SYNOPSIS OF PROCEEDINGS. 223 



March jo, i88j. — Regular Mebting. 



President Lynch in the chair; ten members present. 



Mr. C. E. Harrison, of the Lecture Committee, reported the net 

 proceeds of an instructive lecture by Prof. F. F. Hilder, of St. Louis, 

 at Library Hall on the evening of March 21st, to be $29.65. 



George W. French was elected to regular membership. 



Charles E. Harrison was elected Treasurer in place of H. St. Clair 

 Pufnam, resigned. 



The Curator reported donations from Capt. W. P. Hall, Rev. J. 

 Gass, R. Smetham, and others. 



The Pubhcation Committee reported the completion of the printing 

 of Volume HL of the Academy Proceedings, and placed copies of the 

 same on the table. 



April 4, 188 J. — Special Meeting. 



President Lynch in the chair. 



The meeting was called for the purpose of taking action protesting 

 against the proposed discontinuance of Davenport as a signal service 

 observing station. Prof. D. S. Sheldon, C. H. Preston, and W. H. 

 Pratt were appointed a committee to draw up a remonstrance against 

 such removal. This committee thereupon prepared and presented 

 their report, which was unanimously adopted, and the}' were instructed 

 to forward same to Gen. W. B. Hazen, Chief Signal Service Officer, 

 Washington, D. C. 



April 24, 188 J. — Citizens' Meeting. 



Called by President E. P. Lynch, to devise measures for cancelling 

 the indebtedness of the Academy and placing it on a firm financial 

 basis. A large number of prominent citizens were present, the Hon. 

 George H. French presiding. The sura of twelve hundred and ninety 

 dollars was subscribed by those present for the object named, and 

 Messrs. G. H. French, G. P. McClelland, and N. Kuhnen were ap- 

 pkainted a committee to solicit further subscriptions. 



Secretary McClelland presented and read the following letter from 

 Prof. D. S. Sheldon, who was the first President of the Academy : 



Griswold College, April 24, 1883. 

 Mr. President : I exceedingly regret my inability to meet with you this even- 

 ing and participate in your deliberations respecting the future of the Davenport 

 Academy of Natural Sciences. I have watched the growth of the Academy from 

 its very foundation to the present time with the deepest interest, and I feel an 



