating the manufacture of cotton an wool [scribble] goods from the Pacific Mills, which was received last year, have been mounted, with written labels, and are now in the cases.
Respfy
[[signed]] R Hitchcock Acting Curator. [[/signed]]
[[stamped]] Approved G Brown Goode [[/stamped]]
CPfile K3W
[[stamped]] EXAMINED BY MR. RATHBUN MARCH 1913. [[/stamped]]
Feb. 1885
Mr. G. Brown Goode, Assistant Director
Dear Sir:- I send you herewith the report of the work done in my department of the Museum during the month of February, 1885
Respfy
R Hitchcock
Feb 28/85
The preparation of labels for specimens already mounted, collecting information concerning textile fibres obtained from the Department of Agriculture, and cataloguing and arranging those specimens have constituted the greater part of the work during the month. Labels for all the fibres from Brazil, mentioned in my report last month, have been prepared for printing, and also labels for the entire collection of wools from the Pacific Mills.
Seventy-three specimens have been entered on the catalogue of textiles during the month, most of which are from the Dept. of Agriculture collection. But a small proportion of these are of such a character as to admit of exhibition in the museum, either by reason of their small size, or unsatisfactory determination. The rule strictly adhered to is not to mount any specimen that is not identified beyond all question. Such specimens as are catalogued are distributed as follows:-
1. Good specimens, well identified are mounted for exhibition.
2. " " " " [[dittos for: Good specimens, well identified]] in excess of requirements, are put in duplicate series.
3. Small specimens, not suitable for exhibition but of possible value for microscopical study or reference are put in study series.
4. A specimen of each fibre that is shown in the cases, is also placed in the study series. These specimens are to be used for microscopical preparations, to be photographed & examined when required.
[[in blue]] 2 [[/in blue]]
[[blue line down left margin]]
In addition to the specimens catalogued from the collection of the Department of Agriculture, there are many which are quite useless for any purpose in the museum, usually because they are not labeled, but frequently also because the specimens are not good ones. These are in all cases rejected without cataloguing, and are so marked on the original list of the specimens presented.
[[/blue line down left margin]]
During the month Mr. W. S. Jefferson has worked one week in fitting up the old loom and preparing to weave a rag carpet upon it. His work is not yet complete.
R. Hitchcock
Acting Curator.
Apr. 1885.
K 3 upper
Apr. rep. Hitchcock
[[overstamped]] Approved G Brown Goode [[/overstamped]]
Mr. G Brown Goode
Assistant Director
Dear Sir: –
I herewith send you my monthly report for the month of April, 1885
Respfy
R Hitchcock
Acting Curator
May 1st, 1885
On the first of the month I went to Boston for the purpose of securing some samples of American and foreign wool from Mr. G. W. Bond. On my way I stopped in New York, where I presented a letter to Mr. Robinson, Collector of Customs, which was signed by Prof. Baird. Mr. Robinson advised me to wait until the appraiser should be appointed before applying to him for specimens for the Museum. I was therefore unable to obtain specimens on this trip.
I spent part of one day at Newark N. J. with Mr. Felix Freminey and from him obtained a promise of a complete set of specimens illustrating the [[strikethrough]] n [[/strikethrough]] ramie and wild nettle industry, such as will doubtless be of great value in the Museum. Some of the specimens must be imported especially for us.
Going to Boston there was some delay about securing the specimens of wools from Mr. Bond, but they were finally shipped, and have been received [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]] catalogued, and every specimen of greasy and washed wool that was of value has been permanently mounted in the boxes provided for the purpose. The mounting has been done entirely by myself. Each specimen has been completely examined, the different kinds of woolen in each selected and arranged in the boxes, so as to show their character as well as possible.
2
To preserve them from the attack of moths &c. A strip of blotting paper saturated with bisulphide of carbon was placed in each box and the latter immediately sealed by pasting a strip of paper around it. The use of bisulphide of carbon for this purpose is an experiment, chloroform being usually recommended.
On my return from Boston I met Mr. Freminey in New York and he then gave me some growing plants in pots, to be cultivated for their fibres, and for botanical study. These plants are 1. Ramie, Urtica utilis or tenacissima, 2 plants 2. Urtica pustulata or gracilis, 5 – 6 small plants 3. Conocephalus nivalis. 5 – 6 very small plants
The latter was grown from seeds furnished from this department, and may prove to be a useful textile plant in this country. The seeds were sent to Mr. Freminey January 17th, 1885. (Catalogue No. 5326.)
Unfortunately the ramie plants did not survive the journey, but the others, in two pots, were taken by me to Mr. Saunders of the Department of Agriculture, who promised to care for them for our use.
The number of specimens catalogued during the month is 148. Of these 98 are wools from Mr. Bond, this number including washed samples which are not separately catalogued. About twelve samples have since been rejected as of no value, which will be replaced by Mr. Bond if possible. The collection will also be largely increased by additions from the same source.
As an indication of the practical benefits of this department, it may be said that the information concerning the ramie industry which I have been able to obtain has enabled me to present the subject to certain manufacturers while in Boston, while showing them some samples of the slivers, yarns and
3
manufactured fabrics, which aroused deep interest, and may open the way to practical tests, a result greatly to be desired.
On the 22d inst. the following specimens for microscopical study were sent to Mr. Geo. S. Lewis Jr., Springfield, Mass. in response to his letter to Prof Baird viz. cocoa nut fibre.
7286 Doryanthus excelsa
7285 Cannabis sativa
7284 Hibiscus moscheutus
7287 Eucalyptus obliqua
7280 Irish flax
6975 Agave mexicana!
7120 India jute
6999 Asclepias down-Tripoli
6971 Phormium tenax
My assistant Mr. R. W. Deering was granted leave of absence for one day in accordance with his request, dated March 31st, herewith enclosed. On my return on the 13th inst. I learned that he had been absent from the 2d to the 13th inst. inclusive.
R Hitchcock
[[preprinted]]
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON [[/preprinted]] March 31, 1885.
Romyn Hitchcock Esq
Curator of Dept of Foods and Textiles.
Sir:
I beg leave to ask for leave of absence from the National Museum during Wednesday April 1st.
very respectfully
Rufus W. Deering.
^[[Leave of absence
granted for
April 1st
R.H.]]
May,1885
K3u. Hitchcock, May.
[[overstampe]] Approved G. Brown Goode [[/overstamped]]
Mr. G Brown Goode
Assistant Director
Dear Sir:- I send you herewith my report of work done in the section of Textiles during the month of May 1885.
Respectfully R Hitchcock
Acting Curator
June 5th 1885
During the month 113 specimens have been catalogued, including a considerable number of silks, and lace fabrics received from the Department of Agriculture, and 50 specimens of wools from Mr. Geo. W. Bond, being the whole of a second collection, received from him during the month. An Indian loom obtained by Dr. Palmer, in excellent condition has been mounted during the month and is on exhibition.
Considerable time has been spent in clearing out the North balcony, and all the [[strikethrough]] t [[/strikethrough]] reserve textiles and textile fibres are now stowed away in unit drawers so as to be more accessible than hitherto.
An alphabetical list of the textile fibres in the study series has been compiled, and the specimens arranged in drawers in numerical order. The list is now ready [[strikethrough]] for [[/strikethrough]] to be printed, but is held to await accessions from the New Orleans Exposition.
Mr. Deering, assistant, was absent during the first 7 days of the month.
R Hitchcock
June 1885
Hitchcock – June 1885– [[underlined]] K 3 upper [[/underlined]]
Mr. G. Brown Goode
Assistant Director, National Museum
Dear Sir: – I herewith send you my report of work done in the Museum during the month of June 1885.
Respectfully
R Hitchcock
Acting Curator
July [[underline]] 2d 1885 [[/underline]]
Owing to the absence of my assistant from 15th inst. to the 30th, only 24 entries were made in the catalogue during the month. The work of mounting specimens, however, has slowly progressed. During the month all of the philosophical apparatus that has occupied two cases in the Smithsonian Institution has been transferred to the Museum, and has been placed in cases in the East hall. An attempt to arrange the apparatus in systematic order was made, and carried out as well as the small space allowed for it would permit. A list of the apparatus will soon be made out (already started) but I am endeavoring to learn what other apparatus belonging to the set can be found, in order to complete the list. The Priestley apparatus has also been placed on exhibition, so far as it is deemed advisable to display it, and the remainder is ready to be boxed & stored. The parts of Priestley's electrical machine are placed with the electrical apparatus, and some articles of glass-ware are in another case.
A set of standard weights & measures from the US Coast Survey [[strikethrough]] are [[/strikethrough]] have been placed on exhibition, and some ordinary [[strikethrough]] weih [[/strikethrough]] metric weights & measures are in the same case for comparison.
The cases of the textile collection have been moved into the back part of the West hall, where they are so closely crowded that the collection cannot be seen to advantage. The space now allotted [[strikethrough]] to them [[/strikethrough]]
[[centered]] 2 [[/centered]]
to this department is entirely inadequate. There are not less than 75 unit boxes ready to be exhibited, including the entire collection of wools, which should be placed on exhibition in order that it may be constantly watched to guard against injury from moths. In addition, there are also specimens of woolen & worsted fabrics which for the same reason should be displayed. It is impossible to display any of these without greater floor-space, and there is no room for the specimens which are to be returned from the New Orleans Exposition. It will be impossible to place any of the [[strikethrough]] nin [[/strikethrough]] new material which has been obtained from New Orleans on exhibition. Nevertheless the specimens will require to be mounted to preserve them, and space to store them in unit boxes will be required.
You are familiar with these facts, but I take this occasion to bring them forward and to say that in view of them, it seems advisable that only such work as is required for the preservation of valuable material for further display, should be done in the textiles section, until more space can be accorded to it.
I would, however, strongly urge that [[strikethrough]] [[illegible]] [[/strikethrough]] the enlarged photographic representations of manufacturing operations which were taken by me a year ago, should be finished & mounted by the photographer. They will add greatly to the attractiveness of the exhibit now, and will not require more space. I have been waiting two months to get the aid of a carpenter to enable me to mount two pictures (that are already finished) in a case, to illustrate calico printing.
Respfy R Hitchcock
Hitchcock [[underlined]] July 1885 [[/underlined]] K 3 upper
[[notes in top left margin]] JYB 1 copy [[RDG?]]
1 copy [[J?]] 8-14-85
1 copy 3-5-86 [[/notes in top left margin]]
Mr. G. Brown Goode
Assistant Director Nat. Museum
Dear Sir: – I send you herewith my report of work done in the section of Textiles during the month of July 1885 Respectfully R Hitchcock Acting Curator
August 1/1885
During the month of July 134 entries were made in the textiles catalogue, embracing numerous specimens of raw cotton, and silk, as well as some other articles. The greater number of these have also been mounted for exhibition and temporarily labeled. There was received a valuable collection of fibres or fibrous barks from the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, England.
During the excessive heat of the month attention has been mainly given to office work, and labels have been prepared for the printer, [[strikethrough]] [[illegible]] [[/strikethrough]] Two hundred and forty-six
general and special labels, some of which, however, were written some time ago, were handed in for printing on the 17th inst., and others have been made ready since. It is hoped during the present months to complete the writing of labels for all specimens in the collection that are well identified and valuable.
Mr. R.W. Deering, assistant in the section, was absent July 20th and 21st. Respectfully R Hitchcock
[[right justified]] [[underline]] Aug. 1885 [[/underline]] [[/justified]]
[[notes in top margin]] 1 copy [[J?]] 9-28-85
1 copy 8-5-86.
Mr. Goode returned this. MVC. [[/notes in top margin.
1885
Mr. G. Brown Goode
Assistant Director Nat. Museum
Dear Sir: – I herewith send you my report of work done in the Museum during the month of August 1885. Respfy R Hitchcock Acting Curator
Sept 2d 1885
During the month of August but little work was done in installing new specimens, only four entries being made on the catalogue of textiles. [[blue line from here to the bottom of the page]] The collections from New Orleans have been unpacked and so far as possible installed in the cases for exhibition – or rather on the Museum floor for the small space allotted to the specimens no proper exhibition can be made. A large number of unit boxes from New Orleans have been sent to Mr. Hawley to have their contents rearranged & condensed for use in the Museum. When this work is completed a final arrangement of the collection
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can be made.
[[left margin: a blue line by this line]]
Labels for printing have been prepared during the month for nearly all the specimens that are sufficiently well identified for which labels had not previously been written, and this work has taken up a large proportion of the time.
[[left margin: a blue line down the rest of the page]] A complete alphabetical index to the specimens in the study series - principally typical textile fibres for examination - has been made, arranged by common & botanical names.
The specimens of fibres in the exhibition and reserve series have also been indexed alphabetically, so that it is possible to know immediately whether any particular fibre is in the collection or not.
It is now considered that the textiles collection is in such a condition that it may be left without further constant attention, and the acting curator will give special attention hereafter to the
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[[left margin: a blue line to the end of this paragraph]] work on foods, and chemical collections. The new material from New Orleans will undoubtedly require much time to install, but besides that it only remains to perfect a system of classification for the textiles, which has not yet been done.
Mr. Smith borrowed specimens number 5233, 5234, 5237 for the Southern Exhibition at Louisville, to illustrate Hawaiian products.
Mr. Thomas Taylor received a small sample of vegetable tallow from China, No. 57402, for use in some experiments in the microscopical characteristics of fats, August 4th.
The following advertisement has been several times inserted in the Photographic Times by the Scovill Manufacturing Co. of New York, for the purpose of obtaining for the museum a set of apparatus for exhibition. As yet only one reply has been received by me, from Mr. E. H. Alley, of Toledo,
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This, who has offered a set for sale, I have written to him, August 11th, for further particulars, but have no reply.
[[typed newspaper clipping inserted]]
DAGUERREOTYPE. - Wanted, a complete set of Apparatus, for making Daguerreotypes. It must be in good order throughout, though it need not be necessarily unused. Whether the buffing apparatus be a wheel of a "stick" (as it was called), is not an important matter. That the style of Camera and appurtenances be of the earliest design would be preferable though not indispensable.
Address, describing apparatus in detail, and naming price.
DAGUERREOTYPER, care of PHOTOGRAPHIC TIMES,
423 Broome Street, New York.
[[/typed newspaper clipping inserted]]
Respefy R Hitchcock
[[handwritten words across top of page, scribbled out with line going through entire sentence]]
[[notes in top margin]]
1 copy [[J?]]
11-4-85
1 copy 3-5-86
JYB 1 copy [[BDG?]]
[[stamped]] G Brown Goode [[/stamped]]
Hitchcock [[underlined]] October [[/underlined]] 1885
K 3 upper
1885 [[/notes in top margin]]
Mr. G. Brown Goode
Assistant Director, Nat. Museum
Dear Sir - I send you herewith my report of work done in the sections of foods & textiles during the month of October, 1885
Respectfully,
R Hitchcock
Acting Curator
Nov 2nd 1885
[[left margin: a blue line runs from the first line of this paragraph to the end of the page.]] The collection of foods, which has been allowed to accumulate in the cases for the past two years has been entirely rearranged, preparatory to effecting a material condensation of the collection as a whole, and the more suitable display of such specimens as are valuable for this purpose. During the month a considerable number of additions have been made to this collection chiefly through the New Orleans Exposition, 78 entries in the catalogue having been made. A collection of foods etc. used by the Indians of N.A. has been rec'd from Dr. Palmer & mounted, which does not appear in the food catalogue.
[[underlined]] 2 [[/underlined]]
In the Section of Textiles the time has been principally occupied in cataloging and mounting new material from the New Orleans Exposition. During the last week, the entire textiles collection has been transferred from the West hall to the N. E. Court, where it is now almost in order. It has been cut down nearly one-half, and is still somewhat crowded in the space allotted to it.
[[there is a blue line that runs down the left side of the page along the section above]]
In the textiles catalogue 71 entries have been made, embracing some fine specimens, among which may be mentioned the following -
Siamese roller gins & sp[[strikethrough]] p [[/strikethrough]]inning machinery.
Specimens of Irish c[[strikethrough]] h [[/strikethrough]]rochet work.
Specimens of fibres from Brazil
A silk knitting machine, from A. A. Duly
Specimens illustrating the French ramie industry
16 specimens of Australian wools.
RH Hitchcock
1 copy [[J.?]]
3-5-86
Hitchcock November Nov. 1885 K 3 upper
Mr. G. Brown Goode 1885
Assistant Director, Nat. Mus.
Dear Sir - I herewith transmit my report for the month of November, 1885.
Respectfully,
R Hitchcock
Dec. 1885.
During the month of November 1885 only ten entries were made in the catalogue of textiles. The specimens were from the New Orleans Exposition. The most valuable is a set of warping & weaving apparatus from Siam.
The textiles cases, which were moved last month from the West hall to the Northeast court, have been arranged & the specimens classified as well as practicable in the limited space. Probably not more than one-half the specimens in the collection are [[strikethrough]] in [[/strikethrough]] on exhibition. So far as it goes the collection is in good condition for display, many new labels having been written & attached during the month.
[[there is a blue line running down the left side of the above paragraph]]
The scientific apparatus has been removed from cases in the East hall to a more suitable position in the North hall, where the work of arranging it has begun.
[[there is a red line over a blue line running down the left side of the above paragraph]]
The writer was absent on leave Nov. 27th and 28th.
R Hitchcock
[[notes in top margin]]
1 copy 3-5-86
Dec. 1885
Hitchcock [[strikethrough]] Jan. 1886 [[/strikethrough]]
Dec. 1885 K 3 upper 1885
[[/notes in top margin]]
Mr. G. Brown Goode
Assistant Director Nat. Mus.
Dear Sir- I herewith transmit to you the regular monthly report of my department for the month of December 1885.
Respectfully
R Hitchcock
[[left margin: a blue line running to the end of the next 2 paragraphs]]
In addition to the usual routine of recording specimens received, the entire collection of food substances has been removed from the N. W. range to the North Balcony, for classification and mounting for exhibition (The Indian food products, however, are still in the cases.)
One Kensington case of animal food substances has been prepared & is on exhibition in the N. W. range. Labels for printing have been prepared for the specimens shown.
[[left margin: A red line running to the end of the following paragraph.]]
The arranging of the Philosophical apparatus in the N. Hall has been completed, but the cases are very much fuller than they should be, & more space is required for the proper display of the apparatus.
R Hitchcock
1 copy T. 3-5-86.
Feb 1886
Hitchcock K 3 upper
Feb 1886
Mr. G. Brown Goode
Asst. Director U.S. Nat. Museum
Dear Sir:- I herewith transmit to you my report for the month of February 1886.
Respectfully
R Hitchcock
March 3[[underlined]]rd [[/underlined]] 1886
During the month of February almost the entire collection of vegetable fibres from Mexico, received from the New Orleans Exposition, exclusive of the cottons, [[strikethrough]] ?? [[/strikethrough]] was catalogued and placed in reserve for mounting. Sixty-five specimens, not all of them [[strikethrough]] distinct [[/strikethrough]] different fibres, but all of value in some way, have been selected for preservation or for distribution as duplicates.
The collection came in good condition but owing to the manner of labeling the specimens they have not the full value to the museum that they should possess. There is no doubt this collection would have been of far greater interest, had the writer been sent to the Exposition to attend to the collecting and packing. That work was done as well as can be expected by persons not particularly conversant with the subject. But when it is considered that such names as ixtle, magney, pita, and others are indiscriminately applied in commerce, without regard to the sources of the specimens, but only to their appearance and uses, and when it is also considered that even microscopical examination is not always
[[underlined]] 2 [[/underlined]]
to be depended upon to discriminate between fibres from different but closely related plants, it is obvious that great care must be exercised in collecting and naming specimens.
Probably not more than one-third of the collection received possessed any value to the museum whatever. This has been a disappointment, not only as regards the specimens for exhibition, but particularly because it was hoped that in this collection there might be found a very complete series of botanically [[scribble]] named vegetable textile fibres, to be placed in the study series as types for microscopical examination. I regard such a series as of very great importance. At any time specimens may be sent to the museum for microscopical [[scribble]] examination, and without perfectly authentic specimens in the study series, it will be impossible to do the work. The study series is now large and valuable, but not by any means [[scribble]] so perfect as it should be, and would be if collections could be made in a more scientific manner.
On the 8th instant Dr. E. Palmer came to the museum with his very complete & valuable [[scribble]] notes on Indian Foods, to assist in identifying the specimens in the collection. In this work his assistance has been invaluable, and deserves recognition, given, as it has been I believe, without compensation. Dr. Palmer devoted about ten days to the work, and I have thus been
[[underlined]] 3 [[/underlined]]
enabled to prepare labels for the printer for all the Indian food-products of the vegetable kingdom. Every specimen of value is now on exhibition, with a short, written label attached, and the whole collection arranged according to the order of the genera in Bentham & Hooker's 'Genera Plantarum'. To have accomplished this result without the aid of Dr. Palmer would have been the work of months, and without his notes it could not have been done so well. The collection is on exhibition, but some of the specimens are not permanently installed, and it will present a more attractive appearance when time permits the remounting of those requiring it.
Respty
[[signed]] R Hitchcock [[/signed]]
[[top margin]]
2 copies 5-27-86.
GY 2 copies RH
Hitchcock K3 upper March '86
[[underline]] Mar. 1886 [[/underline]]
[[/top margin]]
Mr. G. Brown Goode
Assistant Director, Nat. Museum
Dear Sir:- I transmit herewith my report for the month of March, 1886.
Respectfully
Romyn Hitchcock
April 3rd 1886.
[[blue line down left margin]] The work that has been long in progress in connection with the food collection is just now beginning to show itself in the cases in the N.W. range. There are now on exhibition, mainly as the result of operations this month, a Kensington case containing a fine collection of articles of food from japan, a similar case illustrating the manufacture of cocoa & chocolate, and material enough for two more cases of various articles of food which cannot yet be classified in the exhibition series, but which are of interest as they are. There has also been arranged a large collection of starches and farinaceous foods in a slope-top table-case.
Among the most important donations that have been catalogued may be mentioned
1. A collection of Spices and other food products from Jamaica, received from the New Orleans Exposition
2. A similar collection mainly consisting of varieties of peppers (chillies) from Mexico, also from the Exposition.
3. A fine collection of oils from the Department of Education, Tokio, Japan
4. A valuable set of specimens of fabrics dyed with anilin dyes [[strikethrough]] , [[/strikethrough]] carefully named, [[/blue line down left margin]]
[[underline]] 2 [[/underline]]
[[blue line down left margin]] prepared especially for the Museum by the Pacific Mills, Lawrence, Mass., through the courtesy of Mr. H. Saltonstall, Treasurer. These were used by Prof. F. W. Clarke to illustrate his lecture on the chemistry of coal, delivered in the Saturday lecture course. [[/blue line down left margin]]
A set of duplicate specimens of fibres and foods was prepared and forwarded to the Botanical Gardens, Cambridge, Mass. as an exchange.
A set of fibres was also prepared & sent to the Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge, La. in exchange for favors received.
[[blue line down left margin]] All the silk cocoons that were mounted for the exhibition in this department some time ago were transferred to Professor Riley [[strikethrough]] this [[/strikethrough]] during the month.
RHitchcock
[[/blue line down left margin]]
[[top margin]]
ST 2 copies RH
2 copies 5-29-86.
Hitchcock K3 upper April '86.
[[underline]] April, 1886 [[/underline]]
[[/top margin]]
Mr. G. Brown Goode
Assistant Director, Nat. Museum
Dear Sir:- I herewith transmit my report for the month of April 1886.
Respfy
RHitchcock
May 1886.
[[blue line down left margin]] Among the important accessions received this month was an old spinning wheel made in France in the year 1694, presented by Charles Beck, of Washington; a fine exhibit illustrating the manufacture of [[strikethrough]] linen [[/strikethrough]] ^[[cotton]] thread, from the Willemantic Linen Company, & some primitive spinning apparatus from Mexico, collected by Dr. E. Palmer. Also, in the food collection, thirty-six specimens from Mexico, collected by Dr. Palmer.
With the assistance of Dr. Palmer the specimens of Indian foods of the animal kingdom have been identified, labeled, & placed on exhibition, and a considerable number of Indian paints, which have been in my collection for a long time, were carefully examined by Dr. Palmer, and all the good & properly named specimens selected, duplicates combined, & useless ones rejected. At the desire of Prof. Mason, these were all transferred to his collection. [[/blue line down left margin]]
The preparation of labels for the printer has been progressing rapidly, and a large number is on hand already.
RHitchcock
[[top margin]]
ST 1 copy RH
1 copy 2-20-86.
1 copy 3-5-86.
Hitchcock
Jan. 1886
K3 upper
Jan. 1886
[[top margin]]
Mr. G. Brown Goode
Assistant Director, Nat. Museum
Dear Sir:- I herewith transmit to you my monthly report of the operations of my department for the month of January, 1886.
Respectfully
R. Hitchcock
[[blue line down left margin]] The arrangement of the cases in the Textiles Hall (N.E. Court), [[strikethrough[[ has [[/strikethrough]] was changed during the month, to adopt the alcove system, for the better convenience of the animal products collection. [[/blue line down left margin]] [[red line down left margin]] Two extra cases in the North Hall, assigned to the philosophical apparatus, have been filled, and the arrangement almost completed. [[/red line down left margin]]
[[blue line down left margin]] The entire collection of wools received sometime ago from the Department of Agriculture, which has been standing around in bottles ever since, was examined and the valuable specimens [[illegible strikethrough]] catalogued, labeled and mounted in boxes ready for exhibition. A large number of specimens have been discarded as of no value [[strikethrough]] for [[/strikethrough]] to the museum, but 133 specimens have been reserved. Probably these will not all be found useful in the final arrangement, but it is likely 100 good specimens will be retained. The wool collection is now an exceedingly good one, but it is not [[popible?]] to keep it in its present condition without great risk of injuring by moths during the coming season.
[[/blue line down left margin]]
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[[blue line down left margin]] Although we have used carbon bisulphide freely on the specimens, & exercised great care in sealing the boxes, it is scarcely possibly that all the eggs have been killed, and if the collection is not mounted where it can be watched, I fear great injury will result. We may regard this is one of the most complete collections of wool to be found - yet not a single specimen is on exhibition, and there is no place now available to display even a small portion of it. [[/blue line down left margin]]
RHitchcock
[[top margin]]
1 copy 8-31-86.
[[circled]] Printed in full [[/circled]]
Hitchcock K3 upper
Ann. rep 85-86
[[purple stamp]] EXAMINED BY MR. RATHBUN MARCH 1913. [[/purple stamp]]
[[/top margin]]
In accordance with your suggestion that I should prepare a report covering in a general way, the period of my connection with the museum, I have endeavored to give, in a condensed form, a review of the work done, and a statement of the present condition of the collections in my charge. The different divisions of work assigned to me cover so large a field that is has been impossible to give particular attention to all of them. My work has, therefore been mainly confined to the two sections of Textiles and Foods. In addition to these I have received and classified material belonging to the following sections as enumerated in the "Scheme of Museum Classification" devised by yourself, and published in the "Proceedings" of the museum 1881, Appendix, [[underline]] viz. [[/underline]] -
12 The Elements & their combinations, Chemical Collection
21 Preparation of food-stuffs, narcotics, etc.
22 Distillation, Manufacture of perfumeries, etc.
23 Oils, fats, soaps & waxes; their preparation and use.
24 Gums, resins, glues, cements.
25 Pigments and dyes.
26 The chemical manufacturers & their products.
29 Fibres, cordage, textile fabrics, needle work.
30 Paper & its manufacture
I have also taken charge of the Smithsonian collection of philosophical apparatus, which is on exhibition in the north hall.
In a communication from you dated Oct 13th 1885 you expressed a desire that I would "take charge of all technological material especially raw [[strikethrough]] products [[/strikethrough]] materials and products not otherwise already assigned," and stated that
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"The greater portion of this will doubtless come to you permanently, as soon as the departments having an interest in such material are developed." [[line across remainder of page, wrapped to beginning of next paragraph]]
Accordingly, I have endeavored to catalogue, [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]] classify and preserve a great mass of material that it would be impossible for one curator with a single assistant to study, [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]] label, and prepare for exhibition. That material, however, is available for use at any time, and will someday be of great value to the museum.
I glancing [[strikethrough]] at [[/strikethrough]] ^[[over]] the names of the sections mentioned above, it may seem that they [[illegible strikethrough]] include rather a heterogeneous collection, but, with the exception of the section of fibres etc., it will be seen that they ^[[may]][[strikethrough]] are [[/strikethrough]] all be included under pure and applied chemistry, and are, therefore, more or less directly connected, [[strikethrough]] together [[/strikethrough]] although very properly separated in different sections for museum purposes.
The section of [[illegible strikethrough]] textiles has engaged my attention most fully during two years. My connection with the museum dates from November, 1883, when [[strikethrough]] I was assigned [[/strikethrough]] an office in the east tower on the ground floor was assigned to me. Mr. F. H. Towne, who had previously been engaged on the collections as Preparator, acting as assistant. A few specimens of textile fibres and fabrics were then on exhibition, but without labels, in the west hall. A large number of specimens of foods in bottles were on exhibition in the northwest range, but very improperly classified, and not selected with discrimination. A large collection of fibres & fabrics, mostly from the
[[underlined]] 3 [[/underlined]]
centennial exhibition of 1876 was still unpacked and required attention. These were immediately prepared for study. The different divisions of work will now be separately reviewed.
[[double underlined]] Section of Textiles [[/double underlined]]
The early work in this section was very much retarded, and some of it was not very perfectly done, so that it required subsequent revision, owing to the want of necessary books of reference. A sectional library was soon provided which has served very well, but even now some very useful books of reference are not available. It was soon found that much of the accumulated material was of very little value, owing to deterioration by long keeping, the loss of marks [[strikethrough]] a [[/strikethrough]] for identification, and other causes. Gradually such specimens were eliminated, and the plan had been followed throughout the section, to discard all specimens of even doubtful identity, except when it was thought their identity might be established in future, in which case, when the specimen was a good one that might not be easily replaced, it was catalogued & held in reserve.
[[strikethrough]] [[F?]] [[/strikethrough]] Four series of specimens [[strikethrough]] have [[/strikethrough]] are provided in this section, viz:-
1. Exhibition series
2. Study series
3. Reserve series
4. Duplicate series
In view of
1. [[underline]] Exhibition series [[/underline]] - This series includes all specimens mounted for exhibition. Owing to the limited space on the museum floor the mounted specimens are not all on exhibition at the present time, but the unit boxes containing them are ready for display when space permits. Every specimen in this series is provided with either a written or printed label.
A system of marking the catalogue cards has been adopted which indicates at a glance when a specimen is in the exhibition series, and when a label has been written for the printer. The mark ⦿ on a catalogue card indicates that a [[illegible scratchout]] specimen is mounted for exhibition, & if followed by a check, thus ⦿√, the label for printing [[strikeout]] has be [[/strikeout]] is written.
The system of classification proposed some time ago in one of my reports, has been carried out [[illegible scratchout]] in a general way, but the collection is so broken up by the necessity of storing specimens that should
1. [[strikethrough]] Darp[[??]] [[/strikethrough]]
[[circled]] 5 [[/circled]]
be shown, that the system cannot be strictly adhered to. Beginning at the entrance of the court (the collection is now in the N.E. court occupying about one-half of the floor-space) the visitor first comes to the textile materials used in their natural condition, such as rough barks, made into ropes by Indians and primitive tribes in different countries; Esparto, made into coarse mats in Spain; palm-leaves, woven into baskets, hats etc. Then may be seen varieties of tru-down, often known as tru-cotton, including the [[underlined]] paina [[/underline]] of Brazil in variety, showing how the down occurs in the [[strikethrough]] pods [[/strikethrough]] seed-pods, and the [[underline]] pulu [[/underline]] of the Sandwich Islands. These materials are used, without preparation, for stuffing. Then follow varieties of fibres extracted from stalks and leaves of plants, the coarser ones used for ropes, the finer for yarns [[strikethrough]] employed in [[/strikethrough]] suitable for knitting & weaving. Among these is a good series representing the ramie industry which may become of considerable importance to this country. Collections of New Zealand flax, common flax, agave fibres in great variety, and many others, leading up to [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] cotton. The manufacturer of cotton thread is represented by a case of eight unit boxes mounted especially for the museum by the Willemantic Linen Company, and is one of the best exhibits in the [[strikethrough]] court [[/strikethrough]] series. Following cotton come fibres from the animal kingdom, horse hair, wool and silk.
Some attempt has been made to prepare a good display of spinning & weaving [[strikethrough]] ma [[/strikethrough]] appliances, but the space is too much restricted to permit of proper display of what apparatus we have. A case is filled with spinning wheels, reels etc. which were in use many years ago in the preparation of flax, cotton and wool yarns for hand looms, but it is not as attractive or instructive as it should be. It is interesting to compare the primitive impliments used for the same purposes in different countries, examples of which [[strikethrough]] we hav [[/strikethrough]] are shown. For instance, there is a hand reel of the present day from Siam which is precisely like the common English reel except that in the former the cross-pieces are in one plane while in the latter they are placed at right-angles. [[strikethrough]] and are then making [[/strikethrough]] This very slight change makes the English reel of a century ago far more convenient to use than the one in use in Siam.
Among the looms may be seen some very excellent specimens from various parts of the world. Perhaps the simplest are those still in use by the Indian of north america, of which, however, there are several varieties. In one case a fine Pimo Indian loom, collected by Dr. Edward Palmer, is well shown and described. a Moqui loom is also shown, but not in as good condition. Quite recently a Zuni loom was set up and some weaving done upon it by the Indian girl Wawah, thus enabling me to follow the successive operations, and understand them better than
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has been possible from written descriptions. A loom of the Talamanca Indians, of Costa Rica, with specimens of cloth is of interest. A loom from the Ainus of Japan is also of special interest in connection with the Indian loom, owning to certain distinguishing features in the device for spinning the warp for the passage of the shuttle.
A number of photographs of the Indian girl Wawah, engaged in the various operations of spinning preparing look and warp and weaving were taken and are used to illustrate the methods of work among the Zunis.
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2. [[underline]] Study series [[/underline]] - This series includes authentically named specimens of fibres intended for microscopical examination. It is a valuable, indeed, an absolutely necessary series, as it is not unfrequently required to use small portions of fibres for comparison with others for identification. Occasionally requests for typical specimens of fibres are received, which have been supplied from the study-series. It is expected that specimens will be sent to the museum for identification from time to time. The study-series will afford a means of identification probably better than can be elsewhere found. It is not, however, by any means complete. Every distinct fibre in the textile collection is represented in this series, but not every specimen is so represented.
An alphabetical list of the study series is kept on cards in the office of the curator, and a [[strikethough]] printed [[/strikethrough]] list will soon be prepared for printing, possibly in time to be published with this report.
When small specimens of textiles are received that seem to possess a scientific rather than popular interest, [[strikethorugh]] and [[/strikethrough]] or which are for some reason not suitable for exhibition, they are placed in this series.
8
3. [[underline]] Reserve series [[/underlind]] - This series includes such specimens as come in from time to time that are of undoubted value for purposes of exhibition, but which cannot be immediately mounted. When such specimens are catalogued they are marked "reserve" and placed in drawers in numerical order, and the fact is noted on the catalogue card. If a portion is desired in the study series, it is selected at the time, and so indicated on the catalog card.
9
4. Duplicate series. - This series includes duplicate specimens which are available for exchanges. These are stored in drawers, or in storage boxes. A special series of cards, numerically arranged, [[strikethrough]] with numerically [[/strikethrough]] gives a list of the specimens in this series, and indicates their location. The specimens in general storage, however, are enumerated on special storage catalogue-cards, bearing the storage number of the boxes and a list of their contents, so that any specimen can be obtained [[strikethrough]] when required [[/strikethrough]] without delay.
An alphabetical list, arranged by both common & botanical names of all the specimens in the collection including all in the four series enumerated above, has been prepared, & will someday be [[strikethorugh prepared [/strikethrough]] submitted for publication.
10
The arranging of the textiles collection in accordance with the plan outlined above has been perfected, and its advantages are apparent in the ease with which new material can be handled. Immediately a new specimen is received, the general alphabetical list shows whether it is new to the collection or is from a new locality. Its value can be determined at once, and its place in one of the four series assigned to it. Thus an accumulation of useless material for exhibition is avoided, and the collections are maintained in good order.
11
Section of Foods
In this section it is intended to show specimens of foods that may possess special interest, especially such as are used by primitive peoples, and in foreign lands. A more important feature [[strikethorugh]] of [[/strikethrough]] however, will be to afford information concerning the nutritive value of various articles of food in daily use, and to aid in the dissemination of knowledge upon the important subject of nutrition. [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]] The relation between the cost of an article of food and its value for nutritive purposes is an important consideration, especially for the poorer classes of laboring people. It has long been a matter of pride with us that the laboring classes in the United States live far better than those doing the same work in foreign countries. But they are enabled to do so because they receive higher wages, and it seems not improbable that the growing competition between nations will require greater economy in labor here, and it will then be necessary for the poorer classes to exercise more economy in living. It becomes, therefore, very desirable to learn [[strikethrough]] what [[/strikethrough]] not only what are the most nutritious foods, but a matter of greater practical importance, what are the cheapest and best foods to buy. Also, what are the best combinations of food, and how these should be prepared. Some of these questions have been carefully studied by Professor W.O. Atwater, and the results of many analyses made by him are now available for use in this section of the museum. As a matter
12
of fact, there is no doubt our laboring classes are living extravagantly, and that by intelligent direction, involving information in the art of cooking as well as in the selection of proper food, their expenses can be considerably reduced without detriment to the excellence of the food provided.
The collections in this section are not yet sufficiently advanced to demonstrate these purposes in view. It will be the work of considerable time, but a beginning has been made in two cases now on exhibition. The first of these illustrate the chemical composition of the human body, showing on one side the elements [[strikethrough]] containing [[/strikethrough]] found in the body, in their relative proportions, on the other side the principal compounds. In the second case are shown specimens illustrating the daily income and expenditure of the body, and the quantity of various constituents of food required to supply the waste. The constituents of a ration for one day are shown, and the transformations they undergo in the body are described. The composition of a loaf of bread is also illustrated by specimens. These examples will indicate the practical and instructive tendencies of the exhibits in this section.
A collection of foods used by the Indians of North America is now arranged, including all the specimens now on hand, and occupies [[strikethrough]] these cases [[/strikethrough]] two full cases. It is not complete, and cannot be made so until a competent and experienced collector, like Dr. Edward
13
Palmer, who is [[scribble]] better acquainted with this subject than any other person, is commissioned to travel among the Indians and supply the deficiencies. It is very desirable that this should be done as soon as possible.
Among the [[scribble]] specimens of general interest maybe mentioned a case of Japanese foods received from the Department of Education at Tokio, which includes many curious products. Another case is [[scribble]] filled with preparations of animal foods from various localities. Another case contains a great variety of farinacious products.
There is still in reserve a great variety of food products, some of which are useful for display, others will be eventually discarded. Time has not permitted the arranging of these.
[[underlined]] 14 [[/underlined]]
[[double underline]] Chemical Collections [[/underline]]
Not much has been done in the section of chemical manufactures, but such specimens as have been received have been cared for, & a few of them placed on exhibition. An excellent series of chemical elements and compounds [[scribble]] will soon be systematically arranged for display, probably during the month of July.
It is intended to represent in this section the chemical industries of the country as fully as possible by museum specimens, and photographic views of processes and apparatus.
A desideratum in connection with the work of this division, is a [[scribble]] laboratory equipped with the necessary apparatus for chemical work. It need not be large or expensive, but should afford facilities for a certain amount of analytical work, both qualitative and quantitative, and especially for the preparation of compounds that are required in the exhibits. The want of such a laboratory has been heavily felt, not only in this but ^[[ also ]] in other sections in my charge. I am indebted to the laboratory of the geological survey, in charge of Professor F. W. Clarke, for many courtesies, but such work as is required cannot be advantageously done in the laboratory distant from the curator's [[strikethru]] one's [[/strikethru]] office, for reasons that chemists will readily understand. I would, [[Transpose Mark]] therefore, suggest [[/Transpose]] that the room hitherto occupied by the Electrician, in the north tower, be fitted up as a chemical laboratory for this section.
[[underlined]] 15 [[/underlined]]
[[double underline]] General Collections [[/underline]]
A considerable quantity of material, to be distributed among the various sections not yet provided for [[scribble]] on the floor of the Museum, has been received. It is all classified and stored on the North balcony, where it is available for use at any time. This includes gums, resins, dyes, pigments, oils, fats, soaps, waxes, perfumery [[strikethru]] & [[/strikethru]] essences and other articles.
Numerical Summary
Textiles on exhibition 1199 specimens
Textiles in study series 317 specimens
Food products on exhibition [[strikethru]] 125 5 94 [[/strikethru]] 594 specimens
Chemical products on exhibition 659 specimens ---- Total. 2769
[[centered]] [[underline]] 16 [[/underline]] [[/centered]]
Having received leave of absence from the museum for two years from July 31st 1886, it becomes necessary to make provision for proper care of the collections during my absence. I have, therefore, already recommended that Mr. R. W. Deering, should be [[Strikethru]] appointed [[/strikethru]] placed in charge of the work during this time. During my absence I shall endeavor to add to the collection such specimens as I may be able to secure in the various countries I shall visit, and will endeavor to give general direction to the work so far as that is possible by correspondence.
[[right justified]] Respectfully [[R??]] Hitchcock [[/justified]]
July 1886
N
[[preprinted]]
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
OFFICE OF ASSISTANT DIRECTOR.
------------
MEMORANDUM.
To [[/preprinted]]
Miss Tabler
1 copy.
7-3-87
L.t.
1(8 [[underlined]]00[[/underlined]]) copy, please. ROG
[[stamped]] G Brown Goode]]
[[in a box]]
Curator file
Hitchcock
[[/in a box]]
copy ^[[placed]] in report
[[top margin]] 1 copy 7-3-87 L.T. [[RAG?]] Mss Report, as substitute for [[]]Curators Report?]] R [/top margin]]
[[stamp in red]]Examined by Mr. RA[[?]] March [[?]] [[/stamp in red]] Preparing Microscopical Mounts of Vegetable Textile Fibres. R. Hitchcock The method of mounting vegetable fibres here described, has been adopted in the National Museum with perfect success. The permanent preparations leave nothing to be desired, for they clearly [[strikethrough]] show [/strikethrough]] reveal the minute striation of the fibres and their appearance does not change with time. Possibly the coarser fibres, after a few months, become rather more transparent than at first, but this change is [[insertion]] so slight that it is [[/insertion]] of no consequence. Moreover, the process is simple, rapid,and sure, even in the hands of a novice. In evidence of this statement it may be said, that Mr. H. English, a young man who has never made a microscopical mount before, in the summer of 1884 made 117 preparations of fibres in fluid mounts, [[insertion]] from printed instructions [[/insertion]] precisely as described below [[strikethrough]] after [[/strikethrough]] having seen the operations performed [[insertion]] two or three times [[/insertion]] by an experienced mounter. Yet not one of [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] his preparations has shown an imperfection [[strikethrough]] to date [[/strikethrough]] up to the present time. The method is as follows: The fibres are cleaned, disintegrated, and prepared precisely as for microscopical investigation, the object being to make the mounted specimens
Preparing Moun
2
resemble in every respect the freshly prepared fibres. The specimens for mounting are selected to show the variations in [[insertion]] the [[/insertion]] size of the fibres, and the forms of their ends. They are then placed in the mounting medium which may be water without any addition, which is the [[strikethrough]] best ger [[/strikethrough]] medium most generally appropriate, or a mixture of water and glycerin in equal parts, which is to be recommended for the coarser & more opaque varieties. The glass [[slides?]] are prepared in advance by running upon them a thin ring of clear shellac in alcohol, just large enough to receive the cover-glass. This is done on a turn-table, in the usual way. When this ring is thoroughly dry the mounting may be proceeded with. First put the slide again on the turn-table and run a fresh coat of [[strikethrough]] this [[/strikethrough]] shellac over the ring. Then immediately, or after a couple of minutes, put [[strikethrough]] on [[/strikethrough]] a large drop of the mounting fluid into the cell, transfer to it the specimen selected for mounting, which must be already permeated with the fluid, apply the cover-glass, & press out the superfluous fluid. Press down the cover until the edge comes in contact [[insertion]] all around [[/insertion]] with the
3
fresh shellac, absorbing the liquid that is forced out [[strikethrough]] t [[/strikethrough]] with [[strikethrough]] pro [[/strikethrough]] blotting paper. The slide may then be set aside for a few moments when the cover will be secured, & the moisture outside will be dried off, or, in case the mounting medium contained glycerin, the [[strikethrough]] s [[/strikethrough]] slide should first be well washed with a [[strikethrough]] curr [[/strikethrough]] stream of water from a wash-bottle. A fresh ring of shellac is then applied to secure the cover-glass, & prevent any possible defect in the sealing. The preparation will now keep indefinitely, if it is set aside & not handled roughly. [[strikthrough]] T [[/strikethrough]]
[[strikethrough]] For [[/strikethrough]] To ensure permanent preservation a [[strikethrough]] frisab [[/strikethrough]] mixture of equal parts of gold-size and asphalt varnish, or Brunswick black, is applied over the shellac. One or more coats of this very durable & elastic varnish will [[strikethrough]] ensure [[/strikethrough]] protect the more brittle shellac, & give a good finish to the mounts.
A more elegant finish is finally applied, consisting of a single coat of [[strikethrough]] pure Bruns [[/strikethrough]] Brunswick black alone.
Finally the slide is labelled, and the number on the label is the [[strikethrough]] code [[/strikethrough]]serial number of the original specimen in the Museum Register. --------
[[circled]] [[&c?]] [[/circled]]
?
[[blue pencil]] Foods and Textiles [[/blue pencil]]
[[stamped]] EXAMINED BY MR. RATHBUN MARCH 1913. [[/stamped]]
[[underlined]] Report upon the Section's of in the U.S. National Museum, 1889 [[/underlined]]
By [[underlined]] Romyn Hitchock, Acting Curator. [[/underlined]]
The time covered by this report is from the middle of January of the present year to the end of June.
A review of the work of these six months would be merely a record of routine in restoring order out of the chaotic condition in which the section was found on my return from Japan.
I am happy to state that at the present time the material in my charge is all [[strikethrough]] in [[/strikethrough]] accessible and arranged with some system. This applies to material belonging to [[insertion]] ^ the [[/insertion]] exhibition, reserve & study series, as well as to a large number of duplicates for exchanges.
In addition to the work of
2
rearrangement of old specimens, which has involved the withdrawal of a great quantity of material from storage, [[strikethrough]] a considerable [[/strikethrough]] new accessions have been cared for. Among the more important of these may be mentioned my own collection from Japan, which has been temporarily installed in the cases [[strikethrough]] forming [[/strikethrough]] along the west wall of the north hall.
The record of accessions during the year has been quite small, doubtless owing to the long absence of the curator. A box from Kew gardens contined a valuable collection of fibres foods, drugs and other articles, [[strikethrough]] [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] Valuable contributions or
3
deposits are constantly being received from the Department of State, sent by the consular representatives of the government in various parts of the world. The Solvay Process Co. of Syracuse has presented a very full line of products illustrating the manufacturer of soda from common salt. Other valuable additions to the Chemical collections have been promised & can be secured whenever they are desired.
Two very valuable collections made by myself among the Ainos of Japan, are on the way from that country, but owing to delays in shipment they are not yet
4
at hand. These will probably form the best Aino collection in the country.
[[left margin: blue line from here to the bottom of the page]] It is perhaps quite proper for me to state that the character of the work I have been obliged to perform myself since my return, has rendered it impracticable for me to write up my Japanese & Aino notes for publication. The material to be cared for in the museum has, in the absence of competent assistance, obliged me to [[strikethrough]] [?] [[/strikethrough]] devote all my time during office hours to a daily routine which could as well be carried on by a clerk &
5
preparator. I have therefore, been quite constantly engaged at home on my Japanese writing, [[strikethrough]] [?] [[/strikethrough]] and in the next annual report I hope to include some notices of published articles of value. I may say that my travels in Yezo, during the summer of 1888, covered a distance of more than 800 miles, and led me through a portion of the country scarcely known to foreigners. My photographs taken on the way, will effectually settle the question as to the hairy nature of the pure Aino stock, which the observations in the north-east coast cannot
6
fail to be of interest.
In Japan proper, in addition to observations on the customs & life of the people, I have given special study to their mythology & [[strikethrough]] [?] [[/strikethrough]] ancient burial. My travels were extended over many [[strikethrough]] [?] [[/strikethrough]] parts remote from large cities & towns, where the people have not been affected by foreign influences. I have a very valuable series of photographs, many of them taken to illustrate the religion of the people, and some to show the burial mounds, dolmens & rock-caves.
In addition to these I have
7
[[left margin: blue line from here to the bottom of the page]]
about 75 excellent negatives of choice Japanese paintings, all from originals by artists of note, & illustrating some of the most famous schools of native art.
It is hoped that I can be relieved of the work that has thus far required my constant attention, [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]] in order that the valuable material thus briefly alluded to may be rendered available during the coming year.
8
[[left margin: blue line from here to the bottom of the page]]
I may also add, that on a small island off the coast of Yezo I found probably the last vestiges of a people still living in houses built over pits, such as it is supposed were formerly [[strikethrough]] [?] [[/strikethrough]] common throughout Yezo. The remains of what are supposed to have been pit-dwellings are to be seen in many places in Yezo, [[strikethrough]] [?] [[/strikethrough]] but the evidence that they were inhabited is based mostly upon Aino tradition [[strikethrough]] s [[/strikethrough]] It was my good fortune not only to visit the pit dwellings ^[[insert]] but also [[/insert]] [[strikethrough]] & [[/strikethrough]] to photograph them. In a few years they will doubtless disappear, as the small remnant of people is dying out.
9
[[underline]] Chemicals, Foods, Gums, Dyes etc. [[/underline]]
[[blue line down entire left margin]]
A statement of the number of specimens in the reserve, exhibition & duplicate series would be of no significance at present, for the reason that the numbers [[strikethrough]] would [[/strikethrough]] will be totally changed within a week of the time of writing. In order to properly arrange the exhibition series, it will be necessary to withdraw all the specimens from the cases & reclassify them, for the reason that during my absence many changes & additions were made without much regard to the plan of classification. Another reason is that it is desirable to withdraw from exhibition entirely certain series of specimens, to make room
10
[[blue line down entire left margin]]
for others of a more generally interesting character. The space allotted to technological material is entirely too small for the display of [[strikethrough]] [?] [[/strikethrough]] the valuable & interesting specimens which the museum already possesses. The specimens must be preserved & held in expectation of finding place for them in future & when the time for their installation comes, it will be found that the accumulated material is of far greater value than would be supposed from the present crowded condition of the cases & storage drawers.
11
[[double underline]] Textiles [[/double underline]]
The number of specimens on exhibition in the [[strikethrough]] NW [[/strikethrough]] NE court of the museum is 1.118
These are now mounted, for exhibition in the museum, as soon as sufficient space can be provided, 107 unit boxes of textile fibres & fabrics & 5 double unit boxes of fabrics. These are now prepared for storage. A very valuable set of type-specimens of wool, from the principal wool growing countries of the world, [[strikethrough]] as [[/strikethrough]] is also on storage.
These specimens are very well mounted & it is to be regretted that they cannot be shown in cases or at least placed when they can be
12
examined when occasion requires. The same may be said of certain specimens of cotton.
There are also on storage 27 unit boxes of mounted textiles which will not be required in the museum, but as the specimens are all good & well prepared, it has been deemed best to preserve them ready for use whenever it becomes necessary for the museum to take part in expositions elsewhere.
The study-series at present contains 390 specimens, principally of fibres, numerically arranged & catalogued.
10
[[double underline]] Catalogues [[/double underline]]
The last entry in the textiles catalogue
June 1888 was 8139
June 1889 8217
In the food catalogue
June 1888 876
June 1889 911
[[blue line around top and left side of below]] When I went to Japan, in 1886, I reserved a series of numbers in my register for my own use there, to avoid necessity of renumbering specimens on my return. These numbers began with 4501 and the last entry in June, 1889, is 4761. These numbers apply only to the specimens collect by me in Japan. I have recent received, from
14
The Hon. Curator of Materia Medica, a catalogue of chemical compounds, in which, however, some entries of drugs have been made. This book will hereafter be used for the chemical preparations that may be received. My own entries in the book now range from 78051 to 78067.
15
[[strikethrough]] and all following[[/strikethrough]]
In a communication addressed to you, dated Feb. 8th, of the present year, I suggested a plan for the chemical exhibit, which I proposed should be printed for circulation among chemists & manufacturers. As that time you were not prepared to act upon the matter, and the plan remains still to be considered. It seems to me that the time has come when the museum may well undertake to build up a [[strikethrough]]chemical[[/strikethrough]] collection illustrating [[strikethrough]]the[[/strikethrough]] pure chemistry & the chemical industries, such as cannot ^[[now]] be found in any instruction in this
16
country. I therefore [[return?]] to present my provisional schema once more for your consideration, not as an essential part of this report, but as an appendix, to be published with it ^[[should]] it meet with your sanction & approval. I offer it not as a well developed plan, but rather as a suggestive outline of what seems to me a practicable & desirable basis of work, to be added to and modified according to the results of experience.
[[strikethrough]]Very Respectfully
R Hitchcock
curator Food & Textiles
July 8/89
[[/strikethrough]]
1
[[underlined]] Provisional Plan of a Collection to Illustrate Chemistry and the Chemical Industries.[[/underlined]]
By [[underlined]] Romyn Hitchcock [[/underlined]]
The scheme here roughly outlined is presented merely to indicate the character and objects of a collection to illustrate chemistry and the chemical industries in the United States National Museum. The arrangement proposed is only provisional, to serve as a basis for systematic work, subject to such additions & modifications as experience may suggest.
General Divisions
A. Chemical Physics
[[underline]]2[[/underline]]
B. Pure Chemistry
C. Applied Chemistry
D. Analytical [[double underline]]Chemistry[[/double underline]] & Research
A. Chemical Physics 1. Conditions of Matter Solid. Liquid. Gas. 2. Crystallization [[strikethrough]]3. Atoms & Molecules[[/strikethrough]] 3. Chemical Theory Atoms, Molecules, Volume Weigh 4. Vapor Density 5. Heat Specific. Atomic. Molecular. Combination. 6. Apparatus for Physical Research.
[[underline]]3[[/underline]]
B. Pure Chemistry 1 Elements 2 Inorganic Compounds 3 Organic Compounds
C. Applied Chemistry. Acids, Alkalies, Glass, Porcelain, Soap, Candles Glycerin, Paints, Dyes, Coal-tar Products, Fermentation, Distillation etc.
D. Analytical Chemistry & Research. Laboratory apparatus & special apparatus for research.
[[underlined]] 4 [[/underlined]]
B. Pure Chemistry. [[superscript]] [[HA?]] [[/superscript]]
[[strikethrough]]B[[/strikethrough]]1. Elements. - An excellent series of chemical elements is already on exhibition in the Museum, including specimens of Lithium, Rubidium, Caisium, Thallium, Indium, Gallium, Thorium, Rhodium, Ruthenium & other rare metals. Other specimens can be obtained, and already Professor F. W. Clarke has promised a specimen of the new metal Gallium. It is proposed to keep the elements in a collection by themselves.
[[underline]] 5 [[/underline]]
2-3. Compounds.- A large number of compounds is now on exhibition, particularly belonging to the inorganic series. The ordinary preparations are easily obtained as required, but a fraction of this exhibit will be products of special research, donated or deposited by investigators in chemistry. Several such compounds are already available for display, & it is hoped that chemists will [[strikethrough]] co [[/strikethrough]] regard this collection as the best repository for the preservation & exhibition of the
[[underline]] 6 [[/underline]]
results of their investigations.
C. Manufactures.- This division is a natural offshoot of all the others and naturally is, to some extent, included in them. It is intended to embrace only the greater manufacturing industries which, by reason of the special arrangement & space required by each, would break into regular series of elements and compounds. In every case when an exhibit is made in this division it is intended to represent the processes
7
of manufacture as fully as possible. by showing raw materials, intermediate & [[strikethrough]] [[?unreadable]] [[/strikethrough]] by-products, and the principal grades of finished articles, with illustrative drawings or photographs when they can be obtained. Each article or series of articles will have its proper descriptive label attached. Finished products alone will not, as a rule, be placed in this division, the ^[[main]] object being not to show products but processes, & it is necessary to impose this restriction in order that the division may not be overwhelmed with donations of specimens which
8
do not [[strikethrough]] quite [[/strikethrough]] meet with its requirements. The nucleus for this division is already at hand, the latest accession being a series of seventeen specimens illustrating the manufacture of soda by the Solvay process. Fermintation & Distillation.- This will be a subdivision naturally including the manufacture of beer, wine, and other alcoholic preparations. It will afford opportunity to collect & exhibit various alcoholic beverages from distant parts of the world, most of which are only known
[[underline]] 9 [[/underline]]
by name from the accounts of travellers.
D. Analytical Chemistry & Research.- This division will include principally various forms of apparatus for special work in analysis & research. [[strikthrough]]It [[/strikethrough]] It would aim to become a historical record of progress & would ensure recognition of priority of invention of improved apparatus to those to whom it is due. The exhibition of improved forms of apparatus for special purposes would be of great interest to chemists.
[[centered]] 17 [[/centered]]
Acknowledgments.
[[Printed clipping pasted onto page]]
the following rules for the acknowledgment of specimens will be adhered to: [[strikethrough]] 1. [[/strikethrough]] Each contribution will be recognized by a formal written acknowledgment from the Director. [[strikethrough]] 2. [[/strikethrough]] Each contribution will be published in the annual reports of Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum; and in the catalogues and other publications of these establishments in which the objects contributed may be alluded to, the name of the contributor will always be given. [[strikethroghu]] 3. [[/strikethrough]] On the label, which is invariably attached to every object, the name of the contributor will be conspicuously printed. In the case of donations the form will be "Gift of [[2 lines denoting blank space]]," and where the objects have been obtained by special exertions of a friend of the Museum, who, however, is not their donor, the form will be "Obtained by [[2 lines denoting blank space]]," or "Collected by [[2 lines denoting blank space]]."
[[Image: horizontal line, colophon character, horizontal line]]
1 Reports
Curators File
Jan. - June, 1889
[[/underline]] REPORT UPON THE SECTIONS OF FOOD AND TEXTILES, IN THE U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1889. [[/underline]]
BY [[/underline]] ROMYN HITCHCOCK, ACTING CURATOR.
EXAMINED BY MR. RATHBUN MARCH 1913 The time covered by this report is from the middle of January of the present year to the middle of June. A review of the work of these six months would be merely a record of routine in restoring order out of the chaotic condition in which the section was found on my return from Japan. I am happy to state that at the present time the material in my charge is all accessible and arranged with some system. This applies to material belonging to the exhibition, reserve and study series, as well as to a large number of duplicates for exchanges In addition to the work of rearrangement of old specimens, which has involved the withdrawal of a great quantity of material from storage, new accessions have been cared for. [[strikethrough]] Among the more important of thses may be mentioned my own collection from Japan, which has been cared for. [[/strikethrough]] Among the more important of these may be mentioned my own collection from Japan, which has
^[[2]] 2.
been temporarily installed in the cases along the west wall of the north hall.
The record of accessions during the year has been quite small, doubtless owing to the long absence of the Curator. A box from Kew Gardens contained a valuable collection of fibers, foods, drugs and other articles.
Valuable contributions or deposits are constantly being received from the Department of State, sent by the consular representatives of the government in various parts of the world.
The Solway Process Co. of Syracuse has presented a very full line of products illustrating the manufacture of soda from common salt.
Other valuable additions to the chemical collection have been promised and can be secured whenever they are desired.
Two very valuable collections made by myself, among the Ainos of Japan, are on the way from that country, but owing to the delays in shipments they are not yet at hand. These will probably form the best Aino collection in the country.
It is perhaps quite proper for me to state that the
3
character of the work I have been obliged to perform myself since my return, has rendered it impracticable for me to write up my Japanese and Aino notes for publication. The material to be cared for in the Museum has, in the absence of competent assistance, obliged me to devote all my time during office hours to a daily return which could as well be carried out by a clerk and preparator. I have, therefore, been quite constantly engaged at home on my Japanese writing, and in the next annual report I hope to include some notices of published articles of value. I may say that my travels in Yezo, during the summer of 1888, covered the distance of more than 800 miles, and led me through a portion of the country scarcely known to foreigners. My photograph ^[[ s ]] taken on the way, will effectually settle the question as to the hairy nature of the pure Aino stock, while the observations in the north-east coast cannot fail to be of interest.
In Japan proper, in addition to observations on the customs and life of the people, I have given special study to their mythology and ancient burial. My travels were extended over many parts remote from large cities and towns, where the people have not been affect-
4
ed by foreign influences. I have a very valuable series of photographs, many of them taken to illustrate the religion of the people, and some to show the burial mounds, dolmens and rock-caves.
In addition to these I have about 75 excellent negatives of choice Japanese paintings, all from originals by artists of note, and illustrating some of the most famous schools of native art.
It is hoped that I can be relieved of the work that has thus far occupied my attention, in order that the valuable material thus briefly alluded to may be rendered available during the present year.
I may also add, that on a small island off the coast of Yezo I found probably the last vestiges of the people still living in houses over pits, such as it is supposed were formerly common throughout Yezo. The remains of what are supposed to have been pit-dwellings are to be seen in many places in Yezo, but the evidence that they were inhabited is based mostly on Aino traditions. It was my good fortune not only to visit the pit-dwellings, but also to photograph them. In a few years they will doubtless disappear, as the small remnant of people is dying out.
5
[[double underline]]CHEMICALS, FOODS, GUMS, DYES ETC.[[/Double underline]]
A statement of the number of specimens in the reserve, exhibition and duplicate series would be of no significance at present, for the reason that the numbers will be totally changed within a week of the time of writing. In order to properly arrange the exhibition series, it [[strikethrough]] wl [[/strikethrough]] will be necessary to withdraw all the specimens from the cases and classify them, for the reason that during my absence many changes and additions were made without much regard to the plan of classification. Another reason is that it is desirable to withdraw from exhibition entirely, certain series of specimens, to make room for others of a more generally interesting character. The space allotted to technological material is entirely too small for the display of the valuable interesting specimens which the Museum already pos ^[[s]]esses. The speci- ^[[mens]] must be preserved and held in expectation of finding place for them in future, and when the time for their installation comes, it will be found that the accumulated material is of far greater value than would be supposed from the present crowded condition of the cases and storage drawers.
[[centered]] 6: [[/centered]]
[[centered]][[double underline]] TEXTILES. ^[[/Double underline]] [[/centered]] The number of specimens on exhibition on the N. E. Court of the Museum is 1,118. There are now mounted, for exhibition in the Museum as soon as sufficient space can be provided, 107 unit boxes of textile fibers and fabrics and five double unit boxes of fabrics. These are now prepared for storage. A very valuable set of type-specimens of wool, from the principal wool growing countries of the world, is also on storage. These specimens are very well mounted, and it is to be regretted that they cannot be shown in cases, or at leats placed where they can be examined when occasion requires. The same may be said of certain specimens of cotton. There are also on storage 27 unit boxes of mounted textiles which will not be required in the Museum, but as the specimens are all good and well prepared, it has been deemed best to preserve them ready for use whenever it becomes necessary for the Museum to take part in expositions elsewhere. The study series at present contains 390 specimens, principally of fibers, numerically arranged and ca ^[[talogued.]]
[[centered]] ^[[ [[underline]] 7 [[/underline]] ]] [[/centered]]
[[centered]] CATALOGUES. [[/centered]]
The last entry in the textiles catalogue June 1888 was 8139 June 1889 8217
In the food catalogue June 1888 876 June 1889 911
When I went to Japan, in 1886, I reserved a series of numbers in my register for my own use there, to avoid the necessity of remembering specimens on my return. These numbers began with 4501 and the last entry in June 1889, is 4761. These numbers apply only to the specimens collected by me in Japan.
I have recently received from the Hon. Curator of Materia Medica, a catalogue of chemical compounds, in which however, some entries of drugs have been made. This book will hereafter be used for the chemical preparations that may be received. My own entries in the book now range from 78051 to 78067.
From here on keep as a separate paper
[[preprinted]]
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
______________
[[/PREPRINTED]]
^[[ [[underline]] new page [[/underline]] ]][[centered]] [[double underline]] 8. [[/underline]] [[/centered]]
^[[ [[centered]] [[underline]] Plan for Chemical Exhibit. [[/underline]] ]]
^[[ [[centered]] By Roymn Hitchcock, 1889. [[/centered]] ]]
In a communication addressed to you, dated February 8, of the present year, I suggested a plan for the chemical exhibit, which I proposed should be printed for circulation among chemists and manufacturers. At that time you were not prepared to act upon the matter, and the plan remain still to be considered. It seems to me that the time has come when the Museum may well undertake to build up a collection illustrating pure chemistry and the chemical industries, such as cannot now be found in any institutionin ^[[ vertical line separating the 2 previous words ]] the country. I therefore venture to present my provisional scheme once more for your consideration, not as an essential part of this report, but as an appendix, to be published with it should meet with your approval. I offer it, not as a well developed plan, but rather as a suggestive outline of what seems to me a practicable and desirable basis of work, to be added to the results of experience.
[[Triple underline]] PROVISIONAL PLAN OF A COLLECTION TO ILLUSTRATE
CHEMISTRY AND THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES.
BY ROMYN HITCHCOCK. [[/underline]]
The scheme here roughly outlined is presented merely to indicate the character and objects of a collection
^[[ [[centered]] [[double underline]] 9 [[/underline]] [[/centered]] ]]
to illustrate chemistry and the chemical industries in the United States National Museum. The arrangement proposed is only provisional, to serve as a basis for systematic work, subject to such additions and modifications as experience may suggest.
[[centered]] General Divisions. [[/centered]]
A. Chemical Physics.
B. Pure Chemistry.
C. Applied Chemistry.
D. Analytical Chemistry and Research. A. Chemical Physics. 1. Conditions of Matter. Solid, Liquid, Gas. 2. Crystallization. 3. Chemical Theory Atoms, Molecules, Volume, Weight. 4. Vapor Density 5. Heat Specific, Atomic, Molecular, Combination 6. Apparatus for Physical Research. B. Pure Chemistry 1. Elements
^[[ [[centered]] [[underline]] 10. [[/underline]] [[/centered]] ]] 2. Inorganic Compounds. 3. Organic Compounds
C. Applied Chemistry. Acids, Alkalis, Glass, Porcelain, Soap, Candles, Glycerin, Paints, Dyes, Coal-Tar Products, Fermentation, Distillation, etc.
D. Analytical Chemistry and Research. Laboratory apparatus and special apparatus for research.
B. Pure Chemistry.
1. Elements. – An excellent series of chemical elements is already on exhibition in the Museum, including specimens of Lithium, Rubidium, Caesium, ^[[Small line connecting the "a" and "e" ]] Thallium, ^[[ Indium, Gallium, Thorium, ]] Rhodium, Ruthenium and other rare metals. Other specimens can be obtained, and already Professor F. W. Clarke has promised a specimen of the new metal Gallium.
It is proposed to keep the elements in a collection by themselves.
^[[ [[centered]] [[underline]] 11 [[/underline]] [[/centered]] ]]
2 – 3. Compounds. – A large number of compounds is now on exhibition, particularly belonging to the inorganic series.The ordinary preparations are easily obtained as required, but a feature of this exhibit will be products of special research, donated or deposited by investigators in chemistry.Several such compounds are already available for display, and it is hoped that chemists will regard this collection as the best repository and exhibition of the results of their investigations.
C. Manufactures. – This division is a natural offshoot of all the others and naturally is, to some extent, included in them. It is intended to embrace only the greater manufacturing industries which, by reason of the special arrangement and space required by each, would break into the regular series of elements and compounds.
In every case where an exhibit is made in this division it is intended to represent the processes of manufacture as fully as possible, by showing raw materials intermediate and by-products, and the principal grades of finished articles, with illustrative drawings or photographs when they can be obtained. Each article or series of articles will have its proper descriptive label
^[[ [[centered]] [[underline]] 12 [[/underline]] [[/centered]] ]]
attached.
Finished products alone will not, as a rule, be placed in this division, the main object being not to show products but processes, and it is necessary to impose this restriction in order that the division may not be overwhelmed with donations of specimens which do not meet [[strikethru]] with [[/strikethru]] with its requirements.
The nucleus for this division is already at hand the latest accessoin being a series of 17 specimens illustrating the manufacture of soda by the Solway process.
Fermentation and Distillation. – This will be a subdivision naturally including the manufacture of beer, wine, and other alcoholic preparations. It will afford opportunity to collect and exhibit various alcoholic beverages from distant parts of the world, most of which are only knownby ^[[ Vertical line separating the previous 2 words ]]name from accounts of travelers.
D. Analytical Chemistry and Research. – This division will include principally various forms of appar ^[[ a ]] tus for special working analysis and research. It would aim to become a historical record of progress and would ensure recognition of priority of ^[[, ]] invention of improved [[strikethru]] illegible [[/strikethru]]
[[underline]] 13. [[/underline]]
apparatus to those to whom it is due. The exhibition of improved forms of apparatus for [[underline]] special purposes [[/underline]] would be of great interest to chemists.
[[underline]] Do not copy beyond this.[[/underline]] ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. The following rules for the acknowledgement of specimens will be adhered to: Each comtribution will be recognized by a formal written acknowledgement from the Director. Each contribution will be published in the annual reports of the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum; and in the catalogues and other publications of these establishments in which the objects contributed may be alluded to, the name of the contributor will always be given. On the label which is invariably attached to every object, the name of the contributor will be conspicuously printed. In the case of donations the form will be "Gift of ____ ____," and where the objects have been obtained by special exertions of a friend of the Museum, who, however, is not their donor, the form will be "Obtained by _____ _____," or "Collected by _____ _____."
[[strikethrough]] Dep file [[/strikethrough]]
[[underlined]] Jul. 1889 [[/underlined]]
Copy [[underlined]] all [[/underlined]]
Curators Rep. - Textiles
R. Hitchcock
Mr. G. Brown Goode
Assistant Secretary Sm. Inst.
Dear Sir:- In presenting my first monthly Report since my return, the record of work done is necessarily very short. It consists in the unpacking & arranging of the Japanese collection in the cases on the west side of the north hall, and such office-work as [[insertion]] has [[/insertion]] required attention from time to time. Much more could have been accomplished had my requisition for assistance been favorable acted upon; but working alone, there are not only many details that occupy valuable time but also numerous delays, which it has seemed impossible to anticipate by requisition or orders for work.
However, you are already well aware of these facts, and I merely state them as matters of fact, in explanation
[[underlined]]2[[/underlined]]
of my neglect of certain matters that seem deserving of immediate attention, but which involve far more work than one person can profitably carry on. I take this occasion, therefore, to present a report concerning what in my opinion should be done, for the proper preservation & utilization of the material in my charge.
1. [[underlined]] Food collections. [[/underlined]] - I do not know exactly in what relation I now stand to this collection. Nominally it is in my charge, but I believe Prof. Atwater is the Hon. Curator of Foods. Now, I would like to have my position defined. If Prof. Atwater is to assume active work upon the collections, apart from the chemical & purely scientific work which has hitherto alone been engaging his attention, I think the fact should be
3
stated. There is a difference between the work of Prof. Atwater, and the work of studying & arranging the foods of different countries & races of men for museum purposes. The collections are in good order - or at least they were so when I went away in 1886 - and a considerable number of labels can be furnished by revision of the [[?]] - a matter of a few hours.
I will be pleased to hand the entire collection, labels, and all that pertains to it, to Prof. Atwater at any time. On the other hand, I am also quite willing to attend to the cataloguing & preservation of new specimens, & their installation also if desired, but in doing so I would wish to have my connection with the work recognized by a proper title. I should think that in a case like
4
this, Acting Curator would not serve well, but Associate Curator might be better. The more routine of cataloguing & mounting does not deserve the title of Curator, but if classifying & labeling are required such a title would only be proper, under the present circumstances. I respectfully offer the suggestions above, & request to have my position defined.
[[underlined]] 2. Textiles Collection. [[/underlined]] - This collection embraces raw materials and manufactured fabrics. Before I went away I could refer in a moment to any specimen in the collection, whether on exhibition or elsewhere. During my absence the drawer of my desk was broken open, not by forcing the lock, but by more destructive means, which resulted in the complete disarrangement of my index-cards, the intermingling of
[[underlined]]5[[/underlined]]
cards of different series, and I find it is impossible to rearrange them. First of all, then, I regard it as imperative, as the first step out of the confusion, to go over the entire collection of raw materials, and index them for reference. I presume the great value of the collection of textile fibres lies in their industrial uses. The exhibit may be interesting to visitors in a general way, but certainly its chief value will be to manufacturers of textiles, who will be glad to see the various fibres of the world, & their uses illustrated. As this exhibit becomes known it will attract visitors who wish to examine fibres from distant places. Without an index-catalogue it is impossible to find the fibre, unless the Curator happens to know where it is. Recently an officer of the museum wished to obtain a
[[underlined]]6[[/underlined]]
specimen for experiment. I was unable to furnish it, although I am confident that we have an abundance of the material somewhere. A correspondent, through a congressman, recently desired an opinion concerning a sample of fibre. It was impossible to give it because my reference-series is on storage. Moreover, for all such questions a microscopical examination of the fibre is important. The great object of a textiles collection is lost to the people most interested - to the manufacturers of fabrics - by our inability to comply with requests such as the above. Moreover, it is not fair to the Curator in charge to refer to him questions which he should be able to answer, without affording him the facilities for acquiring the necessary information. I am aware that you
[[underlined]]7[[/underlined]]
question the propriety of undertaking microscopical work in this department. All that has been done in the past, has been with my own microscope and accessories. This department has no microscope. Yet, it seems to me, we cannot do without such work. The museum must be prepared to answer questions - at least I think that is one of its purposes - and it is simply impossible to do so without apparatus for study - just as impossibly in the matter of fibres, as in entomology or lithology for examples. The next step would be to prepare an index to the reference-series of fibres. This series is a necessity, to afford readily available specimens for comparison & microscopical examination. It contains only well authenticated specimens, & is intended to represent every fibre
[[underlined]]8[[/underlined]]
in use. It is already tolerably complete so far as our collections go, but, unfortunately, it is in storage, & perhaps very much disarranged. In order to put the textiles collection in order, all the material on storage must be unpacked, much of it will be rejected & thus considerable space freed at the Armory. But as it will be impossible to use all the mounted material in the museum, much of it must be returned to storage. This is sure to result in the destruction of specimens that are extremely valuable. Among these are, especially, specimens of wool, & woolen fabrics. The very valuable & complete series of wools form Mr. G. W. Bond, of Boston - a series especially valuable because of its completeness & accurate classifica -
[[underlined]]9[[/underlined]]
tion - is likely to be ruined. I believe, however, that the unit-boxes, in which so much good material is mounted, could be placed, like drawers, in high frames or supports at the armory, so that they would be available for reference or inspection. The destruction of specimens would then be effectually prevented by occasional inspection, with great saving in storage space. Moreover, it would not then be necessary to say to a visitor - "Yes, we have it, but it is stored & cannot be shown."
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3. [[underlined]] Chemical Collection. [[/underlined]] - A plan for the chemical collection was drawn up and presented to you during the month, but it is still in your hands. The more I have thought of this matter, the more feasible and attractive it seems. So far as I know it will be in several respects a new departure in chemical exhibits, & I trust the matter will receive your attention before long.
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In conclusion, I would say that it is impossible for one person to carry on all this work, and to do it properly, that is also economically, I should have one person to write & do office work generally, and a laboring man to overhaul material, carry trays, etc. & to act also as a Preparator. I trust that it may be possible, in the near future to accord such assistance as the proper conduct of my work requires.
The very small space I have for office & preparatory work, seems to render some provision for storage of catalogued & classified material absolutely necessary. It is impossible to store it in my rooms, & yet it must be stored. The plan of storage for unit boxes already mentioned seems to point the way out of the difficulty, and I am under the
12
impression that some such scheme will have to be adopted, in order that such specimens as fibres may be mounted in proper order, previous to their exhibition in the cases.
Respectfully submitted
Romyn Hitchcock
Feb. 28th 1889.
Curators Reports Textiles. March 89 R. Hitchcock
Mr. G. Brown Goode Assistant Secretary Sm. Inst. Dear Sir:- I herewith present my monthly report covering the work in my department for the month of March.
The time ha been mostly occupied in overhauling the textiles that are in table cases, belonging mostly to duplicate and reserve series, preparatory to rearranging & classifying such as are of value, & discarding others. Mr. Earle has arranged to let me have the drawers in the small room next to my office, which will enable me to dispose of a considerable bulk of material until it can be mounted. Mr. S. C. Brown has offered me temporary use of some space in his store-rooms, where I shall be able to arrange unit boxes containing mounted specimens. I shall thus
be enabled to arrange my textiles in order and make them accessible for examination.
There is, however, a superabundance of manufactured fabrics which must be reduced in some way, & I have thought this might be advantageously done by a system of mounting on uniform cards to be preserved in drawers for the inspection of visitors who may be interested. I have, therefore, already suggested to you such a scheme which has met with your approval, and I purpose adopting it next month.
During the month manuscript copy for 535 labels have been sent in, for the Government Printer. These labels were mostly written before I went away in 1886, but not being then complete, they have been revised & partly rewritten & are now desired for use in the museum. Among them are 265 for Indian Foods, & they will add very much to the interest of that valuable collection.
In connection with the chemical exhibits, a number of recent books are absolutily necessary in my sectional library. The processes of chemical manufacture are constantly changing, and not only are recent books of reference required, but several of the leading chemical journals should be on file in my office. A requisition for the purchase of several such books has been sent in, but I am not aware that it has been acted upon. I have prepared a few labels of chemicals to test the working of the plan already proposed for this exhibit in a letter which you have read. I find the plan quite practicable & open to further development Respectfully
Mar 8 of 89 R Hitchcock
[[note in blue in top margin]] Copy all except this letter [[/note in blue in top margin]] Apr. 1889 Mr. G. Brown Goode Assistant Secretary Smiths. Inst. Dear Sir:- I herewith enclose my report for the month of April 1889. I would especially request your perusal of the few words I have ventured to offer concerning the disposition of the Indian foods, which involve the principle that a Curator should work for the welfare of the museum as a whole rather than for a fine display in his own department. Yours very truly R Hitchcock
April 30/89 file
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The unit boxes containing textiles that have been on storage for some time, have been unpacked and examined. The contents of 42 unit boxes have been removed & the boxes returned to the Engineer of Property. The specimens thus removed were mounted for the New Orleans & other exhibitions, and are no longer of use.
Twenty-seven unit boxes containing textile fabrics mounted for display are reserved, not for use in the museum, but to be in readiness for any call that may be received to take part in a future exhibition.
Sixty-two unit boxes and five double-unit boxes of textiles are reserved for use in the museum when space permits. A list of contents of the boxes reserved is to be found in my office.
2
I would once more call your attention to the necessity that devolves upon me to spend a considerable part of my time in work which could as well be done by any person who can read and write. In order to get my collections in order such work must be done, and I am very unwillingly forced to so it myself, knowing that my time could be much more profitably employed.
After long waiting there is a prospect that the drawers can be arranged in my [[underlined]] ante-room [[/underlined]] during the present week, when I shall be able to classify all the material in my charge, which will be done during the coming month, if there are no delays in withdrawing articles from storage. I deem it unfortunate that I am obliged to keep the E balcony in some disorder, but this will only continue until the work of classification is complete.
3 A collection from Kew was delivered to me early in the month, which I unpacked immediately, selected the material belonging to my sections and delivered the rest to the Registrar for distribution among the other curators. Three fine lots of Australian & New Zealand wools have been delivered to me, one of which has been arranged in boxes for ready reference. The other specimens remain in their original exhibition cases. Large collections of wools are undoubtedly of considerable value, but it is difficult to know how to care for them. If sealed up they are practically useless for examination, if not sealed they are liable to attacks of moths.
4 As the food collections are at present arranged those products which represent the foods of primitive peoples are shown in cases which, if the plan were carried out in detail, would eventually contain all the food products of the world. Such a collection might be of some interest; but it seems to me that the great value of these articles lies in their association with the people who use them. It may be said that uncivilized tribes utilize the natural products of the country in which they live & that therefore their foods are purely a matter of geographical position. This is undoubtedly true, and I have recognized this fact in arranging, for example, the foods of the Indians of North America by themselves. In my opinion, it would be quite impracticable to subdivide this collection so as to show the products used by different [[insertion]] nations or [[/insertion]] tribes of Indians, because it is only occasionally that such subdivision could be made that would have a characteristic value, and even then it would not represent anything more than an incidental fact, due to the varied resources of the country. Now, in my opinion, all
5
the Indian foods should be placed in the Ethnological Hall as a part of the Indian collections. I do not, indeed, propose that they should be transferred to the charge of the Curator of Ethnology. It would seem impossible that any individual could cover the whole field of Ethnology & properly study & describe every variety of the articles included therein. Cooperation among the Curators of different departments will become more or less necessary as the collections become more & more complete & comprehensive, and the interests of the individual must be subordinate to the necessities of proper display. In the particular case now under discussion, it seems to me, that the Curator of foods should retain the foods in charge, classify and label them; for the systematic arrangement and labelling of natural
[[centered]] 6 [[/centered]]
products does not come within the range of Ethnology. Moreover, the card-catalogue and index-cards, and all information pertaining to foods, are properly to be found in the office of the curator of Foods, wherever the specimens may be. In connection with the food products, the grinding apparatus for preparing meal, winnowing and other devices, which are very properly in the ethnological collections, can be shown in their proper places, thus adding greatly to the interest of the collection. Thus only can articles which require to be studied by different persons in different sections of the Museum, be brought into their natural relations for exhibition.
7 As we pass from low to higher stages of civilization the conditions, as regards museum installation, gradually change. [[strikethrough]] As Agr [[/strikethrough]] Rude methods of agriculture lead to the improvement of the natural productions and perhaps to the introduction of new products. Artificial conditions result, and according to the industry and the ingenuity of the people, they have better food & better means of preparing it. At a certain point the food products become of greater interest as manufactured articles, and find their proper place in the department of Arts & Industries. Where the separation from the ethnological series should be made, becomes a matter of individual judgement. The question thus raised is met with constantly in connection with other specimens. Machinery for grinding meal or flour affords a good
[[centered]] 8 [[/centered]]
example, also apparatus for weaving. On the one hand the stone grinders of savage peoples are interesting as showing from what the great mills of the present have originated. Nevertheless, I cannot think that a collection showing the progress of improvement in this division should be permitted to draw a single stone from the ethnological series, and so long as [[2 words, strikethrough ]] apparatus of any kind is intimately associated with the life of a people, or of the conditions or resources of a country, it should remain among those people in the museum.
[[centered]] 9 [[/centered]] Hitherto my work in this section has been mostly in the line of classification and installation of food products. The collections are now sufficiently advanced to justify a change in the character of the curator's work. All the valuable material on hand is catalogued and on exhibition, and much of it is labelled, or rather the labels for it are written. It is hoped that the opportunity has now come for illustrating the chemical composition of the more important foods and drinks, following the line of the work already so well begun by Prof. Atwater. With [[strikethrough]]in [[/strikethrough]] proper laboratory facilities this can be done in a manner to make the food collection[[strikethrough]]s [[/strikethrough]] a very interesting & attractive feature of the museum. Without such facilities the work involves an amount of labor & time out of all proportion to the results. Where it
[[centered]] 10[[/centered]]
is considered that for every specimen a measurement requires to be made which involves a walk to the photographer's, or a weight which involves a call upon the ^[[resources]] [[strikethrough]] [[illegible]] [[/strikethrough]] of the Survey Laboratory, and that there is not a single article of apparatus furnished by the Museum to facilitate such work, it may be understood that the curator who undertakes such work has but little encouragement. Finally, although it is my desire to make an attractive [[scribble]] display of the specimens in my charge, it is not only impossible to do so in the space at my disposal, but I am reduced to the necessity of removing the whole series of Indian foods from exhibition, to make space for other things. Your own suggestion to store the Indian foods in boxes involves considerable risk to the specimens, and necessarily destroys the classification, which
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making it practically impossible to get access to any particular article that may be required. I have, therefore, proposed an alternative scheme & suggested that the collection be put in drawers in quarter-unit tables placed in the galleries around the fountain. Very respectfully yours R Hitchcock Curater of Textiles Foods etc
April 30/89
^[[July 1889]]
^[[Curators' Reports file
Foods and Textiles
R. Hitchcock
July-November 1889-90]]
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Sections of Textiles an Foods
Report for the Month of July 1889.
At the beginning of the month the east balcony was in the condition of great confusion, being the only place available for the unpacking and arrangement of a large number of specimens recently withdrawn from storage. The entire month was occupied in the work of examining & classifying these specimens. A very large number had been ruined or greatly damaged in storage, others had no labels & could not be identified, and some were not regarded as of any value in the
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collection, for various reasons. A committee on condemnation, which had been appointed in the month of May to examine such articles, made a report on July 5th recommending the condemnation of much of this material. On the approval of this report by the Assistant Secretary, expressed in a letter from the Chief Clerk, July 10th, the material was transferred to the Superintendent of Buildings.
The specimens remaining were then divided into different classes, as textiles, foods, oils, gums, resins, chemical products etc., and so far as
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possible, systematically arranged in drawers of table-cases, the textiles in the N. E. Court, the other specimens in the S. E. Range. Some specimens of textiles were also mounted in unit boxes for exhibition, but they are stored on the balcony, there being no space for them on the floor of the museum.
A large number of duplicates was selected & made up into sets for exchanges. Four boxes containing more than 250 specimens were packed ready for shipment and a memorandum to that effect sent to you on the 22d inst. in response to which you
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directing the boxes to be sent to [[Gibby??]] College Cornell University. The list of contents was accordingly proposed & the boxes were sent to the Registrar.
Respectfully submitted
R. Hitchcock
Cur. Textile & c
^[[Aug. 1889]]
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The work of clearing up the East balcony was continued and completed. A box of duplicate specimens was prepared for exchange, and a letter was written to Dr. Wittmarch, of Berlin, advising him of the contents therof, & asking if it should be sent to him. This box still remains awaiting his reply.
Considerable time was occupied in revising the MS. of labels of Indian food substances, which was then sent to the printer.
The percentages composition of
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certain food substances was carefully laid off on a chart for coloring.
A series of labels of Japanese lacquer was prepared for the printer, & some attention given to the preparation of labels for the chemical collections.
It may now be said that all the technological material in my charge is withdrawn from storage (except such as is mounted in unit boxes ready for exhibition, and some specimens of mounted wools, for which there is no space in the museum.), and is accessible at any time. The arrangement of
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the specimens in groups, however, is only imperfectly carried out, owing to the haste with which it was necessary to distribute them from the balcony, & the limited space available for their storage.
Respectfully Submitted
R Hitchcock
Cur. Textiles &c.
^[[Sep. 1889]]
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Sections of Textiles and Foods Report for the Month of September, 1889.
The curator was absent for one month from August 26th, in attendance upon the meeting of the A.A.A.S. at Toronto, and otherwise engaged. Mr. Hargrove was busy for nearly three weeks during my absence in arranging the study series of textiles, cleaning the case illustrating the composition of the human body and reviewing some of the specimens, and in making repairs to the large loom in the Textiles Hall.
On my return work was immediately begun on the new collection
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just received from the Ainos of Yezo, Japan. The collection was first catalogued & found to include 135 specimens. The entire collection of Aino articles is not yet at hand.
The specimens were temporarily installed in a case in the N. Hall.
Respectfully submitted
R Hitchcock
Curator Textile &c
^[[Oct. 1889]]
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Report for the Month of October 1889
The time has been mostly occupied during this month in a careful examination of the Aino collection preparatory to making a report for the next volume of the Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution.
Work upon the report itself was begun early in the month, and carried on as steadily as possible. Some of the specimens were photographed for illustrating the report. Mr. Hargrove has been fully occupied in cleaning & looking over specimens on exhibition, some of
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which was found to be suffering from the attacks of insects. He has also compiled, from various sources, a list of Japanese food-plants, alphabetically arranged under the Japanese names. This list is very useful, containing nearly 1000 names.
Respectfully submitted
R Hitchcock
Curr. Textiles &c
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On the 5th of November the office of the Curator was removed from the East Balcony to the South-West Pavillion, the smaller office on the East Balcony being reserved for work of a preparatory character & the preservation of specimens not on exhibition.
Mr. Luscombe completed a model representing an Aino house, storehouse, bear cage and "sacred hedge" which is an excellent representation of such a house & its surroundings. This model was made from photographs and measurements
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of my own.
Paymaster H.R. Smith, U.S.N., who was recently in Japan, has kindly loaned two dozen of his negatives to the Curator, in order that prints may be made from them for use in the Museum. It is proposed to make also transparencies from the negatives, from which other negatives can be reproduced if necessary.
The Curator's time has been mostly occupied with work on the Aino collection
Respectfully submitted
R Hitchcock
Cur Textiles &c.
^[[Curator Report Foods & Textiles Dec. 1889]]
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[[stamp]] Assistant Secretary Smithsonian Insti in charge National Museum. [[/stamp]]
[[stamp]] G.B.G. JAN 3 1890 [[/stamp]]
Jan 3, 1890
Mr. G. Brown Goode
Assistant Secretary
Dear Sir - I herewith enclose my report for the month of December, 1889.
Respectfully yours
R Hitchcock
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WASHINGTON [[/preprinted]] Jan 2d 1890 Report for the Month of Dec. 1889 The work of December has been quite varied in character. A considerable number of labels of Indian foods were received early in the month. These were immediately attached to the specimens, &, in the usual manner, paper copies were pasted on the catalogue cards. A full set of Indian food labels was pasted on cards and sent to Prof. Mason, in connection with a series of ^[[other]] cards relative to Indian foods. Specimens illustrative of Japanese tea drinking, saki drinking, smoking etc. were transferred to a case in Prof. Mason's charge, and labels written
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for some of them.
The long-expected Aino collection from Sapporo, has been received & catalogued. The Sapporo Museum desires to receive something in exchange for these specimens.
A model furnace for a Japanese silk-reel has been made by Mr. Luscombe, from my photographs, & the complete reel is now ready for exhibition; but there is no plan for it.
All the specimens of foods & chemicals in the N.E.-court have been inspected & the cases cleaned out. Only a very few were found in bad condition,
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showing that the method, adopted several years since, of mounting some of the larger articles in paper boxes with glass fronts, is entirely satisfactory as regards preservation of the specimens. Many of the Indian & Japanese foods are mounted in such boxes, bisulphide of carbon being freely used before closing the boxes to destroy all forms of insect life that may be present.
The specimens in the reserve series have also been all inspected, and it was found that many of them had been ruined by insects and mildew. The loss is not serious, as
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the specimens injured were not of much value. There is, however, a considerable quantity of very useful material among the reserves, but hitherto it has been impossible to tell what kind of specimens, or just where to find them, the classification being necessarily very imperfect. A [[strikethrough]] complete [[/strikethrough]] list of some of these specimens has been prepared on cards and it is now proposed, as time permits, to arrange them in such a manner that it can be known in a moment whether we have any particular article & also, if so, exactly where it is. Mr. Hargrove is now at work
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upon this scheme.
Considerable time has been devoted to [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] planning an exhibit to show the processes of manufacture and the composition of alcoholic beverages. It was thought that the necessary data for this exhibit could be readily found, but on investigation it appears that some of the [[strikethrough]] very important ? [[/strikethrough]] most essential data for this purpose are the most difficult to obtain. As an example I may cite the matter of the changes in grain during malting & mashing. Thus far I have been unable to find the necessary information to enable me to
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illustrate the manufacture of beer, and I have been obliged to pass this by for the present. It is possible that this exhibit can only be prepared from the results of original analyses, which I suppose would be a legitimate part of the Curator's work. The trouble is not a lack of analyses in the books, but in the fact that recent chemical work has shown that the analyses generally quoted are wrong, & so much in error as to be quite useless & misleading for such work as I have laid out.
This unfortunate circumstance has also prevented me from
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undertaking work on the preparation of bread from flour, showing the chemistry of the rising of bread etc.
It is hoped however, that in a short time I may receive the results of reliable analyses through private sources, which will enable me to go on with this important work.
Meanwhile it has been possible to arrange two exhibits, the labels for which are prepared, although, for want of the necessary materials, all the specimens are not [[strikethrough]] quite [[/strikethrough]] ready, illustrating the composition of Lager Beer and of American Red Wines. Mr. Chr. Henrich has presented
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specimens which will be used to illustrate the manufacture of beer, and has shown entire willingness to afford all desired information.
It is proposed to show the composition of several distinct varieties of wine in this series, as their comparison in this manner will surely prove instructive to the visitor. For the present, however, the only place that seems available for their display is the office of the Curator.
Fermentation & Distillation is a title for a section which can be made of very great interest. But in order to obtain the specimens in complete
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series, it will be necessary for the Curator to visit the establishments where the work is carried on. I do not believe it will be possible to get them by correspondence. The manufacturers may be willing to furnish everything required, but on asking for certain products, unless one is on the spot, the specimens will not be sent "because they will not keep." There are difficulties about preserving such specimens, but, in my opinion, they can be overcome if we can get the specimens fresh.
The Museum is indebted to Mr. P. Jaisohu, a Japanese, for kindly
[[preprinted]] UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
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WASHINGTON [[/preprinted]]
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consenting to pose for a photograph to illustrate the style of eating in Japan. Such a photograph was made with the tables, dishes etc from the museum collections, & will be used in one of the cases.
Respectfully
R Hitchcock
Cur.
^[[Jan. 1890]]
[[stamped]] G.B.G. FEB 4 1890 [[/stamped]]
^[[ [[encircled]] ack'd [[/encircled]] ]]
Report for January 1890
About the first of the month Mr. Luscombe finished a model of a pit dwelling such as are now occupied by a peculiar people on the island of Shikotan, Japan. The model is quite satisfactory, but it is not on exhibition for want of space.
The entire Japanese collection in the exhibition cases has been gone over piece by piece, in order to enter upon the register the names of a considerable number of specimens which were only marked with the collector's numbers.
Continuing the work begun
last month, on the composition of wines, etc., the amounts of the various constituents of sherry, port, claret & sweet muscatel have been calculated for one gallon of each, and the specimens to represent these have been prepared, with the exception of certain ones for which the material ordered has not yet come to hand.
Labels for all of these have been written & will be ready for the printer in a few days.
The work in this connection has been greatly delayed by the sickness of Mr. Hargrove who was absent much of the time. Mr. Hargrove has also been engaged in classifying and
indexing the technological material which is on storage in drawers. This work was begun last month, and will still require considerable time for its completion, but it seems very important that it should be well done.
A series of dyed fabrics was loaned to Prof. F. W. Clarke who used them to illustrate a lecture on the chemistry of coal-tar colors & dying before the Franklin Institute.
In accordance with the desire of Prof. Mason a microscopical examination of the fibre used in the feather cloak in his collection was undertaken. This led to a beginning of an investigation of the methods of disintegrating fibres
for microscopical examination which promises to lead to an improvement over those in present use, particularly for such fibres as those under examination which proved to be very difficult to separate.
The chemical elements have been brought up to my office, partly to make room in the exhibition hall for the wine exhibit, which is now in the case, & partly that the whole series may be labelled. But there is very little encouragement to make any new display on the museum floor in the present crowded condition of the hall & in the want of suitable cases for the specimens. I am aware
that this condition of affairs is just now unavoidable. As soon as more space becomes available for my use it will be possible to make a display which will show that my collections are of much greater interest than they can possibly present now.
It is perhaps proper to add that there are certain questions which have arisen of late which are of the greatest importance in connection with the chemistry of the transformation of grain by the action of diastase, but which, as it now appears, can only be settled by by a course of original research
in the laboratory. They would involve an extended course of investigation but the results would prove of great interest in connection with our food collection. So important are they, that I do not at present see my way clear to carry out my plan of illustrating the chemistry of malting & mashing without the information they would give. It is the want of just such information, which I have this far been unable to find in books, which has obliged me to suspend work on an exhibit which was begun last month. It would seem to be a legitimate part of my work to undertake such
studies, as other work depends so largely upon them. Nevertheless I would wish to be assured that it is so regarded by yourself, and I therefore present the subject at this time for your consideration, and await your instructions with interest.
Respectfully submitted
R. Hitchcock
Curator of Textiles & c
Jan 31. 1890.
^[[Enter & file]]
^[[Feb. 1890]]
[[stamped]] G.B.G. MAR 2 1890 [[/stamped]]
Report for the month of February 1890
The time this month has been devoted principally to cataloguing specimens and preparing labels. The specimens catalogued were mostly Japanese pigments & dyes, many of which had only Japanese numbers or marks, and required considerable time to identify. The collection is a good one & is now safely stored.
The labels written include the entire Aino collection. Every specimen collected by me, has been through my hands during the month, a label written and the specimens with a few exceptions, transferred to the large
2
case in Prof. Mason's charge. The labels require to be revised and rewritten [[strikethrough]] to [[/strikethrough]] for the printer. Other labels to the number of 50 were written and sent to the printer.
The Aino figure made by Mr. Mills from one of my photographs has been placed in the case & looks very well, except that the hair & beard are not dark enough. Also the model of the Aino house & surroundings, by Mr. Luscombe, is in the same case.
By your direction a list of the natural products indigenous to America was hastily prepared, and sent to you on the 12th inst.
3
Reports on specimens sent for examination were made as follows.
Acc. 667. Phosphoric acid found in one specimen.
Acc. 674. Chinese "Pow Fah", a mucilaginous wood used in hair dressing in China
Acc. 22696 Tibet Wool. Worth in this country in the grease 13 cents, washed 20-25 cents per pound.
A sample of "White pinot" wine from California was found to contain 9.3 per cent of alcohol.
Dr. W.B. Taylor requested some statistical information about carpet manufacture in the U.S., which was furnished.
The contents of our door-[[?screen]] case of
4
chemical compounds was removed form the N. E. court to the office on the E. balcony, to make room for other exhibits.
Mr Hargrove has completed a set of index cards to the reserves of textiles in table cases, and is now preparing a similar index to the specimens on exhibition.
Respectfully submitted
R Hitchcock
Curator
^[[Mar. 1890]]
[[stamp]] G.B.G. APR 2 1890 [[/stamp]]
^[[Foods. Curators reports file.]]
Report for the month of March. '90
A list of photographs of the Aino & scenes in Yezo was prepared with appropriate labels, intended to accompany my report, on the Ainos, and to serve as labels for prints in folding screens. This, I believe, completes the record of the Aino collection, and renders it available for installation by any person. Mr. Hargrove has given some assistance to Mr. Sweeney in the work of installation in a large case in the West hall.
Work upon the chemical products was taken up early in the month, beginning with the elements, all
2
of which has passed though my hands. A full set of labels has been written for the elements, the preparation of which has involved an unexpectedly long time, but it is thought the labels will prove quite satisfactory. The descriptions are necessarily very much condensed, owing to the size of card used. The series has been enriched by two very valuable contributions; the first from Prof. F.W. Clarke, who presented a specimen of the metal Germanium, discovered by C. Winkler in 1886, prepared by the discoverer; the second from Dr. W. F. Hillebrand, who presented specimens of
3
the metals Cerium, Lanthanium ^[[Lanthanium]] & Didymium ^[[Didymium]] prepared by Hillebrand & Norton in the course of their investigations of those metals in 1875. The series of elements is a good one, but some of the specimens require to be remounted, as they have changed more or less by long keeping.
A scheme for exhibiting the elements in accordance with the latest views of chemists concerning their relations to each other, has been prepared, but it cannot be properly carried out in practice until a case can be arranged for the purpose. The plan proposed
[[underlined]] 4 [[/underlined]]
will show the gaps in the series which theory indicates should be filled with elements not yet discovered.
Mr. Hargrove has prepared index-cards to all the chemical compounds which are now stored on shelves in the E. balcony room. Also similar cards of textiles on exhibition & of other specimens not previously recorded. It may therefore be said that all the material in my charge in the museum building is indexed in such a way that any specimen can be immediately found.
The different series of index-
[[underlined]] 5 [[/underlined]]
cards are as follows:
1. Textiles on exhibition.
2. Textiles, reserves & duplicates.
3. A list of food-plants of Japan, alphabetically arranged under botanical, native & English names.
4. Textiles, study series.
5. Foods & Drinks, on exhibition
6. Foods etc. in reserve.
7. Chemical compounds, in reserve.
8. Chemical manufactures, in reserve.
9. Oils, in reserve
10. Paints, in reserve
11. Dyes, in reserve.
12. Gums, Resins, Waxes, etc.
13. Indian foods, duplicates.
[[underlined]] 6 [[/underlined]]
An outline of [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] a plan for a chemical exhibit by the museum at the World's Fair was presented during the month, at your request. In anticipation of that event I have carefully considered various plans for [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] an exhibit of a series of chemical compounds. A systematic arrangement of the inorganic compounds can be carried out without much consideration. But in organic chemistry the case is different, and a well considered scheme must be adopted at the outset. It will require considerable time and study to prepare this, and if
[[underlined]] 7 [[/underlined]]
possible it should be perfected before the active work of preparing for the world's fair begins, & indeed, I think it would be well to have the scheme published at an early day, to show that we have a place for everything.
I say this now because the time is near when such a scheme will be required for the museum if not for the world's fair, and it is simply impossible to lay one out satisfactorily with the books I have at hand. Indeed for much of the work I have done in chemistry during the past month, I have been obliged to
[[underlined]] 8 [[/underlined]]
refer to the library of the Geol. Survey laboratory, & this is not only inconvenient, but it takes extra time.
The same plan of classification will doubtless be found available, in a condensed form, for the Materia Medica collection of organic compounds.
I trust it will be possible to purchase the necessary books for this purpose at an early day, particularly Beilstein's Chemistry, which I have twice asked for within the past year. The advances in chemistry have been so rapid during the last
[[underlined]] 9 [[/underlined]]
few years, that old books will not serve my purpose, & even if they would, the only useful books in my sectional library on organic chemistry & on chemical manufactures are from my private library, & they are not sufficient for the requirements of the museum work.
Respectfully
R Hitchcock
Cur.
Apr. 1. 1890
^[[Ack.'d]]
^[[Apr. 1890]]
[[preprinted]] UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON [[/preprinted]]
May 2/90
Mr. G. Brown Goode
Assistant Secretary
Dear Sir - I herewith send you my report for the month of April 1890.
Respectfully yours
R Hitchcock
1
Report for the month of April
The first few days of the month were devoted to the preparation of a Report on my observations of the Pit-Dwellers of Yezo. This report is now ready for publication.
A series of fibres for microscopical examination was prepared and sent to C. S. Crandale, of Michican Agricultural College, at his request.
An apparatus was arranged for sealing up metallic elements in glass tubes, in a manner to preserve their color & lustre, and two experiments were made with tolerably satisfactory results. But it is a very difficult matter to preserve
[[underlined]] 2 [[/underlined]]
the lustre and color of such metals as calcium & cerium for example, upon which the experiments were made. At the present moment both those metals retain their lustre fairly well, but not so perfectly as it is to be seen on freshly cut surfaces. It seems very desirable to show all of the metals as brilliant & perfect as possible, & additional apparatus is now being constructed in the hope of improving upon the method. If the purpose can be successfully accomplished, we shall have a collection of metallic elements such as is not to be seen elsewhere.
Some of the Japanese specimens
3
were taken from the wall-cases in the north hall & placed in a case provided by Prof. Mason. The remaining specimens in the north hall ought to be removed & placed in cases by themselves. They are now too much scattered, and have no particular significance. It was my hope that this collection might be permanently installed as a single complete exhibit of Japanese life, but it is now so much broken up that it has lost much of its interest. I hope it can be brought together again and that the specimens can be labelled.
The exhibit of the constituents
4
of wines, now in a case in the N.E. court, is of considerable interest, but it is hidden away among "animal products" where it is not likely to be seen. Four specimens of alcohol, representing the quantity of alcohol in a glass of beer, sherry, port & claret respectively, have been sealed up in tubes & added to the collection. It should be said, however, that these specimens are not entirely satisfactory for the reason that the tubes are not all of the same diameter. They are the best we had in stock at the time, but eventually the specimens should be replaced by others.
5
Most of my time during the month has been given to arranging a system of classification of organic compounds. The general plan for a comprehensive series of compounds has been decided upon, after numerous modifications of the original scheme, and some progress has been made in the classification of the paraffin hydrocarbons & their derivatives as far as the fatty acids.
In consideration of the active work soon to begin in connection with the world's fair, I have given much thought to the scheme for a chemical display, and several
6
very suggestive exhibits have been planned in a general way. Among these may be mentioned one exhibit showing the products of the distillation of a given weight of coal, the product of a given quantity of coal tar, & finally the dyes obtained from a ton of coal & the dyeing power of the same. The preparation of this exhibit will involve considerable laboratory work.
Another exhibit is proposed to demonstrate the calorific power of coal & the enormous waste of heat in domestic stoves. The data for this must be obtained by practical experiments, and it is proposed to
7
begin this work during the present month. It is believed that the results will be of value in affording ocular demonstration of facts which, however well known to the scientific man, are not generally understood.
Mr. Hargrove has been well engaged upon the collections generally. Specimens stored on the east balcony have been removed, some placed in drawers, others on exhibition. Specimens on exhibition have been withdrawn to make room for a more satisfactory display of others, and still others are now being prepared for exhibition when
8,
space is available.
Respectfully
R Hitchcock
Cur
May 2d/90
^[[May. 1890]]
^[[May file]]
^[[Ack'd & used]]
[[preprinted]] UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
UNDER DIRECTION OF
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON [[/preprinted]]
June 3/90
Mr. G. Brown Goode
Assistant Secretary
Dear Sir - I herewith send you my report for the month of May 1890.
Very respectfully yours
R Hitchcock
Cur. Textiles etc.
Report for the Month of May.
The catalogue cards of all the Japanese and Aino ethnological material collected by me were transferred to Prof. Mason early in the month. Prof. Mason has substituted his own catalogue numbers for mine, and reentered the specimens in his register. The specimens, however, all bear my own numbers. I have entered Prof. Mason's numbers upon my catalogue, so that there is not likely to be any confusion on account of the changes. All the Japanese
2
and Aino ethnological material which appears charged against me, on the Registrar's books, is now in Prof. Mason's hands. I only retain specimens which [[strikethrough]] are [[/strikethrough]] obviously pertain to technology - fibres, foods, colors, dyes etc.
Miss MacFarland was assigned to duty as copyist in my office on the 3rd inst. She has been steadily engaged copying from books & Mss. and in writing up catalogues, and also bringing up the alphabetical index of textile fibres to date.
3
It would certainly be a great convenience to have a [[strikethrough]] ? index [[/strikethrough]] catalogue of all the textile fibres mentioned in the books and pamphlets in the library, with botanical & vernacular names. I think we are in a position to make such a catalogue which would be tolerably complete. But without the permanent assignment of a copyist to this office, it would be folly to begin such an extensive work.
A considerable number of pamphlets, many of them my own, has accumulated
4
in my office, but they have not hitherto been available for reference because I have never been able to spare the time to classify them. With Miss MacFarland's assistance they are now arranged in the section library, and this work has taken up considerable time.
In arranging apparatus for preserving chemical elements etc. in tubes, it has been found necessary to purify all the mercury in the laboratory [[strikethrough]] for [[/strikethrough]] by distillation. Through the kindness of Dr.
[[underlined]] 5 [[/underlined]]
Barns I have been able to obtain the necessary apparatus for the purpose, without expense. This, however, has delayed the work of mounting some of our recent & valuable accessions.
All the dyes & paints in reserves have been mounted, & prepared for exhibition in cases.
The tobaccos also have nearly all been mounted & some of them are now on exhibition, others held in reserve.
Mr. Hargrove had just begun to prepare the gums &
[[underlined]] 6 [[/underlined]]
resins when he was obliged to leave on account of sickness at the end of the month.
A valuable and interesting donation was received from Mr. W. M. Burton, of Cleveland, consisting of three specimens of distilled zinc & magnesium, used in recent redetermination of the atomic weights of those metals.
I was called upon by the Treasury Dept. to examine two stained five-dollar bills, as you will recollect. Not feeling at liberty to freely treat the stains with chemicals, I
[[underlined]] 7 [[/underlined]]
made a few experiments with one of the marginal stains and verbally reported that if the matter were of sufficient importance to require a careful examination, the nature of the coloring matter could [[underlined]] probably [[/underlined]] be determined & offering my services should they be required.
An experiment was made to determine the amount of coal consumed in preparing breakfast in an ordinary household. This is the beginning of a series of experiments [[strikethrough]] that [[/strikethrough]] intended to demonstrate
8
the enormous waste of heat in domestic life. An investigation of the properties of pure albumen has been undertaken, with the expectation of verifying the molecular weight by means of the boiling point.
Proofs of labels for the chemical elements were read this month.
Respectfully
R Hitchcock
Cur Text. etc.
[[preprinted]] Smithsonian Institution
United States National Museum
Memorandum [[/preprinted]]
Art & Industry Dep't Collection of Historical and Personal Relics, Coins, medals, portraits, etc
A. Howard Clark, Curator
first catalogue entry in fiscal year beginning July 1, 1887 125,336
last entry June 30, 1888 125,887 -------
No of entries 552
representing 1016 specimens.
About 2000 specimens on hand not catalogued
[[note in top margin]] [[underline]] year ending June 30, 1888 [[/underline]] [[/note in top margin]]
[[strikethrough]] Art Industry Dept
Collections of Historical & Personal Relics,
coins, medals, [[/strikethrough]] & & A. Howard Clerk Curator Among the principal accessions may be noted [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] the War saddle of General Grant, deposited by General [[double underline]] A. H. Markland. [[/double underline]]. This was used by General Grant in all of the battles in which he participated from February 1862 to April 1865. [[strikethrough]] This [[/strikethrough]] It is a valuable addition to the large collection of Grant relics received last year. [[strikethrough]] Other accessions [[/strikethrough]] From the Bureau of Engraving and Printing was received a series of proofs on India paper, showing the backs and faces of all the [[strikethrough]] [[illegible]] [[/strikethrough]] current bonds and currency notes issued by the United States, illustrating each denomination of the Treasury notes and gold and silver certificates from one dollar to ten thousand dollars and coupon and registered bonds from ten dollars to fifty thousand dollars.
[[strikethrough]] These are deposited by ^[[were [[illegible]] ]] the Bureau of Engraving & Printing [[/strikethrough]]
One of the most important additions to the [[strikethrough]] Historical Relics [[/strikethrough]] collection of National Relics was deposited by mr. Etting (accession 20719). It is one of the thirteen original pamphlets signed by [[insertion]] ^ George [[/insertion]] Washington, ^ [[insertion]] John Adams [[/insertion]] and other colonial delegates entitled "Original Association of Congress October 20, 1774".
By this Association the delegates pledge [[crossed out]] the colonies not to import British merchandize after December 1, 1774 and [[crossed out]] organized Committees of Independence in the several colonies etc
The pamphlet consists of nine printed papers [[crossed out]] with two pages and part of a third containing the autograph signatures of the delegates.
Several collections of [[strikethrough]] rare [[/strikethrough]] ancient and modern coins from Mr. W. Graves, Hartford, Conn., Mr. Thomas Wilson, Washington, and others.
A beginning has been made in the exhibit of coins toward illustrating the money of Bible times by showing the coins of kings, countries, and cities mentioned in the Bibles and specimens of the Widow's Mite, the Skekel, & denarius & etc.
Many additions have been made to the collection of military decorations, medals, and badges of civic societies including [[strikethrough]] the decorations [[/strikethrough]] original decorations of the order of the Iron Cross of Germany, the Legion of Honor of France and other European Orders.
[[strikethrough]] Mr. Stephen Vail deposited [[/strikethrough]] From Mr. Stephen Vail was received a piece of the original wire over which one of the very first intelligible telegraphic messages was transmitted during the [[strikethrough]] and experiments with the Morse instruments the speedwell from Morses [[/strikethrough]] experiments by Prof. Morse with his telegraph instrument at the Speedwell Iron Works, New Jersey about the year 1840. From the widow of Prof. Baird was received a valuable collection [[strikethrough]] 1733 [[/strikethrough]] nearly 1800 [[strikethrough]] spec [[/strikethrough]] foreign and American postage stamps [[strikethrough]] collec [[/strikethrough]] gathered by Prof. Baird. [[strikethrough]] during a [[/strikethrough]]
[[strikethrough]] From t [[/strikethrough]] The Ordnance Department U.S. Army transferred to [[strikethrough]] was received a number of articles [[/strikethrough]] the National Museum a number of [[strikethrough]] valuable [[/strikethrough]] interesting war relics including a ^[[large]] section of ^[[an]] oak tree riddled with bullets on the battle field at Appomattox Court House.
To the collections of autograph letters and documents were added commissions [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]] signed by [[strikethrough]] all [[/strikethrough]] each of the Presidents of the United States and deeds and letters with autographs of many eminent men.
Original plaster model of bronze statue ^[[of George Washington [[strikethrough]] Commemorative of Peace) [[/strikethrough]] designed by William Rudolf O'Donovan in 1887, erected at Washington's Headquarters, Newburgh, New York, according to Act of Congress of June - 1886.
[[strikethrough]] The attitude figure of Commemorative of Peace
Washington [[/strikethrough]]
The attitude is commemorative of Peace representing Washington in the act of sheathing his sword at the close of the Revolutionary War.
Accompanying the statue is the certificate of the sculptor in which he says: "This statue is the size of life and in the matter of facts of proportion, is correct; Having the small head.
the long body, the narrow shoulders and broad hips of the three full length portraits by Trumbull and of the statue by Houdon in the State House at Richmond. The head is from the life [[strikethrough]]size[[/strikethrough]] cast made by Houdon at Mount Vernon in 1785 which has been little known to [[strikethrough]] artists, the [[/strikethrough]] artists and not ^[[at]] all to the public until within the last ten years and has not been used save by Mr. O'Donovan in the making of this statue"
The Smithsonian Institution during the year transferred to the Museum its collection of portraits of [[strikethrough]] ancient and [[/strikethrough]] American and foreign scientists and men prominent in political or civil life. This series nearly 2500 engravings and photographs [[strikethrough]] which will be and will [[/strikethrough]] and will be a valuable nucleus for the formation of a National Gallery of portraits of representative men.
A pair of silver-mounted flint-lock pistols once the property of General Lafayette have been deposited by Mr. William Burnett.
[[strikethrough]] Among the politi [[/strikethrough]]
[[pre-printed]] Smithsonian Institution United States National Museum Memorandum[[/pre-printed]]
Report on the Section of Historical Relics, Coins, Medals etc., in the U.S. National Museum, 1888.
By [[double underline]] A. Howard Clerk, [[/double underline]] [[underline]] Curator [[/underline]]
[[Blue box]]
Annual Report
Hist. Relics 87-88 [[/blue box]]
Ack'd.
Monthly Report - Historical Collection
[[underline]] March 1890 [[/underline]]
The accessions received during March include -
No. 22968 J.P. Klinges, Philadelphia. Some Confederate States postage stamps.
No. 22971 N.V.D. Millar. Reprints of Vicksburg Daily Citizen July 2 1863, on wall paper; reprint of Ulster County Gazette Jan 4, 1800
No. 23004 Gen. W.S. Payne, Fostoria, Ohio. Badges of the Sons of Veterans.
No. 23009 Geo. L. Eckert, Washington. Mexican copper coin, 1/4 real.
No. 23015 A.F. Wooster, Norfolk, Conn. Spanish Republic Coin of 1870.
Among the additional objects placed on exhibition during the month are the Harvey relics received from Mrs. Harvey in February and the silvered copper electrotype copy of the "Bryant Vase" received from Tiffany & Co.
A copy of the "Weekly Post Boy" May 12, 1755 and some newspapers printed [[strikethrough]] all [[/strikethrough]] in Mexico [[strikethrough]] during [[/strikethrough]] in 1846 were received from R.H. Cressingham, New York City and transferred to the collection illustrating "Journalism" in charge of Mr. Noah.
My time has been so fully occupied with Publications and Labels during the month that little attention has been given to the Historical collections.
A. Howard Clark
^[[E]]
^[[Ack'd & use'd]]
^[[file]]
Report on Historical Collection for Months of April and May 1890
A. Howard Clark, Curator
The accessions of objects to the Historical Collections during April and May include the following:
[[underlined]] Dr. W.S. Overton [[/underlined]] (23067) - Soldier pardon for "taking part in the late rebellion", dated July 5 1866 and signed by W.H. Seward Secretary of State.
[[underlined]] Charles Abert [[/underlined]] (23089) Marble bust of Benjamin Franklin executed by "Coracchi". Deposited.
[[checkmark]] [[underlined]] Guildhall Library Committee of City of London [[/underlined]] (23093). Fourteen bronze medals struck by order of the Corporation of London to commemorate various events from 1849 to 1887.
[[checkmark]] [[underlined]] Joseph A. Donahue [[/underlined]] (23114) "Comet Medal", in bronze, of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, to be given to discoverers of comets.
[[checkmark]] [[underlined]] Arthur E. Scarff [[/underlined]] (23148) Copper coins of Siam and of the Argentine Republic.
[[checkmark]] [[underlined]] Rev. A.K. Glover [[/underlined]] (23149) Copper cents ^[[and half cents]] of the United States 1793 to 1798, and pattern cents of 1783, 1784.
[[checkmark]] [[underlined]] J.S. Billopp [[/underlined]] (23150) Virginia half-penny, George III, 1773.
[[checkmark]] [[underlined]] William M. Haley [[/underlined]] (23151) German Bible printed in Halle in 1765; and German passport issued to K. Land in 1837.
[[checkmark]] [[underlined]] Nathan Appleton [[/underlined]] (23201) Gun carriage from the Citadel of Santa Domingo City. Made of Mahogony by the Spaniards during their early possession of the island.
[[checkmark]] [[underlined]] Nathan Appleton [[/underlined]] (23206) Photograph of the Council of Sitting Bull and other Indians at Standing Rock. Photograph of ^[[Gen. Custer]] monument erected in battlefield where Gen Custer's remains were found.
[[checkmark]] Joseph Francis (23240). Gold medal presented to Mr. Francis in accordance with act of Congress. Also gold box presented to Mr. Francis by Napoleon III. These objects are an absolute gift to the National Museum as per formal deed date May 26, 1890 (filed with accession papers).
[[strikethrough]] A copy of [[/strikethrough]] The labels accompanying these objects written by Mr. Francis read as follows:
[[printed clipping]]
JOSEPH FRANCIS. GOLD MEDAL. - Presented to Joseph Francis in the blue room of the Executive Mansion, by the President, on April 12, 1890. Joint resolution in recognition of the services of Joseph Francis. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That in view of the life-long services to humanity and to his country of the now venerable Joseph Francis, in the construction and perfection of life-saving appliances by which many thousands of lives have been saved, the Director of the Mint is hereby authorized and required to strike a gold medal, with a suitable device and inscription, prepared under the direction of the Joint Committee on the Library, to be presented by the President of the United States to Mr. Francis, in recognition of his eminent services. SEC. 2. That a sufficient sum of money to carry this resolution into effect is hereby appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated. Approved, August 27, 1888.
JOSEPH FRANCIS.
GOLD AND DIAMOND BOX. - Presented to Joseph Francis by Napoleon III, Emperor of France, on February 4, 1856, in recognition of his life-saving appliances.
[[/printed clipping]]
The work on the collection has been the better arrangement of many of the objects and the installation of the interesting collections recently received.
The public interest in this department of the Museum is constantly growing [[strikethrough]] with the [[/strikethrough]] ^[[and many]] additional objects in reserve could be exhibited did the space permit.
[[strikethrough]] A Howard Clark Curator [[/strikethrough]]
For reference in preparing labels and for the benefit of visitors who are constantly applying to the Curator for information concerning historic events and persons, quite a number of books on historical topics and now retained in my office.
In addition to the regular Museum work there has been considerable correspondence in connection with my duties as Curator of the American Historical Association. No objects for exhibition have yet been
received from members of the Association, but we have received numbers of publications, [[strikethrough]] that may [[/strikethrough]] the nucleus of an historical library.
The recent formation of the District of Columbia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution of which several officers of the Museum are Members has [[strikethrough]] excited a patriotic [[/strikethrough]] ^[[aroused]] much latent patriotism and will no doubt result in good to the Museum. Already several prominent persons have become ^[[specially]] interested in our Historical Collections and will doubtless
hereafter contribute substantial influence in the cause of preserving relics ^[[illustrative]] of American History.
A Howard Clark
Curator
^[[1 8 vo copy]]
^[[Copy made]]
^[[Curators report - file]]
^[[Historical relics A H Clark]]
Collection of Historical & Personal Relics,
Coins, Medals &
By A. Howard Clark
Assistant Curator, Art & Industry Department
The transfer of the Washington relics to the National Museum by the Department of the Interior in 1883 was the first step in the Museum toward the formation of a special collection of relics of important national events or persons prominent in the history of our country. During the past year the receipt and installation of a large [[strikethrough] collection [[/strikethrough]] number of relics of General
(2)
Grant has added very greatly to the popular interest of these collections. A list of the Grant relics is given in a [[strikethrough]] subject [[/strikethrough]] subsequent chapter of this volume ^[[under Accession 18528.]]
The collection of personal relics now on exhibition includes autograph letters [[strikethrough]] or [[/strikethrough]] and personal effects of many of the Presidents of the United States and of many prominent statesmen and soldiers. Several groups of war relics and of relics commemorating Arctic expeditions and [[strikethrough]] of [[/strikethrough]] events of national interest in the history of our country, have been [[strikethrough]] arranged [[/strikethrough]] installed and attract much attention.
During the year much work has
been accomplished in labeling the thousands of [[strikethrough]] sp [[/strikethrough]] objects in these collections. It is intended that the label [[strikethrough]] should [[/strikethrough]] be [[strikethrough]] made [[/strikethrough]] rendered instructive by giving a short biography of the person concerned or a brief history of the event. [[strikethrough]] The collection of copies of [[/strikethrough]]
The collection of bronze copies of all the medals made at the United States Mint under Acts of Congress during the last hundred years has ^[[thus]] been made of historic and [[strikethrough]] proper [[/strikethrough]] popular interest by instructive labels.
During the year some efforts have been taken toward the
formation of a national collection of monies of the world including both metallic and paper money in use at the present time and the monies of the Ancient World. Several thousand specimens have been received by gifts and loans and [[strikethrough]] as fast as space with the cases has been [[/strikethrough]] a considerable number of them have been put on exhibition. An effort is made in this exhibit to show [[strikethrough]] that [[/strikethrough]] the monetary standard of different nations and to give ^[[on the labels the]] [[strikethrough]] ^[[history]] the history comparisons in nation history of the monies [[/strikethrough]] origin of each denomination.
The ^[[following]] copies of labels will show the manner of exhibiting [[strikethrough]] objects speci [[/strikethrough]] objects in this collection:
^[[Labels transferred to copy]]
^[[Curators Reports file]]
^[[used]]
^[[?CK n to S]]
[[stamp]] G.B.G. July 5 1890 [[/stamp]]
Report on Historical Collections for month of June 1890
By A. Howard Clark, Curator The only accessions of importance during the month were a history Professor Huxley received from Mr. W.T. Hornaday, and a Captain's Commission signed by President Pierce and by Jefferson Davis Secretary of War. No entries were made in the catalogue. This work is very much in arrears though the general [[strikethrough]] entry [[/strikethrough]] ^[[record]] by accession cards is carefully kept.
A re-arrangement of some of the Washington relics has resulted in a much more attractive installation than heretofore.
As ^[[Assistant Secretary and]] Curator of the American Historical Association I [[strikethrough]] have [[/strikethrough]] received ^[[from Secretary Adams]] [[/strikethrough]] during [[/strikethrough]] in June the Annual Report of the Proceedings of the Association and papers in the condition of Historical Study in America. The report has been transmitted to Congress [[strikethrough]] in accordance [[/strikethrough]] by the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution in accordance with the Act of Incorporation of the
Association and the Manuscript is now in the hands of the Public Printer as Senate Miscellaneous Document No.170. A concurrent resolution to print 4500 extra copies of the report was ^[[at my personal request]] introduced [[strikethrough]] at the [[/strikethrough]] by Senator Hoar and referred to the Committee in Printing. The Manuscript of the report was referred to the Senate Committee in the Library and by that Committee sent to the Printer.
A. Howard Clark
Curator
^[[Copied]]
^[[file]]
Copy.
Report on the Historical Collections in the U.S. National Museum, 1890.
By A. Howard Clark, Curator.
The transfer of a large collection of relics of Gen^[[eral]] Washington from the patent office to the National Museum in 1883, was [[strikethrough]] practically [[/strikethrough]] the beginning of a separate section devoted to historical collections. With the Washington relics were grouped many objects heretofore exhibited in other departments of the Museum, but which are of more interest as personal relics of representative men or memorials of events or places of historic importance. Here were brought together various gifts from foreign governments to Presidents Jefferson, Adams, Van Buren, Commodore Perry and other high officials of the United States. [[strikethrough]] In November 1886 the large collection of relics of Gen. Grant were [[/strikethrough]]
Besides relics of Benjamin Franklin, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, General Ripley, Commodore Elliott, Commodore Biddle and many other eminent American statesmen and soldiers; as well as numerous manuscripts, and relics pertaining to the colonial and revolutionary war period of our country [[strikethrough]] as well as [[/strikethrough]] ^[[and]] mementoes of ^[[Sir John Franklin,]] Kane, Hayes, ^[[Hall]], deLong ^[[and other Arctic explorers]]
2
^[[In November 1886 the large collection of relics of General Grant were]] received and added very greatly to the popular interest in this section of the Museum.*
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*A list of these relics is given in the Annual Report for 1887.
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The growth of the ^[[historical]] collections in the past three years has been very rapid and the space devoted to this class of exhibits is found far too limited for their display to [[strikethrough]] of [[/strikethrough]] visitors.
3
The accessions during the year were as follows:
From Charles Abert, Homewood, Md., a marble bust of Benjamin Franklin, sculptured by Coracchi, in Italian marble.
From Nathan Appleton, Boston, Massachusetts, a gun carriage from the citadel of Santo Domingo City, made of mahogany, probably by the Spaniards during the early days of their possession of the island. Also photograph of "Sitting Bull" and other Indians at Standing Rock, and photograph of the General Custer Monument on the battle field at Little Big-horn River, Montana. Only one officer's remains were buried on the battlefield/ young Lieutenant Crittenden. His father, General Crittenden, said "Bury him where he fell in the field of battle".
From Fred J. Adams, Grand Rapids, Mich., badge of the Michigan Press Association at their session in Grand Rapids in July, 1889.
The collection illustrating the moneys of the world in all ages and countries has been an addition of popular interest as is evidenced by the many valuable loan collections of ancient and modern pieces. This collection is not limited to metallic currency, but includes paper [[strikethrough]] money [[/strikethrough]] ^[[currency]] and ^[[various]] substitutes for money.
The entries in the catalogue during the year aggregate 645, representing about a thousand specimens. Upwards of 3000 additions have been made to the card catalogue which now numbers about 10000 cards. There are yet many objects not catalogued in detail though accession cards and lists are preserved.
5
From W.S. Baker, Philadelphia, Pa., four volumes on engraved, medallic and character portraits of Washington, "Bibliotheca Washingtoniana", and "History of a rare Washington Print".
From F. N. Barrett, New York City, portrait of M. Appert, inventor of the art of preserving food by hermetic sealing.
From Miss H.H. Berger, Brooklyn, N.Y., copper and silver coins of Finland.
From Paul Beckwith, Washington, D.C., badge of Union Veterans Union, Good Templars, Knights of Pythias and Knights of Golden Eagle, also one book "The Spellbinders Souvenir", and medals commenorating the Unveiling of General Meade Statue, 1887, and the organization of 1st. Reg't N.G. Pass 1861.
From Dr. E. G. Betty, Cincinnati, Ohio, Medals of Ohio Valley Centennial Exposition, and rare silver, copper and nickel coins of the United States.
From J.S. Billopp, Glenn Dale, Md., half-penny of Virginia, George III, 1773.
From H.P. Branham, glass flute, silver mounted, made by Laurent of Paris, and used for many years by Judge A.B. Longstreet of Georgia, author of history of Georgia, etc.,
From the British Museum, London, a large series of electrotypes of Greek coins, the types of coins used prior to 100 A.D.
From F. E. Brownell, Washington, D.C., shot gun and rifle, relics of Col. E.E. Ellsworth.
From Mrs. J.G. Bruff, Washington, D.C., collection of 1129 silver and copper coins of the United States and foreign countries, 171 examples of paper currency, 29 medals and some numismatic books.
From Harriet W. Carey, Napoleon, Ohio, a looking glass, relic of James Mason of the Plymouth Colony.
From Mrs. S.S. Cox, New York City, decorations of the Turkish Order of the Mjidieh and The Shefaket.
6
From William Ellory Curtis, Washington, D.C., Album of portraits of the officers and members of the International American Conference held at Washington in 1889-90.
From Joseph A. Donahoe, San Francisco, Cal., comet medal of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, given to discoverers of comets.
From Leon G. Duchesne, Natchez, Miss., paper money of the city of Natchez, November 1862.
From R. Edward Earll, Washington, D.C., six-krentzer coin of the Rhenish Palatinate dated 1808.
From George L. Eckert, Washington, D.C., copper coin of State of Chihuahua, Mexico.
From St. Julian Fillette, Washington, D.C., photographs of United States war ships "Trenton", "Vandalia", and Nipsic and the war ship "Ogla", showing view of the harbor of Apia, Samoan Islands, taken after the hurricane of Saturday, March 16, 1889.
From Charles F. Fish, Fall River, Mass., photographs of the Old Stone Mill at Newport and of an old windmill at Portsmouth, R.I.
7
From Joseph Francis, Minneapolis, Minn., large gold medal presented to Mr. Francis by President Harrison, Arpil 1889, in accordance with Act of the Congress of the United States for his invention of life boats, etc. Gold snuff box, diamond mounted, presented to Mr. Francis by Napoleon III.
From James M. Gleason, Boston, Mass., bronze medals commemorative of the visit of the Boston Commandery to the 24th Triennal Conclave of Knights Templar, Washington City, Oct. 8, 1889.
From Rev. A.K. Glover, Grand Haven, Mich., copper coins of the United States from 1783 to 1826.
From Guildhall Library Committee of London, England, bronze medals struck by order of the Corporation of London from 1849 to 1887 to commemorate various historic events.
From William M. Haley, San Francisco, German Bible printed in Halle in 1765; and German passport issued to K. Land in May 1837.
8
From William Hall, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Knight Templar badge and card.
From Mrs. W.S. Hancock, Washington, D.C., cane presented to General Hancock by Citizens of Brooklyn in 1884, sword voted to him at the Sanitary Fair in St. Louis in 1864, and regulation sword carried by him throughout the War of the Rebellion.
From Mrs. Mary Harney, Washington, D.C., Mexican saddle and harness, military cap and chapeau, epaulettes, revolver and two rifles, personal relics of Gen. W.S. Harney.
From W.T. Hornaday, Buffalo, N.Y., plaster bust of Professor Huxley.
From C.P. Jacobs, Indianapolis, Indiana, programs, invitation cards, badges, and other relics of the funeral of President Abraham Lincoln.
From Philip Jaisohn, Washington, D.C., Japanese 20 sen silver coin.
9
From Lewis Johnson & Co., Washington, D.C., Hungarian paper money, issued at BudaPest, September 1, 1848.
From J.P. Klinges, Philadelphia, Pa., postage stamps of the Confederate States.
From Oliver S. League, Annapolis, Md., cross-bow found under the floor of Col. Wilmot's house in Annapolis, built in the 17th century.
From Thomas Marron, Washington, D.C., autograph letter of Postmaster General Amos Kendall, October 26, 1838.
From Col. Marshall McDonald, Washington, D.C., military publications and manuscript records pertaining to Confederate States.
From Mrs. N.V.D. Miller, reprints of wall-paper edition of Vicksburg Daily Citizen, July 2-4, 1863, and reprint of Ulster County Gazette, January 4, 1800.
From Theodore A. Mills, Washington, D.C., Commission of Clark Mills as Lieutenant of Cavalry in 1853 signed by President Franklin Pierce and Sec-
10
Secretary of War Jefferson Davis. Cast of face of Abraham Lincoln, from original mold made by Clark Mills in February, 1865, about sixty days before the President's death.
From W.C. Mason, Washington, D.C., Chinese copper coins.
From John M. Noah, Washington, D.C., original printed copy of Carrier's address to the patrons of the "National Advocate", New York City, January 1, 1817. Badge of Knights Templar.
From Wm. S. Overton, Stoney Creek, Va., pardon for rebel soldier signed by W.H. Seward, Secretary of State. July 5, 1866.
From Gen. Walter S. Payne, Fostoria, Ohio, badge of the Sons of Veterans.
From Thomas G. Reames, Jacksonville, Oregon, twenty-dollar gold coin of the United States found in a cow's stomach. Badge of Knights Templar.
From J.T. Richards, Philadelphia, Pa., brick from foundation of Fort Duquesne at Pittsburgh, built prior to 1753.
11
From W.W. Rockhill, Washington, D.C., Chinese paper money, including a National bank note, the only issue by the present dynasty, and New Year's Day and ordinary 100 cash paper currency of the city of Pekin.
From Arthur E. Scarff, Kalamazoo, Mich., Siamese copper coin; and copper coin, dos centavos, of Argentine Republic, 1884.
From Henry L. Sheldon, Middlebury, Vt., paper money of Vermont Glass Company 1814, and fractional currency of H.A. Sheldon, 1862.
From Felix Speyer, Franklin, Pa., copper coin of Portugal, 20 Reis, 1866.
From Dr. H.R. Storer, Newport, R.I., mould of medals of historic interest.
From Tiffany & Co., New York City, silvered copper electrotype of the large vase presented to William Cullen Bryant, by the citizens of New York in 1875.
12
From James Todd, Pittsburgh, Pa., silver watch and chain with seal and pendant, captured from a British soldier at Battle of Lexington, 1775, by Lieut. James Todd, of Boston.
From War Department, two swords presented to Gen. James Shields by State of Illinois and State of South Carolina, for gallant services during the Mexican War.
From W.J. Winter, Denver, Colorado, ribbon badge of the Cowboy Club of Denver, Colorado.
From A.F. Wooster, Norfolk, Conn., copper coin of Republic of Spain, 1870.
13
The morning sessions of the annual meeting of the American Historical Association, were held in the Lecture Hall of the National Museum, December 28 to 31, 1889. There was a large attendance of members of the Association and much interest manifested in the Museum collections. This Association was incorporated by act of Congress approved January 4, 1889, and by this act is directed to report annually to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution concerning its proceedings and the condition of historical study in America. The Regents of the Smithsonian Institution are authorized to permit the Association to deposit its collections, manuscripts, books, pamphlets and other material for history in the Smithsonian Institution or in the National Museum. Under this act some books and pamphlets have been deposited in the Museum and placed in charge of the Curator of Historical Collections who has been elected Assistant Secretary and Curator of the Association.
14
Among the papers read at the meetings were the following:
"The Literature of Witchcraft", by Prof. George L. Burr of Cornell University.
"A Catechism of Political Reaction" by Ex-President Andrew D. White.
"The French Revolution in San Domingo," by Herbert Elmer Mills of Cornell University.
"On a newly discovered manuscript called Reminiscences of the American War of Independence, by Ludwig Baron von Closen, Aid to the Count de Rochambeau", by Clarence W. Bowen of New York City.
"Recent Historical Work in the Colleges and Universities of Europe and America", by President Charles Kendall Adams.
"The Origin and Early History of our National Scientific Institutions", by Dr. G. Brown Goode.
"The Development of International Law as to Newly Discovered Territory", by Dr. Walter B. Scaife of Johns Hopkins University.
"The Impeachment and Trial of Prest. Johnson",
15
by Dr. Wm. A. Dunning, of Columbia University, New York City.
"The Trial and Execution of John Brown", by General Marcus J. Wright.
"A Defence of Congressional Government", by Dr. Freeman Snow of Howard University.
"The Economic and Social History of New England 1620-1789", by William B. Weeden, of Providence.
"The Correspondence of the Pelham Family and the Loss of Oswego to the British", by William Henry Smith, President of the Associated Press.
"The early History of the Ballot in Connecticut" by Prof. Simeon E. Baldwin of Yale University.
"Certain Phases of the Western Movement during the Revolutionary War", by Theodore Roosevelt.
"The Concentration of the Flathead Indians upon the Jocko Reservation", by General Henry B. Carrington.
"The Constitutional Aspect of Kentucky's Struggle for Autonomy, 1784-'92", by Ethelbert D. Warfield, President of Miami University.
"Some Historical Facts from the Records of William and Mary College", by President Lyon G.. Tyler.
16
"Materials for the Study of the Government of the Confederate States", by John Osborne Sumner.
"Notes on the Outlook for Historical Studies in the Southern States", by Prof. William P. Trent, of the University of the South.
"The Relations of History to Ethnology", by Prof. O.T. Mason, of the National Museum.
"The Present Condition of Historical Studies in Canada", by George Stewart, Jr., D.C.L., LL.D., of Quebec.
"The Spirit of Historical Research", by James Schowler of Boston.
"The Perils of Historical Study", by Justin Winsor.
"The Government as a Guardian of American History", by Worthington C. Ford.
A full report of the proceedings of the meeting will be printed in the Annual Report of the [[strikethrough]] American [[/strikethrough]] Association to be published [[strikethrough]] in [[/strikethrough]] ^[[as]] a Congressional Document.
17
The [[strikethrough]] historical [[/strikethrough]] collections exhibited in the North Hall have been partially re-arranged and many new objects have been installed during the year. Labels have been written for all objects shown.
There are now in reserve many hundreds of objects that might be exhibited, if space permitted.
A beginning has been made on a collection of postage stamps of all nations, about sixteen hundred specimens gathered by Prof. Baird forming the nucleus of this collection.
The collection of portraits of representative men of the world has increased considerably in number during the year, but is yet very incomplete. There have been put on exhibition engraved and photographic portraits of some of the most eminent scientists, and an interesting collection of portraits of the medical men of the world deposited by Dr. [[strikethrough]] John [[/strikethrough]] ^[[J.M.]] Toner.
1890
Curators Report on [[underlined]] Historical Collections [[/underlined]] for January
^[[Curators Reports
Historical Collection
Jan. 1890
A.H. Clark]]
[[stamp]] G.B.G. FEB 7 1890 [[/stamp]]
National Museum Feb 1 '90
Dr. G. Brown Goode
Ass't Secretary, Smithsonian Institution, in charge of National Museum
Sir -
I have to report as follows concerning the operation of the department of Historical Collections during the month of January, 1890.
During the closing days of December the Annual Meeting of the American Historical Association was held in the Lecture Hall of the Museum. A printed account of the Proceedings of the meeting, from "The Independent" of January 9, is appended. A report will also be found in the February number of the "Magazine of American History".
For the [[strikethrough]] well [[/strikethrough]] benefit of the members of the Association and visitors there was placed in the Lecture Hall during the progress of the meeting a number of cases filled with objects of historic interest including a collection of manuscripts, maps, books and pamphlets relating to American history and to the history of Scientific institutions in the United States. Part of the collection consisted of curious and historic books [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]] &c kindly [[strikethrough]] to [[/strikethrough]] lent for the occasion by W.H. Lowderville & Co and Mr. Lewis Hayden of Washington; these loans were returned to the owners early in January.
During January there was some correspondence between the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and the Secretary of the Association concerning the conditions under which the Association may transfer to the care of the Institution its collection of books, pamphlets, and other historic objects. Such transfer having been authorized by Act of Congress Jan 4 1889 and by resolution of the Board of Regents of the Institution Jan 9 1889, the Sectary has decided that the Collection when deposited here shall be in charge of the Curator of the Historical Collections in the Museum [[strikethrough]] he having [[/strikethrough]] ^[[who has]] been elected Assistant Secretary
and Curator of the Association. It is hoped that the relations now existing between the Institution and the Association will result in greatly [[strikethrough]] increasing [[/strikethrough]] ^[[benefit]] the interests of this department.
The ^[[recorded]] accessions to the Historical Collections during the month were as follows:
22777 Lewis Johnson & Co. Paper money of Hungary.
22778 W.W. Rockhill. Chinese paper money.
22817 H.P. Branham. Glass flute, silver-mounted, used for many years by Judge Longstreet of Georgia.
22825 Thomas Marron. Autograph letter of Ex-Postmaster General Amos Kendall.
22830 L.C. Duchesne. Confederate States paper money, local, city of Natchez, 1862.
22831 J.M. Noah. Cards of admission to ceremonies at ^[[the]] Capital Dec. 11, 1889 in commemoration of President Washington's inauguration in 1789.
22833 Photograph of J.G. Swan, Vice President of Pioneer Society of Washington Territory [[strikethrough]] on occasion of [[/strikethrough]].
The special work on the collection in January has been to place some additional objects on exhibition including an interesting terra cotta medal of Benjamin Franklin, and an account book of Washingtons personal
and household expenses from 1793 to 1797, and to replace many temporary labels by permanent ones. The card catalogue of collections has been re-arranged and is now nearly perfect.
For convenience of reference the [[strikethrough]] card [[/strikethrough]] catalogue which consists of several thousand cards has been made into five principal divisions as follows:
A. Personal relics of eminent men.
B. Relics, medals, and other objects illustrative or commemorative of historic events &c
C. Money, including coins, paper money, and substitutes for money.
D. Badges, medals &c of civic, military, benevolent, and other organizations.
E. Portraits, busts, &c.
The collection of medals, [[strikethrough]] shown [[strikethrough]] ^[[exhibited]] simply [[underlined]] as medals [[underline]] has been found of comparatively little interest, and most [[strikethrough]] have [[strikethrough]] ^[[of them have]] been withdrawn from exhibition to be shown in connection with other objects to which they relate.
The money collection has very greatly increased in number of specimens [[strikethrough]] and [[strikethrough]] ^[[but there is room in the cases for]] not more than half of the series intended for exhibition. [[strikethrough]] has been put in the cases which [[strikethrough]]
This collection has been partly
overhanded during the month and something has been done [[strikethrough]] in [[strikethrough]] ^[[toward]] the identification of several hundred ancient [[strikethrough]] pie [[strikethrough]] coins.
There is an increasing correspondence with persons asking information concerning the identity and value of coins medals and objects supposed to be [[strikethrough]] of [[strikethrough]] valuable because of ^[[their]] historic association.
Very respectfully
A. Howard Clark
Curator of Historical Collections.
^[[Enter & file]]
[[stamp]] G.B.G. MAR 3 1890 [[/stamp]]
Monthly Report - Historical Collections February 1890.
The additions to the Collections during the month include a series of medals of the [[strikethrough]] Cin [[/strikethrough]] Ohio Valley Centennial Exposition and a number of silver and nickel coins received from Dr. E.G. Betty of Cincinnati; [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]] some personal relics of General W.S. Harney, (Mexican saddle and harness, chapeau, epaulettes, pistol and rifles) deposited by Mrs. Harney; and two gold and jewel mounted swords, presented to General James Shields by the States of Illinois and South Carolina; deposited ^[[in the Museum]] by the War Department
Very few changes were made in the exhibition series. [[strikethrough]] In [[/strikethrough]] ^[[To]] the collection of Washington relics was added a set of twenty volumes of a work entitled "Histoire Generale du Voyages" & printed 1746-1789 and with the monogram GW on the cover of each volume. On the fly leaf of the first volume is written "Was intended for General Washington by the Marquis Rochambeau but a British Cruiser saved it for me - A.D.". This work is a temporary loan from Dr. G. Brown Goode.
Some official orders and other papers pertaining to the funeral of President Lincoln in Indiana and Illinois, [[strikethrough]] were [[/strikethrough]] ^[[received]] from Mr. C.P. Jacobs, were
placed in a case adjacent to the "Lincoln mask".
There has been some inquiry for relics of Columbus. The very authentic relics we have on some chips of wood from the mortised beam to which Columbus was chained during his imprisonment at San Domingo - also a piece of an iron bolt from the same prison.
Dr. Storer of Newport, R.I., has [[strikethrough]] sent [[/strikethrough]] ^[[lent]] to the Museum a collection of moulds (in horn) of 126 interesting historic medals ^[[from]] which it is desirable ^[[casts]] should be made at an early day.
About a dozen letters were written during the month in answer to inquiries as to identity and value of coins.
[[underlined]] American Historical Association. [[/underlined]]
About thirty books and pamphlets have been received during the month from various Historical Societies in response to a request [[strikethrough]] by [[/strikethrough]] ^[[in a]] circular letter. [[strikethrough]] of which [[/strikethrough]]
Fifty-seven of these circulars were sent to the more important Historical Societies of the [[strikethrough]] United [[/strikethrough]] several States. [[strikethrough]] ? [[/strikethrough]]
A copy of the circular is appended.
A. Howard Clark
[[page from newspaper]]
January 9, 1890.] THE INDEPENDENT. (37) 5
melted into thin air. But the most ardent advocate of the national idea must concede that it was a strong appreciation of State prerogatives that could fix upon the nation its name of plural form which allows no derivative name for its citizens.
But whether the United States was a nation in the fullest sense from the first or not, the South agrees with the North in declaring that it is so now. In this section of the country the pride of nationality is growing fast.
By its Memorial Day the South asked the North to concede that these governmental relations had to be an open question until they had been settled by war. In the words of one of its sons it declares: "You Northerners are bound to believe that the South was honest in its opinions." It asks that its people be vindicated from the charge of treason, and that they be regarded, not as pardoned criminals, but as brethren in the fullest sense. It also asserts its believe that the whole country will be the freer through future years, because of the stand which the South took in defense of the reserved powers of the States and the right of local self-government.
It is true that one often hears in the South bitter complaints which far exceed all proper demands for justice. The South is to-day a theater of exciting discussions of past, present and future issues. The widest differences find expression in private conversation. The solidity of the South seems much like that of the solid lake over which the spring winds have been freely blowing. The public press is for the most part in the rear of the advance of thought among the real leaders. Perhaps it is forced to be. It is hard to adjust the thought of vast communities to the changed conditions of a new era. There is so much of the inertia of prejudice to overcome, that pronounced utterances would perhaps defeat the end aimed at. In great transitions of thought it is probably necessary to "make haste slowly."
But tho the South is still over-sensitive and sore over old issues, yet surely upon the North, as victor in the great struggle, rests the larger obligation for magnanimity and the exercise of fraternal charity.
To-day the best South, the liberal and enlightened South, declares: "We have conceded much; far more than you of the North realize. We are struggling with a might problem which has never been solved in the world's experience, the problem of two most unlike races trying to live together in nearly equal numbers on the same soil. In other race collisions numbers have been unequal and the weaker race has usually gone to the wall, or remained servile to the other. We are trying to solve the problem aright. Under the friction of local conditions we have not yet been able always to enforce those ideal principles which the North from its remoter standpoint would have us apply to these questions. But we are meeting the issue with courage, and we will never cease our efforts until these relations are settled on principles as broad as Christianity itself. But you owe to us in our difficult task that kindly judgement which shows appreciation of grave conditions and which 'thinketh no evil.'"
It is the voice of the best part of the white South that says this: There is another South whose voice will be heard more and more distinctly as time goes on. The question before the country is not so much, What shall be done with the Negro? as, What will the Negro do with himself?
Each of these voices of the South claims its right to be heard. But it was the White South that spoke through the memorial pageant of December 11th. Among those who gave public eulogies on that occasion were some who are making it their life-work to uplift and educate the Negro race. They are loyal sons of the South, and while not blind to the faults of their section, they have faith in the future of both races and in the triumph of Christian principle. They are saying to the North: "Wait for us as well as for the Negro, and touch not your liberties and ours by hasty or partisan action that is founded on distrust of your brethren."
Twenty-nine years ago the Convention that cast the die in the history of secession gathered in this city. An epidemic of small-pox caused the adjournment of the Convention to Charleston, where the document was signed. I was once shown a silver memorial goblet bearing the inscription "Independence Day, Dec. 20, 1860." The Citizens of South Carolina have ceased to glory in that "Independence Day." Its results were too costly.
As one reviews the troublous events that took place on this soil during the twelve years that followed the close of the War, one wonders what would be the actions of the Government if the same questions had to be decided over again in the light of to-day. It was a condition of things for which history gave no precedent. Any step forward was like a leap into the dark. Indeed, now that nearly a score of years have passed, the conclusion as to what ought to have been done must still be much like that of the old darky who said: "Dey's jus' two ways froo dis yere woods, massa; an' whichsomeber way yo' goes, yo' is might sorry yo' didn' take de udder."
Daniel Webster once said that a strong conviction that something must be done is the parent of many bad measures. The South to-day asked the nation to pay just heed to the words of Massachusetts' gifted statesman. Even in her desperate struggle with illiteracy she would feel safer to fight it out alone rather than to accept much-needed help from the nation if there were danger that the national action could afterward be used to wound the self-respect of her people.
On that Sunday when the cold form of Jefferson Davis was lying in state in New Orleans, the pastor of a great congregation in this capital city which was the "cradle of secession," voiced the wish of thousands of other congregations, both North and South, in the petition that every vestige of sectional bitterness might be buried forever in this grave. As I write these words on the anniversary of the day when the first decisive step was taken in that great tragedy, suggestions of Christmastide are calling the multitudes of both North and South to
"Hush the noise, ye men of strife,
And hear the angels sing."
In the perfecting of fraternal relations among sections once at strife, the proud State of Massachusetts, which has so often joined combat with the proud State of South Carolina on questions of the hour, but whose large-hearted generosity toward Southern needs found its culmination in the magnificent gift of George Peabody to Southern education - ought to be first and foremost in the exercise of that charity in judgement which shall hasten the day of universal "peace, good-will and glory."
COLUMBIA, S.C.
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
BY KATE FOOTE.
THE New Year 1890 - the rounding of a century, since the first New Year of the first President of the United States - and just one hundred New Year Days.
How much the New Year Day means to the people - not much to the officials who make the pageant at the White House - but to the people who make the officials, and who make the history - a new page of it each New Year Day.
President Harrison's first New Year was wet. It was drizzling. It was his inauguration weather over again, with perhaps a trifle less of it. But the White House, by contrast, was the brighter and more attractive. The big East Room had the massive setting, as became it, of tall palms and dashes of scarlet poinsettas. Blooming azalea trees were a background in the oval windows of the Blue Room. Everywhere was the sweetness of cut flowers, over all the sparkling gas-lights, and with all, the festive music of the red-coated Marine Band.
The reception began at the usual hour of eleven o'clock. Before that hour the Diplomatic Corps had turned out of the long line of dripping carriages, flashed in, and added a wealth of gorgeous color and jewel decorations to the brilliant scene. A second line of dripping carriages, and the foreign congresses, the Pan American and Maritime, turned out a second dazzling flash of gold lace, ribbons and clanking swords. By this time the Red Room was pretty full of many nations' representatives - the Italian, German, Russian and British Ministers, among the diplomats, by all odds the most striking figures. Baron Fava, very tall, very black-eyed, very white-haired, tho Italian, is an old portrait of Louis Fourteenth age. Count von Arco-Valley, is the German soldier, of splendid physique and military bearing. Sir Julian Pauncefote, large and fine, is the well groomed, perfect-mannered Briton. Baron de Struve, from the frozen clime of the only autocrat on earth, is also large and fine, and one of the most courtly, genial of men.
It was the Orientals, of course, who gave the picturesque - the Chinese and Koreans. But it was the little Korean ladies, Mrs. Ye Wan Yong and Mrs. Ye Cha Yun, who received the greatest attention - that is, if curiosity may be put into the more polite word. Mrs. Ye Wan Yong is a pretty woman - a dainty figure, skin smooth and ivory white, regular features, perfect teeth, hair soft, black and shining as silk, a simplicity and sweetness of expression that gives her the Madonna type of face. Is it any wonder that Mrs. Ye Wan Yong is a fascinating woman? It was their first New Year at the White House: and if they did not understand what it was all about, they looked on with demure interest and made no mistakes. It was something of a debut - a "coming out" party. As for their husbands, Mr. Ye Wan Yong and Mr. Ye Cha Yun, their beaming faces showed proud delight over the impression made by their wives. That they are disposed to give "full swing" to American customs is quite evident, and in all things save dress they are quickly falling into American ways. But let us hope they will hold to their flowing brocades of many hues and their indescribable head-covering, for they would not be half as interesting in other than their native attire.
"Hail to the Chief" will never grow old. It renews its youth every New Year's Day, and after a hundred plunges in the fountain was as new, inspiring and delightfully starting as ever. With the first strain, the first note rather, it starts the President and receiving ladies to the Blue Room, and at the same instant starts everybody else - to look at them. Right here is one of the most democratic features - in the taking, as a matter of course, the privilege of looking at the President, and out of which no harm comes - nothing more unpleasant than a little elbowing and crowding, and the craning heads always coming out on top.
When the President appeared with Mrs. McKee on his arm, there was no stir, not a ripple of the previous agitation over the official program naming the President's daughter as the representative of the President's wife. The President's personal feeling was one thing; the question of official etiquet was another. Yes, it was quite another, and, as a matter of fact, had been quite sufficient cause for agitation. The wife takes her tank from her husband, and not from her father. Mrs. McKee is the wife of a private citizen, and therefore has no official status. In the event of the President not being able to perform his duties, would his son, who has no official rank, represent him, or would the Vice-President? The question could admit of but the one answer. If the President's wife, then, is not able to appear on official occasions, and more particularly on New Year's Day, would her daughter, who has no official status, represent her, or would the Vice-President's wife? The question could admit of but the one answer. This is the gist of the talk in official circles, always winding up with "Oh, the President's personal feeling is one thing. The question of official etiquet is quite another thing." And so it is, to be sure.
One voluble writer proceeded to pour oil on the troubled waters, by citing former Presidents, who had asked nieces, sisters or other relatives to preside over the White House. And why not, when in every instance given, the President was a widower or bachelor. When President Jefferson's niece, President Buchanan's niece, President Arthur's sister, and President Cleveland's sister for the first part of his term, presided over the White House, it was by right of a correctly observed official etiquet. Therefore, the fact that a bachelor or widower President made his niece, his sister, even his "cousin or his aunt," mistress of the White House, has nothing to do with the present question, say the ladies of the Cabinet circle. The troubled waters remain troubled; but happily for the New Year reception it was all on the surface. And so, with smiling faces, while the music rose above the undertoned "Ahs" and "Ohs" they walked on through the corridor, arm-in-arm, to the Blue Room - the President and Mrs. McKee, the Vice-President and Mrs. Morton, Secretary and Mrs. Windom, Attorney-General and Mrs. Miller, Postmaster-General and Mrs. Wanamaker, Secretary and Mrs. Tracy, Secretary and Mrs. Noble, Secretary and Mrs. Rusk.
All of the ladies were in the line, except the wife of the Secretary of State, and the wife of the Secretary of War. A double sorrow had fallen on the Blaine household in the very recent death of Mrs. Blaine's sister, and a few days after, the death of Mr. Blaine's brother. Mrs. Proctor's ill health kept her from the White House, and prevented her from receiving later in her own home. A glance down the line of handsomely gowned women showed another "departure" in the precedence given the wife of the Attorney-General over the wife of the Secretary of the Navy. What old agitations it recalled, and struggles, that were well-night feuds, forever breaking out at the most inopportune times, and at last fairly threatening to break up the social structure of one Administration. Under the Arthur regime, the beautiful wife of the Attorney-General maintained that her place in the line should be above that of the wife of the Secretary of the Navy. On the other hand the clever wife of the Secretary of the Navy held the place, declaring that the Navy and Army should stand side by side. The Blue Room was sometimes very warm, and often uncomfortably warm for the rest of the line. The disputed precedence was never settled, however. President Cleveland's Attorney-General was a widower, and the peace of the Blue Room was not in his day disturbed by this question.
There would seem to be but one law by which to determine the order of precedence in the Blue Room, when the wives of Cabinet officers form the receiving line. Whatever determined the President in giving to Mrs. McKee the first place, he has availed himself of the one law, giving to the wives of the Cabinet officers their rightful places. No matter if self-defense compelled him to work of re-organization, the precedence is fixed for the present Administration anyhow. It is on the law of dates, the time when each Cabinet department was created by an Act of Congress - in other words, the law of seniority. In the following order the Blue Room line will represent the departments of State, War, Treasury, Justice, Post-office, Navy, Interior and Agriculture. This would be the seniority law. But the importance of the Treasury may take precedence over the War Department. The same date would make a tie between the Treasury and department of Justice, as both were created on September 2d, 1789. But again, the importance of the Treasury would take precedence. However, as the one thing to be desired is the harmony of the Blue Room, let us hope the President has solved the precedence problem, and that at least the Cabinet end of the line was happy.
It was also a sensible step, and an improvement on the former custom of "pairing off," many said, when husbands and wives went in together. Here again President Harrison "steered clear of breakers," by avoiding another vexing question of precedence. These things all seem the minutest trifles. But atoms make the earth, and trifles make the world of official society.
The gorgeous diplomats were followed by the somber shades of the Supreme Court Justices, and then the Senators and Representatives, not in the time of the official program but in the old time bringing them in with the
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Justices. There is no use denying that the Senators were ahead of time, and their too early presence caused some embarrassment and confusion. The program gave the first time to the foreign visitors, the second to all of the courts, including the District, and the third to Senators and Representatives in Congress. Heretofore the United States legislators had entered close on the heels of the United States Supreme Court Justices, and their prompt appearance now was evidence that they preferred the old time to the new.
The Army and Naval officers brought in bright color again; but after the first hour the glitter of uniforms had vanished, and the dreary weather began to show itself, in the processions of civil bodies marching through the rain. The crowd of ladies in reception toilets, asked to assist back of the line thinned out, the line itself dwindled away; and when the public reception began at 12:30 the Blue Room had changed from a scene of warmth and brilliancy, to one of coldness and half desertion. When the people stand patiently in the rain for hours that they may pay respects to the President, the President could receive no greater compliment, than their good wishes on New Year's Day. But the deserted Blue Room was no return for the peoples compliment. And it must be added that it was in marked contrast to the consideration shown the people under the last Administration, when President Cleveland's personal request was a command to his assistants to remain through the public reception.
And what of the Vice-President's wife? the first Vice-President's wife in the White House on New Year's Day since twenty years. But more, a woman of handsome presence, graceful assurance, magnetism, and, above all, a tact amounting to finished diplomacy.
"Mrs. Morton," said a visitor looking on, "makes the place; the place does not make Mrs. Morton." So it seemed, when little short of the first hour the Vice-President's wife withdrew to go home, where she held a reception during the afternoon, that was even more brilliant than the official part of the White House line. The Vice-President's official program was similar to that of the President's, except that Senators and Representatives and the Army and Navy were given precedence over District of Columbia officials. From 12 till 2 was given to official visitors, and from 2 till 3 to a public reception. Mrs. Morton received in the superb gown she wore at the White House, and she was assisted by at least a dozen attractive women in handsome toilets. The Vice-President's house has one of the most beautiful interiors in Washington, the new dining-room especially being spacious, and on New Year's Day opened to visitors.
And now how will it all end? What will be the sequel of the President's and the Vice-President's first New Year's reception? Are we to have two "Courts" at the Capital? It would have been a graceful and gracious courtesy had the President's wife asked the Vice-President's wife to be her representative at the White House, people say. But she did not - and now why should not the Vice-President's wife hold her own little court? Why indeed, should she not? In the mean time official society is holding its breath while awaiting results.
THE NATIONAL HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
BY HERBERT B. ADAMS, PH.D.,
SECRETARY OF THE ASSOCIATION AND PROFESSOR OF HISTORY IN JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY.
THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION was organized at Saratoga, in 1884, with only forty members, for the promotion of historical studies. In six years this society has grown by a process of historical selection to a membership of 620 with one hundred life members. At the sixth annual meeting which was held in Washington, D.C., from the 28th to the 31st of December, 1889, there were present eight-nine members, the largest attendance in the history of the Association.
The following is an alphabetical list of members present:
Charles Kendall Adams, President; Herbert B. Adams, Secretary; Prof. H.C. Adams, Ann Arbor; Dr. Cyrus Adler, of Baltimore; Miss Maria Weed Alden, New York; Dr. Charles M. Andrews, Bryn Mawr; Dr. W.G. Andrews, Guilford, Conn; Dr. E.M. Avery, Cleveland; Prof. Simeon E. Baldwin, New Haven; Dr. Frederick A. Bancroft, Librarian of the State Department; George Bancroft, ex-President of the Association; Gen. William Birney, Washington; Prof. Edward S. Bourne, Adelbert College, Cleveland Henry E Bourne, Norwich Academy; Dr. Clarence W. Bowen, New York; Dr. Jeffrey R. Brackett, Baltimore; Prof. George L. Burr, Cornell University; Prof. Howard W. Caldwell, University of Nebraska; Gen. Henry B. Carrington, of Boston; Judge Mellen Chamberlain, of Boston; the Ref. Thomas S. Childs, D.D., Washington; A. Howard Clark, National Museum; Mendes Cohen, Secretary of the Maryland Historical Society; W.V. Cox, U.S. National Museum; Major-Gen. George W. Cullum, U.S.A., New York; Prof. R.H. Darling, Secretary of the Oneida Historical Society; Llewellyn Deane, Washington; Dr. Wm. A. Dunning, Columbia College; Paul Leicester Ford, Brooklyn; Mrs. Olivia M. Ford, Washington; George Fox, Hopkins Grammar School, New Haven; Dr. E.M. Gallaudet, President National Deaf-Mute College; Dr. G. Brown Goode, Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution; A.A. Graham, State Historical Society, Columbus; Judge Alexander B. Hagner, Washington; Charles H. Haskins, Baltimore; Prof. Paul Haupt, Baltimore; Gen. Joseph Hawley, U.S. Senate; Col. John Hay, Washington; Hon. Wm. Wirt Henry, Richmond, Vice-President of the Association; Hon. George F. Hoar, U.S. Senate; Prof. F.H. Hodder, Cornell University; Roswell Randall Hoes, U.S.N.; Hon. John Jay, Vice-President of the Association; Rear-Admiral Thornton A. Jenkins, U.S. Navy, Washington; Miss Elizabeth Bryant Johnston, Washington; Hon. Horatio King, Washington; John A. King, President New York Historical Society; Mrs. Martha J. Lamb, Editor of Magazine of American History; Edward G. Mason, President Chicago Historical Society; Prof. O.T. Mason, U.S. National Museum; John H.T. McPherson, Baltimore; Gen. R.D. Mussey, Washington; Judge Charles A. Peabody, New York; Prof. John Pollard, Richmond; Dr. William F. Poole, Librarian Newberry Library, Chicago; the Rev. J.E. Rankin, D.D., President Howard University; James F. Rhodes, Esq., Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, Civil Service Commission, Washington; Gen. Rufus Saxton, Washington; Dr. Walter B. Scaife, Baltimore; James Schouler, Esq., Boston; Prof. Austin Scott, Rutgers College; Wm. Henry Smith, President Associated Press, New York; Dr. Freeman Snow, Harvard University; A.R. Spofford, Library of Congress; Dr. Charles J. Stille, Philadelphia; Henry Stockbridge, Esq. Baltimore; George H. Stone, Esq., Cleveland; Henry Strong, Esq., Washington; John Osborne Sumner, Harvard University; Dr. William C. Teichmann, Washington; Dr. Joseph Meredith Toner, Library of Congress; Prof. Wm. P. Trent, University of the South; President Lyon G. Gyler, William and Mary College; John Martin Vincent, Johns Hopkins University; Mrs. Ellen Harden Walworth, Washington; Pres. Ethelbert D. Warfield, Miami University; J.E. Watkins, U.S. National Museum; Wm. B. Weeded, President Historical Association, Brown University; Pres. James C. Welling, Columbian University; ex-President Andrew D. White, Cornell University; W.W. Whilloughby, Johns Hopkins University; Gen. James Grant Wilson, New York; Prof. Thomas Wilson, U.S. National Museum; James A. Woodburn, Johns Hopkins University; Gen. Marcus J. Wright, War Records Office, Washington.
The headquarters of the Association in Washington were at the Arlington Hotel. Three morning sessions, Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, were held from 10:30 to 1 o'clock at the National Museum by permission of the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution and three evening sessions on the same days, from 8 to 10 P.M. in the large lecture hall of the Columbian University, by invitation of Pres. James C. Welling. Sunday and the afternoon hours were free for social purposes. On Monday, from 4 to 7 o'clock, a tea was given to the members of the Association and their friends by Mr. and Mrs. Horatio King, 707 H Street, and on Tuesday afternoon, at the same hours, Mrs. Walworth extended to the Association a like courtesy at her new home 1300 L Street. By invitation of the board of management our members enjoyed the privileges of the Cosmos Club during the four days sojourn in Washington. Every evening after adjournment of the formal session of the Association at the Columbian University there was a social re-union at the Cosmos Club. On Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning, by invitation of the librarian, Dr. Bancroft, parties of historical students and specialists visited the State Department for an examination of the interesting archives there preserved.
The Convention opened Saturday morning, December 28th, in the large lecture hall of the National Museum. The walls were decorated with the Catlin collection of Indian portraits, with pictures of Pueblos and Cliff dwellers, and with the busts of American statesmen. The room was admirably suited to the purposes of the Association. The curators of the Museum had introduced a number of cases for the display of interesting historical relics, books, manuscripts, etc., which attracted great attention on the part of the members as they entered or left the hall. The first paper presented at the morning session was by Prof. George L. Burr, of Cornell University, who has in his immediate charge the excellent historical library of ex-President Andrew D. White. The subject of Mr. Burr's paper was the Literature of Witchcraft, for the illustration of which ample materials had been found in Mr. White's library. The Literature of Witchcraft includes perhaps a thousand volumes. The earliest were written in the fifteenth century and their authors were Dominicans of the Inquisition. They regarded the subject as an old one. Indeed, the Church had always fought against magic. She had taught that the gods of the pagans were devils and that those who worshiped them were sorcerers. The belief in Satan was developed by medieval monks and the Church fathers, reinforced by Byzantine speculation. Belief in the Devil's activity in this world was elaborated by scholasticism into a system, of which the whole literature of witchcraft is but a broken reflection. To detect and punish the servants of Satan was the work of the Inquisition and the persecutors of witchcraft in England and New England.
The second paper of Saturday morning's session was a Catechism of Political Reaction, by ex-President Andrew D. White. In his preface to this paper Mr. White called attention to the fact that while studies of the French Revolution in Europe have been developed to an enormous extent, there has been no corresponding treatment, indeed no adequate study of the reaction after the various revolutions. Mr. White's paper was a contribution to such a history. His essay was based upon a very rare and curious little book which he obtained at Sorrento three years ago. The book was a wonderfully well-argued and well written catechism by the Archbishop of Sorrento, who was placed by the King of the two Sicilies, about 1850, at the head of the Department of Public Instruction at Naples, and also made the tutor of the young prince. It contains the most amazing declarations of war against modern civilization, and indeed against nearly everything moral, political, or social, which the nineteenth century regards as a landmark of progress. It argues with wonderful force that the King is not bound by any oath that he may have sworn to maintain a constitution, and urges with extreme cleverness all the arguments in support of absolute government. Mr. White took up several chapters of this remarkable catechism and gave in detail the argument in each.
The third paper was by Herbert Elmer Mills, Instructor in History, Cornell University, on the French Revolution in San Domingo. In 1789, San Domingo was by far the most important of the colonies of France. Commercially it was prosperous, but its population was divided into the Creole planters, the free "people of color," and the slaves, by far the most numerous class. Government was in the hands of the French Minister of Marine, and was administered by a Governor and an Intendant. The people had no political privileges, and this fact had long irritated the Creoles. At the first announcement of the approaching meeting of the States-General in France, the people in San Domingo took measures to secure representation, hoping thereby to win for themselves the control of the island. Delegates were chosen, but a careful study shows that the assemblies which elected them were widely scattered and by no means represented the entire body of the planters. At first the representatives were given a seat but not a voice among the Third Estate; but before the end of 1789 they had won recognition as entitled to six votes in the National Assembly. Meantime the free people of color in San Domingo had not been idle. Their representatives also appeared at the National Assembly and claimed seats. It has been assumed by historians that these representatives were actually elected in the Island and sent to Paris, but the truth is that they were chosen merely by members of this caste who were residents of Paris. No place was granted them in the National Assembly. Of course neither emancipation nor representation of the servile class was thought of either by the whites or the free people of color in San Domingo.
The last paper of the morning session was read by Clarence W. Bowen on a newly discovered manuscript called Reminiscences of the American War of Independence, by Ludwig Baron von Closen, Aid to Count de Rochambeau. This manuscript was found in the early part of the year 1889 among the archives of the Von Closen family in their castle in Bavaria. A translation was sent to Mr. Bowen, who read brief extracts. Ludwig Baron von Closen, the author, was born August 14th, 1755, and in his early years entered the French military service. On the arrival of the French Expedition in Newport, R.I., in 1780, he was made Aid to Count de Rochambeau, commander of the expedition. Previously he had been captain in the regiment Royal Deux Ponts. On returning to France in 1783, Von Closen received from Louis XVI the order of Legion of Honor and the Order for Merit and, in 1792, was informed of his election with the permission of the King of France to the Order of the Cincinnati. He died in 1830. In his reminiscences he speaks of his visits to John Hancock of Massachusetts, Jonathan Trumbull of Connecticut, and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. He conducted Washington from the Hudson River to Rochambeau at Newport. He reports the conferences between Washington, Rochambeau, Lafayette, and De Grasse near Yorktown. His visit to Mrs. Washington at Mount Vernon, a ball he gave at Baltimore, and visits to other sections of the country are described by Von Closen in the most charming manner. His reminiscences are full of historical interest and are an important addition to the literature of the French in America during the Revolutionary War.
The evening session on Saturday began promptly at eight o'clock at Columbian University, with the Hon. John Jay, of New York, presiding. In a brief but comprehensive sketch Mr. Jay reviewed the work of the morning session and then introduced President Adams, who delivered an interesting Inaugural Address upon the Recent Historical Work of the Universities. He said that the first distinct professorship of history was established at Harvard University in 1839 for Jared Sparks. At Yale, as at other American colleges, history was long taught by means of text-books without much real enthusiasm. A real advance was made when Andrew D. White, fresh from original studies in France and Germany, entered upon an historical professorship in 1857 at the University of Michigan. From that institution President White's influence was transmitted to Cornell University, which developed the first distinct professorship of American history. Senator Hoar, after President Adam's address, called attention to the fact that Jared Sparks's lectures at Harvard University were largely upon American subjects and were at the same time original contributions to American history. Mr. Adams reviewed the progress of historical science in the various countries of Europe, including Great Britain, Holland, Belgium, Italy, Germany and France. His conclusion was that the best advantages for historical study are now to be found in the schools of Paris, and that before the achievements of European Universities American scholars find more to encourage humility than pride. Remarks were made upon President Adams's paper by President White. Prof. Austin Scott, of Rutgers College, justly called attention to the works of the smaller colleges in America and to the services of the late Professor Allen, of the University of Wisconsin, who was one of the most critical scholars and ablest teachers of history in this country.
After the Inaugural address, Mendes Cohen, Corresponding Secretary of the Maryland Historical Society, gave an interesting account of the discovery of the Calvert papers in England, and of their recent publication in Baltimore. He exhibited to the Association the first volume, which has just appeared from the press. Mr. Cohen's statement of the progress of an important work undertaken by a State Historical Society perhaps foreshadows similar reports that may be presented at future meetings by delegates from the various historical societies of the United States and of Canada.
The Association re-assembled Monday morning, December 30th, at half-past ten, in the National Museum, President Adams in the chair. The first paper was on the Origin and Early History of our National Scientific Institutions, by Dr. G. Brown Goode, Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Dr. Goode reviewed the entire history of scientific and philosophical societies in this country, and gave special attention to the development of literary and scientific institutions in the city of Washington. He called attention to the fact that, as early as 1775, when Washington was in his camp at Cambridge, Major Blodgett said to him that a national university ought to be erected
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in which the youth of the whole country might receive instruction. Washington replied: "Young man, you are a prophet, inspired to speak what I am confident will one day be realized." Dr. Goode pointed out the various tendencies toward the development of a larger scientific and intellectual life in the Federal City. He traced the history of its various institutions of learning, including the Columbian University, the American Academy of Sciences, and the Smithsonian Institution, with which latter the American Historical Association was allied by Act of Congress approved January 4th, 1889.
The next paper was on the Development of International Law as to newly discovered Territory, by Dr. Walter B. Scaife, Reader on Historical Geography in the Johns Hopkins University. His paper opened with a brief sketch of the policy of the Roman See as the arbiter of Europe, from the eleventh to the fifteenth century. Dr. Scaife showed that the Bulls of Alexander VI, divided the non-Christian world between Spain and Portugal, were not manifestations of an unheard of presumption, but were the natural out-growth of precedent conditions. But this authority was now rejected, and was replaced by the rule of force. Meantime, International Law had started on its career to try to persuade men to be govered by reason rather than by force; and ever striving toward the ideal, but keeping the practical in mind, it advanced in the course of two centuries and a half to the formulation of rules of action, high in their aim and still practicable in their application. During this time the practice of nations was undergoing also modifications. Spain, finding the Pope's authority rejected by other Powers, set up the right of possession by discovery; but in this England was at least her equal inasmuch as her representative had seen the mainland of the Western Continent before any Spaniard. England advanced also this theory as long as it answered her purpose, then turned to another, viz., that actual occupation is necessary to effect a complete title. Finally, during the present decade, a union has been made of practice and theory in the formation of the Congo State; and rules have been formulated and adopted by the Great Powers for the future regulation of national action in the matter. The whole subject goes to show the value of forming correct scientific theories as to the affairs of men, even when apparently there is the least hope of their ever being realized; that they do have effect on the practices of mankind, and that a time will come when they will be recognized as the true standard of action.
An important contribution to post bellum historical literature was a paper on the Impeachment and Trial of President Johnson, by Dr. Wm. A. Dunning, of Columbia University, New York. The points which he considered were three: first, the causes contribution to the impeachment proceedings; second, the issues involved in the impeachment by the House; and third, the issue involved in the trial by the Senate. The causes which seem to have been peculiarly efficient were the personality of Johnson and his theory of reconstruction. There were three different attempts at impeachment in the House. It was the President's removal of Stanton in apparent defiance of the tenure-of-office act that precipitated the final impeachment. Before the Senate the most important question really answered was, whether the Senate could be viewed as a court proper or not. The radicals said no. The Senate's action, however, favored the contrary opinion. With this divided sentiment, conviction on any of the numerous charges was practically impossible. Article XI, involving the President's resistance to reconstruction, was most likely to prove successful, but failure to obtain a two-thirds vote on this matter was the knell of all impeachment proceedings. Dr. Dunning concluded that the framers of our Constitution built strongly in co-ordinating the various departments of our Government. No circumstances more favorable to removing a President from office are likely to arise in the future, and the result of the Johnson impeachment was a confirmation of the principle asserted by the fathers of the Republic.
The subject of the next paper was the Trial and Execution of John Brown, by Gen. Marcus J. Wright, of the War Records Office, Washington, D.C. The paper was substantially an answer to Dr. H. von Holst's charges that John Brown did not receive a fair trial. General Wright reviewed the whole matter from notes and evidences taken at the time, and clearly established his thesis that everything was done which the law required. The concluding paper of the morning session was a Defense of Congressional Government, by Dr. Freeman Snow, of Harvard University. Dr. Snow said that Americans are now engaged in drawing comparisons between the English and the American Constitutions, and, like Mr. Bagehot, they find nearly all the advantages on the side of the English. The multitude, it is said, needs leadership. Hence, if we would save our society from disintegration, we must adopt the English system of responsible leadership. The error of this view, Mr. Snow contended, lies in looking too intently at the mere machinery of government, and not at society as a whole. The effect of obeying leaders is to take away from the masses the habit of thinking for themselves. If our Government is at any time less efficient or less orderly, it is the safest in the long run, for it develops the capacity for self-government among the people. Dependence upon leaders, as in the English system, has the opposite effect. Too much is expected of popular government. We should not expect perfection from an imperfect people. If we want more efficient legislation, we must send men to Washington for just that purpose. The present condition of our politics is largely a legacy left us by the slavery struggle and the Civil War. It is an abnormal condition of things and will pass away. It is even now on the wane.
The evening session of Monday was at the Columbian University, Judge Chamberlain presiding. The papers were devoted to New England and the West. This feature of grouping contributions by large subjects, such as European History, National History, the North, the West, the South and Historical Science, was generally recognized as a great improvement in the arrangement of historical material. The first paper of the evening was on the Economic and Social History of New England, 1620-1789, by Wm. B. Weedon, of Providence. New England communities were found on freehold land tenure; on a meeting, the local and social expression of religious life and family culture; and on a representative, democratic gathering corresponding to the old folk-mote of the Germanic race. Economically New England settlers profited by trade with the Indians through wampum. These beads were both jewelry and currency. As currency they were redeemable in beaver. When immigration was checked in 1640, the colonists built ships and bartered their own products among themselves. Vessels were loaded with fish and sailed for the West Indies or Europe. Returning they brought iron, cordage, and all the goods needed by the new settlements. In this commerce the Puritans prayed, labored and traded. Stephen Winthrop wrote to his father after having sold his wine: "Blessed be God, well sold"! Commerce and the fisheries were nourished by home products. The New England whale fishery began in boats from the shore, and finally extended into every sea. The slave trade and the making of rum were important factors in the industrial life of the eighteenth century. Even the founder of Faneuil Hall helped forward this form of commercial intercourse. Economic history is the basis of political life. No grand theory of government caused our American colonies to form a republic. The economic resistance of strong citizens to stamp acts and other economic grievances won us our magnificent rights of freedom as truly as the charters of medieval cities were obtained by purchase.
Mr. William Henry Smith, President of the Associated Press, New York, then read a valuable paper on the Correspondence of the Pelham Family and the Loss of Oswego to the British. Mr. Smith said that the President of the Association one year ago forcibly presented the importance of Governmental aid in the collection of historical records and commended the example of Canada to the attention of our legislators. If that admirable address by Dr. Poole penetrated to the interior of the Capital, it would seem to have been confined to the subterranean vaults, or buried beneath innumerable applications for office. The patriotic work of the Dominion of Canada should claim the attention of our great Republic. Mr. Smith said he was disposed to favor an extension of the Canadian Government over the United States long enough to inspire our legislators with sufficient patriotism to secure the collection and preservation of historical manuscripts relating to America. He then proceeded to illustrate the value of the papers of the Pelham family which are now accessible, and relate largely to American affairs. The entire collection comprises 522 volumes, 305 of which contain the official correspondence preserved by Thomas Pelham. It is arranged chronologically from 1697-1768, and is especially rich in diplomatic papers relating to this country. Mr. Smith's paper will be published in full in the proceedings of the Association, and will doubtless be highly suggesting to students of American history.
The next paper was on the Early History of the Ballot in Connecticut, by Prof. Simeon E. Baldwin, of the Law Department of Yale University. The paper was read in an impressive manner and held attention. The professor said that election by ballot first appears in American history as a constitutional provision, in the Constitution of Connecticut of 1639. It was coupled with a system of prior official nominations; as regards the "magistrates," or those who came to form the upper house of the legislature. Twenty were annually nominated, of whom twelve only could be elected. The list was arranged by the legislature, on the basis of a previous popular vote, and the present incumbents were always put first, in the order of their official seniority. Only as these died or refused a renomination, was there practically any chance for the election of any of the last eight. The first name on the official ticket was always voted on first, and so on; no one being allowed to vote for more than twelve. This gave great stability to legislation, and was what kept Connecticut so long subject to a Church establishment. When the power of the Federalists had declined everywhere else, it was a strong as ever in the upper house. The representatives elected semi-annually shared the feeling of the day; but the councilors, or "assistants," stood for that of ten or twenty years before. From 1783 to 1801, only one was dropped without his consent; and it took a struggle of seventeen years longer to give a majority to the "Tolerationists" and Jeffersonians. Congressmen were elected in a similar manner, and with similar results, down to 1818. The legislature published the nominations (twice as many as there were places to fill), and arranged them so that the first half - those already in office - were almost invariably re-elected. The Colonial charter of 1662 made no mention of the ballot, or of an official ticket, but both had become so firmly imbedded in use, that they were read into it, between the lines, and stood as fundamental institutions of the commonwealth for nearly two hundred years.
At the close of the evening session, Theodore Roosevelt, of the U.S. Civil Service Commission, gave an ex-tempore address upon Certain Phases of the Westward Movement during the Revolutionary War. He deplored the ignorance of Western history shown by Eastern historians. He likened this ignorance to that of the English regarding American history in general. Those who find American or Western history uninteresting and unpicturesque, have only themselves to blame; for the fault lies in the critics, and not in the subject-matter, which is as heroic and inspiring as any great chapter in the history of the world. Mr. Roosevelt said the great West was won in the midst of war and revolution. He gave a graphic picture of the westward movement of the pioneers and the conquest of the Western country from the French and Indians. The motives of the first settlers were adventure, better lands and the improvement of material conditions in life. Daniel Boone and his followers were jointed by various parties of hunters. The region of Kentucky, that old hunting-ground of Northern and Southern Indians, was successfully occupied, but only after Lord Dunmore's war. There was but one route to the West, and that lay through the Cumberland Gap, which the frontiersman had to protect. The conquest of the Illinois country was achieved by the expedition of George Rogers Clark and the Virginians. Few Revolutionary heroes deserve more credit than this bold and aggressive military leader, who conquered the West for the American Republic. Mr. Roosevelt described how government was organized in that Western country upon the basis of English institutions, with which the settlers were familiar. The reproduction of the old English military system and of representation based on military districts, with palisaded villages as the primary seats of self-government, is most curious and instructive. The county-type of organization was naturally copied by settlers who had come from Virginia and the South. The foundation of this great Federal Republic was laid by backwoodsmen, who conquered and held the land west of the Alleghanies, and thus prepared the way for the continental dominion of the English race in America. The westward movement of the early pioneers can be best understood in the light of the westward march of immigration in our own time.
A lively discussion followed Mr. Roosevelt's spirited presentation of his subject, and exceptions were taken to his statement that there were no permanent settlements beyond the Alleghanies until after the Revolution. Dr. Toner, of the Congressional Library, made a plea for the early settlers of the Ohio Valley, and Dr. Stille, of Philadelphia, and Dr. Poole, of Chicago, entered the lists in behalf of numerous local settlements beyond the mountains. Mr. Roosevelt defended his thesis as a general proposition, and Mr. Edward G. Mason, President of the Chicago Historical Society, sustained him.
Tuesday morning the Convention met once more in the National Museum, with a large and enthusiastic audience, to listen to a series of papers upon Southern history. In place of Edward Eggleston's paper on Bacon's Rebellion, which he was prevented from giving, General Henry B. Carrington, who had just returned from Montana, spoke of the Concentration of the Flathead Indians upon the Jocko Reservation, as betokening a better future for a tribe which, since the expedition of Lewis and Clark in 1805, has been uniformly friendly to the whites. Chief Carlos and every member of the tribe had consented to the movement. Their lands in the Bitter Root Valley are to be sold for the benefit of the Indians to the highest bidder. General Carrington maintained that the history of this tribe shows that Christianity must precede civilization and is essential to Indian development.
The Constitutional Aspects of Kentucky's Struggle for Autonomy, 1784-92, by Ethelbert D. Warfield, President of Miami University, Oxford, O., was the next theme of discussion. As early as 1776 Kentucky began to feel the necessity of self-government. In that year George Rogers Clark made the first demand for the separation of that region from Virginia. The mother colony allowed the institution of the county of Kentucky, which concession for the time allayed agitation. It broke out again in 1780, and soon became chronic. From the year 1784 to 1792, when Kentucky was admitted to the Union, no less than ten regular conventions were held and several irregular assemblies besides, in the interest of self-government for Kentucky. The history of the time is one of constant turmoil. Threats of violent separation, both from Virginia and the Union, were frequent; and yet not one action of an unconstitutional character stains the records of these various conventions. The conservative element was largely Scotch-Irish Presbyterian, and it held the balance of power, which was always exerted on the side of law and order. When the Constitution of the United States came before the Virginia Convention, the District of Kentucky voted, eleven to three, against adoption. And yet when their own convention finally drew up a constitution, it leaned strongly toward the federal instrument Kentucky shares with Vermont the honor of first insisting on manhood suffrage. The period known as that of the Separatist Movements is one of singular self-restraint when viewed on the constitutional side.
The next paper was by President Lyon G. Tyler, of Williamsburg, Va., who presented some historical facts from the records of William and Mary College, the oldest institution of higher education at the South. Mr. Tyler called attention to the fact that this venerable institution had lately been brought to life by an act of the Virginia General Assembly, which appropriates ten thousand a year to the surport of the college. He traced the historic influence of the college upon the university idea in Virginia, and dwelt particularly upon the early elective system in vogue at Williamsburg. He thought that this system was developed by Jefferson at the University of Virginia and was not an importation from foreign universities. The first law school in America was established at William and Mary. the professorship of George Wythe was the second law professorship in the English-speaking world. Mr. Tyler also maintained that the college exercised all the powers of a civil-service commission in appointing the county surveyors after examination. He described the early discipline of the college and illustrated by extracts from the old treasury-books the intimate relations between the college and the colony. As early as 1779, William and Mary College was doing its work by an advanced system of lectures on Law, Medicine, and Natural Science.
One of the most important papers presented at the Convention was on Materials for Study of the Government of the Confederate States, by John Osborne Sumner, a graduate of Harvard University. The author said that historical attention had been directed almost exclusively toward the military operations of the Confederacy, but is constitutional and internal history were also of great interest. Much material for a study of the Confederate Government was destroyed during the War, and much that has been preserved is not yet accessible. We have, however, a full series of the statutes, about 150 executive messages, often accompanied by documents, and various reports of secretaries and bureaus. There are also in print numerous congressional documents, ordinances, statutes and governors' messages of the several States, together with the journals of their legislatures and conventions. The journals of the Confederate Congress are said to be still in existence,
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[[three columns annotated 7 and 8]]
8 (40) THE INDEPENDENT [January 9, 1890.
but their present place of deposit is not known. The Richmond newspapers contained full reports of public proceedings, but much business was transacted in secret and is little known. The historical material actually existing is widely scattered among the public and private libraries of the country, and there is as yet no systematic bibliography of what has been published. The most important manuscript collection was that purchased by the United States Government and is now preserved in the Treasury Department. It comprises a large portion of the correspondence of the Confederate Government with its agents abroad and at the North. Other Confederate documents are in the custody of the State Department, and there are several small collections in private hands. The publications of the War Records Office include Confederate documents; but the series thus far has been devoted to military history. The newspapers of the South in war time are a mine of history which has been but little exploited. Various magazines were published at the South, and two or three illustrated papers appeared at Richmond during the War, among them a Southern Punch. A noteworthy enterprise of the Confederate Government was the publication in London of The Index, a weekly review established for the cultivation of friendly relations between Europe and the South. Mr. Sumner suggested the organization of inquiry with regard to the existence of materials for Confederate history.
The Hon. Wm. Wirt Henry, of Richmond, said that the library of the Southern Historical Society in his city was the chief Southern repository of collections relating to the Civil War and the Confederate States. Dr. J.R. Brackett expressed the hope that Mr. Sumner would print, in connection with his paper, a full bibliography of the materials which he had discovered. Prof. Wm. P. Trent, of the University of the South, then read some interesting Notes on the Outlook for Historical Studies in the Southern States. He called attention to the collection of materials for Southern history now being made in New York City. He sketched the condition of the various State Historical Societies in the South, and regretted the great lack of public enthusiasm for historical work. He described the existing historical collection at Richmond and other places, and gave some account of the leading publications and monographs now in preparation. Mr. Trent urged that Southern history should be more earnestly studied by scholars in all parts of the country, and recommended a report of historical progress from the State societies to the American Historical Association. Dr. Justin Winsor, library of Harvard University, paid a merited tribute to the historical work of Mr. Hannis Taylor, of Mobile, Alabama, who, isolated from libraries and historical associations, had produced a valuable constitutional history of England. Dr. H.B. Adams emphasized Mr. Trent's idea of the importance of an annal report of the work done by State Historical Societies to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution through the medium of the American Historical Association.
The morning session was concluded by a brief and interesting paper on the Relations of History to Ethnology, by Prof. O.T. Mason, of the National Museum. He showed that the student of human culture is constantly a debtor to the historian. To illustrate this idea, he spoke of the myth of the Armadillo. The existent of musical instruments baaring the same name among Negroes on two continents, can be explained historically. The student of ethnology spends quite as much time in libraries as in the field. He urged the Association to use its influence for the increase of the collections in the National Museum. He called attention to the motive which governs the operations of the ethnological department as entirely in harmony with the utterance of President Adams, that all things are now studied by the historic method. Professor Mason then explained the contents of the Museum cases, which had been wheeled into the audience room, to illustrate the nature of studies in the history of culture now in progress in Washington.
During the morning session, the venerable historian, George Bancroft, now in his ninetieth year, entered the hall and, amid the applause of members of the Association, was escorted to the platform, where, for a few moments, he occupied the President's chair, after he had briefly addressed the Society over which he presided three years ago. The closing session of this, the most successful meeting of the American Historical Society, was devoted to historical science in general. A special report on the bibliography of members was made by Paul Leicester Ford, the bibliographer of Franklin. A report was read by the Secretary on the Present Condition of Historical Studies in Canada, by George Stewart, Jr., D.C.L., LL.D., President of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec. Mr. James Schouler, of Boston, the distinguished author of the "History of the United States," read a philosophical paper upon the Spirit of Research. He said research is a fitting word to apply to historical studies, for it implies that one is not content to skim over the surface of past events, but prefers to turn the soil for himself. Space will not permit even an abstract of Mr. Schouler's inspiring address nor of Mr. Winsor's no less suggestive account of the Perils of Historical Study. The writer of the great "Narrative and Critical History of America" warned the Association that history must be continually rewritten, either from new developments or from new sources, which keep historical study fresh and perennial. Each generation must renew the discussion of historical events. Opinions change; and the history of opinion about facts is no small part of the history of those facts. Mr. Winsor's paper was discussed at some length by Judge Chamberlain, of Boston. The last paper of the session was by Worthington C. Ford, editor of the new edition of "Washington's Writings." Mr. Ford spoke of the Government as a Guardian of American History. He condemned the past policy of the nation in allowing valuable historical papers to pass into private keeping rather than into our national archives. He criticised past and present methods of treating our State papers, and made a strong plea for a better system of Government control in these matters.
Resolutions of thanks were passed by the Association for courtesies received from the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, the Curators of the National Museum, the President of the Columbian University, the Governors of the Cosmos Club, the Librarian of the State Department, Mr. and Mrs. Horatio King, and Mrs. Walworth of Washington. A Committee on the time and place of the next meeting reported through Dr. Poole in favor of Washington and of the meeting during the Christmas holidays, from the 28th to the 31st of December, 1890. In behalf of the Committee on Nominations, Judge Chamberlain recommended the following Board of officers, which was unanimously elected: President, Hon. John Jay, New York City; First Vice-President, Hon. Wm. Wirt Henry, Richmond, Va.; Second Vice-President, James B. Angell, LL.D., President University of Michigan; Treasurer, Dr. Clarence W. Bowen, New York; Secretary, Dr. H.B. Adams, Johns Hopkins University; Assistant Secretary and Curator (a newly created office), A. Howard Clark, Curator of the Historical Section of the National Museum. Two new members were added to the Executive Council, namely, Dr. G. Brown Goode, Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and Director of the National Museum, and John George Bourinot, D.C.L., Clerk of the Canadian House of Commons. The Executive Council already embraces the ex-Presidents of the Association: Hon. Andrew D. White, LL.D., Hon. George Bancroft, LL.D., Justin Winsor, LL.D., William F. Poole, LL.D., and the following elected members, Prof. John W. Burgess, of Columbia College and Prof. George P. Fisher of Yale University. The Treasurer's Report, which was audited by Mr. John A. King and the Hon. John Jay, shows an increase of $1,116.62 since the last report and total assets, including cash and investments to the amount of $4,584.94. The Association has just completed the third volume of its published proceedings of which there is a stock of handsomely bound volumes and some unbound reports in the hands of Messrs. G.P. Putnam's Sons, the New York publishers. This property of books and plates is in addition to the above assets of the Association.
The Regents of the Smithsonian Institution have passed the following resolution:
Resolved, That the American Historical Association be and hereby is permitted to deposit its collections, manuscripts, books, pamphlets and other material for history, in the Smithsonian Institution or in the National Museum in accordance with the provisions of the act of incorporation; and that the conditions of said deposit shall be determined by the Secretary, with the approval of the Executive Committee.
[[the next article is: Fine Arts. THE BARYE EXHIBITION. BY SUSAN HAYES WARD. The article is incomplete on the newspaper page.]]
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION,
Organized at Saratoga, N.Y., September 10, 1884, for "the promotion of Historical Studies."
President:
HON. JOHN JAY, New York City.
Vice-Presidents:
HON. WILLIAM WIRT HENRY, Richmond, Va.
JAMES B. ANGELL, LL.D., President, University of Michigan.
Secretary:
HERBERT B. ADAMS, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md.
Treasurer:
CLARENCE WINTHROP BOWEN, Ph.D., 251 Broadway, New York City.
Assistant Secretary and Curator:
A. HOWARD CLARK, Curator of the Historical Collections, National Museum, Washington, D.C.
Executive Council: (in addition to the above named officers)
HON. ANDREW D. WHITE, LL.D., Ithaca, N.Y.
CHARLES KENDALL ADAMS, LL.D., President Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.
HON. GEORGE BANCROFT, LL.D., Washington, D.C.
JOHN W. BURGESS, Ph.D., LL.D., Professor of History and Law, Columbia College.
JUSTIN WINSOR, LL.D., Librarian Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
GEORGE P. FISHER, D.D., Professor of Ecclesiastical History, Yale University.
WILLIAM F. POOLE, LL.D., Librarian Newberry Library, Chicago.
G. BROWN GOODE, Ph.D., LL.D., Assistant Secretary Smithsonian Institution, in charge of the National Museum.
JOHN GEORGE BOURINOT, C.M.B., LL.D., D.C.L., Clerk of the Canadian House of Commons.
Sir:
The American Historical Association was charted by Act of Congress, January 4, 1889, "for the promotion of historical studies, the collection and preservation of historical manuscripts and for kindred purposes in the interest of American history and of history in America." The charter provides that the Association shall have its principal office at Washington and that a report shall annually be made to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution concerning its proceedings and the condition of historical study in America. The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution will communicate to Congress the whole of such reports, or such portion thereof as he shall set fit. By Resolution of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, adopted January 9, 1889, the Association is permitted to deposit its collections, manuscripts, books,
phlets and other material for history in the Smithsonian Institution or in the National Museum in accordance with the provisions of the Act of Incorporation.
By Resolution of the Executive Council of the Association, adopted December 31, 1889, the Secretary was instructed to advise each of the State Historical Societies of the above Act of Incorporation by Congress and to transmit a copy of the charter and present constitution, together with a list of members. The Secretary was further empowered to express the desire of the American Historical Association to co-operate with the State Historical Societies in the objects which they and we have in common; also to transmit, if desired, copies of our published papers to those societies which have not already received them and which are willing to institute a system of exchange. Hitherto the American Historical Association has not attempted the formation of a library or the establishment of permanent headquarters; but an office in the National Museum with facilities for collecting books, pamphlets, manuscripts, maps, portraits, and other objects of historical value, has now been assigned to it by the Smithsonian Institution. Gifts to the Association, exchanges, loan-exhibitions, and deposits will naturally promote historical interests not only in the Federal City but in the country at large.
In order that a satisfactory report may be prepared for transmission to Congress by the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, it is very desirable that some statement be made of the historical work and publications of the various State Societies in this country. With the view of making such report as complete as possible, the State Societies are respectfully invited to furnish the American Historical Association with a brief sketch of their origin and development, a list of their officers, members, and published papers, with some account of their library, historical collections, and recent proceedings. [[italicized]] Such communications should be addressed to Mr. A. Howard Clark, Assistant Secretary and Curator of the American Historical Association, United States National Museum, Washington, D.C. Gifts, applications for exchange, exchanges, books, pamphlets, etc., should be sent to the same address. [[/italicized]]
The Secretary of the American Historical Association is instructed to express to the Secretaries of the State Historical Societies the satisfaction with which their representatives will be received at the annual meeting in Washington, December 28-31, 1890, and also the hope that at
that time the Association may be favored with such written statements or reports of historical progress as may seem advisable. Such reports embodied in a widely circulated governmental document will extend at home and abroad trustworthy information of the excellent work accomplished by the historical societies of the republic. They will tend to encourage a more general appreciation of the breadth and interest of American annals, of the bearing of the past upon the problems of the future, and of the duty of preserving with care the historic and biographic materials in private hands and of collecting those in public offices, so that more light may be thrown not simply on the political, but on the moral, social, and economic progress of the country.
We have the honor, Sir, to remain,
Your obedient servants,
[[signature]] John Jay [[/signature]]
President of the American Historical Association.
[[signature]] H.B. Adams [[/signature]]
Secretary of the American Historical Association.
[[signature]] A. Howard Clark [[/signature]]
Assistant Secretary and Curator of the American Historical Association.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM, Washington, D.C., February 14, 1890.
To
[[upper left]] E A [[/upper left]]
[[upper left]] Copied Nov. 10 [[/upper left]]
[[upper left]] Seepage 27 Stephen R. Vail [[/upper left]]
Report in the Historical Collections in the U.S Natural History Museum, 1891
By A. Howard Clarke, Curator.
[[strikethrough]] The general [[/strikethrough]] Work on the Historical Collections [[strikethrough]] during the [[/strikethrough]] has been carried on with industry during the year and much progress has been made toward a more comprehensive classification of the material that has accumulated. Since the [[strikethrough]] formation [[/strikethrough]] beginning of the department in 1884. [[strikethrough]] There were [[/strikethrough]] Fifty-six new accessions were received [[strikethrough]] during the year [[strikethrough]] including about 3000 individual objects.
Several collections of ancient bronze and silver coins and other historical objects [[?]] were [[[crossed off]] sent[[crossed off]] received by the curator and returned to the owners with descriptive reports [[crossed off]] identifying and describing[[crossed off]] identifying the objects. This branch of the curators duty is becoming [[crossed off]] more and more important [[crossed off]] greater each year and has resulted in the permanent accession of several valuable collections. Many letters of inquiry are answered concerning the identity and value of medals, coins and other objects.
3
^[[Among]] The most important accessions ^[[of the year]] are (1) the "Vail papers" deposited by the heirs of Alfred Vail, and consisting of [[strikethrough]] a large number upwards of [[/strikethrough]] ^[[about thirty volumes]] of manuscript letters, [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]] drawings [[strikethrough]] relating [[/strikethrough]] ^[[and printed matter]] pertaining to the [[strikethrough]] early inception [[/strikethrough]] [[?trimentioned]] history of the telegraph from [[strikethrough]] 1840 [[/strikethrough]] 1837 to [[strikethrough]] 1850 [[/strikethrough]] 1852. These papers are enumerated in detail
[[strikethrough]] A list of these [[/strikethrough]] below in the list of accessions.
[[strikethrough]](2) Statue of liberty by Crawford, the original full size model made in Rome [[/strikethrough]]
[[circled]] ^[[ of the ]] STATUE OF LIBERTY.
[[Horizontal line]] [[/circled]]
^[[2]] Original plaster model ^[[ circled area above]] from which was cast the bronze statue surmounting the dome of the United States Capitol.
[[Horizontal line ]]
^[[ This model was ]] Made in Rome, Italy, by Thomas Crawford, American Sculptor[[strikethrough]];[[/strikethrough]] ^[[(]] born 1814, died 1857[[strikethrough]].[[/strikethrough]]^[[)]] ^[[ and the ]] Bronze ^[[ was ]] cast by Clark Mills,^[[in]] Washington,
1860 [[strikethrough]]. [[/strikethrough]] ^[[;]]^[[ line leading from here to the word "Height" below]]
Height, 19 feet 6 inches.
[[strikethrough]] Deposited in the US National Museum by the Architect of the Capitol, 1890. [[/strikethrough]]
[[right justified]] 5 [[/right justified]]
3. Album of portraits by the officers & members of the International American Conference held at Washington in 1889-'90.
4. A silver watch captured from a British Officer at Battle of Lexington in 1775, also the silver watch carried by Thomas Cheyney who did valiant service at Battle of Brandywine during the Revolutionary war.
5. A Bible (Pentateuch) in Lechuana language, carried by Dr. David Livingston in his journeys in Africa in 1852, with autograph of Livingston in title page.
6
6. Royal account book of Louis XV and Louis XVI of France with autograph of Louis XVI approving the accounts.
7. Collection of almanacs 1730 to 1750
8. A large collection of personal papers and relics of George Washington, including also the original will of John Washington, the founder of the family in America.
9. Silver-mounted glass flute belonging to President James Madison.
[[right justified]] 7 [[/justified]]
10. Six [[strikethru ]] [[?]] ^[[ medals in ]] silver and bronze [[strikethru]] medals [[/strikethru]] struck in Holland in 1782 –'3 to commemorate the success of the Americans in the Revolutionary War.
11. Manuscripts ^[[, early publications, ]] [[strikethru]] and printed book [[/strikethru]] and objects pertaining to the early history of the Kentucky and of the Shenandoah.
12. Collection of 855 ^[[ official ]] [[strikethru]] paper [[/strikethru]] seals of European governments and institutions
13. Medals and diplomas awarded the United States Government by the Paris Exposition.
[[right justified]] 8 [[/justified]]
14. Six metals additional [[strikethru]] to those previously received, [[/strikethru]] of the series struck by order of the Corporation of the city of London ^[[ England ]] to commemorate important events including the passage of the Reform Bill, the opening of London Bridge etc.
9 The routine work on the collections has consisted in the [[strikethrough]] labelling [[/strikethrough]] preparation of labels and arranging the objects for exhibition. Very little could be done in making a detailed catalogue [[strikethrough]] objects in detail for the reason that [[/strikethrough]] for upwards of 3000 individual objects have been received and [[strikethrough]] time has not allowed [[/strikethrough]] without any assistant the curator has found it impossible to keep up with the work.
[[Made?]] accessions, however, numbering 56 in all, has been carefully preserved in its identity and so
10
that there will be little difficulty [[strikethrough]] need be [[/strikethrough] in [[strikethrough]] hereafter [[/strikethrough]] cataloguing the specimens hereafter. The [[strikethrough]] card [[/strikethrough]] systematic card catalogue of the collection [[strikeout]] each specimen ^object has [[/strikeout]] has been carried along as also the alphabetical card catalogue of the several accessions now numbering upwards of 800.
11
In December 1890 the curator spent four days in Virginia and West Virginia [[strikethrough]] visiting during [[?]] when he [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] for the special purpose of examining some collections of papers and other personal relics of General Washington in possession of some of the [[?]] Washington family residing in Fauquier County Va. and in Charlestown, West Vg.
[[strikethrough]] The state [[/strikethrough]] Two nights and a day were spent [[strikethrough]] the State [[/strikethrough]] in the town of Marshall, at Wavelands [[strikethrough]] [[?]] Fauquier County [/strikethrough]] and a large number of interesting papers were found there and [[strikethrough]] brought to the [[/strikethrough]] secured as a loan to The National Museum. They attached much attention [[strikethrough]] at the during Decemb [[/strikethrough]] while on exhibition for several months when they were
12
withdrawn ^[[by the owners]] and sold at auction in Philadelphia. Among the interesting places so numerous in the Shenandoah Valley
[[strikethrough]] From Marshall [[/strikethrough]] The curator [[strikethrough]] went through Manassass Gap to [[/strikethrough]] ^[[visited]] the old town of Strasburg in [[strikethrough]] Shenandoah Valley [[/strikethrough]] a ^[[place]] settled [[strikethrough]] by almost [[/strikethrough]] ^[[upwards of]] a hundred years ago by Germans from Pennsylvania [[strikethrough]] and The place [[/strikethrough]] and still bearing evidence of its German origins [[strikethrough]] and a German newspaper is published there. We also [[/strikethrough] and also the region about Winchester, Charlestown and Harpers Ferry.
13
The present condition of [[strikethrough]] the reviewing [[/strikethrough]] the several parts of the Historial collections [[stikethrough]] May report [[/strikethrough]] is as follows:
[[underlined]] Personal relics of eminent [[strikethrough]] Americans [[/strikethrough]] men [[/underlined]]
[[strikethrough]] In this part of the [[/strikethrough]]
This intended to [[strikethrough]] include [[/strikethrough]] exhibit relics of each President of the
14
United States, [[strikethrough]] and of [[/strikethrough]] also eminent soldiers, statesmen, [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethough]] explorers, ^[[and inventors,]] men ^[[eminent for]] scientific attainments etc.
The large collections of relics of [[strikethrough]] Pres [[/strikethrough]] Washington and Grant have acted as strong magnets to attract other accessions to this department so that there are now ^[[exhibited]] relics of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, ^[[Van Buren, Harrison,]] Jackson, Lincoln among the Presidents, of [[strikethrough]] Franklin Fulton, [[/strikethrough]] ^[[Elliot, Ripple, Perry,]] Grant, Hancock, Paul, Harney, Shields and other prominent soldiers and sailors; of ^[[Benjamin]] Franklin, ^[[Moses, Vail, Whitney]] Fulton, Sir John Franklin, [[strikethrough]] Vail, [[/strikethrough]] Kane, Livingston, and other eminent scientists, inventors and explorers.
15
[[underlined]] Relics of important historical events in history of America. [[/underlined]]
This part of the Collections is growing steadily. There are already on exhibition documents and various objects connected with the ^[[early]] colonial periods [[strikethrough]] and with [[/strikethrough]] the French and Indian Wars, the period of the Declaration of Independence, and the Revolutionary War, the formative period of the constitution, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the War of the Rebellion, [[strikethrough]] and the [[/strikethrough]] besides papers and objects to illustrate the history and abolition of slavery. [[strikethrough]] and oth [[/strikethrough]]
16
[[strikethrough]] The Medallic [[/strikethrough]]
[[underlined]] Medals and Monuments [[/underlined]] The medallic history of the United States is quite fully shown by the museum collection which now includes all the medals [[strikethrough]] of the ^[[issue]] [[/strikethrough]] struck by order of Congress, [[strikethrough]] and very [[/strikethrough]] a large number of medals commemorating national and local events of greater ot less importance and quite a full series of the smaller class of medals and tokens [[strikethrough]] illustrating ^[[some]] also forming the strong Foreign medals [[/strikethrough]] exhibiting the medallic history of the Presidential campaigns, [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]] centennials and bicentennials of settlement of towns, etc. The foreign medals the Museum collection [[strikethrough]] has [[/strikethrough]] is not very complete though there are many of much interest.
17
Monuments are classed next to medals as commemorating events or [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] as preserving the memory of eminent men. [[strikethrough]] An effort has [[/strikethrough]] Some [[?]] has been done towards [[strikethrough]] obtaining plots grap [[/strikethrough]] making a list of [[strikethrough]] all [[/strikethrough]] the monuments in the United States commemorating events of national importance and photographic ^[[models]] or other illustration of [[strikethrough]] ver [[/strikethrough]] many [[strikethrough]] of [[/strikethrough]] monuments have been collected.
^[[The Memorial Arch at Hartford, Conn., erected in memory of the man who fell in the War of the Rebellion is perhaps the most interesting monument connected with the Rebellion period of our history.]]
All over the country there are buildings [[strikethrough]] of historic importance on account of where events [[/strikethrough]] ^[[bridges, etc.]] associated with events of more or less importance as Independence Hall in Phil., Faneuil Hall in Boston, the Old North Bridge at Concord, the bridge
18
at Salem, &c. These buildings [[strikethrough]] are [[/strikethrough]] stand [[strikethrough]] classed as monu [[/strikethrough]] as monuments to perpetrate the memory of historic events and it is proper that the Museum should exhibit illustrations of them.
19
[[underlined]] Portraits of eminent men. [[/underlined]]
The portrait collection numbers several thousand [[strikethrough]] and it [[/strikethrough]] and has been [[strikethrough]] greatly ine [[/strikethrough]] enlarged during the year by the addition of several hundred engravings of eminent Americans and foreigners. Much work has been done in mounting on standard cards.
A complete catalogue has not yet been made.
There have been on exhibition [[strikethrough]] for a coll [[/strikethrough]] several hundred engraved portraits of ^[[some of the]] [[strikethrough]] most [[/strikethrough]] eminent scientists of the past [[strikethrough]] three [[/strikethrough]] four centuries
20
also several hundred [[strikethrough]] an interesting collection ^series [[/strikethrough]] of portraits of medical men, these last forming the [[strikethrough]] to as [[/strikethrough]] loan collection of Dr. J.M. Toner.
21
[[underlined]] History of the world [[/underlined]]
[[strikethrough]] Within the last two years [[/strikethrough]]
About two years ago the Curator was directed to [[strikethrough]] take some [[/strikethrough]] begin the formation of a collection [[strikethrough]] of [[/strikethrough]] to illustrate the money of the world and ^[[within]] [[strikethrough]] it was but [[/strikethrough]] a few months the collection [[strikethrough]] quite a ? was quite ? was [[/strikethrough]] was given a good start by the gift of several hundred copper and silver coins ^[[of modern times]] and by [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] loans of ^[[nearly two]] thousand coins of ancient Greek and Rome. [[strikethrough]] Some [[/strikethrough]] ^[[Part]] of the collection is labelled and
22
placed on exhibition, but the greater portion [[strikethrough]] is still in reserve [[/strikethrough]] cannot be shown for want of [[strikethrough]] exhibition [[/strikethrough]] exhibition space.
The [[strikethrough]] collection of primitive [[/strikethrough]] shell money of [[strikethrough]] Amer [[/strikethrough]] ^[[the]] Indians of our country during the early colonial period is interesting to the public. The collection was arranged by the Curator of the Department of Mollusks and shows the shells from which the money was made, [[strikethrough]] belts of [[/strikethrough]] the [[strikethrough]] cut pieces [[/strikethrough]] ^[[discs]] used as coins and the belts of wampum. Accompanying the exhibit is a ^[[instructive]] pamphlet [[strikethrough]] fully describing [[/strikethrough]] giving in detail the history of the manufacture and use of the money.
23
The collection of paper money is steadily growing and [[strikethrough]] now includes [[/strikethrough]] most of the principal countries of the world are now represented in the collection. [[strikethrough]] There are, however, still many gaps in the [[/strikethrough]]
The ^[[interesting]] series of ^[[issues]] Continental paper money of our country and the State bank series is far from complete though being added to [[strikethrough]] from [[/strikethrough]] by frequent accessions.
24
[[Underlined]] Postage stamps[[/underlined]]
There were but four [[strikethrough]] Little has been [[\strikethrough]] additions to the stamp collection during the year and but little time could be given toward arranging the collection for exhibition. The Museum now has about 2500 stamps exclusive of duplicates and many of them are of rare issues.
25
[[underlined]] American Historical Association [[/underlined]]
[[strikethrough]] The A [[/strikethrough]]
For three ^[[successive]] years the American Historical Association has held its annual meeting in Washington during the Christmas holidays [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]]
The morning sessions have been held in the Lecture Hall of the National Museum and the evening sessions in Columbian University. This Association has a membership of about six hundred of [[strikethrough]] the most [[/strikethrough]] eminent historians, [[strikethrough]] and students [[/strikethrough]] and teachers and students of history from all parts of the United States.
The Curator of historical collections in the Museum is Assistant Secretary and Curator of the Association, and
[[strikethrough]] The Curator of Historical Collections in the is Assistan [[/strikethrough]]
26
has received into his charge some collections of books and papers, deposited ^[[for exhibition]] in the Museum [[strikethrough]] and under an authorized [[/strikethrough]] by permission of the Regents of the [[strikethrough]] Inst [[/strikethrough]] Smithsonian Institution as authorized by the Act of Incorporation of the Association. The most important of these collections [[strikethrough]] is [[/strikethrough]] ^[[are]] the "Vail papers" enumerated in detail in the list of accessions, and pertaining to the early history of the telegraph; these were deposited with the Association by Messrs J. Cummings Vail
27
[[underlined]] Stephen R. Vail, [[/underlined]] and George R. Vail, surviving heirs of the late Alfred Vail of New Jersey.
28
[[strikethrough]] The American Historical Association
The American Historical Association, organized at Saratoga in 1884, was incorporated by Act of Congress [[/strikethrough]] approved January 4, 1889, [[strikethrough]] and by the Act of Incorporation is directed [[/strikethrough]]
The Association is directed by the Act of Incorporation to report annually to Congress, through the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, concerning the condition of historical study in America.
The first ^[[annual]] report [[strikethrough]] of the Association [[/strikethrough]] was transmitted [[strikethrough]] by by Secretary Adams [[/strikethrough]] to the Smithsonian Institution ^[[on June 13, 1890]] by Dr. H.B. Adams, Secretary, and was submitted to Congress on June 16. By [[strikethrough]] resolution [[/strikethrough]] the Senate it was referred to the [[strikethrough]] Senate [[/strikethrough]] Committee
29
in the Library and ordered to be printed as Senate Miscellaneous Document No.170 51st Congress 1st session. The document ^[[was put in type [[strikethrough]] under [[/strikethrough]] the [[?day]] [[strikethrough]] fiscal year [[/strikethrough]] fall of 1890 and]] forms an octavo volume of 427 pages containing
1. General Report of the Proceedings at the annual meeting held at Washington D.C. Dec. 28 - 31, 1889
2. Inaugural Address of President Charles Kendall Adams on "Recent Historical Work in the Colleges and Universities of Europe and America.
3. The Spirit of Historical Research by James Schouler of Boston
4. The Origin of the National Scientific and Educational Institution of the United States, by Dr. G. Brown Goode.
30
5. Bibliography of the published works of members of the American Historical Association.
31
[[strikethrough]] The [[/strikethrough]]
The regular document edition ^[[1900 copies]] of this reported is all that was officially printed and distributed in the usual manner by the Senate and House of Representatives. The Association, however, had a private edition ^[[of 500 copies]] printed in December 1890 and a second edition of 1000 copies on special paper was printed during the Spring of 1891. The Report has been distributed to the leading Historical Associations and Institutions in the United States and foreign countries
32
The seventh annual meeting of the Association was held December 29-31. [[strikethrough]] and the Lecture Hall was [[/strikethrough]]
Some ^[[loan]] collections of [[strikethrough]] historical [[/strikethrough]] objects ^[[pertaining to American History]] had been brought together in the Lecture Hall to supplement the regular exhibition in the [[?Smith]] Hall.
The programme of the Meeting was as follows:
33
PROGRAMME OF THE SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING
OF THE
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION,
DECEMBER 29 – 31, 1890
WASHINGTON, D. C.
[[strikethrough]] N. B. – Papers are strictly limited to 20 minutes and remarks to five minutes. [[/italic]] all persons having apart in the following exercises are requested to hand to the Secretary, before the meeting, brief abstracts of their communications. All members are particularly urged to register their names and the Association Book in the office of the Arlington Hotel. [[/strikethrough]]
MONDAY, DECEMBER 29.
OPENING SESSION
Columbian University, 8 p.m.
Inaugural Address. By the HON. JOHN JAY, LL.D., President of the Association.
I. Canadian History.
1. Canada and the United States: From Historical Points of View. By Dr. J. G. BOURINOT, C. M. G., Clerk of the Canadian House Of Commons.
2. The New England Settlements in Acadia. By BENJAMIN RAND, Ph.D., Cambridge, Mass.
3. The Legislative Work of the First Parliament of Canada, 1792-1796. (Abstract). By WILLIAM HOUSTON, M. A., Librarian to the Ontario Legislature, Canada.
[[strikethrough]] Appointment of Committees.
The Board of Managers of the Cosmos Club, corner Vermont Avenue and H Street, extend the privileges of their Club House to members of the American Historical Association during their stay in Washington. [[/strikethrough]]
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30.
MORNING SESSION.
National Museum, 10.30 a. m.
II. European History.
1. The Fate of Dietrich Flade. By Professor GEORGE L. BURR, Cornell University.
2. The Theory of the Village Community. By DR. CHARLES M. ANDREWS, Bryn Mawr.
3. A Plea for Reform in the Study of English Municipal History. By DR. CHARLES GROSS, Harvard University.
4. Mirabeau's Speech of May 20, 1790. By F. M. FLING, Ph. D. (Leipzig).
[THIRD EDITION OF PROGRAMME]
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
Organized at Saratoga, N. Y., Sept. 10, 1884, for "the promotion of historical studies."
OFFICERS FOR 1890.
President.
HON. JOHN JAY, LL. D., New York City.
Vice-Presidents:
Hon. WILLIAM WIRT HENRY, Richmond, Va.
JAMES B. ANGELL, LL. D., Pres., University of Michigan.
Treasurer:
CLARENCE WINTHROP BOWEN, Ph.D., No. 251 Broadway, New York.
Secretary:
HERBERT B. ADAMS, Ph. D., Associate Professor of History, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md.
Assistant Secretary and Curator:
A. HOWARD CLARK, Curator of the Historical Collection, National Museum, Washington, D. C.
Executive Council:
(In addition to the above-named officers)
HON. ANDREW D WHITE, LL. D., Ithaca, N.Y.
JOHN W. BURGESS, Ph. D., LL. D., Professor of History and Law, Columbia College.
HON. GEORGE BANCROFT, LL. D., Washington, D. C.
GEORGE P. FISHER, D.D., Professor of Ecclesiastical History, Yale Divinity School.
JUSTIN WINSOR, LL. D., Cambridge, Mass.
DR. G. BROWN GOODE, Assistant Secretary, Smithsonian Institution, in charge of the National Museum.
WILLIAM F. POOLE, LL. D., Librarian of the Newberry Library, Chicago.
JOHN GEORGE BOURINOT, C. M. G., Clerk of the Canadian House of Commons.
CHARLES KENDALL ADAMS, LL. D., President of Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.
The American Historical Association will hold its Seventh Annual Meeting, December 29-31, 1890, in the City of Washington D. C., at the National Museum and the Columbian University.
The headquarters of the Association will be at THE ARLINGTON, Vermont Avenue, between H and I Streets, where first-class accommodations are promised to members of the Association at reduced rates. Members are expected to make their own arrangements at this hotel or elsewhere.
Round trip tickets from New York to Washington via the Pennsylvania or the B. & O. Railroad.
The advantages of Washington as a meeting-place for a National Historical Society are obvious. The attractions of the Capital in winter, the opportunity of easy access to public record offices and the Congressional Library, the general interest of the government buildings, the National Museum, etc., all combine to make a visit to Washington at once a pleasure and an advantage to students of American History. The holiday season was chosen by the committee on time and place because it is generally convenient for members, and it is easier at that time to obtain good hotel accommodations, Congress not being in session.
You are respectfully invited to attend the Seventh Annual Meeting of the American Historical Association.
HERBERT B. ADAMS, Sec.
December 29, 1890.
34
5. The Formation of the French Constitution. By Professor ADOLPHE COHN, Harvard University.
6. Karl Follen and the Liberal Student Movement in Germany from 1815 to 1819. By Professor KUNO FRANCKE, Harvard University.
7. Bismarck as the Typical German. By WILLIAM G. TAYLOR, Esq., of New York City.
[[strikethrough]] Mr. and Mrs. William D. Cabell extend a cordial invitation to the members of the American Historical Association, and the ladies accompanying them, for Tuesday afternoon, December 30, from 4 to 6 o'clock. 1407 Massachusetts Avenue. [[/strikethrough]]
EVENING SESSION.
Columbian University, 8 p.m.
III. American Constitutional History [[/centered]]
1. How the Written Ballot came into the United States. By DOUGLAS CAMPBELL, Esq., New York City.
2. A Virginia Bill of Attainder. The Case of Josiah Phillips. By Professor WILLIAN P. TRENT, University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn.
3. Amendments to the Constitution of the United States. By HERMAN V. AMES, A. M., Harvard Graduate School.
4. Presidential Protests. By EDWARD CAMPBELL MASON, A. B., Harvard Law School.
5. Responsible Government in Canada. By Dr. J. G. BOURINOT, C. M. G., Clerk of Canadian House of Commons.
6. Bills of Right in State Constitutions. (Abstract). By General R. D. MUSSEY, Washington, D. C.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31.
MORNING SESSION.
National Museum, 10.30 a.m.
IV. American Economic History.
1. The Historical Development of the Budget in the United States. By EFRAIM D. ADAMS, Ph.D., University of Michigan.
2. The Yazoo Land Companies. By Dr. CHARLES H. HASKINS, University of Wisconsin.
3. State Activities and Politics. By W. F. WILLOUGHBY, U. S. Department of Labor.
4. Slavery in New York. By EDWIN V. MORGAN, A. B., Harvard Graduate School.
5. Slavery in the District of Columbia : the Policy of Congress and the Struggle for Abolition. By MARY TREMAIN, A. M. Paper to be read by Professor GEORGE E. HOWARD, University of Nebraska.
(over)
^[[34 1/2]]
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Columbian University, 3:30 p. m.
V. American History. Historical Science
1. Raleigh's Settlements on Roanoke island: An Historical Survival. By Stephen B. Weeks, Ph.D., University of North Carolina.
2. Political Ideas of Puritans. By Dr. Herbert L. Osgood, Adjunct Professor of Columbia College.
3. Co-operation among the State Historical Societies. By General C. W. Darling; Utica, N. Y.
4. The Organization of Historical Material. By W. H. Mace, M.A., Cornell University.
5. Is History a Science? By Professor R. H. Dabney, University of Virginia.
EVENING SESSION.
Columbian University, 8 p. m.
VI. Historical Science, etc.
Report of Committees.
1. The Teaching of History. By Professor EDWARD CHANNING, Harvard University.
2. The Philosophical Aspects of History. By Dr. WILLIAM T. HARRIS, Commissioner of Education.
3. Importance of Geography to the Reader and Student of History. By President D. C. GILMAN, Johns Hopkins University.
4. Webster's Seventh of March Speech. By JAMES SCHOULER of Boston.
5. The Border Land between the Archaeologist and the Historian. By Professor OTIS T. MASON, U. S. National Museum.
6. The Expenditures of Foreign Governments in behalf of History. By Professor J. F. JAMESON, Brown University.
35
The Second [[strikethrough]] Annual [[/strikethrough]] ^[[Official]] Report of the Association was transmitted to the Smithsonian Institution on February 25, 1891. It was submitted to [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] ^[[Congress]] by the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution on Feb 26 ^[[and]] on ^[[the following day00 [[strikethrough]] February 27 1891 it was [[/strikethrough]] The Senate ordered it to be printed. [[strikethrough]] It was Part of [[/strikethrough]] It was partly in type before the close of the fiscal year [[strikethrough]] forming [[/strikethrough]] ^[[and will be published as]] Senate Miscellaneous Document No.83, 51st Congress, 2d session.
The report [[strikethrough]] contains [[/strikethrough]] will be about 275 octavo pages and contains
1. Report of Proceedings at the Annual Meeting December 29-31, 1890
2. Inaugural Address of John Jay
36
President of the Association; The Demand for Education in American History.
3. Abstracts of the several papers [[strikethrough]] in ^[[American]] Canadian, Eur and [[/strikethrough]] in American, Canadian and European history , that were read at the Annual meeting.
4. Bibliography of [[strikethrough]] memb [[/strikethrough]] published meetings members of the Association for 1890.
5. Bibliography of the [[strikethrough]] National [[/strikethrough]] ^[[National and State]] Historical Societies of the United States.
37
List of Accessions to Historical Collections during year ending June 30, 1891.
From American Historical Association, manuscripts and drawings [illegible word crossed out] pertaining to the history of the telegraph from 1838 to 1850, [illegible words crossed out] deposited with the Association by the surviving heirs of Alfred Vale who was associated with Prof. Morse in the invention and introduction of the telegraph. The collection in detail is as follows
[[strikethru]] Copy. [[/strikethru]] 38
A List of Vail Papers.
^[[ Pencil underline ]]
[[strikethru]] "[[/strikethru]] I. Two large folio volumes containing newspaper scraps, handbills, circulars, etc., relating to the Magnetic Telegraph (1844 to 1849 with some of later date).
[[strikethru]] "[[/strikethru]] II. One large folio volume containing the Patent rights and the various contracts with individuals and companies on various routes from 1840 to 1845, with copies of original contracts between S.F.B. Morse and Alfred Vail in 1837 and 1838.
[[strikethru]] "[[/strikethru]] III. Three folio printed copies of Professor Morse's Patents issued June 20th, 1840, January 15th, 1846, April 11th, 1846, June 13th, 1848, with the Professor's schedules and drawings.
[[strikethru]] "[[/strikethru]] IV. One folio manuscript volume containing the affidavits of Leonard D. Gale, S.F.B. Morse and Amos Kendall in suit [[underline]] vs. [[/underline]] Henry O. Reilly and others, 1848. Giving many details respecting the first conception of the Magnetic Telegraph and its progress from 1836 onward.
[[strikethru]] 2 [[/strikethru]] ^[[ 39 ]]
[[strikethru]] "[[/strikethru]] V. One folio volume of Drawings of Magnetic Instruments, designed by A. Vail, 1844 to 1849.
[[strikethru]] "[[/strikethru]]VI. One quarto volume containing Miscellaneous Telegraph Papers, among them a statement of Mr. Vail's first connection with the telegraph enterprise.
[[strikethru]] "[[/strikethru]]VII. Two quarto volumes of Mail Correspondence for telegraphic rates, 1848-1849.
[[strikethru]] "[[/strikethru]]VIII. One folio manuscript volume containing various Miscellaneous Calculations, Memoranda, etc.
[[strikethru]] "[[/strikethru]]IX. One folio manuscript volume containing Copies and Correspondence with Professor Jackson, Sir John Campbell and others.
[[strikethru]] "[[/strikethru]]X. One quarto Diary for 1848.
[[strikethru]] "[[/strikethru]]XI. Seven bound, small quarto volumes, numbered 1 to 7, containing Magnetic Correspondence--
No. 1. Miss B. B. French, A.J. Glossbrenner, Wm. M. Swain, T.M. Clarke.
No. 2. John J. Haley, Daniel Griffin, Elam Alexander, D.F. Clarke, S. Mowery, Jr.
[[right justified]] ^[[ 40 ]] [[strikethru]] 3 [[/strikethru]]
No. 3. James D. Reid, Edward N. Kent, John Stokell, John Marron, 1847-1854.
No. 4. Principally with Amos Kendall and S. F. B. Morse, 1852-1858.
No. 5. Amos Kendall, S. F. B. Morse, F. O. J. Smith S. Wood, 1850.
No. 6. L. C. Robbins, Greeley and Stemson, Gilbert Smith, Dr. Page, S. Colt Colton, Vattemare, J. Mills, Joseph Moore, M. D. Allen.
No. 7. Faxton, Buel, Porter, Makepeace, Butterfield, H. A. Aiden, Shaffner, 1848-1854.
[[strikethru]] "[[/strikethru]] XII. One bound volume of Miscellaneous Letters, received from 1830 to July 25, 1848.
[[strikethru]] "[[/strikethru]] XIII. 6 small quarto volumes, containing a journal of Mr. A. Vail, from March 30th, 1843, to February 25th, 1845.
[[strikethru]] "[[/strikethru]] XIV. One Bound Volume of Letters received, lettered "Publication Correspondence," 1845 to 1848.
[[strikethru]] "[[/strikethru]] XV. One bound volume of Letters received, containing Private Correspondence (289 letters) from
4^[[1]] [[read as 41]]
various individuals, principally from S. F. B. Morse, George Vail, Amos Kendall and S. D. Gale, from 1836 to 1844.
[[/strikethru]] "[[/strikethru]] XVI. Package of manuscript containing Correspondence, principally by telegraph, with operators and others, on business of the different lines, 1848-1851.
[[/strikethru]] "[[/strikethru]] XVII. Package of Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1844-1852.
[[/strikethru]] "[[/strikethru]] XVIII. Book containing Old Telegraph Accounts with Amos Kendall, 1846-1848.
[[/strikethru]] "[[/strikethru]] XIX. Printed interrogatories in suit F. O. J. Smith [[underline]] vs [[/underline]] Hugh Downing and others, U. S. Circuit Court Maine 1850.
[[/strikethru]] "[[/strikethru]] XX. One quarto volume of Telegraphic Scraps.
[[/strikethru]] "[[/strikethru]] XXI. Package of Miscellaneous Memorandum Books.
[[/strikethru]] "[[/strikethru]] XXII. "The Telegraph Register of the Electro Magnetic Telegraph Companies in the United States and the Canadas, using Professor Morse's patent, containing the rates of charges for transmission of messages, compiled by Alfred Vail, Washington, 1849." Printed Book.
[[right justified]] ^[[ 42 ]] [[/justified]]
[[strikethru]] "[[/strikethru]] XXIII. The Secret corresponding Vocabulary adapted for use to Morse's Electro Magnetic Telegraph and also in conducting written correspondence transmitted by mail or otherwise, by Francis O. J. Smith, Portland, Maine, 1845. (2 copies).
[[strikethru]] "[[/strikethru]] XXIV. American Telegraph for Day and Night Communication. Invented by Henry J. Rogers. Plates, Baltimore, June, 1841.
[[strikethru]] "[[/strikethru]] XXV. Two rolls containing--
No. 1. Drawings and explanations of Cooke and Wheatstone's Electro Telegraph, London.
Drawings of Charles S. Buckley's Double-acting Telegraphic Reporter, patented Nov. 12th, 1850.
American Code of Signals, Designed by Henry J. Rogers, Baltimore, 1841.
No. 2. Copy from Patent Office Records of Royal E. House's Specifications of Improvements in Magnetic Printing Telegraphs, April 18th, 1846, with copies of drawings."
43
From George H. Boehmer, Washington, D.C., collection of 855 seals, in paper and wax, of European governments and institutions.
From Col. ?.B. Bowman, Little Rock, Arkansas, manuscripts, deeds, [[strikethrough]] and relic [[/strikethrough]] books, [strikethrough]] and object [[/strikethrough]] and historical relics pertaining to the pioneer history of the Shenandoah Valley and Kentucky.
44
From C.B. Boyle, Washington, D.C., silver-mounted [[strikethrough]] crystal [[ /strikethrough]] glass flute made in Paris and presented to President James Madison.
From Rev. W.C. Calder, Chester, Pa., five silver coins of Burmah.
From H. Chatelain, Vineland, New Jersey, a Bible (Pentateuch) in Lechnana language, used by Dr. David Livingston in his journey from Cape of Good Hope to Loanda, Africa, in 1852, the autograph of Livingston on title page; also forty-three copper coins of Portuguese Africa and Azores.
45
From J.L. Cheyney, Fort Dodge, Iowa, a silver watch carried by Thomas Cheney during the Revolutionary War and particularly [[strikethrough]] at the [[/strikethrough]] during his service to the American forces at the Battle of [[insertion]] the [[/insertion]] Brandywine.
From Edward Clark, Architect of the U.S. Capitol, the original full-size plaster model of Statue of Liberty by Thomas Crawford, made in Rome, and used in making the mould from which was cast the bronze statue surmounting the Capitol dome.
46
From [[strikethrough]] F.W. [[/strikethrough]] [[insertion]] Miss Una H. [[/insertion]] Clarke, Washington, D.C., commissions of notary public signed by Governor Marcus Norton, 1825, and Governor Levi Lincoln, 1828, of Massachusetts.
From Charles W. Cotton, Dunbar, Pa., piece of charcoal from the ill-fated Hill-Farm Mine.
From Josiah Cuffy, Fortress Monroe, Va., [[strikethrough]] [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] twenty silver and copper coins of Spain Germany Switzerland, Canada, and the United States.
47
From William Ellory Curtis, Washington, D.C., an Album of [[strikethrough]] large cabinets [[/strikethrough]] photographs of the offices and members of the International American Conference held at Washington in 1889-'90.
From [[strikethrough]] State [[/strikethrough]] Department of State, Washington, D.C., two [[strikethrough]] silver [[/strikethrough]] medals ^[[with accompanying diplomas]] awarded the United States for exhibits at the Paris Exposition 1889,
From George H. Draper, Paris, France, the private account book of [[strikethrough]] his Majesty [[/strikethrough]] Louis XV and Louis XVI of France with signature of Louis XVI.
48
From Charles F. Fish, Fall River, Mass., photographs of old stone mill at Newport, and of a windmill at Portsmouth, R.I.
From Mrs. R.A. Foster, New York City, sword presented ^[[in 1862]] to Albert H. Foster of Company D, 25th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers.
From Joseph Francis, of Minneapolis, a silver medal of the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia, a gold medal from Ferdinand II, King of Sicily, [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]] a decoration of the Imperial of St. Stanislaus, ^[[and a silver medal of honor of the International Shipwreck Society of France;]] presented to Francis for his invention of ^[[corrugated]] metallic boats and army wagons.
41
From Guildhall Library, London, England, [[strikethrough]] five [[/strikethrough]] bronze medals [[strikethrough]] issued [[/strikethrough]] struck by order of the Corporation of the City of London to commemorate the Passing of the Reform Bill 1832; Queen Victoria's visit to Guildhall 1837; Opening of London Bridge; Thanksgiving for recovery of Prince of Wales; and Opening of the City of London School.
From [[?]] Gregor, Jacksonville, Fla., some relics of the old Spanish cathedral at St. Augustine Fla.
From J. Scott Hartley, New York City, plaster busts of John Gilbert, Judge Noah Davis, Edwin Booth as "Brutus," and of Lawrence Barrett as "Cassius."
50
From ^[[Col.]] E.H. Haskell, Boston, Mass., official souvenir program of the 24th National encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic, at Boston, August, 1890.
From Mrs. C.W. Hayden, Washington, D.C., engraved portraits of Bayard Taylor, J.W. DeForest, Mark Twain, Herbert Spencer, and others (20 in all).
From W.H. Heany, Washington, D.C. one-real silver coin of Spain, date 1741, with arms of Philip of Anjou on Shield of pretense.
51
From Thomas F. Hennesey, Cincinnati, Ohio, [[strikethrough]] collection of copper [[/strikethrough]] seventeen ancient Greek and Roman copper and silver coins.
From Miss Rosena Hitchcock, Chicago, Ill., [[strikethrough]] copies [[/strikethrough]] the Alleghany Republican of December 23, 1825, antimasonic almanac for the year 1832 and an almanac for the year 1841.
From E. R. Hodge, Washington, D.C., set of U.S. stamped envelopes (two cents), issue of 1883.
52
From W.B. Hornblower, Washington, D.C., programs and other ^[[official]] papers relating to the centennial celebration of the organization of the Federal Judiciary, February 4, 1890.
From Alexander Hynds, Dandridge, Tenn., small silver medal of Confederate States.
From ^[[Dr.]] Robert H. Lamborn, New York City [[strikethrough]] Washington, D.C. [[/strikethrough]] ^[[New York City]] autograph manuscripts, glass pitcher and wine glasses, silver cake basket, knife and fork, and other presented relics of General Washington.
53
From Harry W. Lewis, Jefferson, Md., one-sen copper coin of Japan, and a deux-sous token of Lower Canada.
From Johannes Marjenhoff, Charleston, S.C., cannon ball from Fort Sumter, and pistol from field of battle at Battery Wagenner.
From George R. Merrill, Grand Rapids, Michigan, series of Parkers and Weavers Almanac 1730 to 1750 inclusive.
From Charles Miller Jr., Grand Rapids, Michigan, Confederate State and Michigan paper money and a copper coin.
54
From W.B. Peck, Sharpsbury, Va., a 16 ms volume entitled "The American Schoolmastery Assistant", etc., printed at Lexington, 1811.
From C.H. Peck, Newton, Conn., some revolutionary war military buttons.
From W. Hallett Phillips, Washington, D.C., a book entitled "Shut your Mouth", by George Cattin.
From Fred W. Porter, Chicago, Ill., collection of State Bank bills from 1817 to 1860.
55
From Randolph Macon College, Ashland, Va., medal commemorating the incorporation of Randolph-Macon College February 3, 1830.
From W. J. Rhees, Washington, D.C., [[strikethrough]] three [[/strikethrough]] daguerreotype [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]] of Governor Johnson of Pa., (1851), and Major General Hugh Brady (1768 - 1851), and ambrotype Dr. John D. Easter (1855).
From William T. Rice, Leghorn, Italy, silver medals struck in Holland in 1782 and 1783 to commemorate [[strikethrough]] (1) [[/strikethrough]] the Armed neutrality of Russia, ^[[Sweden, Denmark and Holland]]; [[strikethrough]] (2) [[/strikethrough]] the acceptance of John Adams as Ambassador from the United States; [[strikethrough]] (3) [[/strikethrough]] in recognition of American independence; and the treaty of commerce between the United States & Holland; also a bronze medal [[strikethrough]] in memory [[/strikethrough]] ^[[relating]] to Lord Howes fleet at Rhode Island in 1778.
56
From George T. Rogers, Lynn Haven, Va., military coat of a colonel in Virginia Infantry, Confederate State Army.
From Royal Geographical Society, London, England, a bronze [[strikethrough]] and nec [[/strikethrough]] medal commemorating Stanley's expedition in Africa for the relief of Emir Pasha.
From Capt. O. M. Smith, [[strikethrough]] Wash [[/strikethrough]] ^[[U.S. Army,]] Washington, D. C., Springfield bullet partially pierced by a nail at target range at Fort Keogh, Montana in June, 1890, distance 800 yards.
57
From The Smithsonian Institution, a medal awarded the Smithsonian Institution by the Paris Exposition, 1889.
From The Smithsonian Institution, bronze medal from the University of Montpellier, France.
From Mary F, Stroud [[strikethrough]] 506 12 [[/strikethrough]] Washington, D.C., an oil portrait of the late Prof. Walter R. Johnson.
From James Todd, Pittsburg, Pa., a silver watch with fob-chain, seal, and pendant, said to have ben captured from a British soldier at the battle of Lexington 1775 by Lieut. James Todd of Boston.
58
From Edward Troye, Washington, equestrian portrait of General Winfield Scott
59
From Lawrence Washington, Marshall, VA., original will of John Washington, great-grandfather of George Washington, [[strikethrough]] and the ca [[/strikethrough]] first of the family in Virginia; deed of release to Augustine Washington, father of George, May 17,1726; bargain and sale of 1906 acres of land, Thompson to Rose, in 1689; agreement with John West for sale of land; "The daily sacrifice", a daily prayer book, in manuscript, apparently in [[strikethrough]] hand of [[/strikethrough]] hand-writing of George Washington; ledger account book of Manager of Mount Vernon for 1794 with indorsements by George Washington; [[white paper strip covering next item]] overseers' weekly report of Mount Vernon plantation, [[strikethrough]] with [[/strikethrough]] Sept 16, 1797 to January 26, 1799, with indorsements in Washington's handwriting; daily record book of overseer from January 7 to Sept. 10, 1797; [[strikethrough]] an as [[/strikethrough]] overseers' account book
60
1786 to 1790 with list of ^[[negro]] slaves in the several Mount Vernon plantations; besides upwards of [[strikethrough]] four [[/strikethrough]] ^[[two]] hundred [[strikethrough]] manuscripts, broadsides, receipts, deeds, manuscrip [[/strikethrough]] receipts and letters in Washington's handwriting; a number of deeds of property in Virginia; broadsides pertaining to Revolutionary War period in Virginia, etc, etc.
From Col. T.A. Washington, Washington, D.C., a brick from [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] ^[[the house at]] Wakefield, Va., [[strikethrough]] the birthplace of [[/strikethrough]] where General Washington was born.
61
From W.W. Wheildon, Concord, Mass., copy of the ^[[historical]] souvenir deposited under the corner stone of the Massachusetts State House Extension, Dec. 21, 1889; also a piece of wood of the historic "Old North Bridge" at Concord.
From A.C. Wilcox, Washington, D.C., fourteen copper coins of England, Ireland, Canada and Mexico dating from 1731 to [[strikethrough]] 1860 [[/strikethrough]] 1878; also [[strikethrough]] A.C. Wilcox, Washington, D.C. [[/strikethrough]] a letter dated 1816, signed by Commissary General of prisoners; a certificate of identification as an American citizen dated 1803; and the indenture of an apprentice in schooner "Lydia" of Marblehead in 1807.
[[preprinted]] SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
MEMORANDUM. [[/preprinted]]
Mr [[Seare?]].
Here is a meagre statement of affairs during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893.
AHd Clark
^[[Ed & Ad
a.m.
Miss [[?Jablez]]
Please correct heading & copy.]]
^[[1]]
^[[Copied L.T.]]
Report on Historical Collections, ^[[1893]]
A Howard Clark Curator
The crowded condition of the exhibition halls ^[[has]] necessitated the withdrawal [[strikethrough]] of [[/strikethrough]] and [[strikethrough]] several [[/strikethrough]] temporary storage of the entire collection of medals and money, and [[strikethrough]] of [[/strikethrough]] the general series of autograph papers of eminent Americans.
Collections of historical objects remaining on exhibition include memorials ^[[personal relics]] of Washington, Jefferson, [[strikethrough]] Van Buren, Jack John Quincy [[/strikethrough]] Adams, [[strikethrough]] Ma [[/strikethrough]] Van Buren, Jackson, Lincoln, Grant & [[strikethrough]] some [/strikethrough]] other Presidents of the United States, [[strikethrough]] and a [[/strikethrough]] and of soldiers, statesmen, [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]] and other eminent Americans, as well as memorials of important events in American History.
[[checkmark]]
A great portion of the time of the Curator was necessarily devoted to his other duties as Editor of ^[[the]] Proceedings and the Bulletin of the Museum and in charge of printing descriptive labels, the year being the busiest in the history of the Museum in these branches of work, so that it [[strikethrough]] was [[/strikethrough]] is impossible to report much special work accomplished in [[strikethrough]] further [[/strikethrough]] advancing the [[strikethrough]] [[th?]] [[/strikethrough]] Historical Collections except in connection with the preparation of the exhibits for the Worlds Fair.
The greater portion
^[[3]]
For the Worlds Columbian Exposition it was hoped that a large [[strikethrough]] and mo [[/strikethrough]] historical collection might be arranged, [[strikethrough]] with the expectation of the American [[/strikethrough]] but it was impossible to accomplish all that was planned. The exhibits sent to Chicago included (1) about eighteen hundred engraved and photographic portraits of [[strikethrough]] eminent Americans [[/strikethrough]] Members of the Continental Congress, the Federal Convention of 1787, the first Congress of the United States, Members of the National Academy of Sciences, and of other ^[[eminent]] American Statesmen, Jurists, [[strikethrough]] Am [[/strikethrough]] Philosophers, Army and Navy Officers, Medical Men, Clergymen, Educators, Artists, Authors, Merchants and Philanthropists; (2) Almost six hundred
medals illustrative of American history from the earliest Colonial [[strikethrough]] events [[/strikethrough]] period, through [[strikethrough]] recent years, and commemorative [[/strikethrough]] the Revolutionary War, to events of recent years [[strikethrough]] and medals comparative [[/strikethrough]] collegiate and ecclesiastical medals, [[strikethrough]] [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] and medals in memory of eminent Americans, (3) metallic money of the Colonies [[strikethrough]] [[?]] the United States [[/strikethrough]] prior to the establishment of the United States Mint. (4) [[strikethrough]] Paper [[/strikethrough]] American [[strikethrough]] money [[/strikethrough]] Colonial and Continental paper money, and paper money issued by [[strikethrough]] [[?]] [[/strikethough]] State and private banks and by merchants [[strikethrough]] for [[/strikethrough]] (5) Series of early maps illustrating the development of [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] geographical knowledge of America and of the territorial growth of the United States. (6) About two hundred
^[[5]]
water-color drawings of decorated powder horns carried by soldiers of the American Revolution. (7) Models of the Mayflower and Sally Constant, [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] early passenger ships of the Plymouth and Virginia Colonies. (8) Engravings [[strikethrough]] of [[/strikethrough]] illustrating [[strikethrough]] Colonials [[/strikethrough]] the Landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, the settlement of Jamestown, VA., and other Colonial and later events in American history.
^[[6]]
There [[strikethrough]] were [[/strikethrough]] have been seventy accessions to the Collections during the year aggregating nearly one thousand specimens. The principal objects were a folio Bible belonging to General Washington with his autograph on the title page; Collection of [[strikethrough]] military and [[/strikethrough]] decorations of ^[[some of the]] military and civic orders of Europe and America; a large number of memorials and personal relics of ^[[President]] Andrew Jackson; some of the earliest copper money coined in America dating about 1525; medals [[strikethrough]] from London [[/strikethrough]] presented by the Corporation of the City of London, commemorative of events in the history of that city; autograph letters of Gen. J.E.B. Stuart of the Confederate Army and of Hon. G. W. Randolph, Secretary of War of
^[[7]]
the Confederate States; Commissions [[strikethrough]] an [[/strikethrough]] bearing [[strikethrough]] autographs [[/strikethrough]] signatures of ^[[Presidents]] John Quincy Adams and James Madison; a large collection of engraved and photographic portraits of eminent Americans; colonial coins ^[[and medals of the United States; ^[[and]] Chinaware and a gavel [[strikethrough]] deposited [[/strikethrough]] pertaining to the Revolutionary War, deposited by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
[[crossed off]] 7.9.46[[/crossed off]] [[in circle]] File AHC[[/in circle]]
AHClark
Innisfallen Newry Po. SC June 13/96
My Dear Sir,
I have your esteemed favour 8th, and in Regard to your Books, some vols may be had of the Mayor of Chn., write to Hon J. Adger Smyth - city Hall, and get what you can, let me know the missing vols. & I will see when they can be picked up - the Editions are all exhausted-
My point about Mr. Whitneys mentioning is, that [[underlined]] I[[/underlined]], who originated & executed these 8 vols., am not mentioned in a [[underlined]] Single instance[[/underlined]] my central address. [[underlined]] 200 pages [[/ underlined]], that cost me vast labor, [[underlined]]unnoticed,[[/underlined]] and [[underlined]] two [[/underlined]] Secondary articles of P[[?]] Smith, duly & conspicuously noted-!!!
Suppose I make a Resume of the Historical part of each vol, & send it to you?
The Copies of Smithsonian Reports not yet at hand-
Vy Resply
[[in a circle]] Wm A Courtenay
Hon G Brown Goode
TO MY BOOKS : A SONNET.
by
Hon. Mrs. Caroline Elizabeth Norton née Sheridan.
"Silent companions of the lonely hour,
Friends who can never alter or forsake,
Who for inconstant roving have no power,
And all neglect, perforce, must calmly take,
Let me return to you; this turmoil ending
Which worldly cares have in my spirit wrought,
And, o'er your old familiar pages bending,
Refresh my mind with many a tranquil thought:
Till, haply meeting there, from time to time,
Fancies, the audible echo of my own,
'T will be like hearing in a foreign clime
My native language spoke in friendly tone,
And with a sort of welcome I shall dwell
On these, my unripe musings, told so well."
[[line]]
Printed for Mr. Courtenay, Charleston, S. C.
Smithsonian Institution.
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
[[line]]
Memorandum.
Mus. Ref. 93 sent June 10.
S.I. 94 to go when out.
PRG.
[[preprinted]] SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
MEMORANDUM. [[/preprinted]]
Je 26
M Clark-
Mr Goode has seen this -
Yours [[?BSY]]
^[[file AHC]]
[[stamp]] G.B.G. JUN 25, 1896 [[/stamp]]
Benzonia June 22, 1896
A. Howard Clark Esq.
Dear Sir.
Thank you for forwarding to me the letter of Ex mayor Courtenay to Dr. Goode. I should be greatly obliged for the privilege of replying to others who offer a word of criticism in regard to my Bibliography.
I have written him in reply.
I think that perhaps he is needlessly worried. "Year Books" are published by all cities of
any size and I should hardly think it expected that the mayors of the various cities would expect to be mentioned in a Bibliography when the articles in question were not written by them. During mayor Courteney's incumbency, there were appendices published. Some of them contained articles referring to the colonial period. Some did not. [[underlined]] All [[underlined]] that contain matter of any value are mentioned. Since he went out of office, the "Year Books" have been published also yearly. All contain appendices as before, but the material therein contained refers mainly to the modern period.
I have [[underlined]] personally [[underlined]] examined the "Year Books" to 1893. The Bibl. was prepared over two years ago. I surely had no intention of "slighting" mayor
Courtenay for I had considered his energy and push to have resulted in something of great value to investigators.
Very respectfully yours
Edson L whitney
Benzonia, Mich.
[[preprinted]] SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
MEMORANDUM. [[/preprinted]]
Je. 25
[[underlined]] Mr Goode. [[/underlined]]
Mr Clark sends over the appended letter from Mr Whitney.
RIG
[[preprinted]] SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
MEMORANDUM. [[/preprinted]]
For S.I. file
RSG
Jy 9
^[[file]]
[[stamp]] DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
RECEIVED
JULY 2 1896
P. AND M. DIVISION [[/stamp]]
[[preprinted]] EXECUTIVE MANSION
1887
The within communication is respectfully referred to the SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR
By direction of the President:
HENRY T. THURBER Private Secretary [[/preprinted]]
July 2, 1896.
The President.
With reference to an alleged invention of H. Schmitt, of Houston, Texas, (1018 McKee St.,) - an air ship -, which Mr. Schmitt desires the Government to have, being unable to have same patented.
[[?A.O.A.]] D.H.S.
Dept. of the Interior
July 3, 1896.
Respectfully referred to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and writer so advised.
Mr M. [[?Rynder]]
Acting Secretary.
[[stamp]] DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
RECEIVED JUL 2 1896
P. AND M. DIVISION [[/stamp]]
1887
[[stamp]]DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
RECEIVED
JUL 2 1896
D. M. DIVISION.[[/stamp]]
[[stamp]]1887[[/stamp]]
1018. [[Mc. Kee.]] St.
Houston Texas June 28. 1896.
To the President of the United
States, Sir:
I have some invention of a machine, the machine can be use fo a air ship, the machine have a large force and power to fly up in the air. I like
to give the machine to the government.
I have not the money to patent the machine, or to be able to proceed.
Respectfully
H Schmitt
[[stamp]] DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
RECEIVED JUL 2 1896
P. AND M. DIVISION [[/stamp]]
1887
^[[A'd]]
Historical Collections
AH Clark
[[stamp]]Report for 1895[[/stamp]]
[[preprinted]]HOW HAS THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1895, COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS YEAR, AS FAR AS (1) THE NUMBER OF ACCESSIONS AND (2) THEIR SCIENTIFIC VALUE ARE CONCERNED?[[/preprinted]]
The number of accessions has [[strikethrough]] not [[/strikethrough]] been [[strikethrough]] as good [[/strikethrough]] ^[[less]] but they have a greater historic interest that [[strikethrough]] historic value has been [[/strikethrough]] accessions of the previous year
[[preprinted]]2. NAME, IN THE ORDER OF THEIR IMPORTANCE, THE ACCESSIONS OF THE YEAR WHICH DESERVE [[underline]] SPECIAL NOTICE[[/underline]], AND STATE IN EACH CASE WHETHER GIVEN, LENT, RECEIVED IN EXCHANGE OR PURCHASED.[[/preprinted]]
[[New England Colonial household utensils & wearing apparel illustrating the customs of the 17th and 18th centuries, [[strikethrough]]from[[/strikethrough]] ? gift of Mr. John B Copp, Old Mystic, Conn.
Sword and belt presented to Admiral L. D. Trenchard by the Government of Great Britain for generous & effective service in rescuing the Officer & crew of the British barque 'Adieu', disabled off Cape Arm, Mass., August, 1886.; deposited by Edward Trenchard, New York City.
[[insert from bottom of page]] Canteen carried by John Pauling (one of the captors of major Andre) through the Revolutionary War, Deposited by Admiral R. M. Meade.[[/insert from bottom of page]]
Old Spanish Award used by the Conquistadores in Santa Domingo; sword from Puerto Rico dated 1796;Early Spanish spurs from Argentina & Santa Domingo; & a collection of early Spanish Mexican [[strikethrough]]silver[[/strikethrough]] copper & silver coins.(Purchased)
Cabinet of [[102]] plaster casts of historic medals & cameos. Gift of Rev. [[strikethrough]]Lo.[[/strikethrough]] L. T. Chamberlain, New York City.
Waistcoat said to have belonged To General George Washington. Deposited by Mr. J. A. Rodgers, South Bethlehem, Pa.
[[Over]]
South Carolina Colonial paper money and collection of silver, nickel, & copper coins of Mexico, Danish West Indies, Great Britain, Switzerland, tc.; Deposited by A.W. Carey, Adrian, Mich.
Sworded epaulettes worn by Capt Seth Brett Thornton, 2' Dragoons, U.S.A. when killed August 18, 1847, at Contreras, during the last attack on the City of Mexico.
Decorations & papers of the late Joseph Smolinski Commander of the Imperial Ottoman Order of the Medjidieh, Chevalier of the Polish Military Cross, etc., Deposited by ^[[his son]] Joseph Smolinski, of Washington City.
Modal of the Behaim Globe - original made [[strikethrough]] by [[/strikethrough]] at Nuremburg in 1487.
3. WHAT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN CARING FOR THE COLLECTIONS UNDER YOUR CUSTODY, i.e., IN THEIR PRESERVATION AND INSTALLATION.
The ^[[reserve]] collections are preserved but in a very unsatisfactory condition as far as appearance goes. They are safe from loss but not in ^[[good]] condition for ready reference. There is urgent need of storage facilities which can be furnished by use of stacks for holding unit drawers.
The exhibition series is in good condition yet there is still work to be completed in labelling.
[[preprinted]]4. INDICATE BRIEFLY THE PRESENT CONDITION OF THE EXHIBITION SERIES AND THE STUDY SERIES, IN YOUR DEPARTMENT.[[/preprinted]]
Answered [[under?]] 3
5. WHAT SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS HAVE YOU COMMENCED, CONTINUED, OR COMPLETED, UPON THE MATERIAL UNDER YOUR CARE, DURING THE YEAR.
None
6. WHAT EXPLORATIONS (1) BY THE MUSEUM AND (2) UNDER OTHER AUSPICES, HAVE RESULTED IN ENRICHING THE COLLECTIONS UNDER YOUR CARE?
^[[None]]
7. WHAT MATERIAL FROM YOUR DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN TRANSMITTED TO STUDENTS AND INVESTIGATORS [[UNDERLINED]] OUTSIDE OF THE MUSEUM [[/UNDERLINED]] DURING THE YEAR, AND IN CONNECTION WITH WHAT SPECIAL INVESTIGATION WAS THE MATERIAL NEEDED? IT SHOULD BE STATED [[UNDERLINED]] IN EACH CASE [[/UNDERLINED]] WHETHER OR NOT THE MATERIAL HAS BEEN RETURNED THE MUSEUM.
^[[None]]
8. GIVE THE NAMES OF ANY PERSONS WHO HAVE PROSECUTED INVESTIGATIONS IN YOUR DEPARTMENT DURING THE YEAR, AND STATE THE SPECIAL AIM OF THEIR STUDIES.
^[[None]]
9. GIVE A LIST OF CORRESPONDENTS WHOSE CO-OPERATION HAS RESULED IN ENRICHING THE COLLECTIONS UNDER YOUR CARE, AND STATE BRIEFLY THE MANNER AND EXTENT OF SUCH COOPERATION DURING THE YEAR.
12. PLEASE PRESENT ANY PLANS WHICH YOU MAY HAVE IN VIEW FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR DEPARTMENT.
^[[The continuously increasing popular interest in objects relating to the history of the United States during the Colonial and Revolutionary war periods makes it advisable to [[strikethrough]] carefully preserve increase [[/strikethrough]] collect as many as possible of such relics, though mere "curios" are not desirable. The Museum now has a valuable series of American medals but there are many more that should be secured as also ^[[more]] specimens of money of colonial and later days.]]
13. (1) GIVE THE NUMBER OF SPECIMENS RECEIVED DURING THE YEAR.
(2) GIVE THE NUMBER OF THE LAST ENTRIES IN YOUR CATALOGUE ON JUNE 30, 1894, AND JUNE 30, 1895.
[[?Measured]] some time ago and have not retained copy.
AH Clark
^[[Mr. Clark said on Nov. 11-95 that 298 specimens were rec'd during the year. J.]]
^[[ [[underline]] Ack'd
Clark
Reviewed [[underline]] ]]
1. How has the fiscal year ending June 30,1897, compared with the previous year, as far as (a) the number of accessions and (b) their scientific value are concerned?
The number of accessions received during the year has [[strikethrough]] not [[/strikethrough]] been about the average but [[strikethrough]] then as [[/strikethrough]] ^[[the number of specimens]] and their scientific value has been far greater than for many years.
2. Name, in the order of their importance, the accessions of the year which deserve [[underlined]] special notice, [[underlined]] and state in each case whether given, lent, received in exchange or purchased.
The most important accessions were
1. - Collection of ^[[the]] coinage of the Chinese Empire from 770 B.C. to date comprising 2025 pieces in gold, silver, and bronze, [[strikethrough]] besides [[/strikethrough]] governmental and private notes, amulets [[strikethrough]] or such and [[/strikethrough]] or religious medals, and bamboo tallies. This collection was bequeathed to the Smithsonian Institution by Mr. G.B. Glover an American gentleman connected for many years with the Maritime Customer Service of China. It is believed to be the most complete series of Chinese money in the world.
2. - Collection of bronze medals of allthe sovereigns of France comprising 75 pieces all in perfect condition purchases of S.F. Kunz.
[[Strikethrough]]3. - Collection of copies of antique gems made in the 18th century, the gift of [[\strikethrough]][[Strikethrough]] 230 antique tassie pastes of 230 specimens, the [[Strikethrough]]gift of[[\Strikethrough]] [[Strikethrough]]purchase of S.F. Kunz.[[\Strikethrough]]
[[over]]
[[3.- Collection of ceramics illustrating American history, consisting of 204 plates and pitchers, [[strikethrough]]with[[\strikethrough]] bearing representations of historic buildings, deposited by Mrs. Alys Bates Van Deusen [[Densen??]]Hartford Conn.
4. - Collection of relics of the Revolutionary War deposited by the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
5. - ^[[added Dec,98 [[95??]] ]]Gold medal, gold snuff box, and sword, presented to General Jacob Brown for service in the War of 1812. Deposited by Wm [[?]] Du Val Brown Wash D.C.
6. - Sword presented to General Gabriel R. Paul by his command. Deposited by [[strikethrough]]Mrs. Gabriel R. Paul[[\strikethrough]] Col. Augustus C. Paul [[??]]
7. - [[Strikethrough][] The Moultrie flag [[\Strikethrough]]The garrison flag of Fort Moultrie
8. - Collection of 37 specimens of Greek imperial silver coins the gift of Dr. A.F. Ferrges.
Flag rec'd in previous year
[[preprinted]]SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. _____
MEMORANDUM.[[/preprinted]]
7.-
The garrison flag of Fort Moultrie Charleston Harbor South Carolina
which was lowered on Dec 26' 1860, when Major Robt. Anderson, 1st U.S. Artillery, with his command evacuated Fort Moultrie, and occupied Fort Sumter. It was secured by his second [[strikethrough]]Lieutenant[[/strikethrough]] in Command, Capt Abner Doubleday, and in his possession since 1860, is now presented to the S.I by Mrs. Abner Doubleday."
[[in different ink]] [[strikethrough]] & [[/strikethrough]] [[insertion]] also [[/insertion]] sword worn by [[strikethrough]] him during [[/strikethrough]] [[insertion]] Genl Doubleday [[/insertion]] during the War of the Revolution. [[/in different ink]]
[[strikethrough]] 228 N.Y. Ave S.E
232 N.Y. Ave [[?]] [[/strikethrough]]
[[preprinted]]3. Indicate briefly the present condition of the exhibition series and the study series.[[/preprinted]]
The [[strikethrough]]collection of[[/strikethrough]]Historical Collections are in good condition,[[strikethrough]]?[[/strikethrough]] especially the exhibition series, though much remains to be done in arranging the study series. There are also many objects of much historic interest which cannot be displayed for lack of room. The series of portraits of representative men has been increased somewhat and the entire collection as been arranged for ready reference.
[[preprinted]]4. State what progress has been made in administering upon the collections under your charge.[[/preprinted]]
During the last quarter of the year [[inserted comment: past few months]] [[strikethrough]] [[?]][[/strikethrough]] great [[inserted comment: much]] progress has been made in cataloging and permanently arranging the valuable collections of coins and medals belonging to the Museum. Several [[strikethrough ?]] valuable [[/possible strikethrough]] series have been placed in exhibition, and a ^[[insertion]] the difficult [[/insertion]] problem of [[strikethrough]]satisfactorily [[/strikethrough]] installing large series of coins has been solved by the use of [[strikethrough]] tall [[/strikethrough]] upright table cases with slope diaphragms covered with olive green velvet. There still remains much to be done to complete the labelling of the historical objects but the work is steadily progressing.
^ [[insertion]] Insert 'A' [[/insertion]] The assignment of an expert assistant in the Department has been of great value to the Museum and enabled the Custodian to [[strikethrough]] [[bring]] [[/strikethrough]] ^[[insertion]] complete [[/insertion]] routine work to date.
[[left marginal note written vertically]]Considerable time was devoted to the preparation of [[strikethrough]] an ex [[/strikethrough]] a collection of medals and coins pertaining to the colonial period of American history for [[strikethrough]] dis [[/strikethrough]] display at the Tennessee centennial exposition at Nashville. [[/left marginal note]]
[[preprinted]]5. What special investigations have you commenced, continued, or completed, upon material under your care, during the year?[[/preprinted]]
Hardly applies to Hist. Coll.
[[preprinted]]6. What explorations (a) by members of the Museum staff, and (b) under other auspices, have resulted in enriching the collections under your care?[[/preprinted]]
Does not apply
7. What material from your department has been transmitted to students a^[[circled gap]]nd in connection with what special investigation was the material needed? It should be stated in each case whether or not the material has been returned to the Museum.
^[[None]]
[[preprinted]]8. Give the names of any persons who have prosecuted investigations in your department during the year, and state the special aim of their studies.[[/preprinted]]
Historical students have availed themselves to a considerable extent in copying objects on exhibition for [[strikeout]] the [[/strikeout]] illustrating [[works?]]for publication, especially in connection with [[strikeout]] the [[/strikeout]] biographies of Grant & other soldiers of the war, and the Washington relics have been frequently examined by [[strikeout]] those [[/strikeout]] writers of colonial history.
9. Give a list of persons, other than contributors, who during the year have aided your department by their assistance and advice; and indicate briefly the nature of their services.
^[[The Department has aided others but the aid of others has not been required.]]
[[preprinted]]10.Give a list of ^[[the]] papers published during the year by yourself and your official associates and collaborators, so far as the same are based upon Museum material. I^[[f]] any paper is based partly but not entirely upon Museum material, that fact should be indicated.
^[[ [ ]]Each notice for the bibliography should be accompanied by a full and complete citation (e.g.,[[underline]]Proc.U.S.Nat.Mus.[[/underline]],XV, No. 898, Aug.4, 1892, pp. 179-219, pls. XIX-XXI,figs.8-10), and also by a brief abstract of the paper.^[[]]]
none
11. Give a list of the new genera and subgenera, species and subspecies described in the papers referred to in the answer to question 10 (e.g., Gonodela rhabdophora, W.J.Holland, (Lep.) Masai Land, Africa. [[underlined]] Proc.U.S.Nat.Mus. [[/underlined]].,XVIII, No. 1062, May 27, 1896, p.256, pl. VIII, fig.5). If the type [[typed insertion]] Specimen [[/typed insertion]] is not in the National Museum, that fact should be indicated by the use of an asterisk.
[[handwritten]] does not apply [[/handwritten]]
12. Please present any plans which you have in view for the development of your department.
^[[The custodian has in view the acquisition and exhibition of a complete series of ^[[the present]] coinage of all countries, [[strikethrough]] are to be arranger in a manner that shall at once[[/strikethrough]] showing their ^[[commercial and]] intrinsic value, [[strikeout]]finesse[[/strikeout]] fineness, and comparative value with the coinage of the United States. It is believed that such a collection will be of great interest to the public and to students. This also planned to exhibit as soon as space will permit the very full series of medals of various countries which are ^[[now]] stored and [[strikethrough]]or p almost[[/strikethrough]] inaccessible to the public.
A large ^[[ exhibition]] case ^[[is being built for the proper [[strikethrough]]will be debuted[[/strikethrough]] display of relics of the ^[[Federal Army]] [[strikeout]]?[[/strikeout]] during the war of the Rebellion.
It is intended [[strikethrough]]at an early day[[/strikethrough]] ^[[as soon as space permits]] to place on exhibition such a series of portraits of representative Americans as was shown by the museum at the Worlds Fair where it attracted much attention]]
13.
(a) Give the number of specimens received during the year. (This number should include deposits, and all other specimens [[underlined]]received[[underlined,]] regardless of their final disposition. ^[[3,441]]
(b) Give the total number of specimens in your custody, after making allowance for deduction through waste material, exchanges and distributions. ^[[ 34,790 ]]
(c) Give the number of the last entries in your ca[[strikethrough]]y[[/strikethrough]] ^[[t]]alogues on June 30, 1896, and June 30, 1897.
^[[122,578]]
^[[123,019]]
^[[a. These were received during the year [[strike through]] 896 [[strike through]] 3441 specimens.]]
^[[b. [[strikethrough]] 344 [[/strikethrough]] 34790 specimens in all]]
^[[ c. The [[strikethrough]] first [[/strikethrough]] last entry from 20, 96 122578 and from 30, 1897 123,019 - but these entries in many cases includes of a hundred or more specimens that may [[?]] be separately enumerated ]]
[[hand written in margin then struck through addition table with the following numbers]] 2000 35 [[204?]] 600 87 [[604?]] line [[3042]]
[[hand written in margin then struck through addition table with the following numbers]]
^[[ 123019 122578 ------- 441]]
1 cop. 11-8.
[[triple underlined]] Report [[/triple underlined]] on the Section of Graphic Arts in the [[triple underlined]] U.S [[/triple underlined]] National Museum, 1889
[[stamped text]] EXAMINED BY MR. RATHBUN MARCH 1913. [[/stamped text]] By [[double underlined]] S. R. Koehler [[/double underlined]], [[underlined]] Curator [[/underlined]]
[[strikethrough]] REP [[strikethrough]] [[underlined]] Curator's Report, 88-89 [[/underlined]]
[[strikethrough]]The report now submitted relates to the period between January 1887 and the date of my appointment as [[temporary]] [[insert]] acting [[/insert]] curator and June 1889." [[/strikethrough]] [[strikethrough]] Although this section was organized in January 1887 when I was appointed acting curator, no official report has until this time been made. In March 1888, I was designated curator. [[strikethrough]] and since that [[/strikethrough]] The report now submitted embraces the period between January 1887 and June 1889. [[/strikethrough]] It will be advisable to preface the general services of the work done within this period by some remarks explanatory of the [[underlined in blue]] principal aim [[/underlined in blue]] which has been kept constantly in view in the formation of the collections of the Section of Graphic Arts, in consonance with the general plan laid out [[strikethrough]] before [[/strikethrough]] for this section from the [[strikethrough]] very [[/strikethrough]] beginning of the present
2
organization of the Museum. This aim being of a peculiar character, on the one hand and the notions held by the mass of the people concerning the nature and functions of art being, on the other, of the vaguest kind, it is often found difficult, even by persons interested in art, to grasp it. The concisest way of stating it will be to say, that the aim of the Section of Graphic Arts is, to represent [[underlined]] art as an industry [[/underlined]]. This must not, however, be understood [[strikethrough]] to [[/strikethrough]] as implying the application of art to industry. The expression must be taken in its literal sense, as conveying the idea that art productions of all kinds, from the great frescos of the most distinguished painters [[strikethrough]] [[illegible words]] [[/strikethrough]] to the slightest illustration produced by the latest photo-mechanical process, are here to be considered, primarily from their material, that is to say, their technical side. Art thus takes its place in the scheme of the Museum, side by side and on terms of equality with, the other great industries, - agriculture, the fisheries, mining, transportation, etc., etc. and the artist is recognized, not merely as an ornamental appendage whose useless labors may be
3
ignored with impunity, but as a valuable member in the social organization of mankind, whose creations answer to a human want, and whose material necessities it is quite a important to understand, and to minister to, as those of the farmer, the woolgrower, the fisher, the engineer, the weaver, and so on. This view of the matter does not in the least degrade art, as those are apt to think [[strikethrough]] you [[/strikethrough]] who approach it exclusively from the aesthetic side. It simply recognizes the fact that art stands upon a material basis, in common with all other branches of human activity. It appears from what has thus far been said, that the ultimate aim of all art - the expression of ideas by artistic means - is not considered directly in the scheme of the Section of Graphic Arts. [[strikethrough]] [[illegible word]] [[/strikethrough]] [[insert]] These ideas [[/insert]] and their development in the progress of [[strikethrough]] of [[/strikethrough]] time, are, nevertheless, also illustrated, - or eventually will be, - for in pursuing the study of the technical means employed in the graphic arts, it is necessary to inquire into their historical evolution, and this cannot be done by a mere bringing together of the tools and materials used at different times. It is unavoidably
4.
involves an examination of the results and these latter tend to show that the tools and materials themselves were influenced by the ideas which sought expression. An historical collection of specimens illustrating the progress of the graphic arts is, therefore, quite as much a necessity as a collection of tools and materials, and it is obvious that such a collection will furnish the material also for the study of the intellectual aspects of art. The apparently purely material and unintellectural starting point of the scheme laid out for the Section of Graphic Arts thus leads in the end to a much broader [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]] ^[[as well as]] profounder illustration of the subject in hand than can possibly be provided in ordinary museums of art which ignore means and deal with results only. Naturally, in endeavoring to bring together a series of examples illustrating the technical activity of the artist, it is found much easier to acquire prints of all kinds, than drawings and paintings. This difficulty it has been sought to overcome in a measure, by adding a collection of photographs from paintings, etc. These, however, can give but a very inadequate
5.
idea of technical peculiarities, while, on the other hand, they add largely to the illustration of the progress of ideas as expressed in art.
For the sake of completeness it may be well to state here that the Section of Graphic Arts confines itself strictly within the limits indicated by its name, that is to say, to drawings and printing and the various methods of producing pictures to be multiplied in the press, or, in other words, to the various methods of delineation on surfaces.
As comparatively but little material (308 numbers in all) had been collected at the time when I took charge of the section, the first thing to be done, in the almost total absence of means wherewith to make purchases, was to solicit contributions from artists, publishers, and private persons. The measure of success attained is shown by the list of donors and depositors given elsewhere. Of the 2894 entries in the catalogue up to June 30, 1889, only 294 represent objects purchased at a cost of
[[mark at bottom right corner]]
6
1.)
$2,368.23, – mostly old prints and such tools, etc. as could not be obtained as gifts. Among these purchases (occasioned principally by the Ohio Valley Centennial Exposition, at which the Section of Graphic Arts was represented by a special exhibition), there are some very fine and important examples of engraving and etching, such as Rembrandt's "Christ Preaching", known as "Le Petit La Tombe", B 67, certainly one of the most beautiful impressions of this [[strikethrough]] [[illegible]] [[/strikethrough]] admirable plate in existence, very good impressions of Dürer's "St. Jerome in his Chamber," B 60, and "The Great Horse", B 97, a fine proof of Santeuil's "Pompone de Bellièvre," RD 37, a splendid proof, before the coat-of-arms, of Wille's "Satin Gown", I.e Bl 55, a subscriber's impression, before any of the later retouches, of Müller's "Madonna di S. Sisto", after Raphael, etc., etc. It will be quite impossible to speak here at length of the many valuable gifts received during the period under review. Some idea
[[Horizontal line]]
1.) In this [[strikethrough]] [[illegible]] [[/strikethrough]] statement the collection of photographs acquired before I was appointed, is not included, as it has not yet been registered.
7.
of their importance may be gathered from the details given in the list of donors and depositors, which includes also the material received previous to my official connection with the Museum, such as the collection illustrating the technical processes of lithography and chromolithography, given by Messrs. L Grange & Co., the exhibit of the Photo-Engraving Co., and that illustrating the process of electrolysing made by Messrs. W. W. Whitcomb & Co. Two items must, however, be emphasized here is being of special importance and fitness in the U. S. National Museum. I allude to the plate, with a set of trial proofs, of Asher Brown Durand's "Ariadne," after Dandulyn, given by his son, Mr. John Durand, and to the collection of proofs from plates engraved by John Cheney, given by his sister-in-law, Mrs. Ednah D. Cheney. Generally speaking, special stress has been made, in the historical division, upon a good representation of American art, and the list of donors again will show that these efforts have been liberally seconded by artists, publishers, and other friends of the Museum.
8.
The time from January 1887 to February 1888 was given up wholly to the collecting of specimens and the preparation of cases. During the months of February and March 1888 these specimens were placed on exhibition on the western side of the North-West Hall. The content of the collection at that time and the arrangement adopted, are shown by the placard which was prepared for display in the hall and a copy of which is annexed to this report. [[strikethrough]] Appendix (exhibit) [[/strikethrough]] Part of the month of May, the month of June, and part of July of the same year were devoted to the preparation and installation of the exhibition of the Section of Graphic Arts at the Ohio Valley Centennial Exhibition at Cincinnati. To avoid the almost total depletion of the exhibition cases at the Museum the greater part of the specimens shown at this exhibition was borrowed for the purpose, and the lack of specimens representative of the work of the past necessitated the purchase above alluded to, which were paid for out of the special
9.
appropriation made by Congress to defray the expenses of the Smithsonian Institution arising out of its participation in the Centennial. A more detailed account of this exhibition will be found in its catalogue, printed in the "Proceedings United States National Museum, Vol. X. - Appendix." [[strikethrough]] a copy of which likewise accompanies this report (Exhibit B) [[/strikethrough]] and reprinted as one of the Special papers relating to the collections in Section III of this report. The rapid growth of the collection, from 936 entries in the catalogue on March 31, 1888, the time when the first arrangement of specimens in the Museum was completed, to 2894 on June 30, 1889, making necessary a re-arrangement and expansion, the whole of the North-West Hall was given up to the Section of Graphic Arts, - the casts from Mexican sculptures etc. which had occupied its eastern half being removed to the old Smithsonian building, - and the exhibition as it stands at this writing was put into place during the months of May and June 1889. As arranged at present, the eastern side of the hall is occupied by the technical exhibition, illustrating the
10.
older processes of producing pictures for multiplication in the press (relief engraving, intaglio engraving, lithography, and the surrogates devised to take the place of these processes), aids in drawing used by engravers, and by draughtsmen for photo-mechanical processes, methods of reducing and enlarging, and the modern photo-mechanical processes (phototyping, photogravure, photolithography, calligraphic processes, Woodburytype, etc.) On the western side are shown the specimens illustrating the various methods of drawing and painting, with the monotype, and the historical collection of relief engravings, intaglio engravings, lithography and color printing. As an appendix there have been added some specimens showing the industrial applications of printing. The collection of photographs, illustrating the history of painting, is also displayed on this side of the hall. The arrangement adopted has already, however, shown itself inadequate, and a re-arrangement and filling up of gaps is impending, although the
11
lack of space will preclude any considerable further expansion.
It has been impossible, of course, to place on exhibition all the materials collected, and the large number of specimens left over has been roughly arranged, under technical headings, in two storage cases. As the collection grows, it is to be hoped that this mass of interesting and valuable material may be made available to students. For the present, all that can be done is to provide for its safe keeping. The culling and arrangement of duplicates, to be used for exchanging, also remains to be attended to. It is not to be expected, however, that this feature will attain the same proportions in the Section of Graphic Arts, which it has attained in other departments of the Museum, dealing with the products of nature. During the period covered by this report, only one specimen has been obtained by exchange.
A most valuable subdivision of the sec-
12.
tion, specifically important from its practical bearings, is that devoted to patents relating to all the graphic arts, including, of course, the modern photo-mechanical processes. Under the direction of Dr. J. W. Osborne, of Washington, who has given his advise and time gratuitously, lists of such patents issued in all countries are now making, and many of them have already been procured. But the completion of this work, and its utilization by the public must [[strikethrough]] [[illegible]] [[/strikethrough]] be deferred to the future. A pressing necessity, finally, is the labelling of the specimens exhibited, and the preparation of an elementary manual for the use of visitors, without which the collection is practically useless. All that can be said concerning this matter is, that a number of essays have been made which, it is hoped, will lead to a result before long. The present state of the collection, so far as the number of entries on the catalogue shows it, has already been alluded to. On June 30, 1888, there were 1671 entries, showing that the additions during
13
the fiscal year just ended were 1223, making a total of 2894 on June 30, 1889. Of these entries 26 were loans which have been returned. These are more than offset, however, by the entries which represent series consisting of several specimens, so that the number actually constituting the collection may safely be said to be considerably over 3000. How many of these are on exhibition and how many in the reserve collection, it is impossible to say, as the specimens on exhibition have not yet been numbered. The varied character of the collection can in a measure be ascertained from the List of Donors and Depositors which ^[[accompanies]] [[strikethrough]] is appended to [[/strikethrough]] this report [[strikethrough]] [[illegible]] [[/strikethrough]] [[footnote symbol]]. Unfortunately the list does not include one of the most important gifts received during the year, the collection, namely, of Mr. J. W. Osborne which has not ^[[yet]] been registered, although many of the most important specimens in [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] it have already been placed on exhibition. This collection contains, besides a very full record of the development of Mr. Osborne's own photolithographic process, specimens by many of the earliest
[[footnote symbol]]
Footnote
The accession to this collection [[strikethrough]] section [[/strikethrough]], mentioned in the List of accessions (Section V. of the Report) refer to those only which were received during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889.
14.
experimenters in the same and similar directions, such as Fox Talbot, Paul Pretsch, Poritevin, Assir, etc., etc., together with fine examples of lithography, engraving, etc.
The condition and extent of the Section of Graphic Arts has been thus far, and still is, such as to preclude the possibility of special researches upon the material belonging to it, and it is to be feared that it will be a long while before the opportunity for such researches can be offered. Papers by collaborators, there are none, since there are no collaborators. My own activity as a student and with the pen during the period embraced by this report has necessarily been quite limited, as my time has been taken up almost entirely by the routine work and the purely manual labor which my position in this Museum and as Curator of the Print Department at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston have forced upon me. A list of the few papers etc. that I have [[strikethrough]] [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] published during the year [[strikethrough]] period in question is appended as Exhibit D [[/strikethrough]] will be found in the Bibliography (Section IV). Several papers were published
15.
^[[Previous to the [[strikethrough]] period e [[/strikethrough]] fiscal year of 1888-89. These are noticed in the ^[[Museum]] report for 1887-1888.]]
To the preceding report upon the administration of the collection up to June 30, 1889. I beg leave to add some suggestions concerning its future.
The first and most important point to be kept in view, if the growth of the section of Graphic Arts is not to be arrested, and if it is the desire to build it up normally and properly proportioned in all its parts, is the necessity of an adequate yearly appropriation. The appeal to artists, publishers, and others has, indeed, been liberally responded to, but it goes without saying that a collection depending almost wholly upon gifts, cannot possibly attain to the logical development, the completeness, and the superlative quality which alone would answer the ends sought, and be worthy of a great nation claiming to occupy the first rank in material welfare and in intellectual attainments. An even cursory examination of the collection as it now stands will show that it is deficient in many aspects, and that in a number of cases specimens have been admitted without regard to quality, simply because they illustrated some technical point and could be had for nothing. It is vain to expect that valuable drawings, paintings, and old
16
print can be obtained as gifts, except upon rare occasions and at long intervals. Such specimens must be bought, and it is moreover necessary that the curator should be in a position to secure them whenever and wherever they offer. Really desirable specimens rarely have to wait for a purchaser, and such opportunities must therefore be quickly seized when they occur.
While, as has been pointed out, the principal aim of the Section of Graphic Arts is to represent art as an industry, there are yet other possibilities within its grasp that should not be lost sight of, and of which it may, indeed, be said that they are the natural outgrowth of its activity. The attempt to illustrate the technical processes of ^[[graphic]] art and the historical development of these processes, unavoidably leads, as has already been shown, to the formation of a collection embodying the results reached, that is to say, to a collection of drawings, printings, and prints. It will probably be advisable to restrict the acquisition of drawings and paintings, for the present at least, to only such examples as are absolutely necessary for the elucidation of strictly technical details. There is less call, however, for such
7
a restrictive policy in the case of prints. A print collection is very far from being simply a means of ministering to aesthetic desires. It may be put to almost unlimited practical uses and is quite as much an educational apparatus as a collection of books. Indeed, it might be claimed that it is often a much more powerful educational instrument, since prints present to the eye what books endeavor merely to construct in the mind. A print collection, therefore, is not only strictly within the province of the Smithsonian Institution, it is, indeed, one of the means of instruction which it is in duty bound to provide as an institution for the dissemination of learning. This universal value of print collections, the aesthetic aspect of which is only a subordinate feature, has long been recognized in Europe, and it ^[[is]] about time that their importance should be realized also on this side of the water. It will, of course, be a long while before we can hope to equal such great national collections as that of the British Museum with its uncounted treasures, the French collection with its more than two millions of specimens, or the Print exhibit at Berlin, with over a million and a half,
18.
but this conviction ought all the more to spur us on to make at least a beginning as soon as possible, more specifically as the pieces of prints are going up with unpleasant rapidity, and as a most favorable opportunity for such a beginning is just now offering. In saying this, I have in mind the Sewall Collection which is now for sale in New York, and which can be bought at a figure representing about one third of what would be its value, if the specimens composing it had to be bought in open market. The collection contains about 18,000 specimens, representing all periods and schools, and is the result of forty years collecting. I would respectfully recommend that a special appeal be made to Congress to secure this collection for the U.S. National Museum. I would furthermore suggest that what is left of the March Collection, bought by Congress in 1849, be definitely turned over to the Section of Graphic Arts. Unfortunately the largest and most desirable parts of this collection, including all the fine Durers, Rembrandts, etc. which the original inventory enumerates, have unaccountably disappeared, but there still ^[[remain]] several volumes of single prints, and
19.
presumably the various gallery works, etc., belonging to it, which, if added to the present collections of the section would considerable increase their interest. The prints in question ought, however, to be taken out of the volumes into which they have been packed, and ought to be carefully examined and mounted on separate sheets, so that they can be classified scientifically. As at present arranged, these volumes are not much more than picture books for the gratification of idle curiosity.
In a print collection, the property of the people of the United States, Americana ought, as a matter of course, to receive the fullest share of attention. It has been my constant endeavor, as before stated, to give due prominence to American art in the collection in my charge, and in these efforts I have been liberally seconded by artists, publishers, and others. But again, by mere reliance upon gifts, the aim to be followed cannot be reached, and this aim ought to be nothing less than to make the division of Americana the first of its kind among the institutions of the United States, so that all investigators will in future turn to it,
20.
with the just expectation that here they will find the best and richest material for their researches. Fortunately, there is a way by which this aim can be reached without any cost to the nation as represented through government. Ever since the passage of the copyright law two copies of each copyrighted print, book, etc., have been deposited in the [[strikethrough]] Library [[/strikethrough]] Congressional Library. I would respectfully recommend that Congress be ^[[asked]] to pass a law, directing that one copy of each copyrighted print, illustrated book, etc., now in the Congressional Library, be turned over to the U.S. National Museum, to be there deposited in the Section of Graphic Arts, and that all similar matter henceforth received be similarly divided between the Congressional Library and the U.S. National Museum.
Another need of the Section of Graphic Arts [[strikethrough]] , [[/strikethrough]] is a special library. Even in the present embryonic condition of its collections, books of reference are often wanted, which ought to be at hand for immediate use, if they are to be of any use at all. The Marsh Collection again offers a nucleus of great value, and I would venture the further suggestion that the books belonging
21
to it be turned over to this section. If this is done they will be [[strikethrough]] of [[/strikethrough]] ^[[do good]] service, whereas at present they do little or none. The attention given to such a special library ought not, however, to stop here. In accordance with the original aim of the section, it is quite indispensable that it should collect all technical and historical treatises relating to the graphic arts, and more especially the former. So far as American productions of this kind are concerned, the direct aid of Congress might again be invoked here. It is desirable also, and indeed, necessary, that a number at least of the journals [[strikethrough]] [[?]] [[strikethrough]] dealing with the graphic arts should be kept, including those in which the development of the modern photo-mechanical processes are recorded.
It stands to reason that the plans for the future ^[[so far outlined]] cannot be carried out, unless considerably more room can be devoted to the collections, and unless the service can be provided which will make it possible to throw them open for the use of students. It will be quite impossible, - and, indeed would not be desirable if it were possible, - to exhibit all the material collected and to be collected. Rooms will,
22.
however, have to be set apart in which the portfolios and cases containing the reserves can be kept, with the possibility of expansion in the future , and providing also the necessary space for tables for visitors, and in connection with these special workrooms, not accessible to ordinary visitors, in which mounting, restoring, classifying, etc., can be carried on. Before a definite plan is adopted for the arrangement of these rooms, it would, of course, be necessary to make a thorough study of similar institutions in Europe, so as to assure the adop [[strikethrough]] tio [[/strikethrough]] tion of that system which actual experience has shown to be the best.
That such collections, liberally administered, might be made of the greatest use, both educationally and practically, does not admit of the slightest doubt. Their educational value has already been dwelled upon, and I may, therefore, confine myself to a few closing remarks upon their practical use to the busy portion of mankind to whom art really is an industry. To these workers the Section of Graphic Arts might easily be made a central bureau of reference. It is already beginning to assume the
23.
character of an archive, in which are deposited [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] the records of the labors of inventors within its sphere. Thus it has in its keeping the original [[Sascton?]] engraving machine, and its collections comprise as full records as it will ever be possible to gather of the ^[[development of the]] Osborne photolithographic and of the original Ives half-tone process, while several other inventors have promised to prepare similar records of their achievements. That such material, together with the patents now collecting, must be of inestimable value to future inventors is self-evident. With a view to the further extension of the practical utility of the section, all makers of machinery and tools, and manufacturers and dealers in materials used in the graphic arts are encouraged to send not only specimens of their wares, but also their circulars and catalogues, and the latter are given or sent to such applicants for information to whom they promise to be of interest. Few such applications have, indeed, been received so far, but it is to be hoped that, as the character and aims of the Section of Graphic Arts become more widely known, the facilities which it offers, or hopes to be
24.
able to offer, will be utilized more freely. Add to this the advantages of a technical library, such as has been printed out as a necessity in a previous paragraph, and it will, I think, need no further argument to show that the Section of Graphic Arts may be made, not only a valuable institution for the scholar and the student, but that it may become practically useful to the large body of men and women who depend upon the graphical arts as a pursuit, quite as much as the Bureau of Education, the Department of Agriculture, or the Fish Commission is helpful to the teacher, the farmer, and the fisherman.
[[strikethrough]] I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully yours,
L. R. Koehle
Curator Section of Graphic Arts [[/strikethrough]]
[[underlined]] Appendix A, [[/underlined]] last page of report, sent to Printer.
^[[Report, Pict. of Graph. Arts, to June 30, 1889. [[underlined]] Exhibit [[/underlined]] [[strikethrough]] C [[/strikethrough]] B.]]
^[[Begin with 1672.]]
[[double underlined]] List of Donors and Depositors. [[/double underlined]]
Air Brush Co., The, Rockford, Ill.
Specimens of work done by the air-brush. - 2 numbers
Andrew, John & Son., Boston, Mass.
^[[Proofs from]] Woodengravings, executed by the donors, or in their establishment. - 21 numbers.
Avery, L. P., New York.
Process prints, engravings, etchings, lithographs, books, catalogues, etc. - 31 numbers
Baldwin & Cleason Co., Lim., New York.
Specimens of printing on celluloid. executed in the establishment of the donors. - 20 numbers
Bierstadt, N. A., New York.
^[[Proof of an]] engraving by James Smillie, from a painting by the donor. [[strikethrough]] [[?]] number. [[/strikethrough]]
Bobbett, Alfred, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Relief engravings printed in colors, executed by the donor. - 5 numbers.
Bobbett, Walter, Brooklyn, N.Y.
A series of proofs of a relief engraving in colors, showing the various stages, [[strikethrough]] ets. [[/strikethrough]] /by Alfred Bobbett, [[strikethrough]] [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] - 23 numbers.
Boston Boxwood Co., Boston, Mass.
2.
A rough section of Rosewood.
Boston Photogravure Co. ^[[, The/]] Boston, Mass.
Gelatine prints executed in the establishment of the donors. - 18 numbers
Boussod, Valadon & Co., Paris and New York.
Process prints of various kinds executed in the establishment of the donors. - 15 numbers
Brown, Miss U. Louisa.
Lead pencil, [[strikethrough]] [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] India ink, sepia and water color drawings, soft-ground etchings, lithographs, ets., by various artists. - 12 numbers
Buchring, Fred., Pres. of the Lithographer Pub[[?]]les., New York.
India rubber reducing and enlarging machine invented by the donor, with specimens of work done by its means - 5 numbers.
Bureau, The, of Engraving and Printing, Washington, D.C. (Depositor.)
Illustrations of the process of engraving and transferring banknotes, including plates & steel roller. - 6 numbers.
Cassell & Company, Limited, London and
3.
New York. Woodengravings after Gustave Dore. - 12 numbers.
Castle, Dr. Fred. A., New York.
Proofs from woodblocks engraved by Dr. Alex. Anderson, in possession of the donor. - 6 numbers (37 specimens).
Century Company, the., New York.
Drawings [[strikethrough]] [[?]] ^[[and]] proofs of woodengravings and process prints made [[strikethrough]] from the [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] for the Century Magazine, and wood-engraver's tools and materials. - 94 numbers.
Chandler, Prof. Chas. F., Columbia college, New York.
Process prints of various kinds. - 137 numbers
Cheney, Mrs. Ednah D., Jamaica Plain, Mass.
[[strikethrough]] [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] ^[[Proofs and]] prints, mostly from plates engraved by John Cheney; [[strikethrough]] - [[/strikethrough]] Memoir of John Cheney, written by the donor. - 28 numbers.
Church, F. L., N. A. New York.
Drawings, ^[[Proofs from]] etchings, and an oil sketch by the donor. - 8 numbers.
4.
Glosson, Wm. B., Lancaster, Mass. Proofs of wood-engravings by the donor. 6 numbers.
Grosscup, West. - See Ives, F. E.
Dana, Wm. J., Boston, Mass. Proofs of wood-engravings by the donor. 10 numbers.
Day, Benjamin, New York. Apparatus for using Day's Rapid Shading Medium, with specimens of work done by its means - 7 numbers.
De Vinne, Theo L., The De Vinne Press, New York. Tableau illustrating the overlaying of wood engravings.
Donaldson, Thos., Philadelphia, Pa. Etchings by American artists, from The American Art Review - 17 numbers.
Dougal, W. U., Washington, D.C. Proofs and prints from plates engraved by the donor - 8 numbers.
Durand, John, Paris, France. Copperplate, "Ariadne", after Vanderlyn,
5.
engraved by the late Asher Brown Durand, N. A., and working proofs from the same. - 10 numbers.
Falconer, J. U., Brooklyn, N.Y.
Proofs from original plates by the donor (etching, dry paint, roulette work); Bascter oilprints. - 5 numbers.
Farrer, Henry, New York.
Proofs [[strikethrough] of originals [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] ^[[of]] etchings by the donor; catalogue of N.Y. Etching Club, 1888, with illustrations. - 18 numbers.
Fillebrown, F. G., Boston, Mass.
Proofs of woodengravings executed by the donor. - 8 numbers.
Forbes Lithograph Manufacturing Co, The, / Boston, Mass.
Albertypes executed in the establishment of the donors. - 74 numbers.
Gebbie & Co., Philadelphia, Pa.
Photogravures executed in the establishment of the donors. - 11 numbers.
Gifford, R. Swain, N. A., New York.
Proofs of [[strikethrough]] [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] etchings by the donor. - 14 numbers.
6.
Goode, Prof. G. Brown, Washington, D.C. Wood-engravings, process work^ [[silhouettes]] etc. etc. - 68 numbers. - Engraving by Claude Mellan.(Deposited.)
Gutekunst, F., Philadelphia, Pa. Illustrations of the process of gelatine printing, including negative, film, etc. - 10 numbers.
Haight & Dudleu, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Specimens of colorprinting executed in the establishment of the donors. - 17 numbers.
Harper & Brother, New York. Proofs of wood - engravings executed for Harper's Monthly, Harper's Weekly, and Harper's Bazar. - 35 numbers.
Hart, Charles Henry, Philadelphia, Pa. Engravings, etchings, lithographs, mezzotints, and aquatint. - 33 numbers.
Heinemann, E., New York. Proofs of wood - engravings by the donor. 10 numbers.
Heliotype Printing Co., The, Boston, Mass. Heliotypes, heliochromes, photolithographs,
7.
etc., executed in the establishment of the donors. - 48 numbers.
Hill, John Henry, Nyack Turnpike, N.Y.
Etchings by the donor; aquatints by John [[?]]. - 4 numbers.
Hitchcock, Prof. Romyn, Washington, D.C.
Photo-Collotypes. - 6 numbers.
Hoe, Robert, & Co., New York.
Illustrations of presses built by them. - 3 numbers
Hoskin, Robert, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Proofs from woodengravings by the donor. - 11 numbers
Hough, Walter, Washington, D.C.
Old German etchings. - 2 numbers
Hovenden, Thos., N. A.
Proofs of etchings by the donor. - 2 numbers.
Ives, Frederich O. (Crosscup (West), Philadelphia, Pa.
Illustrations of the original "Ives Process" including models of machinery, etc.; ^[[book: "A New Principle in Heliochromy".]] - 69 numbers.
Juengling, F. New York, N.Y.
Proofs of wood-engravings by the donor. - 27 numbers
Kappes, Alfred, A. N. A., New York, N. Y.
Charcoal drawing by the donor.
8.
Ketterlinus Printing House, Philadelphia, Pa. Illustrations of ruling and etching on lithographic stone, including a stone. - 16 numbers.
Kimmel & Voigt, New York, N.Y. Illustrations of the printing of intaglio plates (etchings, etc.), including tools and materials. - 41 numbers.
Klackner, G., New York, N.Y. Proofs of etchings and engravings published by the donor. - 5 numbers.
Koehler, L. R., Rosebury, Mass. Etchings, engravings, lithographs, process work, etc. - 107 numbers.
Kurtz, Wm., New York, N.Y. Specimens of half-tone process work by the donor; gelatine prints by Lessie' du Motay. - 20 numbers.
Linton, W. J., New Haven, Conn. Illustrations of the history of woodengraving, in originals and in photographs; proofs from woodengravings by the donor. - 122 numbers (202 specimens).
9.
Lowell, John A., & Co., Boston, Mass. Proof of an engraving ^[[by L. A. Schoff]] published by the donors.
Marsh Collection, ^[[ U.S. National Museum.]] (Depositor.) Woodcuts and Mezzotints. - 10 numbers.
Maurer, Louis, New York, N.Y. Drawing by the donor.
Miller, Chas. U., N. A., New York, N.Y. Drawings, sketches, and ^[[ proofs of]] etchings by the donor. - 13 numbers.
Miller, Willy, New York, N.Y. Proofs of woodengravings by the donor. - 22 numbers.
Moran, Mrs. Emily K., Philadelphia, Pa. Proofs of etchings by the donor. - 10 numbers.
Moran, Mrs. M. Nimmo, New York, N.Y.
Proofs of etchings by the donor. - 4 numbers.
Moran, Peter, New York, N.Y. An etched plate in its various stages, etching, tools, and proofs of etchings by the donor. - 55 numbers.
Moran, Thomas, N. A., New York, N.Y. Proofs of etchings by the donor. - 6 numbers.
Nicholson, W. L., Washington, D.C.
10.
Nicoll, J. G., New York, N.Y. ^[[Etchings by Wm. Nicholson, R. L. A. - 2 numbers.]] Proofs of etchings by the donor. - 5 numbers.
Niemeyer, Prof. John U., New Haven, Conn. Watercolor sketch by the donor.
O'Neill, John A, Washington, D.C. Engraving by L. A. Schoff.
Osborne, J. W., Washington, D.C. Specimen of printing on metal. (Also a large collection of process-work, etc. not yet registered.)
Parrish, Stephen, Philadelphia, Pa. Proofs of etchings and dry - points by the donor. - 12 numbers.
Parsons, Chas., New York, N.Y. Woodcut by Dr. Alex Anderson.
Pendleton, J. L., New York, N.Y. (Depositor.) The [[Lorscton?]] Engraving Machine, invented by the grandfather of the depositor, together with plates, specimens, etc. - 6 numbers (most of them including several specimens).
Photo-Engraving Co., The, New York, N.Y.
11. Illustrations of the process of photo-engraving, including plates, etc.; specimens of the work done in the establishment of the donors. - 63 numbers.
Photo-Gravure Co., The, New York, N.Y. A photogravure plate and photogravures executed in the establishment of the donors. - 9 numbers (including series of 6 and more specimens each).
Portrait Collection of the U.S. National Museum (Depositor) Engravings, mezzotints, etc. - 8 numbers.
Prang, L., & Co., Roxbury, Mass. Illustrations of the processes and history of lithography and chromolithography; wood engravings; a drawing; specimens of [[etenochromy?]]. - 473 numbers.
Radtke, Lauckner & Co., New York, N.Y. Proof of a dry-point by Wm. U. Lippincott published by them.
Ross, Charles J., Burlington, N.J. Specimens of the papers for process - drawings made by the donor, with drawings upon them,
12.
and impressions from the blocks made from these drawings. - 23 numbers (49 specimens).
Rowlando, Walter, Allston, Mass. Engravings of various kinds. - 24 numbers.
Royle, John, & Sons, Paterson, N.J. Photographs of routing machines made by the donors. - 2 numbers.
Russell & Richardson, Boston, Mass. Proofs of wood - engravings made by and in the establishment of the donors. - 20 numbers.
Sarony, Napoleon, New York, N.Y. Lithograph made by the donor.
Sartain, John, Philadelphia, Pa. Illustrations of the process of mizzotinting, including a plate and tools; proofs of mizzotints by the donor. - 16 numbers.
Schoff, L. A., Newtonville, Mass. Proof of an engraving by the donor.
School of Drawing and Painting, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Mass. Drawings by pupils of the school, in lead pencil, crayon, charcoal, etc., - 12 numbers.
13.
Schaubetadter, C., Jr., St. Louis, Mo. "Star Engraving Plates", with tools, etc. - 9 numbers.
Sellers, John, & Son, New York, N.Y. Engravers tools and materials. - 8 numbers.
Sharp, Geo. B., New York, N.Y. Plates of various metals for the use of engravers and etchers. - 4 numbers.
Shinlaw, Walter, A.N.A., New York, N.Y. Drawings and proof of an etching by the donor. - 4 numbers.
Smillie, Geo. U., N.A., New York, N.Y. Pencil drawings by the donor; trial proof of an engraving by Jas. Smillie. - 3 numbers
Smillie, Jas. D., N.A., New York, N.Y. Drawings, sketches in oil and in watercolors, and proofs of etchings by the donor. - 10 numbers.
Smillie, L. W., Washington, D.C. Specimens of medal-ruling over fossils. - 3 numbers.
Somers Bros., Brooklyn, N.Y. Specimens of lithographic printing on metal
14.
executed in the establishment of the donors. - 17 numbers.
Stearns, Prof. R. E. C., Washington, D.C. Specimens of color-printing. - 15 numbers.
Struthers, Jos., & Co., New York, N.Y. Proofs from blocks made by the wax process in the establishment of the donors. - 6 numbers. (each number consisting of a series of specimens.)
Stuart, Frederic L., Boston, Mass. Set of working proofs from a plate engraved by the donor. - 8 numbers.
Tuchfarber Co., The F. Cincinnati, O. Specimens of lithographic printing transferred to metal and to glass, made in the establishment of the donors. - 3 numbers.
Unknown donors or depositors. Two engraved plates and a Japanese woodblock with impressions from them. - 7 numbers.
Van Elten, Kruseman, N.A., New York, N.Y. Lead pencil drawings and proofs from etchings by the donor. - 9 numbers.
15.
Walker, Chas. A. Boston, Mass.
Monotypes and proofs from etchings by the donor; trial proofs and finished impressions of engravings by various [[strikethrough] [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] ^[[engravers]] - 30 numbers.
Whipple, H.C. Philadelphia, Pa.
Phototypes from "etchings on glass" by Hamilton - 25 numbers.
Whitcomb, W. H., & Co., Boston, Mass.
Illustrations of the process of electrotyping, including plates, materials, etc. - 15 numbers.
Whitney, E.J., Brooklyn, N.Y.
Proofs of woodengravings by the donors and by other American engravers from Dr. Alise. Anderson to the present, ^[[etc.]] - 150 numbers (318 specimens)
Wilson, John & Son, The University Press, Cambridge Mass.
Impressions from a woodcut to illustrate certain technical prints. - 2 numbers.
Wilson, Thomas Washington, D.C. (Depositor.)
Drawings by old artists; miniatures on ivory; chromolithographs. - 35 numbers.
Wolfe, M., Dayton, O.
Fine-line plates for half-tone process, and
16.
impressions from blocks made with their aid. - 9 numbers.
Yeates, Wm. L. Washington, D.C. Engraving.
[[solid line center page]]
Temporary Loans for the Ohio Valley Centennial Exposition.
E. J. Whitney, Brooklyn, N.Y.: - 4 specimens.
The Century Co., New York, N.Y.: - 5 specimens.
Miss M. Louise McLaughlin, Cincinnati, O.,: - 2 specimens.
Miss E. D. Hale, Boston, Mass.: - 2 specimens.
L. P. Avery, New York, N.Y.: - 8 specimens.
Geo. R. Halm, New York, N.Y. - 1 specimen
John Partain, New York, N.Y.: - 2 specimens.
H. Wunderlich & Co., New York, N.Y.: - 2 specimens.
C. Klackner, New York, N.Y.: - 4 specimens.
Chas. A. Walker, Boston, Mass.: - 7 specimens.
H. Despard, New York, N.Y.: - 6 specimens
Chas. H. Miller, A.N., New York, N.Y.:- 6 specimens
Miss Blanche Dillaye, Philadelphia, Pa.: - 4 specimens.
17.
Sam Colman, N. A., Newport, R. I.: - 8 specimens
Miss Ellen Oakford, New Haven, Conn.: - 7 specimens
Mrs. M. S. Twachtman, Cincinnati, O.: - 4 specimens
Mrs. E. L. Getchell, Worcester, Mass.: - 6 specimens
Miss G. D. Clements, Philadelphia, Pa.: - 7 specimens
Miss H. Frances Osborn, Salem, Mass.: - 5 specimens.
Wm. Kurtz, New York, N.Y.: - 15 specimens.
F. Gutekunst Philadelphia, Pa.: - 5 specimens.
The Photogravure Co., New York, N.Y.: - 22 specimens
Crosscup & West, Philadelphia, Pa.: - 6 specimens.
The Photo-Engraving Co., New York, N.Y.: - 24 specimens
H. E. Sylvester, Boston, Mass.: - 8 specimens.
S. R. Kochler, Roxbury, Mass.: - 445 specimens.
[[short solid line center page]]
Museum of Fine Arts. | Print department. |
- | Exhibition | of | the work of the women
etchers | of America. | - | Nov. 1 to
Dec. 31, 1887. | [[underlined]] (Seal of the Museum.) [[/underlined]] | Boston:|
Printed for the Museum by Alfred Mudge &
Son, | 24 Franklin Street, | 1887.
Museum of Fine Arts. | Print department. |
- | Exhibition | of | the etched work of
Rembrandt, | and of artists of his circle, |
together with engravings, etchings, etc., from
paintings | and sketches by him. Principally
from | the collection of | Mr. Henry F. Sewall, |
of New York. | - | April 26 to June 30, 1887. |
(Seal of the Museum.) | Boston: | Printed for
the Museum by Alfred Mudge & Son, | 24 Franklin
Street. | 1887.
Museum of Fine Arts. | Print department. |
- | Exhibition | of | Albert Durer's | engravings, etchings and dry-prints, | and of
most of the woodcuts executed | from his designs. |Selected from the collection of Mr. Henry F. Sewall, of | New York, and from the Gray Collection | belonging to Harvard College. | Together with | eight original drawings | from the Collection von Franck. | November 15, 1888, to January 15, 1889. | (Seal of the Museum.) | Boston: | Printed for the Museum by Alfred Mudge & Son, | 24 Franklin Street. | 1888.
1887 - 88
[[underlined]] Koehler, S. R. [[/underlined]] Museum of Fine Arts. Print Department. - Exhibition of the etched work of Rembrandt, and artists of his circle, together with engravings, etchings, etc., from printings and sketches by him. Principally from the collection of Mr. Henry F. Sewall, of New York. _ April 26 to June 30, 1887. Boston: Printed for the Museum by Alfred Mudge & Son, 24 Franklin Street. 1887. - 120. [[strikethrough]] [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] XIII + 84 pp.
Contains a complete short catalogue of the etched work of Rembrandt, arranged chronologically in the main according to Vosmaer's list, with an introduction.
[[underlined]] Koehler, S. R. [[/underlined]] John Webber und die Er: findung der Lithographic. [[underlined]] Kunstchronik, [[/underlined]] (Leifzig). Vol. [[strikethrough]] [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] XXIII, No. 3, Oct. 27, 1887, [[strikethrough]] und [[/strikethrough]] No. 4, Nov. 3, 1887; and No. 32, May 17, 1888.
Controverting the claim, advanced by M. Honig, of Vienna, that John Webber invented [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] lithography in London the year 1788, ^[[ten years]] before Senefelder.
[[underlined]] Koehler, S. R. [[/underlined]] A chapter in "Die vervielfältigende Kunst der Gegenwart. Redigiert von Carl von Lützow. - J. Der Holzschmitt. - Wiem. Gesellschaft für vervielfältigende Kunst. 1887." Pp. 191 - 214: "F. Nordamerika."
This volume forms part of an [[strikethrough]] large [[/strikethrough]] extensive work, now in course of publication, on the history of the reproductive arts, in which the various divisions have been assigned to writers supposed to be specially well informed concerning the subject matter treated in them. The chapter in question is on wood-engraving in the U.S. in the second half of the 19. century.
[[underlined]] Koehler, S. R. [[/underlined]] The new school of wood-engraving. [[underlined]] The Art Review. [[/underlined]] New York, December 1887.
An attempt to show that the so-called "new school" of wood-engraving is not merely a freak, but an historical necessity.
[[underlined]] Koehler, S. R. [[/underlined]] Fur Kritik des Rundschour - Artikels über die gegencoärtige Lage der Kupperstechkunst. [[underlined]] Chronik für vervielfältigende Kunst [[/underlined]] (Vienna). Vol. I, No. 3, May 1888.
A protest against the prevalent unscientific treatment of questions relating to the reproductive arts.
[[underlined]] Koehler, S. R. [[/underlined]] Museum of Fine Arts. Print Department. - Exhibition of the work of the women etchers of America. - Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, 1887. Boston: Printed for the Museum by Alfred Mudge & Son, 24 Franklin Street, 1887. - 120. 26 pp.
Catalogue of the proofs exhibited, with an introduction, giving some details concerning the history of women etchers. [The exhibition was repeated with additions, by the Union League Club, of New York, ^[[April 12 - 21, 1888,]] and the catalogue issued by this organization, with an introduction by Mrs. Schuyler van Rensselaer, must be consulted for corrections.] [[strikethrough]] [[?]] [[/strikethrough]]
[[strikethrough]] 3 [[/strikethrough]]
1888 - 89
[[underlined]] Koehler, S. R. [[/underlined]] Radiren und Gradiren. [[underlined]] Chronik für vervielfältigende Kunst [[/underlined]] (Vienna). Vol. I, No. 6, October 1888. - Noch einmal "Radiren und Gradiren". [[underlined]] Same Journal. [[/underlined]] Vol. I, No. 7, November 1888.
A collection of quotations from German literature, from the 16. century downwards to fix the term used in German [[strikethrough]] for [[/strikethrough]] ^[[in past centuries to designate]] the art of etching.
[[underlined]] Koehler, S. R. [[/underlined]] Eine neue Geschichte des Holzschnittes. [[underlined]] Chronik für vervielfältigende Kunst [[/underlined]] (Vienna). Vol. I, No. 6, October 1888.
[[underlined]] Koehler, S. R. [[/underlined]] Die Meister der Holzschneide Kunst. [[underlined]] Kunstchronik [[/underlined]] (Leipzig). Vol XXIV, No. 1, October 1888.
Preliminary announcements of W. J. Linton's forthcoming work, "The Masters of Wood-Engraving."
[[underlined]] Koehler, S. R. [[/underlined]] Museum of Fine Arts. Print Department. - Exhibition of Albert Dürer's engravings, etchings, and dry-prints, and of most of the woodcuts executed from his designs. Selected from the collection of Mr. Henry S. Sewall, of New York, and from the Gray collection belonging to Harvard College. Together with eight original drawings from the collection von Franck. November 15, 1888 to January 15, 1889. Boston: Printed for the Museum by Alfred Mudge & Son, 24 Franklin Street. 1888. - 12 d. XXII + 81 pp.
Contains a catalogue, arranged chronologically, of all of Dürer's authenticated works on metal and of most of the woodcuts from his designs, together with some of the doubtful works. Also notes, with references to the leading writers on Dürer, and an introduction.
[[underlined]] Koehler, S. R. [[/underlined]] [Proceedings United States National Museum, Vol. X. - Appendise.] Smithsonian Institution. United States National Museum. - Catalogue of the contributions of the Section of Graphic Arts to Ohio Valley Centennnial Exposition, Cincinnati, 1888. By S. R. Koehler, Curator, Section of Graphic Arts. - I. Processes of Engraving and printing for pictorial purposes from the sixteenth century to our own time (exclusive of modern photo-mechanical processes) Page 705. II. Wood engraving in the United States. 718. III. Etching in the United States. 721. IV. Modern photo-mechanical processes. 723. - Snd Pp. 701 - 731.
Contains, besides the ^[[summary]] catalogue of the specimens shown, short technical explanations of, and historical data concerning, the various processes illustrated. Printed separately for distribution at the Ohio Valley Centennial Exposition.
[[preprinted]]
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
WASHINGTON, D. C.
[[/preprinted]]
July 3, 1947
Mr. Carl W. Mitman
Head Curator
Department of Engineering and Industries
U. S. National Museum
Washington 25, D. C.
Dear Mr. Mitman
Permit me to offer herewith the Annual Report of the division of Aeronautics for the fiscal year, 1946 - 1947.
Respectfully submitted
[[signed]] Paul Edward Garber [[/signed]]
Paul Edward Garber
Curator
Division of Aeronautics
PEG:mlw
Enc.
ANNUAL REPORT
DIVISION OF AERONAUTICS
1946 - 1947
(Paul E. Garber, Curator)
1. Introduction
The fiscal year 1947 brought to the division of Aeronautics the greatest potential it has ever experienced. This bright prospect is chiefly due to the passage of Public Law 722, signed by the President on August 12, 1946, establishing a National Air Museum under the administration of the Smithsonian Institution.
This Law originated from the Bill, H. R. 5144, for which hearings were held Febuary 13, 1946. The preparation of this Bill, and its presentation by the Hon. Jennings Randolph of West Virginia was due in large part to the interest and stimulus given by General H. H. Arnold, recently head of the Army Air Forces. The Bill stipulates procedures similar to those which have formed the basis for our past and present operations and embodies features for which we have been striving for many years. It directs the appointment of an Advisory Board to consist of the Commanding General of the Army Air Forces, the Chief of Naval Operations (or their designated officers), the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and two citizens. These officials: Major General Edward M. Powers, Rear Admiral H. B. Sallada (succeeded on May 1, 1946 by Rear Admiral A. M. Pride), Secretary Wetmore, Mr. Grover Loening, and Mr. William B. Stout, held their first meeting on December 16, 1946. Follow-
2.
ing a general discussion of the project, two of decisions were: that a survey be conducted of the aeronautic field in order to learn what important historic and technical material might be available, and that efforts be made to locate a storage area where collected material might be received pending the construction of permanent facilities for public exhibition and study.
On January 6, 1947, in Administrative Bulletin No. 2, Dr. Wetmore directed that Mr. Carl W. Mitman, Head Curator, Department of Engineering and Industries, be designated as Assistant to the Secretary for the National Air Museum; that Mr. Frank A. Taylor, curator of Engineering, serve as adviser to Mr. Mitman in aeronautical matters, and that the section of Aeronautics be elevated to the status of a division.
On September 17, 1946, Mr. Paul Edward Garber, who had been on military furlough during the war, returned to the Museum after an absence of nearly five years in the Navy with the final rank of Commander. Administrative Bulletin No. 2 designated that he be curator of the new division of Aeronautics, reporting directly to Mr. Mitman. The division obtained the services of Mrs. Ann S. Campbell as secretarial assistant on March 3, 1947.
Although the Law establishing the National Air Museum authorized the sum of $50,000 to defray the expenses of its planning, this money was not made available during this fiscal year and the carrying out of the Advisory Board's directives has been accomplished as far as possible by the existing staff. Because of the high priority accorded this work, it has constituted the division's principal endeavor during the latter half of the fiscal year. Consequently the basic functions of the division
3.
have been accorded lesser consideration; the solicitation of accessions, care of existing collections, scientific work, research, and public services, have suffered.
To carry out the survey directed by the Advisory Board, a list of 220 addresses was selected from aeronautical directories and other lists embracing aircraft manufacturers, engine builders, parts makers, airline operators, aeronautical organizations, prominent individuals and others requesting their cooperation and suggestions. To date approximately half of these have replied. Many objects which would form important links in the story of aeronautical developments and history are offered. Helpful suggestions have been given and without exception the idea of a National Air Museum has been commended.
The Army and Navy constitute the greatest sources of material. Both of the services have conducted wide surveys extending to all establishments and stations. Representative service airplanes have been earmarked for the National Air Museum. A number of important types developed by our enemies in the recent war are being retained for our selection. There are also many engines, instruments, training devices, flight clothing, aircraft components and other equipment which the authorities have ordered shall be retained until the intentions of Congress and the Museum's decisions can be ascertained. Some progress has been made toward the personal appraisal of material offered. Several storage areas have been inspected. A great deal of time has been spent in compiling plans of procedure, proposed lists of personnel and their duties, budget estimates and many other administrative details necessary to the establishment of the National Air Museum. At the present time efforts are curtailed by lack of the appropriations which must be made available if the purpose of these surveys and plans
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is to be realised.
At the close of the fiscal year it is contemplated that before long the staff and collections of the division will be transferred to become the nucleus of the National Air Museum. The widespread interest which has resulted from the establishment of this new Government bureau indicates that Aeronautics at this Institution will have an active and important future.
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2. Preservation of Collections
Upon returning to the Museum from Naval service and making a tour of the areas devoted to aeronautical exhibits it became evident to the curator that, although the limited staff which had remained during the war had done their best to maintain the collections in order, there were many exhibits in damaged condition. Adding the Bell P-59 "Airacomet" to the collections in the Aircraft Building, had resulted in extreme over-crowding of the other aircraft there. Repair and adjustment of specimens was, therefore, an urgent need.
In the early part of this fiscal year a decision by the head curator of Engineering and Industries, whereby the exhibits of Mineral Technology were condensed, made available for Aeronautics the West South Range of the Arts and Industries Building. The first step in renovation of the collection took advantage of this increased space and the Curtiss Army Racer R3-C2 was removed from the western end of the Aircraft Building and installed in the West South Range. By moving several cases from the crowded aisle, more visitor-space was provided. The Douglas World Cruiser was next moved west and north to open up the central area of the building and finally the group of World War I airplanes [[strikethrough]]were [[strikethrough]] ^[[was]] adjusted so that the eastern end was improved.
Many of the unit cases containing scale models were greatly in need of straightening up and individual repairs. In this category the groups of "Early Birds," Navy types, airplanes of World War I, amphibious models, Thompson Trophy Racers, and Transatlantic flyers, have been renovated. All of the lighter-than-air exhibits have been cleaned and repaired. The plastic windscreens on the Loening Amphibian, "San Francisco" which had
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disintegrated were replaced with new material through the assistance of the Army Air Forces' mechanics at Bolling Field. The curator has made numerous patchings on the fabric of other airplanes as needed. The Natural Flight case has received the necessary care for its specimens of flying fish, insects, birds and mammals. The wall frames have been checked over, and the model of Leonardo DaVinci's manual ornithopter which was constructed by the curator when he first came to the Museum in 1920 has received some much needed repair.
In the Arts and Industries Building the exhibit of Lindbergh's relics has been cleaned and straightened up. The Langley Aerodrome models, which had been incorrectly hung upon their return from war-storage were rearranged. The "Winnie Mae" has received a complete exterior washing and the replacement of a disintegrated plastic inspection panel.
The present status of the collections has thus received some improvement but a great deal remains to be done and the need for a preparator who can be assigned constantly to such work is the greatest deficiency in the division at this time.
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3. Accessions for the Year
The total number of accessions for this fiscal year is 18. The total number of specimens received is 267. Both of these figures exceed corresponding numbers for the past four years. In comparison to the last year in which the present curator was employed at the Museum prior to his departure for Naval service in mid year, the accessions for 1946 - 47 are one less than 1941 - 42 but the number of specimens is 151 more. In fact, the number of specimens exceeds those recorded in any year since 1933 when Aeronautics was first identified as a separate section. Some of the material received during the closing weeks of the year could not be processed for accessioning because of the pressure of more urgent work.
The outstanding accession for the year in point of historic importance is the collection of parts remaining from the gliders which were produced by John J. Montgomery. These were received from the University of Santa Clara, California, with the consent and cooperation of the family of John J. Montgomery. Montgomery's accomplishments in gliding date back to 1884 when he constructed and successfully operated a craft of tandem monoplane design which glided a distance of about 600 feet. During the following decade he maintained the lead in the construction and operation of successful gliders. He then decided to conduct further experiments
for a while by laboratory tests and technical analysis. He was also required to devote much of his time to remunerative business. The leading position in gliding was then taken by Otto Lilienthal of Germany. Montgomery resumed full-scale experiments in 1905. This was two years after the Wright Brothers made their first powered flight. Montgomery's method for launching his gliders in 1905 was to elevate them to a height of several thousand
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feet with a hot-air or hydrogen-filled balloon. After cutting loose, they were piloted back to earth by Montgomery's skilled assistants, performing numerous evolutions, gliding as much as eight miles, remaining in the air about 20 minutes, and alighting at a predetermined spot. This phase of his work was interrupted by a fatal accident to one of his piloting assistants and the subsequent loss of his equipment in the California earthquakes, 1906. In 1911 he resumed his gliding experiments with a craft which departed from his previous tandem monoplane design and had a more conventional rear surface. He had intended to install an engine following the perfection of control details but was fatally injured following a rough landing in which a projecting screw in the framework pierced his head. No parts of his first glider of 1883 are known to exist. I was reliably informed that they had been consumed in a fire. The parts now accessioned of the 1905 and 1911 gliders are incomplete but are nevertheless important technical evidence of materials and methods which he employed. Sufficient data in the form of photographs, patent drawings and contemporary descriptions will enable us to show the relationship of these parts to the complete assemblies and to give better recognition to the accomplishments ofthis renowned air pioneer.
From the standpoint of relationship to the air warfare and particularly to the devastating effect of bombing as practiced in World War II, the Norden bombsight which was used in directing the first atomic bomb dropped over Japan, constitutes a very important accession. One element which is still considered as secret by the military authorities was removed from this sight before it was given to the Museum by the Victor Adding Machine Company, its constructors. The presentation of this important piece of aeronautical
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equipment was attended February ^[[10]], 1947, by high ranking officers of the Army and Navy, government representatives and officials of the donor company.
Another very important accession also related to World War II is a series of 82 scale model airplanes received from the Navy Department. They embody the finest features of modelmaking craftsmanship and are an outstanding example of the utility of scale models as a means of illustrating the features of original aircraft. These are the identical models of enemy planes which were assiduously constructed within the restricted shop areas of the Navy Department's Special Devices Division and the Technical Air Intelligence Center while the war was in progress. They were made and used under the joint cooperation of the Navy, Army and British. Details for these models were received from films taken by our fighter planes in combat; photographs made during battle or by dangerous reconnaissance over enemy airfields; from the reports of spies, and other sources often involving great danger and sacrifice. Dimensions were secured, often under fire, from actual specimens which had been shot down. Such information was sent with all possible speed to a corps of draftsmen who produced three-view drawings which were then turned over to skilled craftsmen who made these models. Each one embodies hundreds of hours of painstaking effort; sometimes features had to be changed to incorporate new facts. The completed model was then posed in a photographic laboratory against authentic projected backgrounds. A series of attitudes in imitation of actual flight were photographed; the results were very realistic. These photographs as well as slides for projection were quickly dispatched to the front and to training centers where they provided up-to-date information on enemy developments. This activity was of vital importance during the war. It may be considered as another one of the numerous war projects in which the Smithsonian was
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represented in that one of the Naval Officers who assisted in setting up and maintaining this project was the curator of the division of Aeronautics who was loaned to the Navy and commissioned for this specific undertaking.
Another war development by the curator was the Navy Target Kite. This differs from the conventional kite in that it is flown with two lines and is maneuverable. In the air it resembles an airplane in appearance as well as in performance and can execute loops, figure eights, wide lateral swings, climbs and descents of any angle, and vertical dives. Its speed in the air is two to three times as fast as the prevailing wind. It provides a constantly moving target which requires skilled dexterity by the gunners to hit it. These target kites were extensively used not only during basic gunnery training but also to maintain the alert efficiency of gunners aboard ship and in advanced areas. It was patented by the Navy in the name of the inventor who has donated a complete assembly of kite and handling equipment to the collection.
Another very interesting kite received this year operates on the autogiro principle. It is the gift of Carl Chubb, the inventor, who performed an important part in the development of the full-scale autogiro in America. During the war the Germans adopted the basic features of this kite in the construction of a man-carrying rotor-craft which was carried, knocked-down, aboard their submarines. It could be quickly assembled and used to elevate an observer several thousand feet to sit aloft as a lookout and communicate his observations to the ship by telephone.
Our background of aeronautical history has been augmented by a group of objects associated with Salomon August Andree, who in 1897 with two companions made a balloon ascent in the Arctic which it was believed might carry them over the North Pole. Their fate was a mystery for many years, but in 1930 their remains were discovered by an exploration party. Their
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diaries and other evidence revealed that they had been unable to survive the extreme cold after landing on the ice after 65 hours in the balloon, followed by an attempt to reach civilization afoot. Dr. August von Borosini of Los Angeles, who knew Andree personally, has presented a memorial plaquette of Andree, a Swedish flag which he owned and a map, text and photographs illustrating their place of ascent. July 11, 1947, marks the fiftieth anniversary of this historic ascent.
The accomplishments of a notable aeronautical engineer and inventor can now be shown through a collection of objects and data presented by John W. Smith of Philadelphia. These illustrate a group of 5 airplanes which he constructed, 1910-1913; radial engines which he invented and manufactured prior to and during the First World War; jet engines of recent development and a scale model accompanied by full-sized blades which reveal his unique and successful method of constructing propellers by a rolling mill process.
A step in the early development of model airplanes is shown through the gift of an experimental flying model constructed prior to the First World War and embodying features for automatic control. It is the gift of Captain S. B. Meredith who attributes its original design to a Mr. Moore of New York City.
Charles Hubbell of Cleveland, Ohio, is best known among the aeronautical fraternity for the splendid series of painting which he has produced annually for the calendars of Thompson Products Company. As an avocation he enjoys constructing scale models. They embody his adept skill to depict accurate details and the over-all appearance is remarkably true to life. Through the cooperation of the President of Thompson Products, Mr. Fred Crawford, a group of Mr. Hubbell's models have been loaned to the
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Museum. They are all of the "Early Bird" era. Their accession enables us to illustrate seven types which were not previously represented in the collections and augments a special grouping of models which is being arranged in the West-South Range. At the time when he brought these models to the Museum Mr. Hubbell presented a complete set of aviation prints as used in the Thompson Products calendars. The excellence of these prints may be judged from the fact that some of them are shown in the President's office at the White House and another set is featured on the walls of the Ames Laboratory offices of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, Moffett Field, California.
Three recent types of aircraft are illustrated by other models received this year. They are an XFL-1 Bell "Airabonita," made and presented by Leroy McCallum. This is the Navy version of the Army's P-39 which was used so successfully in the war. An F-6-F Grumman "Hellcat" model represents on of the Navy's most successful fighter planes. This model was made and presented by the Navy Department's Bureau of Aeronautics Special Devices Division. The third model is a gift of Stanley Hiller, Jr., and shows a rotary-winged aircraft named "Hiller-copter." It is described by its donor as the first helicopter to successfully use the co-axial contra-rotating rotor.
The remaining accessions have been fitted into the general collection to amplify various series ro to fill in historical gaps.
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4. Cataloguing
Soon after the section of Aeronautics separated from the division of Engineering and was established as a separate division, an inventory of aeronautical accessions and catalogued entries was made from the records of the division of Engineering. It was noted that the first entry of an aeronautical object occurred in 1889 when Professor S. P. Langley had purchased from J. F. Stringfellow of Crewkerne, England an engine and framework. This had been used by his father, the renowned James Stringfellow who in 1848 had produced as a continuation of his partnership work with W. S. Henson, a steam-powered model airplane which accomplished the first demonstration of dynamic flight. When this engine had been exhibited by James Stringfellow in 1868 at the First Aeronautical Exposition ever held it was awarded a prize for its outstanding design and efficiency. Dr. Langley obtained the engine primarily in order to study it for features which might be embodied in his own aerodromes. In transferring in to the Museum, Langley
established a high standard and worthy foundation for the present collection.
Regarding primary date of receipt by the Museum, the oldest aeronautical objects are a group of Chinese kites which were sent by the Chinese Imperial Commission to the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876; but they were originally received by the Museum's division of Ethnology and were not transferred to Aeronautics until 1932.
The inventory shows that a total of 3,579 objects had been acquired at the close of this fiscal year, This figure is subject to a second check which is now in progress. It may be further corrected by a physical inventory of actual specimens, which will be one of the first projects undertaken after the necessary personnel have been added to the division's staff.
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5. Scientific Work
a. Research by members of the staff.
At the beginning of this fiscal year the curator was on active Naval duty engaged in the preparation of a confidential engineering history of Naval aviation. His Museum background was extremely useful in this task; the research applied to this history of the Navy Department was thus to some extent associated with Museum experience and procedures. Since his return to the Museum he has occasionally been consulted by officials of the Navy Department regarding this history. At the present time a compilation along similar lines with confidential items deleted is in preparation by the Navy. The curator has assisted with suggestions for its outline and with the supplying of various relative facts.
As stated in the Introduction to this Report, the majority of the curator's time has been spent in preparation of appraisals, estimates, lists, correspondence, and other details relative to the National Air Museum. At this project takes shape it requires frequent research into procedures and plans to determine the best standards of museum practice, or modifications of ideas as they may be applicable to the proposed organization.
The showing of a Columbia motion picture, "Gallant Journey," released during the fall, extolled the life and aeronautical accomplishments of John J. Montgomery, 1861-1911. Some details of the picture, particularly its subtitle, "The story of the first man to fly," and its omissions of contemporary work by other inventors, stimulated public interest in determining specifically the part which Montgomery had played in the general development of aircraft. For many years the Museum had attempted to augment its exhibits on Montgomery but with little success. It became increasingly necessary that this Museum's records should be complete [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]]
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and accurate. The curator's visit to California in January and February provided an opportunity for tracing Montgomery's work in detail. Prior to making this trip the curator studied a number of texts describing Montgomery's work in order that he would be fortified by a fresh review of existing data. Interviews in California with Mr. Cornelius Reinhart, who worked with Montgomery, with professors at the University of Santa Clara who had been present during his work there, and with the several members of the family now living in Oakland and San Francisco, were very informative. As stated in Part 2 of this report, a number of the original glider parts were procured. The information obtained has been embodied in a separate report and will be utilized in preparing the exhibit of Montgomery glider parts which is now taking shape in the West South Range.
During this trip to California several other personal contacts were made through the curator's knowledge of individual accomplishments in aeronautics by the persons visited, was improved. The more prominent persons contacted in such personal research include: Fred Wiseman of Berkeley, California, who had made an airmail demonstration flight on February 17, 1911 in a plane of his own construction; Harry Christofferson, who with his brothers, built and flew a progressive series of airplanes, seaplanes, and flying boats in the early days; Mike Dulin of San Francisco, who flew in the First World War; Bert Winslow, who was one of the flyers on the Transcontinental Airmail routes, 1921-1925; and Franklin Rose of Oakland, who had been one of the operators of the first Contract Airmail route in 1926.
Research in the history of Airmail operations has been stimulated through recent correspondence. Mr. David Behncke of the Air Line Pilots Association has given some helpful suggestions; contacts with Mr. Edward
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Nelson and Mr. Andrew Caffrey have resulted in the procurement of air mail data new to the Museum records. At the present time, the factual material collected has been utilized in improving our files but there is a definite potential therein for exhibits. This will be investigated as time permits.
Airmail history is often associate with the story of air pick-up operations as practiced by Godfrey Cabot [strikethrough],[[/strikethrough]] as early as 1918 ^[[,] by All American Aviation and other operators. This subject has also received much attention through the Curator's research, with resultant improvement in our records and exhibits.
During the recent war the curator's knowledge of kites became of value to the Navy. This practical application stimulated his interest in these basic aircraft, leading to the collection by him of data on kite history and development. This data has now been organized into a group of scrapbooks with sub-divisions based on types and uses of kites. There is ample material for a publication on this subject and it is hoped to undertake it in the near future.
b. Research by outside investigators.
Many persons were given personal assistance in the use of the collections either in the Museum or on loan. Mr. Ladd Smith, author of books and articles dealing with the development of air transport, was particularly gratified to see an original example of the Curtiss "Jenny" in the collections and enjoyed examining it in detail. Our models of airmail transport planes provided him with associated material. Mr. George Gimeski, also interested in the "Jenny," was loaned the "JN4-D Album"
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Such albums, containing drawings, photographs, and descriptive texts have proved to be a valuable aid to research workers, historians, and modelmakers. They have been prepared for a number of our full-sized airplanes. It is the custom to lend them for periods of 60 days. Mr. G. Kohn borrowed the Album on the Douglas World Flyer, "Chicago." Mr. Christy Battlas used the one on the NC-4. Mr. George Simkaitis borrowed those on the JN4-D and the SPAD-13; and the "Spirit of St. Louis Album" was used by Mr. William A. Lindsay III.
Several authors were assisted in the preparation of historic stories on aeronautics. James Strebig of the Associated Press procured facts and photographs for an article on helicopters. Mr. Charles Ellis of the [[underlined]] Saturday Evening Post [[/underlined]] staff obtained data on the First Transcontinental Flight, 1911. Mr. Sinks spent two days examining our material on kites for use in an article intended for [[underlined]] Colliers [[/underlined]. A student at Cornell, Mr. C. S. Brown, prepared a thesis on helicopters. He was loaned the label-texts which this division had written for its pictorial story on the subject. Colonel Schirmer who was interested in aircraft insignia decided to visit the collection in the division following our response by mail to his inquiries.
A number of veterans studying aeronautics in local colleges have used the aircraft collections. Their personal inquiries in the office have been concerned primarily with flying wings, reciprocating and jet engines and parachutes. The Menihan Brothers of Rochester, New York, contractors for the building of parachutes during the recent war were interested in our collection of these life-saving devices and have promised to donate an example of the type which they manufacture.
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The librarian of the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Corporation at Buffalo was especially pleased to see and study not only the Curtiss aircraft and models on exhibition but also the extensive lot of Curtiss data donated several years ago by F. L. Faurote. Mr. Lanstedi of Los Angeles who is working upon a life-saving device which combines the features of a glider and a parachute studied our collections of these aircraft and felt that the William H. Martin glider of 1909 embodied several applicable features. Miss Felicity Buranelli of New York City, who has produced a series of medals commemorating aeronautical pioneers, has selected G. H. Curtiss as her present subject and is using the photographs and data in our files. Mr. Charles Hubbell of Cleveland, Ohio, artist for the Thompson Products series of calendars on aeronautical subjects stated that he derived numerous suggestions and material for his paintings while visiting the Museum recently. Mr. C. H. Evans and Mr. G. S. Truman, who are planning a flight around the world in a "Piper Club" airplane visited the Museum to be photographed with the "Winnie Mae" and the "Spirit of St. Louis" and while here studied the interior arrangements of these craft and the routes which they had followed.
Station WFBR of Baltimore which conducts a weekly program directed to the interest of various hobbyists borrowed from the museum a Chinese kite, two models of airplanes, and a group of illustrations, to be used in a show window portraying the history of aeronautics. This material was exhibited during the week of May 5, 1947.
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c. Exploration and field work.
In relation to research conducted during absences from the Museum that which concerned the investigation of Montgomery's accomplishments is outstanding. This has been referred to in Section "a" of this Report. It would have been impossible to have learned the intimate facts about Montgomery without such personal contact with his family and associates. These personal investigations were conducted during the period, January 28 -- February 7, 1947.
Other helpful contacts which might be classified as field work and which are related primarily to the work of the division irrespective of the National Air Museum projects, include a visit to Roosevelt Field, Long Island, November 6, when photographs and measurements were taken of the old hangers of this type ^[[to be used]] in an exhibit relative to flying during the period before the First World War.
On November 23, the curator attended the National Aviation Show at Cleveland, Ohio. The exhibits were studied with much interest; photographs and notes were taken; since that time a number of exhibitors have been contacted leading toward the acquisition of selected material for the Museum. Other visits on official work are referred to in Section "f" of this Report.
d. Bibliography.
George Beveridge, "History Hangs from the Ceiling," an illustrated story of the Aircraft Collection. The Washington [[underline]] Evening Star, [[/underline]] Gravure Section, September1, 1946, page 2.
Paul E. Garber, "Handbook of the National Aircraft Collection," 7th Edition, The Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C., April, 1947.
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Richard Maury, "Uncle Sam's Magic Attic," [[underline]] Coronet, [[/underline]] July, 1947, pages 35-39.
Author unnamed. [[underline]] Washington Post, [[/underline]] a mention of the 20th anniversary of Lindbergh's flight in the "Spirit of St. Louis," and the interest shown by visitors, May 22, 1947.
Entries were prepared to include the division of Aeronautics in the listings of the Civil Aeronautics Authority, and the American Aviation Directory, published in Washington, D. C.
e. Assistance [[strikethrough]] of [[/strikethrough]] ^[[by]] members of the staff to other Government bureaus.
Mention has been made in Section "a" of this report of the curator's assignment to the writing of an engineering history of Naval aviation for the Navy Department. The Navy ^[[was]] also assisted with several other projects. The Special Devices Center, Bureau of Aeronautics, requested assistance regarding high altitude flights and ascents. Our collection includes exhibits and data on accomplishments in the stratosphere by the Piccards, Fordney and Settle, Stevens and Anderson, Lts. Champion and Soucek of the Navy, Capt Hawthorne C. Gray of the Army, and others. Studies of Captain Gray's ballon basket, the gondola of the "Explorer II" and of Lt. Soucek's flight clothing were of special interest to the Navy's investigator who had been sent to obtain such data in connection with forthcoming high altitude ascents which are being planned under Navy sponsorship. The investigator stated that this division had been more helpful than any other Government department.
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Lt. Cmdr. Junkerman, U.S.N., was assisted in presenting a legal case involving a collision between an R-4-D transport and an N-2-S trainer. He used scale models of these types in court to show the manner of the collision.
The Army War College, Office of World War I Archives, was aided in determining a number of facts about the structure and original use of the Aircraft Building, which was first erected to provide space for experiments with the "Liberty" engine in 1918. By referring to the Smithsonian's Annual Reports and by a personal interview with one who had worked in the building during that period, the curator was able to help Mr. Ryan of the War College to complete his records.
Mr. Lybrand of the Department of Justice visited the office and toured the collection in order to obtain a general impression of our exhibits and activities. These facilities have previously been used in the determination of claims against the Government involving details of aircraft.
The Civil Aeronautics Authority with our assistance answered correspondence inquiries dealing with the history of balloons and the individual records of several women flyers.
The Treasury Department, Office of the Mint, was supplied with photographs and references to be used by artists in the preparation of a medal commemorating General William Mitchell.
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f. Visits to other institutions or places on official work.
A number of outside contacts have been established in person by the curator during this fiscal year. Most of them were in connection with investigations of material being considered for the National Air Museum. Those which were specifically for the division of Aeronautics are included in Sections, "a" and "c" of this Report.
Because the Navy's Experimental Test Center is located within 60 miles of Washington, it has been possible to make several visits there to study aircraft and material. Mr. Fred Verville of the Navy's Technical Data Section, has been working closely with the curator in the location and selection of Trophy aircraft and components and has accompanied him on three visits to Patuxent: October 3, March 11, and April 25. Although the purpose of these trips was primarily to inspect enemy aircraft which have been under examination and test at Patuxent, the mission was extended to include examination of some of the Navy's newest developments in airplanes, engines and components.
In connection with Navy Day, October 25, the Air Station at Anacostia assembled a special ordinance exhibit which was studied with much interest.
The period of January 19 to February 12 was spent in a trip to California primarily for the purpose of appraising a collection of aeronautical material assembled by Mrs. C. A. Tusch of Berkeley. As a volunteer nurse during the flu epidemic World War I, when many students of the Air Cadet School at the University of California were stricken, Mrs. Tusch endeared herself to them by her care and thoughtfulness. Many of them later made her home a favorite gathering place.
As they left for the front they wrote their autographs on her walls and gave her their photographs. Later they sent her the souvenirs of combat service. These and other relics of aerial history given by noted flyers and friends have grown into a sizeable collection, including many noteworthy objects. In the belief that this material was of national interest and should be preserved the curator spent a week in detailed study of it. He has prepared an extensive illustrated report which is available for review by the Advisory Board. Mention has been made in Section "a" of the other valuable contacts established as an extension of the California trip.
April 21 - 23, was spent in a visit to Philadelphia and Wilmington. Mr. John W. Smith who has been associated with aviation since 1910 and has produced his own airplanes, engines, propellers and related material, was first brought to our attention by Mr. William B. Stout of the Advisory Board who suggested that a personal visit would be of interest. Fortunately Mr. Smith had preserved detailed records of his accomplishments together with examples of propeller blades constructed by his unique rolling mill process. A representative selection of this material is being placed on exhibition.
At Wilmington, Delaware, on the 23rd, the curator visited All American Aviation, Inc., and examined a progressive series of grapnels, winches, and containers as used in their air pick-up operations. Examples of such equipment have been selected and are being prepared by this Company for the Museum.
On May 7, the curator visited Captain P. V. H. Weems, U.S.N. Ret., a noted inventor of systems of air navigation who maintains his home and offices at Annapolis, Maryland. Throughout his long and important
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connection with this study, Captain Weems has collected examples of computer, plotters and other navigation devices. This visit proved to be most interesting and instructive; the exhibits on air navigation have improved thereby. Proceeding the same day to Baltimore the curator visited the Bartlett-Hayward Division of the Koppers Company. This firm has been engaged a long while in the production of industrial and transportation equipment; in recent years they have manufactured metal aircraft propellers. Although the primary purpose of the visit was to examine a single primary example of their "Aeromatic" propeller which had been offered to the Museum, it developed that in the firm's private museum there were a number of other propellers which had been obtained for study but which would be interesting units for the national collections. The Public Relations office of this firm has been most cooperative and has agreed to present a number of the items which the curator selected. That evening the curator inspected the window which had been prepared with the help of material loaned by the division at the offices of Station WFBR and enjoyed discussing with Mr. Woodfield the widespread interest in Baltimore among aeronautical hobbyists.
June 11 to 17 was spent in a visit to Park Ridge, Illinois and Dayton, Ohio, where Trophy and Service material collected by the Army Air Forces was inspected in order to select specific items for further consideration by the Advisory Board of the National Air Museum and to eliminate un-wanted items so as to save the cost of any further storage and special handling. The return from Park Ridge was made via Cleveland and Shelby, Ohio, where storage facilities were inspected with the thought that they might be used for the collection of Army material intended for ultimate exhibition in the National Air Museum.
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6. Exhibition
As stated in Part 2 of this report an attempt has been made by the curator himself, lacking a staff preparatorial force, to accomplish the most needed repairs of exhibits which had been damaged during the war years. A large amount of work remains to be done before even the existing collections can be considered in order and presentable. Installation of new material also lags for want of help.
The West-South Range which was turned over to the division at about the middle of the fiscal year has not yet been opened for exhibition. A number of large cases from which exhibits on mineral technology were vacated have been retained for the display. Installations therein will include the Thaddeus Lowe collection of material on Civil War ballooning and the parts of the John Montgomery gliders of 1905 and 1911.
Two groups of wall cases have been assembled in which it is planned to install scale models to illustrate aircraft of World War II. Although the majority of these models have been placed in the cases, they still require marking, grouping and labeling. One of the large cases, which formerly contained illustrations of gold mining methods and in which the rear portion was arched into an overhead dome, lends itself particularly well to a display of models showing types of the period 1903-16, often referred to as the "Early Bird" era. The recent accession of eight models of this type from Charles Hubbell of Cleveland, Ohio, constitutes such a splendid addition of important types in this category that we are most anxious to embody them in this arrangement. The suspension of these models in flight attitudes will be a great improvement over the present shelf-supported display. In this same program of renovation it is
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planned to transfer the airmail models from their shelf cases in the Aircraft Building to a single large case in the West-South Range where they also will be suspended. The Navy case in the Aircraft Building has been our best presentation of scale model airplanes to date but has become crowded by recent additions and it is planned to install them all in a larger case.
Several of the engines which are now in a rather crowded lineup in the Aircraft Building are to be moved to the West-South Range and grouped in large cases. This will make their relative features more intelligible to our visitors and remove them from open exhibition where they have been subject to dirt and damage. Pending accessions of engines will enable us to improve several of the type-groups.
The parts of John Montgomery's gliders which have been mentioned in Part 3 of this report as the outstanding accession for the year are too incomplete and fragile for assembly into their original flight appearance but by an intelligent arrangement of them in a case, together with photographs, drawings and models, the complete story of Montgomery's accomplishments can be portrayed. The models are promised to the Museum by Columbia Pictures having been used for the recent motion picture, "Gallant Journey;" further promised cooperation from the Montgomery family, the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce and others interested, should enable us to construct an attractive and informative display to credit the work of this prominent American pioneer.
There is a great need to acquire and display more material on World War II. The Recognition Models already referred to and mentioned also in Part 3 will go a long way toward illustrating types of aircraft.
27.
A large amount of World War II material is being held for museum purposes by the Army, Navy and manufacturers. Although lack of space prevents adequate treatment of the war period, we hope to make some wise selections from available lists and improve the present deficiency. A Japanese "Baka" bomb, -- the manned projectile used in the spectacular "kamikaze" attacks against our Navy's ships in the Pacific will be one of the first accessions of the coming fiscal year.
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7. Information
During this year, there were four outstanding instances not mentioned previously in this report, when the division of Aeronautics was able to be of assistance to organizations. These were:
On October 11, personnel of the Fox Movietone News, engaged in preparing an educational film, were conducted through the collections and, having selected certain items for photographing, were assisted in the taking of motion pictures of them.
On February 7, while in San Francisco, the curator attended a meeting of the Quiet Birdmen, an organization of prominent flyers which was Chapters throughout the nation. Being invited to speak, a description of aeronautical museum work was given with particular emphasis on the plans for the National Air Museum. The request was made that members of the Quiet Birdmen Organization assist in this deserving project. Following adjourment many of those present expressed their interest in the National Air Museum's organization and offered to help. Several beneficial contacts have resulted.
On April 16, Radio Station WMAL in Washington, broadcasting its program, "As the Wheels Turn" presented by the Capital Transit Company, featured the background story of the Aircraft Building, describing its use in the First World War as an engineering laboratory and the important part played there during development and tests of the "Liberty" engine.
In the afternoon and evening of May 19, 1947 the curator served as one of the judges to select outstanding examples of craftsmanship and ingenuity as applied to the illustration of scientific facts. This Science Fair is intended as an annual exhibit to encourage entries from high school students studying the various branches of science. Following a luncheon during which the judges were briefed on the extent of
29.
participation and the methods of judging, the exhibits themselves were scanned in the Department of Commerce Building. Selections were made by each judge in his category and the tabulations were compiled by personnel of the Science Service staff. The results were announced that evening and the awards presented to the winners.
There were no lots of material received for identification.
Among the numerous answers to personal inquiries and requests in correspondence one of the most interesting contacts was established with Mr. J. H. Bosman of the Netherlands who was interested in preparing a history of the Fokker Aircraft Works. At one time this Dutch Company was very prominent but the recent war has caused the loss of much original data. Mr. Bosman was given copies of drawings and photographs describing the two Fokker aircraft in the collection and was sent other material describing the life and work of Anthony Fokker.
The Vought Aircraft Division of the United Aircraft Corporation was assisted in locating historic data for use in an anniversary celebration. Other assistance to correspondents is listed in Part 5 (b) of this Report.
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8. Management
Most of the division's plans for exhibition work during the coming year, are given in Part 6 of this Report. Regarding plans for personnel, mention has been made in Parts 2 and 6 of the need for assistants to work with the exhibits. This request is again emphasized. The large increase in the division's output which has been made possible by the full time and efficient assistance of Mrs. Ann Campbell, is evidence not only of the large amount of prevailing work, but also illustrates how much more can be accomplished with competent help.
In the event that the appropriation for planning of the National Air Museum should be made by Congress, a staff of seven persons has been tentatively listed as the minimum force required to accomplish this. Such staff will consist of a director, curator, assistant curator, one secretary each for the director and the curator, an architectural draftsman to prepare suggested building layouts and a modelmaker to assist him in the construction of three-dimensional scale units for working out details of exhibit areas. Inasmuch as these seven persons are to be paid from the Congressional appropriation, it is hoped that the salary of the present curator of this division may be made available to the division for employment personnel to care for the existing collection. Such personnel should include a preparator, secretary and laborer. The present curator would continue to supervise the care of the collection and would direct the work of the maintenance personnel.
In regard to results accomplished on projects presented in the last Annual Report, (which was prepared by the curator of Engineering while Mr. Garber was absent on Naval service) it will be recalled that it was
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intended at that time to close the Aircraft Building to the general public and prepare a small representative exhibit on aeronautics in the West-South Range. This project was not approved. Instead the Aircraft Building has remained open and the West-South Range has become available for the expansion of the collections.
When the curator last prepared an Annual Report, which was at the close of the fiscal year 1940-41, his plans for the year 1941-42 were to complete the renovation of the Aircraft Building. It will be recalled that at that time the exhibits had been moved into half of the building area to permit painting and repairs. Those plans were realized and the building was reopened to the public in the fall of 1941. A number of details of re-exhibition could not be completed under his personal supervision because of departure for Naval service following declaration of war, but Mr. Reed, Mr. Perry, and Mr. Parks carried on in the curator's absence and finished a number of the planned exhibits.
It will be recalled that during the war many of the most important objects in the collection were placed in emergency storage owing to the threat of bombing. Some of this material has been put back on display during the present year but several large boxes of such material remain. These are occupying valuable exhibit space. The contents should be distributed to their proper locations.
Recently a public phone booth has been placed in the Aircraft Building for the convenience of visitors.
[[Upper right]] Rec'd Aug 25/20 [[/upper right]]
Mr. Ravenel
I do not know whether this will be called for for the secretarys report.
Please rewrite or change to suit your needs
WHH
[[bottom right]]
[[??]]
[[mo??]] up same to add 6
Wm des R.
[[/bottom right]]
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART ^ [[, 1920]]
The National Gallery of Art continued for the year under the immediate care of the Head Curator of the Department of Anthropology, but by an Amendment to the Sundry Civil Bill passed May , 1920, the Gallery will, at the beginning of the fiscal year 1920-1921, have a separate organization with a separate administrative staff. Additions to the collections during the year were not as numerous as those of the preceding year, but include a number of works of painting and sculpture of exceptional value, the most noteworthy ^ [[accession]] perhaps being a statue in white marble of the Earl of Chatham,( William Pitt), presented through the State Department by the Duchess of Marlborough and other American women residing in the United Kingdom.
[[notes on left margin]]
Dr. Hayle
I trust that you can do this. WHH
Attended to by Dr. Hayle
Art Gallery report also prepared
Can't Dr. Hayle do this for you R [[/notes]]
U.S. National Museum,
Dear Professor Holmes:
A brief report on the work of the National Museum for 1920 has to be furnished the Secretary's Office by [[underlined]] August 15, [[/underlined]] for the Secretary's Annual Report to the Board of Regents. Will you not be so good as to let me have, for incorporation in it, not more than two or three pages setting forth what you consider to be the prominent additions and other important matters of the year relating to the collections under your charge. While we could doubtless brief your annual report here, I prefer that you should have the opportunity to indicate your views on the matter.
Very truly yours,
W des Ravenel
Administrative Assistant to the Secretary
[[underlined]]
ANNUAL REPORT
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
1919 - 1920
[[/underlined]]
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART, 1919-20.
By W. H. Holmes, Curator.
Sir
I have the honor to present the following report on the activities of the National Gallery of Art during the fiscal years, 1919-20.
The Gallery continued in charge of the Head Curator of the Department of Anthropology, and the collection occupied, as heretofore, the central skylight hall of the Natural History Museum. Good progress was made during the year in the acquirement of art works and constant attention was given to all classes of exhibits and especially to the manner of their presentation to the public. The additions were not numerous, but comprise works and objects of very considerable museum value not, however, comparable in importance with the accessions of the year before. Twenty works of painting and sculpture were added. A model in plaster of a monument entitled "The Victory of Liberty" by Branko Dechkovitch, the Jugo-Slav sculptor, accepted by the President at Paris France, as a gift to the United States, was received by the Museum through the Department of State. Of very great historical and general interest is the full length statue in white marble of William Pitt, gift of the Duchess of Marlborough and other American women in Great Britain. Deeply incised on the gray marble base is the inscription: "This statue of William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, the British champion of American Liberty, presented by American women living in the United Kingdom as a memorial
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of the hundred years peace between the two kindred nations & as an expression of their love for the land of their birth and the land of their adoption. 1815-1915." Among the accessions of particular importance are two pieces of sculpture, the gift of Mrs. Benjamin H. Warder: "The Greek Slave" by Hiram Powers, a superb work, understood to be one of the several replicas made by Powers with the assistance of a skilled Florentine sculptor, the dimensions being three-fourths that of the original; the second is a charming work, "The Sleeping Children" by William Rhineheart, Rome, 1869. A conspicuous and very welcome addition during the year is the "Portrait of a Lady" by Andres Zorn, 1900, done in his very brilliant style, the gift of Mrs. C. of New York City. The Gallery is further enriched by a "Portrait of John Muir", explorer, naturalist and author, by Orlando Rouland, the gift of Mrs. E.H. Harriman; and a half-length portrait of the Honorable Andrew D. White, by G. Stanley Middleton, gift of Clifford D. Middleton, assigned to the Smithsonian Institution but installed in the Gallery. Additional works are an oil painting by George Inness entitled "Elf Ground," gift of Mrs. Emily K. Andrews; and a portrait of General Albert J. Myer, first Chief Signal Officer of the U.S. Army and founder of the U.S. Weather Bureau, by George P.A. Healy, bequest of his daughter, Miss Viola Walden Myer. Nine additions were received as loans: an oil painting "Portrait of San Lorenzo Guistiniano," attributed to Gentile Belini, presented to the American Red Cross by the City of Venice as a token of gratitude for the work of the American Red
3.
National Gallery
Cross during the war with Germany, lent by the American Red Cross through Mr. Stockton Axson, chairman of the Red Cross Museum committee; an oil painting entitled "The Philistines Attacked with the Plague" by Nicholas Poussin, color sketch for his large picture in the Louvre, collection of Louis XIV, lent by W. H. Holmes; an oil painting "The Holy Family," attributed to Raphael Urbinas, lent by Mr. Walter Swinney; a bust in Carrara marble to the Honorable Champ Clark by Moses Wainer Dykaar, lent by the artist; three paintings, "Dedham Vale" by John Constable, "The Doctor's Visit" by Jan Steen, and "Christ in the Temple" by G. B. Tiepolo, lent by Ralph Cross Johnson; a portrait of Dr. W. H. Dall by Wilford S. Conrow, lent by the artist; three large vases, French faience, lent by Mrs. Benjamin H. Warder. On request of Mr. Duncan Phillip, the portrait of Ellwood Hendrick, by A. V. Tack, previously presented by him, was returned to him, and a landscape, "The Island" by Edward W. Redfield, was accepted in exchange.
Gratifying advance was made in the utilization of the fund provided by the Will of Henry W. Ranger for the purchase of art works which, under certain conditions, are to accrue to the National Gallery. The provision of the document is as follows: "All pictures so purchased are to be given by the Council to Art institutions in America, or to any library or other institutions in America maintaining a gallery open to the public, all such gifts to be upon the express condition that the National Gallery at Washington, administered by the Smithsonian Institute, shall have the option and right, without
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cost, to take, reclaim and own any picture for their collection, provided they exercise such option and right at any time during the five year period beginning ten years after the artist's death and ending fifteen years after this death, and, if such option and right is not exercised during such period, the picture shall remain and be the property of the institution to which it was first given." The selection of works to be purchased by this fund is entrusted to a committee of the National Academy of Design, of which Mr. Edwin H. Blashfield, President of the Academy, is chairman and C.C. Curran, secretary. During the year four paintings were purchased by this fund, two of which - "Grey Day" by W. Granville-Smith and "Evening Tide, California" by William Ritschel - were duly forwarded and are now on view in the Gallery; the others are "The Rapids" by W. E. Schofield, N.A., deposited in the Brooklyn Museum of Art, and the "Orange Bowl" by Anna Fisher, the assignment of which has not yet been announced. It is gratifying to know that by this bequest the Gallery is assured of a number of worthy additions each year.
During the year the Rev. Alfred Duane Pell continued to add to his collection of art objects presented and lent to the Museum and installed in the long room at the north end of the Gallery. The installation was not yet complete at the close of the year and is still unlabeled, but the importance of the varied and extensive gift is clearly apparent.
A number of paintings, very generously lent to the Gallery during this and previous years, were withdrawn. The list
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is as follows: A painting, "In the Grand Canyon of the Colorado" by Thomas Moran, returned to Mrs. J.W. Powell; a painting, "A Rocky Mountain Solitude" by Thomas Moran, returned to the artist; portrait of Major General John P. Van Ness, returned to Major J. Van Ness Philip; portraits of Major E. Alexander Powell and Miss Clara J. Gordon, by Wilford S. Conrow, returned to the artist; a painting, "Autumn" by Thomas Cole, returned to Mrs. C.V. Purdy; four paintings, "Interior" attributed to Adrian von Ostage, "Interior" by L. Fissette, picture of dogs by Z. Noterman, and portrait of Rembrandt, attributed to himself, returned to Mr. Benson B. Moore; two oil paintings, "Portrait of Lamartine" and "Washington at Valley Forge," returned to Mrs. Adelaide Powell; 12 oil paintings from the collection by leading contemporary French and British artists, lent by the American Federation of Arts through Miss Leila Mechlin, secretary, returned to the Federation; 21 paintings, 2 bronzes and 2 casts in plaster by Edward Kemeys and other artists, returned to Mrs. Laura Swing Kemeys; a painting, copy of Murillo's "Beggars," returned to Mrs. Henry Wells; water color, "Rhone Valley" by John M.W. Turner, returned to Miss Elizabeth Ogden Adams; a painting by Titian, "A Farnese Investiture," returned to Mrs. Estelle Bakewell-green; A portrait of Mrs. Henrietta Auchmutty by Gilbert Stuart, returned to Mrs. Townsend Phillips for Mrs. Lila M. Chapman.
Among the numerous changes made in the installation of art works may be mentioned the removal of a large painting, "The Battleship Oregon," from the south room of the main hall to one of the rooms devoted to works relating to the World War. This important work was lent to the Gallery February 7, 1917,
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by the artist, William F. Halsall, of Provincetown, Mass., whose death occurred November 10, 1919. The Gallery is deeply indebted to Mr. Hallsall for the gift of a superb painting "The Song of the Sea" on December 28, 1916, now in its place on the Gallery walls. Removal of the Battleship painting from the Gallery made it possible to restore to the Gallery the very large triptich, a fire etching by James William Fosdick, entitled "Adoration of Saint Joan of Arc," belonging to the Evans collection. Frequent changes and readjustments in installation of works were made. Labels were added where needed and the glass of most of the paintings was removed and cleaned. Toward the close of the year negatives were secured of all the important work of painting and sculpture in the Gallery and three prints of each were made and properly labeled. Much time was spend by the Curator in identifying the very large collection of plaster busts of prominent personages, mostly of past generations. Owing to the failure of the sculptor or of the custodian of casts in the early days to mark the busts a number cannot now be identified. It should be stated, however, that many of thee busts are of persons prominent in history, literature of science and are not as a whole of a degree of excellence permitting their assignment to the Gallery as works of art. The preparation of a catalogue of the Gallery bringing the record up to dat was carried to practical completion. The last issue of the catalogue, prepared by Assistant Secretary Rathbun, is dated 1916, and it is regarded as important that an interval of more than four years should
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not be allowed to elapse before renewal. The present catalogue embodies, with an appropriate introduction, a simple list of the works now in the Gallery and a reference list of artists with brief biographies.
The membership of the advisory committee of the Gallery remains the same as heretofore: W.H. Holmes, chairman; Edwin H. Blashfield, Douglas Volk, Herbert Adams and Edmund C. Tarbell.
The Curator attended the 11th Annual Convention of the American Federation of Arts, held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as the representative of the National Gallery, May 19-21, 1920. The sessions were continued for three days. The meetings were well attended, and the discussions covered a wide range of important subjects. He also had the opportunity of attending the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the foundation of the Metropolitan Museum, which comprised a session during Tuesday devoted to memorial exercises and a banquet in the evening.
It is a matter of particular felicitation that in June Congress granted a fund sufficient to permit the organization of the Gallery as a separate unit of the Smithsonian foundation and to provide a modest curatorial staff, thus relieving the Museum, which is a museum of science strictly, of a rapidly growing burden and at the same time affording the long delayed opportunity of laying the foundation requisite to a reasonable and symmetric development of the nations Gallery of Art.
[[underlined]] Note: [[/underlined]] Reference to the activities of the National Portrait Committee may be left until the return of the Secretary as I have not had any correspondence with the committee. According to Miss Mechlin, 16 of the portraits have been finished, and it is very desirable that these should be mentioned in the present report.
Annual Report
Fiscal Year 1959
Department of Geology
G. Arthur Cooper, Head Curator
Fiscal 1959 was a year of progress for all divisions, but for the Division of Mineralogy and Petrology it was outstanding. Research publication fell off, to some extent, but accessions, especially in mineralogy and petrology, exceeded all estimates.
Staff changes were not extensive this year, but one loss was balanced by two replacements, leaving a net gain. In vertebrate paleontology, Dr. Peter V. Vaughn resigned to accept a position in the University of California at Los Angeles, but this vacancy was filled by the addition of Dr. Nicholas Hotton III to take care of the fossil reptiles. For two years the position in Foraminifera, vacated by Dr. Loeblich in 1957, has been unfilled. Dr. Richard Cifelli, formerly of Brown University, was appointed to fill this vacancy and reported for work in late June. This particular position is a very important one because of the celebrated Cushman collection of Foraminifera. No changes in the scientific staff were made in mineralogy and petrology. The Division of Invertebrate Paleontology and Paleobotany, however, is still suffering from the loss of Dr. Nicol, whose position has not yet been filled.
^[[Geol. 1959]]
2
Other appointments to fill vacancies were made during fiscal 1959. Mr. Edwin B. Herman was appointed as museum aid in invertebrate paleontology and paleobotany, and Miss Rosa Moore joined the staff of the same division as clerk-stenographer. Mr. Gladwyn B. Sullivan, exhibits preparator, was appointed to fill the vacancy left in the vertebrate paleontology laboratory by the transfer of Mr. Theodore B. Ruhoff to the Division of Philately and Postal History.
During the year Mr. James L. Connors, museum aid in charge of cataloging in the Division of Invertebrate Paleontology and Paleobotany, was advanced from GS-5 to GS-7; Mr. Kurt Hauschildt, exhibits preparator in vertebrate paleontology, was promoted from GS-5 to GS-7; Mr. Jack Scott, photographer, was promoted from GS-5 to GS-7; Mr. Robert Jones, museum aid GS-3, was advanced to GS-4; Miss Barbara Roerig and Mrs. Dorothy Schiller, clerk-stenographers in mineralogy and petrology and in vertebrate paleontology, were advanced from GS-4 to GS-5. Other recommended promotions are pending at the time of this writing: Miss Mildred E. Joseph, GS-5 to GS-7 (administrative assistant) and Dr. David H. Dunkle from GS-12 to GS-13.
^[[Geol]]
3
Accessions
Numerous fine specimens were added to the collections, especially in the Division of Mineralogy and Petrology.
The Hope Diamond.- This legendary diamond, largest and most notable of all blue diamonds in the world, was presented to the Smithsonian Institution on November 10, 1958, by Mr. Harry Winston, world-famous gem merchant connoisseur of New York City.
The Hope ranks in importance with other famous diamonds, such as the Kohinoor, Cullinan, and Regent, found only in the Crown Jewels of Europe. In fact, because of its long and dramatic history, the legends built around it, and its rare, deep blue color, the Hope is possibly the best known diamond in the world.
Though its early history is not known with certainty, the legends attached to the Hope date back many hundreds of years. Speculation ties the Hope to the famous "French Blue," once the eye of an idol in India, later part of the Royal Jewels of Louis XIV of France. Mr. Winston acquired the Hope from the estate of the late Mrs. Evalyn Walsh McLean of Washington, D. C., in 1949. It was presented to Mrs. McLean by her husband, Edward B. McLean, in 1911. Its known history, prior to the McLean purchase, dates from 1830 when David Eliason, a noted gem dealer, sold the stone to Henry Thomas Hope, an Irish squire and banker. The stone was shown at the London Exposition in 1851. In 1867 it was sold at Christie's in London. It was acquired in 1908 by the Sultan Habib Bey, but after the Young Turks Revolt it was again placed on the market, and purchased by McLean in 1911.
^[[Geol]]
4
The Vetlesen Jade collection.- One of the world's finest collections of Chinese jade carvings was presented to the Smithsonian Institution on February 5, 1959. The collection, made over a period of many years by Mrs. Maude Monell Vetlesen of New York, was presented on behalf of her estate by her son and executor, Mr. Edmund C. Monell.
The collection comprises of 130 pieces, carved in one or the other of the two jade minerals, nephrite or jadeite. Each piece is of superb quality. Some specimens date from the Ming Dynasty, but most are from the Ching Dynasty (1644-1912).
Minerals.- Many fine and rare minerals were received as gifts from individuals. Among the important gifts are: Genthelvite, Colorado, from Glenn R. Scott; opal, Nevada, from Mark C. Bandy; jade, Burma, from Martin L. Ehrmann; milky quartz crystals, Colorado, from E. M. Gunnel; gorceixite, French Equatorial Africa, from Mahlon Miller; spangolite, Arizona, from Arch Oboler; and clinohedrite and roeblingite, New Jersey, from John S. Albanese.
Many excellent mineral specimens were received in exchange. Outstanding among these are: A fine group of heubnerite crystals from Colorado; rhodochrosite from Montana; exceptionally fine crystals of the rare mineral phosphophyllite from Bolivia; datolite from Connecticut; and a large sphalerite crystal from Missouri.
Newly described species received in exchange were: Jagoite from Sweden; vandendriesscheite from Australia; eskolaite from Finland; p-veatchite from Germany; dalyite from Ascension Island; and bonchevite from Bulgaria.
Among material received as transfers from other government agencies is a new mineral, ningyoite, from Japan, from the U. S. Geological Survey.
[[Geol]]
5
Roebling collection.- 1,128 specimens in 61 accessions were added to the Roebling collection by purchase from the Roebling fund and by exchange. Among these the following are outstanding: A collection of 249 specimens of exceptional rarity and quality, all from classic central European localities; a fine, large crystal of phosphophyllite from Bolivia; a crystal of beryl, variety aquamarine, from Brazil; bikitaite from Southern Rhodesia; an unusually large mass of thorite from Colorado; danburite from Mexico; and 4 tourmaline crystals from Mozambique.
Canfield collection.- 84 specimens in 9 accessions were added to the Canfield collection by purchase from Canfield fund. Among these were several of outstanding exhibition quality, including proustite from Chile; spodumene from Brazil; pyrite from Colorado; euclase from Brazil, smoky quartz from Switzerland; and cyrtolite from Colorado. An important collection of 72 specimens of rare minerals from Franklin, N.J., was also added to the Canfield collection during the year.
Gems and jewels [[insertion]] acquired for the Isaac Lea collection by purchase from the Chamberlain fund include: A 10.8 carat kornerupine from Madagascar; an 18.5 carat golden sphalerite from Utah; a colorless zircon from Ceylon, weighing 48.2 carats; a star garnet sphere weighing 67.3 carats, from Idaho; and a 43.5 carat sinhalite from Ceylon.
Received as gifts were: A 19.7 carat scapolite cat's eye, Burma, from Martin L. Ehrmann; and a jet bracelet, England, from Mrs. George P. Merrill.
Several outstanding gems were acquired by exchange: A 73.3 carat sphalerite from Utah; a fine reddish-brown zircon from Thailand weighing 105.9 carats; an unusually large and fine precious topaz from Brazil weighing 129.1 carats; an exceptional golden sapphire from Burma weighing 92.5 carats; and a 19.8 carat yellow apatite from Mexico.
[[Geol]]
6
A very fine statuette of the Chinese goddess Kwan-Yin, carved in mauve jade, was received as a transfer from the General Services Administration.
Meteorites.- Several important additions to the meteorite collection were received as gifts: Ladder Creek, Kans., from the Argonne National Laboratory; Vera, Santa Fé, Argentina, from Lorenzo Orestes Giacomelli; Belle Plaine, Kans., from Professor Walter Scott Houston; Idutwa, Cape Province, South Africa, from Dr. Edgar D. Mountain; Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, from Dr. C. C. Patterson; Hoba, South Africa, and Black Moshannan Park, Pa., from the Academy of Natural Sciences of Phildelphia; and Sikhote-Alin, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, from the U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences.
Meteorites added to the Roebling collection were: Vaca Muerta, Chile; Zacatecas, Mexico; Mocs, Romania; Ergheo, Italian Somaliland; Hawkinsville, Ga., Pasamonte, N. Mex.; Lake Murray, Okla.; and Murray, Ky.
Meteorites received in exchange include: 16 meteorites from various localities in Australia; Twin City, Ga.; Seligman, Ariz.; Bosna-Ozren, Yugoslavia; and Dimitrovgrad, Serbia.
[[Geol]]
7
In the Division of Vertebrate Paleontology the outstanding accession of the year resulted from field work by associate curator Peter P. Vaughn, during the spring of 1958. Excellent materials representing a number of genera of fish, amphibians, and reptiles were obtained from the Clyde and Arroyo formations of Baylor County, Tex. Included in Dr. Vaughn's field collection were also remains of small, primitive vertebrates from a Permian [[inserted]] fissure filling in the Arbuckle limestone at Richard's Spur, Okla. Vaughn arranged the gift from Mr. D. E. Jones of Delta, Colo., of the largest dinosaur bone, 6 feet, 10 inches long, known from this country, a humerus of the Jurassic genus [underlined] Brachiosaurus.
Two accessions of fossil fish received in exchanges furnished exhibition material: One is a specimen of the Triassic coelocanth [underlined] Diplurus newarki, together with its life restoration to scale, received from Princeton University; the other includes 81 specimens of fossil sharks and ray-finned fishes from two marine Upper Cretaceous formations in Lebanon from the School of Engineering, American University of Beirut, through Dr. Harry M. Smith.
Two gifts added importantly to the Museum's unusual collection of fossil fish from Cuba, significant as the only record of the late Jurassic marine piscine fauna from the Western Hemisphere: (1) 7 specimens including holostean and halecostome genera from a new locality in Pinar del Rio Province, by the Cuba California Oil Company through Dr. A. A. Meyerhoff, and (2) 27 specimens of comparable forms collected by Sr. Juan Gallardo from various localities in Pinar del Rio Province, purchased by the Walcott fund.
^[[Geol]
8
Of Mammalian materials acquired during the year, the skull of the Miocene whale [[underlined]] Cetotherium megalophysum [[/underlined]], dredged from the Chesapeake Bay near the mouth of the Patuxent River, is outstanding. It was collected by Captains Daniel and Edward Harrision of Ewell, Md., and presented to the Smithsonian by the Ewell Junior High School of Ewell, Smith Island, through the principal, Mrs. Alice V. Middleton.
^[[Geol]]
9
In the Division of Invertebrate Paleontology and Paleobotany, the most important of the many gifts received are: 7,345 specimens of Carboniferous plants collected by Dr. Harvey Bassler, received from the Maryland Department of Geology, Mines and Water Resources, The Johns Hopkins University; 23 type specimens of Miocene mollusks from the Chesapeake Bay area, Md., from Dr. John Oleksyshyn, Boston University; 144 slides of Recent Foraminifera and Ostracoda from the Antarctic from Rear Admiral Charles W. Thomas; 63 specimens of Oligomiocene ostracods from the Brasso formation of Trinidad, including many types, from Dr. W. A. van den Bold, Louisiana State University; 200 Mesozoic invertebrate fossils from Israel from Dr. J. Wahrman, Hebrew University, Jerusalem; 2,500 specimens of Devonian invertebrate fossils from Northwestern Ohio from Mr. Keith Bernard, Detroit, Mich.; 7,500 specimens of invertebrate fossils from the Devonian of Michigan from Dr. and Mrs. G. A. Cooper, Washington, D. C.; a fine Devonian tree stump from New York from the American Museum of Natural History, through Dr. D. F. Squires; 263 foraminiferal concentrates and well-cuttings from Italian Somalia From the Sinclair Oil and Gas Company; 155 specimens of Cretaceous brachiopods from France, from Count de Villoutreys, Monaco; and 234 slides of Recent Foraminifera, 198 of which are from the Eastern Mediterranean, and 36 from Poponesset Bay, Mass., from Miss Frances L. Parker of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Of the transfers received in invertebrate paleontology and paleobotany, the following, all from the U. S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior, are of special interest: 130 Foraminifera from the Western Mediterranean and Tyrrhenian seas; 123 Foraminifera from the Island of Saipan, Southern Pacific; 382 fossil crabs from the Island of Guam, collected by Drs. H. S. Ladd and Porter Ward; and 100 type ammonites from the Cretaceous of the West Coast.
^[[Geol]]
10
Gifts from the Wolcott fund. – 438 fossil invertebrates from the Jurassic of Cuba; 1,000 specimens of miscellaneous invertebrates, including over 400 goniatites, from Oklahoma, collected by H. L. Strimple.
Collected for the Museum. – Associate Curator Porter M. Kier collected for the Museum 1,490 echinoids and other invertebrate fossils in Belgium, France, Holland, and Switzerland, while doing fieldwork on a grant from the National Science Foundation.
Obtained by purchase. – 101,000 specimens, mostly of Pennsylvanian invertebrate fossils but including some important Cretaceous material, were obtained from Mrs. J. H. Renfro, Fort Worth, Tex.
Incoming exchanges. – The following are the most important of the exchanges received during the year: 750 specimens of assorted invertebrate fossils from the Mesozoic and Tertiary of Great Britain from Sergeant Philip Cambridge of Cardiff, Wales; 61 blocks of Permian limestone from West Texas from Harvard University, through Dr. H. B. Whittington; and one specimen the very rare brachiopod [[underline]] Enantiosphen [[/underline]] from the Devonian of Germany from Dr. Wolfgang Struve, Senckenberg Museum, Frankfurt, Germany.
^[[ [[underline]] Geology [[/underline]] Geol]]
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Exhibition
One renovated hall was opened in fiscal 1959, two are now being revised, the hall of fish and primitive tetrapods, and the hall of fossils, and another, the age of mammals hall, is being cleared for the contractors.
The Division of Mineralogy and Petrology. – On the evening of July 31, 1958, Mrs. W. F. Foshag, wife of the late Head Curator of the Department of Geology, cut a ribbon to open the newly modernized hall of gems and minerals to the public.
Exhibits in this hall include the most extensive collection of gems on display in this country, and a large and representative sampling of specimens from the nation's mineral collection, which is the world's finest.
Nearly every variety of gem is represented. Among them are: a 316 carat star sapphire; an 18.3 carat canary yellow diamond; a 66 carat alexandrite; and a 310 carat periodot. The last 2 are the largest gems ever cut from these stones.
The feature exhibit in the gem room is the Hope Diamond, spotlighted against the dark red velvet background in a centrally located, specially designed case.
Also shown in the gem room is a set of pearls consisting of a necklace, choker, and earrings given by the Iman of Muscat to the U. S. Government; the original gold nugget which set off the California gold rush, discovered at Sutter's Mill in 1848 by James Marshall; and the world's largest flawless crystal[[strikethrough]] l [[/strikethrough]] ball, a sphere almost 13 inches in diameter and weighing 106-3/4 pounds ^[[.]]
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the mineral section of the new hall contains examples of all of the principal mineral species, arranged according to chemical classification, selected and lighted to make a vivid display of their natural beauty and color. Featured among them is a fine large specimen of smithsonite, a carbonate of zinc,named for its discoverer James Smithson, founder of the Smithsonian Institution.
Other features of this section of the hall include a spectacular display of fluorescent minerals; a cave containing yard-long gypsum crystals; and a cluster of amethyst crystals weighing several hundred pounds.
This hall was planned under the scientific direction of curator George Switzer, very ably assisted by associatecurator Paul E. Desautels. Design and construction were by the exhibits staff of the Smithsonian Institution under the supervision of Rolland O. Hower, and by Henry T. Wooley, design architect of General Service Administration.
On the evening of February 5, 1959, Mr. Edmund C. Monell formally opened the Maude Monell Vetlesen collection of Chinese jade carvings of the 16th to the 19th centuries. The dedication ceremony, held in the rotunda of the Natural History Building, was attended by Mr. Richard Nixon, Vice President of the United States and regent of the Smithsonian Institution, the Honorable W[[strikethrough]] y [[/strikethrough]]^[[i]]lie T. ^[[Jr.]] [[Wilie T. Jr.]] Buchanan, Chief of Protocol of the United States, and many other notables.
The collection is housed in a beautifully appointed room, especially designed and built for it, adjoining the gems and minerals hall.
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Some of the outstanding pieces include a chrysanthemum dish of exceptional size (nearly 11-1/2 inches in diameter), carved to extreme thinness in translucent apple-green jade; a massive Imperial altar incense burner and cover of classic design, carved in white jade of exceptionally fine quality; a pair of altar boxes in the shape of the Divine Tortoise, each piece of more than 13 inches long, carved in a deep spinach-green jade; and two Imperial Ju'i, or sceptres, made of gold filigree, and each inset with three large carved jade plaques.
The hall was planned under the direction of Curator George Switzer, the design was by Mrs. Dorothy Guthrie of the Museum exhibits staff, and construction by the Buildings Management Service.
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The Division of Vertebrate Paleontology - As a part of the exhibits modernization program, construction of cases in the hall of fishes and primitive tetrapods is about complete, and a start has been made on installation of the fossil material, with the placing in their cases of the giant fish [[underlined]] Xiphactimus [[/underlined]] and the slab displaying remains of the Triassic amphibian [[underlined]] Eupelor frasi. [[/underlined]] The plans for the age of mammals hall, for exhibition of the Tertiary mammals, have been completed and the exhibits have been removed from the hall in preparation for the new case construction. The exhibits in the hall of Pleistocene mammals, formerly the meteorite hall but scheduled to display Pleistocene animals, have been rearranged, some of the geological specimens retired, and the Tertiary mammal skeletons that were removed from the age of mammals hall have been temporarily interspersed among the Pleistocene materials. The dinosaur hall has not been disturbed except to introduce a small part of the overflow from the other halls.
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Preparation of exhibition materials for the hall of primitive tetrapods and fossil fishes is essentially complete and laboratory personnel in part have started on the preparation and mounting of mammalian skeletons to be shown in the age of mammals hall. Mr. Pearce completed restoration of the composite arthrodire skull and is well along in the preparation for mounting a skeleton of the Eocene horse [[underline]] Orohippus [[/underline]]. A second and younger individual of [[underline]] Orohippus [[/underline]] is being prepared in relief by Mr. Sullivan. This will be displayed in a slab showing the skeleton in the matrix as it was uncovered. Mr. Ott completed mounting the Oligocene horse [[underline]] Mesohippus [[/underline]] and is progressing well with the mounting of the skeleton of another horse, [[underline]] Parahippus [[/underline]], of Miocene age. The skeleton of the Cretaceous fish [[underline]] Xiphactinus [[/underline]] which Mr. Guadagni assembled and prepared has been restored and the finishing touches put on by Mr. Hauschildt. Mr. Guadagni has since repaired an exhibit of [[underline]] Hoplophoneus [[/underline]] and made a cast of the large Brachiosaurus humerus so that a duplicate may be returned to the donor. Since finishing [[underline]] Xiphactinus [[/underline]], Mr. Hauschildt has worked over a number of smaller slabs of fossil fish and made a series of life-size restorations of [[underline]] Coccosteus [[/underline]].
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The Division of Invertebrate Paleontology and Paleobotany.- Renovation of the hall of fossils has started. Last fiscal year this hall was cleared of its specimens and soon afterward the contractors moved in to erect the cases. Construction is completed and work on the individual cases is moving along. At the time of removal of the specimens, planning of the various cases had been going on. At about the time the contractors moved in, the various cases had been planned but script for the cases had not yet been prepared. At the end of this fiscal year the script for nine cases has been prepared and work on several others is under way. Furthermore, the specimens have been selected for the cases on which scripts have been prepared. These cases only include exhibits of invertebrate fossils.
In addition to the work accomplished here at the Museum, two of the cases, Cretaceous and Ordovician habitat groups, have been completed by Mr. George Marchand of Ann Arbor, Mich. He is also at work on two other cases. A total of nine habitat groups is planned.
The exhibit of fossil plants is planned, but none of the script has been written.
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Care of Collections
Division of Minerology and Petrology.- The collections are in good condition for the most part. Some seldom used sections, such as the ore collection and the U.S. Geological Survey rock sets, need cleaning.
Completion of the work of modernizing the gems and minerals hall left a residue of material formerly stored under the cases in the old exhibit hall. This material is being sorted, and everything of value placed in the study collections. A large number of poor quality duplicates of common materials have been disposed of by exchange. The processing of this material will be completed this summer with the help of two summer interns.
Division of Vertebrate Paleontology.- Due to the pressure placed on the laboratory staff by the current exhibition program, almost no time has been available for preparation of materials for study or for care of the collections in general. As a result, the backlog of preparation for the study collection has rapidly mounted as the field collections of the past few years, forming a part of the research program, have been brought in. This backlog consists essentially of the collections mentioned in the curator's annual report for 1957-1958 with the addition of the Permian collection obtained by Dr. Vaughn and the newer fish collections secured this year through gift, purchase, and exchange.
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Division of Invertebrate Paleontology and Paleobotany.- The problem of making inventory for the large amounts of material stored in the corridors, often in two decks up to nine feet, has been carried out during the year with considerable success. Most of the material in the direct control of the Museum staff is now carded and can be located quickly. The gastropod collection has been alphabetized and completely reworked. It is in good condition and all of the specimens readily available.
The gigantic task of sorting the thousands of specimens taken from the Glass Mountains etchings and the preparation of the non-silicified material is now nearly complete. All of the blocks collected for processing have been acidized and only a few drawers of residues need sorting and distribution. Mr. J. L. Connors alternated his cataloging duties with picking the residues for the good specimens and making rough sortings of the picked material. Dr. Cooper took the specimens picked and sorted by Connors and placed them in their proper generic niches.
Cooper prepared all of the pieces containing unsilicified fossils and sorted them into their proper genera. Thus, nearly all of the Glass Mountains material is organized and ready for study.
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Associate curator Richard S. Boardmen had the bryozoan collection minutely searched for type material and reports a considerable increase in the type collection. The type bryozoan collection is now complete and all of the thin-sections of the bryozoans have been put in order.
Dr. Boardman is also in charge of the collection of corals as well as bryozoans. The thin sections of corals have been removed from the slide boxes in which they had hitherto been stored in indifferent order, and have been placed in Lab-Aid flat fire cases in alphabetical order. Many unmarked type slides were recognized and have been placed in the type collection. This work, in addition to the cataloging by Connors mentioned in the 1958 Annual Report, completed the curating of the coral collection. Except for revision of species identification, little needs to be done on this collection.
Similar problems occur in most of the other collections. Associate curator Kier reports starting on a revision of the crinoid and other type echinoderms. When segregated some years ago they were in alphabetical order, but over a period of several years, with no one to watch over them, many of the specimens have been improperly placed. Futhermore, it is now planned to arrange these types alphabetically under the name under which they were described. This involves little label writing and a cross-index system has been devised for ready reference for more modern names of the types. Kier also prepared some Paleozoic echinoids that were received from the U. S. Geological Survey, or had been stored in the stratigraphic collections. The Marr collection of crinoid types and other specimens from the Pennsylvanian of Texas were cataloged and distributed.
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Museum aid Henry B. Roberts is indefatigable in his work in the collections and has done a great deal to organize them and make our specimens readily available. During this year Mr. Roberts either did himself or directed the reorganization of the biological collections of gastropods, monoplacophorans, scaphopods, and "pteropods." These were arranged alphabetically, standard trays were substituted for some of the odd-sized, space-wasting trays inherited from other years, shallower drawers were used where possible to conserve space, and the whole given a more homogeneous appearance.
The same treatment is now being applied to the ostracod collection. This is not a large collection as regards space occupied, but the specimens are so small that the collection is in reality as large or larger than the gastropod collection mentioned above. The specimens are being placed in uniform trays and the specimens arranged alphabetically. The ostracods, because of their small size and heterogeneous arrangement in slides, bottles, vials, boxes and trays, have always been one of the most difficult to use. In the future this will no longer be the case.
Mr. Roberts has spent a great deal of time unpacking a collection of thousands of Tertiary mollusks from New Zealand, purchased during the year. The specimens are most small and numerous, thus requiring much care and time in their handling. Mr. Roberts, with the help of Museum aid Herman, also cleaned, sorted, arranged, and identified a collection of Miocene fossils made last fall. The specimens will be used mostly for exchanges.
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Mr. Edwin Herman joined the Museum staff as a museum aid and has made himself very useful. He and Mr. Roberts have teamed up to attack problems of attic storage. Herman has relabeled many of the drawers in the attic so that the labels give full details of the drawer contents. He has helped in the rearrangement of the gastropod and ostracod collections and has helped in the sorting of field material. He is careful in his work and neat in the arrangements of the collections.
Mr. James L. Connors' work as a cataloger and part time aid has made a great impress on our problems. He is now revising the type collection of trilobites, which has been a difficult one to use because some of the specimens are filed under old names while others have been put away under the most recent generic term. This has caused great confusion; consequently, the collection is being revised to an alphabetical arrangement based on the name under which the specimen was published. Another problem that has deviled the users of this collection is the fact that a large number of non-type specimens have been placed in the type collection. These are being weeded out. When completed the collection will consist wholly of type material. The revision of the trilobite type collection was started by Keith Norlin, a summer intern, but the summer months were too short and the collection too large for him to get beyond a few letters.
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Report of the work in the collections would not be complete without mention of the work of Louis Reed, who joined the staff late in fiscal 1958. Reed helps in moving specimens and trays and has also been given independent work in the collections. He is numbering all of the non-silicified specimens from the Glass Mountains, such as the fusulinid collections, which will be placed in attic storage sometime in the next fiscal year when the numbering is completed. Reed has also helped greatly in some of our clean-up operations, such as washing the material brought in from the field. This work required close attention so that no material becomes mixed with other lots.
In summary, it is possible to say that real progress was made during this year. But many collections remain to receive the same sort of treatment. Furthermore, all of the biological collections are greatly in need of careful scientific work; to identify material not yet studied and to revise older identifications in the light of new studies. This must await the appointment of more staff.
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Investigation and Research
Exhibition problems seriously affected research in the Division of Mineralogy and Petrology, have almost halted research in the Division of Invertebrate Paleontology and Paleobotany, and have halted Dr. Dunkle's efforts and seriously impeded Dr. Gazin's efforts.
Division of mineralogy and petrology.-- Curator George Switzer completed the annual review of the diamond industry, and continued work on a long-term research project dealing with the sulfate and related minerals. Other minerals under investigation by him are paradamite from Mapimi, Mexico, fornacite from Tiger, Ariz., and hambergite from San Diego County, Calif.
Associate curator Edward P. Henderson completed a study of the Jalandhar meteorite. This iron meteorite is reported to have fallen in India in 1621 and was made into a knife which was presented to Emperor Jahangir. Other work in progress includes a study of the geographic distribution of hexahedrites, investigation of the metallic inclusions in iron meteorites, study of the morphology of meteorites, and descriptions of several unstudied or incorrectly described meteorites in the collection.
Associate curator Paul E. Desautels continued a long-range research project on the lead oxychloride minerals from Laurium, Greece, and began work on the description of a new Mexican locality of the rare mineral legrandite.
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Associate curator Roy S. Clarke, Jr., completed chemical analyses of the Casas Grande, Grant, and Boaz meteorites, and continued work on two-long-term projects, a study of the solubility relationships in the four component equilibrium system Na[[subscript]]2[[/subscript]]O-CaO-B[[subscript]]2[[/subscript]]O[[subscript]]3[[/subscript]]-H[[subscript]]2[[/subscript]]O, and a study of methods of chemical analysis for stony and iron meteorites. In addition, he is making chemical analyses of several minerals for other members of the division.
Division of vertebrate paleontology.- The curator, Dr. C. L. Gazin has renewed his investigation of the lower Eocene mammalian faunas of the Knight formation, based on the more extensive collections now at hand. These include materials obtained by the curator's field parties in 1953, 1954 and 1956 from various localities in southwestern Wyoming, supplemented by small collections in Yale and Princeton Universities and in the University of California. Better information is now available on the composition of the faunas and correlation of the several horizons encountered. Relative to this work he completed a paper for the Guidebook of the 1959 field conference of the Intermountain Association of Petroleum Geologists describing the history of paleontological exploration and dating of the early Tertiary formations around the Uinta Mountains.
The curator has also undertaken a study of speciation in the Eocene genus [[underline]] Hyopsodus [[/underline]], based on statistical analyses of comparatively large population samples from various horizons in the lower and middle Eocene and the sparse materials known from the upper Eocene. He has underway, moreover, a study of the relationships of certain groups of Paleocene and Eocene mammals believed to have affinities to the pantolestid insectivores. Heretofore these have not all been included in the same order.
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In November the curator, as part of his research, visited Princeton University and the American Museum. This study trip permitted detailed comparisons, particularly of primates, in the Knight lower Eocene collections of the National Museum with related types in the Big Horn and Wind River Basin collections at these institutions and permitted measurements of extensive series of [[underline]] Hyopsodus [[/underline]] specimens. In June of this year a second study trip to these institutions and to Yale University will further enable the curator to make comparisons between lower Eocene materials and permit study of pantolestid insectivores represented in these collections.
The chemical preparation and serial sectioning of fossil fishes from the Jurassic of Cuba, for studies of the associate curator, Dr. D. H. Dunkle, has been continued throughout the year. The work was greatly furthered with the help of an interne during the summer of 1958. With s similar prospect of help again this summer, it is expected that the sectioning of skulls of all the holostean and halecostome genera involved will be completed by the end of the calendar year 1959.
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In addition to the continuing project, two smaller problems were undertaken. One, completed and published, concerns a beryciform fish from the Oligocene of Florida. The other, which will be ready for publication in the early fiscal 1960, also involves a beryciform fish deriving from Upper Cretaceous rocks of South Dakota, probably referrable to the family Trachichthyidae. These studies were considered of importance because of the key position attributed to the order Beryciformes as an intermediate stage of evolution between the primitive "isospondylous" teleosts and the more advanced acanthopterygian fishes, and because of their heretofore negligible fossil records in the Western Hemisphere.
Research of associate curator Dr. Peter P. Vaughn, during the summer and fall of 1958 involved study of the fauna of the Cutler formation of Upper Paleozoic age in southwestern Colorado, which he had undertaken with Dr. G. Edward Lewis of the U.S. Geological Survey. As a part of this investigation a field trip to the vicinity of Placerville, Colo. to study the physical characteristics of the formation was made in the company of Dr. Lewis. Dr. Vaughn made a study trip to the University of Michigan, the Chicago Natural History Museum and the University of Chicago to study Permian vertebrates in these collections in September, and while at the University of Michigan attended meetings of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology and the Society for the Study of Evolution.
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Invertebrate paleontology and paleobotany.- Preoccupation with exhibition work has seriously slowed the research program of all members of the division. Nevertheless, some substantial progress was made.
Real progress on preparation of manuscript on the Glass Mountains Permian project can be reported. Dr. Richard E. Grant, who is assisting the head curator in this project on an NSF Grant and has no responsibilities for exhibition, has prepared manuscript for about one hundred species. He has completed study of the Strophomenoides and is now engaged with the Rhynchonelloidea, a group of very prolific in genera and species. Cooper has, as yet, been unable to find time to prepare any manuscript on this problem. He has, however, spent considerable time in the sorting of the genera and species and making basic generic determinations.
Associate curator Boardman completed a thorough "Revision of the Silurian Bryozoan genus [[underlined]]Trematopora[[/underlined]]." By preparation of numerous thin-sections, Boardman was able to study the wall structure of 10 species, and thus more closely define the genus and make its characters better known.
In addition to this completed project, Boardman has three others under way: (1) Revision of the genera of the Paleozoic Trepostomatous bryozoans with Nils Spjeldnaes of Norway, who has been working with him. (2) A study of the rhomboporoid Bryozoa of the Hamilton (Devonian) group of New York State. This study will involve the making of many thin sections, a process that goes on continually under his direction. He has this project 40% completed. (3) Finally, the field work in Tennessee and Virginia described above was designed to furnish background and material for a study of the Middle Ordovician bryozoans of the southern Appalachians.
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Associate curator Porter M. Kier completed two projects during the year and has three in various stages of completion. His completed projects include a study of some small echinoids taken from drill holes on Eniwetok and Bikini Atolls. These enabled the dating of the parts of the bore hole that produced the echinoids.
Another completed project is the description of six species of Paleozoic echinoids. These are very rare fossils and usually are complicated to clean and study. Kier prepared his material well and illustrates each species by excellent photographs.
Of uncompleted projects, Kier reports that he is 80% through his study of the Cassiduloid echinoids for the Treatise on ^[[Invertebrate]] Paleontology. His library work is mainly finished, but he must see some additional material in France, where he will go in the fall, to correct this deficiency. The other two projects are in the beginning stages. The first is a restudy of some unusually large, flat echinoids from Carboniferous rocks of Belgium. These involve a great deal of time-consuming preparatory work. The other project is a study of the echinoids of the Ocala limestone of Florida. Some of the material to be used in this study was collected by him on the April field trip mentioned above.
Mr. Henry Roberts has completed two research projects and has two others in progress. He has completed a study of the Upper Cretaceous decapod crustaceans (crabs) of New Jersey and Delaware. The manuscript is to be published by the New Jersey Geological Survey. He also completed a study of Tertiary decapod crustaceans from Oregon and the manuscript will be incorporated in a U.S. Geological Survey report.
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Roberts' uncompleted projects are the Cretaceous crabs of the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal plains, only 20% complete, but the fossil decapod crustaceans from Eniwetok drill holes is 80% finished. Crabs and lobsters are rare fossils and, when fragmentary, make difficult problems.
Dr. R.S. Bassler, research associate, has continued study of the leperditioid ostracods, a large and difficult group. He reports near completion of this work.
Research associate Dr. C. Wythe Cooke has continued has studies of Mesozoic and Tertiary echinoids.
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Work of the illustrator and photographer.- No discussion of the researched performed in the Department of Geology would be complete without an account of the work of Mr. Lawrence B. Isham, scientific illustrator, and Mr. Jack Scott, photographer.
Mr. Isham prepared 541 pencil drawings, 75 pen and ink drawings, and 51 miscellaneous plates, labels, and cards during the year. These drawings were made for members of the department, associate workers, and members of other departments in the Museum.
Mr.Scott made 1,707 negatives and 4,884 prints of fossils, geological specimens, and other items required by the department. He made 2,205 enlargements, 460 photomicrographs, 575 slides (33 mm.), and 353 transparencies (4" x 5"). In addition, many negatives were opaqued, 137 standard lantern slides made and mounted, and 260 prints dry mounted.
The high quality of Isham's drawings of Foraminifera and vertebrate fossils has attracted wide and favorable comment. Scott's productivity and the excellent quality of his pictures have been a boon to the department and to the Institution.
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Research by visiting investigators.- Many students of fossils visited the Museum to study collections or work on special materials. Those visiting the Division of Vertebrate Paleontology were:
Dr. Noemi Cattoi of the Buenos Aires Museum, in addition to examining various Tertiary mammals, made a study of museum procedures in cataloging, storage of collections, and exhibitions of fossil vertebrate materials.
Dr. E. H. Colbert of the American Museum studied our collection of tritylodonts or mammal-like reptiles recently collected from the Kayenta formation of Arizona.
Dr. Coleman Goin of the University of Florida studied the fossil amphibian materials in the National Museum's Jurassic and Cretaceous collections.
Dr. Ernest Lundelius of the University of Texas and Dr. R. A. Stirton of the University of California went over our collection of fossil peccaries and made studies of certain materials pertinent to their separate research problems.
Mr. David C. Roberts of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and Mr. Herbert Winters of the University of California have been making independent studies of our rather large collection of fossil turtles.
Dr. H. E. Wood, II, of Rutgers University studied our Calvert Miocene mammal materials and reviewed the various lower Eocene mammal remains here from the Powder River Basin of Wyoming.
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Outside investigators in Invertebrage Paleontology and Paleobotany included several American and foreign workers:
Drs. A. K. Miller and W. M. Furnish are describing Permian ammonoids from Texas; Dr. R. C. Moore, University of Kansas, is describing collections of Glass Mountains Permian corals, bryozoans and crinoids; Dr. Norman D. Newell, American Museum of Natural History, is describing the large collections of Permian pelecypods from the Glass Mountains; Dr. Roger Batten, University of Wisconsin, is describing pleurotomaris gastropods from the Glass Mountains; and Dr. Harry B. Whittington, Museum of Comparative Zoology, is describing silicified trilobites from the Ordovician of Virginia.
Dr. John Imbrie of Columbia University completed a study of the Protremata (brachiopods) of the Middle Devonian of Michigan.
Foreign geologists working on Museum collections are: Dr. June Phillips on the rhinidictyid bryozoans and Dr. Nils Spjeldnaes is collaborating with Associate curator Boardman on a study of the genera of the Paleozoic trepostomatous bryozoans.
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Field work.- Several parties collected and studied in the field.
Mineralogy and Petrology.- In August 1959 curator Switzer made a collecting trip to various western localities, including the uranium mined in the vicinity of Grants, N. Mex., the borate deposit at Boron, Calif., and the copper mines at Butte, Mont. Material collected was added to the Roebling collection.
Vertebrate Paleontology.- Dr. Peter P. Vaughn made several trips to West Virginia to collect Upper Paleozoic vertebrates. In October Dr. Vaughn joined Dr. G. E. Lewis of the U. S. Geological Survey on an expedition of a few days to study the Cutler formation in San Miguel Canyon and Rico regions, Colorado, as background for a joint description of the Cutler fauna.
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Invertebrate Paleontology and Paleobotany.- In September 1958 a party consisting of the head curator, associate curators Boardman and Kier, Henry Roberts, and three visitors, one from Pakistan, one from Norway, and the other from Australia, spent a day collecting in the Miocene at Plum Point on Chesapeake Bay.
Also in September, associate curator Boardman, accompanied by Dr. Nils Spjeldnaes and Dr. June Phillips went to Nashville, Tenn., where they collected bryozoans from the various Ordovician strata exposed there and in other parts of the Central Basin of Tennessee. After several days they traveled east to the vicinity of Knoxville in east Tennessee where they collected from Ordovician rocks. From here they worked their way northeast through Virginia, visiting important collecting points along the way. This field work was designed to give Boardman background in the stratigraphy of the Ordovician and help him to get needed collections for revisionary work on Ordovician bryozoans.
In early April associate curator Kier and museum aid Roberts traveled to Alabama, Florida, and Georgia in quest of Tertiary echinoids. Although they found high water along many of the creeks, they were, nevertheless, able to collect many fine echinoids. These are to be used by Kier in his revisionary studies of certain genera for the Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology. Aside from a purchase of specimens made some years ago, this is the most substantial collection of echinoids ever made by the Museum.
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In the last two weeks of May a party from the Museum, consisting of head curator Cooper, associate curator Boardman and others, studied and collected the thick sequence of Middle Devonian in central and eastern New York. The object of the expedition was twofold; to collect fossils for the exhibition at some type localities for poorly known species, and to study the facies development of this classical region. Drs. Cooper and Boardman were accompanied by Drs. J. T. Dutro and W. A. Oliver of the U. S. Geological Survey, and Drs. Gertrude Biernat of Warsaw, Poland, Michael House of Durham, England, and Paul Sartenaer of Belgium. This international group had a very profitable time in the hills of New York. Specimens were collected for the exhibition and biological collections.
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Honors.- Curator George Switzer of Minerology and Petrology was appointed United States delegate to the Museums Commission of the International Mineralogical Association. In this capacity he is also chairman of a Mineralogical Society of America committee engaged in the preparation of a directory of mineral collections in the United States. This will be incorporated into a world directory of mineral collections to be published by the International Mineralogical Association.
Dr. Gazin continued to represent the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology as a member of the Earth Sciences Division of the National Research Council and attended general meetings of the Council and the annual meeting of the division in March, and participated in the annual conference of the division in May of 1959. He further continued to serve as chairman of the Eocene subcommittee of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology's Committee of Nomenclature and Correlation of North American Continental Cenozoic.
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Publications
Brown, Roland W. Some paleobotanical problematica. Journ. Paleont., vol. 33, No. 1, pp. 120-124, 1959.
____. A bat and some plans from the Upper Oligocene of Oregon. Journ. Paleont., vol. 33, No. 1, pp. 125-129, 1959.
Clarke, Roy S., Jr. and Cuttitta, Frank. Determination of thallium by a dithizone mixed-color method. analythica Chimica Acts, vol. 19, No. 6, pp. 555-562, 1958.
____. with Altschuler, Z. S. and Young, E. J. Geochemistry of uranium in apatite and phosphorite. U.S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 314-D, pp. 45-90, 1958.
Cooke, C. Wythe. Pleistocene shorelines in Maryland. Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., vol. 69, No. 9, pp. 1187-1190, 1958.
Cooper, G. Arthur. Presidential address: The science of paleontology. Journ. Paleont., vol. 32, No. 5, pp. 1010-1018, 1958.
Desautels, Paul E. The National collection of gems and minerals. The Lapidary Journ., vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 4-10, 1959.
Dunkle, David H. Three North American Cretaceous Fishes. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 108, pp. 269-277, pls. 1-3.
____. [Activities of the Division of Vertebrate Paleontology.] Soc. Vert. Paleont. News Bull., Nov. 55, pp. 13-14, 1959.
Dunkle, David H., and Olsen, Stanley J. Description of a beryciform fish from the Oligocene of Florida. Fla. Geol. Surv., Special Publ., No. 2, Paper No. 2, pp. 1-20, figs. 1-4, 1959.
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Gazin, C. Lewis. A review of the middle and upper Eocene primates of North America. Smithsonian Misc. Coll., vol. 136, No. 1, pp. 1-112, 1 charge, pls. 1-14, 1958.
____. Paleontological discovery in Panama. Discovery, vol. 19, No. 8, pp. 316-317, 1958.
____. A new dichobunid artiodactyl from the Uinta Eocene. Breviora, Mus. Comp. Zool., Nov. 96, pp. 1-6, 1958.
Henderson, E.P. and Furcron, A.S. Forged meteorite from Cave Spring, Georgia. Georgia Mineral Newsletter, vol. 11, Nov. 3, pp.86-91, 1958.
Hotton, Nicholas, III. Morphological relationships of the chorda tympani in living and fossil tetrapods. The Anatomical Record, vol. 132, No. 3, p. 457, 1958.
____. [[underline]] Acroplous vorax [[/underline]], a new and unusual labyrinthodont amphibian from the Kansas Permian. Jour. Paleont., vol. 33, No. 1, pp. 161-178, pl. 28, 1959.
____. The pelycosaur tympanum and early evolution of the middle ear. Evolution, vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 99-121, figs. 1-6, tables 1-3, 1959.
Imbrie, John. Brachiopods of the Traverse Group (Devonian) of Michigan. ^left margin [[9]] Pt. I. Dalmanellacea, Pentameracea, Strophomenacea, Orthotetacea, Chonetacea, and Productacea. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., vol. 116, art. 4, pp. 349-409, pls. 48-67, 1959. (Describes many new genera and species)
^[[Geol]]
39
Kier, Porter M. New American Paleozoic echinoids. Smithsonian Misc. Coll., vol. 135, No. 9, 26 pp., 8 pls., 1958.
____. Permian echinoids from West Texas. Journ. Paleont., vol. 32, No. 5, pp. 889-892, 1958.
____. Infrabasals in the crinoid Opsiocrinus Kier, Contrib. Mus. Paleont., Univ. Michigan, vol. 14, No. 13, pp. 201-206, 1959.
Switzer, George. Thirty-third annual report on the diamond industry, 1957. Jewelers' Circular-Keystone, vol. 128, 15 pp., 1958.
Vaughn, Peter P. On the geologic range of the labyrinthodont amphibian [[underline]] Eryops [[/underline]]. Journ. Paleont., vol. 32, No. 5, pp. 918-922, 1958.
____. On a new pelycosaur from the lower Permian of Oklahoma, and on the origin of the family Caseidae. Journ. Paleont., vol. 32, No. 5, pp. 981-991, 1 text-fig., 1958.
____. [Activities of the Division of Vertebrate Paleontology.] Soc. Vert. Paleont. News Bull., No. 54, pp. 18-20, 1958.
Table 1
Department of Geology
Fiscal Year 1959
[[underline]] Total Specimens in Custody and Cataloging Backlog [[/underline]]
[[begin table]]
[[underline]]
| | 1959 Actual | 1960 Estimate | 1961 Estimate |
| Divisions and Department Totals | No. of Specimens in Custody | No. of Specimens Uncataloged | No. of Specimens in Custody | No. of Specimens Uncataloged | No. of Specimens in Custody | No. of Specimens Uncataloged |
[[/underline]]
| I. P. P. | 12,240,991 | 9,339,804 | 12,265,991 | 9,341,804 | 12,290,991 | 9,343,804 |
| M. & P. | 373,517 | 1,145 | 376,517 | - | 379,517 | - |
| V. P. | [[underline]] 44,027* | 10,628 | 44,737 | 10,828 | 45,427 | 11,028 | [[/underline]]
| | 12,658,535 | 9,351,577 | 12,687,235 | 9,352,632 | 12,715,935 | 9,354,832 |
[[end table]]
* Including transfer of 200 specimens from the Division of Mammals previously accessioned
[begin page]
Table 2
Department of Geology
Fiscal Year 1959
[[underline]] Accessioning and Cataloging Statistics [[underline]]
[[begin table]]
[[underline]]
| | | Accessioning Statistics | | | Cataloging Statistics | |
| Divisions and Department Totals | No. of Specimens Accessioned 1959 Actual (new) | No. of Specimens Accessioned 1960 Estimate | No. of Specimens Accessioned 1961 Estimate | No. of Specimens Cataloged 1959 Actual | No. of Specimens Cataloged 1960 Estimate | No. of Specimens Cataloged 1961 Estimate |
[[/underline]]
| I. P. P. | 133,948 | 25,000 | 25,000 | 27,121 | 23,000 | 23,000 |
| M. & P. | 4,543 | 3,000 | 3,000 | 3,398 | 4,145 | 3,000 |
| V. P. | [[underline]] 579* | 700 | 700 | 369 | 500 | 500 | [[/underline]]
| | 139,070 | 28,700 | 28,700 | 30,888 | 27,645 | 26,500 |
[[end table]]
* Including 4 plaster casts, but not including transfer of 200 specimens from the Division of Mammals
[end page]
Table 3
Department of Geology
Fiscal Year 1959
[[underline]] Specimens Acquired and Distributed [[/underline]]
[[table with 7 columns, columns 3, 4 & 5 split into 2 subcolumns each]]
[[column headings]]
| Divisions & Dept. Totals | No. of Acc. (transac's) 1959 (new) | No. Spec. Rec'd on Loan | *No. of Specs. Exchanged with other Institutions Cataloged | [[*No. of Specs. Exchanged with other Institutions]] Actual No. | *No. of Specs. Gifts to Educational Institutions, etc. Cataloged | [[*No. of Specs. Gifts to Educational Institutions, etc.]] Actual No. | *No. of Specs. Transferred to other Agencies (Gov't.) Cataloged | [[*No. of Specs. Transferred to other Agencies (Gov't.)]] Actual No. | *No. Specs. Lent for study to Investigators & Institutions |
[[/column headings]]
| I. P. P. | 114 | - | 1,700 | 1,700 | 12 | 12 | 48 | 48 | 5,542 |
| M. & P. | 254 | - | 405 | 808 | 0 | 298 | 1 | 202 | 670 |
| V. P. | 25 | - | 19 | 19 | 9 | 9 | - | - | 331 |
[[lines indicating addition]]
| | 393 | - | 2,124*** | 2,527** | 21*** | 319** | 49*** | 250** | 6,543 |
[[/table]]
* Only material recorded on shipping invoices included
** Actual number of specimens recorded on shipping invoice
*** Cataloged specimens only deducted from total specimens in custody
Table 4
Department of Geology
Fiscal Year 1959
Specimens Identified
[[underlined]]No. Transactions Total No. Specimens Involved No.Specimens Identified[[/underlined]]
Recorded in Registrar's 757 5,996 5,848 Office (E & R)
Recorded in Divisions 1,552 4,094 4,074 only (E & R)
USNM specimens identified 5,492 during year
Total No. specs. identified [[overlined]]2,309 10,090 15,414[[/overlined]]
^[[Geol]]
Department of Geology
Management Report of the Head Curator
Fiscal Year 1959
The special needs of each of the divisions is considered in the management reports of those units. Some matters are more the concern of the Head Curator and should be discussed here.
[[underline]] Grade increase of the Head Curator's secretary [[/underline]].- One of the urgent needs in the Smithsonian is an upgrading of all of the stenographic and secretarial help. Some progress was made in the case of some clerk-stenographers, but no progress is apparent with the head curators' secretaries. Papers were sent through channels requesting promotion of Miss Mildred Joseph, Department of Geology, on the grounds that her duties over the years have so widened, and that her responsibilities for the management of the office of the Head Curator have so expanded that she can no longer be properly graded as a secretary (stenography). Miss Joseph shares many of the responsibilities of the Head Curator's office with the Head Curator, and her position is indispensable to a proper functioning of the department. It is my conviction that her title is more properly that of an administrative assistant, because the large percentage of her work (60 - 70%) directly helps the Head Curator in the departmental management. An early consideration of her case, and the papers outlining it which were submitted many weeks ago, is respectfully requested.
[[underline]] New positions needed [[/underline]].- Additional assistance is urgently needed to help free the research scientists from the shackles of routine and preparation.
Head Curator's Office.- Stenographic or clerical help is greatly needed in the office of the Head Curator, either to help with the backlog of work in the departmental library, or to relieve Miss Joseph of some of the clerical duties in order that she may give more time to the library.
^[[Geol]]
2
Division of Mineralogy and Petrology.- A need for more stenographic help in this division is obvious. The addition of the Hope Diamond and the opening of the gorgeous mineral collection has catapulted this division into a position of great prominence. The result has been a great increase in the examination and report material submitted, a great invasion of visitors with specimens and questions, and many more letters to answer. Mineralogy and Petrology receives more visitors than the other divisions combined. Besides this increase in routine, the division now has four active men but only one secretary (stenography) to cope with the work. Miss Barbara Roerig has made a valiant effort to do the work alone, and received an award for her efforts. But this cannot continue. It is doubtful if one stenographer can serve four active scientists. The remedy for this situation is the assignment of an additional stenographer to the department to help where needed, or add a clerk-typist to the Division of Mineralogy and Petrology.
Division of Vertebrate Paleontology.- For some years Dr. Dunkle has been accumulating Jurassic fishes from Cuba and other places that have great research possibilities, because they are not known anatomically and their preservation invites close study. In order to obtain the information needed, the skulls must be sectioned serially and each section painstakingly studied and recorded. Inasmuch as hundreds of sections may be needed through one skull, the time required for this research is staggering. If Dr. Dunkle is to do this without assistance, he cannot possibly complete his studies in his lifetime. He is in urgent need of a full-time assistant to help him with this work. I recommend that provision be made for an assistant to help him with the fishes, an assistant to work under his direction and spend full time on his work only. This work requires a different and
^[[Geol]]
3
specialized approach than that of the exhibits preparators, and the work is not so diverse. The exhibit workers' varied skills would be lost if assigned to Dunkle; the solution is a full-time worker, possibly a woman.
Invertebrate Paleontology and Paleobotany.- The appointment of Dr. Richard Cifelli to the post left vacant by the resignation of Dr. Alfred R. Loeblich, Jr., brings to life the question of an assistant to spend full time on the collection of Foraminifera. After the insistent and frequent arguments offered by Dr. Loeblich and myself on this subject, it seems hardly necessary to go into a lengthy demonstration of the need for this position. Dr. Loeblich left tons of material that must be washed and sorted, if the collections are to be made useful. In addition to this, it is anticipated that Dr. Cifelli, if he is to be effective at all. will lead parties into the field to collect his own research material. All of this will need to be processed. To expect this tedious and time-consuming work of the curator is unrealistic and unfair. I recommend that a GS-5 museum aid position be set up to hire an assistant to help Dr. Cifelli, the assistant to work full time for him.
[[underline]] Promotions [[/underline]] .- In the next fiscal year promotions for Mr. Grover Moreland, GS-7, and Mr. Gladwyn B. Sullivan, GS-5, are recommended. The former has proved himself a superb technician and a wide-awake worker. He has recommended many improvements in the shop, all of which have led to efficiency and better work. He has undertaken many difficult tasks and is ripe for advancement.
Mr. Sullivan has improved to the point where he undertakes more and more difficult assignments and is ready to move up.
^[[Geol]]
4
[[underline]] Research time [[/underline]] .- As Head Curator, I am father confessor for the scientists in the divisions. To a man these complain over a lack of research time. Biological and stratigraphic work are now so detailed and exacting that it is difficult to be an effective research man and a useful curator at the same time. For a man to turn out adequate research, he must either devote his own time to the research, or neglect his curating. Either course is not a healthy one. The job of each man should be so regulated that he have at least half of his time for research, and most of the other half for curating. A possible solution of the problem is more museum aids, or the development of assistant curators whose primary duties will be the curating of the collections and attention to examination and reports and other routine matters.
The Smithsonian Institution evidently takes great pride in research accomplishment. But, if good research is to continue, the Smithsonian must make it possible to do research as a part of the job rather than on bootlegged time or by personal sacrifice.
[[underline]] Dual jobs [[/undelrine]] .- After three years as Head Curator, I am now convinced that the idea of having a head curator occupy a dual role is wrong. This again means stolen time to get necessary jobs done, frustration and inefficiency. The Head Curator should devote at least half of his time to being the administrative head of the department and the other half to his research. In the case of the Division of Invertebrate Paleontology and Paleobotany, this is one of the most difficult jobs in the Museum, by virtue of its connection with the U.S. Geological Survey and the enormous size of the collections. Relationships with the men of the Geological Survey are complicated and delicate. They also require much time in consultation and considerable understanding of both organizations. This curatorship is,
^[[Geol]]
5
then, a full time job in itself, with many facets requiring time and tact.
The head curatorship is also a full-time job, if the incumbent is to ne familiar with the work of all its members, both scientific and otherwise. A head curator cannot be effective unless he knows his staff; he cannot be effective if he does not study each job to see that promotions to higher grades when merited are recommended; he must also study the workings of each division for proper staffing, for efficient functioning and many other matters. These, too, are full-time tasks.
The head curator is often the senior man of a department and, as such, usually has more collections and more research under way than the younger men. The head curator as an experienced man in his field should not be so overburdened with the routine administration of two offices that he can no longer do any research except at the sacrifice of his own time, thus prejudicing his health and home. It is often the case that the higher the administrative job, the quicker a good scientist loses his status in research. The Smithsonian Institution cannot afford to have their researchers fall behind as scientists. I recommend, therefore, that the curatorship of Invertebrate Paleontology and Paleobotany be restored. This will improve the management of the department and its principal division.
^[[M&P]]
Annual Report
Division of Mineralogy and Petrology
Management report 1958-1959
It is becoming increasingly obvious that the routine business of the Division of Mineralogy and Petrology can no longer be efficiently conducted without the assistance of a full time typist. Occasional part time help from a typist during the past year helped reduce the back log, but as soon as help was withdrawn it quickly built-up.
The absolutely essential routine work of the office has reached a constant heavy level that is much greater than one person should be expected to handle. There is every reason to believe that this load will not only remain at this level, but that it will more than likely continue to increase.
There are a number of factors that have contributed to the greatly increased work load. Several of these are listed below:
1. Greater public interest in gems and minerals as a result of rapid growth of the earth sciences hobbies in the past ten years.
2. Greater public interest in gems and minerals occasioned by our new exhibits and the resulting publicity.
3. Greatly increased interest on the part of both the scientific and general public in meteorites.
4. A great increase in requests for information from mineralogists, geologists, physicists, and chemists in government, industrial, and university laboratories.
2
5. A great increase in the number of taxpayer samples received for examination and report.
6. A recent increase in the size of the professional staff of the division (from two to four) has resulted in a sizeable increase in the amount of correspondence conducted. Under present conditions only the most urgent matters can be given proper attention. Much of the routine business of the office is accomplished only after lengthy delays. A number of essential functions of the division, such as follow-up letters on loans, have been neglected in the past year because it is physically impossible for one person to handle the work. It is respectfully requested that a full time clerk-typist be assigned to the division.
Annual Report Division of Mineralogy and Petrology 1958 - 1959 Accessions
The year 1958-1959 was highlighted by two accessions of great importance, the Hope Diamond and the Vetlesen Collection of Chinese Jade Carvings.
A total of 4,543 specimens in 254 accessions(1,444 specimens in 126 accessions in 1957-1958) were added to the collections. Of these 1,962 were gifts, 1,077 exchanges, 1,359 transfers from other government agencies, and a collection of jade consisting of 145 pieces was received as a bequest.
The Hope Diamond.- This legendary diamond, largest and most notable of all blue diamonds in the world, was presented to the Smithsonian Institution on November 10, 1958 by Mr. Harry Winston, world-famous gem merchant of New York.
The Hope ranks in importance with other famous diamonds, such as the Kohinoor, Cullinan, and Regent found only in the Crown Jewels of Europe. In fact, because of its long and dramatic history, and its rare deep blue color, the Hope is possibly the best known diamond in the world.
^[[M&P
1959]]
2
Though its early history is not known with certainty, the legends attached to the Hope date back many hundreds of years. Speculation ties the Hope to the famous "French Blue," once the eye of an idol in India, later part of the Royal Jewels of Louis XIV of France. Mr. Winston acquired the Hope from the estate of the late Mrs. Evalyn Walsh McLean of Washington in 1949. It was presented to Mrs. McLean by her husband, Edward B. McLean, in 1911. Its known history, prior to the McLean purchase, dates from 1830 when David Eliason, a noted gem dealer, sold the stone to Henry Thomas Hope, an Irish squire and banker. The stone was shown at the London Exposition in 1951. In 1867 it was sold at Christie's in London. It was acquired in 1908 by the Sultan Habib Bey, but after the Young Turks Revolt it was again placed on the market, and purchased by McLean in 1911.
The Vetlesen Jade Collection.- One of the world's finest collections of Chines jade carvings was presented to the Smithsonian Institution on February 5, 1959. The collection, made over a period of many years by Mrs. Maude Morell Vetlesen of New York, was presented on behalf of her estate by her son and executor, Mr. Edmund C. Monell.
The collection comprises 130 pieces, carved in one or the other of the two jade minerals, nephrite or jadeite. Each piece is of superb quality. Some specimens date from the Ming Dynasty, but most are from the Ching Dynasty (1644-1912).
^[[M&P]]
Minerals.- Many fine and rare minerals were received as gifts from individuals. Among the important gifts are: Genthelvite, Colorado, from Glenn R. Scott; opal, Nevada, from Mark Bandy; jade, Burma, from Martin L. Ehrmann; milky quartz crystals, Colorado, from E. M. Gunnell; gorceixite, French Equatorial Africa, from Mahlon Miller; spangolite, Arizona, from Arch Oboler; and clinohedrite and roeblingite, New Jersey, from John S. Albanese.
Many excellent mineral specimens were received in exchange. Outstanding among these are: A fine group of huebnerite crystals from Colorado; rhodochrosite from Montana; exceptionally fine crystals of the rare mineral phosphophyllite from Bolivia; datolite from Connecticut; and a large sphalerite crystal from Missouri.
Newly described species received in exchange were: Jagoite from Sweden; vandendriesscheite from Australia; eskolaite from Finland; p-veatchite from Germany; dalyite from Ascension Island; and bonchevite from Bulgaria.
Material received as transfers from other government agencies included: Thirty-five specimens of uranium ores from various western United States localities, from the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission; and ningyoite, a new mineral from Japan, from the U.S. Geological Survey.
^[[M&P]]
4
Roebling collection:- One thousand one hundred and twenty-eight specimens in 61 accessions were added to the Roebling collection by purchase from the Roebling fund and by exchange. Among these the following are outstanding: A collection of two hundred forty-nine specimens of exceptional rarity and quality, all from classic central European localities; a fine large crystal of phosphophyllite from Bolivia; a crystal of beryl, variety aquamarine, from Brazil; bikitaite from Southern Rhodesia; an unusually large mass of thorite from Colorado; danburite from Mexico; and four tourmaline crystals from Mozambique.
Canfield collection:- Eighty-four specimens in nine accessions were added to the Canfield collection by purchase from the Canfield fund. Among these were several of outstanding exhibition quality, including proustite from Chile; spodumene from Brazil; pyrite from Colorado; euclase from Brazil; smoky quartz from Switzerland; and cyrtolite from Colorado.
An important collection of seventy-two specimens of rare minerals from Franklin, New Jersey, was also added to the Canfield collection during the year.
Gems:- In addition to the previously mentioned Hope diamond and Vetlesen Collection of Chinese jade carvings, several other important items were added to the gem collection.
^[[M&P]]
5
Gems acquired for the Isaac Lea collection by purchase from the Chamberlain fund include: A 10.8 carat kornerupine from Madagascar; an 18.5 carat golden sphalerite from Utah; a colorless zircon from Ceylon, weighing 48.2 carats; a star garnet sphere weighing 67.3 carats, from Idaho; and a 43.5 carat sinhalite from Ceylon.
Received as gifts were: A 19.7 carat scapolite cat's eye, Burma, from Martin L. Ehrmann; and a jet bracelet, England, from Mrs. George P. Merrill.
Several outstanding gems were acquired by exchange. They are: A 73.3 carat sphalerite from Utah; a fine reddish brown zircon from Thailand weighing 105.9 carats; an unusually large and fine precious topaz from Brazil weighing 129.1 carats; an exceptional golden sapphire from Burma weighing 92.5 carats; and a 19.8 carat yellow apatite from Mexico.
A very fine statuette of the Chinese goddess Kwan-Yin carved in mauve jade, was received as a transfer from the General Services Administration.
Meteorites.- Several important additions to the meteorite collection were received as gifts. They are: Ladder Creek, Kansas, from Argonne National Laboratory; Vera, Santa Fe, Argentina, from Lorenzo Orestes Giacomelli; Belle Plaine, Kansas, from Professor Walter Scott Houston; Idutwa, Cape Province, South Africa, from Dr. Edgar D. Mountain; Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, from Dr. C. C. Patterson; Hoba, South Africa and Black Moshannan Park, Pennsylvania, from the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia; and Sikhote-Alin, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Academy of Sciences.
^[[M&P]]
6
The following meteorites were added to the Roebling collection: Vaca Muerta, Chile; Zacatecas, Mexico; Mocs, Romania; Ergheo, Italian Somaliland; and Hawkinsville, Georgia; Pasamonte, New Mexico; Lake Murray, Oklahoma; and Murray, Kentucky.
Meteorites received in exchange include: Sixteen meteorites from various localities in Australia; Twin City, Georgia; Seligman, Arizona; Bosna-Ozren, Yugoslavia; and Dimitrovgrad, Serbia.
^[[M&P
Mineralogy & Petrol 1959 (Division Report).]]
7
Exhibition
On the evening of July 31, 1958, Mrs. W. F. Foshag, wife of the late head curator of Geology, Dr. W. F. Foshag, cut a ribbon to formally open the newly modernized Hall of Gems and Minerals to the public.
Exhibits in this hall include the most extensive collection of gems on display in this country, and a large and representative sampling of specimens from the nation's mineral collection, which is the world's finest.
Nearly every variety of gem is represented. Among them are: A 316 carat star sapphire; a 18.3 carat canary yellow diamond; a 66 carat alexandrite; and a 310 carat peridot. The last two are the largest gems ever cut from these stones.
The feature exhibit in the gem room is the Hope Diamond, spotlighted against a dark red velvet background in a centrally located, specially designed case.
Also shown in the gem room is a set of pearls consisting of a necklace, choker, and earrings given by the Iman of Muscat to the U.S. Government; the original gold nugget which set off the California gold rush, discovered at Sutter's Mill in 1848 by James Marshall; and the world's largest flawless crystal ball, a sphere almost 13 inches in diameter and weighing 106 3/4 pounds.
^[[M&P]]
8
The mineral section of the new hall contains examples of all of the principal mineral species, arranged according to a chemical classification, selected and lighted to make a vivid display of their natural beauty and color. Featured among them is a fine large specimen of smithsonite, a carbonate of zinc named for its discoverer, James Smithson, founder of the Smithsonian Institution.
Other features of this section of the hall include a spectacular display of fluorescent minerals; a cave containing yard long gypsum crystals; and a cluster of amethyst crystals weighing several hundred pounds.
This hall was planned under the scientific direction of Curator George Switzer, very ably assisted by Associate Curator Paul E. Desautels. Design and construction were by the exhibits staff of the Smithsonian Institution under the supervisition of Rolland O. Hower, and by Harry T. Wooley, design architect of the General Services Administration.
On the evening of February 5, 1959, Mr. Edmund C. Monnell opened formally the Maude Monell Vetlesen Collection of Chinese Jade Carvings of the 16th to the 19th centuries. The dedication ceremony, held in the rotunda of the Natural History Building, was attended by Mr. Richard Nixon, Vice President of the United States and Regent of the Smithsonian Institution, the Honorable Wylie T. Buchanan, chief of Protocal of the United States, and many other notables.
The collection is housed in a beautifully appointed room, especially designed and built for it, adjoining the Gem and Mineral Hall.
^[[M&P]]
9
Some of the outstanding pieces include a chrysanthenum dish of exceptional size (nearly 11 1/2 inches in diameter), carved to extreme thinness in translucent apple-green jade; a massive Imperial altar incense burner and cover of classic design, carved in white jade of exceptionally fine quality; a pair of altar boxes in the shape of the Divine Tortoise, each piece more than 13 inches long, carved in deep spinach-green jade; and two Imperial Ju'i, or sceptres, made of gold filigree, and each inset with three large carved jade plaques.
The hall was planned under the direction of Curator George Switzer. Design was by Mrs. Dorothy Guthrie of the Museum's exhibits staff, and construction by the Museum's Buildings Management Service.
^[[M&P
1959]]
10
Care of Collections
The majority of the collections are in good condition. Some seldom used sections such as the ore collection and the U.S. Geological Survey rock sets, need cleaning.
Completion of work of modernizing the Gem an Mineral Hall left a residue of material formerly stored under the cases in the old exhibit hall. This material is being sorted, and everything of value placed in the study collections. A large number of poor quality duplicates of common minerals have been disposed of by exchange. The processing of this material will be completed this summer, with the help of two summer interns.
^[[M&P
1959]]
11
Investigation and Research
Curator G. Switzer completed the annual review of the diamond industry, and continued work on a long term research project dealing with the sulfate and related minerals. Other minerals under investigation by him are paradamite from Mapimi, Mexico, fornacite from Tiger, Ariz., and hambergite from San Diego County, Calif.
Associate Curator E. P. Henderson completed a study of the Jalandhar meteorite, an iron meteorite reported to have fallen in India in 1621 and made into a knife and given to Emperor Jahangir. Other work in progress includes a study of the geographic distribution of hexahedrites, investiation of the metallic inclusions in iron meteorites, study of the morphology of meteorites, and descriptions of several unstudied or incorrectly described meteorites in the collection.
Associate curator Paul E. Desautels continued a long range research project on the lead oxychloride minerals from Laurium, Greece, and began work on the description of a new Mexican locality of the rare mineral legrandite.
Associate Curator Roy S. Clarke, Jr., completed chemical analyses of the Casas Grande, Grant, and Boaz meteorites, and continued work on two long term projects, a study of the solubility relationships in the four component equilibrium system Na20-Ca0B203-H20, and a study of methods of chemical analysis for stony and iron meteorites. In addition he is making chemical analyses of several minerals for other members of the division.
^[[M&P]]
12
Curator G. Switzer was appointed United States delegate to the Museums Commission of the International Mineralogical Association. In this capacity he is also chairman of a Mineralogical Society of America committee engaged in the preparation of a director of mineral collections in the United States. This will be incorporated into a world director of mineral collections to be published by the International Mineralogical Association.
In August 1958 Curator Switzer made a collecting trip to various western localities, including the uranium mines in the vicinity of Grants, N. Mex., the borate deposit at Boron, Calif., and the copper mines at Butte, Mont. Material collected was added to the Roebling collection.
Associate curator E. P. Henderson made a trip to Harvard and Yale Universities, and the American Museum of Natural History, to study the meteorite collections. Associate Curator Paul E. Desautels made a trip to the same institutions to examine the mineral collections.
Curator Switzer and Associate Curator Desautels attended the annual meeting of the Mineralogical Society of America in St. Louis in November 1958.
Mineralogical materials for research purposes were furnished to investigators in many U. S. Government agencies, industrial laboratories, and universities.
^[[M&P]]
Division of Mineralogy and Petrology
[[displayed as table with two columns under each year]]
Total Specimens in Custody and Cataloging Backlog
1959 Actual
Number of Specimens in Custody: 373,517
Number of Specimens Uncataloged: 1,145
1960 Estimate
Number of Specimens in Custody: 376,517
Number of Specimens Uncataloged: --
1961 Estimate
Number of Specimens in Custody: 379,517
Number of Specimens Uncataloged: --
[[start of new table - displayed as table with three columns under each heading]]
Accessioning and Cataloging Statistics
Accessioning Statistics
No. Spec. Acc. 1959 Actual (new): 4,543
No. Spec. Acc. 1960 Est.: 3,000
No. Spec. Acc. 1961 Est.: 3,000
Cataloging Statistics
No. Spec. Cat. 1959 Actual: 3,398
No. Spec. Cat. 1960 Est.: 4,145
No. Spec. Cat. 1961 Est.: 3,000
Division of Mineralogy and Petrology
[[displayed as a table with multiple columns]]
Specimens acquired and distributed - Fiscal 1959
No. of Acc. (transactions) 1959 (new): 254
No. Specs. Received on Loan: --
*Number of Specimens exchanged with other institutions:
- Cataloged Specimens: 405***
- Actual Number: 808**
*Number of Specimens gifts to Educational Institutions, etc.:
- Cataloged Specimens: 0 ***
- Actual Number: 298 **
* Number of Specimens transferred to other Government Agencies:
- Cataloged Specimens: 1***
- Actual Number: 202 **
* Number of Specimens lent for study to investigators and institutions: 670
*Include only material recorded on shipping invoices
**Actual number of specimens recorded on shipping invoices.
***Cataloged specimens only deducted from total specimens in custody.
[[second table]]
Specimens identified, Fiscal Year 1959
Recorded in Registrar's Office(E. and R.)
- Number of transactions: 543
- Total Number of Specimens Involved: 3,935
- Number of Specimens Identified: 3,886
Recorded in Division only (E. and R.)
- Number of transactions: 870
- Total Number of Specimens Involved: 2,184
- Number of Specimens Identified: 2,178
USNM specimens identified during year:
- Number of transactions:
- Total Number of Specimens Involved:
- Number of Specimens Identified: 100
Total number of specimens identified fiscal year 1959.:
- Number of transactions: 1,413
- Total Number of Specimens Involved: 6,119
- Number of Specimens Identified: 6,164
^[[This is original rept]]
ANNUAL REPORT
1912-1913
[[UNDERLINED]] THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.[[/UNDERLINED]]
^[[By W.N. Holmes]]
^ [[underlined]][[new page]][[/underlined]] 1
^[[This is Mr. Holmes' original rept.]]
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART, ^[[ 1912-13]] ^[[By W.N. Holmes. Curator.]] Accessions.
The permanent accessions for the year are 10 in number, 8 being gifts (6 oil paintings and 2 pastels) and 2 bequests (oil paintings). The loan
accessions are 12 in number and include 16 oil paintings, 1 water color drawing, and 2 marbles.
Additions to the William T. Evans collection (gifts) are as follows: "The Meadow Brook," oil painting by Charles Paul Gruppe; (Acc. 54300).---" The Mourning Brave," oil painting by Edwin Willard Deming; (Acc. 54527).--- "The Fur Muff," oil painting by Robert David Gauley: (Acc. 55113). --- "Water Lilies," oil painting by Walter Shirlaw; (Acc. 55218).--- "Castle Creek Canyon, South Dakota," oil painting by Frank De Haven; (Acc. 55525) - "Suffer the Little Children to come unto Me," pastel by
2
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.
Accessions.
Otto Walter Beck; (Acc. 54939, part). --- "Christ before Pilate," pastel by Otto Walter Beck; (Acc. 54939, part).
Other accessions are as follows: "Death Preferred," oil painting (panel) by J. Van Lerius, lent by Mrs. Frances E. Musgrave, 15605 22d St., N.W., Washington, D.C.; (Acc. 54679). --- "Sheep," oil painting by Eugene Verboeckhoven, 1853; and "Alpine Landscape," oil painting by Hillner; lent by Mrs. Abercrombie-Miller, 2201 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C., through Walter R. Tuckerman; (Acc. 55186).l --- "The Emperor," oil painting by Carroll Beckwith, 57 West 45th St., New York City, lent by the artist; (Acc. 55392). --- Portrait of Henrietta Maria, oil painting by Janssens; portrait of Mrs. Rouse, oil painting by Sir Peter Lely; portrait of Mrs. Nicholas
[[begin page ]]
3
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.
Accessions.
Bosley of Hayfields, Md., oil painting by Thomas Sully; lent by Thomas M. Chatard, M. D., 1716 Rhode Island Ave., N.W., Washington, D. C.; (Acc. 55415). --- "Versailles," oil painting (panel) by Constant Wauters and "Military Review," water color by Edouard Detaille lent by the Hon. George P. Wetmore, 1609 K St., N.W., Washington, D. C.; (Acc. 55504). --- "Madonna and Child," oil painting by Perugino, and "Saint Michael," oil painting Guido Reni; lent by Rev. F. Ward Denys, 1733 I St., N. W., Washington, D. C.; (Acc. 54980). --- Portrait of Joseph Tuckerman, D. D.; oil painting (panel) by Gilbert Stuart, 1808, lent by Walter R. Tuckerman, 1219 Connecticut Ave., N. W., Washington, D. C.; (Acc. 55046). --- Copy of Murillo's "Beggars," oil painting, lent by Mrs. Henry Wells, 1640 21st St., N. W., Wash-
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4
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.
Accessions.
ington, D. C.; (Acc. 55514). --- "The Wreck," oil painting by Harrington Fitzgerald, 28 South 7th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, presented by the artist; (Acc. 55518). --- Portrait of Rembrandt, oil painting (panel) attributed to himself, lent by Benson B. Moore, Mt. Rainier, Maryland; (Acc. 55556). --- Portrait of Henry Clay, oil painting by Jean Baptiste Adolphe Gibert, lent by Watterson Stealey, Washington Herald, Washington, D. C.; (Acc. 55281). --- Portrait of Col. Albert B. Brackett, U. S. A., oil painting by G. P. A. Healy, bequest of Mrs. Rose T. Brackett, through The AMerican Security & Trust Co., Executor, Washington, D. C.; (Acc. 54940). --- "Tomb of Mahomet the Gentleman" at Broussa, Turkey-in-Asia, oil painting executed for
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5
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.
Accessions.
Mrs. Elizabeth C. Hobson by Hamdy Bey in Constantinople in 1884, bequest of Mrs. Hobson through Mrs. Richard G. Lay, 1829 M. St., N. W., Washington, D. C.; (Acc. 54616). --- "Twilight after Rain," oil painting by Norwood Hodge MacGilvary, presented in memory of Eloise Lee Sherman, by Frederic Fairchild Sherman, 2 West 45th St., New York City; (Acc. 55200).--- "Love Conquers," and "Cupid Caged," oil paintings by John J. Peale, lent by Mrs. James Maginn, 2731 Broadway, New York City; (Acc. 54809, part).--- Two marbles: "Cordelia," (bust), attributed to Harriet Hosmer, and "Esmeralda," (full length, height 41 inches), by Romanelli, lent by Mrs. Florence A. Ebbs, 2162 Florida Ave., N. W., Washington, D. C.; (Acc. 54643).
6
^[[Newhage?]]
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.
Care of the Collections.
The numerous accessions for the year were received and promptly cared for. A few paintings for which no immediate provision could be made in the Gallery were hung temporarily in such rooms as were available for the purpose. All paintings permanently acquired were photographed and glazed and when considered advisable, the frames were repaired and regilded. Four paintings belonging to the Gallery remain unglazed on account of their great size, and a large number of canvasses, belonging to the loan collections, are also unglazed. Labels were supplied where not originally provided. The available wall space in the Gallery was fully occupied at the close of the year but room could still be made for additional
7
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.
Care of the Collections.
works by displacing inferior examples. Space also becomes available at times due to the withdrawal of loan collections by their owners.
The following paragraphs recite certain matters pertaining to the work of the Gallery during the year:
Mr. Francis D. Millet, Chairman of the Smithsonian Advisory Committee for the National Gallery of Art, lost his life in the wreck of the Titanic, April 15, 1912, and his place was filled during the year by the appointment of Mr. C. Y. Turner, Director of Maryland Institute Schools of Art and Design, Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Turner's appointment is dated April 15, 1913.
There are certain features of Gallery affairs which do not directly concern the curator but as Secretary of
8
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.
Care of the Collections.
The Advisory Committee, he may properly mention the activities of that committee during the year. These include reports on one tendered bequest and two gifts. The will of Mr. Riter Fitzgerald, of Philadelphia, provided that under stipulated conditions, numerous works of art were to become the property of the Institution. Mr. C. Y. Turner was requested to advise with respect to acceptance and reported that a few of the paintings might be regarded as acceptable, the main body, however, being of undesirable grade. Final action in the matter was pending at the close of the year. An oil painting, entitled "The Wreck," by Harrington Fitzgerald, offered as a gift was passed upon by the Advisory Committee and accepted. Mr. Frederic Fairchild Sherman of 2 West 45th St., New York City, signified his desire to present to
9
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.
Care of the Collections.
the Gallery a painting entitled, "Twilight after Rain," by Norwood Hodge MacGilvary, as a memorial to his deceased daughter, Eloise Lee Sherman. Mr. Edwin H. Blashfield of the Advisory Committee was asked to examine the work and report regarding it. Although not greatly impressed with the character of the work, Mr. Blashfield advised acceptance and the painting has been added to the Gallery.
During the year four Gallery paintings were copied under permission duly granted: "The Valley Farm," by John Constable, copied by Miss Eleanor Harrison, 1464 Rhode Island Ave., Washington, D. C.; permit dated Dec. 2, 1912. "The Mirror," by Robert Reid, "Return to the Fold," by Louis Paul Dessar, and "October Day," by Frank A. Bicknell, copied by Mrs. Eloise Polk McGill,(P. O.
10
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.
Care of the Collections.
Box 15a,) Bradley Lane, Chevy Chase, Maryland; permit dated Nov. 13, 1912.
In April, the curator was requested by the Assistant Secretary in charge of the Museum to represent the National Gallery at the annual convention of the American Federation of Fine Arts, to be held in Washington May 15-16, 1913. The curator attended the meetings, taking such part as was found desirable. The particular feature in which the Institution was concerned was the exhibit of Museum photographs for which interior and exterior views of both the old and new National Museum buildings were furnished.
A feature of exceptional interest indirectly connected with the activities of the Gallery was an exhibition of the Kuwabara collection 100 Ukiyo-ye paintings (Japanese). These were shown in room 39 for a number
11
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.
Care of the Collections.
of weeks and attracted much attention.
On urgent request of the President of the Consumers' League of the District of Columbia, Mrs. H. W. Wiley, a portrait of Mrs. Belva Lockwood, painted by Miss Nellie M. Horne, of Boston, was exhibited in the National Museum during inaugural week. It remained on view in the foyer of the new museum building during the month of March. In accepting the picture the stipulation was made that it should be removed from the building early in April; the Committee of the League, however failed to carry out this stipulation and at the end of the year the painting is in storage in the Museum.
During the year the marble allegorical statue, entitled, "Il Penseroso" (Acc. 21433), the work of Joseph Mozier (1813-1870), was removed from the division of
12
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.
Care of the Collections.
geology in the old building and installed in the foyer of the new museum.
In a letter dated July 12, 1912, Mr. Arthur T. Hill requested that his painting, entitled, "After a Storm, Amagansett," recently added to the Evans collection, receive certain specified attention on account of the delicate nature of the mediums in which it was painted. His instructions were compiled with in every respect and a typewritten copy of his instructions was pasted on the backing of the picture.
An oil painting of George Washington, attributed to Stuart, turned over to the Institution some years ago by the Interior Department and hung temporarily in the regents' room, was hung in the Gallery during the year. The following statement is pasted on the
13
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
Care of the Collections.
back of the picture: "Department of the Interior, September 29, 1903. Dictated by W. B. A. to M. M. W. This oil painting - one of a number of Washington, executed by the Artist Stewart - formed a portion of the collection of Washington relics purchased by authority of Congress from the Lee heirs. All the Washington relics so purchased were transferred from the old model hall of the Patent Office, with the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, to the custody of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, with the exception of this portrait of Washington, which has been held in the Interior Department, and has been presumably been in the Secretary's room ever since. For papers relative to the matter, see Old Files in P. & M. Div., Office of the Secretary, Room 23." On the
[[begin page]]
14
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.
Care of the Collections.
stretcher written (antique script) in ink is the following: "To Lorenzo Lewis," and "Genl. Geo. Washington, first President of the U. States, 1803."
During the year the following loan works were removed from the Gallery on request of their owners:
Eighteen paintings lent by Mrs. James Lowndes, 1615 Massachusetts Ave., N. W., Washington, D. C., as follows: Portrait of Mr. James Lowndes, by George B. Butler; Portrait of Mr. Charles Lowndes; Portrait of Mrs. Charles Lowndes; Child, by Copley; Portrait of Mrs. Oliver Wolcott, wife of the Secretary of the Treasury under Washington; Portrait of MRs. George Gibbs, by Lazarus; Portrait of Mrs. Gracie; Portrait of Cardinal Ventivoglio, attributed by Van Dyck;
[[end page]]
15
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.
Care of the Collections.
Portrait of a Young Abbott, said to be by Mignard; Portrait of N. Menager, Minister to the Congress of Utrecht, by Sir Godfrey Kneller, 1714; Portrait of a Youth in Costume, attributed to Gainsborough; Portrait of George Washington, copy by Jane Stuart of the original in the Athenaeum, Boston, painted by her father, Gilbert Stuary; The Good Sister, by Highes Merle; Battle Scene, by Eugene Fromentin; Landscape by W. T. Richards; Girl Tying up a Ine, by J. L. Hamon; and two paintings on glass by Anna Barbara al Esch, 1731; (Acc. 54161). -- Five paintings lent by Mrs. W. Mirray Crane, 1507 K St., N. W. Washington, D/ C/ as follows: Portrait of Philip IV of Spain, School of Velasquez; Venice, by Canaletto;
Canal Scene, by Guardi; and two landscapes by Richard Wilson; (Acc. 54160). --- Ten paintings lent by Mr. H.
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16
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.
Care of the Collections.
C. Perkins, 1701 Connecticut Ave., N. W., Washington, D. C., as follows: Portrait of the Countess of Clermont, by Sir Joshua Reynolds; Portrait of the Earl of Mulgrave, by Sir Thomas Lawrence; Portrait of a Boy, by John Hoppner; Portrait, by Sir William Beechey; Girl, by John Opie; A Cottage Scene, by Ladbrooke; Landscape, by Meindert Hobbema; Portrait of a Dutch Lady, by Michael Jansz Mierevelt; Portrait of a Dutch Lady, by Jan Victoors; and Madonna and Child, attributed to Van Dyck; (Acc. 54162). --- Four paintings lent by Mrs. Steven B. Ayres, 1620 Massachusetts AVe., N. W., Washington, D. C., as follows: Autumn on Long Island, water color, and three oil paintings, by George Traver, entitled Autumn, Landscape, and Litchfield, Elms; (Acc. 52976).
[[end page]]
^[[New page]]
17
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.
Specimens on hand June 30, 1912.....................
Received during year ending June 30, 1913........... 30
Specimens distributed during the year............... 37
The accessions are divided as follows: ( 7 oil paintings.
8 Gifts......... ( 2 pastels.
12 Loans.........( 1 water color. (16 Oil paintings. ( 2 marbles.
[[underline]] 2 [[/underline]] Bequests...... [[underline]] 2 [[/underline]] oil paintings.
--- ---
22 Accessions. 30 specimens.
pp. 1-15.
R.R. Aug 11 1916
^[[Rec'd & Ack'd Aug. 11/16]]
^[[Copy made for]]
^[[1916 Rep. MD]]
Annual Report
1915-1915
National Gallery Of Art
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.
Accessions. The permanent accessions for the year are 4 in number; one being a transfer from the State Department, consisting of 82 drawings by eminent contemporary French artists (Acc. 59014); and three gifts, as follows: A portrait of Abraham Lincoln by George H. Story, from Mrs. E.H. Harriman, 1 East 69th Street, New York City (Acc. 59431; gift).--- A collection of studio properties formerly belonging to the late Eliphalet Fraser Andrews, artist, from Mrs. Andrews, "Vauxcleuse," Theological Seminary, P.O., Virginia, as a memorial to her husband (Acc. 59821; 44 specimens; gift).--- Bronze bust, miniture of Oliver Cromwell, from Mrs. John Russell Young. 1513 L Street, N.W., Washington, D. C. (Acc.59826; part; gift). The temporary accessions are as follows: An oil painting entitled "Klingle Ford, Rock Creek" by Max Weyl, lent by Mrs. Emma J. Smith, 1511 Rhode Island Avenue, N.W., Washington, D. C. (Acc. 58899).--- A portrait of Albert Pike by S. Jerome Uhl, lent by R.P Tolman, U. S. National Museum (Acc. 59149).---
A portrait of Major General John P. Van Ness by Gilbert
[[end page]]
2
Stuart, lent by Van Ness Philip, "Talavera," Claverack, New York. (Acc. 59182).--- Two oil landscapes, one by Peter M. de Wint and the other by John Constable, from the estate of the late A. J. Parsons, through the Hon. Herbert Putnam, Executor, Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. (Acc. 59349).--- An oil landscape by Diaz, lent by Dr. C. C. Galloway, 926 17th Street, N.W., Washington, D. C. (Acc 59589).--- Oil painting "The transit of St. Joseph" attributed to Murillo or to Meneses Osorio, a disciple of Murillo, lent by Mr. F. A. Pezet, 2223 R Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. (Acc. 59678).--- Oil painting, "Elf Ground" by George Inness, lent by Mrs. George L. Andrews, 1847 Columbia Road, Washington, D.C. (Acc. 59803).--- A marble statue of "Lady Macbeth" by Elizabet Ney, lent by Mrs. Joseph D. Dibrell (trustee of the statue) Seguin, Texas, on behalf of the Texas Fine Arts Association and Elizabet Ney Museum, Austin, Texas (Acc. 59944).--- Thirty-six oil paintings, portraits, figure subjects and landscapes, lent by the artist, Wallace Bryant, 480 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts (Acc. 59952).--- Twenty-five oil paintings lent by Mr. Ralph Cross Johnson, 1735 I Street, N.W., Washington, D. C. (Acc. 59871).
[[end page]]
3
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.
Care of the Collections.
The accessions for the year were received, cared for an installed as usual, and the permanent accessions were photographed. Numerous changes were made in the arrangement of the paintings and statuary largely due to the introduction of new gifts and loans.
The installation and labeling of the paintings and statuary were attended to with particular care and at the close of the year the Gallery walls are entirely filled, presenting an exceptionally attractive appearance.
[[end page]]
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THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
Special Exhibitions.
Two extensive exhibits of art productions of various classes from the American Federation of Arts, lent through Miss Leila Mechlin, Secretary, The Octagon Building, Washington, D.C. The first of these displays was held in the central foyer of the Museum May 13, 1915 to September 15, 1915, the second was installed May 17, 1916, and closed June 17, 1916.
Although these exhibits added considerably to the burden of the curators concerned, they may be regarded as of great value to the general public and at the same time a desirable Museum enterprise.
An exhibition of 34 models submitted in the competition for the Francis Scott Key Memorial at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland, was held from May 17 to June 17, 1916. This, however, did not in any way come under the official care of the Curator of the National Gallery.
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5
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.
The following were lent for special exhibition.
Two paintings by Ralph Albert Blakelock (from the Evans Collection) "At Nature's Mirror, " and "Sunset, Navarro Ridge, California Coast," were sent to The Reinhardt Galleries, care of Henry Reinhardt, 565 Fifth Avenue, New York City. (Returned to the Gallery).
"The Mysterious Woods," by Roswell M. Shurtleff (from the Evans Collection), was lent for a memorial exhibition of the works of this artist held at the Lotus Club, New York City, from January 12th to 26th, 1916. (Returned to the Gallery).
Two paintings: "Caresse Enfantine," by Mary Cassatt, and "A Gentlewoman," by J. Alden Weir (from the Evans Collection), were lent to the American Federation of Arts for exhibition in various cities. (Returned to the Gallery).
The painting entitled "[[crossed out]] The [[crossed out]] [[handwritten]] An [[handwritten]] Interlude," by William Sergeant Kendall (from the Evans Collection), which was lent to the American Federation of Arts for exhibition at the Worcester Art Museum, Worcester, Massachusetts, was further retained by the Federation and set to Nashville, Tennessee, to be shown during the summer in the Parthenon in Centennial Park,
[[end page]]
6
where it is to be allowed to remain until September 20th, 1916.
From the collection of paintings by contemporary foreign artists deposited by the American Federation of Arts (Acc. 58479), five sendings were made, including all of the paintings under that accession. All but seven of these paintings have been returned to the Gallery. The distributions and returns are as follows:
To Mrs. Clarence P. Dodge, College Art Gallery, Colorado Springs, Colorado, fifteen paintings:
The Monument by W. Dacres Adams.
Portrait of the Family of Aman-Jean by Edmond Aman-Jean.
October: The River Course near Montreuil Sur-Mer by S.J. Lamorna Birch.
Anniversary by Jacques Emile Blanche
By the River by Stephen Bosznay
Garden by Max Clarenbach
Port of Douarnenez, Brittany by Charles Cottet
The Rainbow by Sr. Alfred East
Schloss Monrepos by Herman Gohler
A Memory of the Tyrol by Julius Paul Junghanns
The Governess by Laura Knight
Moonlight after Rain by B. Eastlake Leader.
The Author by Rene Xavier Prinet
Mrs. Penelope Wheeler by George Sauter
Autumn Day by Willy Sluiter
All of these have been returned to the Gallery, except "The Author" by Rene Xavier Prinet. The painting, "The Governess," of this sending, was returned to the Gallery in bad condition and was then forwarded to Budworth &
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7
Sons for repairs at the expense of the Insurance people, and later returned to the Gallery.
To W.S. Budworth & Sons, 424 West 52nd Street, New York City, "The Red Sofa," by John Crealock. (Returned to the Gallery).
To Mrs. Charles Scheuber, Carnegie Public Library, Fort Worth, Texas, five paintings, [[underlined]] none [[underlined]] of which have been returned to the Gallery, as follows:
The Chalk Quarry by Bertram Priestman
Hilda and Maggie by George Spencer Watson
The Village of Labastide by Henri J.G. Martin
Ducks on the Bank by Franz Grassel
Evening: Junipers in Winter, "by Ludwig Dill
To M. Knoedler & Co., 556 Fifth Avenue, New York City, "The Ford," by Gaston La Touche. (Not returned to the Gallery).
To The John Herron Art Institute, Indianapolis, Indiana, care, William Coughlen, Secretary, the painting by Alexander Jamieson, entitled "Silence." (Returned to the Gallery).
[[end page]]
8
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.
Distributions. At the request of Colonel John Biddle, Corps of Engineers, West Point, New York, the portraits of Major John Biddle, U.S. Army, and of his wife, Eliza Bradish Biddle (Accs. 56998 and 56997, respectively) were returned to him. To Mrs. George W. Vanderbilt, 162 K Street, N. W., Washington, D. C., were returned upon request, the two paintings by Edouard Manet entitled: "Rouviere in the Role of Hamlet," and "Le Repos." (Part of Acc. 57942). The twenty-three oil paintings deposited last year by Mr. W. A. Slater (Acc. 58282), were withdrawn by him - three in November, 1915, and 20 in January, 1916. These were again placed in the Gallery in May, 1916, with the exception of "The Mill," by Hobbema, which was temporarily sent elsewhere to be repaired, the frame only coming to us. Thirteen oil paintings (Accs. 58257 and 58341) were withdrawn by Mr. Ralph Cross Johnson, 1735 I Street, N.W., Washington, D. C. The oil painting entitled "From Hiawatha," by Thomas Moran, was withdrawn by Mr. Ralph Howell, 612 17th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. (Acc. 53373)
[[end page]]
9 The Honorable George P. Wetmore, Newport, Rhode Island, withdrew "Versailled," by Constant Wauters (part of Acc. 55504).
10
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.
Copies and Reproductions.
The oil painting entitled "Christmas Morn," by Will [[crossed out]] E [[crossed out]] [[handwritten]] H [[handwritten]] Low, from the Evans Collection was lent to the Messenger Publishing Company, 22 Quincy Street, Chicago, Illinois, for reproduction in color. This was done at the request of the artist, endorsed by Mr. William T. Evans. The painting has been returned to the Gallery.
Miss Margaret Craig, 1901 G Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., obtained permission to copy the painting by Hugo Ballin entitled "The Lesson." The copy was completed in September, 1915.
Mr. G. A. Leavitt, General Land Office, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C., was permitted to copy the painting by Charles Paul Gruppe, belonging to the Evans Collection, entitled "The Meadow Brook." Copy was completed in May, 1916.
On request of the Pan American Union, permission was grated Harris & Ewing to photograph the painting "Full Moon" by Helsby, a gift to the Gallery from the Chilean Embassy, and the photograph was taken on August 11, 1915.
Photographs of paintings were furnished upon request in several cases notably of sketches by French artists, to the American Federation of Arts, for reproduction in Art and Progress (Vol. 7, No. 1, Nov., 1915).
11
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.
Work of the Advisory Committee.
Early in the year, 1915, it was learned from Mr. Jerome Connor, sculptor, that he has a commission to execute a statue of Robert Emmet, which is intended for presentation to the National Gallery. The preliminary work in miniature was, on request of the the Assistant Secretary, inspected by Paul W. Bartlett, and George J. Zolnay, sculptors, both of who submitted favorable reports. The work, which is to be in bronze, is now in hand, but no statement as to the possible date of completion has been made.
A letter from Edwin H. Blashfield, sculptor, dated April 14, 1914, conveyed the information that William R. O'Donovan, sculptor, had completed a bust in bronze of General Joseph Wheeler, to be presented to the National Gallery of Art. In May, 1914, the Advisory Committee, was asked to examine the work and reported favorably on its acceptance, but up to the close of the present year the presentation has not taken place.
In March, 1916, the Advisory Committee reported adversely on the acceptance of the painting of the ship William P. Frye, offered by John Eliot, Administrator of the Waldron estate, P. O. Box, 1652, New York City.
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12
In April, 1916, the Committee was called upon to report on the acceptance of one or more of three paintings, two landscapes, by Frank Mathewson and Eliot Clark, respectively, and a portrait of Benjamin Klopman, as a gift from Frederic F. Sherman. The works were found to be not quite up to the Gallery standard and were not recommended for acceptance.
13
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.
Miscellaneous
In January, 1915, the Curator was informed that a self-portrait of Benjamin West, which hangs in the Senate library committee room in the Capitol, might possibly be obtained for the Gallery. The painting was inspected and found to be a most excellent work and entirely suitable for Gallery exhibition. However, no steps have been taken looking toward its possible transfer.
14
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.
Distributions.
Works on hand June 30, 1915......................
Received during year ending June 30, 1916........ 198
Works distributed during the year................ 26
The 14 accessions are divided as follows: (Paintings................ 1
3 Gifts................(Bronze bust.............. 1 (Miscellaneous............ 44
1 Transfer, French sketches...................... 82
10 Loans................(Paintings............... 69
___ (Marble statue........... 1
14 Accessions. ___ Specimens-------198
September 14, 1918.
Mr. W. H. Holmes,
Curator, National Gallery of Art,
United States National Museum.
Dear Mr. Holmes:
I beg to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of your report of the National Gallery of Art for the year ending June 30, 1918, transmitted with your letter of September 12.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) W. de C Ravenel
Administrative Assistant.
[[stamped]] WdeCR Sep 12 1918 [[/stamped]]
[[preprinted]]
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
WASHINGTON, D. C.
[[/preprinted]]
September 12, 1918.
Mr. W. de C. Ravenel,
Acting Secretary,
Smithsonian Institution.
Dear Mr. Ravenel:
I beg to submit herewith the Report of the National Gallery of Art for the year 1917 - 1918.
Yours very truly,
[[signature]] W H Holmes [[/signature]]
Curator,
National Gallery of Art.
ANNUAL REPORT
1917-1918
[[underlined]] THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART. [[/underlined]]
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
Accessions, 1917-1918.
Accessions of art works for the year were inferior in importance to those of preceding years and changes have been few in the installation of the Gallery. The most noteworthy event of the year was an exhibit of the works of Mr. Joseph Pennell, a catalogue of which is appended.
The accessions for the year are as follows: The Eddy bequest comprising 140 objects; four gifts comprising 8 objects; one tranfer comprising 2 objects; and seventeen loans comprising 170 objects.
The permanent accessions are: The bequest of Mrs. Mary Houston Eddy, through her executors, The American Security and Trust Company, Washington, to be known as the "A.R. and M.H. Eddy Donation," comprising 12 paintings, 12 miniatures, 9 ivory carvings, a Limoges enamel, "Diana Pardoning Io," a marble bust, a bronze statue, and miscellaneous art objects, 140 pieces in all; portraits in oil of M. Boris Bakhmeteff, the first Ambassador to the United States from the Russian Republic, and of Mr. Frank B. Noyes, president of the Associated Press and editor of the Washington Star, gift of the artist, Ossip Perelma; a portrait of Vinnie Ream (Hoxie), painted by G.P.A. Healy, presented by Brigadier General R. L. Hoxie, U.S. A., retired; a marble statue of "Puck" by
2.
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
Accessions, 1917-1918.
Harriet Hosmer, executed in 1856 ('with dark marble pedestal) presented by Mrs. George Merrill, of Washington; two miniatures, one of Napoleon I and one of Marie Louise, by Isabey, 1811, and two old English silver snuff boxes, received through Mrs. E. Cuyler Wright, Lander, Maryland, as a gift from the heirs of William Cost Johnson; from the Commission of Fine Arts by transfer, two large models (by G. C. Curtis, sculptor, Boston, 1902) of the parking scheme for the city of Washington proposed by a Commission appointed by the Senate Committee on the District of Columbia.
The loans are as follows: From Mrs. George G. Parke, Norfolk, Virginia, four portraits, --one of Mrs. Elliott, one of Mrs. John O'Donnell, her daughter, and one of Mary O'Donnell, granddaughter, painted by Charles W. Peale about 1800, and the fourth a portrait of George Washington by C. Polk, 1792; from Mrs. Lela M. Chapman, Washington, D. C., an oil portrait by Gilbert Stuart, of Mrs. Henrietta Auchmuty, wife of Robert Nichols Auchmuty; from Miss Lucy Stuart Fitzhugh, Washington, D. C., portraits by Sir Peter Lely, of Arthur Spicer and of his wife, Mary Brockenbrough Spicer; from Dr. Edgar Thompson, Medical Inspector, U. S. Navy, an oil painting attributed to Cimabue, entitled "Don Giovanno Rilgar;" from Charles L. Glover, Washington, D. C., a panel, "The Annunciation," attributed to Fra Angelico; from Mr. Hobart Berrian (with
3.
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
Accessions 1917-1918.
the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe) through Mr. De Lancey Gill, an oil painting, "Salome with the Head of John the Baptist," artist undetermined; from the Rev. Dr. F. Ward Denys, Washington, D.C., an oil painting, "Gathering Flowers," by E. Keyser, 1890; from the estate of Henry Ulke through Mr. Titus Ulke, Washington, D.C., two oil portraits Ludwig van Beethoven, 1875, and Ulysses S. Grant, 1876, by Henry Ulke; a landscape in oil, "Clearing up" in the Berkshires, by James Henry Moser, from Mrs. James Henry Moser, Washington, D.C.; from Mrs. G.L. Hitchcock, Washington, D.C., a collection of Capo di Monte porcelains, bronzes, etc., 20 specimens; from Edward Trenchard, Babylon, N.Y., an oil painting, "Sea, Sand and Solitude", by Edward Trenchard; from Mrs. G.B. Willis, Alexandris, Virginia, a water color, "The Spirit of the Sphinx," by the American painter, Henry Bacon, done in Egypt, 1897; a bust in Carrara marble, being a copy of Luigi Guglielmi, of the head of the Antinous of the Capitoline Museum, Rome; and "Virginia Virgo," (a young girl) in Carrara marble, by Sir Moses Exekiel, Rome, 1897; from Mrs. Allen M. Sumner, Washington, D.C., a representation in marble of the clasped hands of Dr. and Mrs. Allen M. Sumner, by John A. Jackson, Sculptor, Florence, Italy, 1869; from Lieut. Commander W. W. Smyth, U.S. Navy, and Mrs. Smyth, an
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
Accessions, 1917-1918.
antique marble urn with decorative carvings, which was formerly owned by Stephen Girard.
[[right upper corner, handwritten in pencil 5.]] 5.
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
Distributions, 1917-1918.
Twenty-one paintings by Contemporary Foreign artists (loan collection of the American Federation of Arts, Acc. 58479) were sent for special exhibition to the Randolph-Macon Woman's College, Lynchburg, Virginia. These have been returned to the care of the National Gallery.
The following paintings and other art works have been withdrawn by their owners: The oil portrait of Henry Clay by Jean Baptiste Adolphe Gibért (Acc. 55281), at the request of the owner, Mr. Watterson Stealey, was forwarded to the Anderson Galleries, Chicago, Illinois; oil painting, "The Trapper," lent by George C. Treat (Acc. 58011), at the request of Mr. Treat was shipped to Mr. A. Winship, Boston City Club, Boston, Mass.; the water color entitled "Military Review" by Edward Detaille (part of Acc. 55504) was withdrawn by the Hon. George Peabody Wetmore.
The three special exhibits of the year were returned to the exhibitors: A collection of 108 lithographs and etchings (Acc. 61826) to Mr. Joseph Pennell; a series of architectural drawings, etc., (Acc. 62136, 42 items) to Charles Mason Remey; and the colored design for the proposed new building of the Army Medical Museum (Acc. 62116) to the Office of the Surgeon-General, War Department.
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THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
Lent by the Gallery for Outside Exhibition, 1917-18.
At the request of the Secretary of the American Federation of Arts, Miss Leila Mechlin, the twenty-one paintings by Contemporary Foreign Artists lent to the National Gallery by that Federation, were sent to Lynchburg, Virginia for exhibition at the Randolph-Macon Women's College there during March and April, 1916. These paintings have been returned to the Gallery.
[[handwritten in pencil, upper right hand corner 7.]] 7.
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
Special Exhibitions, 1917-1918.
The exhibition of a large collection of paintings by Ossip Perelma continued over from the preceding year, and three special exhibitions of art works were held, --November 1 to 24, 1917, a collection of 99 lithographs and 9 etchings illustrating war work in Great Britain and the United States, by Joseph Pennell, were exhibited by Mr. Pennell; during March and April, 1918, a painting of the proposed new building for the Army Medical Museum and Library executed by members of the art department of that Museum was exhibited by the Office of the Surgeon-General; in March, 1918, a series of architectural drawings by Charles Mason Remey, being preliminary designs showing varying treatments in different styles of architecture of the proposed Bahai Temple to be built on the shore of Lake Michigan at Chicago, Illinois, was exhibited by Mr. Remey.
Miss Olmsted: -
Please add this to the gallery report where Mr. Holmes has referred to it.
& oblige
LAR
Smithsonian Institution
United States National Museum
The National Gallery of Art
Catalogue of an Exhibition of Lithographs of War Work in Great Britain and the United States by Joseph Pennell
Introduction and Explanatory Notes by the Artist
November 1 to 24, 1917
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Washington Government Printing Office
1917
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Smithsonian Institution
United States National Museum
The National Gallery of Art
Catalogue of An Exhibition of Lithographs of War Work in Great Britain and the United States by Joseph Pennell
Introduction and Explanatory Notes by the Artist
November 1 to 24, 1917
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Washington
Government Printing Office
1917
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INTRODUCTION
I have never passed such an interesting -- such an exciting -- such a varied year in my life--and besides this I hope I have been able to accomplish something--in my work which shall show one phase of the Wonder of the World's Work of to-day. I was honored a year ago by being permitted by the Right Hon. David Lloyd-George to make drawings in the various factories and works and shipyards which were engaged in War Work in England, and the records of what I saw were published as lithographs in War Work in England, a previous volume in this series. Now, though I do not believe in war I do not see why some pictorial record of what is being done to carry on the war should not be made--made from an artist's standpoint--for we are in it, being in the world, but I am not of it.
When my work in England, or as much of it as I was allowed to do, was finished and exhibited I was invited by the French Minister of Munitions, M. Albert Thomas, to visit and make studies of similar subjects in that country. Owing to a combination of unfortunate circumstances--though I went to France once during the summer of the year--I was unable to get anything of importance. This was my fault or my misfortune. I failed, and the memory of my failure will haunt me and be a cause of regret to me all my life, unless I am able to wipe out my failure in another visit to France; but though I failed to make any drawings, my records of the subjects I was so freely shown--I was shown on my two visits many subjects which were supremely interesting, and could I have drawn them, had I been able to do so, would have been worth doing. Not only
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this, I was taken to the front, which was not, what I saw, picturesque from my point of view, and also taken to see some of those parts of France which have been fought over, some of the towns which have been destroyed, and some of the land which is desolate. Then I came home, for I believe the place for an American at the present time is at home, and on my arrival I was authorized to make records similar to those I had made in England and had failed to make in France. What I have done in the United States is shown on these walls.
I have had more opportunities of seeing what is being done in war work in England, France, and the United States than anyone else--and in a fashion that no one else has been permitted to see--war in the making. Yet I do not do these drawings with any idea of helping to win the war, but because for years I have been at work--from my earliest drawings--trying to record Wonder of Work and work never was so wonderful as it is to-day, and never had any one such facilities--such aid, such encouragement given him to record its wonder--and by the Governments of the three great countries which are engaged in this incredibly horrible, absolutely unnecessary war.
Not only have I seen the Wonder of Work in these three lands to-day--but before the war I saw it in Belgium, Germany, and Italy. I have drawn it everywhere, save in Luxembourg, and there, too, I have seen it--but made no drawings--for it was so easy to get to that land--and so that country was put off for a more convenient season-a season I fear which will never come again. I am not going to make comparisons--but I am going to say that the Wonder of Work is more wonderful in the United States than anywhere else in the world to-day.
It is the working of the great machinery in the great mills which I find so inspiring--so impressive--for the mills are shrines of
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war--though the churches now try to rival them. But the mills are the modern temples, and in them and not in the churches do the people worship. And if only the engines turned out more engines of peace--how much better would the world be--but everything made in a war factory is made to destroy and to be destroyed--only one must not think of that; if one did, the war would stop, and not everyone wants it to stop--or it would stop. But war work in America is the most wonderful work in the world and that is the reason why I have drawn some of the work I have seen--seen in these endless looms of time, where history is being woven, and I have also seen the aeroplanes and the camps and the shipyards and all are amazing.
I want to thank the Secretaries of the Navy and of War--Mr. Daniels and Mr. Baker--Mr. Creel, and the other members of the staff of the Committee on Public Information, and the various heads of the various departments of the Navy and Army, who stood my pestering and querying and obtained for me permission to visit every industrial establishment I wanted save one--naturally that was in my own city. And above all I wish to thank the man who made the whole work possible--Dr. F. P. Keppel. I should like to thank and mention by name the various officials, Government and civilian, who gave me every facility to see and to draw everything I wished--but we are at war, and I am not permitted to say where these drawings were made, and if I mentioned the names of some of the directors of these works, the places in which I made the drawings would be known. As it is, I imagine many of them are pretty well known already, but the work that is being done in them deserves to be known and shown to the people and this is the reason why I made the drawings.
Joseph Pennell.
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CATALOGUE.
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The British Series.
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1. THE IRON MINE.
Away off in the hill, but near the sea, is this great gulf fixed - a great gash-- and in this is the mine, like the open mines of America, though no longer worked. But all around and about are others working, from which ore is taken, while all the hills are crowned by shafts to-day bringing up more ore than ever before.
2. THE COAL MINES.
Up above the new munition town, seen amid the smoke, is the old colliery town, and above that the shafts of the mines. As I drew, a corporal's guard came upon me. Had I my papers? It was in a prohibited area. "I never dare to stir without them --I sleep with them. And what credentials have you?" "Only them dirty rags," said he, pointing to his uniform.
3. IN THE LAND OF IRON AND STEEL.
A land of mist and mystery in the morning, of glitter and glare at noon, of fire and fury at night. For work never ceases in the Land of Iron and Steel. The furnaces stand in long rows on each side, a mighty avenue lined with towers and castles; beyond, the river of work; and beyond that, more work castles and work palaces.
4. MAKING PIG IRON: THE BASE OF THE BLAST FURNACES.
Across the great work avenue, half filled with plots, not of flowers but patterns of cooling metal, are other furnaces seen amid rising smoke and steam.
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5. FROM THE TOPS OF THE FURNACES.
A subject like one seen from the top of a skyscraper--only that is soundless, this is endless sound. From the skyscraper you look down on little dots of men; here on trains and cranes. And as you look a charge is emptied into the furnace--and a whole place bursts into flame, trembles, roars, then sighs and dies away. Always down below the little figures wheel barrows and push carts. And one day as I talked to a foreman, a lady workman in pants, who must have been the champion of her hockey club, came up, set down her barrow, and said: "Mr. Superintendent, a boy has been grossly rude to me. What shall I do?" "Why, Laidee, 'it 'im over the 'ed with 'af a brick out cher barrer." And she went her way.
6. THE BIG GATE OF THE BIG SHOP.
Though the proportions might be better, this simple dignified entrance to the Work Temple is as fine as though it were covered with carving, and the feeling of mystery within as great as when the cathedral doors open at the end of mass.
And though there was no music, there came forth the endless roaring of the Looms of War. Instead of acolytes were workmen, and in solemn procession the great ladles filled with fire moved to and fro, and the great cranes stalked about; their drivers popes under their umbrellas.
7. THE GREAT TOWER: PIG IRON.
From the blast furnaces the iron is brought to this yard, and carried by the cranes to the floor where I sat, to be seized by the great tongs and jaws, which were moving about behind me, and thrust into the furnaces and turned into steel - a flaming, roaring cavern, so bright that the furnace men wore colored goggles, so hot they buried themselves in their buttoned-up coats. It was not a pleasant place to work in.
8. WITHIN THE FURNACES.
After the pig iron is melted in the long rows of furnaces, they are tapped, and the liquid fire runs into the great ladles; and then the
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great cranes, with their two great claws, pick up the ladles and carry them off, and pour the molten metal into crucibles, where it cools into ingots.
9. THE CAULDRONS.
Another type of furnace, another system, for all these furnaces, all these works, have character-- a character as distinct as in any other form of great art, for great work is great art.
10. THE PERAMBULATOR.
From beneath a fiery floor -- from a fiery furnace -- this monster drags the glowing ingots and carries them off to other furnaces, or presses, or rolling mills, or hammers, and the workmen tell you, as the policemen do in America, "Mind your step; safety first."
11. THE GREAT HAMMER.
The hammers forge and stamp and press the ingots into any shape the forge men wish.
12. IN THE JAWS OF DEATH: ROLLING BARS FOR SHELLS.
From these jagged teeth the fiery serpent snorts, shrieking and squirming, vomiting sparks -- it was an ingot just before -- only to be drawn back again and again, longer and thinner, cast out in heat and noise infernal. Then it crawls away to cool in long bars, or be cut into ingots by the guillotine.
13. STEEL BARS FOR SHELLS.
The white-hot bars, escaping from the jaws, writhe and twist about, raising in agony their fiery heads, and then either climb a long incline into the light or squirm down into dark pits. Then they come out into a great shed or a great yard, and there they lie awhile to cool, till they are again seized by cranes or moving platforms and brought to the guillotine, which cuts them into the lengths for shells.
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14. THE PRESSES.
Before the press its master stands; a white-hot ingot is put in, the press comes down, and in a moment it is the body of a shell. The master seizes it with his tongs, standing black against the burst of steam; he whirls it round, and two men take it in their tongs and carry it off red hot to the branders.
15. THE URNS: CASTING BIG SHELLS.
In the heart of the big shop the big ladle, full of molten metal, fills the urns; then they are dragged out and carried away to be "bottled."
16. "BOTTLING THE BIG SHELL."
This shop was an old factory where a big press had been set up. The walls had all been whitewashed, and against them the press and the figures told stunningly. The afternoon I saw the bottling - the first time the big shells were bottled - the crane which was to carry them from the furnace to the press was not ready, and the work was done by men, but they made a far finer composition, for in these works it is seldom you see "the man power." The machines do all, and are more human than the men who manage them.
17. MUNITION WORKS.
I have no idea how many of these workscapes I have drawn, etched, lithographed, painted. I am told I should not do so many; I "spoilt the market." But I shall draw them wherever and whenever I find them - or, rather, find that they appeal to me. Whoever criticized an Old Master for his thousands of sketches and drawings? The trouble is that most painters to-day are so lazy or so stupid they do not see and can not do the wonderful things around them and blame and criticize the few artists who can and do.
And how much finer are the lines of chimneys than the lines of trees, while the slowly rising smoke gives the sky a beauty it never had before.
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18. THE SHELL FACTORY.
I have drawn one of the shell factories that have grown up all over the country within the last year. It is wonderful to see these girls planing, grinding, polishing the shells; it fascinates, but is intolerable; it is horrible, when you think that all this is done to kill people. But you must not think; if you do you will go mad. The world is mad to-day.
19. FINISHING SHELLS.
Larger shells being finished.
20. EVENING IN THE MUNITIONS COUNTRY.
As I came back one evening from a hunt on the top of a trolley or tram for subjects, having found nothing, I found this. On one side the near shell factories glowing with blue-white light; on the other the far-away furnaces bathed in fire; in the foreground the quiet canal and the noisy train, the twinkling signals below, and into the calm heavens the smoky incense of war slowly rising.
21. THE BAY OF THE THOUSAND GIRLS.
One of the nine or ten bays and other rooms besides, in this huge factory, the site of which they tell you was fields a few months ago.
There was scarce a man about the place -- only those setting up and adjusting machines.
The women were doing everything, as I have tried to show. And one of the foremen said I showed too much.
"Now you've drawered 'em 'uggin' 'emselfs; now I've told 'em they wasn't to 'ug theirselfs, and you've gone and done 'em a-doin' it." "Well, they were," said I.
22. PLANING BIG SHELLS.
This was an old, disused shop, with great brick walls and small skylights and few windows, but it had been taken over as a munition works, the walls whitewashed, and new machinery set up, and
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against the white walls the lathes and planes and cranes stood out. When I was there it was being fitted up, and the engineers told me, too, how fine it was at night, but I did not see it.
23. MUNITION TOWN.
All over the country these munition mushroom towns are springing up; usually they are dumped down all over the plains; this one climbed and covered the hillside, and so was picturesque - the others are pitiful. A little more money would have made them as decent as the workmen's dwellings at Panama; but that was not spent, and they are the most depressing human huts I have ever seen.
24. THE ACOLYTES PREPARING THE ALTAR OF THE WAR GOD.
No cathedral is more impressive, no altar finer; but instead of decking it with flowers, the men were making it ready to roll more armor plate. This drawing is but another proof that great work is great art, and that art to-day is joined to science - not religion; but the effect is just as fine.
25. MAKING ARMOR PLATE.
I never had the chance to see a big plate rolled, but probably this little one was just as good. The hot metal was covered with brushwood, to burn off the cooling scale, which is like a beautiful patina upon it; and the brushwood blazed in the dark shop to the roof; while, as in all great work, only two or three men were about, the one who signaled in the foreground, the one who ran the mill and controlled its rolls, standing like a statue over all.
26. THE OLD SHIPYARD.
The Admiralty would not let me draw the naval shipyards, but here were merchant ships being built. I have never seen anything like these cranes nor the way they started to build the ships out of doors anywhere, and the ships just grew, and the cranes came and helped to build them.
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27. MUNITIONS RIVER.
The most amazing subject of all; but I was only allowed to get glimpses of it, not to go upon it, though once, when I was arrested, I was taken for a cruise on it in the hope of finding a chief constable whose existence I did not know of and to whom none of the six other local, national, county, military, munitions, and war officials, whose consent I had obtained, referred me. However, it ended all right.
28. THE GANTRY.
A merchant shipyard. The gantry was more like those I have seen in Germany. If I had only been allowed to draw the naval yards I saw I could have made this series complete, and no secrets would have been given away, but a record would have been made.
29. THE GUN FORGE.
When the solid metal has been roughly shaped in the furnace and press, it is again heated; and then the great chain carries it to the forge, and this monster crushes, forges, and molds it into shape - the shape of a gun.
30. THE GUN SHOP.
When the guns are forged, either whole or in part, they are brought into the gun shop, bored and planed. They come in silently, high in air, and then are lowered in place, lie in rows, in piles, in masses, waiting their turn to be finished.
31. CUTTING AND TURNING A BIG GUN.
All the week I was in this shop the big gun stood there on a great trestle, and all the while the great lathe or plane kept turning and turning at the end of it; once in a while a man would look at it or do something to it or pick up steel shavings, but all the while the machine kept turning and all the while nothing seemed to happen, but I suppose it did; it was all silent, ceaseless force.
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32. THE BASILICA OF WAR.
Here was another big gun-planing shop, built on the same lines as a religious shop - why call it anything else? Only instead of shrines and side altars were lathes and planes, only at the far end instead of a reredos were the wheels of war; instead of cardinals' hats, chains hung from the roof.
33. THE OLD GUN PIT.
At one period of their creation the guns were given an oil bath; the crane seizes them, lifts them, and then lowers them into the strange-shaped towers where they were heated; then it raises them again, and drops them into an oil bath, where they are left to harden and cool.
34. THE NEW GUN PIT.
The new pits are like the old, only they are in a great hall, and instead of monstrous forms, there are marvelous effects - suggestions in mighty, lofty vagueness.
35. BRINGING IN THE GUN.
On one side was the river, on the other "the bank"; between the glass and iron palace, where the great turret was being built. And as I drew, and wanted something to show the might and the height of the building, the engine dragged in a gun to be fitted in the turret and my subject was before me.
36. BUILDING THE GREAT TURRET.
Story above story, all glass and iron, rises the shop where the great turrets are built, and below the floor in deep pits their bases stand. This is the other end of the shop in the previous picture. What struck me most, however, was that the open part of the turret made a design - the Pediment of War and Labor. Here was the Greek idea carried out by British workmen, and no British artist has ever seen it. But from something of this sort in Greece, Greek artists got their scheme of decoration when they were building the earliest temples.
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37. FITTING GUNS IN TURRETS.
I saw these smaller guns being fitted in a turret in another shop. They are put in and then the turret is tried. When I saw it, however, the whole floor was covered with parts; it was like a watchmaker's table magnified a million times. The parts were all behind me, and the authorities did not seem to want me to draw them. This is the same subject that I found at Essen, but so different.
38. THE SHOPS AT NIGHT: CHANGING SHIFTS.
Black was the bridge, black the crowd crossing it, black the crowded trams, the blue-white light glowed from the ever-working shops, and the lights upon the cranes by the river side, on the railroad tracks and suggested the workscape by their ever winking, twinkling lines and groups and dots and masses of lamps.
39. READY FOR WAR.
The mounted howitzer was getting its finishing touches; it had been tested, and soon the great doors would open, the engine puff in, carry it off on its long journey to the front, to do its infernal work - a triumph of misdirected energy and skill - for "War is Hell."
40. TAKING THE BIG GUN AWAY.
When this big gun had been fitted and worked in its turret, it was again taken out, carried to the river side, and between them the four cranes put it on a barge and that carried it off to the ship or its carriage.
41. FIVE O'CLOCK.
With the first note of the buzzer, out the work-people come - a solid mass; you fly from thousands and thousands of them; and when they have gone another mass swarms in, for the work never stops, the mills never rest; and every eight hours the same thing happens.
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42. MADE IN GERMANY: THE GREAT CRANE.
I knew it; I had drawn the twin brother of this monster two years before in the docks at Hamburg, and when I asked the engineer if it was not so, he said it was, and also pointed out how the smaller cranes put up previously showed the growth of the Wonder of Work.
43. GUN TESTING.
They took me to the testing ground, but on a day when there was no testing, for they told me I should have to go into a bomb-proof cellar, put stoppers in my ears, and keep my mouth open, and even then would see nothing, and that there was nothing anyway but a puff of vapor to see. So I went when they were getting the gun ready and made the drawing.
44. MUNITIONS CITY.
How wonderful is all this energy, this smoke, this color! How the city, set upon its hills, reveals and conceals itself! Yet its frown is terrible. Lately I read an art book which contained a few lines of description of these cities and the country where they are, for in order to show "the terror" of the land the author wrote of "the black smirched valleys," "the gloomy sky" under which "the train darted through forests of smoking chimney stacks" and over grimy, trough-like streets. That these might be wonderful, pictorial, never occurred to him.
45. BY-PRODUCTS.
The new sort of coke ovens are the most pictorial subjects I saw — when they are at work — because they are all effect, all bathed and wrapped in fume and steam and smoke; and these make for me and give to me my motives, though there is great work behind them.
46. PEACE AND WAR.
What would Ruskin have said to this? The beautiful old abbey, built in, surrounded by, yet still dominating the munition factories? What would he have said to the aeroplane, noisily soaring over it? I neither know nor care. I only know it was a fine composition as I saw it that morning, and so I drew it.
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47. THE BALLOON SHED.
Around and about, all over the plain, the birds and bugs lie at rest, their wings making wonderful lines against the sky, wonderful colors on the grass. Then they stir and hum, and skim over the ground, and roar, and rise into the air, and sail away, and only the huge empty shed remains, and the long box on a lorry which, too, is leaving, with the sign on it: "Mesopotamia via Cardiff," whither another air machine is being shipped.
48. THE BIG BUG.
Horrible and awful it stood in its lair, ready to be started on its voyage of destruction.
49. SHOT.
This is what I see every night out of my window — have seen for two years and some months, and would give anything never to see again.
Yet Wells says it — the drawing of the shot tower — is the only commonplace subject among them all.
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THE AMERICAN SERIES.
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50. THE TRANSPORTS.
The spoils of war, for what had been great traders were now to be great troop ships — and with their transformation what an awful change has come to our world.
51. THE LITTLE MEN OF THE BIG HAMMER.
One seated on high worked the hammer, fast or slow, light or heavy were its blows, as he wished. Two beneath turned the big shell, as it lay in its bed between and was pounded into shape, and every time the hammer fell a pillar of fire and a cloud of steam arose, and through all and over all were the crane men in their pulpits whistling and shouting and signaling, moving back and forth, silhouetted against the lights, lost in the shadows. And in this shop as red hot shells flew about or rolled about singly or by dozens, one said to me, "Now then, Cap, in this here shop, yer jes got ter look six ways for Sunday, that there crane man's all right, but might forget yuse was under, and if that claw give yer a pat why yuse ud have a week off in the horsepittle."
52. BUILDING THE BATTLESHIP.
Inside, the huge shed where she was built and launched, she lay again, getting her finishing touches—or rather those that could be given her; her masts were too big to finish, her turrets were being fitted, and her turbines put in — and soon she would begin her life of terror and horror.
53. MAKING PROPELLER BLADES.
Blue in the shadows, and such blue—gold in the light, and such gold — were those blades — in this great shop — and as I worked the engine steamed in and carried one off to fit in the ship standing in the dock just outside.
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54. UNDER THE SHED.
It seemed as though this yard was built for me, and if it was not that I found it so practical, I should have thought it only pictorial. But in the shed in rows, in piles, in layers, lay every part of the ship ready to fit together, all in order; as I drew, boats and boilers came out of the shop and went to their places on board.
55. THE KEEL.
The shipyards are endless and their forms are endless and ever new — but I never before found one where from the water I could look down in the ship as it grew, as it did here, amid forests, its walls, which the ship in turn would soon tower over.
56. UNLOADING ORE.
When the great ore boats arrive "somewhere," they draw up at a crane, covered dock and almost as fast as they are loaded they are emptied — and the ore is in the furnaces and they steam away.
57. BUILDING SUBMARINE CHASERS.
All around the big ship the little boats grew and gathered — being built out of doors, anywhere near the water into which the crane swung them as soon as they were finished, and it is like this they are being built all over the country.
58. IN THE LAND OF BROBINAG.
THE ARMOR-PLATE BENDING PRESS.
Only Swift ever imagined and Gulliver ever saw presses and ladles and chains and cranes like these, but I have seen them, and there is no imagination in my study of the press or the ladle. A press so powerful it will slowly bend the thickest plate. A ladle so big the men were lost in it.
59. IN THE DRY DOCK.
These are the things that tower — that shine — whose power is terrible — but their smile does not make glad.
The officer said he could not see the ship like that — "Don't you wish you could," was the only answer I could think of.
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60. THE ARMOR-PLATE PRESS.
The English maker rolls rapidly his armor plate in heat and smoke and flame. The American slowly presses it, but with a press so powerful it will crush the huge ingot, so sensitive that it will not break a watch crystal placed under it.
61. THE ANTS.
She came into the dry dock "at an Atlantic port." The water was pumped out, ropes were dropped over the side, and when the water was out, men at the bottom of the locks fastened planks to the ropes, and the crew with buckets of paint and brushes long, little, short and big swarmed over the sides, and fell with the paint upon the ship, and while I stared and tried to draw, she was painted both sides of her, and her propellers were polished like gold, by the ants — only ants don't work like that, only American sailors, and a few weeks before many of them had never seen a big ship.
62. THE PROW.
"Very pretty drawing," said the Admiral, when I showed him this leering, staring, slobbering monster, the spirit of war, a creation of our time and our country. It fascinates and is untellable.
63. THE BIRDS OF WAR.
Like birds, and they are birds, the planes chase each other around the field; now they soar, then they dive, in the sun they glitter, in the shadows they disappear, and far and near, high and low, they rise, they soar, they plunge, and then they skim, feeling for the ground; and then they come to rest upon it — the Birds of War.
64. THE WHITE AND THE BLACK HAMMERS.
"The biggest hammer in the world," said the foreman—maybe—anyway the shop was amongst the most pictorial of all those I have drawn devoted to shell-making.
"Say, friend," said the workman, "won't they let yer use a machine in war time; is that why youse does it by hand?"
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65. FORGING SHELLS.
THE SLAVES OF THE WHEEL.
No composition could be finer, no movement more expressive, no grouping more perfect; and yet all this was happening every day, and all day, in an oily, dirty, greasy, smoky shell factory, where no artist had ever worked before, and the workmen, black men, were merely turning the big shell, under the big hammer, by the big capstan wheel that held it. And I noted in the shop that the black men saw more in my drawings than the white; yet there's only one black painter in the country, so far as I know.
66. THE LARKS.
"Hark, hark, the lark"; this one sings a song, too, all his own, as he soars up to greet the coming sun; then away to battle, or to train for it. Our Lark.
67. THE BOAT BUILDERS.
"I am jus' real proud of this hull shop; I'm jus' certain jack proud of it," said the foreman. And what could be more graceful than the lines of these wooden boats he was building—all the boats of battleships seem made of wood—and how beautiful are their lines, the result of tradition. The boat builder is no cubist, as he worked out his drawings on the floor of the shop; and so the result is strength and beauty.
68. THE RIVETERS.
What perpendicular cathedral is as full of mystery as this shop? I know of none, and I know most of them; and when the fires flow on the work altar, and the great jaws pierce and rivet the boiler plates it resounds with the Hymn of Labor.
69. THE GUN PITS.
TEMPERING GUNS.
These pits, which I have drawn in Europe and America, have the greatest individuality of all the processes of war industry. The buildings are most impressive, towering, windowless, somber without, mysterious within, filled with strong shadows and strange shapes.
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And as I looked out from the blackness to the ore crane, making new ranges of Alps on its hillside, I wanted a gun to draw — or rather wanted to know how it was moved.
"Why, bring him one," said the manager — and it came, 60 feet long, and posed while I drew, and was such a good "sitter." And so I find my studio and my models wherever I work, but not often a model who poses so well and so quietly.
70. THE OLD HANGAR.
All the inventor's past life hung from the roof, successes and failures, trials and tribulations — and this old hangar like an old barn was worth drawing. Doubtless the new hangars are better suited to their purpose but they are most unpicturesque and so will all the world be, too, before long. What could be more unpicturesque than the modern soldier—more ridiculous than the modern sailor, or the modern camp?
71. MAKING RIFLES.
Gallery after gallery is like this in the great building, all filled with tiny men working at tiny machines to make the tiny guns they fight with, and over them hangs the flag of the country, put there, the director told me, not by the management but by the men.
72. HYDROPLANES.
AT REST ON THE BEACH.
Why do they remind one of Greek warriors with their proud helmets? I do not know, but they do. I suppose — in fact it is — because the line of the rudder is that of the crest of a helmet. Did the aeroplane builder steal, borrow, invent it — I once invented out of my head and a honeysuckle another phase of Greek art, but no one would believe me when I said so.
73. THE EMBARKATION CAMP.
THE CLASSIC GROVE.
No; this is not Italy but America. Another proof that the classical, the romantic landscape is all about — only if it had not been that the Embarkation Camp was by this grove I never should have seen it.
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74. BUILDING THE CAMP.
All sorts and conditions of machines and of men were at work on it. The steam shovels removing mountains, gutters being dug as big as trenches, buildings going up and trees coming down as far as one could see — and further — the ideal of the man who said to me, as he looked over the tree-falling, town-rising landscape, "Gosh, it's fine. I am a carpenter here, but I never did no carpentering, 'cept I once did help the carpenters to build a house with my pocketbook; but now I am getting six dollars a day and, well, as it looks like a shower, I guess I won't pay the doctor ten dollars to cure a cold." So we came away in a "jitney."
75. THE CAMP.
THE NEW ARCHITECTURE.
In the center of the new city is something like a long train of box cars — yet when you see their sides you find they are houses. As you look they grow, and from a few holes in the ground till the building is finished takes about forty-five minutes. They are better built than the English munition towns — but they are unbelievable — these cities of fifty thousand inhabitants built while the army was formed. This drawing is but a bit — to right and to left and behind the town stretched — the embodiment of usefulness, respectability — a triumph of ugliness.
76. LAUNCHING THE HYDROPLANES.
PUTTING OUT TO SEA.
Somewhere at an aviation post, every morning early, the aeroplanes start seaward, pushed and coaxed and pulled along like a stubborn mule — and about as beautiful — once they are up and away. After splashing and floundering clumsily, how calm, how graceful, how serene they are as they move in and out amid the clouds in sunlight and shadow, over the summer ship-decked sea.
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77. AEROPLANES
AT REST ON THE PLAIN.
Why again is there such a swing and lift about these lines — because they are right and strong lines — and when the machines stand about how like they are to great clumsy birds — and when they try to start they are, too; but once they have started how beautiful they are.
78. THE BALLOON SHED.
I only know of this one "balloon shed" in the country — probably in design it is out of date, but pictorially it is fine.
79. BUILDING DESTROYERS.
Amid the great ways the little destroyers are built. While the work of building is going on, there seem to be no workmen about, though the noise they make is terrible. The various parts of the ships lie about apparently in confusion, but the crane knows what it wants and where to find it and picks up and carries it to its proper place. It is only when the men knock off that you see what an army is engaged in shipbuilding. And it was too funny to be told as I went about I could not smoke, yet hundreds of drills and riveters are shedding showers of sparks and there is nothing but iron about.
80. MAKING A TURBINE ENGINE.
This is the finest shop, in which the most impressive work of modern times is done, and it is somewhere in America; and as I worked away after five, one man said, "Wot's yer hours, mate?"
81. THE BIGGEST LATHE IN THE WORLD.
Many of the subjects I have chosen are probably the "biggest in the world" and the most impressive, too; that is the reason why I have drawn them. I have seen great lathes and great guns in Europe, but this one is certainly greater than any other.
"You couldn't do that, Fatty," said the man. "Couldn't I," said the other. "You bet I could if I had been at it as long as him." It was the second lathe I have drawn.
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82. SUBMARINES IN PORT.
Submarines are practical, but not picturesque. "Why do you draw 'em?" said the usual inquirer. "Why do you make drawings any way?" "Oh, for fun," says I. "Huh. That's what I thought," says he as he left.
[[Entry 83 crossed out. Handwritten in margin: Not rec'd.]]
83. THE SEASIDE SHIPYARD.
I tried to climb on the deck of the vessel in the foreground. Up an oily, greasy, slippery, painty ladder, up to where I hoped my studio would be, for my studio is where I happen to be at work, and it wasn't so easy with two big sketch blocks, and a camp stool, and a T square, in a stiff breeze. "Hol' on, brother!"--said a voice below--"I will 'sist you; we aint so spry as wot we onct was," and I was helped up by an ancient mariner who held my traps till I got on deck and found this composition.
84. THE FORGES.
How fine are the effects--but one man said as I drew the figure leaning back to rest--"Hully gee! He's got Creeper all right. Look at his pants!" But the noise is awful and one day as I sat on a bit of boiler, a racket ten times worse than ever before broke out beneath me and I jumped right off and from the boiler crawled a grimy human, who, putting his hand to his mouth, yelled "What yet making all that racket fur?"
85. SHAPING A GUN FROM AN INGOT.
When the ingot comes from the furnace, it is put in this press, deep burned in a pit, and the hot metal is compressed into the shape of a section of a great gun--then it is taken out and bored and planed and finally after about a year of work, the gun is ready to do its work.
86. THE COLLIER.
This is a freighter and collier and the huge erections on its deck are cranes, and derricks, by which other ships are coaled and loaded at sea. The system is not new, but I imagine many landsmen, like myself, have never seen such a creature.
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87. THE SHELL FACTORY, No. 1.
When I got there I showed my Government letter. "Umph" said the guard--and the sentinel with his gun was behind him--"You jus' don' come in here ole man on that pass--Gover'ment! The boss is the Gover'ment--I'm the ajertant!-This here's the lootenant! The Lor' Gawd Amity won't pass in on that pass!" But the next time I came the guard presented arms. And it's in this wonderful shop that the shells are made for the allies and ourselves.
88. SHELL FACTORY No. 2.
FROM SHOP TO SHOP.
The contrast between the dark old shop and bright new one was wonderful.
"Pretty good, Dad," said a precocious apprentice, I suppose they don't mean anything but compliments, still I never fail to lose my temper, then the peacemaker appears--"Don't mind that kid, mate, he dunno no better--he's edurkated." "Say, wot paper's it comin' out in? I'll buy that paper." That was a compliment.
89. THE GUN FACTORY.
So like a British one that I wonder which one got the idea of arrangement of the shop from the other. Here the guns are turned; and one man said to me: "Well, I don't know whether I'll be drafted by the U.S., but I do know I'd sooner waste my time makin' guns, than spend it hearin' 'em shot at me by some Dutchman."
90. READY TO START.
Dignified, solemn, immense she stood, held to the dock by the great cables; and the great cranes swung great carloads of war work aboard her, as fast as the engines could bring them.
On land she was guarded by marines. In the air the planes were protecting her.
91. READY FOR SERVICE, AGAIN.
Just as retired officers have offered their services again to the country--so these old ships, even more pictorial than the new, are being found places where they can do their "bit."
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92. THE OLD AND THE NEW.
Whether the old wooden ship is finer in line than the new steel monster is more than I can decide, but I do know that both are well worth drawing.
93. SUBMARINES IN DRY DOCK.
There they lay in long lines--soon to be ready to start on their venturesome voyages.
94. BUILDING DESTROYERS.
How the cranes minister to the ships, carrying them the things they want, lowering them gently into the places where they belong, and then hovering over the vessels they are building to see that everything is in tis proper place--the cranes do it all--the men who run them are mere details.
95. CASTING SHELLS.
Slowly the ladle moves, carried by the crane man, steered by the workmen, goggled and gloved--I had no time to draw those details. Into each mold it dropped just enough molten metal to make a shell head. And when all the molds were filled, a man from another shop dropped in--"Say, what youse up to now?" "Me--I'm makin' shells for the Kaiser." "What, an' here." "Sure," and as a French inspector passed, "Aint we sending 'em to him as quick as we kin?"
96. BUILDING ENGINES FOR THE ALLIES.
In serried lines they stood--first one for Russia, then one for France, and on the other side several for ourselves--and I said, "Why, this is Ford's ideal," for the parts came in at the sides of the shop and the finished engine went out at the end. "Oh, yes," said the manager, "only we have been doing it twenty years." And now they build a locomotive in four days.
97. MAKING WAR LOCOMOTIVES.
Big and little, they are being turned out for work in Europe and work at home. War work--and I could not forget that I had seen the same sort of work--on the same sorts of locomotives being done
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on the Isthmus, only that was for peace, that the locomotives should help to build the Panama Canal, as they did--build the great thing of modern times--a work by which the engineers of this country will be remembered and their memory blessed.
98. THE FLYING LOCOMOTIVE.
Yes, locomotives can soar-can fly-and, like Mahomet's coffin, stand in the air; and they do these things in a blaze of glory, because the shop where they are built is not big enough to shift them about in any other way. As the engine sailed toward me I tried to make a note of it. "Why would you like to draw it," said the manager, as I frantically went on making notes of the approaching monster. "Which end would you like up?" He made a signal (they don't talk in the shops); it stopped and there it hung. "Bring on another," signaled the manager; and so I drew and so the creature posed 'till I had finished-an excellent model in a wonderful studio.
99. GUN PIT, No. 2.
No better proof could be shown on the way each big plant puts big character into its products than this and the previous drawing. Here everything is done deep down under ground; in the other shop it is all above, away up high in the air. And one day, they told me, the president of the company passed with a party, and he saw a man, tired out, sitting with his head in his hands. "Why don't you clean out the pit, boy?" "Well, Sammie, if you want to know why, you go down an' find out for yourself."
100. THE GUN-TESTING GROUND.
Into the rocky cliff great holes had been bored, and the guns mounted on their carriages by the great gantry were fired, passing through wires mounted on screens to test their velocity. One thing that interested me, standing behind the guns-interested me too much, really-was that there was no smoke, save that which came out of the hole where the shell exploded. And another fact was, that I could not see the shell in its flight, nor can those at whom it is fired-it goes so fast the sound can not keep up with it and sight can not note it.
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[[back cover with image of lighted torch in center of cover]]
The Regents and Secretary of
The Smithsonian Institution
request the honor of your presence at the opening of
an Exhibition of Lithographs of
War Work
by Mr. Joseph Pennell
Made with the consent of the United States Government
The National Gallery of Art
Thursday evening, November the first
nineteen hundred and seventeen
from half after eight until eleven o'clock
ENTRANCE NATIONAL MUSEUM
TENTH AND B STREETS, NORTHWEST
^[[8.]]
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
Work of the Advisory Committee, 1917-1918
In August, 1917, the Advisory Committee of the Gallery was called upon to pass on two paintings (names not given) by Charles A. Watson, of Baltimore, Maryland, which had been exhibited at the Peabody Institute in that city. These were offered as a gift to the National Gallery by Sergeant-Major William A. Staus, U. S. Army, stationed at Fort Washington, Maryland. The verdict of the Committee was that, while they were pleasing works, they do not reach the standard of excellence required by the National Gallery.
For like reasons unfavorable report was made, in December, 1917, on Edward Trenchard's painting entitled "Sea, Sand and Solitude."
^[[9.]]
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
Copies of Gallery Paintings, 1917-1918
Mrs. Violet Kent Roberts (Mrs. T. M. Roberts) was given permission to copy, in oil colors, the portrait of Josepha Boegart by Frances Pourbous, the Younger, in the Harriet Lane Johnston Collection. The copy which is on a reduced scale begun on August 6, 1917, was completed September 17, 1917.
Photographs were made by Mr. Pudgeon of The Evening Star of Saint-Gudens' head of Lincoln (bronze) and of H. K. Bush-Brown's bust of Lincoln (plaster). (Jan. 25, 1916).
^[[10.]]
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
Work on the Collections, 1917-1918
On June 10th, 1918, in making room for the War Risk Insurance office of the Treasury Department, the collection of drawings by eminent contemporary French artists presented to the people of the United States by the citizens of the French Republic, which had been on exhibition on screens in the north alcove of the gallery, was taken down and stored in room 369, third floor of the Museum. Three rooms on the lower floor utilized for the exhibition of art works were placed at the disposal of the War Risk office in November, 1917. Later other rooms on the same floor devoted to storage were also relinquished.
During the year Mr. R. P. Holman, preparator in the Division of Graphic Arts, who is expert in such work, cleaned, repaired and restored certain paintings as follows:
(1) Portrait of Mrs. Henrietta Auchmuty, by Gilbert Stuart; cleaned and varnished:
(2) Portrait of Don Giovanni Rilgas, attributed to Cimabue; varnished:
(3) Procession in Constantinople, artist unknown; cleaned and varnished:
(4) Massacre of the Innocents, attributed to Raphael, a very old painting and in extremely bad condition; relined cleaned and restored:
The Canoe Builders, by Ralph Blakelock, covered with a medium that in warm weather continued to run in some parts taking the paint with it; restored as far as feasible.
11.
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
Suggestions, etc., 1917-1918
As already stated, the New Natural History building is greatly overcrowded with the collections of it three departments, Biology, Geology, Anthropology, and the Art Gallery. So great is the body of materials in Geology that the floors are said to be in danger of giving way. Today nearly one-fourth of available space is given over to Art. The need of considering the erection of a National Gallery of Art is pressing and should receive attention at the earliest possible moment. We have already failed to acquire many rich gifts of Art works because of the impossibility of caring for them in the present buildings of the Smithsonian group, and other cities are being enriched at our expense. Millions in value, well within our reach, have gone elsewhere because of our unpreparedness. To the national city is due reasonable attention to these matters on the part of the legislators of the nation. It is apparent, however, that until the close of the war with Germany it will be inadvisable to urge the project further. (See report for 1916-1917, copy of letter of July 10, 1917, herewith).
^[[12.]]
-Copy-
[[underlined]] Memorandum Relating to the Proposed NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART. [[/underlined]]
Washington D. C.,
July 10, 1917
Dear Mr. Rathbun:
On receiving your note asking me to take up the consideration of plans for a new National Gallery I began the work with much interest, but found myself so involved in other matters demanding my immediate attention as to make progress slow. I found also that in order to cover the ground properly I should have time to go over the literature of art museums and possibly to correspond with or visit some of the art museums of the country. Of particular importance to me is an interview with you, in which the whole matter can be gone over, thus reaching a better understanding. I trust, therefore, that you will not view these notes critically, but as the uncrystallized beginnings of a work requiring much time and thought.
It would seem necessary in the first place to consider the subject matter to be accommodated in the proposed institution. There are two great groups within the art field: (1) The fine arts proper; and (2) the industrial arts, so far as they come directly within the purview of the aesthetic. The name "Gallery of Art" would probably not be entirely appropriate for an institution covering the entire field of the aesthetic. It would seem that its exhibits should be limited to the fine arts, where "Museum of Art" would cover the entire range of the aesthetic. The question of the scope of
^[[13.]]
-2-
subject matter would appear to require particular attention.
First consideration may be give to the art collections of the Nation, now cared for by the Smithsonian Institution:
1. THE FINE ARTS PROPER: The paintings and sculptures of the present National Gallery occupy the north hall of the new Museum, the alcove at the north end of the gallery, and part of the rotunda. In addition four rooms on the ground floor are at present devoted to temporary exhibits of art works and art storage. Roughly estimated, the area occupied approximates 15,000 square feet of floor space and the walls of the same.
2. THE EMBELLISHING ARTS - ARTS AND CRAFTS: The collections available that could be assigned to the "Art Museum" are very extensive and include:
Ceramics ---------------------------1,200 sq. ft.
Graphis arts ----------------------12,600 " " [[ditto for sq. ft.]]
Textile arts, lace, etc. -----------3,000 " " [[ditto for sq. ft.]]
Music ------------------------------1,000 " " [[ditto for sq. ft.]]
Religious art ----------------------2,000 " " [[ditto for sq. ft.]]
Photography ------------------------1,200 " " [[ditto for sq. ft.]]
Coins and medals -------------------1,600 " " [[ditto for sq. ft.]]
Library ------------------------------600 " " [[ditto for sq. ft.]]
History (if temporarily included)--12,000 " " [[ditto for sq. ft.]] ------ Total. 50,000 " " [[ditto for sq. ft.]]
^[[14.]]
-3-
The "Art Museum" would need to make provision for additional groups not now especially developed, including:
Architecture
Furniture
Costume and personal embellishment
Mortuary arts
Arms and armor
Household arts
Time-keeping
Heat and illumination
Metal work
Woodwork
Glass and enamel
Mosaic
Lacquer, etc.
The space required might approach 100,000 square feet.
The "Art Museum" should provide space for a number of series of exhibits illustrating the evolution of art in much detail and in a manner never undertaken by any museum. Series of works and objects selected from the art materials of every country and people and of all periods should be utilized in this work. The idea would extend to every branch of art achievement in which the aesthetic sense has part. Collections available for use in this direction occupy at present a space estimated at 10,000 square feet. For the development
^[[15.]]
-4-
of these exhibits 100,000 square feet would be required.
In planning a building consideration must, of course, be given to vestibules, hallways, office rooms, public comfort, lecture hall, library, photograph gallery, laboratories, power and heat plants, etc. The space required is estimated at 35,000 square feet.
Thus, roughly suggested, and allowing space for the development of present exhibits of paintings, sculpture and other sections already organized, the space requisite for an "Art Museum" would approzimate 400,000 square feet.
The floor space of the Old Museum building is probably about 200,000 square feet, and that of the New Museum building 400,000 square feet.
Sincerely yours,
[[stamped]] W. H. HOLMES, [[/stamped]]
^[[16.]]
[[underline]] CONSIDERATIONS: [[/underline]]
It is incumbent on the Smithsonian Institution to care for the national collections and utilize them for the benefit of the American people.
The art works as at present installed seriously embarrass every department of the Institution, occupying space required for the development of the various scientific branches.
A new building devoted exclusively to art is thus imperatively demanded. Not only are the other branches embarrassed, but advance in the field of art is seriously hampered. Hundreds of thousands in value have gone elsewhere as a result of the unfortunate lack of space. The great collection of arms and armor, one of the richest in the world, could find no place and finally went to the Metropolitan Museum in New York. The Freer collection, valued at millions, would have gone elsewhere for the same reason had not President Roosevelt induced Mr. Freer to provide funds for a building to house it. Other great collections would doubtless accrue to the nation if they could be properly cared for.
Art works more than any other national possession are typical of advanced civilization, and the public should demand means of acquiring and keeping and facilities for utilizing them.
Most modern nations have made their capital cities principal centers of art development and art accumulation, and advance in this respect may well be regarded as an index of the degree of advancement of the people toward the higher civilization.
^[[17.]]
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
Publications, 1917-1918.
FINE ARTS.
Catalogue of an exhibition of lithographs of war work in Great Britain and the United States by Joseph Pennell. Introduction and explanatory notes by the Artist.
City of Washington, Nov. 1917. 12 mo.
pp. 1-29, and paper cover.
This interesting collection was on view in the National Gallery of Art from November 1 to 24, 1917, comprised a large portion of the artist's sketches made under government auspices in the various factories, shipyards and other establishments in Great Britain and the United States engaged in war work. The catalogue includes an introduction and explanatory notes by the Artist.
^[[18.]]
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
Tabulations.
Works received during the year ending June 30, 1918..... 341
Works withdrawn by their owners......................... 43
The twenty-three accessions are divided as follows:
[[underline]] Permanent [[/underline]]
4 gifts ( 3 paintings ( 1 marble ( 2 miniatures ( 2 pieces of silver
1 bequest 140 miscellanea
1 transfer 2 models 150
--------------
[[underline]] Temporary: [[/underline]]
17 loans ( 17 paintings ( 20 porcelains & bronzes ( 108 lithographs & etchings ( 42 architectural drawings ( 4 marbles 191 --- 341
ANNUAL REPORT
1918----1919
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
WM. H. HOLMES CURATOR.
[[Right hand upper corner, handwritten in pencil, 1.]] 1.
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
^[[1918 - 1919]]
By W. H. Holmes, Curator.
The Curator has the honor to submit a brief summary of the accessions and activities of the National Gallery of Art for the year, which has witnessed most gratifying progress in the acquirement of works of art. The Freer Gallery, although an integral part of the National Gallery, receives attention under a separate head. During previous years the meager collections were enriched by two noteworthy accessions,--the bequest of Harriet Lane Johnston and the gift of Wm. T. Evans. During this year the munificent contribution of Mr. Ralph Cross Johnson, of Washington, D. C. was added. It comprises twenty-four rare works by European masters,--Italian, French, English, Flemish and Dutch, and lifts the Gallery to a position in the art world inferior to but few of our American galleries. The deed of gift is as follows:
[[underlined]] GIFT INTER-VIVOS [[/underlined]]
I hereby give, grant and set over unto The National Gallery of Art, now located in the National Museum at Washington, D. C., a collection of paintings, specifically enumerated and entitled in the attached Schedule, to be held by the said National Gallery of Art absolutely and in fee simple. It is my express desire and wish that said collection be hung in a room by itself without addition or diminution.
^[[2.]]
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
^[[ 1918 - 1919 [[
By W. H. Holmes, Curator.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 19th day of June in the Year of Our Lord one thousand nine hundred and nineteen.
RALPH CROSS JOHNSON (SEAL}
Signed, sealed and delivered
in the presence of
RICHARD W. HYNSON
CHARLES P. LIGHT
[[note: all the Titles in the following list are underlined]]
1. Ruins and Figures Large canvas F. Guardi (Signed)
2. A View in Rome] " [[ditto for canvas]] " " [[ditto for F. Guardi]]
3. Portrait of a Pope " [[ditto for canvas]] Titian
4. Lord Mulgrave " [[ditto for canvas]] Thomas Gainsborough, [[strikethrough]] P.R.A. [[/strikethrough]]
5. Landscape and Figures -- Evening " [[ditto for canvas]] " " [[ditto for Thomas Gainsborough]] [[[strikethrough]] " " " [[/strikethrough]]
6. Lord Abercorn " [[ditto for canvas]] Sir Thomas Lawrence, P.R.A.
7. Portrait of Mrs. Towry " [[ditto for canvas]] " " " " " " [[ditto for Sir Thomas Lawrence, P.R.A.]]
8. Holy Family Panel Bernard van Orley
9. Large Landscape--Sunset canvas Richard Wilson, R.A.
10. Summer Afternoon--Landscape " [[ditto for canvas]] " " " " [[ditto for Richard Wilson, R.A.]]
11. Holy Family, Joseph and St. Elizabeth " [[ditto for canvas]] P. P. Rubens
12. Portrait of Man with Large Hat. "[[ditto for canvas]] Rembrandt (Signed)
13. Autumn Landscape "[[ditto for canvas]] David Cox
14. A Venetian Senator panel Lorenzo Lotto
^[[3.]]
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
^[[1918 - 1919]]
By W. H. Holmes, Curator
[[note: all the Titles in the following list are underlined]]
15. Holy Family and Two Angels Circular [[strikethrough]]canvas[[/strikethrough]] ^[[panel]] Sebastiano Mainardi
16. "Edinburgh" or Sunlight and Air. canvas J. M. W. Turner
17. The Duchess of Ancaster " [[ditto for canvas]] Sir J. Reynolds, [[strikethrough]]F[[/strikethrough]] P. R. A.
18. Portrait of Viscount Hill " [[ditto for canvas]] """ """ [[ditto for Sir J. Reynolds, P. R. A.]]
19. Sir Sampson Wright " [[ditto for canvas]] George Romney
20. Archibald Skirving " [[ditto for canvas]] Sir Henry Raeburn
21. Madonna and Child " [[ditto for canvas]] Govaert Flinck --Flemish School
22. A Burgomaster "[[ditto for canvas]] N. Maes (Signed)-- Dutch School
23. The Marriage of St. Catherine panel Innocenzo da Imola
24. Portrait of Mrs. Price canvas William Hogarth
During [[strikethrough]]the past[[/strikethrough]] ^[[recent]] year^[[s] the Gallery has had the privilege of exhibiting certain loans of valuable paintings from Mr. Johnson's collection in the small northeast room of the Gallery and in the spring of 1919 he indicated that he had in mind, in case conditions [[strikethrough]]could be[[/strikethrough ^[[were]] made satisfactory, the plan of presenting portions of his splendid collection to the nation. He was at once informed that the long hall on the east side, north, would be placed at his disposal. This suggestion met with his approval and in June twenty-four choice examples of his masterpieces graced its walls. As soon as the adjustment to the ^[[wall]] spaces was completed and the effect pronounced satisfactory the deed of gift was
[[upper right corner]]
^[[4.]]
[[/upper right corner]]
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
^[[1918-1919.]]
By W. H. Holmes, Curator
submitted and the collection accepted by the Secretary of the Institution.
Other permanent accessions are, portrait of Hon. Franklin K. Lane, by Ossip Perelma, 1918, gift of Mr. Frank B. Noyes, Washington, D. C. , and a marble bust of S. F. B. Morse, by Horatio Greenough, 1831, gift of Dr. Edward L. Morse, Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
The loans are ^[[underline]] two [[/underline]] paintings in oil by William H. Powell, A.N.A., "Washington at Valley Forge." and Portrait of Alphonse Marie Louis de Lamartine, 1790-1864, painted from life. Lent by Mrs. W. H. Powell, New York City. -- ^[[underline]] Oil [[/underline]] painting, "Interior of Levardin Church, Florence, Italy," by S. Jerome Uhl, lent by Mr. R. P. Tolman, U. S. National Museum,-- ^[[underline]] Oil [[/underline]] painting, "The Infant Jesus and Saint Hohn," by Rubens, 1633 lent by Hon. Hoffman Philip, ^[[Department of State]] [[strikethrough]] Washington D. C. [[/strikethrough]] -- ^[[underline]] Oil [[/undelrine]] painting, "Madonna and Child," attributed to Raphael, lent by Thos. B. O'Sullivan, Washington, D. C. -- ^[[underline]] Water [[/underline]] color, "Rhone Valley," by John. M. W. Turner, lent by Miss Elizabeth Ogden Adams, South Lincoln, Mass. -- ^[[underline]] Two [[/underline]] portraits in oil, Major [[insert]] ^[[ E. ]] [[/insert]] Alexander Powell, 1919, and Miss Clara J. Gordon, 1916, by Wilford Seymour Conrow, lent by Wilford Seymour Conrow.
^[[5.]]
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
^[[1918-1919]]
By W.H. Holmes, Curator
In [[strikethrough]]April[[/strikethrough]] ^[[Oct,1918,] fourteen oil paintings by French and British artists, part of the collection of works by contemporary
foreign artists lent to the National Gallery by the American Federation of Arts through Miss Leila Mechlin, Secretary, were temporarily withdrawn by the Federation for exhibition on circuit, and shipped to The Arnot Gallery, Care of Mrs. Jeannette M. Divan, Director, Elmira, New York. Nine of these were returned from Eire, Pa., on May 12, 1919, and three from Oberlin, Ohio, on June 4, 1919. Two, "Anniversary," by Jacques Emile Blanche, and "La Gue," by Gaston LaTouche, have not been returned at the close of the year. The twelve pictures returned are in storage.
On May 7, 1919 permission was granted to Mr. Walter R. Gill to have lantern slides made of certain paintings in the Gallery and the Photographer was instructed to complete and forward the slides requested. [[strikethrough]] One only was[[/strikethrough]] ^[[Nine slides were]] furnished, [[strikethrough]] that representing "Knights of the Holy Grail," by Waugh.[[/strikethrough]] In May Mr. Theodore Sutro, of New York, asked that negatives be made for the use of the Electric Tint Engraving Company, of Philadelphia, of his two paintings "Leif Ericason Entering the New World in the Year 1001," and "The First Recognition of the American Flag by a Foreign Nation in the Harbor of Quiberon, France." On May 28 Miss Edith Guerer
^[[6.]]
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
^[[1918-1919.]]
By W. H. Holmes, Curator.
obtained written permission from Frederick J. Waugh to have a print from the negative of his painting, "The Holy Grail" made for her. The print was forwarded on May 29. ^[[|]] In May [[strikethrough]] Miss [[/strikethrough]] ^[[Mrs.]] Violet K. Roberts was permitted to make a copy of the painting, Portrait of Madam Tulp, by Cornelius Janssens, belonging to the Harriet Lane John^[[ ]]son bequest.
[[left margin]] ^[[t/]][[/left margin]]
In May Secretary C. D. Walcott accompanied by the Curator of the Gallery visited New York to attend a meeting of the American Federation of Arts, on which occation Dr. Walcott presented an address on the "National Gallery, Its Present Status and Prospects." Visits were made to various art museums and the residence of Rev. A. D. Pell, who announced his intention to present to the Gallery a large selection from his vast stores of French and other art objects. At the close of the year the first installment of this collection had reached the National Museum and its installation was initiated in the north [[strikethrough]] room [[/strikethrough]] ^[[alcove]] of the National Gallery.
[[rest of page is on a different piece of paper attached to the bottom of the original sheet]]
[[left margin - rotated 90 degrees]]
^[[This was substituted in Mr. Ravenel's office]]
[[/left margin]]
The Advisory Committee on the National Gallery of Art was unfortunate during the year in losing by death two of its valued members, Mr. C. Y. Turner and Mr. Frederic Crowninshield. By the appointment of Mr. Edmund C. Tarball and Mr. Douglas Volk, the Committee is now constituted as follows: Mr. W. H. Holmes, Chairman and Secretary, Mr. Edwin H. Blashfield, Mr. Herbert Adams, Mr. ^[[ ( ]] Edmund C. ^[[ ) ]] Tarbell, and Mr. ^[[ ( ]] Douglas ^[[ ) ]] Volk.
^[[6.]]
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
^[[1918-1919.]]
By W. H. Holmes, Curator.
obtained written permission from Frederick J. Waugh to have a print from the negative of his painting, "The Holy Grail" made for her. The print was forwarded on May 29. ^[[|]] In May [[strikethrough]] Miss [[/strikethrough]] ^[[Mrs.]] Violet K. Roberts was permitted to make a copy of the painting, Portrait of Madam Tulp, by Cornelius Janssens, belonging to the Harriet Lane John[[insert]] ^[[/]] [[/insert]]son bequest.
[[left margin]] ^[[t/]] [[/left margin]]
In May Secretary C. D. Walcott accompanied by the Curator of the Gallery visited New York to attend a meeting of the American Federation of Arts, on which occation Dr. Walcott presented an address on the "National Gallery, Its Present Status and Prospects." Visits were made to various art museums and the residence of Rev. A. D. Pell, who announced his intention to present to the Gallery a large selection from his vast stores of French and other art objects. At the close of the year the first installment of this collection had reached the National Museum and its installation was initiated in the north [[strikethrough]] room [[/strikethrough]] ^[[alcove]] of the National Gallery.
[[left margin]] ^[[See slip attached]] [[/left margin]]
The Advisory Committee on the National Gallery of Art was unfortunate during the year in losing by death two of its valued members, -- [[insert]] ^[[C. Y. Turner + Frederic Crowninshield]] [[/insert]] [[strikethrough]] Mr. Edwin H. Blashfield and Mr. Herbert Adams [[/strikethrough]]. ^[[ ( ]] Mr. Edmund C. ^[[ ) ]] [[insert]] ^[[The committee as now constituted is as fallows WH Holmes C & S]] [[/insert]] Tarball, ^[[underline]] on February 22, 1919, accepted the place on the [[/underline]] Committee left vacant by the death of Mr. C. Y. Turner, which had occurred during the previous year. Mr. Douglas Volk accepted membership on the Committee April 27, 1919. [[strikethrough]] one place thus remains vacant at the end of the year. [[/strikethrough]]
^[[7.]]
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.
^[[1918 - 1919.]]
By W. H. Holmes, Curator.
During the year numerous and important changes were made in installation, the Gallery at the end of the year being in more perfect condition than at any previous period. The Gallery was closed for a number of months due to the occupation of the building by the War Risk Bureau. Before opening again to the public in April it was thoroughly renovated and the burlap of the walls was in part renewed.
On February 9 Dr. Edward L. Morse, who had recently presented to the Gallery the marble bust of his father, famous for discoveries in electricity, stated that the plaster copy of this bust executed previously for the Division of Mechanical Technology was unsatisfactory and should be destroyed ^[[,]]and this was done.
With the introduction of the Pell collection in the north alcove of the Gallery, the space that may be devoted to art in the natural history building is practically exhausted. It is planned, however, to begin in a small way the installation in passageways and spare corners of selections of art objects from the several division and sections of the Department of Anthropology, more especially from Ceramics, Metal work, Textiles and the like. In case large gifts of art works are acquired as permanent exhibits limited space can be made available by the withdrawal by the owners of collections lent to the Museum at periods when the spaces were not so limited as at present.
[[index card on upper left of page]]
Abstract furnished by Prof. Holmes of his Ann. Report on the National Gallery of Art, 1919, for the use of Mr. Ravenel in preparing his part of the Secy's report.
[[/index card]]
[[stamp on upper right next to index card reading AUG 1 1919]]
[[Obscured by index card]]tunate in the ac- [[Obscured by index card]]mportance during [[Obscured by index card]]thy is a gift of twentyfour paintings by Mr. Ralph Cross Johnson which comprises selections from the brushes of nineteen of Europe's foremost masters. The Gallery is thus more fully assured of a worthy position among the galleries of the nation. The extension of the Gallery's activities to wider fields than heretofore is marked by the acquirement by gift of an installment of a rich collection of art works of European origin from Rev. A. D. Pell, of New York.
^[[Mr Ravenel something may be said perhaps. especially [[?]] ]]
^[[MP¢er]]
[[stamped]] WdeCR AUG 1 1919 [[/stameped]]
[[strikeout]]NOTES FOR THE SECRETARY'S REPORT [[/strikeout]] The National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art is fortunate in the acquirement of art works of exceptional importance during the year. Among these the most noteworthy is a gift of twentyfour paintings by Mr. ralph Cross Johnson which comprises selections from the brushes of nineteen of Europe's foremost masters. The Gallery is thus more fully assured of a worthy position among the galleries of the nation. The extension of the Gallery's activities to wider fields than heretofore is marked by the acquirement by gift of an installment of a rich collection of art works of European origin from Rev. A. D. Pell, of New York.
[[strikeout]]^[[ Mr Ravenel
Something may be sand perhaps [[?]] Freer Coll]] [[/strikeout]]