Z PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA 



appear to be before us in the future. And the year which has 

 just closed has indeed been for us an eventful one — the one from 

 which, as it seems to me, our association will date its new life, 

 and mark its strongest and most vigorous advancement. The 

 Academy is poor no longer — the cloud of adversity which seemed 

 so long to have overshadowed it, and which, but for the untiring 

 energy and hopeful perseverance of a few of its members, would 

 have brought its career of usefulness to a close, has, by the grand 

 beneficence of one man, been entirely removed, and without in- 

 dulging in too enthusiastic hopes, we may confidently look for- 

 ward to be able to bask for the future in the sunshine of pros- 

 perity. 



The change in the provisions of the Lick bequest is fresh in 

 your recollection — a change most beneficial to us in every respect, 

 which adds deeply to the debt of thankfulness we owe to him 

 who has set so noble an example in the disposition of his wealth, 

 and who has earned for all time the unbounded gratitude of 

 lovers of science, not only in California, but throughout the 

 whole civilized world. The property on Market Street deeded 

 to us by Mr. Lick is now wholly in the hands of the Academy, 

 the restrictions which existed in the former deed having been, as 

 you are aware, entirely removed. Our annual income from this 

 source will henceforth be in the neighborhood of $3,800, and it 

 is to be believed that the rapid progress which San Francisco 

 may be expected to make in the value of her real estate, will, in 

 a few years, considerably enhance that sum. The number of 

 members added to our list during 1875 has been twenty-seven, 

 of whom two were life members. Some few have resigned, and we 

 have lost four by death, viz. : Horatio Stone, B. P. Avery, W. C. 

 Ralston, and B. F. Sherwood. Our total number of members is 

 now nearly five hundred, seventy-eight of whom are Life Mem- 

 bers, so that our monthly dues, should, if faithfully paid, 

 bring us in about $5,500 per annum, making our total in- 

 come a little over $9,000. It is a matter of regret, however, 

 that many of our members are sadly in arrears, and the 

 Council for the past year recently sent out notices to the whole 

 of those who were deficient, stating that decided action will be 

 taken in each case before the close of the year. It was, how- 

 ever, afterwards thought best to give these gentlemen an oi^por- 

 tunity to pay their dues on the day of the annual election; but I 



