42 Address — Henry M. Leipsiger. 



Remarks by President Jesup, introducing Dr. H. M. Leipziger, 

 Ph.D., Supervisor of Lectures of the Board of Education. 



" I expected to have the pleasure of welcoming here to-night 

 Mr. Miles M. O'Brien, President of the Board of Education, but 

 I received this telegram from him a few minutes ago: 



" 'I regret exceedingly that unavoidable circumstances prevent me from 

 tendering you in person my hearty congratulations on the opening of the new 

 lecture hall, which adds a new and important link to the educational chain of 

 our great city, and of which all our citizens may be proud.' 



"Fortunately we have another representative of the Board of 

 Education, Prof. H. M. Leipziger, whom I have the pleasure of 

 introducing." 



Address by Dr. Henry M. Leipziger, Ph.D.j Supervisor of 

 Lectures of the Board of Education : 



Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : 



Twenty-five years ago, in the address made by Prof. Henry on the occa- 

 sion of the laying of the corner stone of this noble Institution, which is gradually 

 assuming its proper dimensions, he called attention to the spiritual side of the 

 Museum, and in his address used these words: " How incomparably greater 

 would the importance of this Museum be were there connected with it a pro- 

 fessor, who, at stated periods of the year, would give courses of free lectures on 

 the objects which it contains, who would expound the laws of the phenomena 

 of nature, who would discourse on the changes the world has undergone 

 during geological periods. What an effect an Agassiz would have, not only in 

 enlightening the heads, but warming the hearts, of his audience !" 



Less than a generation has passed since these words of the distinguished 

 scientist were spoken, and his hope is nobly realized in this beautiful hall 

 dedicated to the spread of the knowledge of science for the service of man. 



This vast Museum and this lecture hall bear testimony to the belief of the 

 American people, not alone in the value, but in the necessity of education, and 

 their belief that the term should have the widest possible interpretation, that it 

 should begin at the kindergarten, and include the university, the public 

 library and the public museum, and it should know no limit as to age or sex. 

 In the spirit of this belief, both private philanthropy and public munificence 

 have joined in producing the transformation scene which we witness to-day, 

 and which is but an earnest of what is yet to be. 



In President Jesup's address of eight years ago he stated that this Museum 

 offers to the "masses of the Empire City a home where they may find that 

 recreation, entertainment and education which serves to elevate and ennoble 

 their life and character." That it has fulfilled — and will fulfil in increasing 

 measure — these purposes, no one can doubt who has observed the thousands 

 who enter these halls, or the crowds who, during the past eight years, have 

 attended the lectures that have been given. The influence of the Museum and 

 the lectures in widening the mental horizon of the listener, who can measure ! 

 Some, perhaps, are soothed and recreated, others are inspired and stimulated 

 to reading and study. 



" That stick has been round the world," exclaimed a man to Sydney Smith, 

 as he held out to him a valued cane. " Dear me," was the reply, "and yet it 

 is only a stick after all." To decrease the number of sticks in the world, to 

 increase the number of men who can observe, can compare, classify and think, 

 is the purpose of the teaching of science. To increase the number of those in a 

 great city who shall take a delight in nature and its wonders, who shall find 



