Record. xxvii 



entirely from the thoughts which actuate the greater part of our community. 

 We are not led astray, and never have been led astray, by the spirit of com- 

 mercialism which rules not only in our city but throughout our country; 

 and I can safely say that we have kept the flame of pure science burning, 

 though we have not been able to spread its light as broadly as we should 

 like. 



Yet it is a satisfaction to know that we do not lack for the devotion which 

 has always characterized the members of this society, and in which the hope 

 of the future lies. I am glad to be able to report, as you can see in detail 

 from the reports of the other officers, a very satisfactory progress in a 

 number of different directions. 



In the membership I can report that during the past year we have added 

 a net increase of 49, making at present a total active membership of 251. 

 While the larger part of this membership consists of persons who do not 

 attend our meetings, yet we are assured of their sympathy and encourage- 

 ment, if by no other thing, by the mere fact that they are willing to con- 

 tribute their annual dues for the sake of enabling the few who do the work 

 to carry on the society and to print its publications. But in retaining and 

 striving to increase this class of members, the Academy assumes a recip- 

 rocal obligation, and it is no doubt desirable that at least some of the 

 meetings of the Academy should be devoted to the consideration of the 

 growth of scientific knowledge, not necessarily such growth as has been 

 brought about by the members of our own Academy, but the world's 

 progress in science. To do this implies that we should have, at least 

 occasionally, a statement of results in scientific work, in a form not too 

 technical, in order that we may appeal to the larger part of the membership 

 that we now have, retain their interest, and also increase the membership. 

 The Council of the Academy has had such general lectures upon scientific 

 progress in mind, and has made some effort to provide such popular even- 

 ings. It is a matter, however, of no little difficulty to find the man and the 

 subject which will appeal to this larger class of members. Still, it is a thing 

 which should be kept in mind, and I have no doubt that, as occasion offers, 

 such discourses will be provided. 



With reference to the meetings of the Academy, I may again congratulate 

 the society. We have held fifteen regular meetings during the year, and 

 the average attendance has been sixteen. While this is a comparatively 

 small number, I think it will compare favorably with that of similar meet- 

 ings of very much larger bodies in other cities, so that we have nothing to 

 be ashamed of. At the same time, I think it is desirable, and I think it 

 entirely feasible, by the means that I have indicated and by others, to 

 increase the attendance. 



We have made progress, also, with reference to the library. During the 

 year we have increased the number of exchanges which are now receiving 

 our Transactions, and from which we receive periodical publications, quite 

 considerably. The total number of exchanges, as I am informed by the 

 librarian, is now 527, scattered through various parts of the world; and 

 from these societies we have received, during the year, very nearly a thou- 

 sand numbers, — about 390, I think it is, of volumes, and 551 pamphlets, 

 which, as you see, make a very considerable addition to our already exten- 

 sive library. 



