338 



the cabinet ; " and the hall was opened to the public from four to six, 

 P.M., on Saturdays. 



Amono- the donations, the first one specified was a likeness of Mr. 

 Roscoe, presented by Mr. Francis Boott. Commodore Stewart, of the 

 frigate " Constitution," presented two living tigers. These tigers were 

 somehow lost, as we find a record of settlement with Mr. Savage for 

 their loss, February, 1818, the avails of which came at an opportune 

 moment to make up for deficit in rent (some of the members of this 

 Society may recollect sundry donations of living cougars, lions, owls, 

 eagles, tortoises, &c., which in a similar manner came to grief) ; a liv- 

 ing bear from Commodore Chauncey ; Chinese insects from B. P. Til- 

 den ; corals from Dr. Swift ; minerals from Vesuvius ; birds from 

 France ; birds from Africa ; a series of English game-birds ; a caribou ; 

 and, above all, is announced " the most interesting and valuable speci- 

 men the country affords; namely, a large species of deer, commonly 

 called the elk, of which no accurate account has been given." 



There can be no doubt that the few men who composed the active 

 members labored zealously and successfully. In the record for Novem- 

 ber, 1816, the secretary says, " The zeal of the members seems to be 

 unabated ; and, if the collection continues to increase for a few years 

 in the same proportion, it will surpass every establishment of the kind 

 in the United States, and almost rival those of Europe." 



In June, 1817, by previous arrangement, a special meeting was held 

 to listen to an address from Dr. Channing. The society was honored 

 by the presence of the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Council, Pres- 

 ident of the University, President and members of the Senate, and 

 many other gentlemen of distinction. There was also a considerable 

 number of ladies. The whole company seemed sui'prised at the size 

 of the collection, and highly pleased with the general appearance of 

 order and neatness in every part of the cabinet. Dr. Channing read 

 his address upon " the importance of literature and science, particularly 

 to the inhabitants of New England." The claims of this Society to 

 public patronage were stated, and urged with great force and inge- 

 nuity; and the rapid increase and value of the specimens were set 

 forth. The interest excited at this meeting gave the Society reason to 

 believe that the importance of their institution was fully appreciated, 

 and that the public already felt disposed to protect and patronize it. 



But, alas ! here the good star of the Society appears to have culmi- 

 nated. The famous inquiry into the existence and nature of the sea- 

 serpent, it is true, took place subsec^uently to this ; but it did not add 

 greatly to the laurels of the Society. It was the only paper ever pub- 

 lished by the Society, as such. But, early in 1818, we find a proposi- 

 tion to unite with the Athenajum, or to adopt some other way for the 

 preservation of the cabinet. The meetings, from February to July, 



