2 DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 



only noted and appreciated but rejoiced in, as a more than personal 

 gain. Had he been spared but a few short weeks, the address you 

 would have listened to now would have glowed with the warmth of 

 a paramount labor of love. 



As it is, I can do little more than refer you to the various official 

 reports which have just been read in your hearing, and point to this 

 building with its large recent addition of shelf-room, already ci'owded 

 and insufficient, as the best witness of results to date and of press- 

 ing wants for the future. 



The year just past has been, in the aggregate, about equal to the 

 prosperous 3ear preceding, in additions to library and museum ; but 

 in increase of membership and attendance at meetings there has 

 been something of a falling off. Nine regular, two life, and six cor- 

 responding members have been added, which would show a healthy 

 growth if all members, both old and new, would maintain an active 

 interest in meetings and work. But an average of ten only at the 

 regular meetings, with but four meetings of the Board of Trustees, 

 does not evidence that interest which ought to exist. As to the 

 difficulty experienced in assembling a majority of our fif een Trus- 

 tees, it has been largely due to the rete.ition in office of honored 

 members who have ceased to reside in our midst. Desirable as it 

 is to lose none of the influence and counsel of firm friends and for- 

 mer associates, I think it advisable that the Board should, in the 

 future, consist wholly of resident men.bers ; to the end that the 

 affairs of the Academy ma}* not suffer neglect. The number con- 

 stituting a quorum might indeed be reduced, but not without amend- 

 ing the articles of incorporation, and the move might not be for the 

 best. In the work proper of the Academy our one great want is 

 interested hearts with willing hands. 



In science as elsewhere, there occurs but seldom, unfortunately, 

 that happy combination of circumstances which cleais all obstruc- 

 tions from the road to success. The man who, to an ardent love 

 for some special branch of scientific work, adds an aptitude for it, 

 health, mental abilit}', and means, and is spared to pursue it to a 

 ripe old age, is favored almost beyond the acme of human hope ; 

 and all that he can accomplish in a lifetime, at his chosen pursuit, for 

 the mental or physical improvement of his fellow men, is cheerfully 

 given in return. But few indeed have the liking combined with the 

 brains and strength for continuous hard mental work ; and of those 

 so gifted, few but are forced to limit their studies to odd hours stolen 



