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MEMOIR OF DANIEL TEEADWELL. 



" On the 12th of November, 1823," says the Autobiography, " I was elected a 

 Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and there it was my good 

 fortune first to meet Dr. Bowditch, then in the full maturity of his reputation and 

 power. He at once extended to me his friendship, and poured out his thoughts to 

 me with the utmost freedom. This friendship continued, and was often exhibited, 



through the remainder of his life. 



>5 



Mr. Treadwell continued an active member of the Academy through life, and 

 was elected to most of its important offices. He was Recording Secretary from May, 

 1833, to May, 1839 ; Vice-President from May, 1852, to May, 1863 ; and a member 

 of the Rumford Committee from January, 1833, to May, 1863. This Committee 

 the most important in the Academy — is elected annually to carry out the inten- 

 tions of Count Rumford, who, in 1796, presented to the American Academy five 

 thousand dollars, " to the end that the interest of the same may be by them and by 

 their successors received from time to time, forever, and the amount of the same 

 applied, and given once every second year, as a premium, to the author of the most 

 important discovery or useful improvement which shall be made and published by 

 printing, or in any way made known to the public, in any part of the continent of 

 America, or in any of the American islands, during the preceding two years, on 

 heat or on light; the preference always being given to such discoveries as shall, in 

 the opinion of the Academy, tend most to promote the good of mankind." 



The Boston Mechanics' Institution was founded in 1826 for " the encourage- 

 ment," in the words of the Constitution, " of a taste for the fine arts, and the exact 

 sciences among our operative mechanics and workingmen, as well as others." Dr. 

 Nathaniel Bowditch was elected President, January 12, 1827, and Mr. Treadwell the 

 first of the three Vice-Presidents; and on the retirement of Dr. Bowditch, in 1829, 

 Mr. Treadwell was chosen President. A valuable apparatus and various models 

 were purchased by a subscription promoted by the example and influence of Dr. 

 Bowditch and others. In 1827, Mr. Treadwell began a course of lectures on prac- 



© 



tical subjects, especially the steam-engine, particularly adapted to the wants of the 

 workingmen of Boston. These courses, and others upon subjects connected with 

 the objects of the Institution, were repeated for several years, with much success ; 

 the introductory lecture to the course for each year was delivered by a gentleman 

 of commanding talents, and, when possible, of high public station. Among these 

 were Daniel Webster, Joseph Story, and Edward Everett. 



The following letter from Mr. Justice Story, of the Supreme Court of the United 

 States, to Mr. Treadwell, as President of the Institution, indicates the interest taken 

 in the improvement of the mechanics of Boston. 



