FOUKDIHG OF THE COSMOS CLUB 
/ ' r v " ' ' ‘ , Observatory, Washington, D. C., 
November 1 8, 1878. 
My Dear Sir : 
At an informal meeting of gentlemen, held at the house 
of Major J. W. Powell, (No. gio M Street,) on November 16th, it was resolved 
to organize a Social Club in Washington, on the models of the Century Club of 
’ New York, and the Scientific Club of London, to be called the Scientific Club of 
Washington, and to be composed of “men devoted to or interested in Science, 
professionally or otherwise.’' It is conceived that such an organization for purely 
social purposes is necessary in this city. It is intended to procure club rooms in 
some central part of the city, which are to be open during the afternoon and 
evening only; to form a library of periodicals; to provide only extremely simple 
refreshments, at least at first, and, in general, to make a place where it will be 
possible for the members of the Club to meet socially at any time under pleasant 
surroundings. 
It is estimated that a very small admission fee, (yet undetermined,) and an 
annual fee of not more than ten dollars will enable us to do this, if the Club can 
be organized with sixty members to begin with. 
At the meeting referred to, your namewas proposed as one of the original sixty 
members, and (if you were not there present) you will be called upon by one of 
the members to invite your presence at a second meeting, at the same place, on 
Monday night, November 25th, at 8 p. m. It is hoped that you will be ready to 
join us, at least for the year 1879, m order that the experiment may have a fair 
trial ; and if you are willing to do this, be pleased to drop a line to the Secretary. 
Very sincerely yours, 
J. W. POWELL, President. 
EDWARD S., HOLDEN, Secretary. 
