MEMOIR OF THOMAS SAT. IX. 



become an occupation, interfering with the acquisition of 

 that learning, which, in every situation of life, is deemed 

 indispensable. 



That the subject of this notice early commenced the study 

 of natural history, is well ascertained. Hence his indiffer- 

 ence to business, which resulted in bankruptcy ; hence his 

 neglect of literature, a neglect which he was fully sensible 

 of, when, at a future period of his life, he undertook to com- 

 municate to the public the result of his labours in some of the 

 most abstruse and intricate branches of the animal kingdom. 



Not long after the establishment of the Academy of Natu- 

 ral Sciences of Philadelphia, Mr. Say was prevailed with to 

 become one of its members.* Of the origin of this highly 

 respectable and useful institution, I shall at this time merely 

 assert, that its founders had any thing in view but the ad- 

 vancement of science. Strange as this may appear, it is 

 nevertheless true, that the club of humourists, which subse- 

 quently dignified the association under the imposing title of 

 Academy, held its weekly meetings merely for the purpose 

 of amusement ; and, consequently, confined itself to those 

 objects which it was thought would be most conducive to 

 that end. 



But, in process of time, when it was found that mere col- 

 loquial recreation soon loses its charms, a higher object was 

 suggested to the attention of the association, one which it 

 was thought would tend to awaken public curiosity, and 

 thereby procure an accession of members, and, consequently, 

 an accession of means : this object was the collecting and 

 preserving of natural curiosities. At the date of Mr. Say's 

 joining the Society, this plan had been recently adopted ; 

 but how great was his surprise, on being inducted into the 

 temple of science, to find that the whole collection consisted 

 of some half a dozen common insects, a few madrepores and 



* The Academy was founded in January, 1S12 ; and Mr. Say was 

 elected a member in April, the same year. His name appears for the 

 first time, among the members present, at the meeting of the 16th of 

 April. It was subsequently determined, as a mark of respect, that "his 

 name should be enrolled among those of the founders." 



