Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-16
THE PHHOsOPaIC SOCIETY.
Its Relations to the Younger Scientific
Societies.

Col Garrick Mallery, in his address recently
before the Philosophical Society of Washing
ton as its retiring president, devoted some
time to the discussion Of the relations existing
between the Philosophical society and the
younger scientific societies. His theme was
Philosophy and Specialties." The address
was naturally devoted in the main to its de-
clared theme and II made q clear presentation
Of the necessity for specialized work in this era
Of the world and Of the equal necessity for
philosophy, which Is considered as the grand
generalization Of the minor generalizations or
laws established by the special sciences.
The parts Of the address Of peculiar interest
to Washington are those where mention is made
Of the origin. strength activity and mutual re-
lations of its FIVE learned societies That there
was necessity as well as proprety," he said '.in
securing greater facilities to the special stu
dents of Washington than was afforded by the
society, which had boon entirely adequate to
meet the earlier conditions is demonstrated by
the fact that at least four other organizations
apart from the still more specialized societies.
such as the Microscopic and the Entomologic)
are now In active operation, each substantially
holding the same number of meetings and
presenting to sufficient audiences a number of
papers not less than were and still are recorded
OF the Philosophical society.
THE CONFINED ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP
OF the five societies is about $50, no name being
counted more than once, though often appear
ing on several lists The names on the CONSOLE
dated list show that their presence is seldom
for honorary or financial considerations but
from genuine interest. A large proportion of
the members are frequent attendants at the
meetings. and the two customary hours of the
sessions for 100 meetings, being about the total
OF all the meetings of all the societies during
ont " pia6h v no IL
Ing and discussion of original papers that no mo-
mentls left for social intercourse that being pro-
vided for by the Cosmos club, to which the
working members of all of the societies belong.
This exhibit shows amount of activity in
Washington among learned societies without
parallel in any other city in the world notwith-
standing the great superiority in population of
most cities where such societies flourish. As
this remarkable action of divergence and diff
ferentiation has proceeded according to natural
trophe, 1t may seem at first sight to have been
wholly beneficial. but it has some results re-
quiring consideration"
Col. Mallery referred to various objections
growing out of the exclusive segregation OF
speclaltles and the advantage of having all
specialties tried before a court of general juris-
diction. At this time, he said. with all the loss
OF papers given to the four new societies, there
still remain active in the Philosophical society
many specialists, notably in the fields of geology
astronomy, meteOrology. and general physics
who contribute their papers to it exclusively.
THE SCOPE OF THE WORK.
As regards the scope Of the work Of the Philo.
sophie society, he said the ten published vol.
umes Of its bulletin are decisive. They com.
prise papers on mathematics, astronomy
physics, chemistry, meteorology. geology, ge-
ography, biology, anthropology, technology,
and philosophy in its general acceptation
before defined. These papers were all actually
read at the meetings. nearly all by members
when by visitors the fact being noted, and they
were all exposed to discussion. The volumes
therefore, are not deceptive as to the amount OF
work done, as is the with some societies
that publish writing not by members but by vol.
unteers who have never been near their place OF
meeting and whose published papers were only
read by title. The analysis of these volumes
shows no falling off in the presented number OF
papers appropriate to specialties within the
lines of which other societies have been founded
though, as before remarked. the character of
such papers is broader than before. While
connected by common membership with a con.
geries OF special societies this society compre-
hends their specialties without technically.
In this respect it clearly fulfills its promises.