268 Mcvwj'ial of George Broum Goode. 



many years after, Philadelphia was the metropolis of American science 

 and literature. 



Directly after the Revolution a similar institution was established in 

 Boston, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, which was incor- 

 porated by the legislature of Massachusetts in 1780, and published its 

 first memoirs in 1785. This, like the Philadelphia society, owed its 

 origin to the efforts of a great statesman. We find the whole history in 

 the memoirs of John Adams, a man who believed, with Washington, that 

 scientific institutions are the best and most lasting protection of a popular 

 government. 



In a memorandum written in 1809 Mr. Adams gave his recollections 

 of the circumstances which led to his deep and lasting interest in scien- 

 tific foundations : 



In traveling from Boston to Philadelphia, in 1774-75-76-77, I had several times 

 amused myself at Norwalk, in Connecticut, with the very curious collection of birds 

 and insects of American production made by Mr. Arnold; ' a collection which he 

 afterwards sold to Governor Try on, who sold it to Sir Asliton Lever, in whose apart- 

 ments in London I afterwards viewed it again. This collection was so singular a 

 thing that it made a deep impression upon me, and I could not but consider it a 

 reproach to my country that so little was known, even to herself, of her natural 

 history. 



When I was in Europe, in the years 1778-79 in the commission to the King of 

 France, with Doctor Franklin and Mr. Arthur Lee, I had opportimities to see the 

 King's collection and many others, which increased my wishes that nature might 

 be examined and studied in my own country as it was in others. 



In France, among the academicians and other men of science and letters, I was 

 frequently entertained with inqiiiries concerning the Philosophical Society of Phila- 

 delphia, and wi+h eulogiums on the wisdom of that institution, and encomiums on 

 some publications in their transactions. These conversations suggested to me the 

 idea of such an establishment in Boston, where I knew there was as much love of 

 science, and as many gentlemen who were capable of pursuing it, as in any other 

 city of its size. 



In 1779 I returned to Boston on the French frigate La Sefisible, with the Chevalier 

 de la Luzerne and M. Marbois.= The corporation of Harvard College gave a public 

 dinner in honor of the French ambassador and his suite, and did me the honor of an 

 invitation to dine with them. At table in the Philosophy Chamber, I chanced to sit 

 next to Doctor Cooper. 3 I entertained him during the whole of the time we were 



' Some local antiquary may make an interesting contribution to the literature of 

 American nuiseum work by looking up the history of this collection. 



^The Chevalier Anne C^sar de la Luzerne [1741-1821] was French minister to the 

 United States from 1779 to 1783, afterwards minister to England. M. Francois de 

 Barbe Marbois [1745-1837] was his secretary of legation, and after the return of his 

 chief to France, was charge d'affaires until 1785. For many interesting facts, not 

 elsewhere accessible, concerning the career of these men in the United States, and 

 their acquaintance with Adams, see John Durand's admirable New Materials for a 

 History of the American Revolution. New York: Henry Holt & Co., 1889, i2mo, 

 pp. i-vi, 1-310. 



3 Rev. Samuel Cooper, D. D. [1725-1783], an eminent patriot, long pastor of Brattle 

 Street Church, in Boston, and a leading member of the corporation of Harvard. He 

 was the first vice-president of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. 



The first president of the academy was James Bowdoin, afterwards governor of 



