REMINISCENCES OF THE ACADEMY BY MR. PRATT. 195 



In the spring of 1867 while spending a few weeks at Ottawa, Ills., I 

 became acquainted with Dr. John Paul, whom some of us here present 

 have since known, and Dr. L. N. Dimmock, now of Santa Barbara, Cal., 

 and some other leading members of the Ottawa Academy of Natural 

 Sciences, an institution which had then a name but no local habitation. 

 They had, however, some good working members, had already in their 

 locality awakened a fresh interest in scientific subjects, and had a pros- 

 pect of soon establishing the society in good I'ooms, and by uniting their 

 private collections, which were of considerable value, making a very 

 good beginning in the building up of a museum. By their example and 

 advice we were encouraged to attempt something more systematic than 

 we had at first thought of venturing. 



Mr. L. T. Eads having become interested in the subject, joined in our 

 consultations, and offered the use of his real estate office in the Post 

 Oflice block, south-east corner of Third and Perry streets, third room 

 from the corner, in the second story, fronting on Perry, for our cabinets 

 and meetings, as long as it would answer these purposes. It was prob- 

 ably mainly due to Mr. Barler's energy and enthusiasm that decided 

 action was taken at this particular time, and on Saturday evening, 

 December 7, 1867, Mr. Barler, Mr. Eads and myself met by appointment 

 at Mr. Eads' office to consult upon the ways and means, the possibilities 

 and probabilities, and as to what we would dare to undertake, thinking 

 that its success might depend somewhat upon the character of the first 

 movement made. We had been unable to enlist men of means in the 

 enterprise ; we had no direct assurances of aid from any source ; we 

 knew that in a majority of cases where such a project was attempted, 

 the interest died out after a sliort time, and the enterprise failed for 

 want of internal energy and persistence, and outside recognition and 

 support. We determined to procure a copy of the constitution of the 

 Ottawa Academy, and to call a meeting of those interested on the next 

 Saturday evening. We did not venture to advertise the meeting, how- 

 ever, fearing that too much might be expected at the beginning, but 

 invited personally those whom we knew to be desirous of joining in 

 co-operative work. During the week Dr. Paul promptly complied with 

 my request, and sent us the copy of their constitution and by-laws, and 

 on Saturday evening, December 14th, 1867— ten years ago to-night — we 

 found "present Messrs. Barler, Eads, Tiffany and Pratt." Mr. Sanders 

 was deceased. Dr. Parry absent at the far West, Prof. Sheldon in poor 

 health, and Mr. Riepe could not attend that evening, though he was 

 present at the next meeting and regularly thereafter. 



It was then decided to proceed to the organization of an association with- 

 out further delay, and this was done theji and there, by the adoption of the 

 form of constitution and by-laws of the Ottawa Academy, and by the 

 election of officers for six months. Some embarrassment was experienced 

 in filling up the Board of ten Trustees required by the constitution, but 

 the full number were chosen, subject to the acceptance of the position by 

 those who were not present. They all accepted, however, except one — 

 Mr. C. S. Ells, and his place was filled after a reasonable time by the 



