Page:A Short History of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia (1909).djvu/18

10 under great discouragement and the publication was suspended until 1821 when, owing to the industry and zeal of Dr. Isaac Hays, it was continued without incurring further indebtedness.

In November, 1817, Standing Committees on Zoölogy, Botany, Mineralogy and Geology were appointed for the first time.

Progress was not very rapid, yet at the close of 1820 the question of enlarged accommodation once more presented itself for consideration. At that time there were one hundred members and one hundred and ninety correspondents on the roll. A committee was appointed in 1823 to consider the best means of obtaining additional room. It was not, however, until 1826 that a lot of ground and a building at the southeast corner of Twelfth and Sansom Streets (then George's Street) were purchased for $4,300. The building had been used for several years as a place of worship by a society of Swedenborgians, and to fit it for the purposes of the Academy an expenditure of $1,700 was required. A debt of $3,000 was created and up to August, 1837, only $300 of the amount had been paid off. Mr. Maclure then gave $5,000, the debt was liquidated and $2,300 were placed at interest for the current needs of the institution, the first time in its history that it was in possession of such a surplus.

A first meeting was held in the new hall on May 9, 1826. In 1828, the museum was open to the public. Since that time admission to the collections under varying conditions, has been an important factor in the educational resources of the city.

For the next fourteen years the prosperity of the Academy was uninterrupted, although its resources remained extremely meager compared with the amount and character of the work accomplished. William Maclure, because of his active interest in the society, richly deserved the compliment of an annual re-election as President, although his prolonged and frequent absence from the city made it impossible for him to discharge the duties of the office. George Ord, as Vice-President, acted as his zealous and efficient substitute until 1834 when he was succeeded by John Price Wetherill. The other Vice-President, William Hembel, was too deaf to act as presiding officer.

Among the successors of Dr. Mann, the first Recording Secretary, William Hippolyte Keating is distinguished for his faithfulness and efficiency. He served from January, 1822, to December, 1825, and has left two annual reports which are of interest as indicating specifically the value of the work the Academy was then doing. He relinquished the office because of removal from the city and was succeeded by Dr. Samuel George Morton who served until 1829.