in many ways. It is a subject in which there is a profound popular ignorance and in which there is urgent necessity for a wide dissemination of information. The clergy are interested in its ecclesiastical side, and more than any other body of our citizens are directly and personally responsible for the erection of many of our most important buildings. The householder is interested in the construction of his dwelling; the storekeeper in the erection of his shop or office building. Women are interested not only in houses and their interior arrangements, but also in their decoration and furnishing. Many people are legitimately interested in the public aspects of our cities, in the location and arrangement of our parks and gardens, in the adornment of our streets and squares. And still others are interested in that most important of municipal problems-better houses for the people-a problem whose importance many realize and few can solve. All these are general topics in architecture and all have a bearing that this Department cannot afford to ignore. It was proposed, therefore, while not neglecting the professional side of architecture, nor ignoring such professional problems as might come before it, that the Department should at once organize committees in these general subjects with the thought of interesting a large number of people in the work of the Department. It was further considered advisable to enlist the women members of the Institute in this work. It was voted, thereupon, to establish committees on the following subjects: Committee on Church Architecture. Committee on Better Homes (domestic architecture). Committee on Parks and Gardens. Committee on Sanitation. These committees are in each case to be composed of men and women directly interested in these special topics and recognize the value of diffusing correct ideas and information concerning them throughout the community. The first work of such committees would be to bring together such members of the Institute as are interested in these subjects and others outside who may be equally interested. The general plan of work of the Institute for the current year being now well under way, it is not possible, perhaps, to attempt this year anything in the nature of public meetings or other exercises involving the Department or the Institute in expense; but it is proposed to hold meetings of these committees to which others might be invited, and it is presumed that the Institute will, if requested to do so, provide places for such meetings. It is hoped that by organizing this new work this year it will be possible to organize the more general work of the Department next year with a programme commensurate with the importance of this new undertaking. At the meeting at which these matters were considered this general plan was adopted and the president was authorized to report it to the Council in order to have the sanction and co-operation of that body in this undertaking. The report is, therefore, submitted in compliance with the direction of the Executive Committee. Respectfully, BARR FERREE, President. The following outlines have been adopted by the Executive Committee for the guidance of the above-named Committees : COMMITTEE ON COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE. This Committee will consider the subject of Commercial Architecture in Brooklyn, as expressed in shops, stores and office buildings. It will deal with such matters as may, from time to time, be proposed in legislation affecting such structures. It will labor to raise the artistic and to improve the economical standards of these buildings, and it is hoped. that it will exert an influence in bettering the general character of our streets throughout the business portion of our community by suggesting plans for the artistic external decoration of small shops, the improvement and decoration of signs, the decoration of windows, the making of small stores attractive, and otherwise improving the character of our business buildings. COMMITTEE ON PARKS AND GARDENS. This Committee will have for its object the study and improvement of the parks and gardens of the Borough of Brooklyn. It will labor for the increase of small parks throughout our city, both in congested and in the outlying districts. It will promote the use of our parks by the people. It will encourage the establishment of playgrounds. It will consider the house garden as a means of public decoration. It will encourage the planting of trees in our streets, the making of window gardens, and the decoration of back yards. It will seek to familiarize our people with the value of gardens in cities, and their civic utility as means of decoration, education and relaxation. COMMITTEE ON BETTER HOMES. This Committee will concern itself with all the problems of domestic architecture; not alone those relating to the private house, but especially with such matters as look to the betterment of the homes in every portion of our community. It will consider tenement-house life in Brooklyn and the betterment of tenements. It will labor for the improvement of dwelling places, for the increase of modern. conveniences in dwellings; the proper construction, fitting and care of homes. It will seek, in every way, to promote the betterment of the home, and will aid in the dissemination of useful information among people needing instruction and information on this subject. COMMITTEE ON CHURCH ARCHITECTURE. This Committee will seek to bring together the clergymen and laymen in a study of church architecture. It will discuss the economic and artistic aspects of church architecture, the decoration of churches and the requirements of worship and of people in churches. It will labor to encourage the artistic decoration of churches and to spread a knowledge of the real value of church architecture and its relationship to the artistic character of a great city. COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC DECORATION. This Committee will have for its object the study of all matters that enter into the public decoration and adornment of a city; its monuments, public buildings and civic structures; their erection, care and decoration. It will promote the interest of public art in our city and aid and encourage the proper artistic treatment of buildings, squares and public works. COMMITTEE ON HOUSEHOLD DECORATION. This Committee will consider the house in its interior, the decoration of the home; its hangings, furniture and ornaments. It will study the decorations of homes of small cost and devise plans for economical interior artistic decoration. It will study the history of interior decoration in every aspect and will labor to promote the employment of artistic objects within the home in an intelligent manner. COMMITTEE ON SANITATION. This Committee will have for its object the consideration of sanitation in its relationship to the home and to the city. It will consider the sanitary arrangements of new districts. It will labor for the sanitary betterment of crowded districts. It will aid and advise in such sanitary reforms as may, from time to time, be deemed expedient, and it will, in every way, labor for a sanitary life among the people. Additions to the library of the Department of Architecture have been made during the year as follows: Presented by the publishers, the year's issue of "Architecture and Building." Purchased by the Institute: "Atlas of the Building Laws of New York City." This Department was organized on May 10, 1888, by the Members of the American Astronomical Society residing in New York, Brooklyn, and the neighboring towns, and began its work as a Department with thirty-two members. The present membership is two hundred and sixty-nine, a gain of seven during the past year. The public meetings of the Department were held on the first Thursday evening of each month, with an average attendance of one hundred and eighty. The proceedings at the meetings during the season have been as follows: Oct. 5.-Lecture by Prof. DAVID P. TODD, PH.D., of Amherst College, on "Eclipses of the Sun, with Special |