New-York tribune., 1879-08-28
A CHANGE AT THE wATERlNG-PLACE.


SCIENCE ~ TIE AIR EYEN AT THE HOTEIS-DE-
TAILS OF THE OPENING MEETING.
fFRoN 4 SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRmUSE.I
SARATOGA, Aug 27.-SaratOga may at times be
light aud frlYOlous with her dancing, flirting and
frothy gaycty but a change has come over the
spirit of her dream. Not such change that
which will overwhelm the place next week with
delugc Of politicians from near and from far, and
which Will drown all lesser topics in the tide Of
controversy over the claims Of candidates.
The change this week is q severely scientific
one. Talk at the hotels just now runs
the geological periods the latest theory in biology
rather than on the latest betrothal. the
poets for Office. good part of the thousand mcu-
bcrs Of the American Association for the Advance
ment OF Science is here, and the presence of these
studous Inquirers has given touch OF earnestneSs
and gravity 10 the air OF the watering-pace, Not
that many Of these lovers OF science are pale ateH
uated Dlodders with no eyes for anything more re-
cent Than the DevOnian formation; they take
keen interest in what is going about them. and
they enjoy meeting in Il social way as
well as presenting and comparing the fruits
Of their labors. 1t is true that a
few enthusiasts may be found here who to
have no thought beyond the branches of study
which they pursue. Such men carry under their
arms boxes of impaled insects, and hunt about the
show their treasures. When they discover such a
man. it is "a feast of fat things to them to sit down
and gloat over the array of moths, butter
tlies and flying and creeping things generally and
the hours pass swiftly while they talk over the
markings and classfcations. and tell the story Of
their last exciting chase afler some rare bug. Most
of the members of the association here are not of
| this stamp. They believe most heartily in science
| in IT'S place. but they believe also in combining
| pleasure with the serious purpose OF their visit
here. So while they give close attention to the
meetings, and get all the benefit from these that
they can, they do not neglect the means Of enjoy
ment which Saratoga provides in profusion.
The attendance at the convention, as the twenty
eighth meeting of the association may be called is
! large, and the great number OF papers presented
shows the increasing diligence and zeal OF the MEN,
ber and the extension of the results attained by the
| organization.
The session to-day was principally for organiza-
tion and arrangements preliminary to the hard Sci
entfc work. The association was called to order
at 1890 o'clock in the town lIll by Professor o. c.
Marsh, OF Yale College, the retiring president. It
was a gathering impressive in the evidence of high
! thinking which appeared almost every
| face and noteworthy not "nly from its in
| tecctua weight, but also from the number
Of charmingly attired ladies present. 1t was plain
| that devotion tn science among the fair members
Of the association and among the fair relatives and
| friends of the male members did not preclude an
interest in such minor matters rs Paris bonnets and
| gowns. Professor Marsh introduced Professor
| George L. Barker Of Philadelphia, the new pEes-
dent. Both the retiring head and the new presiding
| officer are well known throughout the country.
| Professor Marsh has the bearing and manner of
polished and rounded man of the world as well as a
| ,ufth and
and without constraut. HIS face is that of a man
who has studied deeply, but betrays little of the
restless energy which has sent him on long aud diff
fcult journeys in his researches. President Barker
like ex-Prcsident Marsh, is man Of medium height,
and they are alike in using artificial aids to vision.
| Both are men of rather light and somewhat tiOrid
complexions and both have marked ability in dl-
recting the deliberations of assemblies, well in
pressing scientific inquiry.
President Barker is an easy. but not rapid
speaker. lie only said a few works of
thanks in taking the chair, but later in reply
10 the address Of welcome to the association made
by DR. r. G.. McEwen, chairman of the local com
nnttee he spoke at some length on the functions of
the ASSOCIATION and the for coming TO Sara
toga tie used no notes, but presented his views
gracefully and fOrcibly
On the platform beside Professors Marsh and
Barker were several leaders of scientific thought in
this conutry The list included the following ex-
nrssdents of the association: Professor Pclrco, of
Harvard: Professor Hall, of Albany President
Barnard of Columbia College; Professor lie
Conte. of Philadelphia Professor Lowering of
Harvard and Professor 1. Sterry Hunt, of
Montreal There were also on the platform
Professor S. p. Langley, ice-presdent-Section
A-yathematics, Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry
and Mneralogy; Major Powell, vice-president-
Section B-Geologv. Zoology, Botany and Anthro-
poloQy Professor Bolton, of Hartford; Professor
Putnam, permanent secretary; Professor Rees,
secretary of Section A; and Professor Grote, of
Buffalo.
ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT BARKER.
President Barkers address was the principal fea
ture of the morning session. Among other things,
ne said, In replyingto DR.. McEwen:
ON behalf OF the American Association sincerely
thank you for the kind and cordial words OF welcome TO
Saratoga which you have just spOhen. 1t was the
peculiar advantages OF the place, OF which
YOU have so eloquently spoken, whioh In
dueed us 20 come here-adyantaSes OF location,
Advantages Of entertainment and advantages OF cien
fife possessions. As we came Without Tue INVITATION
psual r Seh cases we expected but little atentionand
desired to mold sessions quietly to read our papers
and 10 depart But have been grained 10 hnd tDat
an unexpected nerest has been awakened III our meet
ing. largo local committee has been appointed OF
gentlemen, the appearance OF whose names upon
our circular is in Itself compliment Ihey
stand responsible for Us. and are an evidence
tatfhe American Association for the AdNarcement oi
science does not want for friends In saratosa More
oycr the extent and variety OF the preparations made
m advance t our conn, rtHect great credit upon those
,vbo have had most 10 do with the arrangements.
The American Association is a scientific body and us
ing tho word science In is widest sense, we claim that
only that knowledge When actual should be garnTed
ss whr though mucu uSaytetmined h'leriai may DC
collect for investigation. IL IL ID" more or lt1s cluue
specua zion. rather than the esta Ished t<ci WhiSh
ttnd. 10 bring science into discr iit. Undoul edy
u advancing into Unknown country prUEtss III 81 p
rr.n-L. or r.. l0un-u un-I -nr LIoun-