RECORDS OF MEETINGS. 831 



In 1800, the American Philosophical Society received by gift a 

 plaster cast of a bust of Franklin. In 1802, the same society received 

 another and probably a different bust. At any rate, the Philosophical 

 Society presented a bust of Franklin to the Academy, presumably one 

 of these, and to-day the Academy has no such bust. 



On the other hand, the Athenaeum has no conclusive record as to 

 the source from which possession was derived by that society of the 

 bust in the vestibule. 



It appears by our records that the gift by the Philosophical Society 

 was made in 1802, the same year that the second bust was given to 

 that society. The Athenaeum bust is said to be a replica of a bust by 

 Houdon. It is not a replica of the bust in possession of the Philosoph- 

 ical Society, but represents Franklin at the same period of life, and in 

 many respects there is a close resemblance between the two busts. 



Believing that the Athenaeum bust was probably ours, yet feeling 

 that there was no method available for proving this, I requested per- 

 mission to have a replica made of that bust, either for us, or to replace 

 the Athenaeum bust, as the Trustees might prefer. 



The application brought me a reply, a copy of which I enclose, in 

 which it will be seen that the Athenaeum presents the bust to the 

 Academy. I have the honor to be. 



Yours very truly, 



A. McF. Davis. 



The following is a copy of the letter enclosed : — 



Library of the Boston Athenaeum, 

 Charles Knowles Bolton, Librarian, 



Boston, Mass., October 17, 1911. 

 Andrew McFarland Davis, Esq., 



10 Appleton Street, Cambridge, Mass. 



Dear Sir : — Your letter addressed to me and dated October 14th was 

 brought before the Trustees of the Athenaeum at their meeting yester- 

 day. The Trustees wish me to say that, on account of the long and 

 friendly relation which has existed between the American Academy of 

 Arts and Sciences and the Proprietors of the Boston Athenaeum, 

 they welcome your letter as an opportunity to continue these evidences 

 of good will. They therefore instruct me to present through you to 

 the American Academy the plaster replica of the bust of Franklin men- 

 tioned in your letter. 



•If at some time in the future the Athenaeum should desire a rep- 



