VASSAR BROTHERS' INSTITUTE. 11 



The Secretary, Dr. Stevenson, reported upon the work 

 of the Institute and its Sections during the year. On 

 motion, his report was directed to be placed in the min- 

 utes of the Institute : of which the following is an ab- 

 stract : 



That the salient facts pertaining to the early history 

 of Yassar Brothers' Institute may have a place in the 

 records of the Society, the Secretary deems it proper to 

 embody them in his present report. 



As a member of the ^Poughkeepsie Society of Natur 

 al Science" and a frequent attendant at the meetings of 

 the " Poughkeepsie Literary Glub," and recognizing the 

 meritorious character of the work of these organizations, 

 Mr. Matthew Yassar, Jr. in 1880 expressed to your Sec- 

 retary his desire to extend some aid to them that they 

 might, under more favorable conditions, proseecute their 

 work to better advantage to themselves and to the com- 

 munity. 



This desire, on the part of Mr. Yassar, was publicly 

 expressed by him at a meeting of the Society of Natural 

 Science, in the winter of 1880-81, and in a letter ad- 

 dressed, to the Presidents of the above named Societies, 

 dated March 1st, 1881, he formally proposed, for himself 

 and his brother, Mr. John Guy Yassar, to erect a suita- 

 ble building for the Societies, provided they would con- 

 solidate under some common corporate name, which he 

 suggested should be kw The Poughkeepsie Society of Nat- 

 ural Science.' ' - * * * * 



Both Societies formally approved the plan of union 

 proposed, but when the attempt was made to execute it. 

 by making the necessary amendments to the Charter and 

 By-laws of the Society of Natural Science, an opposition 

 was shown which, though small, was sufficient to deter- 

 mine the Messrs. Yassar to withdraw their offer to the 

 old Societies. For a time it appeared as if a proposed 

 generous benefaction would be lost to the community. 



Fortunately other counsels prevailed, and on the L9th 

 of April, 1881, * * * : " Mr. Matthew 



Yassar. Jr., announced the intention of himself and his 

 brother, Mr. John Guy Yassar, to establish a Society, to 

 be known by the name of " Yassar Brothers' Institute." 



