102 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



It will be remembered that a Section of Microscopy was founded in 1857, and that for 

 sometime afterwards it showed signs of activity, which were manifested less and less until 

 all mention of its existence ceased to be made in the records. In December of this year, in 

 response to an invitation from the Curator of Microscopy, sixteen gentlemen interested in 

 the revival of the Section, met and appointed a committee of reorganization. This com- 

 mittee reported a series of rules for the government of the Section a fortnight later, which 

 were adopted. Among them there was one providing that the meetings should take place 

 on the second Wednesday of every month in the room of the department. 



1865. At a meeting held on the 15th of February the Rev. Mr. Waterston addressed 

 the meeting upon some of the educational instrumentalities which he thought within reach 

 of the Society, ending with a motion : 



"That a committee of three be appointed to consider the subject of courses of lectures 

 to the public school teachers of this vicinity with full powers to act." 



This motion was strongly seconded by Mr. John Cummings, and upon his suggestion a 

 vote was passed that the committee be nominated by the chair. 



The Rev. Mr. Waterston, Dr. Augustus A. Gould and Dr. James C. White were made this 

 committee. 



The action thus taken by the Society is well worthy especial notice for several reasons, 

 ne is that it clearly shows to whom is due the first conception of a plan to impart 

 instruction to the teachers of the public schools. To the Rev. Mr. Waterston unquestion- 

 ably belongs that honor. Another is that it indicates the early interest felt in such teach- 

 ing by the gentleman who seconded with much earnestness the original motion. Many 

 years afterwards several courses of lectures to the teachers of the public schools were 

 given under the auspices of the Society, the whole expenses of which were generously 

 borne by the gentleman alluded to, Mr. John Cummings. 



Still another reason why this action merits attention is the surprising fact that there is 

 not to be found in the subsequent records of the Society, or of the Council, one word im- 

 plying that anything grew out of the proposition and motion of Mr. Waterston. It is hard 

 to believe that this can be said relative to one of the most commendable acts the Society 

 ever engaged in, and yet it is strictly true. Fortunately for the presentation of what 

 followed, the Report of the Superintendent of Public Schools enables the writer to do that 

 justice to the Society which its own records fail to do. 



John D. Philbrick was then the Superintendent, and his report of September, 1865, to 

 the Board of School Committee, embraces the following paragraphs : 



" During the past year, an event worthy of record, and highly gratifying to the friends 

 of education, may be found in the fact that one of the most important and well endowed 

 scientific institutions in this community, made arrangements for a series of lectures on dif- 

 ferent branches of natural history, which were prepared expressly for the teachers of the 

 public schools of Boston. 



" The large hall belonging to the Society of Natural History was thronged with earnest 

 listeners. The lectures were amply illustrated by specimens and diagrams, and at the 

 close of each lecture the rich and extensive cabinets of the Society were generously 

 thrown open for the inspection of all present. At the introductory meeting, the teachers 

 were addressed by His Excellency Governor Andrew, His Honor the Mayor, President 

 Hill of Harvard University, George B. Emerson, LL.D., and other eminent friends of 

 education. 



