Philadelphia Manual Training School - US Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. HIS Society, which is the oldest school organization in exist- ence, is the leading association of the school. It was organized October 21st, 1886, at the suggestion of two members of '89 QMessrs. Curtis and Dickersonj, who recognized the need of such a Society. Lieutenant Crawford, then Presi- dent of the school, gave the nucleus of what is now quite a collection of specimens of mineralogy, geology, ornithology, zoology, botany, conchology and entomology. The Society is well housed, and its room is fitted up with cabinets, book- cases, reading tables and chairs, which makes it quite a pleasant place to spend time after hours. The library consists of about zoo bound volumes, besides a large number of pamph- lets, periodicals and reports. The Outing Club, which consists of the pedestrians and out-door students of the Society, has searched the hills and vales, by-paths and streams in and around Philadelphia for a radius of a number of miles. It has not only added to the cabinets local specimens, but has been the means of adding a store of knowledge and health to members, while some have become expert tramps. I-Ietzel, of'88, as a member of the club, made himself famous by his maps, sketches and accounts ofthe trips of the club which he had written. Koch, who has quite a reputation as an ornithologist and oologist, and as Curator of the Society, has about doubled the value of the specimens by his manner of arranging and cata- loguing the same. Simpson, as Librarian, and also as the lead- ing entomologist, is one of the shining lights of the Society. In mentioning the celebrities we must not forget Curtis, who was President for seven consecutive terms, Kavanagh, whose repu- tation as a secretary is-known, Chattin, the oologist, Tooth- , so

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celebration of the Inauguration Centennial. Dr. Thorpe, of our own Faculty, after regretting the absence of his distinguished friend, Prof McMaster, who, as he quaintly expressed it, had the misfortune of being so distinguished as to be required to assist in the celebration at New York, drew a very interesting contrast between the United States of 1789 and the United States of 1889, between VVashington's inaugural entry on the day Whose centen- nial anniversary We were celebrating, and Harrison's Widely wel- comed entrance. VVith these remarks were mingled so many important principles of the growth ofa people, that the expe- rience of a century and the history of a day were pictured in an hour to the instruction as well as the interest of the hearers. Prof. Sayre, apologizing for the absence of Col. McClure, who was to have spoken on the growth of the press during the past century, presented to us our old friend, Mr. Walters, to whose courtesy we were indebted for several previous addresses of inter- est, who appropriately closed the ceremonies by an expression of interest in our welfare almost paternal, and with the advice to love and honor the great government under which we live and in which we had such just cause to feel pride. 43

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aker and Schuenemann, the mineralogistsg Hays, the ornitholo- gist, who explored the lowland creeks and marshes of the Dela- ware in search of specimens, and Curtis, the younger, and Hetzel, Whose reputations as botanists need not be mentioned. An event, which will not soon be forgotten by the members of the N. H. S. and their Iiiends, was the reception given Febru- ary of 1888. The programme was varied, consisting of selec- tions by the M. T. S. orchestra, an address by the Rev. Charles G. Ames, the'Unitarian ministerg promenading, refreshments and dancing until the wee small hours. It is hoped that '90, ,QI and the coming classes will uphold the Society and its objects with the same zeal and energy which have characterized the efforts of '89, S!