* * * * * The American Historical Association held its first annual meeting at Saratoga, September 9, under the friendly auspices of the Social Science Association. The importance of this movement, whose object is the promotion of historical studies throughout the country, cannot be overestimated. No society of like aim, national in character, seeking to create an interest in the study of American history in every section of the country, has ever existed. The nearest approach to it was the “American Historical Society” organized in 1836, at Washington, D. C., with John Quincy Adams as President. Its membership, however, was made up from residents of Washington, Congressmen, and a few persons outside of the Capital who however, were only honorary members. The meetings were of irregular occurrence and were held in the House of Representatives. The active spirit of this old Historical Society was Peter Force, whose work in the publication of rare collections of early colonial history was of incalculable value to the Nation, and to whom the country is likewise indebted for the collection of the “American Archives.” This society was, however, only local in character, and had only such purposes in view as were of easy attainment at the National Capital. On the other hand, the new organization, having no one place for its habitation, is a national association of students of history, who may come from any section of this and other lands. Historical specialists and active workers everywhere, whether from academic centres or State and county historical societies, if approved by the committee, will be welcomed. The annual membership fee is $3.00, the life membership $25. Forty-one active members were enrolled at Saratoga, and the Executive Council has selected 120 more persons, students of history, resident in various sections of the country, to whom invitations to become active members are to be extended. A constitution was adopted and the following distinguished persons selected as officers: President, Andrew D. White, President of Cornell College; two Vice-Presidents, Professor Justin Winsor, of Harvard and Professor Charles Kendall Adams, of the University of Michigan; Secretary, Dr. Herbert B. Adams of John Hopkin’s University, Baltimore; Treasurer, Clarence Winthrop Bowen of the New York _Independent_, New York City. These gentlemen, with three associates—Mr. William B. Weeden of Providence, Professor Emerton of Harvard College, and Professor Moses Coit Tyler of Cornell University—form the Executive Council, which is empowered to pass judgment upon all nominations which may be made through the secretary, and which has charge also of the general interests of the Association. President White delivered an admirable address on “Synthetic Studies in History,” and several other important papers were read—all of which, together with a record of the proceedings, will soon be published in pamphlet form.