8 
contribute say, $115,000 to complete tbe enterprise it has in 
charge ? 
The number of visitors to the museum is a fair indication 
of the popularity and usefulness of the institution, even with 
its restricted space for the display of its treasures. During 
the year 1869, although it was closed during six weeks in mid¬ 
summer, the museum of the adhdemy was visited by 95,756 
persons. A receptacle for contributions to the building fund 
was in sight of all of them. Its aggregate receipts for the 
year were $15.02, or on an average of a fraction less than one 
cent for eveiy 64 visitors. 
But it is a satisfaction to conjecture that every visitor carried 
away from the museum matter for his future thought and some 
addition to his information. The value of knowledge diffused 
in this pleasant way cannot be Stated in pecuniary signs, nor 
estimated by the amount of n^pey poor or ignorant people 
voluntarily give for it. The generous and wise are always 
willing to help in diffusing knowledge among the people. 
They know it is of priceless worth in the community; and 
they feel too that whoever contrfbutes means towards impart¬ 
ing knowledge to his fellow-men assists in giving them a source 
of happiness and thrift. Considerations of this nature encour¬ 
age the trustees to hope that their labors to establish the 
academy in a new location, and so add^o its capacity for use¬ 
fulness, will not be permitted to languish or remain long- 
incomplete for lack of adequate means. The reputation of our 
citizens for generosity in aid of all laudable enterprises devised 
to benefit society and advance civilization suggests that, recog¬ 
nizing the natural sciences as a part of mental culture and the 
academy as a teaching agency in this rdspect unsurpassed in 
this country, they will extend to it the assistance now required. 
The fame of the city as a seat of learning and culture may be 
influenced to some extent by the time occupied in the comple¬ 
tion of this enterprise. V 
The whole subject is respectfully submitted to the con¬ 
tributors. 
W. S. W. Rusche^berger, 
Chairman of the board of trustees of the building fund. 
