SYNOPSIS 01 PROCEEDINGS. 



precious. We have the old building, we have the new building and 

 we have the museum — one of the best, according to its size, to be 

 found in the whole country. In that museum are many rare treasures. 

 But, after all, the museum is one of the least important things about 

 this Academy, for the monthly meetings, where the handful of enthu- 

 siastic devotees of science come together to keep the sacred fires 

 lighted, are the important things. The publications of the Academy 

 are also important, for they penetrate to all the libraries and univer- 

 sities of the world and bring back in exchange the thoughts of all 

 scientific scholars to enrich the Academy's library. The Davenport 

 Academy is known in many cities of the old world where the name 

 of Chicago is unknown, and where the University of Chicago has not 

 yet been able to make itself felt. 



But what of the future? One sees erected on this site a large build- 

 ing with its corps of officials, its museums occupying one of the floors 

 that extend from the street to the alley. One sees that courses of 

 lectures are given every year, and the public is interested as never 

 before in the study of science. To those who are interested in this 

 work it is not necessary to call attention to the thirty-three years of 

 achievement that lie in the past. Now for the future. It is the duty 

 of those who are interested in this work to go out as missionaries and 

 interest others until the whole city shall be alive to the value and the 

 helpfulness of this magnificent local institution. 



Professor Starr then delivered his interesting lecture on " The 

 Indians of Southern Mexico," which was illustrated by stereoptican 

 pictures. 



At the conclusion of the lecture, opportunity was given those pres- 

 ent to inspect the Griswold College and other collections which had 

 been placed in the museum annex in the basement of the newly- 

 acquired building, where refreshments were served. 



Many letters were received from friends congratulating the Academy 

 on its success. Among these letters, one from Prof. McBride seemed 

 of especial interest: 



To Mrs. M. L. D. Putnam, President of the Davenport Acade»iy of 

 Sciences, 



Dear FRIEND — I regret exceedingly that a previous engagement will 

 prevent my being present on December 14 to bring you in person my earn- 

 est congratulations on the triumphant management of the Davenport 

 Academy of Sciences. There is certainly no other success like it in Iowa, 

 and I do not believe there is in any other state, and men of science every- 

 where are bound sooner or later to recognize that fact. 



Through evil report and good report, in good times and bad times, you 

 have persisted with a perseverance and patience beyond all praise, determ- 

 ined that whatever else might come and go, your fortunate city should not 

 be without the inspiration of modern scientific research and the stimulus of 

 modern scientific thought. For three and thirty years, especially from 

 those days when your gifted young member, J. Duncan Putnam, charmed 



