10 The Academy of Natural Sciences 



under great discouragement and the publication was suspended until 

 1821 when, owing to the industry and zeal of Dr. Isaac Hays, it was 

 continued without incurring further indebtedness. 



In November, 1817, Standing Committees on Zoology, Botany, 

 Mineralogy and Geology were appointed for the first time. 



Progress was not very rapid, yet at the close of 1820 the ques- 

 tion of enlarged accommodation once more presented itself for con- 

 sideration. At that time there were one hundred members and one 

 hundred and ninety correspondents on the roll. A committee was 

 appointed in 1823 to consider the best means of obtaining additional 

 room. It was not, however, until 1826 that a lot of ground and a 

 building at the southeast corner of Twelfth and Sansom .Streets 

 (then George's Street) were purchased for $4,300. The building 

 had been used for several years as a place of worship by a society of 

 Swedenborgians, and to fit it for the purposes of the Academy an 

 expenditure of $1,700 was required. A debt of $3,000 was created 

 and up to August, 1837, only $300 of the amount had been paid off. 

 Mr. Maclure then gave $5,000, the debt was liquidated and $2,300 

 were placed at interest for the current needs of the institution, the 

 first time in its history that it was in possession of such a surplus. 



A first meeting was held in the new hall on May 9, 1826. In 

 1828, the museum was open to the public. Since that time 

 admission to the collections under varying conditions, has been an 

 important factor in the educational resources of the city. 



For the next fourteen years the prosperity of the Academy was 

 uninterrupted, although its resources remained extremely meager 

 compared with the amount and character of the work accomplished. 

 William Maclure, because of his active interest in the society, richly 

 deserved the compliment of an annual re-election as President, 

 although his prolonged and frequent absence from the city made it 

 impossible for him to discharge the duties of the office. George 

 Ord, as Vice-President, acted as his zealous and efficient substitute 

 until 1834 when he was succeeded by John Price Wetherill. The 

 other Vice-President, William Hembel, was too deaf to act as 

 presiding officer. 



Among the successors of Dr. Mann, the first Eecording Secre- 

 tary, William Hippolyte Keating is distinguished for his faithfulness 

 and efficiency. He served from January, 1822, to December, 1825, 

 and has left two annual reports which are of interest as indicating 

 specifically the value of the work the Academy was then doing. He 



