PREFACE. THE present volume comprises the monthly transactions of the Society from March, 1885, to May, 1886, inclusive, the meetings in July, August, and September having been omitted. Besides the regular proceedings which are recorded, there are seven Memoirs, that of Mr. NATHANIEL THAYER, by Dr. George E. Ellis; that of the Hon. STEPHEN SALISBURY, by Colonel John D. Washburn; that of RALPH WALDO EMERSON, by Dr. James Freeman Clarke; that of the Hon. DAVID SEARS, by Mr. R. C. Winthrop, Jr.; that of the Rev. WILLIAM S. BARTLET, by the Rev. Edmund F. Slafter; and those of Rear Admiral GEORGE H. PREBLE and Mr. JOHN LANGDON SIBLEY, by Dr. Andrew P. Peabody. The longest paper which is here printed is that communicated by the late Mr. CHARLES C. PERKINS,—whose loss is widely mourned by the lovers of music and art,— and it has a special interest as its preparation was the last literary labor which he performed before he was suddenly taken away. For the illustrations which add to the attractiveness of this book, the Society is indebted to several friends. The portrait of Mr. Thayer is a gift from his family; that of Mr. Salisbury is from his son; that of Mr. Emerson is from Dr. Edward W. Emerson; the likeness of Governor Dudley has been presented by Mr. R. C. Winthrop, Jr.; and that of Mr. Sears has been furnished by Mrs. William Amory. The representation of the Flag which was carried by the minute-men of Bedford into the Concord fight - procured through the efforts of Mr. Jenks — is striking in itself, and interesting for the historic associations that cluster about it. The past year has been made memorable in the history of the Society by the munificent bequest which has been left to it by one whose portrait, given by his wife, is rightfully placed as the frontispiece to this volume, and whose Memoir appropriately closes the book. Endeared to those who knew him by his sterling qualities of character, he has accomplished what no one-not even himself - ever believed possible. The story of his life is a romance. It seems almost incredible that a poor boy, whose father was scarcely able to afford him an education, should have become a distinguished benefactor of the academy which he entered as a beneficiary; and that, while devoted wholly to scholarly pursuits, he should likewise have been by far the most liberal donor to an Historical Society which has had many men of wealth among its members, since he has given to it more than seven times as much as the largest contributor to its resources. Reluctant to be known for his deeds of kindness while he lived, he has left the world without permitting any one to thank him for what he has now bestowed. But, though not one of the living will see the full benefit which will accrue from his noble bequest, this Society, which he has selected as the depositary of his literary materials gathered |