Men of Science and the General Public. 203 



parts of the United States, to give a stronger and more gen- 

 erous impulse and a more systematic direction to scientific 

 research in our country, and to procure for the labors of 

 scientific men, increased facilities and a wider usefulness." So 

 perfectly do these words embody the spirit of the Associa- 

 tion, that when more than thirty years later the constitu- 

 tion was thoroughly revised, none better could be found to 

 give it expression. That it has been successful in promoting 

 intercourse between those who are cultivating science in 

 different parts of the United States, may be proved by the 

 testimony of thousands who have come to know each other 

 through attendance at its meetings. In a country whose 

 geographical limits are so extensive as ours, and whose 

 scientific men are so widely scattered, it is difficult to over- 

 estimate its value in this particular. 



In giving a stronger and more general impulse and a 

 more systematic direction to scientific research in our coun- 

 try, it has been singularly fortunate. Its meetings have 

 been the means of disseminating proper methods of investi 

 gation and study throughout the land ; hundreds of young- 

 students, enthusiastic but often not well trained, have found 

 themselves welcome (sometimes to their own astonishment), 

 and by its influence and encouragement, have been moulded 

 and guided in the utilization of their endowments, occasion- 

 ally exceptional, to the end that they have finally won a 

 fame and renown which must always be treasured by the 

 Association as among its richest possessions. Wherever its 

 migratory meetings have been held, the pulse of intelligence 

 has been quickened, institutions have been encouraged and 

 strengthened, or created where they did not before exist, 

 and men of science have been brought into closer relations 

 with an intelligent people. 



But it is in relation to the last of the three great objects, 

 to accomplish which the Association was organized, namely, 

 " to procure for the labors of scientific men, increased facil- 

 ities and a wider usefulness " that it has been, on the whole, 

 less successful. It is true that when we look at the history 

 of science in America during the past fifty years; when we 



