New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-08-25
SCIENCE AT BUFFALO.


ROGERS AFTER A LONG HLNEss-oRGANlZAlloN
INVITATIONS TO MORE soUTHERLY CITIES.
1rPoN A STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRlBuNE'I
BIJFFALO Aug. 23.-Ths promises to be the pest |
meeting held by the American Association 1or the |
Advancement Of Science since 1T assembled IN
Albany. This is true both as to numbers and enl-
nence of those who gathering here Among |
them are many whose faces have been exceedingly |
rare in recent years. Some have come from the |
South for the first time since the separation causou
by the war; There is a very considerable sprinkllng
Of foreign men of science who have been attending
the Centennial Exhibition, though the number from
this source is not so large as had been hoped fOr
This is probably due to the circumstance that the
labors at the Exhibition, where many OF them were
employed in a. official capacity were Tar more ex-
hausting than they anybody else had anticipated
In a majority of instances, after concluding their
work in Philadelphia and taking very brlet tour
for purposes of sightseeing, the foreigners have re-
turned home Before the close of the Buffalo meeting
list of the visitors from across the Atlantic Will be
furnished. 1t is known now that several are ON the
way who have not yet arrived. Among these is
Prof Huxley, who Is expected tomorrow at the
furthest. AS to native of science the presence
of many of the older members is delightful feature
Prof Henry of the Smithsonian rarely attends these
meetings but is with us now, and IN more vigorous
health than he has recently enjoyed The PRESIDENT
for this year, Prof VIM. b. Rogers widely known
in a variety of scientific researches, and emil
mont in them all, was for many years incapacitated
for almost all duties outside OF those which could
be pursued with little mental labor and has been
for nearly decade of years practically lost to the
scientific world. To-day he is again among us, hav-
ing lost nothing Of his force of expression or ability
70 entertain an audience. He is in many respects
the best presiding officer that the association has
been favored with for a long while. During tho pc
Rod previous 10 his illness his personal Efforts as
presiding officer of the Massachusetts, Institute Oh
Technology brought it to its present high POSITION
and no doubt these efforts were among tho causes
which occaSioned his failing health.
To-day's proceedings were opened in the Common
Council Chamber of the City Hall by speech from
the retiring president, Prof. G. +. Hilgard OF the
United States Coast Survey. He congratulated the
association upon the prospect of large attendance
There had been fears expressed that the al
fractions at Philadelphia would diminish the num-
hers at Bntfalo This fear had been the occasion
of very close contest in the vote when
finally determined the selection of Buffalo. The
weather too, was more favorable than had been
hoped, and indeed than could reasonably have been
expected Not the least of the features OF the meet
ing which should be the source OF great gratlnca-
ton to the members present was that we had Tor a
president this year Prof VIM. b. Rogers. After
briefly auding TO the record of Prof. Rogers as the
nresding officer of the association when 1t was first
formed and to his distinguished services to scieuce
especially in the eucidaon of the geology of Penn
sylvania, Prof Hilgard introduced their new pres
ident to the association.
Prof Rogers has venerable aspect, As he came
forward he seemed slightly bent with the weight OF
years. His voice at first was somewhat feeble, but
as he warmed with his subject instead OF the trem-
ulousness of age, the words vibrated with feeling
tbs evident that he has lost of his eloquence
or fire since the days when he held high contest
with Prof. Agassiz the then novel questions OF
the Evolution theory Mentioning, in few brief
words, the i'll health which had recently debarred
him from scientific labor, he declared that no Oh
stacle had interfered with his love of knowledge
and of those who made it their pursuit. In respect
to his age as compared with the majority of
the members of the associatl9n. he .maGe
,,-...a at Dotroit meeting last year paper
throwing light on past geological eras by showing
the present distribution of certain moths and butter
flies. They were the offspring of the Tertiary pc
Rod, and were left by the extension of the glacial
epoch on the tops of the highest of the White Noun
tains and in the lofty ranges Of Colorado which were
islands in sea of ice Their descendants still remain
unlike in essential characteristics, the existing forms.
To these insects Prof Rogers lkened himself and the
few graybeaTds who with him were present at this
meeting. They were the relics of the past Still he
would not be understood as lacking III sympathy
with the science Of to-day. The love of knowledge
fairly implanted in the human breast cannot die
cept with its possessor. No force of circumstances
can diminish it safety to this desire is impossible.
The opening prayer by the Rev. DIR. Van Bokk ellen,
was read from manuscript, probably on account of
its length. Mayor Becker presented formal adj
dress of welcome on the part of the city, He was
followed with promptness whicRnearly amounted
TO interruption, by the Hon. Sherman S. Rogers,
with similar but less formal expression, on behalf
of the Local Committee and citizens of Buffalo. To
this President Rogers replied, saying that in con-
sequence of its locomotive character the asso-
citation had to test the Inequalities of various
cities. They had tried Buffalo before, and in each
instance the invitation and the warm reception
were chiefly due to the eXertiOns of the Buffalo
Academy of Science. Something more than mere
credit was due to Buffalo for the public spirit which
sustained this society and promoted its usefulness
The association contributed to the advancement of
scence-as was its purpose-by it's visits to various
cities, and by stimulating in them the growth of
learned societies. In this instance the local society
Teciprocated the good Office. And the association has
perpetual need Of sympathy. Scientific men
are proverbially and practically poor Their work
is not carried on for selfish aims but for the benefit
of the world at large. They have right to expect
in return the sympathy and the help of the world.
Prof. Rogers took this opportunity to contrast the
early condition of the settlement 80 years ago. when,
in the words of a contemporary author, there were
five or six trading houses Buffalo Creek, with the
present appearance of the city, The architecture of
the city called for few words of admiration, espe
cally in reference to the buildings, science, Htera-
ture, and art. He also spoke in high terms OF the