DATE OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE SOCIETY. 195 



should be considered that of the formation of Frank- 

 lin 's Junto, in 1727. 



E. P. CHEYNEY. 



The question whether Franklin was in a proper sense 

 the founder of our Society is not in doubt. He founded 

 the American Philosophical Society of 1743. He founded 

 the Junto of 1727. The development of a junior Junto, 

 if such a thing occurred, was unquestionably due to 

 the impetus of the older Junto ; and the change of the 

 local Junto into a Society which included corresponding 

 members from other colonies was a mere broadening 

 of its purpose. In the sense of the ruling of the Car- 

 negie Foundation it is clear that when Franklin founded 

 his original Junto, he became the founder of the Ameri- 

 can Society. He is admitted by all to be the founder of 

 the Philosophical Society. Our Society therefore owes 

 its origin to him on both sides. 



CHAELEMAGNE TOWEK, 

 JAMES T. MITCHELL, 

 MAYEK SULZBEEGEE, 

 SAMUEL DICKSON, 

 HAMPTON L. CAESON, 

 E. P. CHEYNEY, 

 FEANCIS B. GUMMEEE, 

 W. W. KEEN, 

 I. MINIS HAYS. 



