WINTER MEETING. 

 Indianapolis, Dec 28, 29, 1892. 



PRESIDENTS ADDRESS. 



Thk Interdependence of Liberal Pursuits. 

 J. L. Campbell, Ckawfokdsyii.li:. 



The crowning group in stone for the new library building in Indianapo- 

 lis, by Richard W. Bock, of Chicago, is composed of three figures, repre- 

 senting Literature, Science and Art. 



The central figure, sixteen feet in height, represents Science, holding in 

 his right hand stretched upward the torch of enlightenment, and in his 

 left a palm, the reward of victory. 



In a sitting posture to the right a female figure represents Literature. 

 She holds a book in the left hand resting on the knee, and with uplifted 

 pen in the right hand she is presented at the inspired moment— write. 



The third figure, representing Art, is also a woman. She holds a draw- 

 ing board upon which she is about to produce a design. 



This group suggests the topic for discussion, and the subject may be en- 

 titled the Interdependence of the Liberal Pursuits, or in the spirit of the 

 times, the need of an intellectual trust, whereby the interests of science, 

 literature and art may be better cared for, and under its fostering care 

 there may be developed higher, art, purer literature and nobler science. 



The group in stone is a unit, and my plea will be for the unity of these 

 liberal pursuits. 



The distinguishing characteristic of our day is devotion to specialties, 

 and this devotion has made us strangers to each other. 



A critical examination of the productions in the various departments of 

 literature and science will disclose many defects, which may be traced 

 chiefly to the want of interchange of thought. 



The scientific treatises often are defective in style and expression, and 

 the literary works frequently are laughably absurd in their scientific by- 

 plays. 



The scientific man waves aside with contempt the latest novel, and the 

 novelist returns the compliment by pitying the devotion of the discoverer 

 of an unclassified bug or a fresh compound. 



A more generous fellowship is needed for mutual benefit. 



