CONTENTS. PAGE. JOSEPH SARGENT, M.D.: Action of the Council . 349 PROCEEDINGS AT THE ANNUAL MEETING 360 REPORT OF THE COUNCIL: John D. Washburn . 365 Edvard E. Hale 379 FIRST COLLEGE BUILDING AT CAMBRIDGE: Andrew McF. Daris .. 469 THE ALABAMA STONE: Henry W. Haynes 487 NOTE. This number completes the current volume of the Proceedings An Index to Vol. V. will be printed and mailed to members of the Society. ACTION OF THE COUNCIL. DEATH OF JOSEPH SARGENT, M.D. AT a meeting held October 20, 1888, the President, STEPHEN SALISBURY, offered resolutions of respect, and said: It is my sad duty to call the attention of the Council to the death of Dr. Joseph Sargent, which occurred Oct. 13. Dr. Sargent was elected a member of our Society in October, 1860, and three years later he became a member of the Council, and has served the Society in that office since that time. Of the strong interest that he felt in all that concerned the American Antiquarian Society I do not need to remind you, for you yourselves are cognizant of it. The same fidelity he displayed in the discharge of his many professional and business obligations, he showed in full measure in the various societies and institutions with which he was connected. Dr. Sargent took especial delight in literature, and, an accomplished linguist and a writer of very graceful expression, he found in our Society and its associations what was most congenial to his refined and cultivated mind. His style as a writer was clear and terse. His easy familiarity with the Latin gave to all his productions a grace and directness which, united with a facility of composition and a quick mental process, caused him to be frequently called upon for literary service. He made the report of the Council in 1865, on "The Medical Department of the U. S. Army during the War of the Rebellion," a subject which his own observations in the field and in the hospital, during a portion of the war, made of great value to history. In April, 1874, he made the report for the Council, choosing for his theme "The Angel of Bethesda" of Cotton Mather, which he considered from a medical point of view. This essay also attracted much attention. In April, 1878, he made his last report for the Council, on "the completion of the Library extension and the possible future of the Society." His feeling tribute to the memory of his friend the Hon. Henry Chapin, October 15, 1878, to the memory of our late President, Stephen Salisbury, in October, 1884, and to the memory of Dr. Rufus Woodward, in April, 1886, were among the more formal writings of our associate, published in our proceedings. It is fitting that our sentiments should find expression, and I offer for your consideration the following resolutions :— Resolved: That in the death of Dr. Joseph Sargent, the Council of the American Antiquarian Society have lost an associate whose character and attainments qualified him, in an unusual degree, for the position which he has filled as an officer of this society, while his gifts of mind and heart endeared him to all the members of this board. Resolved: That we desire to bear in mind that Dr. Sargent was always faithful to his obligations towards the society, and that we have observed the same punctilious service in his action as officer of other institutions with which he has been connected. Resolved: That we recognize in Dr. Sargent to a remarkable degree that rare quality of mind which enabled him to consider both sides of a proposition, and that generosity of disposition which led him to endeavor to do justice to all, as nearly as imperfect human judgment would allow. Resolved: That the Council feel deeply the loss of a friend ever ready to sympathize with others in their griefs, and quick to suggest consolation. Hon. JOHN D. WASHBURN seconded the resolutions, and said: Mr. President:-Many institutions of business or finance have, during the past week, paid and published their tributes to the memory of Dr. Sargent, their promoter, advocate or adviser. That they should do so was natural and most fitting. Those tributes were marked by generous appreciation and feeling, with far less of perfunctory phrase of commendation than often attends expressions of this kind. It cannot be doubted that his connection with those institutions was very useful to them and to the community. The elevating and purifying influence of men of so dignified personal character, and so high standard of honor, tends to lift business out of the coarser and more sordid channels, refining its manners and elevating its morals. But business associations, however worthy, honorable or useful, were but the incidents not the distinctions of his life. Not slothful in these, his real activities, his liveliest interests were elsewhere. His true life moved along the higher walks of intellectual endeavor, and rested on the loftier planes. He called no man common or unclean, and his kindly courtesy was a proverb with all who knew him. But his chosen companionships, the companionships of his leisure (by which the true character and tastes of men may best be tested), were with intellectual and cultivated men, leaders of thought, students of the past and moulders of the future. To the great University where he graduated nearly fiftyfive years ago, his affectionate loyalty was unwavering, growing and strengthening with each advancing year. When the noon-day of their strength had passed, and with the lengthening shadows the evening of life drew near, the love of Sargent, and Hinckley, and Felton, and Donaldson, for each other and for their Alma Mater, glowed ever and ever warmer. To the new and rising University, of which he was one of the earliest selected as a Trustee, he gave his ripest thought, advancing views of singular clearness and wisdom. He was always on the most liberal side, always for placing the institution on the highest plane, where it should be the rival of none but command the good will of all, in honorable effort to be to all an aid, a light and an exemplar. To this Society, represent |