APRIL MEETING, 1910

    A Stated Meeting of the Society was held at Gore Hall, Cambridge, on Thursday, 28 April, 1910, at eight o’clock in the evening, the President, Henry Lefavour, LL.D., in the chair.

    The records of the last Stated Meeting were read and approved.

    The President appointed the following Committees in anticipation of the Annual Meeting:

    To nominate candidates for the several offices, — Messrs. George Lyman Kittredge, Horace Everett Ware, and Francis Apthorp Foster.

    To examine the Treasurer’s accounts, — Messrs. Harold Murdock and Ezra Henry Baker.

    Mr. John Whittemore Farwell of Cohasset was elected a Resident Member; Mr. Justin Harvey Smith of Hanover, New Hampshire, a Corresponding Member; and the Hon. Elihu Root of New York an Honorary Member.

    Mr. Denison R. Slade exhibited an original portrait by Smibert, recently restored, of Edward Bromfield of the Harvard Class of 1742; the mortar-board worn by the Rev. Eliphalet Pearson of the Harvard Class of 1773; and a broadside of 1758 containing the Questiones pro modulo Discutiendae, which the candidates in that year for the Master’s degree maintained.

    Mr. William C. Lane read a paper on the Bells of Harvard College, written by Dr. Arthur H. Nichols of Boston.319

    Mr. Albert Matthews made the following communication:

    In February last Mr. Henry H. Edes communicated a letter written by Tobias Lear to President Joseph Willard acknowledging in behalf of Mrs. Washington the receipt of a letter from President Willard and of copies of the tribute paid by Harvard College to the memory of Washington.320 It was natural that the death of Washington should have drawn from the College authorities a special tribute; for it was there that he had received in 1776 his first honorary degree, and it was there that he had been presented with an address on the occasion of his visit to New England in 1789.321 As the ceremonies in commemoration of his death appear to have escaped the attention of the historians of the College, it may not be uninteresting to bring together some facts in regard to them.

    In February, 1800, the following notice appeared in Boston newspapers:

    HARVARD UNIVERSITY,

    Cambridge, Feb. 10, 1800.

    THE President, Professors and Tutors, some time since, determined that public notice should be taken by the University of the great and affecting loss sustained by the citizens of the United States, in the death of the late excellent General WASHINGTON. They appointed parts to be performed, without fixing upon the day of performance. They have now determined upon

    FRIDAY, the 21st inst.

    The Procession will be formed at 10 o’clock, forenoon, to move from the Philosophy Chamber to the Meeting-house. Clergymen and other Gentlemen of liberal education, who may attend upon this mournful occasion, are invited to join the Procession.

    JOSEPH WILLARD, President.322

    The Massachusetts Mercury of February 21 contained this notice:

    HARVARD UNIVERSITY.

    The solemn performances this day at Cambridge, will, we venture to predict, bountifully reward attention. We have not learnt the particulars of the exercises; but are informed, Mr. Alston has prepared a Poem, and Mr. Watson an Oration for the occasion, and that Dr. Tappan will deliver an appropriate Discourse (2/3).

    The exercises were printed by the College in two editions — a quarto and an octavo. The title of the quarto reads:

    An | Address | in Latin, | by Joseph Willard, s.t.d. l.l.d. | President; | and a | Discourse | in English, | by David Tappan, s.t.d. | Hollis Professor of Divinity; | delivered before the | University in Cambridge, | Feb. 21, 1800. | In solemn commemoration | of | Gen. George Washington. | [Rule] | [Cut] | [Rule] | E. Typis | Samuel Etheridge. | [Rule] | M,DCCC.

    This edition consists of Title, 1 leaf; Proceedings of Cambridge University, 1 leaf; Concio a Præside, pages 5–8; A Discourse, &c, pages 9–31, the verso of page 31 being blank.323

    The title of the octavo reads:

    An | Address | in Latin, | by Joseph Willard, s.t.d. l.l.d. | President; | and a | Discourse | in English, | by David Tappan. s.t.d. | Hollis Professor of Divinity; | delivered before the University | in Cambridge, | Feb. 21, 1800. | In solemn commemoration | of | General George Washington. | [Rule] | [Cut] | [Rule] | E. Typis. | Samuel Etheridge. | [Rule] | M,DCCC.

    This edition consists of Title, 1 leaf; Proceedings of Cambridge University, 2 pages; Concio Brevis a Prseside, pages 5–10; A Discourse, &c, pages 11–44.324

    The second leaf of the quarto edition follows

    PROCEEDINGS OF CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY.

    AT a meeting of the President, Professors, and Tutors of Harvard College, Dec. 28, 1799.

    The immediate Government of the University, thoroughly penetrated by that affecting event, which has so deeply impressed the public mind; and viewing it, as a proper and due acknowledgment to the Great “Author of every good and perfect gift,” to take a respectful and pious notice of the recall of distinguished characters, for important purposes lent to Earth; desirous also of joining with all good Societies of men in lamenting the loss, which the Republic of letters as well, as our common Country has sustained; and wishing in particular that the University in Cambridge, which, in consequence of her being situated in the first scene of the American war, first shared the protection, may not appear forgetful of the Savior of her Country and the Patron of Science;

    Voted, that the following exercises, being introduced and concluded with prayer adapted to the mournful occasion, and intermixed with sacred music, instrumental and vocal, be publicly performed in pious commemoration of the singular talents, eminent virtues, and unparalleled services of WASHINGTON the GOOD.

    An INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS in Latin by the President.

    An ELEGIAC POEM in English by Washington Allston, a Senior Sophister.*

    A FUNERAL ORATION by Benjamin Marston Watson, a Senior Sophister*

    A SOLEMN and PATHETIC DISCOURSE by the Hollis Professor of Divinity.

    * * These two young Gentlemen modestly declined giving copies of their performances for the press.

    In the Massachusetts Mercury of February 25 it was stated that “The performances at Harvard University on Friday last, to evince the respect of the Officers and students at that Seminary for the memory of Gen. Washington, were such as excited the admiration of a very discerning audience” (p. 2/3). A fuller and more interesting account is found in the Columbian Centinel of March 1 (pp. 1–2):

    Day of National Grief

    From the innumerable solemn Testimonials, in honor of the Sainted Washington, we continue the following instances.

    At the University at Cambridge.

    AGREEABLY to the appointment of the government of Harvard College, Friday the 21st. ult. was set aside for the purpose of publicly testifying their respect and veneration for the character of Washington; and their unaffected grief at the great loss which our country has sustained in his death. On this occasion, every external formality, which may serve as an index to the feelings of the heart, was displayed with judgement and taste. A handsome procession at 11 o’clock moved from the Philosophy Chamber to the meeting house. Appropriate music introduced the performances, which succeeded in the following manner.

    1st. An introductory discourse in latin, by the President of the University. The venerable old man, bowed down with infirmity and disease, could not permit the present opportunity of publicly expressing his sentiments to pass unnoticed, though prudence and a regard to his own health strongly dictated the measure.

    2d. An Elegiac Poem, by Mr. Allston. In this production were combined the strictness of truth, with embellishments of fancy; rich in sentiments of the most delicate texture, and clad in language pure as the ideas it conveyed; it formed a striking contrast to the frothy productions of the age, which, like the air bubble, owe their lustre and coloring to the scarcity of matter.

    3d. An Oration by Mr. Watson. This was a striking copy of the great original. The character of Washington was portrayed with strength. Classic learning, and judicious observations, pervaded the performance.

    4th. A Discourse by Dr. Tappan — the scriptural motto, “I have said ye are gods: but ye shall die like men.” In the discourse the professor seemed to have written with a spirit worthy of his subject; and to have poured out all the enthusiasm of a heart, glowing with the love and admiration of the character he represented. It was distinguished by great strength and soundness of remark, force of imagination and fervent piety. It exhibited the splendor of eloquence without the glare of false ornament, and profound investigation without the coldness of abstraction. Though discursive, it was not redundant; and though crowded with panegyric, gave discriminating praise. In a manner just and clear, peculiar and original, it shewed the connection between the principles of Washington and his actions; the lustre thrown upon his greatness by his goodness; and the efficacy of the Christian spirit in forming the character of the Hero, Sage and Patriot. With an authoritative energy, it inculcated the lessons taught by the life and death of the Father of his country, and with persuasive earnestness called our attention to the hand of Providence in his services, his fortunes and his decease.

    In short, all the performances of the day, equalled the most sanguine expectations. Much was expected, and much was received. Washington, while alive, was ever the subject of eulogy among the patriotic sons of that literary institution. Poetry and prose have lent their mutual aid, to spread abroad the orthodox policy of our Hero and Statesman; and exemplify his precepts in every act of his life; — and where the plain and simple statement of the latter were insufficient to convert the political infidel, the charms and fictions of the former were employed, first to interest, then to convince. At his death, their sorrow was proportionate to the enthusiasm with which they contemplated him, when alive.

    SPECTATOR.

    Allston and Watson, as the pamphlet states, “modestly declined giving copies of their performances for the press.” A classmate — Leonard Jarvis — long afterwards wrote this account:

    During Allston’s college life he was appointed to deliver a poem at the autumnal exhibition of our senior year, which was received with great applause, and during the following winter he was called upon to deliver a poem upon the death of Washington at the University commemoration of that melancholy event. The effect he produced was very great. I have never seen a public speaker whose appearance and gestures were so eminently graceful, and there was a peculiar sweetness and depth and plaintiveness in the tones of his voice. The audience had been cautioned, on account of the solemnity of the occasion, to abstain from the usual tokens of applause, but at several passages they could not be restrained. The murmurs of approbation were evidently involuntary, and the attempt at suppression rendered them still more striking, contrasted as they were with the dead stillness which had generally prevailed, and had manifested unwonted attention on the part of the listeners. The oration that followed, though well written and creditable to its author, was coldly received, and the consequence was that at the following commencement the government of the University took care to place our friend in the order of exercises so far from the orator of the day as not to suffer the poem to destroy the oration.325

    Mr. Andrew McF. Davis mentioned a list he had made several years ago of books belonging to John Harvard, in the hand of President Dunster, and expressed the hope that a fuller account of the volumes would be prepared.

    Mr. Lane described the Chauncy Papers, belonging to President Chauncy and his sons, recently lent to the College by the widow of William Chauncey Fowler of Connecticut.

    Mr. Julius H. Tuttle read an extract from Cotton Mather’s Diary relating to a gift to him of forty volumes,326 formerly owned by President Chauncy, by a disconsolate widow upon whom Mather had made a call of condolence. The passage, dated 16 October, 1700, reads as follows:

    This Day I mett with an odd Experiment! …

    I was this Afternoon making my pastoral Visits unto the Families in my Neighbourhood; … And I had immediately, an Impulse upon my mind, That I should quickly see something, to encourage my doing what I do, & to testify that God accepts it. Well; passing along the Street, a sudden inclination took me, to step into an House of a Gentlewoman, who had been a Long time in a disconsolate Widowhood; I thought it would be Pure Religion to visit her. I did so; And she told mee, That she had a parcel of Books, which once belong’d unto ye Library of or famous Old Mr Chancey; and if I would please to Take them, she should count herself highly gratified, in their being so well bestowed. I singled out, about Forty Books, & some of them Large Ones, which were now added unto my Library, that has already between two & three Thousand in it, and several of them, will be greatly useful to me, in my Design of writing Illustrations upon ye Divine Oracles. Behold how ye Lord smiles upon me!

    Mr. Henry H. Edes exhibited a broadside containing a poem on the death of Miss Lucy Calhoon,327 of Petersham, Massachusetts, on June 11, 1806, by Samuel Dunn of New Salem, and printed by John Howe328 of Greenwich. The poem follows.

    A POEM,

    On the Death of Miss. LUCY CALHOON, daughter of Mr. SAMUEL and Mrs. LUCY CALHOON, of Petersham, who was kill’d by Lightening: June 11, 1806, in the 14th year of her age.

    1 ALL you who read, please to attend,

    And view the hand of heav’n;

    Who doth to us a blessing send,

    Or takes what he has giv’n.

    2 Uncertain are all things below,

    How swift they pass away;

    Our earthly comforts come and go

    And heav’nly laws obey.

    3 Subject to change, we daily see,

    Our natures lie expos’d;

    By an eternal, wise decree,

    Our scenes of life, are clos’d.

    4 There is a sov’reign mighty one,

    Who first created all;

    By whose command great deeds are done,

    By him we stand, or fall.

    5 Terrible things in righteousness,

    He oft doth make appear;

    That man his wonders may confess,

    And worship him with fear.

    6 The stormy winds obey his pow’r,

    And by his pow’r and skill;

    The light’nings flash and thunders roar,

    To execute his will.

    7 Those things to men which dearest are,

    To him by lot doth fall;

    By him we every blessing share,

    To him we owe our all.

    8 May these reflections be imprest,

    Upon each grieved mind;

    Of those bereaved and distrest.

    To form a will, resign’d.

    9 Please to attend ye parents dear,

    Who by an awful stroke;

    Of late have borne, and yet do bear,

    A most afflictive yoke.

    10 Your Daughter dear, alas! is gone,

    She slumbers in the dust;

    No more to you, will she return,

    But go to her, you must.

    11 Swift was her fate, her years are past,

    Her days are at an end;

    A pow’r supreme, by firey blast,

    The conqueror, did send.

    12 Dear youth, she shar’d a bitter cup,

    In tender blooming years;

    Sharp Light’nings lick’d her spirits up,

    And left her friends in tears.

    13 Dark clouds her curtains, where she di’d,

    Her dying bed, the ground;

    No friends lamenting, by her side,

    ’Till her pale corpse was found.

    14 Bereaving stroke! a child most dear,

    Yet bow and kiss the rod;

    Remember that afflictions are,

    Sent by the hand of God.

    15 O, murmur not, nor do complain,

    Nor wickedly repine;

    But from excessive grief refrain,

    And calmly her resign.

    16 What though she slumbers in the dust,

    And left this world of pain;

    The pow’r which gave her life at first

    Can raise to life again.

    17 When with your LUCY, you did part.

    Your hearts were fill’d with wo;

    Which mov’d each sympathizing heart,

    Which caus’d the tears to flow.

    18 You yet have children round your board,

    Guide them in wisdom’s ways;

    And by the statutes of the Lord,

    Teach them to spend their days.

    19 Show them the vanity of all,

    That is below the sky;

    And may they learn by Lucy’s fall,

    That they are born, to die.

    20 Ye heads of families, attend,

    A word unto the wise;

    A word to you, I here have penn’d,

    And may a word suffice.

    21 Attend unto those little flocks,

    Committed to your care;

    Who are expos’d to awful shocks,

    Expos’d to woful snares.

    22 Instruct their minds in truth and love,

    Make it to them appear;

    That you by wise examples prove,

    Your hearts to be, sincere.

    23 Strive to inform their tender hearts,

    The way which leads to bliss; Excells

    the vain and simple arts,

    Of gay, and gaudy dress.

    24 And may our Youth, view this event,

    Rememb’ring it is true;

    That judgements on them may be sent,

    Swift and surprising too.

    25 It is dear youth, a ser’us thing,

    To fetch a dying groan;

    And have our spirits take the wing,

    To worlds, to us, unknown.

    26 Therfore dear youth, for death prepare,

    Leave not that work undone;

    Make that your chief concern and care,

    Before your glass is run.

    27 It is a ser’us thing to die,

    Attend the tolling bell;

    It sounds this lesson, you and I,

    Must bid the world farewell.

    28 When at your glasses drest complete,

    You view your faces fair;

    Reflect, by death, a winding-sheet,

    May be the next you’ll wear.

    29 Your days are swift, and may be few,

    Attend this call — begin;

    To serve the Lord, keep death in view,

    And fly from every sin.

    30 Put youthful vanities away,

    Approach the mercy seat;

    Though you are young, fall day by day,

    At the Redeemer’s feet.

    31 That when you may be call’d to die,

    For leave this world, you must;

    You may asscend to the most high,

    And dwell among the just.

    New-Salem, July 8, 1806.

    SAMUEL DUNN.329

    John Howe, printer: — Greenwich.

    Mr. George L. Kittredge spoke of the writings and influence of George Stirk of the Harvard Class of 1646, who, under various names, attained distinction in England and on the Continent;330 and exhibited some of his works.

    Mr. CHARLES K. BOLTON exhibited a photograph of the original petition of the inhabitants of the North of Ireland presented to Governor Shute by the Rev. William Boyd in 1718, and spoke of the Scotch Irish emigration to this country.

    Mr. Charles K. Bolton exhibited a photograph of the original petition of the inhabitants of the North of Ireland presented to Governor Shute by the Rev. William Boyd in 1718, and spoke of the Scotch Irish emigration to this country.