New-York tribune., 1900-04-26
pounded of tragedy, comedy and farce. He who
can bring it to a happy ending will deserve to
rank among not the least benefactors Of the
THE ACADEMY or SCIENCES SHOW.

The New-YOrk Academy Of Sciences is to he
congratulated on the high character and success
% its annual exhibitions, OF which the seventh
is now in progress. 1t Is not Improbable that
when the experiment was first undertaken those
who We're responsible for II entertained misgiv-
ngs as TO the wisdom and feasibility OF holding
such shows every year. These enterprises In
volve a large expenditure of money, and the
Academy's treasury Is far from Overtowing.
Again. the committeeman in charge OF the sew
eral department compelled to interrupt for
days other important work and neglect numer-
ous pressing duties The sacrifice of personal
convenience Is great. Finally, IL was very
doubtful AZ the outset how far outside scientists
could be relied upon for interest and help. But
the results thus far realized during the initial
and more critical stages OF the venture GER
tainly Justify the trouble and expense. and the
community owes a hearty vote of thanks to the
Academy for its perseverance in this worthy
work.
In the first place, the exhibits themselves pos
distinct and unusual educational value
Those which illustrate peculiarites OF the early
human inhabitants OF this continent or the
structure Of the lower animals that lived here
long before man appeared. or astronomical phe
nomena Of any sort. afford broader views of
life, of history and of the universe than would
W OtnerWiSt pOsSlDe. lHty lnuichIe 100, rt-
cent advances In certain realms Of civilization
The objects shown In the departments of cleo
tricity, chemistry and some other sciences add
practical utility to the intellectual and sesthetic
charms Of the display. In all Of these respects
the Aeademy's exhibitions have been occasions
for just pride. In the second place, II their
scope has not been SO thoroughly national as
those Of the Royal Society OF London. which
they closely resemble. they are fur from being
merely local. Not only have many of the
hcles shown come from great distances, hut a
number of the most instructive ones represent
the Investigations and goodwill Of prominent
workers In other States OF the Union. Cooper
alton Of this kind and the personal intercourse
that Is made possible by the receptions held In
connection with the exhibitions impart whole
some stimulus 10 the spirit OF fellowship In
science.
Ii Is TO be noted, moreover that many of the
researches whose fruits are displayed on these
occasions would not have been possible but
for the beneticence OF patrons Of science. Expe
dtlons TO Alaska or the Upper Nile cannot be
conducted without large expense The prosecu-
tion Of certain desirable physical and astronom-
ical inquiries, and perhaps the publication of
important results. are often dependent upon the
financial encouragement of appreciative men or
women of means Exhibitions like that now
being held in this city. therefore. happily draw
attention to a form that public spirit has taken
only too seldom in the past and reveal other
channels Of usefulness into which this kind OF
patriotism may advantageOusly be directed
That plenty Of such opportunities still exist will
hardly be ganSaid.