the female patients, a plan that has been successfully adopted in New York and Philadelphia, and also by the State of Michigan. The plan has been fully discussed in the estimates of previous years, and if it has lost something of the charm of novelty, it has certainly lost nothing of the urgency of its need by the delay. As it will require three years for its completion, only one-third of the estimated cost of erection is asked for expenditure in the fiscal year 1879–280.

7. For the immediate relief of the overcrowded condition of the hospital, by the erection of suitable structures for the present accommodation of two hundred and fifty patients of the chronic class, $30,000. (It is recommended that this appropriation be made immediately availableon its passage.)

In the present overcrowded state of the hospital it is, in one sense, a question of minor importance what enlarged provision for the insane of the Army and Navy can be perfected three years hence, but it is of the utmost importance that something be done at once. In response to our urgent appeal, Congress, at its last session, appropriated $5,000 for a barrack to make temporary provision for fifty patients. This was an experiment; the result is a building that will probably be ready for occupation by the 1st of December, proximo, that will furnish entirely comfortable quarters for fifty of our inmates who are able to assist about the grounds. While the design is that the occupation of this building for the lodging of patients shall be only temporary until more complete and permanent provision can be made in suitably appointed hospital buildings, the structure itself will be a permanent one, and can, with very little alteration, be used as a workshop for the employment of a large number of patients. It is possible, with an appropriation of $125 per patient, or $30,000 in all, made immediately available on its passage, to provide, between the final adjournment of this Congress and the time of assembling of the next, equally satisfactory temporary accommodations for two hundred and fifty patients in permanent structures, not unsightly in their character, and which, when no longer needed for occupation as dormitories, can still be made available in demonstrating the great advantage of varied occupation in the treatment of the insane.

This much-needed relief attained, the Government Hospital will take the position to which it is entitled as the National Hospital for the Insane.

This Board, in common with the civilized world, has been called upon to mourn the loss of Prof. Joseph Henry, for many years one of its members, and but recently its president.

With all his distinguished public labors, Professor Henry still found time to devote to the welfare of the insane, and from 1863 until the date of his death he held the position and attended to the duties of an official visitor of the Government Hospital for the Insane. He, of all men, has no need for elaborate eulogy, but the great interest that he took in everything pertaining to the enlightened care of the insane, not less constant, though less widely known, than his interest in scientific research, is certainly deserving of mention here. Having the prosperity of this hospital warmly at heart, he was at all times a welcome visitor within its walls. Its officers sought him for his counsel-a counsel judicious and wise; its inmates found in him ever a kindly ear to listen, a smile, and a pleasant word for all. With his associates his intercourse was cordial, and his presence, while it was entirely unostentatious, was ennobling: a most courteous, Christian gentleman, of whom the world is losing the type, but while they must go from us, they may not wholly die.

At the annual meeting of the Board of Visitors, resolutions of respect and condolence were unanimously adopted.

By removal from the District to his new field of usefulness in New York, Rev. Dr. Newman has deprived the hospital of his valued services, both as visitor and chaplain.

Rev. Francis E. Boyle, after a long and useful labor as one of the chaplains of the hospital, a labor that has been most acceptable to the hospital and its inmates, has felt compelled by his increasing duties elsewhere to resign his position. The Rev. J. O. Sullivan succeeds him in the service of chaplain here.

Miss Harriet J. Bennett, after a very faithful service of nearly thirteen years as housekeeper, resigned her place to take the equally responsible but less laborious position of matron in the Bloomingdale Asylum at New York. She carries with her the kind remembrances and best wishes of our household. Mrs. Sophia C. French, a former employé of the hospital, has assumed her duties.

Mr. Evander French has been appointed farm steward. There have been some other minor changes, but most of the resident officers of the hospital have remained without change, and to their faithful service and commendable pride in their work much of the success of the year is due. Chapel exercises were omitted during the hot months of July and August. With that exception religious services, at which a large number of the inmates have attended, have been held in the assembly-room every Sunday afternoon throughout the year. Also, during the winter and spring, entertainments have been given on three evenings of the week that have also been very fully attended by those whom they are designed to benefit. We gratefully acknowledge the aid voluntarily rendered by singers and amateurs from the city, who have kindly assisted at our concerts and dramatic representations. The hospital would also acknowledge a valuable set of Hayden's Views in the Yellowstone Valley, and photographs from the northwestern country, from the Surgeon-General of the United States Army; also a series of fine photographs from many of the works of art in the Corcoran Art Gallery, presented by Dr. J. C. Welling. The ladies of the Board have likewise contributed articles of fancy work, plants, and flowers for our wards. Whoever has such things to give will find an opportunity here. Reading matter, such as newspapers, magazines, and books, are always welcome to our wards.

The year has been one of earnest hospital work, not characterized by any marked events, but by steady progress, as we hope, towards that end for which this institution was established, "the most humane care and enlightened curative treatment of the insane." For this result we have labored; with what success our hospital must show.

Again we commend the interests of this great charity of the nation to the fostering care of the government that created it, and to the yet tenderer consideration of that common humanity which, embracing all parties, is above all, and, mightier than Senates, is ready to aid the afflicted in their need.

We are, very respectfully, your obedient servants,

J. K. BARNES,

President of the Board. W. W. GODDING,

Secretary, ex-officio.

REPORT

OF

THE ARCHITECT OF THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL.

ARCHITECT'S OFFICE, UUITED STATES CAPITOL,

Washington, D. C., October 1, 1878.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report relative to the works under the charge of the Architect of the Capitol, showing the progress made since the last report, and the expenditures during the last fiscal year for the Capitol and its grounds.

CAPITOL.

The alterations and improvements to the heating and ventilating apparatus of the House of Representatives have been made in conformity to the recommendations of a commission appointed for that purpose. This commission, by a resolution of the House of Representatives, has been continued, and will give further consideration to this subject.

The question of substituting electric light for the present manner of lighting by gas has received some attention, and, in my opinion, this mode of lighting may become practicable. At any rate, this subject is worthy of investigation.

Attention is called to the insecure condition of the wall, ceiling, and roof of the old Hall of Representatives in case of fire. The semicircular wall of this hall is constructed of timber, covered with laths and plaster, resting on the floor of the galleries (also constructed of wood), which form the ceilings of the store-rooms containing papers and other inflammable matter. The construction of this portion of the building is such that, should a fire take place in any of the rooms adjoining the wall just mentioned, it would, in all probability, ascend to the roof, in which case great damage might be done to the building and the statues in the hall. To prevent danger by fire, I recommend that all the wooden construction be taken out and fire-proof be substituted. In doing this I recommend that the galleries be abolished and the semicircular wall be continued to the floor of the hall. This change will enlarge the area of the floor and give more room for the statuary.

A large iron tank, with new pipe-connections, has been placed in the loft of the Senate wing. Also a small steam-boiler and force-pump, to supply tanks with water in summer-time, thus avoiding the use of the large boilers during the recess of Congress. Two large fire-extinguishers are being placed in the small courts of the central building as a protection to the wooden portions of the roof of that part of the building. Rooms have been shelved and otherwise fitted up in the cellar of the Senate for the reception of books taken from the loft over the Supreme Court and other portions of the upper story of the central building, which are of wooden construction.

The guard-room of the Capitol Police has been shelved, and is now used for storing duplicate books belonging to the Library of Congress. Additional shelves and cases for books have been placed in the law library and conference room of the Supreme Court. The building generally has been kept in good condition.

I beg leave to call the attention of Congress to the necessity of providing a place for the store-yards and workshops connected with the Capitol, as those now used are rented.

The property occupied as a store-yard at North B street and Delaware avenue, and that used for carpenter and smith shops at the same street and New Jersey avenue, are soon to be sold. In consequence, the United States may at any time be compelled to leave these premises. Lots have been offered, for the purpose named, adjoining the government property on Delaware avenue, near C street north, on which are situated the Senate stables and fire-engine house, which possess advantages that recommend them.

The works of art, not the property of the United States, which were excluded from the Capitol by the recent law, have been deposited in the Corcoran Art Gallery of this city for safe-keeping.

CAPITOL GROUNDS.

Mr. Cobb, engineer, reports the following in relation to these grounds: The improvement of the Capitol grounds has progressed steadily since the last report, and they now begin to assume the appearance of approaching completion.

The appropriations for the last fiscal year are as follows:

All these sums were made available on the passage of the several acts, so that on the 3d of March, 1877, there was to the credit of the Capitol grounds $173,000. This was increased by act of April 30, 1878, $9,000, making $182,000 in all. Of this amount there had been expended previous to June 30, 1877, upon the grounds, $11,767.04 and upon ventilation of the House of Representatives $8,500.02, or $20,267.06 in all, leaving $161,732.94 for ventilation and general improvement during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1878.

As will be seen by reference to accompanying schedule. The men employed have for the most part been kept upon one-half time.

The expenditures for labor were $29,936.36, as against $54,064.85 the previous year.

The number of days' labor performed by men is 20,6361, by horse 1,789.