VII. Cutting parts of files increased to twenty-four times the ordinary size. (Eight samples.)

VIII. Collection of samples for the successive learning o vise work. (Forty samples.)

IX. Collection of samples of riveted joints. (Eighteen samples.)

X. Collection of samples in iron welding. (Twenty-four samples.) Each sample consists of two parts; the first represents the details of the piece prepared for welding, and the second is the welded piece.

The whole collection contains 320 pieces of exquisite workman ship, the educational value of which can hardly be overestimated.

Prof. J. D. RUNKLE,

Legation of the United States,

Technological Institute, Boston.

St. Petersburg, June 11, 1877.

SIR: Referring to your letter of October 16th, I now have the honor to enclose you a translation of a letter received from the IV Section of His Majesty's Chancellery, which explains itself.

I have made, in behalf of your Institute, a proper acknowledgment of the kindness both of Prince Pierre d'Oldenbourg and of His Majesty the Emperor.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

HOFFMAN ATKINSON,
Chargé d'affaires.

St. Petersburg, 24 May (5 June) 1877.

IV Section of the Chancellery of His Majesty the Emperor. Prince Pierre d'Oldenbourg has the honor to inform Mr. Boker, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States, that the wishes of the Technological Institute of Boston, to introduce the system of instruction in Practical Mechanics adopted by the Technical School of Moscow, was placed before the Emperor. It has pleased His Imperial Majesty to order to be made a collection of different models at the Technical School of Moscow, and to make a present of them to the Technological Institute of Boston.

Profiting by this opportunity to tender his respects to Mr. Boker, Prince Pierre d'Oldenbourg believes that he should add, that the Honorary Curator directing the Technological School of Moscow has been informed of this supreme order to take the necessary measures for its execution.

JOHN D. RUNkle, Esq.,

Legation of the United States.

St. Petersburg, October 29, 1877.

President Mass. Institute of Technology.

DEAR SIR:— - Yesterday I received from the Moscow School of Technology eight cases of models intended for the Institute over which you preside. These cases I have shipped to you by the Wilson Line, Messrs. Sanderson & Co., agents, directly to Boston. I congratulate you on the fact that they reached me before the closing of the navigation, so that you will receive your models shortly after

the arrival of this letter.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

GEORGE H. BOKER.

The following, properly engrossed, has been transmitted to the Legation of the United States at St. Petersburg:

To His Imperial Highness,

Prince PIERRE D'OLDENBO urg,

St. Petersburg, Russia.

At a meeting of the Corporation of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, held November 20, 1877, a communication from his Excellency, Hon. George H. Boker, American Minister at St. Petersburg, was read, announcing the gift to this Institute of eight cases of models, illustrating the system of Mechanic Art education, as devised and so successfully applied at the Imperial Technical School of Moscow. The undersigned have been charged with the agreeable duty of transmitting to His Imperial Highness the following resolutions :—

Resolved, That the Corporation of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology takes this opportunity to cordially congratulate His Imperial Highness, Prince Pierre d'Oldenbourg, that, at the Imperial Technical School of Moscow, education in the Mechanic Arts has been for the first time based upon philosophical and purely educational grounds, fully justifying for it the title of the "Russian system."

Resolved, That this Corporation hereby tenders its grateful thanks to His Imperial Highness for his most valuable gift, with the assurance that these models will be of the greatest aid in promoting Mechanic Art education not only in the School of this Institute, but in all similar schools throughout the United States.

We have the honor to be
His Imperial Highness'
Obedient servants,

WILLIAM B. ROGERS,
JOHN D. RUNKLE,
SAMUEL K. LOTHROP.

The Restaurant. In the year 1874-75 the experiment of fitting up a lunch room in the gymnasium was tried, which was so successful that better accommodations were provided early in the following year.

It has been continued, and is now in a satisfactory condition. Besides our own students, and others connected with the Institute, it is patronized by students of the school connected with the Museum of Fine Arts, and some others, and this patronage aids in its support without incommoding those for whom it was especially established.

It has largely diminished the practice on the part of our students of bringing a lunch from home, and has in proportion promoted their health. It is almost impossible for a student, who lives far from Boston, and must reach the Institute by nine o'clock and remain all day, to depend upon a cold lunch, almost always taken at irregular times, to preserve his health in its full vigor. I am satisfied that this restaurant has been an important means in improving the health of many of our students; and for this reason, if no other, it should secure the interest and support of the Corporation, so far as necessary to its continued.

success.

In conclusion, I will say that as a whole the school has never been in a state of higher efficiency than at the present time. Our great and pressing need is additional funds; and without

immediate relief, we must either discontinue some of the departments, or cut down the salaries already too small, or more probably both. The fee for those taking the full course is $200 per annum, and it is clearly out of the question to think of increasing the income by raising the tuition. It is even now far beyond the means of many deserving students.

The value of the Institute as an agency in developing and diversifying the industries of the State can only be maintained by increasing its funds. I can not think that the large sums which have already been contributed towards the establishment of our school, and particularly the large educational facilities and experience gathered together, shall be allowed to fail of the highest results for the want of additional means.

JOHN D. RUNKLE, President.

SECRETARY'S REPORT FOR 1876-77.

There have been held during the year thirteen meetings of the Society of Arts.

NEW BY-LAWS.

Nov. 23, 1876. This meeting was taken up by a discussion of the best way to correct certain informalities in the preparation of new By-Laws for the Society, arising from the complicated relations existing between the Corporation and the Society. The proper committee was finally chosen, which, with the committee of the Corporation, reported a new code, which was adopted by the Society March 22, 1877, and by the Corporation April 11, 1877.

The principal differences from the old code are: that the organization and administration are much simplified, and that the funds of the Society are to be held and used for its objects, under the direction of its executive committee, with the approval of the President. It is believed that, with this simpler organization and extended powers, a greater interest will be excited in the objects of the Society, and that the number of members actively engaged in mechanical pursuits will be considerably enlarged.

The objects of the Society are to awaken and maintain an active interest in the practical sciences, and to aid generally in their advancement and development in connection with arts, agriculture, manufactures, and commerce.