SYNOPSIS OF PROCEEDINGS. 299 



the city, and in so doing doubly bless himself. Surely it were better 

 to see the good one does before going hence to be no more on earth 

 than to leave one's wealth to be fought over and scattered to the winds. 



And let me say a word to the young men of the city, many of 

 whom are drifting into idleness and crime, just for want of a purpose: 

 Remember we do not live by bread alone. The mind needs food as 

 well as the body. What a chance is yours to come here and learn of 

 Nature and her ways. Here are books and specimens and every in- 

 ducement to go out and investigate for yourselves the wonders of the 

 world we live in. 



A fine example for young men is that of our former librarian, H. A. 

 Pilsbry. Working at his trade of printer he put in his spare mo- 

 ments in the study and classification of shells, and is now professor of 

 conchology in the Philadelphia Academy of Science. He thirsted 

 for knowledge, searched for the spring, and drank deep. There are 

 a great many springs right here in this academy to begin on if you are 

 thirsty — and it would be a good thing to begin now. This is s kind of 

 thirst that no man need be ashamed of, and what pleasure there is in 

 the search for the springs of truth. Lessing says, " If God held all 

 knowledge in his right hand and in his left the desire to search for 

 truth, and asked me to choose, I would fall reverently on his left hand 

 and say, Father, give ! " Tn the search for knowledge lies happiness, 

 and in the strength of the endeavor lies its secret recompense. 



January JO, 1 8g I. — Regular Meeting. 



President Thompson in the chair. 



The auditing committee ai^pointed at the last meeting reported the 

 accounts of the Treasurer for the past year examined and found correct. 



The Curator reported as the most interesting addition to the museum 

 during the month a colored drawing made by an Indian convict. 



Rev. George K. Hoover was elected a regular member, and Mr. S. 

 F. Smith a Trustee to fill the vacancy caused by the election of James 

 Thompson to the presidency. 



The President announced the appointment of standing committees 

 for the year as follows : 



Finance~\N. C. Putnam, E. S. Ballord, Dr. W. L. Allen. 



Publication — Mx%. M. L. D. Putnam, H. C. Fulton, Prof. W. H. 

 Barris, Dr. C. H. Preston, James Thompson. 



Library — Miss A. J. S. McCrum, C. E. Harrison, Rev. A. M. 

 Judy. 



Museum — W. H. Pratt, .\rcha8ology ; Miss S. G. Foote-Sheldon, 

 Conchology; Prof. Jerome McNeill, Entomology; Prof. W. H. Bar- 

 ris, Geology and Palaeontology ; Dr. E. H. Hazen, Natural History ; 



