io6 Tlie American Geologist. August, i90) 
Sarner lake No. 2, a beautiful body of water, alive with pelicans, gulls, 
duck, etc., with shores abounding in snakes. 
Towards the close of 1882, the present writer, recognizing 
that Cope's value to science, and especially to the Academy of 
Natural Sciences, was being impaired by countless antagonisms 
based (for the most part) on entirely intangible grounds, de- 
termined if possible to bring together Cope and one of the 
most important of these scientific men in the Academy who 
had been opposing him. The latter expressed himself willing to 
meet at the writer's house at dinner. The following note was 
Cope's reply to the proposition; which, on this account, very 
unfortunately fell through. The proposed reconciliation was 
not effected till ten years after, too late to have exercised any 
influence on his career. 
"Philadelphia. January 5, 1883. .Dear F. In re * * perhaps a 
little billiousness may give me a slightly discouraged view of things, 
but I do not feel very sanguine of tTie results of an interview so long 
before and so soon after the annual election. 
I have persevered for many years in endeavoring to accomplish 
some changes in the Academy N. S., and they have not yet gone far 
enough to be of use to me personally. After having been abandoned 
by enough of my friends to make further work useless I have for the 
first time, this year, concluded to drop the place. I have resolved 
to leave the matter to those who may be interested in it, and turn my 
attention elsewhere. This means for me to leave the city for the rest 
of my life, if opportunity presents. I have fully determined on this. 
You see it is absurd for me to go into an institution where every 
position is elective, where I have a majority of personal or political 
enemies. That this is the case is now satisfactorily proven to me. I 
cannot ask anything more of my friends. 
Now I will meet on one condition, and if you choose or 
think best you can tell him so. I have no propositions to make and 
no favors to ask. Everything must come from him. I regard him 
as my worst enemy in the A. N. S. personal as well as political. The 
only basis on which I will connect myself with the A. N. S. is that it 
abolishes the elective part of its organization so far as it safely can, 
with regard to its scientific experts. This will be done by two 
methods, (i) By creating an order of Fellowship, which shall be open 
to experts of established reputation only. (2) That the officers shall 
be selected from these only as in the Boston and New England So- 
cieties. (3) That the professors shall be ex officio members of the 
Council. 
I have little hope of agreeing to such propositions. For 
myself I will not risk time or property on an3'thing less. 
