SYNOPSIS OF PROCEEDINGS. 305 



might have been, we still live ; and with the means at our disposal we 

 have no reason for discouragement. "Things are not always what 

 they seem." Failure and success are relative terms. What often 

 seems failure is embryonic success, resulting in the birth of improved 

 methods, clearer intelligence, better work and higher attainments. 

 Every one is familiar with examples of this in studying the history of 

 events as they transpire. The very things that seem to destroy and 

 overwhelm are, by some occult alchemy, changed into deliverance and 

 salvation. The very wrath of men is made to praise and hold up the 

 truth. For example, the War of Independence seemed disastrous, 

 but it resulted in the birth of a nation and the independence of a great 

 people. The shot at Fort Sumter and the first battle of Bull Run had 

 a disastrous look, but we now know that the black cloud had a silver 

 lining and culminated in the emancipation proclamation of Abraham 

 Lincoln and the surrender of Lee to Grant at Appomattox. We have 

 notable examples of this in our own institution. But for the assertions 

 of some professors of science in a national institution — but for this 

 seeming evil, we would never have seen that able and unanswerable 

 defense of our institution and relics as given to the world by our late 

 lamented President, Charles E. Putnam, which resulted not only in 

 proving the genuineness of the relics as found and the honesty of the 

 finders, but of convincing the scientific world of the same — proofs of 

 which convictions come to us from almost all scientific bodies in Eu- 

 rope as well as America. 



Speaking reminiscently, we must not fail to remember gratefully 

 and regretfully our former fellow member and Curator, W. H. Pratt : 

 gratefully when we think of his zeal and untiring labor for so many 

 years in building up and keeping in order our collections : regret- 

 fully when we think of his departure to another city just as he was be- 

 ginning to develop a favorite theory of his, viz, makmg our Academy 

 an efficient auxiliary of the public school, by taking classes weekly, 

 and teaching practically, visually and orally the nature of the things 

 and animals which they have read about in their books. It is not too 

 much to hope that some one equally capable and imbued with equal 

 zeal will take up this work so auspiciously begun and carry it forward 

 to a successful issue. The heart fills with sorrow and the eye with 

 tears as, year by year, numbers of our efficient members leave us, some 

 to other places, as Fulton, Pilsbry and others, but the greater number 

 to join the silent majority — Sheldon, the Putnams, father and son, 

 Farquharson, French, Riepe, Renwick, Adams, Preston and others. 

 Verily they rest from their labors and their works follow them, while 

 we sadly miss them in their accustomed places and long for the 

 " touch of a vanished hand." Still speaking reminiscently, we must 

 not fail to mention with admiration the unflagging enthusiasm and 

 successful labors of the Chairman of the Publication Committee, Mrs. 

 M. L. D. Putnam. Able, efficient and persistent in her efforts from 

 the first; meeting the objections of the few opposers who doubted the 

 wisdom of publishing the proceedings ; she has been the projector of 



