138 Prof. Rogers^s Address before the 



9 



know the man, when with opportunities of personal intercourse we learn- 

 ed how the work had been accomplished, what impediments from defi- 

 ciency in books had been surmounted, and what physical hardships had 

 been braved, but especially when we learned the spirit of the explorer, 

 his intrepid zeal, his untiring patience, and his devotion to the cause of 

 truth. 



If we contrast our recent imperfect knowledge of each others' discov- 

 eries, with the present ample summary which we are now able to take 

 of the geology of three fourths of the vast region between the Atlantic 

 and the Mississippi, if we are conscious how much more intimately we 

 now comprehend each others' published descriptions and theoretical 

 views, and feel how much more justly we can now estimate the relative 

 accuracy and value of each others' researches, the purity of our views, 

 and the intenseness of our enthusiasm, and consider how much of all this 

 change has been brought about by our annual meetings, we shall indeed 

 see reason to congratulate ourselves on our success. To labor unosten- 

 tatiously for the advancement of American geology and the collateral 

 branches of natural science, by cultivating a spirit of mutual fellowship 

 and generous cooperation, was the intention, has been the course, and 

 should ever be the pride of this Association. Our ranks it is true are thin, 

 for grievous obstacles, especially distance and want of time, restrain many 

 from joining us who share our tastes, yet has our zeal never been daunt- 

 ed, for at every meeting v/e number among our associates some from 

 the remotest corners of the country. The long and arduous journeys 

 which some of you annually perform to reach our place of meeting, are 

 a sufficient proof of the utility and attractiveness of our proceedings. 

 Should it be asked what are the scientific and other fruhs of these an- 

 nual assemblages, I would point not boastfully, yet with a just pride, on 

 the one hand to both our printed and unpublished papers, and on the 

 other to the excellent spirit and the friendly intercourse which have in- 

 variably marked our proceedings. 



Our youthful Association, though it would not presume to invite a com- 

 parison between its labors and those of the similar societies of Europe, 

 is yet conscious of being moved by a kindred impulse, and of seeking 

 through accordant means, the same praiseworthy objects. Those illus- 

 trious assemblages, which in England, Germany, Italy and Switzerland, 

 have in the last ten years done so much to quicken the march of science, 

 so much to call out from solitude and obscurity, modest learning and gen- 

 ius, so much to win for the student of nature, the once withheld respect 

 of literary scholars, statesmen and governments, and best of all so much 



