The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-12-16
Portland Society Of Natural History. How
Il haAa,,o .vuoluad in daht

that as brief statement OF tbe-,nanner in
which it became involved in debt should be
made as is consistent with perspicuity Other
wise,i might seem from the suddenness OF
their appearance and the urgency win "nicn
they are pressed, that some new ana uhex-
pected calamity had befallen the society;
whereas they do but place before the pubic
a statement that in all that relates to the IL
debtedness of the society, was as true at the
time of its removal to its new hall, ive years
ago. AZ to-day. But the lapse of every year
onl,, ronders it more and more imperative
that decisive measures should be taken by the
friends of the society, not only to relieve 1t of
the debt under which 1t labors, but to place. it
at once upon a selfsustaining basis, that it
may pursue its legitimate career--the cultiva-
ton Of taste for natural history pursuits and
the advancement of the cause of science-de.
voting to these objects all its energies and all
its income.
dent expectation of the society, at the time of
making the purchase, it would soon be
able to assume; that it would have been able
before this time to have relieved itself of a
greater part of its debt, If not of the whole of
it, for it had reason, based upon the calcula-
tons of the architect and contractors, to ex-
pect that the remodeling of the building would
not cost much, If any, beyond its ability 10
pay, but it greatly exceeded the expecta-
lions of all concerned. As soon as it was
ascertained what the receipts would be from
the sale of the half-township of land granted
by the State, it was as clear then that debt
Of considerable magnitude would resi- upon
the society as it is now. 1t is this same debt
and no other under the burden of which the
society is now and has ever since been labor
ing devoting to the payment Of interest all, or
nearly all OF its very moderate income from
assessments, thus depriying itself Of every
means Of making progress by additions to its
library and cabinet, depending for these upon
the working men Of the society and donations
from individuals. 9cfrF
What has thus been done, considerable as
it is under all the circumstances, is small
| compared with what it would have been with
the ability to devote all its resources to max
1 ing progress. This was the case with the So
ciety before the occurrence Of the disastrous
fire which destroyed all Its collections and
cabinets that had been rapidly accumulated
by the energy of its members and the liberal
gifts of our citizens. By that calamity the
society was stripped Of everything it possess
ed; but, when the fire had done its work,
leaving it without shelter and without funds,
thanks to the policy which 1t had been able to
4 pursue up to that time, twas entirely free
from debt. .....ts ----
But this happy condition of its finances was
owing to the fact that Accommodations for its
4 cabinet and meetings had always been furnish
ed by the city free of expense. So, when it
had outgrown the accommodation which the
city could furnish and the building had passed
into the possession OF the United States, it
was still allowed, the gratuitous use of large
and elegant hall, which, long before the occur
ence of the fire, had also become too limited
for its necessities. After this event one of the
smallest rooms in the old City Hall was am
ply sufficient for its immediate, purposes and
this was fitted up and the free use of it grant
ed by The city authorities. Here the nucleus
Of another cabinet was collected but 1t was
vr,s'Viv a.SisA irr
public meetings which had ever been attrac-
tive to young and old and had always been
numerously attended. The necessity for 9th
err accommodations arose and the most convent.
ent and lest adapted to the state of its flnan.
ces, at the same time that they furnished safety
from fire, was found in rooms over the Mer-
chants Bank. Now commenced for the first
tine the necessity for deyoting portion ofits
Income to the payment of rent, whilst the in-
creasing collections made urgent demands
for cabinets and other facilities for protecting
and exhibiting them. 86saMua 49,.
At one period of its occupation of these
rooms its prospects were far from encourag-
ing and had it not been for the aid which. ur-
expected and unsolicited, was furnished by a
gentleman of this city, who came forward with
apropositionfor raising sum ofmoney toassist
the society in its embarrassments and headed
it with generous subscription, it is doubtful
i whether it would have much longer retainedi Its
organization. The prompt response made to
this proposition on the part of some Of our
7 citizens was all that was needed to encourage
the members to further efforts and there has
beenno cessationlon their part totAe present
time. - bs-sia w .siFA
In the course Of the societys occupation of
these rooms over the Bank, its collections had
increased beyond their capacity for accommo-
dation, and the officers of the Bank, who had
been very generous in their dealings with the
society, consented to discharge it from the
terms of the lease. BOSS q k9,fI
Compelled to look for another place for its
meetings and cabinets, which should unite the
requisites of sufficient accommodations. safe
ty from fire, and aprice suited to Its means,
none such could be found. It was then that
the suggestion was made to purchase the old
academy building and lot and convert it to the
purposes of the society. -s.f =. lfs n
The purchase was made after due delibera-
lion, and the committee who had the business
in charge had every reason to believe that the
interest of the debt that would remain after
the proceeds of the sale of the half township
had been deducted from the cost. wonld tax
4 the resources of the society less than to hire
any rooms elsewhere, which would even i'm
perfectly meet the above mentioned requisites,
When too late for remedy or prevention, it
was sscertained that nearly all the estimates
OF the cost of alteration and remodeling,
/ though made by men regarded as in every
way competent to decide, would fall
/ much below the actual cost. Instead, there
fore, Of obtaining its present accommodations
with only debt to the Trustees of the Aesd-
envy, and that. as they hoped, REDUCED BY
some additional payments, the society found