having read original dissertations, the subjects of which are
attached to their respective names:

"Mr. T. W. Robertson, 'Objections to the Existence of a
Principle of Repulsion.'

"Mr. Francis Brognard, 'On Chemical Affinity.'

"Mr. Lewis Gerhardt, 'On Light.'

"Mr. Dudley Burwell, 'On the Chemical Properties and Medical
Uses of Arsenic.'

"Mr. Jeremiah J. Foster, 'On the History, Nature and
Properties of Oxygen Gas.'

"Mr. J. C. Foster, 'Objections to the Antiphlogistic Theory
of Combustion.'

"Mr. Charles Gignilliat, 'On Hydrogen Gas.'

"Mr. John Bent, 'On Oxygen Gas.'"

The monthly meetings were announced in the city papers. The
announcements appeared at intervals through a period of years, hence
it may be assumed the Society was an active organization and that its
members regarded it as of consequence. The personnel of its official
family is not devoid of interest at present. A single volume of
memoirs, printed in 1813, is still extant and may occasionally be
seen; from it will be learned that the "Hon. Thomas Jefferson, Esq.,
was the Patron" of the Society and its President was "James Cutbush,
Esq., Professor of Natural Philosophy, Chemistry and Mineralogy in St.
John's College."

Turning to the table of contents two contributions from the President
are observed. The first relates to the "Prognostic Signs of the
Weather" and the second is "On the Oxyacetite of Iron as a Test or
Reagent for the Discovery of Arsenic." There is little chemistry in
the first contribution, and the second possesses value chiefly in the
qualitative way. They were evidently dashed off with the idea of
arousing discussion, in the hope that serious efforts might be set in
operation in certain directions.

The thought which intrudes itself in looking through the _Memoirs_,
noting the character of the individuals in the membership, and upon
recalling the chemical activities of Cutbush, is as to the man
himself. Why should he, barely twenty-three years of age, be chosen to
such an important and prominent station as that of President of the
Columbian Chemical Society? What manner of man was he? What his
qualifications, his fitness and his position in the science world of
Philadelphia? A search through ancient volumes in many libraries
failed to bring to light any facts bearing on these points. The only
fact discovered that had any value came from a newspaper advertisement