MECHANICS' CLUB. 



Organized March 2, 1854 — Name changed to Polytechnic Association, March 16, 1859. 



RULES ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD OF SCIENCE AND 

 THE ARTS, MARCH 2, 1854. 



First — A club for the promotion of manufactures, arts, and for the discussion of mechanical 

 eubjects, is created under the name of the Mechanics' Club. 



Second — The Mechanics' Club is an agent of the committee of arts and sciences, and is 

 under its entire control, in the same manner as the Farmers' Club is of the committee of agri- 

 culture. The transactions of the Club are in the name of the American Institute. 



Third — The committee of arts and sciences appoint annually the Chairman and Secretary 

 of the Mechanics' Club. In the absence of the Chairman and Secretary, persons to supply 

 their places will be chosen at the meetings of the Club. 



Fourth — Such papers read at the Mechanics' Club as are accepted for that purpose, will be 

 printed under the direction and at the expense of the American Institute, which also provides 

 a place of meeting, lights and fires. No other expenses are to be incurred, except by special 

 appropriation of the American Institute, according to the rules and by-laws; nor any liability 

 incurred by the Institute, except on special resolution. 



Fifth — The meetings of the Mechanics' Club are free of all expense to those who attend them. 



Sixth — The Mechanics' Club shall select, in advance, a subject for discussion at each of its 

 meetings, which subject shall be announced in the call of meetings. 



Seventh — Written communications to the Club are to be read by the Secretary, unless ob- 

 jection is made ; and if objected to, will be read, if it be ordered by a majority of the mem- 

 bers present. 



Eighth — The Mechanics' Club will recommend what papers read before them, or what part 

 of other transactions they judge worthy of publication, to the committee of arts and sciences^ 

 by which the publications may be ordered in its discretion. 



Ninth — No person attending the meetings of the Club shall speak more than once on any 

 one subject, nor shall occupy in such speech more than fifteen minutes, except by permission 

 of the Club. 



Tenth — No argument is allowed between members. Facts alone are to be stated. 



Eleventh — All questions of order are decided without appeal, by the presiding officer. 



Twelfth — The meetings of the Mechanics' Club are held at the Repository of the American 

 Institute, No. 351 Broadway, in the city of New York, on the second and fourth Wednesday 

 of each month, at 7^ o'clock P. M. 



May 12, 1858. 



Present — Messrs. ^T. B. Stillman, Stetson, Seeley, Fisher, Godwin, Pell, 

 and others. 



Thomas B. Stillman in the chair. T. D. Stetson, Secretary pro tern. 



A member gave a long and full description of his Electric Engine, 

 accompanied by a working model of the same style as that exhibited in the 

 Crystal Palace, but with some improvements. 



The regular question of the evening was opened by the chairman, who, 

 on taking his seat however, called for a report from the committee on the 

 Origin of Photographic Portraiture. 



Mr. Stetson made a verbal report of the progress of this time, which was 

 Bimply the preparing of several letters, and the reception of a reply from 

 Prof. J. W. Draper, which he read, with a few comments. 



Mr. Fisher knew Messrs. "Wolcott & Johnson at that date, and thought 

 Mr. Wolcott very familiar with light and with manipulations at that date, 

 and as likely to succeed in a first experiment as any other man. 



Mr. Stillman said of boiler setting, that great care should be taken not 

 to allow the earth to absorb the heat from the fire. Had set a boiler with 

 a very deep space or chamber for the products of combustion to revolve 



[Am. Inst.J 24 



