Ixxviii Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. 



much to the credit of our members that courage has been kept up and that 

 we do not despair of ultimately reaching that desirable result. I believe 

 this object will be attained, though it comes slowly. Milton, in one of his 

 sonnets, says, " They also serve who stand and wait," and we have a prov- 

 erb that all things come to those who wait. I do not interpret this proverb 

 to mean that success comes to those who idly wait, but rather to those who 

 eagerly wait and watch and seize opportunities to accomplish what they 

 desire. It may be that the time is not yet ripe for an effort of this kind, 

 but it is well to be educating the public mind on the subject so that, when 

 business is prosperous and remunerative, the people may be ready to act and 

 come to our aid. 



A desire to see and know those who have achieved deserved reputation 

 in any line of human efEort is natural and commendable, and it was there- 

 fore a great pleasure to us to meet and entertain Dr. Nansen, the great Nor- 

 wegian Arctic explorer. His wisdom and foresight in planning and equipping 

 his expedition, his courage, patience, cheerfulness and heroism in braving 

 the perils and terrors of the icy plains of the frozen North, have placed him 

 in the front rank of Arctic travelers, and our meeting with him will long 

 linger in our memories as one of the red-letter days of the year's experience. 



Mingled with the pleasant emotions connected with this visit is an under- 

 tone of sadness from the loss of one of our colaborers, Professor Pritchett, 

 who has left us to enter upon an important field of labor, under the Gov- 

 ernment, where, it is believed, he will be useful and will do credit to him- 

 self, to this Academy, and to the Government that, unsolicited on his part, 

 has placed him in a position of honor and responsibility. 



You, gentlemen of the Academy, have elected, to-night, officers either 

 young or in the prime of life, active and enthusiastic workers in different 

 fields of scientific study, with high ideals and aims, with faces set toward 

 the future, with energy, zeal and courage to meet and solve the many prob- 

 lems that are springing into life; and under their guidance and leadership, I 

 believe this Academy will achieve, in the time to come, all that its founders 

 hoped and struggled for. That it may be so is my wish and prophecy. 



The Treasurer reported as follows: — 



Receipts. 



Balance from 1896 $767 02 



Sundry collections 6 49 



Donation (for portrait) 200 00 



Interest on invested money 363 66 



Membership dues 958 00 $2,295 17 



Expenditures. 



Rent ,- $500 CO 



Portrait 200 00 



Current expenses 457 91 



Publication of Transactions 533 85 1,69176 



Balance to 1898 $ 603 41 



[invested fund. 

 Investment on security $ 6,000 00} 



