18 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE ACADEMY. 



ing, that truth was really eternal, and that science, with all her glories, could never be more than 

 the handmaiden and servant of trutli. 



But, Mr. President, shall we not rejoice also in the influence of the example of our venerable 

 associations ? It is unnecessary for us to claim much of that influence beyond the limits of our 

 own country. Here and around us to-day are some evidences, at least, of that influence. In the 

 present broad expanse of our country, and in every State and Territory, we find associations, under 

 various names, established for the promotion of science and useful knowledge, showing truly tliat 

 your motto, " Sub Hbertate florent," was chosen with prophetic wisdom, for science may ^^■ell say 

 " Where liberty dwells there is my country." 



In a celebration like this I must be short and merciful. I may be pardoned for dilating on the 

 virtues and worth of the elderly maidens whose birthdays we may be said now to be celebrating, 

 for they are almost twin sisters, and they have never since 1780 changed their names, although 

 they have had many lovers. Such a persistence in virtue has had, and I hope will continue to 

 have, its reward. Possibly one of them, and perhaps both, before the end of another century may 

 be tempted to matrimony by some cunning evolutionists ; but you and I, Mr. President, as guar- 

 dians of these old vestals, must, wherever we may be, forbid the banns. And so crowned with the 

 glorious memories of their past history, and being continually renewed by the adoption as their 

 children of all who, of every kind, sex, tongue, and people, can give the shibboleth for admission, 

 may they endure, from century to century, as monuments of the wisdom of our patriotic fatliers 

 and as the strongholds of truth and knowledge. 



President Eliot was called upon to respond for " Harvard University." He 

 said : — 



Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen : — It is with great diffidence that I obey your call when I see 

 about me so many of tlie teachers of the university, older than I am, teachers of mine, men who might 

 reply to this sentiment much better than I can. But I am sure that M-e all rejoice that, for a hun- 

 dred years past. Harvard University and this Academy liave worked together for common ends with 

 the utmost harmony and with mutual benefit. The urgent desire immediately to impart knowledge 

 once won is, it seems to me, one of the most delightful attributes of modern science. Whenever 

 a scientific man wins a little new truth he must run somewhither to impart it, and, under the pres- 

 ent organization of scientific and literary society, he inevitably goes to a body like this, to an 

 Academy ; so the rolls of this Academy bear the names of aU the eminent investigators and scholars 

 of the adjacent coUege. They come here for sympathy, for support, and to gratify this necessity of 

 the scientific nature to give out what it has acquired. But when we look back, as we did in listen- 

 ing to the interesting address of the chairman this morning, and bring before our minds the situa- 

 tion of the men who a hundred years ago founded this Academy, do we not learn a lesson of profound 

 humility ? How meagre were their resources, how poor they were, but how gallant their spirit, and 

 what seed they sowed ! Mr. Chairman, with all the wealth at our command, with the mighty 

 powers which are newly subject to us, can we hope to surpass, or even equal, the spirit of our fore- 



