ANNALS OF THE ACADEMY 47 
except during a small part of the session, yet I have been made acquainted with 
everything that has occurred. 
“Whatever might have been thought as to the success of the Academy, when 
first proposed by the late Prof. Louis Agassiz, the present meeting conclusively 
proves that it has become a power of great efficiency in the promotion of science 
in this country. To sustain this effect, however, much caution is required to 
maintain the purity of its character and the propriety of its decisions. 
“For this purpose great care must be exercised in the selection of its members. 
It must not be forgotten for a moment that the basis of selection is actual 
scientific labor in the way of original research; that is, in making positive additions 
to the sum of human knowledge, connected with unimpeachable moral character. 
“Tt is not social position, popularity, extended authorship, or success as an 
instructor in science, which entitles to membership, but actual new discoveries; 
nor are these sufficient if the reputation of the candidate is in the slightest degree 
tainted with injustice or want of truth. Indeed, I think that immorality and great 
mental power actually exercised in the discovery of scientific truths are incom- 
patible with each other, and that more error is introduced from defect in moral 
sense than from want of intellectual capacity. 
“Please accept my warmest thanks for the kind expressions of sympathy you 
have extended to me during this period of my illness, and in refusing to accept 
my resignation as President of the Academy. I shall be thankful if a beneficent 
Providence extends my life during another year, and grants me the privilege 
of greeting you again in a twelve-month from this time as successful laborers in 
the fields of science. 
“T can truly say that I entertain for each member of the Academy a fraternal 
sympathy, and rejoice at every step he makes in the development of new truths. 
“With my best wishes for your safe return to your homes, and for a rich 
harvest of scientific results in the ensuing year, I now bid you an affectionate 
farewell.” 7° 
He died on May 13, 1878. In the address of the Acting Presi- 
dent, Professor O. C. Marsh, at the April session of 1879 we 
find the following words relative to Henry’s services to the 
Academy: 
“Tt is fitting to this occasion, that I should allude, at least, to Professor Henry’s 
great services to the Academy as its presiding officer during the last ten years, 
“ After the death of the first President of the Academy, Professor Alexander 
Dallas Bache, in 1867, Professor Henry was elected his successor at the next 
meeting, in January, 1868. From that time until he left the chair at the last 
Annual Meeting, in April, 1878, it had been his constant thought to advance the 
* Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., vol. 1, pp. 132-133. 
