SYNOPSIS OF PROCEEDINGS. 297 



over, become plain that the same might be advantageously extended 

 to one or two lower grades. The obvious advantage of this method 

 is that it makes possible a much more complete illustration with the 

 actual objects than could be made by means of such collections as 

 could be found at each school. The present arrangement as to time 

 presents no material interference with regular school work. 



The removal of Prof. Pratt from the city is a serious loss to the 

 Academy in the prosecution of this work no less than in many other 

 ways; but we hope some arrangement may speedily be made for con- 

 tinuing the Academy classes. 



While we express the keenest regret that, hedged about by sharply 

 limiting conditions, much of the desirable work of an academy is, as 

 yet, impossible of accomplishment, we may congratulate ourselves on 

 what has been done by dint of personal exertion on the part of 

 those who, busy all day in the vocations by which a livelihood must 

 be earned, have yet spared for science an occasional hour. We own 

 our building free from encumbrance, and enough ground for the 

 extension and completion of the building as contemplated in the orig- 

 inal plan. 



The value of the collections, especially in the archceological depart- 

 ment, is very considerable. A careful estimate has placed the actual 

 money value of the building and contents as scarcely short of $ioo,- 

 000. A painstaking examination of the records, made by the late 

 Curator, shows that of that amount the following has been received 

 from the community during the past 22 years: 



Fees' and dues $ 5,325 00 



Proceeds of lectures 325 00 



Proceeds of entertainments i>95o 00 



Total $ 7,600 00 



Cash contributions and life memberships $1 1,000 00 



Total Si8,6oo 00 



For the $7,600 the patrons have had in return the usual privileges 

 of membership. Of the $11,000 donated a very considerable por- 

 tion has been contributed by the active members themselves, while 

 about ^1,000 h^s come from distant friends. Of the balance, it cer- 

 tainly is not extravagant to assume that it has been fully returned to 

 the public in the reputation abroad which it has given the city : for in 

 every scientific institution of the world the name of Davenport is well 

 known, the Academy of Sciences having been a potent factor in the 

 very best kind of advertising — that which shows not only business 

 activity but the force of intelligence and education, which appreciates 

 and cultivates all sources of material and intellectual welfare, than 

 which none can be with less justice overlooked than scientific labor 

 and scientific knowledge. 



In the material prosperity with which Davenport is being blest, as 

 the years go by, and which of late seems to be taking on new activity 



