Miscellanies. 391 



S. Ship Falmouth, recently returned froni a cruise in the Pacific ; 

 and the U. S. Ship Peacock from the China and India seas. In- 

 deed, the return of every National vessel, since the institution has 

 been in operation, has contributed, more or less, to its collections. — 

 These things in most instances, have been obtained abroad, without 

 the knowledge of the existence of the Naval Lyceum, and but for 

 it, would by this time, have been scattered over the country, and in 

 most cases, lost to the researches of the curious. If under such 

 circumstances, the Museum and other departments receive important 

 additions, much more may be expected, when the members of the 

 Society shall go forth for collecting ; stimulated to action, by an m- 

 terest in the success of an institution, which they can feel to be of 

 their own creation. 



November 27th, 1833, was held the first "meeting of the sub- 

 scribers, for forming a Society, with the object of establishing a per- 

 manent Librar)', Reading Room, and INIuseum of Natural History, 

 Curiosities, &;c." And as soon as the Association was known to 

 have assumed "a local habitation and a name," contributions flow- 

 ed in upon it, with a liberality and profusion, that astonished 

 even its most sanguine friends. All were encouraged, and an 

 increase of confidence marked the proceedings of the Associa- 

 tion. Within the period of twelve months, the Society has re- 

 ceived upwards of two hundred donations, including over thirteen 

 hundred volumes of books ; while the departments of Conchol- 

 ogy, Mineralogy, Geology, Botany, Zoology, Numismatology, and 

 the Museum furnish interesting collections. The Reading Room 

 too, owing in a great degree to the liberality of the editors of news- 

 papers and periodicals, has become a source of interest, and advan- 

 tage, to those members who could find leisure to improve the oppor- 

 tunity thus presented. Advantage was taken of a munificent dona- 

 tion from the Marine Insurance Offices of the city of New York, to 

 the amount of nearly five hundred dollars, to procure such rare and 

 valuable works, principally upon subjects of Natural History, as were 

 of the first importance to such an association, and had not then been 

 supplied to the Library. 



Ladies, often appear on the list of donors to the Naval Lyceum, 

 and have received the warmest thanks of the members. The states- 

 men, the authors, the editors, the benevolent, the good and the great 

 of the country are there too. The Society cherish with feelings of 

 pride, a donation in books from the venerable Ex-President of the 



