394 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



long an absence, I should pass only one day at home be- 

 fore leaving it again ; but the reason was one that I could 

 not resist : it was an official call to Philadelphia. As the 

 object was geological, it falls in naturally after a course of 

 professional duty in Boston. 



In the spring of 1840, a meeting was held in Philadel- 

 phia of those gentlemen who had been professionally en- 

 gaged in geological surveys under public authority. This 

 meeting was preliminary to the formation of an association 

 of geologists for the purpose of promoting the progress of 

 the science and its applications in this country. A consti- 

 tution was formed, and officers appointed, preparatory to 

 the first meeting during the present week. They saw fit 

 to name me as the first President ; and this was the call 

 that took me to Philadelphia at this time. I proceeded, 

 on the 5th of April, to that city, arriving with my friend 

 Mr. Win. C. Redfield at midnight. We found a shelter at 

 the Washington Hotel, and in the morning I resorted to my 

 old home at Mr. Charles Chauncey's, where, as usual, I was 

 affectionately received. On the morning of the 6th of 

 April, I found my way to the hall of the Academy of the 

 Natural Sciences, and took my place as presiding officer. 



The week was most busily employed in geological meet- 

 ings. Many gentlemen were present from different States, 

 and many interesting discussions took place, which were 

 ably sustained. 



The society formed in Philadelphia, was after a 

 time succeeded by the " American Association of 

 Geologists and Naturalists," and later by the "Amer- 

 ican Association for the Advancement of Science." 

 It was the starting-point of those annual meetings 

 of scientific men, which continued, with happy re- 

 sults, until the civil war broke out, in 1861. 



In the middle of February, 1842, Mr. Silliman 



