ihe extent of the earliest accession list, covering the period from 

 June 5, 1798 to 1808. This list has been published in full in the 

 Bulletin, and some of the specimens there listed are still in the 

 Museum. The vigor of this pioneer museum is evident when 

 neither war nor fire could check its progress. 



THE SECOND EPOCH 



The second epoch begins with the organization of the Literary 

 and Philosophical Society of South Carolina in 1813 and its in- 

 corporation in 1814. The primary object of this society was 

 stated to be the founding of a museum and this was no sooner 

 announced than "numerous donations of specimens, in every 

 department of the arts and sciences, were liberally bestowed, 

 with which to commence its Museum." ^ The Library Society 

 at once transferred its cases and collection to the new organiza- 

 tion, and the "opportune arrival of that distinguished natural- 

 ist and practical chemist, Dr. Felix L'Herminier, from Guada- 

 loupe, with an extensive collection of specimens, the fruit of 

 twenty years application, expense and industry, which he offered 

 to the Society, was an advantage, not to be lost sight of. Nego- 

 ciations were immediately entered into with that gentleman, by 

 a committee of the society. The citizens were also invited to 

 co-operate with them in effecting the purchase of this collection, 

 towards the establishment of a respectable and scientific Museum 

 in Charleston. ' ' 



A period of great enthusiasm was thus inaugurated. A system 

 of life memberships in recognition of subscriptions of fifty dol- 

 lars was established. "The State Legislature and the City 

 Council, alive to the importance of this object, with a prompt- 

 ness and liberality which will forever redound to their v^redit, 

 contributed largely to the purchase, and, with sums subscribed 

 by individuals, enabled the society to make a purchase of that 

 valuable collection, which is now one of the chief, and perhaps, 

 most interesting ornaments of the city." 



' All quotations on this and the following page are from Shecut's Medical and Philo- 

 ■ophioal Eaaaya, Charleston, 1819. 



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