28 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



The reception and the magnitude of this collection has been particularly dwelt 

 upon, because of what will follow in due time respecting its fate. It is necessary 

 that there should be a proper appreciation of the value of this as well as of other 

 important collections subsequently allowed to perish, in order that lessons may be 

 derived from experience such as it is so well calculated to teach. 



Previous to the election of officers, the highly respected and much beloved President, 

 Benjamin D. Greene, tendered his resignation, greatly to the regret of all. The following 

 changes were made : Mr. George B. Emerson was chosen President, in the place of 

 Dr. B. D. Greene, resigned ; Dr. Amos Binney, 2d Vice President, in place of Dr. Walter 

 Channing, resigned ; Mr. Epes S. Dixwell, Corresponding Secretary, in place of Dr. 

 Amos Binney ; Dr. T. M. Brewer, Cabinet Keeper, in place of Dr. N. B. Shurtleff ; 

 Dr. N. B. Shurtleff, Curator, in place of Mr. George B. Emerson. 



In August of this year, Louis Agassiz was elected an Honorary Member, and 

 in November, Jeffries Wyman was elected a resident member of the Society. These 

 admissions are particularly mentioned, because of the great influence these gentlemen 

 afterwards exerted upon its welfare. 



As showing the financial trouble of the Society, it may be mentioned that at a 

 meeting of the Council in November, it was reported that the rent of the hall, 

 |150, was due in two days, and that there were only $50 on hand to meet the call. It 

 was voted that the treasurer make the best arrangement in his power with Mr. Savage, 

 respecting it. 



The Committee to whom the subject of lectures was intrusted, reported that several 

 members of the Society had pledged themselves to bring forward at times such exercises 

 upon the subject of natural history as they thought would be interesting to the 

 public, and recommended that the members should have the privilege of attending 

 these, and of introducing members of their families and strangers who might be in the 

 city. The recommendation was adopted. 



This seems to have led not exactly to" what was suggested, but to the admission of 

 ladies of the members' families and such others as they chose to invite, to the regular 

 meetings ; for at the next one, held Dec. 20, the record states that the occasion being the 

 first on which ladies had been invited, the President, Mr. Emerson, addressed the Society 

 upon the subject of this invitation. He explained the objects of the Society somewhat 

 at length, and said much to interest the audience in the study of natural history. He 

 spoke of the many pleasures and benefits to be derived from some knowledge of Nature 

 as shown in her works and operations, and concluded with some account of the advantage 

 we have over the ancients in our more extended knowledge of these subjects. 



The admission of ladies seems to have had for a time considerable influence upon 

 the attendance, as the number of members reported as present at this and succeeding 

 meetings was much larger than had been usual. There was a gradual falling off" how- 

 ever, but how soon ladies ceased to attend is not mentioned in the reports of subsequent 

 meetings. 



1838. In January, the Council voted : That notice be given by written card posted up 

 in the State House, that the Museum will be open every Wednesday, between 12 and 2 



