FOUNDING OF THE ACADEMY 15 



academy of Berlin and that of St. Petersburg. These modes of stimulation or 

 encouragement may be considered inconsistent with our social ideas and perhaps 

 with our forms of government. There are honors, nevertheless, which in an 

 intelligent democracy have been and may be justly awarded to those who enlarge 

 the field of human thought and human power. Heretofore, but two principal 

 means of distinction have been recognized in this country, viz: the acquisition 

 of wealth and the possession of political power. The war seems to have offered a 

 third, in bestowing position and renown for successful military achievement. The 

 establishment of this Academy may be perhaps regarded as having opened a fourth 

 avenue for the aspirations of a laudable ambition, which interferes neither with 

 our national prejudices nor our political principles, and which only requires the 

 fostering care of government to become of essential benefit and importance 

 not only to this, but all the civilized countries of the world." 22 



Whatever the merit of the views enunciated by Professor 

 Henry, no tangible evidence of distinction has been attached 

 to membership in the Academy, such as is connected with 

 high military, political or judicial station. The members of 

 the early American Geological Society were accustomed to 

 append the letters " M. A. G. S." to their names, corresponding 

 to the familiar " F. R. S." " F. L. S.," etc., of the Royal 

 Society and the Linnean Society of London, and other English 

 associations, but the practice has not obtained in connection with 

 the National Academy of Sciences. 23 



To be the scientific adviser of the Government was second 

 among the principal objects of the Academy, as laid down in 

 the act of incorporation in 1863. The country was then in the 

 throes of the Civil War, and the Government needed, as never 

 before, sound advice on technical scientific subjects, especially 

 such as had a bearing on naval and military affairs. Numerous 

 commissions were appointed, including the Permanent Com- 

 mission, already mentioned, and it was quite in harmony with 

 the purpose of these organizations that one of the chief duties 

 of the new academy should be to aid the Government wherever 

 scientific truths could be serviceable. It has been intimated 



22 Rep. Nat. Acad. Sci. for 1867 (1868), pp. 3, 4. Sen. Misc. Doc. no. 106, 4oth Congress, 

 2d Session. 



23 Goode, G. B. The origin of the National Scientific and Educational Institutions of the 

 United States. Ann. Rep. Amer. Hist. Assoc. for 1889 (1890), p. 68. 



