MINUTES. 



XXI 



not by the Comte himself. In Durand's book the Minister to 

 America is repeatedly spoken of as Gerard de Raynevalle, which was 

 natural enough except for the fact that ' de Raynevalle ' was not a 

 family title, but belonged exclusively to the younger brother, who is 

 often spoken of by that title alone. 



" It may be of interest to many readers of your valuable Journal 

 to recall in this connection, that among the distinguished foreigners 

 honored at different times by being elected members of the Ameri- 

 can Philosophical Society, one of the first was this same Conrad 

 Alexandre Gerard, the first accredited diplomat received in the 

 United States. He came to Philadelphia July 14, 1778, having pre- 

 viously arrived at Chester, Penna., where he was met by a delegation 

 appointed by Congress for that purpose. They conducted him ' to 

 a handsome apartment provided for him on Market Street.' Later 

 he occupied the then suburban residence, ' Carpenter's Mansion,' 

 which filled the block across from the State House on Chestnut and 

 Sixth Streets. 



"I might also add that on pages 102 to 105, inclusive, of the 

 volume entitled, ' Early Proceedings of the American Philosophical 

 Society,' can be found a full account of the connection of Conrad 

 Alexandre Gerard with the Society, and also the copy of a letter 

 sent in his care (after ill-health had compelled his resignation from 

 the post of Minister), to the French scientist, Buffon, in acknowl- 

 edgment of the receipt of four ' elegantly bound volumes ' of the 

 latter's 'Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux.' Those who wish may 

 examine these very volumes carefully preserved in the library of 

 your Society." 



Philadelphia, 

 April, 1921. 



The decease was announced of Charles E. Bennett, A.B., Litt.D., 

 at Ithaca, on May 2, 1921, ajt. 63. 



Prof. Horace C, Richards read a paper on ' Einstein's Theory of 

 Relativity.' 



Special Meeting, May 24, IQ21. 



William B. Scott, Sc.D., LL.D., President, in the Chair. 

 Madame Marie S. Curie, elected to membership in 1910, sub- 

 scribed the Laws and was admitted into the Society. 



