SYNOPSIS OF PROCEEDINGS. 205 



The President laid before the Academy a correspondence between 

 himself and Dr. Cyrus Thomas, Superintendent of the archaeological 

 explorations of the Bureau of Ethnology, said correspondence having 

 been opened by Dr. Thomas. He gave extracts from a letter purport- 

 ing to come from a member of the Academy to a member of the 

 Bureau, which were of a character highly derogatory to the honor of 

 some members of the Academy. 



On motion, the following resolution was unanimously adopted : 



Whereas, The correspondence of Prof. Thomas with President Charles E. 

 Putnam has been submitted to the Academy; therefore, be it 



Resolved, That the Academy extend a cordial invitation to Prof. Thomas, 

 previous to his proposed publication, to visit its Museum, inspect the relics 

 under discussion in the correspondence, examine the mounds where they were 

 discovered, interview the finders, and investigate all available evidence. 



December 26, /SSj.— Adjourned Meeting. 

 President C. E. Putnam in the chair; nineteen members present. 



H. P. Royce elected to regular membership." Professor Erasmus 

 Haworth, of Oskaloosa, Iowa, made corresponding member. 



Notice was given of the death of Mr. Richard Smetham, a life mem- 

 ber, who died November 27th, during a visit to England. Dr. C. C. 

 Parry read a brief sketch of Mr. Smetham, which was ordered published 

 in the city papers and placed upon the records of the Academy. 



EARLY REMINISCENCES OV RICHARD SMETHAM. 

 By C. C. Parry. 



A well-known form, that for forty years has been familiar to all on 

 the streets of Davenport, has, for several months past, disappeared 

 from public view; and now word comes across the broad Atlantic 

 waves that Richard Smetham, so long a resident here, has taken that 

 last journey "from whence no traveler returns." 



Born in England, January 8th, 181 9; emigrating to America in 1845 i 

 making Davenport his home from the spring of 1846 to the summer of 

 1885; returning for a first and last visit to his native land last August, 

 and dying among relatives at Southport, England, November 25th, 

 1885. In these brief items are comprised the principal record of a life 

 of nearly sixty-seven years, well known to every one present, but by 

 few really appreciated or understood. 



As one of the earliest personal acquaintances of the writer in Daven- 

 port since the autumn of 1846, and recognizing from the first, under a 

 reserved exterior, unusual natural and acquired abilities, esteeming him 

 highly for his worth's sake, and only regretting that my limited means 



