26o THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



sprang, wliicli, according to tradition, prevailed with some, that 

 the object of the institution was to favor religious infidelity." 

 The constitution of the society was agreed upon on the 17th of 

 March, and the name Academy of Natural Sciences was adopted 

 on the 21st of that month, which date was established as that of 

 the beginning of the institution. On that day, too, the members 

 agreed " to contribute to the formation of a museum of natural 

 history, a library of works of science, a chemical experimental 

 laboratory, an experimental philosophical apparatus, and every 

 other desirable appendage or convenience for the illustration and 

 advancement of natural knowledge, and for the common benefit 

 of all the individuals who may be admitted members of our insti- 

 tution." Among the first donors of minerals were Dr. Troost, 

 Mr. Isaac Lea, Dr. Hays, and Mr. S. Hazard. When the small 

 room, 121 North Second Street, hired about the 1st of April, was 

 occupied, the members came forward with their gifts to serve as 

 the nucleus of the museum and library. Among them was Dr. 

 Troost, with some artificial crystals, prepared by himself. On 

 the occasion of the election of officers, May 7, 1812, Dr. Troost 

 was chosen president. He held this office five years, or till 

 1817, when he resigned and was succeeded by William Maclure. 

 On the 15th of August, 1812, the collection of minerals previously 

 purchased from Dr. Seybert by Mr. Speakman came formally 

 into the possession of the society, which formed a kind of joint- 

 stock company to pay for it and hold it. Soon after this. Dr. 

 Troost delivered a course of lectures on mineralogy before the 

 academy. 



During his residence in Philadelphia Dr. Troost was engaged 

 in manufactures of various kinds. In 1815 or 1816 he began the 

 manufacture of alum on the Magothy River, Cape Sable, Mary- 

 land, establishing the first alum works in the United States. In 

 1821 he was appointed Professor of Mineralogy in the Philadel- 

 phia Museum, where he delivered lectures on the subject. He 

 was also appointed about the same time first Professor of Chem- 

 istry in the College of Pharmacy, Philadelphia, a position which 

 he resigned, after having delivered one course of lectures, in the 

 succeeding year. During this period he also made geological ex- 

 cursions into New Jersey, New York, and elsewhere. 



In 1825 Dr. Troost, with Maclure, Say, and Lesueur, joined 

 Robert Owen in the formation of the Communistic Society at New 

 Harmony, Ind. After remaining there two years, he removed 

 to Nashville, Tenn., in 1827. In 1828 he was elected, at the in- 

 stance of President Lindley, Professor of Chemistry, Geology, and 

 Mineralogy in the University of Nashville. In a historical sketch, 

 published in the catalogue of 1850, is a table of the longest terms 

 of official service of instructors. It is headed by President Lind- 



