32 
IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE Voi.. XXVII; 1920 
Owing to illness Professor Kay was unable to respond on behalf of 
the Geological Survey. Following the address of Professor Thomas 
President Stephens in a few words put the motion that the Academy 
accept the portrait This was carried and the President then introduced 
Curator Harlan of the Historical Department, who accepted the portrait 
as follows : 
ADDRESS OF CURATOR HARLAN ON BEHALF OF THE 
HISTORICAL DEPARTMENT IN ACCEPTING 
THE PORTRAIT 
Mr. President'. 
A function of the Historical Department of Iowa is to have at hand 
the facts and the materials which testify of the merits of Iowa men and 
events. Merit so proved, which remains permanently apparent through- 
out all time, is the object of all true effort of the scholarly and the 
inspiration of all, unless the selfish, of every calling. The selection and 
preservation of the proofs of merit and of attainment being of the duty 
of the office I for the time occupy, it has been a constant, deep and firm 
satisfaction with which I have received the knowledge today and in 
other days of the great place arrived at by Samuel Calvin. The position 
led to by him, of the science, or branch of science, of which he was the 
chief Iowa ornament, as by your unanimous voice today I am advised, 
is a place respected through all the realm of scientific thought in Amer- 
ica. 
Not many types of evidence bear more sure and satisfactory testimony 
to the character of a man than the well done portrait. Carlyle has 
taught us best of that. And this canvas done honestly, considered now 
by you finally, presented formally to your State, shall carry with it to 
the place of its perpetual deposit, the stamp of your approval and thereby 
the indisputable claim of value as a work of history as it is a work of 
art. 
It is therefore with appropriate satisfaction I am permitted by authority 
of law to do the small part toward honoring the memory of Samuel 
Calvin by accepting this delineation of his form approved by you, as I 
do here now accept. 
Edgar R. Harlan. 
