NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY 143 



railway rate at that time from New York to Boston was just what it is 

 today, though it is undeniable that the inferiority of the railway accom- 

 modations to those of the present time was much greater than that of the 

 Astor House to the finest hotel of the present. At the same time the 

 journey by rail from New York to Philadelphia required five hours and 

 cost four dollars, while the rate is now $2.50 and the trip can be accom- 

 plished in two hours. 



H. T. Newcomb. 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC 

 SOCIETY, SESSION i8g8-'99 



Special Meeting, December 9, 1898. — Acting-President McGee in the chair. 

 The chairman announced the election to honorary membership of the 

 President of the United States, and stated that the committee — consist- 

 ing of the Acting- President, the Secretary, Col. H. F. Blount, Mr C. J. 

 Bell, and Prof. Willis L. Moore — appointed to notify President McKinley 

 of the action of the Society, called at the Executive Mansion on December 

 8 and tendered to the President the certificate of election, at the same 

 time explaining to him that it was the design of the Society to signalize 

 the beneficent changes of the year in the modification of the civil geog- 

 raphy of the world, and that the action was to be understood as an in- 

 dorsement by one of the leading scientific organizations of the country 

 of the course of the President as a great national leader. The President, 

 the chairman continued, accepted the election and expressed his high 

 appreciation of it, especially as coming from the most conservative class 

 of citizens. Characteristically disclaiming credit for the recent extension 

 of enlightenment by means of changes in civil geography, he observed 

 that the results flowed from the efforts of an entire people, among whom 

 he was but a single individual ; he added that the full extent of the 

 changes could not be stated pending the completion of the Treaty of Paris 

 remarking, however, that the last direct advices were favorable. He also 

 explained that only the pressure of public business would prevent him 

 from attending the ensuing meeting of the Society. The announce- 



ment of the election of the President was received with applause. 

 Hon. Robert Adams, Jr., M. C, U. S. Minister to Brazil, 1 889-' 90, gave 

 a lecture on Brazil and its Revolution, illustrating his remarks by numer- 

 ous colored lantern slides. 



Regular Meeting, December 16, 1898, — Acting-President McGee in the 

 chair. Col. F. F. Hilder gave an illustrated lecture on Fashoda and the 

 Valley of the Nile. 



Special Meeting, December 23, 1898. — Acting-President McGee in the 

 chair. Mr H. W. Turner, U. S. Geological Survey, delivered an address 

 on the Yosemite and the High Sierra, and discussed the origin of their 

 topographical features. The lecture was illustrated by lantern slides. 



Special Meeting, January 6, 1899.— Acting-President McGee in the chair. 

 Mr Willard D. Johnson, U. S. Geological Survey, gave an illustrated lec- 

 ture on Glaciers and their Work in High Mountains. 



