present level of the lake from eighty to three hundred feet. They were evidently, at some former period, the boundaries of the lake. The lake must have been at one time at least six hundred feet deep, instead of an average depth of seventy feet as at present. These ancient boundaries indicate that the lake was suddenly drained of a share of its waters at three widely different periods. This must have been done by three equally sudden subsidences of the lake and the region southeasterly of it in the direction of the St. Lawrence river. It is simply a question of time how soon Niagara Falls will reach Black Rock, and drain Lake Erie.

It is not possible that polar glaciers could have excavated the basins of the lakes and left the islands, undisturbed, where they now are. It can not be true, therefore, that polar glaciers striated the rocks at Kelly's Island and Sandusky Bay, or at other points on the lake coast. The striations or grooves which are seen in the rocks were probably made by volcanic eruptions in the bed of the lake which lifted the islands into their present positions. These eruptions would, of course, cause a sudden overflow of the lake, and, if occurring in the winter, would lift vast sheets of ice with the water and carry in rushing currents, ice, sand and boulders, and thus striate the surface rocks on the islands and along the lake coast.

These striations or grooves ought not to be accepted as a proof of a

glacial period, for the reason, that similar markings or grooves are to be seen on the highest mountains as well as in the valleys to a greater or less extent in every part of the world, and, in all probability, were produced by igneous and aqueous forces, the only instrumentalities which Nature seems to have employed or needed in giving to the earth its present aspects.

We all know that earthquakes are of frequent occurrence in the world. The whole number, as statistics show, exceeds five hundred per annum. Fifty or more have occurred in the lake region and Mississippi Valley within the last half century.

At New Madrid, in 1811, an earthquake sunk several islands into the Mississippi river, lifted and broke the earth's crust into yawning chasms, created new lakes, and set back the current of the river eighteen miles. The shocks continued for several days and changed materially the aspects of that region of the country.

The earthquake, at Charleston, South Carolina, in 1886, was still more disastrous in its effects. It not only fractured the earth's crust, but destroyed a considerable part of the city and killed a number of citizens. The shocks were repeated for several days and felt throughout nearly all the Southern states. In fact, overwhelming earthquakes may occur at any time when least expected.

Geology, though comparatively a modern science, is based on visible facts which are verified by the con

stant activities of Nature; while Glaciology, though called a science, is based on an assumption of facts which never existed. The glacial theory is, therefore, nothing more than a phantom flitting in the twilight of science.

The grand problem of the creation, however, cannot be solved; nor can the antiquity of man, or the conditions of his origin, be traced to any definite geological era. Yet we live in an age of philosophers, who seem to think the impossible possible. But when we consider that the universe has

neither centre nor circumference, we are lost in the limitless field that lies open to scientific investigation, and shrink with a feeling of instinctive awe and reverence from the attempt to explore it. In a field of thought so vast and unlimited, we are lost for the want of a thought broad enough and strong enough to grasp the infinite. The revelations of science, however, assure us that a divine intelligence pervades the universe-the intelligence of a paternal Sovereignty that is crowned with stars.

HARVEY RICE.

THE twenty-fourth annual meeting of the Western Reserve Historical Society was held in the assembly rooms of the Board of Education at Cleveland, Ohio, on June 19, 1891. It was a gathering of unusual interest, because of the strenuous efforts now being made to secure by purchase, the building in which the Society is now located.

The meeting was called to order by the President, C. C. Baldwin, and, on motion of Vice-President J. H. Sargent, Ex-President R. B. Hayes, an active member of the Society, presided. The ex-president came to the city for the express purpose of attending the meeting, and on taking the chair said:

"The city of Cleveland has become greatly interested in works of education. This city is taking its place

among the great cities of the country in being interested in and doing all useful and progressive things. I do not remember with confidence its exact rank among the largest, leading cities, but it is to be found among the ten highest. Historical societies are not popular among the people, as a rule. We grow historical as we grow older. People in the big cities have little time to devote to this work, but we are growing, and it is now time that the work was pushed vigorously and successfully. Much has been done in the past by Colonel Whittlesey and others, who might be named. The question now is, whether we shall have a suitable place in which to enlarge and to comfortably carry on the work of the society. The opportunity is now offered, I understand, to obtain a suit

able place for a permanent and acceptable home. There is no better field for this work than right here on the Western Reserve. There are many families having valuable historical records and documents. These families are only awaiting a place where the records may be safely kept. The fact that you are here, in a busy city like this, is proof enough that you are interested in the work of the society.

"It was in 1834," he continued, "in the month of June, fifty-seven years ago, that I passed through Cleveland pretty thoroughly. It had then 4,000 inhabitants.

A boy then twelve years

old, with his eyes open, I am able to recall with distinctness the memories of that visit. Coming as I have to Cleveland since many times, I know the city, and I feel as if I had an interest in it. I remember talking with General Grant after his tour around the world. I asked him if he saw any cities abroad which pleased him better than those at home. He replied that he had not. He said that he found no cities during his travels which equaled the three (all lake cities) in this country which he considered the most attractive. He named Cleveland, Detroit and Milwaukee. Cleveland, considered as an attractive city, as a city having a great future, and Cleveland considered as being large and prosperous, is to be counted among the cities on the globe that are notable."

The Secretary, Mr. D. W. Manchester, next presented his report for the year just ended, which proved most interesting. It was as follows:

In some respects the past year has, perhaps, been the most satisfactory and important of any in the career of the society. It has made substantial progress in various directions-it has made many new friends amongst the community, while its old ones and its members appear to have become revived, and to have evinced a warm and growing interest in its welfare. The general public, too, seems to have opened its eyes to the fact that our rooms are not only a place to amuse and interest, but to instruct and educate as well. In short, not a fixThe num

we seem to be regarded, as ture only, but a necessity. ber of visitors has been probably greater than during the preceding year, and the purpose of the visits has been less for sight seeing and the passing away of time than for study, critical and scientific examination of our museum, consulting the rare and valuable books of reference in the library, our 1,200 bound volumes and upwards of newspapers, our maps, atlases, and the society's own publications.

The additions to the library and museum are: Bound books, by purchase, 181; by donation, 203; by exchange, 89; total bound books, 473. Pamphlets: By purchase, 67; by donation, 356; by exchange, 186; total, 609. Periodicals, 100; bound volumes of newspapers, 16; single newspapers, 150; manuscripts of various kinds, 85; total additions to library, 1,433. There have been added to the museum, pieces, 82, making the

Among the valuable additions to the library may be mentioned 68 volumes of the Annual Register from 1748 to 1824-embracing those important periods in American history, the war of the Revolution, the birth of the nation, and the war of 1812. We have also added colonial records of Connecticut; many volumes of genealogies; a complete set of Michigan Pioneer Historical Society publications; publications of the Prince Society; History of the Upper Ohio Valley, in two large quarto volumes; the Charlemagne Tower collections of colonial laws of Pennsylvania; the final volume of the diary of Thomas Robbins, a pioneer missionary on the Reserve, 1803-1806; vital records of Rhode Island and that masterly and invaluable work, compiled by the State of Connecticut at a cost of $60,000, "Record of Connecticut Soldiers in the War of the Revolution." We have also completed our sets of the Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography and of the Narragansett Historical Register. serving of mention also in this connection is the very fine quarto edition of the Ely genealogy, presented by Hon. Heman Ely, of Elyria.

De

information. the city and the publications of its several departments have also been looked after. A great variety of valuable information has been culled from local papers, pamphlets, leaflets and miscellaneous issues. We do not allow the wrapper of a newspaper or pamphlet, or an old newspaper used to protect a package of books purchased, to go into the waste basket until they have first been thoroughly scanned for some item of news, biographical, historical or genealogical. In illustration, a Connecticut newspaper which came with books purchased in Boston, contained the date of the birth and death of a person whom a gentleman living in Buffalo, engaged in preparing a genealogy of his family, had long sought to ascertain. Grateful acknowledgement was made, with expression of kind regard for our usefulness and thoughtfulness. Indeed, we have endeavored to follow the advice of Macaulay, that nothing which in any way casts a ray on former habits, opinions and modes and methods of life should be omitted from history. The great English historian tells how an artist from the bits of broken glass thrown aside by another was able to construct a beautiful cathedral window. So this society, by being zealously watchful, has rescued many a gem from the dirt and rubbish and given it deserved and beautiful setting. A number of interesting and valuable donations have been made to the museum, notably by Mr. J. H. Wade,

The annual reports of

Jr., a life-sized portrait in oil by Alonzo Pease, of Professor S. F. B. Morse; life-size crayon of the late S. V. Harkness and Selah Chamberlain; also from Mr. A. St. John Newberry, a painting by Clough of the interior of "Floral Hall," Cleveland Sanitary Fair, 1863. In a note with the present Mr. Newberry says: "It seems to me the picture has decided historical merit. It is 24x36 inches in size, and cost my father, for whom it was painted, $150, without the frame." It is an interesting reminder of the great war days and of the loyalty and devotion to the country and its soldiers of the people of Northern Ohio. We have likewise We have likewise received from A. W. Humphreys, Esq., of New York City, executor of the late James A. Briggs, a package of autograph letters from Joshua R. Giddings, which relate largely to the exciting anti-slavery times, and contain much political history of that and later periods, together with reminiscences of men who were prominent in public affairs in Ohio and the country at large.

The society has distributed during the year 350 of its own publications and duplicates, 475 in all. It has re"ceived and answered some 2,000 letters and postal cards and sent out some 1,500 circulars. These distributions have gone to nearly every State in the Union and many foreign countries. The annual report of a year ago showed that the library then contained 8,004 bound volumes, 11,466 pamphlets, and 1,117 bound volumes.

of newspapers. With the additions of the year we have: bound volumes, 8,477; pamphlets, 11,975; bound volumes of newspapers, 1, 117; periodicals, 100, a total of 21,685. The membership has been increased by one life, six annual, and seventeen corresponding members. Four life members have died-Mr. Seymour W. Baldwin, of Elyria; Mr. Horace Kelly, Mr. J H. Wade, and Mr. D. W. Cross, of this city, and one annual, Mr. Selah. Chamberlain, and one honorary, Hon. George Bancroft. Memorial sketches of these individuals will appear in the customary obituary notices in order in our regular publications. Five new societies, the National Museum of Antiquity, Edinburgh, Scotland; Hyde Park Historical Society, Massachusetts; Historical Society, Southern California; West Virginia Historical and Antiquarian Society, of West Virginia; and Bostonian Society, Massachusetts, have been added to our exchange list.

In December, 1890, the society resumed its public meetings and gave a series of free public lectures. "Glacial Man in Ohio," by Mr. W. C. Mills, of New Comerstown, was the subject of the first. Mr. Mills exhibited the palæolith found by him in Tuscarawas county in 1889, which has attracted attention of scientific men in Massachusetts and at Washington as being one of the most important finds in many years. It is deposited in the society's rooms. The second meeting in January was a paper by Mr. C. P.