of the other public projects which are undertaken by public-spirited men 

 in a civilized community. 



In a large city like St. Louis, it is of the utmost importance that great 

 institutions of learning should be built up and fostered. Just as our mer- 

 chants should provide themselves with all that is needed in order to satisfy 

 the material wants of the people of the tributary country, so our learned in- 

 stitutions should be placed upon such a footing, that the intellectual needs 

 of the people can also be supplied. The St. Louis Academy of Science and 

 the Washington University should be made the great centres of intelli- 

 gence in the west, to which scholars could come and find the information, 

 and aid which they may need. To-night I speak for the Academy of Sci- 

 ence. It has already been in existence for over a quarter of a century, 

 and it has published fourteen numbers of the Transactions, costing from 

 five hundred to twelve hundred dollars per number, and costing in all 

 about ten thousand dollars. These publications, of the original work of 

 the members of the Academy, have been paid for by many friends of sci- 

 ence who have consented to serve as paying members, contributing the 

 annual dues of six dollars per year, and by voluntary subscriptions when 

 the annual dues were inadequate. Our publications are given to learned 

 societies in every quarter of the civilized world, in exchange for similar 

 publications. 



The time has now come when the Academy can be put upon a basis, 

 which will insure its permanent success. From present indications the 

 Academy will realize something on 'the Lucas lot, which will go far 

 towards the purchase of a lot in a more suitable location. As a tribute to 

 the memory of Dr. Engelmann, it would be greatly to the credit of St. Louis 

 if the present occasion could be seized upon as a suitable time to endow 

 the Academy of Science. The Academy owes its very existence to his 

 quiet, unostentatious labors. 



A gentleman has made the offer to be one of twenty to subscribe 

 $20,000. In a city like St. Louis, there ought to be no difficulty in finding 

 twenty men who will give a thousand dollars apiece to so noble an object 

 as the one which now engages our attention. I feel confident that it will 

 be done, and that the St. Louis Academy of Science will at once start 

 upon a new career of usefulness. 



On motion of Dr. Briggs, the remarks of Mr. Nipher were re- 

 quested for publication. 



The Corresponding Secretary read correspondence. 

 Adjourned. 



May 19, 1884. 

 Dr. Leete in the chair. Present — Messrs. Leete, Cushman, 

 Sander, Hambach, Nipher, Letterman, Wheeler, Adams, Dr. 

 Evers, and Pritchett. 



