# Journal of American Folk-Lore/Volume 13/Issue 49/Local Meetings and Other Notices

LOCAL MEETINGS AND OTHER NOTICES.
Boston.—Tuesday, April 18. The regular meeting was held at the Brunswick by invitation of Mr. and Mrs. George H. Leonard. The speaker was Mr. A. M. Lythgoe, of Harvard University, whose subject was "Arts and Crafts of the Ancient Egyptians." His lecture was illustrated by fine lantern slides.
Tuesday, May 23. The annual meeting (postponed by vote from April) was held at Miss Reed's, 184 Commonwealth Avenue. No paper was offered, in order that sufficient time might be allowed for the transaction of business. In the absence of Professor Putnam, Mr. Frank Russell presided, and the reports of the Secretary and the Treasurer were read. The former showed that though the membership gain (13) exceeded the losses by death, resignation (10), a revision of the list made the membership smaller than a year ago. The Treasurer reported that the expenditure of the year had practically equalled the income.
The resignation of the Treasurer, Mr. Chamberlain, was accepted with regret, and the election of officers which followed resulted in the following choice: President, Prof. F. W. Putnam. First Vice-President, Dr. G. J. Englemann. Second Vice-President, Mr. W. W. Newell. Treasurer, Mr. R. B. Dixon. Secretary, Miss Helen Leah Reed. Council, Mrs. E. F. ​Fenollosa, Mrs. Lee Hoffman, Dr. S. E. Palmer, Dr. E. F. Pope, Mrs. G. W. Vaillant, Mr. Ashton Willard.
Tuesday, December 5. The first meeting of the season was held at the Grundmann Studios. Dr. Englemann presided, and introduced Prof. F. W. Putnam, who treated of the "Pueblos of Colorado and New Mexico." This was a vivid account of Professor Putnam's recent visit to the scene of operations of the Hyde Expedition. His hearers were much interested in his description of the Pueblos, and in the photographs which he had brought back with him.
Tuesday, January 9. The regular meeting was held at the Grundmann Studios. Dr. Englemann introduced the speaker, Mr. R. L. Garner, whose subject was "Customs and Traditions of Central Africa."
Friday, February 16. The regular meeting, by invitation of Drs. E. F. and C. H. Pope, was held at the Grundmann Studios. Dr. Frank Russell, of Harvard University, introduced by Mr. W. W. Newell, was the speaker of the evening. He gave a description of the "Moki Snake Dance," elaborately illustrated by lantern slides. This lecture is unusually fine, and was recently given by Dr. Russell before Yale University and the University of Iowa.
Tuesday, March 20. The regular meeting was held at the residence of Mrs. Hoffmann and Miss Cross at 184 Commonwealth Avenue. Dr. Franz Boas, of New York, took as his subject, "The Science and Ethics of Primitive. Man." The conclusion of his most interesting lecture was that in folk-lore we have the embodiment of ancient and bygone customs. We are not conscious of the origin of these customs, and yet through folk- lore they have an influence upon us.
Tuesday, April 17. The regular meeting was held at the Grundmann Studios. An amusing paper on "The Experiences of a Folk-Lore Collector," by Mrs. Fanny D. Bergen, was read by Mr. Bergen. A second brief paper was given by Mr. W. W. Newell on "Old English Ballads in America," showing the changes in form which some of these ballads had undergone in crossing the ocean. An interesting discussion followed this paper, and some of the more famous ballads were sung by Mr. James W. Calderwood.
Helen Leah Reed, Secretary.
Cambridge.—The papers offered at meetings of the Cambridge Branch of the American Folk-Lore Society, since the last report, have been as follows:—
November 1, 1899. Mr. W. W. Newell, "Fairy Tales."
December 6. Mr. William Jones, of Harvard University, "Sacred Myths of the Sacs and Foxes."
January 3, 1900. Prof. G. L. Kittredge, of Harvard University, "The Dancers in the Churchyard."
February 7. President G. F. Moore, of Andover Theological School, "The Legendary History of Alexander the Great."
March 10. Prof. Barrett Wendell, of Harvard University, "Some Neglected Demands of Literature in its Relation to Folk-Lore."
​April 13. Mr. Roland B. Dixon, of Harvard University, "Totemism."
May 9. Mr. A. G. Mayer, of Harvard University, "Savages of the Southern Pacific."
The officers elected for 1900–1901 are as follows: President, Mr. C. H. C. Wright. Vice-President, Miss Ethel D. Puffer. Treasurer, M. L. Fernald. Secretary, Miss Leslie W. Hopkinson. Executive Committee, Miss Sarah Yerxa, Miss Margaret Brooks, Dr. F. W. Robinson.
Leslie W. Hopkinson, Secretary.
Cincinnati.—The American Folk-Lore Society, Cincinnati Branch, met at the house of Mrs. G. A. Thayer. In the absence of the President, the Vice-President, Dr. Buck, presided. A nominating committee was appointed to nominate officers at the ensuing meeting.
Owing to a change of programme, the paper of the evening on African folk-lore was by Mrs. A. C. Woods. The speaker pointed out the vastness of the field, and inadequacy of information. She described the chief North African religious ceremonial with its superstitions and rites. African folk-lore was regarded as closely connected with that of other continents. In the discussion following, Dr. Buck spoke of the shadow cast by man as related to a belief in the immortality of the soul. Dr. Thayer pointed out the resemblance of some of the myths to those of Genesis. The report of the Treasurer was read and accepted, and the Society enjoyed the hospitality of Mrs. Thayer.
Edna Hopkins, Secretary pro tem.
April 11. The Society met at the house of Dr. Crank in Mt. Auburn. The meeting being the last af the season, officers were elected for the following year, as follows: President, Dr. J. D. Buck. First Vice-President, Dr. J. Lindahl. Second Vice-President, Miss Florence Wilson. Secretary, Mr. Clarence W. Hahn. Treasurer, Mrs. A. D. McLeod. Advisory Committee, Dr. C. D» Crank, Miss Anna Laws, Dr. D. Philipson, Mrs. Warren Rawson.
The new President, Dr. J. D. Buck, expressed the regret of the Society in the loss sustained by the approaching departure of its past leader, Prof. Charles L. Edwards. It was owing to his efforts that the Branch was established, and to him is due its present success.
The paper of the evening on "The Islands of the Pacific" was presented by Miss Florence Wilson. An interesting discussion relating to the customs of Hawaii followed, and the guests were entertained by their host and hostess.
Clarence W. Hahn, Secretary pro tem.
Brinton Memorial Chair in the University of Pennsylvania.—The Brinton Memorial Committee of Boston have issued an address, setting forth the services to the cause of science rendered by Daniel Garrison Brinton, and explaining the conception of anthropology, to which especially he had devoted his life. The address recites:—
​"Scholars the world over are appreciative of the achievements of the late Daniel Garrison Brinton, for he established on a firm basis the branches of learning to which he devoted his life. He is justly named the 'Founder of American Anthropology.'
A close student of the intricate problems of his science, he possessed the rare art of clearly and concisely presenting facts at their true values. He believed in "the general inculcation of the love of truth, scientific, verifiable truth," and that knowledge should subserve usefulness.
A keen observer, a classical scholar, an adept in the methods of logic and philosophy, Dr. Brinton had ever the practical application of truth in view. To the systematic study of man he brought to bear his all rounded culture to further the happiness and fulness of the individual life. He regarded the individual as the starting-point and goal of anthropology. Upon individual improvement, he claimed, depended group or racial improvement, social amelioration, and the welfare of humanity.
Anthropology, the new Science of Man, in Dr. Brinton's own words, "is the study of the whole of man, his psychical as well as his physical nature, and the products of all his activities, whether in the past or in the present."
This broad comprehension indicates the significance of anthropological study. Its limits of attainment are limited only by the nature of man himself, and Dr. Brinton asks, "Who dares set a limit to that?"
Although the youngest of the modern sciences, anthropology is none the less one of the most important of the sciences, for in its development is bound closely the progress of society. To carry out the aims of anthropology are required the results obtained from the study of ethnography, ethnology, psychology, folk-lore, and archaeology,—more especially prehistoric archaeology, which concerns itself not only with the ancient, but with "the simplest" and "most transparent and therefore the most instructive."
Notwithstanding the extension of this work in America, comparatively few professorships of anthropology or its branches exist, and the limited opportunity afforded students to qualify themselves for investigation in these various subjects is manifest. Dr. Brinton pointed out the insufficiency of facilities for students to acquire the necessary preliminary training to fit them for research, and he advocated and urged that anthropology should be studied generally in our colleges. Provost Harrison referred to this in his address at the Brinton Memorial Meeting held in Philadelphia in January last, and stated that Dr. Brinton had the utmost confidence in anthropology as a science and also in its practical worth as an applied science in politics, education, and legislation.
It is proposed in recognition of the great services he rendered to the world by his teachings, numerous publications, and untiring zeal in unearthing the false and proclaiming the true, to establish in his memory a Brinton Chair of American Archaeology and Ethnology in the University of Pennsylvania.
This proposition has received the universal commendation and approval of anthropological scholars both in Europe and America.
At the Memorial Meeting the plan was favorably mentioned, and grate​ful recognition accorded to Dr. Brinton's unselfish devotion to his chosen life work. Provost Harrison thought that to honor his memory no more worthy tribute could be given than the foundation of a Brinton Memorial Chair in the University of Pennsylvania. Professor Putnam, following these remarks, said that he trusted the suggestion would not be dropped, but that something tangible would come from Provost Harrison's words.
The choice of this place for the seat of the Brinton Memorial seems especially appropriate, since the University of Pennsylvania now possesses Dr. Brinton's valuable library, his own gift shortly before his death. The association of Brinton's name with the University from 1886, when the Chair of American Archaeology and Linguistics was created for his occupancy, may in this way be made permanent.
In order to accomplish the proposed plan it will be necessary to secure an endowment of fifty thousand dollars from individual sources.
Patrons of science and others interested in the endowment may apply to the Brinton Memorial Committee, 44 Mt. Vernon Street, Boston, Mass., where further information is to be obtained if desired.
Messrs. Drexel & Co., bankers, Philadelphia, have kindly consented to act as treasurers on certain conditions which will be explained to contributors on application to the Brinton Memorial Committee."