ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT. 211 



projector and leader. He was the author of text books on zoology and 

 geology. He was born in Stoddard, N. H., Jan. 13th, 1827, and was 

 elected a corresponding member of the Academy, April 27th, 1877. 



When I reluctantly entered upon the office of President, I was told 

 that in 1877 we must have a home for the Academy, but we did not know 

 whence it would come. We began to look around for the desired build- 

 ing and location, and in the midst of our anxiety, we were surprised by 

 the valuable gift of a building-lot from our most worthy friend, Mrs. P. 

 V. Newcomb. That gave direction to our efforts. AVith a fair prospect 

 the Academy resolved to go into the community and beg the money for 

 a building, and keep out of debt, which was a laudable resolution. The 

 plan was carried into execution. Head winds and side currents checked 

 the motion of om- ship, but did not stop it. With genuine pluck and 

 faith our cause has moved on, and the foundation of this building was 

 laid on the original soil. It has been erected as the kitchen or working 

 part of the building yet to come. To build cheaply was prudent. It is 

 the way thrifty people begin to make their fortunes. This is to be a 

 house of industry, a school of the sciences, a garden for culture, a home 

 for all the virtues. 



I congratulate you upon the results of the year 1877, the end of ten 

 years of persistent effort. I congratulate the trustees on the harmony 

 and good cheer that have attended your councils, and the unanimity 

 with which you have acted. We welcome the new and rising Art Asso- 

 ciation under our roof, and tender to it all the hospitality which we can 

 afford for ourselves. While in biology, entomology, conchology, geology, 

 paleontology, archaeology, philology and sociology, this Academy is solv- 

 ing the problems which underlie art and history, our sister association 

 will put on the walls of its gallery the delineations of " The Good, the 

 Beautiful, and the True," in color and in photograph, suggestive always 

 of something better yet to come. When we tire of the more material 

 studies, we will ascend and "look aloft." The bridegi'oom, sturdy Sci- 

 ence^ shall keep steadily at his work, delighted even by studying the hab- 

 its of an insect, while the bride. Art. shall welcome him from the door 

 of her chamber, and with extended hand and a benignant smile, shall bid 

 all her friends '' come up higher." 



The reports of the various officers of the Academy were then 

 presented and referred to the Publication Committee. 



The Corresponding Secretary reported that during the year 482 

 letters were written, and 740 letters were received, the great majority of 

 which were relative to the publications and scientific work of the Acad- 

 emy. The additions to the Library during tlie year were as follows : 



Complete volumes, 168 octavo, 87 quarto, 255 



Pamphlets and parts of volumes, 331 octavo, 31 quarto, 36'J 



Maps, photographs, etc. , 41 



Total, 658 



