THE 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 BOSTON ATHEN^UM, 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES 
 
 DECEASED FOUNDERS. 
 
 By JOSIAH QUINCY. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE: 
 METCALF AND COMPANY, 
 
 PRINTERS TO THE UNIVFRSITV. 
 
 1851.
 
 LIBRARY 
 ^-^-^ UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, 
 
 /^ ^ SANTA BARBARA 
 
 ■37/ (P? 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 The occasion and motives for preparing this His- 
 tory and the subjoined Biographical Notices will ap- 
 pear from the following statements. 
 
 The corner stone of the new edifice for the Bos- 
 ton Athenaeum, in Beacon Street, was laid on the 
 27th day of April, 1847, with the customary formalities. 
 At the request of Thomas G. Gary and John A. 
 Lowell, the President and Vice-President of the in- 
 stitution, the Address inserted in this History was de- 
 livered. Subsequently a wish was expressed by those 
 gentlemen, that the outline then sketched should be 
 filled up. Although aware that the materials for the 
 task were, some of them, difficult to be obtained, my 
 relation to the founders of the Athenaeum, and to 
 the institution itself, induced me to comply with their 
 request. 
 
 The early members of the Anthology Club were 
 the first and efficient founders of the Boston Athe- 
 naeum. AH of them were my contemporaries, and, 
 with the exception of Gardiner, Emerson, and Knk-
 
 iv PREFACE. 
 
 land, my juniors. With most of them my intercourse 
 had been intimate ; and I could not- but regret that so 
 little is known of them by a generation now en- 
 joying the benefits of an institution which had its 
 origin in their love of letters and their patriotic spirit. 
 
 With William Smith Shaw, who is better entitled 
 than any other individual to the name of Founder of 
 the Athenaeum, my intimacy, through his whole life, 
 was strict and confidential. I was a constant ^^it- 
 ness of the energy, zeal, and devotedness with which 
 he watched over it in its embryo state, and knew his 
 fond anticipations concerning its future greatness and 
 usefulness. My o\vn early interest in the design, which 
 thus occupied Mr. Shaw's thoughts and affections, is 
 indicated by the records of the institution, which 
 show, that my name was the fourth on the list of 
 the first subscribers, and that my subscription was the 
 largest that the terms of the first subscription allowed. 
 My duties at that period, as a member of the Con- 
 gress of the United States from Boston, prevented 
 my being a member of the Anthology Club, or hold- 
 ing any official connection with the Athenaeum until 
 my resignation of my station at Washington in 1813. 
 During the fifteen succeeding years, I was elected 
 without intermission into the board of Trustees ; and 
 during the last nine of those years, and until my 
 removal to Harvard University, in 1829, I was Pres- 
 ident of the Athenaeum. 
 
 These circumstances induced me to comply with
 
 PREFACE. V 
 
 the request of the officers of the Athenaeum, as there 
 seemed to be no other individual who united the kind 
 of qualifications they confen-ed with leisure to make 
 the researches, and apply the labor, required. Accord- 
 ingly I commenced this History in the autumn of 1847, 
 and, by means of the records of the institution, traced 
 its progress to that stage of prosperity which in the 
 course of years it has attained. In this part of the 
 work, my chief object has been, by abstracting and con- 
 densing, to enable the Athenaeum to narrate its OAvn 
 history ; which would thus be unexceptionable in form, 
 and more satisfactory in effect. Its founders and pa- 
 trons will thus appear in their true and relative propor- 
 tions. The difficulties, with which from time to time 
 it has been compelled to struggle, will in this way best 
 be made apparent ; and the friends, who in such 
 emergencies have come to its aid, will be seen in con- 
 nection with the circumstances which excited into ac- 
 tion their liberal spirit. 
 
 The strong hold which an institution of this char- 
 acter takes upon the affections of the intelligent and 
 prosperous, in such a community as exists in this city 
 and its vicinity, is an unfailing assurance, that, in 
 whatever difficulties, incident to an institution so ex- 
 tensive and so constantly expanding, it may be tem- 
 porarily involved, it wiU at aU times be nobly upheld, 
 and gradually and triumphantly raised to that height 
 of greatness and usefulness, which was the object of 
 the fond hopes and aspirations of its earliest founders 
 and benefactors.
 
 VI PREFACE. 
 
 To the History of the AthenaEum, prepared with 
 these views, are subjoined Memoirs of those of its 
 first founders, who, from their early death or the cir- 
 cumstances of their lives, have not yet received that 
 public tribute, which, from their agency in laying the 
 foundation of this institution, and their virtues and 
 attainments, is due to their memories. Through the 
 lapse of time, the materials for doing justice to their 
 merits and services are unattainable or few. Enough, 
 however, it is hoped, wall be collected and preserved, 
 to give a permanent public interest to their charac- 
 ters. Some of these founders, by the eminence they 
 afterwards attained in public or professional life, have 
 already secured for themselves enviable memorials, 
 which render any other tribute to them, except such 
 as is exclusively due for their services to the Athe- 
 naeum, unnecessary here, perhaps undesirable. 
 
 In relation to this part of my work, it is my duty 
 to acknowledge the aid I have received, in the notice 
 of the Rev. Dr. Gardiner, from his son, William H. 
 Gardiner, and his relative, Robert Hallowell Gar- 
 diner; and in that of Arthur Maynard Walter, from 
 his niece, Mrs. Cornelia Walter Richards^ who kindly 
 favored me with a sketch she had prepared of his 
 life, from which I derived great assistance. In my 
 notice of William Tudor, also, I am under obligations 
 to his brother, Frederic Tudor, and his brother-in-law, 
 Robert Hallowell Gardiner ; and, in that of Wil- 
 liam Smith Shaw, to his brother-in-law, the Rev. 
 Joseph B. Felt.
 
 PREFACE. Vll 
 
 As, from the nature of this History, and the man- 
 ner in which it has been prepared, its usefuLiess must 
 chiefly depend upon its fulness and exactness, I have 
 the satisfaction to state, that I have been aided by 
 Charles Folsom, the Librarian of the Athenaeum, who 
 has, at my request, faithfully compared my manuscript 
 with the records of the Proprietors and Trustees ; and, 
 by testing, correcting, and sometimes enlarging my 
 selections, has given the best assurance, that the case 
 admits, of the completeness and accuracy of the work. 
 
 JOSIAH QUINCY. 
 Boston, December 31, 1850.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Anthology Society. — Its Origin. — Its Members. — Objects of 
 the Association. — Establishes a Library. — Issues a Prospectus 
 for a Reading-Room. — Its Success, and the resulting Funds. — 
 Its Transfer of them all to Trustees. — Principles and Objects of 
 the Transfer. — The Trustees announce their Intention to estab- 
 lish an Athenajum. — They Petition for an Act of Incorporation, 
 and obtain it from the Legislature 1 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Organization of the Corporation under its Charter. — A Memoir 
 issued of the Histoiy, Plan, and State of the Institution. — Re- 
 sult of this Measure. — The Corporation in consequence organ- 
 ized anew. — Philosophical Apparatus purchased. — Life Shares 
 granted to the Members of the Anthology Club. — Emban-ass- 
 ments arising from Public Events. — Code of egulations adopt- 
 ed. — A Site for a Building purchased in Tremont Street. — 
 Catalogue of the Library begun. — Amount of the Property of 
 the Athenceum in August, ISIL — A Cabinet of Natural History 
 commenced. — Languishing State of the Institution during, and 
 at the Close of, the War with Great Britain. . . . .23 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Revival of the Institution under the vigorous Administration of 
 John Lowell. — Measures adopted for obtaining a New Building. 
 — Difficulties in the Way of Success. — Relieved by the Liberal- 
 ity of James Perkins. — The Offer of his Ma ion-House, in 
 Pearl Street. — The Principles of that Oft'er. — Its Acceptance, 
 and the Removal of the Institution. — The Death and Character 
 of this Benefactor 62
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 A Collection of Paintings anil Sculpture commenced. — Measures 
 for establishing Annual Courses of Lectures. — Union of King's 
 Chapel Library and the Theological Library ivitii the Athenaeum. 
 — A Portion of the Library permitted to be circulated. — The 
 Scientific Library and the Boston Medical Library united ■with 
 the Athenieum. — Plan for Erecting a Building for the Exhibi- 
 tion of Works of Art, and for a Lecture-Room.' — Difficulties at- 
 tending its Execution. — Liberal Oifers of Thomas Handasyd 
 Perkins and James Perkins. — Consequent great Enlargement of 
 the Funds of the Institution. 86 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Sales of New Shares authorized. — By-Laws relative to taking 
 out Books. — Settlement with the Administrator of William S. 
 Shaw. — His Portrait obtained. — Tribute to his Memory. — 
 Shelf Catalogue of the Library prepared. — Measures for making 
 it a Circulating Library. — Room containing Casts opened to 
 Artists. — General By-Laws established. — Treasurer's State- 
 ments. — Proceeds of the first four Exhibitions of Paintings. — 
 Appropriated to the Encouragement of the Fine Arts. — Books 
 and Maps relative to the Boundary of Maine lent to tlie L^nited 
 States. — Stuart's original Pictures of General and Mrs. Wash- 
 ington purchased. — Final Report of the Committee on Supply- 
 ing Deficiencies in the Libraiy 106 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 State of the Library and Treasury. — Proposition to enable Pro- 
 prietors to take out ooks free of Charge, rejected. — Volumes 
 missing from the Library, and Measures taken on the Subject. — 
 Tribute to the Memory of Dr. Bowditch. — Measures taken to 
 erect a Monument to his Memory. — Donation of George W. 
 Brimmer. — Bequest of Ambrose S. Courtis, and Tribute to his 
 Memory. — Catalogue of Coins belonging to the Athenteum, pre- 
 pared by Charles F. Adams. — Trustees of the Athenasum ap- 
 pointed Visitors of the Lowell Trust. — Measures are taken for 
 the Removal of the Athenreum from the House in Pearl Street. 
 — The Approbation of the Widow of the Donor is solicited and 
 granted. — Pro.sperous State of the Institution 131
 
 CONTENTS. XI 
 
 CHAPTEK VII. 
 
 Measures taken for removing the Institution. — Crawford's Marble 
 Statue of Orpheus purchased. — Building erected for it. — Great 
 Enlargement of the Funds of the Athenajum, on Condition of its 
 Kemoval. — A Site on Tremont Street purchased. — Premium 
 offered for the best Plan of a New Edifice. — That offered by- 
 George M. Dexter accepted. — Change of the proposed Site of 
 the New Edifice from Tremont Street to Beacon Street. — Plan, 
 adapted to the New Site, and designed by Edward C. Cabot, ac- 
 cepted. — Noble Donation of John Bromfield for the Increase of 
 the Library. — Facts, and Measures adopted, in respect to that 
 Donation. — Charles Folsom chosen Librarian. — Great Prosper- 
 ity of the Athenaeum. — Corner Stone of the New Edifice laid 
 with due Ceremonies 152 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Progress of the Institution. — The Exterior of the New Building 
 erected at an Expense exceeding the Estimates. — The Occasion 
 of that Excess. — The principal Library-Room ordered to be fin- 
 ished, and the other Parts of the Interior to be left unfinished. — 
 A Project to convert the Athenteum into a City Library, dis- 
 cussed and rejected. — Death of Enoch Hale, one of the Tnistees. 
 
 — Vote on that Occasion. — Part of the Libraiy of Washington 
 received. — The main Library-Room finished, the Books removed 
 and arranged, and its Occupation authoi'ized. — Measiu-es adopted 
 for raising the Funds necessaiw for completing the Interior of the 
 New Building. — The Death of John Bromfield announced and 
 appropriately noticed. — The Sale of the Estate in Pearl Street 
 ratified by the Proprietors. — Committee raised for obtaining the 
 necessary Funds for finishing the New Building. — Their Report. 
 
 — Thanks of the Proprietors for their successful Labors, and 
 Votes passed for giving full Effect to their Proceedings. — Com- 
 mittee raised, with Authority to sell New Shares sufficient for that 
 Object, and to take Measures to complete the New Building. . 183 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Measures adopted by the Trustees for carrying into Effect a Vote of 
 the Proprietors relative to New Subscriptions, and for completing 
 the Athenaeum Building. — Plans, by Mr. Billings, of a Change in
 
 Xll CONTENTS. 
 
 the Vestibnlo proposed. — The Trustees of the State Library per- 
 mitted to dei)Osit Books in the Athenajura, — Plans, Specifica- 
 tions, Estimates, and Proposals for the Completion of the Build- 
 ing submitted. — Report thereon. — Mr. Billings's Plans amended, 
 laid before the Trustees, and accepted. — Final Report thereon. — 
 Acceptance of the Proposals of Theophilus Burr. — The Presi- 
 dent authorized to sign a Contract with him for the Completion 
 of the Building, and the Standing Committee charged with the 
 Direction of such Removal of the Property in it, as might be ne- 
 cessary during the Progress of the Work. — Concluding Remarks. 231 
 
 Chronological List of the Proprietors, .... 243 
 Alphabetical List of the Proprietors, .... 254 
 List of Life Subscribers, 264 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF FOUNDERS 
 
 BOSTON ATHEN^UM 
 
 John Sylvester John Gardiner, 3 
 
 William Emerson, 11 
 
 Arthur Matnard Walter, 13 
 
 William Smith Sh.\w, 22 
 
 Peter Oxenbridge Thacher and 
 
 Samuel Cooper Thacher, 45 
 
 Joseph Stevens Buckminster, 49 
 
 William Tudor, .54 
 
 John Thornton Kirkland, 64 
 
 Memoir of John Bromfield,
 
 HISTOKY. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE ANTHOLOGY SOCIETY — ITS ORIGIN — ITS MEMBERS — OBJECTS OF 
 
 THE ASSOCIATION — ESTABLISHES A LIBRARY ISSUES A PROSPECTUS 
 
 FOR A READING-ROOM ITS SUCCESS AND THE RESULTING FUNDS 
 
 ITS TRANSFER OF THEM ALL TO TRUSTEES PRINCIPLES AND 
 
 OBJECTS OF THE TRANSFER THE TRUSTEES ANNOUNCE THEIR IN- 
 TENTION TO ESTABLISH AN ATHEN^UM — THEY PETITION FOR AN 
 ACT OF INCORPORATION, AND OBTAIN IT FROM THE LEGISLATURE. 
 
 In the year 1804 an association of literary men was 
 formed in Boston, under the name of " The Anthology 
 Society," which was afterwards generally known by that of 
 the Anthology Club. 
 
 The following circumstances led to tliis association. In 
 the year 1803 Phineas Adams,* a graduate of Harvard 
 
 * Mr. Adams, the son of a farmer in Lexington, Massachusetts, manifested 
 in early boyhood a passion for elegant learning, which the scanty means of his 
 father forbade him to indulge. He was placed with a paper-maker to learn 
 a trade, where his fondness for letters attracted the notice of the late Mrs. 
 Foster of Brighton, a lady of literary celebrity at that time ; and, under her 
 kind patronage, he was enabled to leave his uncongenial employment and pre- 
 pare himself for College, which he entered at the age of twenty. He adopted 
 literature as a profession ; but, after the failure of his attempt, as editor of the 
 Anthology, he taught a school in different places, till, in 1811, he entered the 
 Navy as chaplain and teacher of Mathematics. Here he applied himself to 
 severer studies, and became distinguished for mathematical science in its rela- 
 1
 
 2 HISTORY OF 
 
 College, of the class of 1801, commenced in Boston, 
 under the name of Sylvanus Perse, a periodical work, 
 entitled " The Monthly Anthology, or Magazine of Polite 
 Literature." He conducted it for six months ; but, not 
 findmg its proceeds sufficient for his support, he abandoned 
 the undertaking, and soon afterwards left New England. 
 Messrs. Munroe and Francis, at that time young and en- 
 terprising printers in Boston, being desirous that the work 
 should be continued, applied to the Rev. William Emerson, 
 a clergyman of the place, distinguished for energy and 
 literary taste ; and by his exertions several gentlemen of 
 Boston and its vicinity, conspicuous for talent and zealous 
 for literature, were induced to engage m conducting the 
 work, and for this purpose they formed themselves into a 
 Society. The circumstances which led to this undertak- 
 ing and the cause of their assuming the responsibihty of 
 the work, they stated to the public afterwards in the 
 Preface to the first volume, in Avhich the title was changed 
 to " The Monthly Anthology and Boston Review." 
 
 The associates seem to have cooperated without a regular 
 organization for more than a year. No record of their 
 
 tion lo nautical affairs, at a period when scientific attainments were not com- 
 mon in the Navy. On the breaking out of the war with Great Britain, in 
 1812, he accompanied Commodore Porter, on board the frigate Essex, in his 
 eventful cruise in the Pacific, of which the published "Journal" bears honor- 
 able testimony to Mr. Adams's " zeal for promoting geographical and mathe- 
 matical knowledge." His love of intellectual pursuits accompanied him in 
 every clime, and by his example he maintained their dignity and interest un- 
 der all the unfavorable circumstances of a naval life. He never again resided 
 in New England. Rejoining his old commander in the expedition for the 
 suppression of piracy in the West Indies, he died on that station in the year 
 1823, much respected in the service. Invincible diffidence and an excitable 
 temperament were the occasion of great eccentricity of manners ; but a warm 
 heart, sound sense, high purposes, and a strong will did credit to his New 
 England origin, and made him a remarkable person with those among whom 
 his lot was cast. Out of regard to Commodore David Porter, he prefixed 
 David to his own name, and thus it now stands in the College Catalogue.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 6 
 
 meetings during that period is preserved ; but in the course 
 of it the J appointed Arthur Maynard Walter, Wilham Smith 
 Shaw, and Joseph Stevens Buckminster a committee to 
 prepare a draft of a Constitution for their Society. Their 
 report was received, discussed, and adopted, and the Consti- 
 tution was signed, on the 3d of October, 1805. This instru- 
 ment contains only a series of articles providing for the 
 usual officers deemed requisite in such societies, and 
 prescribing the time and mode of their election, rules for 
 the admission of members, and particularly the mode in 
 which the editorial chau" should be filled, and the papers 
 presented for pubhcation should be read and disposed of. 
 
 At this meeting, which they regarded as the date of the 
 formal beginning of their Society, John Sylvester John 
 Gardiner was elected President ; Wilham Emerson, Vice- 
 President ; Arthur Maynard Walter, Secretary ; William 
 Smith Shaw, Treasurer; and Samuel Cooper Thacher, 
 Editor. 
 
 The Society, thus formed, maintained its existence with 
 reputation for about six years, and issued ten octavo volumes 
 from the press, constituting one of the most lasting and 
 honorable monuments of the taste and hterature of the period. 
 Its labors may be considered as a true revival of pohte learn- 
 ing m this comitry, after that decay and neglect, which 
 resulted from the distractions of the Revolutionary War, and 
 as forming an epoch in the intellectual history of the United 
 States. Its records yet remain, an evidence that it was a 
 pleasant, active, high-principled association of hterary men, 
 laboring harmoniously to elevate the hterary standard of 
 the time, and with a success which may well be regarded 
 as remarkable, considermg the httle sympathy they received 
 from the community, and the many difficulties with which 
 they had to struggle.
 
 4 HISTORY OF 
 
 The origmal members of the Society were fourteen, viz. 
 John Sylvester John Gardiner, 
 William Emerson, 
 Arthur Maynard "Walter, 
 William Smith Shaw, 
 Samuel Cooper Thacher, 
 Joseph Stevens Buckminster, 
 Joseph Tuckerman, 
 William Tudor, Jr. , 
 Peter [Oxenbridge] Thacher,* 
 Thomas Gray, 
 William Wells, 
 Edmund Trowbridge Dana, 
 John Collins Warren, 
 James Jackson. 
 
 The Society had existed not more than twenty days, 
 before a vote was passed for the formation of a Library. 
 This vote was the first and feeble germ, which, in its devel- 
 opement, has expanded into the large collection of books, 
 works of art, and other property devoted to their preserva- 
 tion and increase, which are now comprehended within the 
 Boston Athengeum. As such, it deserves to be perpetuated 
 in the same simple and unpretending form, in which it 
 appears in the Society's records : 
 
 " At a meeting of the Anthology Society, at Mr. Gardi- 
 ner's, in Franklin Place, on Wednesday, the 23d of Octo- 
 ber, 1805, after some desultory remarks from various mem- 
 bers on the subject of a Library, it was voted, on motion 
 of ]SIr. Emerson, seconded by Mr. Shaw, that a library of 
 periodical pubhcations be instituted for the use of the Society. 
 
 * The name of Oxenbridge was added, by authority of the Legislature of 
 Mass:u:husetts, in 1811.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 6 
 
 " Mr. Gardiner then oflPered to present a large number of 
 the volumes of the ' Gentleman's Magazine.' This offer 
 was accepted, and the thanks of the Society were, on mo- 
 tion, presented to him therefor. 
 
 " Mr. Emerson made an offer of twenty volumes of the 
 * Monthly Magazine,' ' European Magazme,' ' Analytical' 
 and 'Critical' Reviews, and various volumes of newspapers. 
 The thanks of the Society were presented to him for these 
 gifts. 
 
 " Mr. Tudor offered to present several numbers of the 
 ' Mercm-e de France,' and ' La Decade ' ; this offer was 
 accepted. 
 
 " Mr. Shaw presents various numbers of the ' Anti- 
 Jacobin,' and he received the thanks of the Society. 
 
 " Mr. Buckminster presents several loose numbers of the 
 ' Monthly Re;dew,' and received the thanks of the Society. 
 
 " Voted, that the Standing Committee draw up regulations 
 for the Library, and make aU necessary arrangements rela- 
 tive thereto. 
 
 " Voted, that the several donors of books this evening, 
 send their gifts to the Librarian's office." 
 
 In December, 1805, the origiaal associates elected Ben- 
 jamin Welles and Robert Hallowell Gardiner mem- 
 bers of the Society. In the course of the four months 
 ensuing, their Ubrary had so far increased as to encom-age 
 them to give to it a greater pubUcity, and to attempt a 
 farther enlargement of it. The next step taken on the 
 subject is thus stated in the records : 
 
 " Friday, May 2d, 1806, at a meeting of the Anthology 
 Society, the only business transacted was relative to a 
 Reading-room, to be estabhshed in this town. Some con- 
 versation had formerly taken place on this subject, in 
 which Mr. Shaw was principally active ; he now brought
 
 6 HISTOKY OF 
 
 it forward for more general discussion. The object met 
 ■vvith great approbation from the Society ; and, after much 
 desultory remark, on the motion of Mr. Shaw, a committee 
 of five was appointed to consider the whole aflkir, and to 
 report to the Society. The committee consisted of the 
 President, the Vice-President, Mr. Shaw, Mr. Buckminster, 
 and the Secretary." 
 
 The next meeting of the Society was on Monday, May 
 6th, 1806, and the proceedmgs of this day are thus stated 
 in the records : 
 
 " The committee, appointed at the last meeting, met at the 
 Rev. Mr. Gardiner's. Mr. Shaw read and proposed a Pros- 
 pectus ; this underwent a number of alterations. The name 
 of the estabhshment was agreed to be ' The Anthology 
 Reading-room.' 
 
 " Mr. Shaw's amended Prospectus was at length accepted 
 by general consent, and it was determmed that the same 
 should be prmted. Much conversation was had on the 
 details of the Plan. After diimer the Society agreed to 
 the Plan and Prospectus ; and the whole system, as far as 
 settled, was approved of by other gentlemen, whom the 
 President had invited to dinner." 
 
 The Prospectus of the Reading-room was then published, 
 and assiduously circulated, in the following terms : 
 
 '•'' Proposal for the Establishing of a Reading-room in Boston^ 
 to he called The Anthology Reading-room. 
 " The Editors of the Anthology, in presenting the following 
 proposal for the establishment of a Public Reading-room in 
 this town, by subscription, to be called The Anthology Read- 
 ing-room, flatter themselves, that a project which may be 
 made so auxiliary to literature, and so useful to the public, 
 will receive ample patronage from the liberal gentlemen of
 
 THE BOSTON ATHENiEUM. 7 
 
 Boston. The projected Plan will not only afford the subscrib- 
 ers an agreeable place of resort, but opportunities of literary 
 intercourse, and the pleasure of perusing the principal Euro- 
 pean and American periodical publications, at an expense not 
 exceeding that of a single daily paper. 
 
 " Plan. — The gentlemen engage to provide a commodious 
 room, easy of access, in a central part of the town. It shall be 
 open from nine o'clock in the morning till nine in the evening. 
 
 " The Reading-room shall be furnished with seats, tables, 
 paper, pens, and ink ; with the Boston papers, and all the cele- 
 brated gazettes published in any part of the United States ; with 
 the most interesting literary and political pamphlets in Europe 
 and America ; with magazines, reviews, and scientific jour- 
 nals ; London and Paris newspapers ; Steel's Army and Navy 
 Lists ; Naval Chronicle ; London and Paris booksellers' Cata- 
 logues ; Parliamentary Debates ; bibliographical works, &c. 
 &c. The gazettes, magazines, &c. shall be bound in semi- 
 annual volumes, and preserved for the use of the establishment. 
 
 " Should this attempt be encouraged, it is contemplated to 
 furnish the Reading-room with maps, charts, and to collect such 
 rare, standard, and costly works, of useful reference, &:c. &c. 
 as may enhance the value and reputation of the institution. 
 
 " The annual subscription is Ten Dollars ; the money to be 
 paid on subscribing." 
 
 The result was a subscription of upwards of sixteen 
 hundred dollars by more than one hundred subscribers. 
 
 In June, 1806, Robert Field ; in July, James Savage ; 
 and in October, John Thornton Kirkland, were elected 
 members of the Society. 
 
 The above-named nineteen individuals composed the 
 Anthology Club, when on the 80th of October, 1800, a 
 plan for transferring the Library of the Society, and placing 
 the public Reading-room, which they had established in the 
 May preceding, under the control of a body politic to be
 
 8 HISTORY OF 
 
 chartered bj the legislature, Avas matured, and incipient 
 steps were taken to carry it into effect. For tliis purpose, 
 five trvistees, WilUam Emerson, John Thornton Kirkland, 
 Peter Oxenbridge Thacher, William Smith Shaw, and 
 Arthur Maynard Walter, were elected by ballot, to whom, 
 by a formal legal instrument, all the associated members 
 " granted, bargained, and sold all the books, papers, and 
 other property" belonging to the institution. The inden- 
 ture contained many provisions, having for their object to 
 insure the application of the transferred property to the 
 original purpose of the Anthology Society. The substantial 
 authority conveyed Avas, however, contained in the following 
 clause : " And, should it ever hereafter be for the benefit 
 of the institution to convert the same into a body politic, 
 under a charter from the government of this Commonwealth, 
 the said trustees severally engage to resign their trust, and 
 to make such transfer to such body politic, by whatever 
 name the same shall be caUed, as shall vest the property in 
 the same as fully as it is now vested in the said trustees." 
 
 The trustees also engaged " to preserve the property ; to 
 enlarge the Library from time to time ; to render it more 
 valuable by sale, exchange, purchase, and otherwise ; and to 
 use their best endeavoui-s to obtain subscriptions, donations, 
 and deposits." 
 
 To the increase of the institution, the Society also de- 
 voted the profits which should accrue from the " Monthly 
 Anthology"; in which they afterwards repeatedly urged 
 this fact, by way of inducement to the public to become 
 subscribers to the Anthology, and thus benefactors to the 
 Athenoeum. 
 
 In the " Editors' Address," prefixed to their volume for 
 1807, they say : 
 
 " We must confess, however, that we have a motive some- 
 what interested for wishing, that the pecuniary receipts of our
 
 THE BOSTON ATHENiEUM. V 
 
 publication may rise as high as possible above its demands, 
 which is, that all the surplus funds are applied to the support 
 and increase of a Public Library ; one of those institu- 
 tions, of which every scholar in most parts of our country 
 feels the want, — which our government, from its nature, does 
 not comprise within its cares, — and which nothing but the 
 industry and munificence of individuals will establish and sup- 
 ply. The respectable patronage now given to the Anthology 
 is sufficient to encourage our perseverance. But we wish its 
 more extensive circulation ; and hope its friends will speak in 
 its favor. We wish this increase of patronage, not merely 
 because this work is the object of our affection, and partly the 
 fruit of our industry and genius, such as they are ; nor merely 
 from an opinion that it may contribute to make its readers more 
 wise, good, and happy, — but also, because its avails go to a 
 general object of real importance." * 
 
 Again, in November of the same year, after an announce- 
 ment of various donations to the Athenaeum, and a splendid 
 encomium on " the mass of human knowledge," as " recorded 
 in volumes," thej speak of " the dignity, importance, and 
 pleasures" belonging to "large repositories of books," and 
 then add : 
 
 " It is a subject of high congratulation to record the estab- 
 lishment of an institution in the metropolis of New England, 
 which will be useful to various classes of our citizens ; which 
 will assist and facilitate the researches of the learned, attract 
 and gratify the ingenuous curiosity of strangers. Let men of 
 leisure and opulence patronize the arts and sciences among 
 us ; let us all love them, as intellectual men ; let us encourage 
 them, as good citizens. In proportion as we increase in 
 wealth, our obligations increase to guard against the pernicious 
 effects of luxury, by stimulating to a taste for intellectual en- 
 joyment ; the more we ought to perceive and urge the impor- 
 tance of maintaining the laws by manners, manners by opin- 
 
 * Monthly Anthology, Vol. iv. pp. 3, 4. 
 2
 
 10 HISTORY OF 
 
 ion, and opinion by works in which genius and taste unite to 
 embellish the truth." * 
 
 At the same time they publish a letter from one of their 
 number (Mr. Buckminster), written from Liverpool, in 
 which he expresses himself as follows : 
 
 " The first reading-room, in my opinion, is the Athenaeum. 
 I send you herewith the regulations and list of the library. 
 The collection of books is, I think, the most select I have ever 
 known. O when will the day come, when the library of our 
 dearly-cherished Athenaeum shall boast of including the labors 
 of Muratori, the Thesauri of Graevius and Gronovius, the 
 Scriptores Byzantini, the Memoirs of the Academy of Inscrip- 
 tions, the editiones optima, of every author of Greece and 
 Rome, the French and English literary journals ab initio, — 
 and not only possess these books, but have them always ac- 
 cessible to every man of letters, who wishes to consult them ! " t 
 
 Also, in March of the next year, in a direct " Address 
 to the Public," their generous and enlightened zeal utters 
 itself in these prophetic terms : 
 
 " Our patronage, if not extensive enough to flatter our van- 
 ity, has been of a kind to content our ambition ; and personal 
 remuneration we never required, or would accept. The ground 
 on which we feel justified in making our request, is, that we 
 do not beg for ourselves, but for the Athenaeum, to which, after 
 the necessary expenses are deducted, all the profits of the 
 work are faithfully devoted. This is a plea, which excuses 
 our request, and would, we think, authorize the importunity of 
 the most sturdy mendicancy. He who gives his subscription, 
 is secure of not throwing away his money ; for, however 
 worthless he may find the Anthology, he is certain that he will 
 contribute to the prosperity of an institution, which, we venture 
 to foretell, will become the honor and pride of our city." \ 
 
 * Monthly Anlliology, Vol. iv. p. 601. t Ibid. p. 598. 
 
 X Vol. V. p. 121.
 
 THE BOSTOX ATHEN^UM. 11 
 
 The fourteen original associates and founders of the 
 Anthology Society, together with the five subsequently 
 elected members above-named, being the grantors of the 
 books and papers transferred to the tinistees in the manner 
 before mentioned, are, of consequence, unquestionably en- 
 titled to the name of original Founders of the Boston 
 
 ATHENiEUM. 
 
 Of these only seven now survive. The memories of those 
 deceased are indissolubly connected with the history of this 
 institution ; and the closing pages of this work will be devo- 
 ted to a series of Memoirs, collected from what yet remains, 
 recorded or remembered, of their hves and \Trtues.* 
 
 Subsequently to tliis transfer of the property of the insti- 
 tution to trustees, the folloA\ing gentlemen were, at differ- 
 ent periods, elected members of the Anthology Society, viz. 
 John Gorham, Joseph McKean, Andrew Ritchie, Alexander 
 Hni Everett, George Ticknor, Sidney WiUard, AVinthrop 
 Sargent, John Stickney, Andrews Norton, Jacob Bigelow, 
 and Joseph Head ; aU of them patrons, and one (George 
 Ticknor) for a long period a zealous and most efficient 
 officer, of the Boston Athengeum. 
 
 The trustees thus appoiated, ha^dng associated with 
 themselves Theophilus Parsons, Chief Justice of the Com- 
 monwealth, and John Da\ds, District Judge of Massachu- 
 setts, John Lowell, Robert HalloweU Gardiner, Joseph 
 Stevens Buckminster, and Obadiah Rich, issued a document 
 on the 1st day of January, 1807, in which they first divulged 
 their intention of founding in Boston an institution similar 
 to the Athenaeum, then recently established in Liverpool. 
 
 As this publication expresses the general objects pro- 
 posed by the trustees, and is an evidence of their wise and 
 comprehensive views in relation to the institution, and also 
 represents the state of the Library at that time, and the 
 
 * See Appendix.
 
 12 HISTORY OF 
 
 measures adopted for its enlargement, it is deemed proper 
 to republish it here at length, as showing, better than any 
 abstract or general statement, the spirit and foresight by 
 which they were actuated. 
 
 "anthology reading-room and library. 
 
 " The Subscribers to the Anthology Reading-room and Li- 
 brary are hereby informed that their rooms are opened. More 
 than one hundred and sixty subscribers at ten dollars a year 
 have been obtained. Rooms have been taken for temporary 
 accommodation in Joy's Buildings, in Congress Street, in the 
 flattering expectation, that, when the institution shall have gone 
 into operation, such patronage will be given by a liberal pub- 
 lic as will authorize the trustees to procure more commodious 
 apartments. A library consisting of more than a thousand 
 volumes of valuable works has already been collected and 
 deposited in the institution, most of which have been donations. 
 All the property, books, and papers belonging to the aforesaid 
 library and reading-room are vested in the trustees hereafter 
 named, who have full powers to fill up any vacancy which 
 may be occasioned by death or resignation from among their 
 number, and to dispose and manage the same with a view to 
 the objects of the institution, which is intended as a foundation 
 in this metropolis of an establishment similar to that of the 
 Athenaeum and Lyceum of Liverpool in Great Britain ; com- 
 bining the advantages of a public library, containing the great 
 works of learning and science in all languages, particularly 
 such rare and expensive publications as are not generally to 
 be obtained in this country ; with a reading or news room, 
 furnished with all the celebrated political, literary, and commer- 
 cial journals of the day, foreign and domestic. And no book, 
 pamphlet, or newspaper is ever to be permitted to be taken 
 from the rooms by subscribers ; so that the patrons of the insti- 
 tution may be certain at all times of finding any publications, 
 which they may have occasion to read or refer to.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 13 
 
 " The following gentlemen have been appointed trustees for 
 the purposes aforesaid. 
 
 Hon. Theophilus Parsons, ll.d. 
 Hon. John Davis. 
 
 John Lowell, esq. 
 Rev. William Emerson. 
 Rev. J. T. Kirkland, d.d. 
 Peter Thacher, esq. 
 Arthur M. Walter, esq. 
 William S. Shaw, esq. 
 R. Hallowell Gardiner. 
 Rev. J. S. Buckminster. 
 Obadiah Rich. 
 Who hereby publish the following rules and regulations as 
 declaratory of their intentions in the establishment, and for the 
 government, of the institution. 
 
 " Per order of the trustees, 
 
 " Theo. Parsons, President. 
 " W. S. Shaw, Secretary. 
 
 " 1. Annual subscribers will be admitted to all the privileges 
 of the library and news-room, on paying ten dollars, the 
 money to be advanced on subscribing. 
 
 " 2. The income arising from the annual subscriptions shall 
 be appropriated as follows : After the necessary expenses of 
 the institution are paid, the first object of the trustees will be 
 to furnish the room with all the celebrated gazettes, published 
 in any part of the United States, with the most interesting lite- 
 rary and political pamphlets in Europe and America ; with 
 magazines, reviews, and scientific journals, in the English and 
 French languages ; London and Paris newspapers ; Steel's 
 Army and Navy Lists ; Naval Chronicle ; London and Paris 
 booksellers' Catalogues ; Parliamentary Debates ; bibliographi- 
 cal works ; Journals of the Congress of the United States ; 
 laws of Congress, and of the State legislatures ; American 
 state-papers, maps and charts, voyages and travels, and the
 
 14 HISTORY OF 
 
 interesting publications of the day, as they appear. The 
 gazettes, magazines, pamphlets, journals, and state-papers shall 
 be bound in volumes and carefully preserved for the use of the 
 establishment. From the then remainder of the income from 
 annual subscribers, it shall be the duty of the trustees to sup- 
 ply the library with the most valuable Encyclopaedias of the 
 arts and sciences, in the French and English languages ; vi^ith 
 standard dictionaries of the learned and principal modern lan- 
 guages ; also dictionaries critical, biographical, &c., and books 
 of general reference, useful to the merchant and scholar. 
 Having complied with these engagements, the trustees will 
 apply whatever balance may remain from the annual subscrip- 
 tions to the purchase of such valuable publications, as shall be 
 thought useful to promote the objects of the institution. 
 
 " 3. The library and reading-room shall be open every day, 
 Sundays excepted, from eight o'clock in the morning till nine 
 at night, excepting on Saturday evening, and at such other times 
 as the trustees shall direct. 
 
 " 4. Subscribers desirous of making notes or extracts will be 
 furnished, at the expense of the institution, with tables, pen, 
 ink, paper, &c. for that purpose. 
 
 " 5. Every subscriber is requested to propose any books 
 which he may think proper for the library, or any newspaper, 
 literary or political journal, for the reading-room, by entering 
 its title in a book to be kept for that purpose in the library. 
 
 " 6. All new books, pamphlets, magazines, and reviews shall 
 be placed on the tables of the library and reading-room, and 
 remain there for such length of time as may appear necessary 
 for their perusal ; and no book, pamphlet, review, magazine, 
 or newspaper shall be taken by subscribers out of the rooms 
 on penalty of forfeiting their subscription. 
 
 " 7. Any subscriber injuring a book and refusing to make 
 compensation therefor, or otherwise infringing the regulations 
 of this institution, that shall from time to time be made and 
 published, shall be excluded from future access to the rooms 
 until the next meeting of the trustees, when it shall be the
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 15 
 
 duty of the keeper of the room to report, and of the trustees 
 to take order thereon. 
 
 " 8, No inhabitant of Boston, who is not a subscriber to the 
 institution, shall be allowed to have access to the library and 
 reading-room ; but every subscriber shall have the liberty of 
 introducing in person, or by card, into the reading-room any 
 strangers, not exceeding one on the same day, not residing 
 within five miles of the library ; who may have the same use 
 of the books and papers granted to subscribers, provided there 
 be entered in a book, to be kept for that purpose, the name of 
 the stranger and of the person by whom he is introduced ; 
 and he shall be responsible for his observing these rules and 
 regulations. 
 
 " 9. Any strangers, who do not choose to avail themselves 
 of the privileges granted to them in the aforesaid article, may 
 be permitted to become subscribers on application to any one 
 of the trustees. 
 
 " 10. The trustees will give a ticket of admission to all the 
 privileges of the library and news-room, during their occa- 
 sional visits, to any persons residing out of Boston, who may 
 have made the institution a valuable present. 
 
 " 11. The Judges of the Supreme Court, the Judges of the 
 Circuit and District Court, the President and Professors of Har- 
 vard College, the President of the Academy of Arts and 
 Sciences, and of the Historical Society, shall be considered as 
 honorary members of this institution ; and the privileges allowed 
 to each member of introducing strangers shall be extended to 
 them, 
 
 " 12. All money arising from subscriptions or benefactions of 
 persons willing to encourage this institution shall be paid into 
 the hands of the treasurer, who shall be required to lay before 
 the trustees, at their annual meeting, a regular account of the 
 financial concerns of the institution to that time, and as much 
 oftener as they shall require. 
 
 " 13. All books, which may be presented or bequeathed to 
 the library, shall be immediately deposited there for the use of
 
 16 HISTORY OP 
 
 the subscribers ; and all donations, which may be made in 
 books or in money, shall be recorded in , a book to be kept by 
 the secretary for that purpose ; publication of which shall be 
 made by the trustees in some public paper, printed in Boston, 
 at such times and in such a manner as they shall determine. 
 
 " 14. All donations, which may be made in money, shall be 
 appropi'iated either to the fund for the purchase of a building, 
 or to the purchase of such books as shall be agreeable to the 
 wishes of the donors, if they choose to suggest them ; if not, 
 they shall be expended in the purchase of such books in the 
 foreign or learned languages, or in our own, as shall be deemed 
 by the trustees to be most expedient to promote the great 
 objects of the institution. 
 
 " The following is a list of such periodical publications as 
 have been ordered, many of which have been already received. 
 
 " French. Annales du Museum d'Histoire Naturelle. — 
 Annales de Chimie. — Atheneum. — Magazin Encyclopedique. 
 
 — Mercure de France. — La Revue. — Archive Litteraire. — 
 Journal General de la Litterature de France. — Journal General 
 de la Litterature Etrangere. — Journal Polytechnique. — Bulle- 
 tin Polymathique du Museum d'Instruction publique de Bordeaux. 
 
 *' Newspapers. Moniteur. — Journal du Commerce. — Argus. 
 
 — Journal Politique de Leyde. 
 
 " English. Annual Register. — New Annual Register. — 
 Arthur Aikin's Annual Review. — Memoirs of Public Char- 
 acters. — Annals of Philosophy. — Asiatic Annual Register. 
 
 — British Critic. — Naval Chronicle. — Botanical Magazine. 
 
 — Philosophical Magazine, by Tilloch. — Journal of Natural 
 Philosophy, by Nicholson. — Medical and Physical Journal. — 
 European Magazine. — Gentleman's Magazine. — Monthly 
 Magazine. — Monthly Review. — Bell's Belle Assemblee. — 
 The Athenroum, a new publication by Dr. Aikin. — Edinburgh 
 Review. — Steel's Army and Navy List. 
 
 '■^Newspapers. Porcupine's Register. — Bell's Weekly Mes- 
 senger. — Morning Chronicle. — Courier.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 17 
 
 " American. Literary Magazine, Philadelphia. — Assem- 
 bly's Missionary Magazine, do. — Evangelical Magazine, do 
 
 — Coxe's Medical Museum, do. — Theatrical Censor, do. — 
 Port Folio, do. — Carpenter's Register and Review, New York. 
 
 — Medical Repository, do. 
 
 " Newspapers. Kentucky, The Western World, Frankfort. 
 
 — Virginia, Enquirer, Richmond. — South Carolina, Charles- 
 ton Courier, Charleston. — North Carolina, Raleigh Register, 
 Raleigh. — Cohmibia, National Intelligencer, Washington. — 
 Pennsylvania, Aurora, Philadelphia. — Do. Philadelphia Ga- 
 zette, do. — Do. United States Gazette, do. — New York, The 
 Balance, Hudson. — Do. Troy Gazette, Troy. — Do. Morning 
 Chronicle, New York. — Do. Spectator, do. — Do. Herald, do. 
 
 — Do. Watch-Tower, do. — Do. People's Friend, do. — Do. 
 Weekly Inspector, do. 
 
 " The Boston monthly publications and newspapers. 
 
 " All the American publications are received in exchange 
 for the Anthology, and of course are no charge to the subscrib- 
 ers. The net funds of the Anthology are also to be appropri- 
 ated to the increase of the library. 
 
 " As soon as arrangements can be made, a catalogue of the 
 library will be published, with a list of the names of the donors 
 and of the subscribers to the institution. 
 
 " The trustees will be very grateful to booksellers and print- 
 ers in any part of the United States, who will have the good- 
 ness to send to them any books or pamphlets immediately on 
 their publication. Catalogues of public libraries, of museums, 
 and botanical institutions, literary projects, &c. &c. are also 
 respectfully solicited. 
 
 " Although great exertions have been made to establish such 
 a correspondence in Europe, as will most probably insure the 
 early and punctual transmission of all interesting publications 
 for the institution, yet considerable time must elapse before the 
 wishes of the trustees can be completely gratified. They 
 would therefore be greatly obliged to any gentleman for the 
 loan or donation of any French or English periodical publica- 
 3
 
 18 HISTORY OF 
 
 tions, till they can be regularly obtained at the expense of the 
 institution. 
 
 " Any gentlemen wishing to subscribe to the institution are 
 desired to leave their names at the Reading-room, or at the 
 office of W, S. Shaw, in Scollay's Buildings. 
 
 "Boston, Jan. 1, 1807." 
 
 After this announcement, the Anthology Trustees, with 
 the gentlemen thej had associated with themselves above 
 named, petitioned the legislatm-e of Massachusetts for a 
 charter, constituting them a body politic and corporate 
 with the usual powers ; and, on the 13th of the succeeding 
 February, an act was passed to that effect, in the following 
 terms : 
 
 " COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. 
 " In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seven. 
 
 " An Act to incorporate certain persons by the name of the 
 Proprietors of the Boston Athenseum. 
 
 " Whereas the persons hereinafter named, together with sun- 
 dry other persons, their associates, have, at a very considera- 
 ble expense, collected a library, consisting of rare and valuable 
 books ; and whereas the laudable object of their association is 
 to form, as far as their funds shall from time to time admit, a 
 still more valuable and extensive collection of such rare and 
 valuable works, in ancient and modern languages, as are not 
 usually to be met with in our country, but which are deemed 
 indispensable to those who would perfect themselves in the 
 sciences ; and whereas it is the further design of the said 
 associates, when their funds shall admit thereof, to form a 
 museum of natural and artificial curiosities and productions, 
 scientifically arranged ; also an apparatus for the performance 
 of experiments in the various branches of natural philosophy, 
 and for geographical improvements, as well as a repository for
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 19 
 
 models of new and useful machines, and of statues, paintings, 
 and other objects of the fine arts, more especially of our native 
 artists ; for which important objects no adequate provision has 
 hitherto been made or formed within this Commonwealth, 
 although similar establishments have long since partially ex- 
 isted in many of our sister States : 
 
 " Section 1. Therefore he it enacted by the Senate and House 
 of Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the 
 authority of the same, That Theophilus Parsons, John Davis, 
 John Lowell, William Emei'son, John T. Kirkland, Peter 
 Thacher, William S. Shaw, Robert Hallowell Gardiner, Joseph 
 S. Buckminster, Obadiah Rich, the present trustees of the said 
 association, together with such other person or persons as shall 
 from time to time be duly admitted members of the said asso- 
 ciation, according to the rules, orders, and conditions which 
 shall or may from time to time be established by the by-laws 
 or regulations of the corporation hereinafter created, shall 
 for ever hereafter be, and they hereby are created, a body 
 politic and corporate, by the name of The Proprietors of the 
 Boston Athenaeum ; and by the said name shall and may sue 
 and be sued, plead and be impleaded, defend and be defended, 
 in all and any court or coui'ts of law or elsewhere ; in all 
 manner of actions, suits, pleas, or controversies whatsoever ; 
 and in their said corporate capacity, and by their said name, 
 they and their successors shall be capable in law to purchase, 
 receive, have, hold, take, possess, and enjoy, in fee simple or 
 otherwise, lands, tenements, rents, and hereditaments, not ex- 
 ceeding in the whole the yearly value of two thousand dollars, 
 exclusive of the building or buildings which may be actually 
 occupied or used for the literary purposes aforesaid ; and the 
 said corporation shall be capable of taking, receiving, and 
 holding, by donation, subscription, bequest, or otherwise, money, 
 goods, chattels, effects, and credits to an amount, the yearly 
 value of which shall not exceed three thousand dollars, so as 
 that the estate aforesaid be appropriated for the purposes afore- 
 said, and for the promotion of literature, of the arts and
 
 20 mSTOEY OF 
 
 sciences, and not otherwise ; and moreover the said corpora- 
 tion shall have power to give, grant, sell, alien, convey, ex- 
 change, or lease all or any part of their lands, tenements, or 
 other property whatsoever, for the benefit and advantage of 
 said corporation. 
 
 " Sect. 2. Be it further enacted, That it shall and may be 
 lawful for the said corporation to have a common seal for their 
 use and benefit, with full power to alter, change, and renew it, 
 whenever they shall think the same expedient. 
 
 " Sect. 3. Be it further enacted, That the said corporation 
 shall have full power and authority to determine at what times 
 and places their meetings shall be holden, and on the manner 
 of notifying the associates or proprietors to convene at such 
 meetings ; and they shall have power to elect, once in every 
 year or oftener, from amongst the said proprietors, such offi- 
 cers with such powers as they shall judge expedient ; and also 
 further to ordain and enact any by-laws for the due govern- 
 ment of the said corporation, and for the due and orderly con- 
 ducting of the affairs thereof ; and for and concerning all mat- 
 ters and things relating to said corporation ; and the same at 
 pleasure to alter, amend, or repeal : Provided hotcever. That 
 powers vested in their said officers and the said by-laws shall 
 not be repugnant to the constitution and laws of this Common- 
 wealth. 
 
 " Sect. 4. Be it further enacted, That, for the giving the 
 more effectual sanction to the said by-laws, the said proprietors 
 shall have power to impose suitable fines, not exceeding five 
 dollars, for the non-fulfilment or breach of the same ; and that, 
 for the recovery thereof, the said corporation shall have a suit- 
 able remedy by action at law, in any court of law within this 
 Commonwealth proper to try the same. 
 
 " Sect. 5. Be it further enacted, That the Governor, the 
 Lieutenant-Governor, the members of the Council, of the Se- 
 nate, and of the House of Representatives, for the time being, 
 shall have free access to the library, museum, and repository 
 of the fine arts of the said corporation, and may visit and con-
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 21 
 
 suit the same at all times, under the same regulations as may- 
 be provided by the by-laws of said corporation for the pro- 
 prietors thereof. 
 
 " Sect. 6. Be it further enacted, That the Legislature of 
 this Commonwealth may from time to time appoint a committee 
 or committees to examine the state of the affairs of said cor- 
 poration, and the manner in which the same may be adminis- 
 tered, and that the said Legislature may at any time alter, 
 amend, or repeal the charter of said corporation at their pleas- 
 ure ; reserving however to the proprietors for the time being 
 their property in the buildings, funds, books, and other property, 
 at such time appertaining to the said corporation. 
 
 " Sect. 7. Be it further enacted, That, whenever any pro- 
 prietor shall neglect or refuse to pay any assessment duly 
 imposed upon his share or shares in said corporation for the 
 space of sixty days after the time set for the payment thereof, 
 the treasurer of the said corporation is hereby authorized to 
 sell at public vendue the share or shares of such delinquent 
 proprietor, after duly notifying, in some newspaper printed in 
 the town of Boston, the sum due on such share or shares, and 
 the time and place of sale, at least thirty days before the time 
 of sale ; and such sale shall be a sufficient transfer of the 
 share or shares so sold to the person purchasing; and, upon 
 producing a certificate of such sale from such treasurer, such 
 purchaser shall be entitled to a transfer of the share or shares, 
 so sold, on the books of the corporation ; and shall be considered 
 to all intents and purposes the proprietor thereof; and the 
 overplus of such sale, if any there be, after payment of such 
 assessment and incidental charges, shall be paid on demand by 
 such treasurer to the person whose shares were so sold as is 
 before provided. 
 
 " Sect. 8. Be it further enacted, That the said Theophilus 
 Parsons, John Davis, John Lowell, William Emerson, John T. 
 Kirkland, Peter Thacher, William S. Shaw, Robert H. Gardi- 
 ner, Joseph S. Buckminster, Obadiah Rich, or any three of 
 them, shall have power to call the first meeting of the said pro-
 
 22 HISTORY OF 
 
 prietors, by advertising the same three weeks successively be- 
 fore the time of such meeting, in sortie newspaper printed in 
 the town of Boston ; and that at the said meeting the said pro- 
 prietors may proceed to execute any or all the powers vested 
 in them in this act, 
 
 " Li the House of Representatives, February 12, 1807. 
 
 " This bill, having had three several readings, passed to be 
 enacted. Perez Morton, Speaker. 
 
 " In Senate, Fehruary 12, 1807. 
 
 " This bill, having had two several readings, passed to be 
 enacted. John Bacon, President. 
 
 " Fehruary 13, 1807. 
 " By the Governor approved. 
 
 " Caleb Strong." 
 
 The original draft of this act now exists, in the hand- 
 writing of John Lowell, who was distinguished as one of the 
 master minds of the period, in this vicuiitj, and Avhose 
 active and efficient labors are apparent, not only in the his- 
 tory of this institution, and in that of Harvard College, 
 (kindred interests to one who loved and honored liberal 
 learning,) but no less in the annals of agriculture and 
 horticulture, and of the political and theological events of 
 the time ; — over all of which no individual shed a more 
 clear light, or exerted a more powerful influence.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 23 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 ORGANIZATION OF THE CORPORATION UNDER ITS CHARTER — A MEMOIR 
 
 ISSUED OF THE HISTORY, PLAN, AND STATE OF THE INSTITUTION 
 
 RESULT OF THIS MEASURE THE CORPORATION IN CONSEQUENCE 
 
 ORGANIZED ANEW PHILOSOPHICAL APPARATUS PURCHASED LIFE 
 
 SHARES GRANTED TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ANTHOLOGY CLUB 
 
 EMBARRASSMENTS ARISING FROM PUBLIC EVENTS CODE OF REGU- 
 LATIONS ADOPTED A SITE FOR A BUILDING PURCHASED IN TREMONT 
 
 STREET CATALOGUE OF THE LIBRARY BEGUN AMOUNT OF THE 
 
 PROPERTY OF THE ATHEN^UM IN AUGUST, 1811 A CABINET OF 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY COMMENCED LANGUISHING STATE OF THE 
 
 INSTITUTION DURING, AND AT THE CLOSE OF, THE WAR WITH 
 GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 The Corporation of the Boston Athenseiun was organized 
 on the 7th of April, 1807, according to the provisions 
 of its charter ; and its subsequent history will be chiefly 
 dra-^Ti from its official papers and records. At this first 
 meeting, held at the office of ]Mr. Shaw, it was voted, that 
 the officers of the Corporation should consist of a President, 
 Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and five Directors,* 
 to continue in office " until a new election shall take place, 
 pursuant to the fundamental regulations, which shall be an- 
 nexed to the terms of subscription." Of the officers then 
 chosen Judge Da\is and Mr. Lowell Avere appointed a 
 committee to draw up Rules and Bj^-Laws, and Dr. Kirkland 
 a committee to prepare " a Memoir in behalf of the Boston 
 
 * The officers chosen at this first meeting of the Corporation were — 
 President, Theophilus Parsons. — Vice-President, John Davis. — Treasurer, 
 John Lowell. — Secretary, William Smith Shaw. — Directors, William Emer- 
 son, John Thornton Kirkland, Peter Oxenbridge Thacher, Robert Hallowell 
 Gardiner, Joseph Stevens Buckminster.
 
 24 HISTORY OF 
 
 Athengeum, containing a plan for the admission of mem- 
 bers, terms of sul3Scriptlon, the act of incorporation, &c." 
 
 Dr. Kirkland made a report of his "Memoir" at a meet- 
 ing of the Corporation, holden at his house on the 21st of 
 the same month ; which ha\dng been accepted, Mr. Lowell, 
 Dr. Kirkland, and Mr. Shaw were appointed a committee 
 to circulate it, and obtain subscriptions. This document Is 
 so exact and thorough a statement of the history, objects, 
 and condition of the institution at that period, — is so happy 
 an illustration of its original design, and so powerful a re- 
 presentation of the advantages derived from similar institu- 
 tions in other countries, and those which might reasonably 
 be expected from the establishment and support of one in 
 the metropohs of Massachusetts, — that it may well be con- 
 sidered as the basis on which public favor and patronage 
 settled to give it encouragement and support. Notwith- 
 standing its length, it constitutes a most important feature of 
 the history of the Athenoeum, and as such requires to be 
 preserved without abridgment, in the form in which it was 
 first published. It was entitled " Memoir of the Boston 
 Athenaeum, with the Act of Incorporation, and Organization 
 of the Institution ; " and was sent to every individual who 
 was thought hkely to become a subscriber, with the follow- 
 ing letter prefixed. 
 
 " Boston, May 8th, 1807. 
 
 " Sir, — The subscribers, having been appointed by the Proprietors 
 of the Athenseum a Committee for the purpose of soliciting subscrip- 
 tions to that institution, beg leave to request your attention to the 
 inclosed pamphlet, explaining the nature and objects of their estab- 
 lishment, with the terms of subscription. 
 
 " Feeling a confidence, that these objects will be thought worthy 
 of your patronage, and hoping that from public as well as private 
 considerations you will be induced to give it your countenance and 
 support, they will take the liberty in a few days to call upon you 
 with the subscription paper. John Lowell. 
 
 John T. Kirkland. 
 William S. Shaw."
 
 THE BOSTON ATHENiEUM, 25 
 
 "BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 
 
 *' The following Memoir, concerning the history, objects, and present 
 state of the Boston Athenagum, with the terms and principles 
 on which the rights and privileges of the Institution shall be pos- 
 sessed and exercised, and with remarks on the merits of the design, 
 is respectfully submitted to the friends of improvement. 
 
 " HISTORY, OBJECTS, AND PRESENT STATE. 
 
 " For several years individuals in this metropolis have express- 
 ed their wishes, that there might be established here a public 
 Reading-room ; to be kept constantly open, and to contain all 
 the valuable journals, foreign and domestic, periodical publi- 
 cations, books of general reference, and other works adapted 
 to such a place of resort. It has been thought, that an estab- 
 lishment of this kind, which is very common both in the large 
 and small cities of Europe, would, if commenced here, 
 receive liberal support, and be regarded as auxiliary to litera- 
 ture and to business; useful to the public, and honorable to 
 its founders and patrons. Having these impressions of the 
 merit and popularity of the object, a society of gentlemen, 
 who conduct a literary publication,* during the last year issued 
 proposals, in which they engaged to provide a room of the fore- 
 mentioned description, open at ten dollars annually to each 
 subscriber. The design was so favorably received, and so 
 diligently pursued, that the subscription list was soon filled with 
 a large number of respectable names. In consequence of this 
 success, and in compliance with the wishes of many patrons of 
 the undertaking, it was determined to extend the plan by- 
 adding a Library to the foundation. There was no room to 
 doubt, that this addition might be made, and still the engage- 
 ments relative to the Reading-room be m.ore than executed. 
 By the time the journals and periodical publications were 
 received, more than a thousand volumes of valuable works, 
 
 [* The Monthly Anthology.]
 
 26 HISTORY OF 
 
 principally donations, were collected and annexed to the insti- 
 tution. At this stage of the undertaking, the gentlemen, who 
 had commenced and so far conducted it, in order more effect- 
 ually to secure and diffuse the benefit of their past labor and 
 expense, and realize their wishes of a respectable establishment, 
 transferred their right and title in the Anthology Reading-room 
 and Library to certain persons denominated Trustees, with 
 power to supply vacancies in their number, and to hold and 
 manage said Reading-room and Library, as a trust, under their 
 then present name ; or to become a body corporate under the 
 same or any other name, as they might deem expedient. The 
 Trustees proceeded to open the rooms in such apartments and 
 with such inspection as they could conveniently obtain ; but 
 which they have since changed from Congress-street to No. — , 
 Scollay's buildings, Tremont-street, where the subscribers are 
 invited, and where they will find a degree of order and atten- 
 tion, which the former situation did not admit. At the same 
 time they issued a printed sheet, containing regulations and 
 by-laws for the conduct of the institution, which remain in 
 force in respect to annual subscribers, and which will undoubt- 
 edly be, in substance, adopted under the new form, which the 
 establishment may assume, pursuant to the act of incorpora- 
 tion. 
 
 " The Trustees conceived it expedient, and immediately took 
 measures, to procure an act of incorporation for themselves 
 and their future associates. In the act for this purpose, with a 
 view to meet the sentiments and wishes of respectable persons 
 friendly to the general design, they obtained powers to com- 
 prehend in the establishment other objects relative to the 
 sciences and arts, to be provided for in such an extent, as may 
 consist with the primary design of founding a Library and 
 Reading-room. By these means, when the whole plan of the 
 institution shall be executed, it will be subservient, not only to 
 the acquisition, but to the communication of knowledge ; 
 answering the double purpose of inquiry and instruction. In 
 consequence of this enlargement of the plan, a name of more
 
 THE BOSTON ATHJEXEUM. 27 
 
 extensive signification, than the former one, was adopted, and 
 the Trustees, with their associates, are made a body corporate 
 by the title of " The Proprietors of the Boston Athenxum." 
 The act of incorporation is subjoined to this memoir. 
 
 " The Proprietors have entered upon the execution of the 
 powers vested in them by the said act of incorporation. After 
 the choice of the necessary officers, tliey proceeded to devise 
 methods for increasing the funds of the corporation, and 
 extending the rights and privileges, which they had acquired. 
 The result of their deliberations is here communicated. 
 
 "That the nature and design of the establishment may fully 
 appear, having offered a sketch of the history, they will next 
 give a particular account of the 
 
 '''•Objects of the AthencBum. — The first department of the 
 AthenfEum is the Reading-room, which it is proposed to have 
 large and commodious. It is to be furnished with seats, tables, 
 pens, ink, and paper ; and to contain all the celebrated gazettes 
 published in any part of the United States, with the most inter- 
 esting literary and political pamphlets in Europe and America, 
 with magazines, reviews, and scientific journals in the English, 
 French, and other modern languages, memoirs of learned 
 societies, London and Paris newspapers. Steel's Army and 
 Navy List, Naval Chronicle, London and Paris booksellers' 
 Catalogues, Parliamentary Debates, bibliographical works, 
 Journals of the Congress of the United States, laws of Con- 
 gress and of the State legislatures, American state-papers, 
 maps, charts, the latest voyages and travels, and the inter- 
 esting publications of the day, as they appear. The gazettes, 
 magazines, and pamphlets, journals, state-papers, &c. to be 
 bound in volumes, and carefully preserved for the use of the 
 institution. 
 
 " The next branch of the Athenaeum is the Library, designed 
 to contain, in a separate apartment, the works of learning 
 and science in all languages ; particularly such rare and expen- 
 sive publications, as are not generally to be obtained in this 
 country; the most valuable encyclopaedias of the arts and
 
 28 HISTORY OF 
 
 sciences in the English and French languages ; standard dic- 
 tionaries of the learned and principal fnodern languages ; also 
 dictionaries, critical and biographical ; books of general refer- 
 ence, useful to the merchant and the scholar ; and finally, the 
 works of all the best authors, ancient and modern. 
 
 " These apartments are to be open during every week-day and 
 evening. None of the papers or periodical works are to be 
 taken from the rooms, except in the case of the indisposition of 
 any proprietor or subscriber, who may have the use of the 
 newspapers at his house, at some convenient time after their 
 arrival, under such regulations, as shall be prescribed. Dupli- 
 cates are to be provided of all those books permitted to circu- 
 late, it being intended that one copy of every work belonging 
 to the Library shall always remain in it ; so that the proprie- 
 tors and visitors of the Athenceum may be certain at all times 
 of finding any work, which they may have occasion to read or 
 consult. 
 
 " The Reading-room and Library being considered leading 
 objects and chief departments of the Athenaeum, it is proposed, 
 as far as can be done without detriment to them, to join to the 
 foundation a Museum or Cabinet, which shall contain speci- 
 mens from the three kingdoms of nature, scientifically 
 arranged ; natural and artificial curiosities, antiques, coins, 
 medals, vases, gems, and intaglios ; also, in the same or a 
 different apartment, a Repository of Arts, in which shall be 
 placed for inspection models of new and useful machines ; 
 likewise drawings, designs, paintings, engravings, statues, and 
 other objects of the fine arts, and especially the productions of 
 our native artists. 
 
 " Lastly, the plan of the Athenreum includes a Laboratory, 
 and an Apparatus for experiments in chemistry and natural 
 philosophy, for astronomical observations, and geographical 
 improvements, to be used under the direction of the corpo- 
 ration. 
 
 " The history of this establishment, and a description of its 
 objects being given, it is proper to exhibit
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 29 
 
 " The Means, Resources, and Present State of the AthencBum. 
 — The Reading-room is largely supplied with the works men- 
 tioned above, and is receiving daily additions. A list of some 
 of the publications ordered, and chiefly obtained, may be seen 
 at the end. 
 
 " The Library already contains many interesting and impor- 
 tant works. The number of volumes is more than twelve 
 hundred, and is continually increasing by donations and de 
 posits, as well as by purchase. There is reason to believe 
 that, when the apartments shall be sufficiently capacious to 
 admit them, one or more of the libraries, belonging to particu 
 lar societies or individuals, will be annexed to the Athenasum 
 or be placed on the shelves of its Library. 
 
 " The means and resources, now possessed by this institution 
 are : — 
 
 " 1. The annual subscription ; there being one hundred and 
 sixty subscribers, at ten dollars a year. 
 
 " 2. The American papers and publications, with seve- 
 ral periodical publications from abroad, are furnished by 
 the proprietors of the Monthly Anthology free of expense ; 
 and the net funds of the same work are appropriated to 
 the support and increase of the Reading-room and Library. 
 
 " 3. An apparatus of value, belonging to a Society for the 
 study of natural philosophy, is offered to be incorporated with 
 the Athenaeum on favorable conditions ; so that this part of the 
 establishment cannot, at present, require any considerable 
 expense. 
 
 " 4. It is well to observe, that, as the institution shall advance 
 in importance and celebrity, donations and legacies may be 
 expected to prove a source of continual additions to the vari- 
 ous departments of the Athenaeum. 
 
 " To those, who consider this account of the history, ohjects, 
 and present state of the institution, it will readily occur, that 
 an essential requisite to its enlargement and prosperity is a 
 suitable building in a central part of the town. It will also 
 occur, that the present proprietors are bound to extend the
 
 30 HISTORY OF 
 
 rights, powei-s, and privileges of proprietors of the Athenaeum 
 to others on proper conditions. With a view, therefore, to 
 diffuse and perpetuate the benefits and enjoyments of this 
 estabUshment, and to raise the necessary funds for a build- 
 ing and other purposes, relative to the general object, the 
 present proprietors offer the plan and terms of subscrip- 
 tion to the Boston Athenceum, which are annexed to this 
 memoir. 
 
 " The objects, the situation, the resources and prospects of 
 this institution being described, and the terms of admission to 
 an interest and power in it proposed, the subject might here 
 be left, without further comment, to the consideration of the 
 enlightened and liberal, in the confidence that all the induce- 
 ments, public and private, to espouse the establishment, will 
 have their just operation. But though it may not be necessary, 
 yet it may be useful, and tend to prevent misconception and 
 remove doubt, to show the merits of the design, and to justify 
 the method devised for carrying it into effect. 
 
 " In the apprehension of those, who invite the public atten- 
 tion to the subject, this institution deserves approbation and 
 support, as productive of utility and enjoyment ; as ornamental 
 to the metropolis, and honorable to its patrons. They also 
 conceive, that it is proposed at a suitable time ; and that it 
 involves no extravagant demand upon the pecuniary resources, 
 from which the necessary funds are expected. 
 
 " The Athenajum may be recommended as a place of social 
 intercourse. But it will principally be useful as a source of 
 information, and a means of intellectual improvement and 
 pleasure. It is to be a fountain, at which all, who choose, 
 may gratify their thirst for knowledge. 
 
 " The value of learning, whatever incidental evils it may pro- 
 duce, is admitted by all who are qualified to judge upon the 
 subject. Besides the dignity and satisfaction associated with 
 the cultivation of letters and arts, and which constitute their 
 worth to the individual, they have unlimited uses in respect to 
 the community. Speculative and practical philosophy, his-
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 31 
 
 tory, polite literature, and the arts, bear an important relation 
 to all the conveniences and elegancies of life, to all the good 
 institutions of society, and to all the great interests of man, 
 viewed as a rational and social, a moral and religious being. 
 Not only, however, should those deep investigations of science 
 and exquisite refinements of taste, which are necessarily con- 
 fined to a few, be held in respect, as connected with the gene- 
 ral welfare ; but that love of intellectual improvement and 
 pleasure, and that propensity to reading and inquiry, which 
 are capable of being diffused through considerable portions of 
 the community, should be regarded with interest and promoted 
 with zeal among a civilized and flourishing people. They 
 belong to the regular progress of society. A nation, that 
 increases in wealth, without any corresponding increase in 
 knowledge and refinement, in letters and arts, neglects the 
 proper and respectable uses of prosperity. A love of intellect- 
 ual improvement, and of the various objects of literature and 
 taste, in a state or society enjoying freedom and affluence, is 
 to be coveted and maintained, because it produces the best 
 exercise and application of the faculties ; because it strength- 
 ens and multiplies the ties, that bind men together ; because it 
 enhances the value and satisfaction of social intercourse by 
 supplying worthy and interesting topics of conversation ; 
 because it heightens the enjoyment of all the blessings of life, 
 and enables us to derive advantage and pleasure from a multi- 
 tude of new sources ; because, on the whole, it tends to the 
 removal of error and the discovery of truth, and has a 
 friendly aspect upon the interests of virtue and religion. 
 
 " When we admit the dignity and use of the science of the 
 learned, the taste of the refined, and the improved and culti- 
 vated character of the citizens at large, we must also admit 
 that these objects require a fostering care, and will not be 
 obtained without adequate means and incentives. That the 
 institution here proposed, if well begun and liberally sup- 
 ported, must prove in a high degree auxiliary to these purposes, 
 will not, it is presumed, be called in question.
 
 32 HISTORY OF 
 
 " The Athensoum will contain a variety, adapted to the diver- 
 sity of the dispositions, views, and characters of its patrons and 
 visiters. 
 
 " Every class of readers must derive profit and pleasure from 
 a constant access to the foreign and domestic journals, and 
 the periodical publications and pamphlets of the day. They 
 must resort with great advantage to a place in which will be 
 found the latest political and commercial intelligence, accounts 
 of the state of literature, arts, and discoveries, the controver- 
 sies and discussions that successively prevail, and those fugi- 
 tive pieces and small tracts, which it is difficult or impossible 
 for any individual to collect, but which are necessary to satisfy 
 our curiosity, or complete our information, concerning the opin- 
 ions, events, learning, politics, and manners of the times in 
 which we live. In proportion as this department of the Li- 
 brary and Reading-room shall be replenished by the accumu- 
 lations of successive years, its value will be enhanced ; and it 
 will descend to posterity a rich and increasing treasure. 
 
 " By resorting to the Athenseum the man of business will 
 have the means of intellectual activity and enjoyment, without 
 any injurious interruption of his ordinary pursuits, or " the 
 more urgent concerns of life " ; and the man of leisure will 
 find ample means of rational and interesting occupation. 
 
 " The inquisitive merchant must prize the opportunity of 
 being able to consult a large collection of those works, which 
 relate to commerce ; as well as find an accommodation in the 
 early and exact commercial intelligence from various and 
 opposite regions of the globe, which the papers and documents 
 in the Reading-room will generally furnish. 
 
 " The researches of those, who attend to the constitution of 
 society, the form and administration of governments, politics, 
 and finance, must be greatly facilitated by the assemblage, in 
 one place, of the best and newest treatises upon these subjects 
 of inquiry, of statistical tables and works, and state-papers. 
 
 " The historian, and the reader of history, will here be able 
 to perfect their information by a recourse to standard works of
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 33 
 
 general and particular history ; and especially such as relate 
 to our own country. It is intended, that this institution shall 
 cooperate with others, appropriated to this object, by procur- 
 ing, as soon as circumstances admit, every tract, book, and 
 journal, serving to illustrate the civil and natural, the literary 
 and ecclesiastical history of America, and more particularly 
 of the United States. 
 
 " Gentlemen of each of the learned professions must derive 
 important assistance, in their respective pursuits, from the lib- 
 erty of consulting both those fugitive and periodical publica- 
 tions, which may exhibit the history and state of their respec- 
 tive professions, and the sciences and arts on which they are 
 founded, at successive periods ; and also those large, valuable, 
 and expensive works, which it may be inconvenient to most 
 individuals to purchase. 
 
 " To men of letters, and studious inquirers in general, this 
 establishment will offer facilities in study, hitherto not enjoyed ; 
 but highly desirable and even necessary. In this country 
 nothing can exceed the inconvenience, arising from the want 
 of large libraries, to those persons who aim at superior attain- 
 ments and accurate researches. This is one of the circum- 
 stances, which account for the small number of finished 
 scholars and finished works, of which we have to boast. As 
 much time, as is necessary for reading a particular book, is 
 often consumed in attempts to discover or obtain it ; and fre- 
 quently, after every inquiry, the book wanted cannot be pro- 
 cured. Those who, not content with superficial knowledge, 
 would arrive at exactness in any subjects of science, history, 
 or taste, either give over their pursuit, because destitute of the 
 assistance, which the learned in the same walk have furnished, 
 or continue it under the disadvantage of their ignorance of 
 what has been done by their predecessors. Hence they are 
 liable to be occupied in " solving difficulties, which have 
 already been cleared ; discussing questions, which have already 
 been decided ; and digging in mines of literature, which for- 
 mer ages have exhausted." If the uses of this institution were
 
 34 HISTORY OF 
 
 more immediately confined, than they are, to literary men, or 
 to those who wish to perfect themselves in sciences and lite- 
 rature, it would be worthy of the munificent spirit of our opu- 
 lent citizens to give effect to a plan for affording to persons, 
 ambitious of superior acquisitions, the means of extensive 
 knowledge, and the gratification of an adequate supply of 
 books. 
 
 " The good effects, which this establishment may have respect- 
 ing young persons, deserve particular attention. Where they 
 are of proper age and deportment, they will have access to 
 the rooms of the Athenreum on the same terms as others. The 
 attractions of the place will induce many of them to pass that 
 time in useful reading, which is now wasted or misapplied. 
 Their resort to this fund of instruction and entertainment will 
 tend to inspire them with laudable curiosity. It will serve to 
 withdraw them from gross relaxations and hurtful pleasures, 
 by the desire of enlarging their minds and improving their 
 taste. Parents, who consider the temptations surrounding 
 young men, and the connection between employment and 
 innocence, will not regard this use of the Athenaeum with 
 indifference. 
 
 " The ladies have at least an indirect interest in this design. 
 Whatever raises the character of men has a favorable influ- 
 ence upon that of the other sex. Undoubtedly when the citi- 
 zens are sensible and well-informed, the intercourse of the 
 sexes is proportionably more rational and agreeable. But, if 
 the progress of the institution shall be equal to the wishes and 
 expectations of its friends, it will include a plan of instruction 
 by lectures, on which the ladies will be invited to attend. By 
 their admission to this privilege, as well as by the use of the 
 circulating books of the library, and the right of access to the 
 other apartments, they will have more than an indirect share 
 in the advantages of the Athenseum. 
 
 " To these different classes of persons, in the several ways 
 described, this institution, and particularly the Library and 
 Reading-room, will be useful. To the same persons, to
 
 THE BOSTON ATHENiEUM. 35 
 
 Others, and to the public, must the subordinate branches of the 
 Athenseum prove beneficial. The Repository of Models is 
 adapted to promote the speedy and general knowledge of new 
 and useful improvements, relating to the necessary arts and 
 trades, and will be resorted to by artisans with particular ad- 
 vantage. 
 
 " It is well known, that a taste in the fine and pleasing arts 
 cannot be formed, without specimens to serve for example and 
 illustration. By a Repository for productions in these arts, we 
 shall provide for the improvement and emulation of artists, and 
 for the correction and refinement of taste in those, who aim to 
 be connoisseurs, and able to bestow praise and censure with 
 discrimination. It concerns the public interest, as well as 
 honor, that the higher classes of society, and possessors of 
 superfluous wealth, should prefer elegant and innoxious luxuries 
 to those of a different character ; and should be patrons and 
 judges of what is excellent in the fine and liberal arts. 
 
 " The Museum, by its collection of natural objects, scientifi- 
 cally arranged, will both excite and gratify that disposition to 
 study nature, which is always safe and sometimes profitable 
 and important, by means of the discoveries and improvements 
 to which it leads. This department of the institution will pre- 
 serve, for constant inspection, a multitude of productions, nat- 
 ural and artificial, either curious or useful, brought fi'om dif- 
 ferent countries, which are not now obtained ; or, being ob- 
 tained, are lost through want of a proper receptacle, in which 
 they may be placed. 
 
 " The Lahoratory and Apparatus may be used, when it shall 
 be found practicable, for the purpose of lectures on chemistry, 
 natural philosophy, and astronomy. The usefulness of a 
 course of popular instruction upon these and other related sub- 
 jects, calculated to interest the young of both sexes, and to 
 diffuse as well as extend the knowledge of the laws and oper- 
 ations of nature, need not be displayed. 
 
 " In these respects it is conceived the proposed institution 
 will be productive of utility.
 
 36 HISTORY OP 
 
 " If it is viewed, in the next place, as a source of rational 
 enjoyment, it will a >] ear to merit the support it requires. It 
 is obvious to all, who attend to human nature, or the history of 
 human society, and it is verified by observing the state of 
 manners in our own country, that affluence and prosperity are 
 ever attended by a correspondent passion for amusement and 
 pleasure in their diversified forms. It is equally obvious, that 
 whatever serves to correct and regulate this passion is an ad- 
 ditional security to public and private morals. In this view 
 it must be acknowledged important, not only to check that dis- 
 sipation which enervates and depraves, but also to moderate 
 and qualify a propensity to what are deemed less exceptionable 
 modes of pleasure, — to show and equipage, convivial enter- 
 tainments, festive assemblies, and theatrical exhibitions. One 
 efl^ectual method of accomplishing this purpose is to promote a 
 relish for the pleasures of knowledge, and a taste for liberal 
 pursuits and studies. The satisfactions, flowing from these 
 sources, tend to strengthen, not debilitate, the mind ; to sub- 
 due, not inflame, the passions. They are friendly to cheerful- 
 ness and the social virtues, and serve to disengage the feelings 
 from ignoble gratifications. In these respects therefore, as 
 tending to substitute mental occupation for sensual indulgence, 
 and to create a fund of rational and salutary enjoyments in a 
 place and state of society, where the love of pleasure and the 
 means of it are continually augmenting, and where expense is 
 not grudged to amusements of a different nature, it is presumed 
 this institution will be thought to deserve the countenance of 
 the wise and patriotic. 
 
 " It will not be pretended, that the use and necessity of this 
 institution, for the purposes described, are superseded by any 
 establishments already existing in the town ; however valuable 
 they may be in themselves, or adapted to their particular 
 objects. All the departments of the Athenaeum, excepting 
 the Library, are new, and not included in the plan of any other 
 public establishment ; and the Library is constituted upon 
 principles and with regulations, by means of which it does not
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. S7 
 
 interfere with the interest of any other in operation, and at the 
 same time is fitted to answer the exigencies of science and 
 literature. Besides, when the building for the Athen^um 
 shall be erected, other libraries, if their proprietors choose, 
 may be united with this, or placed on its shelves, and thus be 
 rendered more secure, more accessible and useful, than their 
 present situations admit. 
 
 " It was observed, that this institution will be ornamental to 
 the metropolis. In the form of the building, the distribution 
 of the rooms, and the selection and arrangement of the vari- 
 ous objects they will contain, neatness and elegance will be 
 consulted along with convenience. 
 
 " This establishment, it was said, will confer honor on its 
 patrons. For it must be acknowledged honorable to apply 
 wealth to some of its noblest uses ; to join to a spirit of com- 
 mercial enterprise a just estimate of the value of letters and 
 arts ; and to lay a permanent foundation for their cultivation 
 and advancement through successive periods. 
 
 " The example and success of the more wealthy inhabitants 
 of other cities at home and abroad, in originating and con- 
 ducting similar undertakings, are worthy of attention, as cal- 
 culated both to guide and to stimulate our liberality. 
 
 " The Atheneeum of Liverpool has been visited with delight 
 and admiration by numbers of our countrymen ; and it is but 
 one of several institutions of a like nature in that city. It 
 includes a public news-room of a superior kind, occupying the 
 ground floor of 2000 square feet ; and a library, of a narrower 
 base, but greater elevation, lying over the first, and lighted 
 from above. It was begun in January, 1798, for three hun- 
 dred and fifty subscribers, who were to pay ten guineas each, 
 as a capital, and two guineas annually. The whole was com- 
 pleted for 4000Z. sterling. After six months, it being found 
 sufficient for the accommodation of a larger number, seventy- 
 five new subscribers were admitted at twenty guineas each. 
 At the end of a year, seventy-five more, at thirty guineas each, 
 were admitted ; and the shares immediately rose to thirty-five
 
 38 HISTORY OF 
 
 and forty guineas. Thus a large sum was added to the cap- 
 ital of the institution ; and the income, destined to the in- 
 crease and support of the Library, was at that time esti- 
 mated at four hundred guineas annually. 
 
 " The city of London is known to have abounded for ages 
 with foundations for the sciences, literature, and arts. Two 
 have within a few years been added to those before existing, 
 and supported with a liberality, which we cannot indeed be 
 expected to rival, but which we may properly imitate, accord- 
 ing to our exigencies and means. One of these is the Royal 
 Institution, commenced under the auspices of our countryman, 
 Count Rumford, designed for " diffusing the knowledge and 
 facilitating the introduction of useful mechanical inventions 
 and improvements ; and for teaching, by courses of philosophi- 
 cal lectures and experiments, the application of science to the 
 common purposes of life." Another is the London Institution, 
 having three objects ; — " 1. The acquisition of a valuable and 
 extensive library. 2. The diffusion of useful knowledge by 
 means of lectures and experiments. 3. The establishment of 
 a reading-room, where the foreign and domestic journals and 
 other periodical works, and the best pamphlets and new pub- 
 lications, are provided for the use of the proprietors and sub- 
 scribers." The persons, having the benefit of these institu- 
 tions are classed much in the manner proposed in the Boston 
 Athenaeum, consisling of hereditary proprietors, life subscrib- 
 ers, annual subscribers, and occasional visiters. Within a few 
 hours after the proposals for the London Institution were 
 issued, all the shares were taken to the amount of 100,000Z. 
 sterling. 
 
 " Establishments, similar to these, but upon a smaller scale, 
 are found in other cities of Great Britain, probably inferior 
 in opulence and population to this metropolis ; and they are 
 provided in the populous places of other countries in Europe. 
 
 " If we look to the principal towns and cities in our own 
 country, though in general liberality, and in some instances, in 
 disbursements for objects of science and the interests of educa-
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 39 
 
 tion, we may court a comparison, yet, in this mode of patron- 
 izing literature, we find them before us. The Charleston 
 Library Society, incorporated in 1754, has made very respect- 
 able progress in collecting books. The rooms are open during 
 the principal part of every day, and afford a place of resort 
 for reading and conversation. The merchants and scholars 
 of Baltimore have recently provided themselves with an ample 
 institution of the same kind. The library of the Philadelphia 
 Library Company is well known. It was founded in 1731. 
 Before the year 1769 other social libraries, which had been 
 erected, were annexed to this. In late years it has been much 
 augmented by donations and purchases ; and is advancing to 
 great splendor and utility. In the same city an institution, for 
 the fine arts alone, has been commenced with an endowment 
 nearly as large, as would be necessary to put the more exten- 
 sive design here proposed, into operation. 
 
 " In the city of New York much has recently been done for 
 the promotion of these objects, 
 
 " The cultivated character and the liberal spirit of the Bos- 
 tonians have been subjects of encomium. It is probable, that 
 the countenance, afforded to this proposal, will furnish a new 
 instance to justify their claim to this praise. 
 
 " This institution, it was said, is proposed at a suitable time. 
 It bears a correspondence to the advancement of society and 
 the state of the metropolis. Boston now contains a sufficient 
 number of those who need, or who can enjoy and improve, 
 the advantages and pleasures of the Athenseum. There is a 
 prevailing opinion, that objects of this kind should now engage 
 attention. As a long course of time will be necessary, for the 
 maturity and perfection of the design, it is certainly not too 
 soon to begin. Whatever be the embarrassments and hazards 
 attending the prosecution of our commerce, it is notwithstand- 
 ing highly productive, and the class of persons enjoying easy 
 circumstances, and possessing surplus wealth, is comparatively 
 numerous. As we are not called upon for large contributions 
 to national purposes, we shall do well to take advantage of the
 
 40 HISTORY OF 
 
 exemption, by taxing ourselves for those institutions, which 
 will be attended with lasting and extensive benefit, amidst all 
 changes of our public fortunes and political affairs. 
 
 " Finally it was said, that the proposal of this institution in- 
 volves no extravagant demand upon the pecuniary resources of 
 those, to whom it looks for support ; and may be considered 
 entirely practicable. Although it is projected upon a broad 
 foundation, which will admit the expenditure of an indefi- 
 nite sum, yet it may be commenced and prosecuted with 
 limited means. The only requisite to its operation is a 
 suitable building. This being provided, the income from 
 annual subscribers and occasional visiters,* with donations, will 
 probably be sufficient to secure its support and increase, if it 
 will not give it splendor. But more than this may reasonably be 
 wished and hoped. Not to mention what may be expected 
 from life subscribers, it is only necessary, that one hundred and 
 fifty persons shall be willing to vest in the Athenaeum a sum for 
 a capital, the interest of which is Utile more than the price of 
 four half- weekly, and less than that of two daily papers, in order 
 to raise a fund, which will put the institution in a very prosper- 
 ous course ; and which, besides procuring the bulldmg, will 
 leave a considerable sum to be funded for annual use. By pay- 
 ing these three hundred dollars once, they will, without being 
 subject to any subsequent expense, secure to themselves, their 
 assigns, and heirs, a right in an establishment, which is begun 
 under favorable prospects, and which must of course be acquir- 
 ing additional value and importance every day. Under these 
 circumstances, it may be said, without hesitation, that, whilst 
 the subscribers for shares in the Athenceum will have the satis- 
 faction of being the patrons of an excellent design, they will, 
 at the same time, be exposed to no sacrifice of property. For 
 the shares being limited in number, subject to no assessment, 
 
 * The words "and occasional visiters " were omitted in this document, as 
 printed simultaneously in ihc Monthly Anthology (for May, 1807,) nor were 
 such visiters ever meide a source of income.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UJI. 41 
 
 and liable to be transferred and inherited, will always retain 
 their value, and probably appreciate. The result of experi- 
 ence in similar institutions in Europe, commenced under no 
 greater advantages than belong to the Athenaeum, is entirely 
 in favor of this calculation. 
 
 " The following is a list of such periodical publications, as have 
 been ordered ; all of which are regularly received at the Athenaeum, 
 excepting some of the French, which are daily expected. Through 
 the politeness of Mr. W. S. Skinner of this town, merchant, the 
 Directors have established such a correspondence with the house of 
 Messrs. Jenner & Co., London, as insures the early and punctual 
 transmission of all the English publications. They have already 
 received them as late as the 17th March, 1807. The Directors avail 
 themselves of this opportunity to acknowledge their grateful sense of 
 the fidelity, with which their commissions have been executed by 
 those gentlemen. 
 
 [Then follows, with slight additions, the list of publications inserted 
 above ; * nest, the Act of Incorporation ; t then a copy of the record of the 
 meeting of May 7 th, setting forth the organization of the institution, and a list 
 of the officers chosen, t] 
 
 " The above-mentioned officers and proprietors of the Athe- 
 naeum respectfully submit to the consideration of the public the 
 foregoing plan and remarks, explanatory of the nature, design, 
 and objects of the institution, together with the terms and con- 
 ditions of subscription, which are hereunto annexed. 
 
 " Theo. Parsons, President. 
 
 " Wm. S. Shaw, Secretary. 
 
 "terms of subscription to the boston athen^uji. 
 
 " 1. The estate, effects, and property of the Boston Athenaeum 
 shall be vested in the holders of shares, under the title of the 
 Proprietors of the Boston Athenaeum ; the number of shares 
 shall not exceed one hundred and fifty ; and no individual shall 
 hold more than three shares. 
 
 * See pp. 16, 17. t See pp. 18-22. t See p. 23. 
 
 6
 
 42 HISTORY OP 
 
 " 2. The price of each share is three hundred dollars ; to be 
 paid thirty-three and one third per cent, in sixty days, and the 
 remainder in two equal payments, the first in one year, the 
 second in two years, from the date of these proposals ; notes 
 to be given to the treasurer of the Athenceum for the amount, 
 unless the subscriber shall choose to pay the whole sum at 
 once. 
 
 "eights and privileges of the proprietors. 
 
 " A proprietor shall have, for every share he may own, two 
 tickets of admission to the Atheneeum ; one of said tickets 
 transferable according to the regulations to be adopted ; and 
 he shall also have the right of introducing strangers according 
 to said regulations. 
 
 " Every proprietor shall have a right to transfer his share or 
 shares by will, or other instrument in writing ; and his share 
 or shares shall be inheritable personal property ; these rights 
 to be exercised under such limitations and in such form and 
 manner, as the proprietors shall prescribe. 
 
 " The subscribers for proprietors' shares shall not be requir- 
 ed to pay any further contribution, after the price of their 
 shares shall have been once paid ; and they shall be secured 
 against all future claims and demands upon them on account 
 of any debt, which the institution may contract. 
 
 " life subscribers. 
 
 " It is also proposed to admit another class of subscribers, 
 called Subscrihers for Life. 
 
 " The price of a life share to be one hundred dollars ; to 
 be paid one half in sixty days, and the other half in one year. 
 
 " Every such subscriber shall have one ticket of admission 
 to every part of the Athenaeum, transferable under such terms 
 and conditions, as the proprietors may prescribe. 
 
 " THE GOVERNMENT 
 
 of the Athenaeum shall be in the Proprietors, or in such per- 
 sons as they shall choose from among themselves.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 43 
 
 " When shares to a sufficient number shall have been taken, 
 the President and Secretary for the time being shall call a 
 meeting of the subscribers for proprietors' shares ; who, together 
 with the present and then existing proprietors, shall enter 
 upon the exercise of the powers vested in them ; organize the 
 corporation ; designate and choose officers ; devise means for 
 increasing the funds of the institution, and direct the mode of 
 applying them ; take measures to erect or purchase the necessary 
 buildings ; determine the evidence which each proprietor shall 
 have of his share or shares ; define and establish the rights of 
 proprietors, life subscribers, annual subscribers, and occasional 
 visiters ; make such further regulations as shall be judged 
 expedient ; and generally execute all powers granted by the 
 act of incorporation, and expressed in the terms and condi- 
 tions here published. 
 
 " Boston, 8th May, 1807." 
 
 On the 18th of June, about a month after the circulation 
 of the preceding Memoir, Mr. Lowell, on behalf of the com- 
 mittee, reported to a meeting of the Directors, held at the 
 office of Mr. Shaw, that they had obtained subscriptions for 
 one hmidred and fifty shares at three hundred dollars each 
 ($45,000), which was the whole amount proposed to be 
 raised by the original plan. 
 
 The following is a copy of the original subscription list, one 
 share being taken where a larger number is not mentioned. 
 The list was preceded by the " Terms of Subscription." 
 
 " We, the subscribers, do agree to take the number of Pro- 
 prietors' Shares set against our respective names, and do en- 
 gage to make the payments and fulfil the conditions prescribed 
 in the foregoing terms of subscription for proprietors' shares in 
 the Boston Athenaeum. 
 
 Stephen Higginson, Josiah Quincy, (3.) James Perkins, 
 Harrison Gray Otis, Samuel Eliot, Allan Pollock, 
 
 John Lowell, (2.) Isaac P. Davis, John C. Brown,
 
 44 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 Jonathan Mason, 
 Sam'l Salisbury, Jr. 
 George Higginson, 
 Samuel G. Perkins, 
 Richard Derby, 
 Thomas Perkins, 
 Daniel Sargent, 
 Joseph Head, 
 Thomas H, Perkins, 
 William Pickman, 
 Uriah Cotting, 
 John T. Apthorp, 
 Benjamin Bussey, 
 Thomas C. Amory, 
 Jonathan Davis, 
 T. W. Storrow, 
 Peter [O.] Thacher, 
 Samuel Torrey, 
 John Callender, 
 Samuel Dexter, 
 Thomas Bartlett, 
 John Quincy Adams, 
 Charles Lowell, 
 John E.. Parker, 
 John Hancock, 
 John L. Sullivan, 
 Cornelius Coolidge, 
 Samuel D. Parker, 
 Francis J. Oliver, 
 Oliver Putnam, 
 Nathan Appleton, 
 S. Higginson, Jr. (2.) 
 John Richards, 
 Andrew Craigie, 
 Stephen Codman, 
 George Blake, 
 
 A. W. Atherton, 
 
 Samuel May, 
 Timothy Bigelow, 
 Stephen Jones, Jr. 
 Daniel Ingalls, 
 Bryant P. Tilden, 
 Robert Lamb, 
 Isaac Parker, 
 Benjamin Joy, 
 J. Lloyd, Jr. 
 John Gore, 
 Allan Melville, 
 Joseph Coolidge, Jr. 
 
 C. Bradbury, 
 William Ritchie, 
 Eben Preble, 
 John Prince, Jr. 
 Samuel Parkman, 
 Kirk Boott, 
 
 Ed. Tuckerman, Jr. 
 Thos. L. Winthrop, 
 Timothy Williams, 
 Wm. Smith Shaw, 
 Adam Babcock, 
 William Sawyer, 
 Judah Hays, 
 J. Parker, 
 William Wood, 
 Abraham Touro, 
 Samuel D. Harris, 
 John Davis, 
 Gardiner Greene, 
 
 D. S. Bradstreet, 
 Edward Blake, Jr. 
 Nathaniel Goddard, 
 John B. Frazier, 
 
 Samuel Salisbury, 
 Joseph Tilden, 
 Charles Davis, 
 John C. Howard, 
 Peter C. Brooks, 
 William Savage, 
 Thomas K. Jones, 
 N. R. Sturgis, 
 Joseph W. Revere, 
 William Ingalls, 
 John Heard, Jr. 
 John Rice, 
 John May, Jr. 
 William Spooner, 
 William Oliver, 
 Perkins Nichols, 
 Shubael Bell, 
 Israel Munson, 
 Thomas Burley, 
 William R. Gray, 
 William Story, 
 Henry Cary, 
 Eben'r T. Andrews, 
 George G. Lee, 
 Thomas Gushing, 
 Joseph Hurd, Jr. 
 Isaiah Thomas, 
 W. Cochran, 
 Charles Bulfinch, 
 Benjamin Whitwell, 
 H. J. Andrews, 
 S. Jackson Prescott, 
 John Binney, 
 James Prentiss, 
 Theodore Lyman, 
 Russell Sturgis,
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 
 
 45 
 
 Caleb Loring, 
 Ebenezer Stocker, 
 Andrew Dexter, Jr. 
 William Phillips, (3. 
 Stephen McLellan, 
 John Smith, 
 B. Pickman, Jr. 
 Francis C. Lowell, 
 M. R. Bartlett, 
 Nathaniel Amory, 
 Eliphalet Williams, 
 
 Benjamin Weld, 
 Wm. V. Hutchings, 
 John Warren, 
 )Joshua Davis, 
 Benjamin Rich, 
 Thomas Hill, Jr. 
 R. H. Gardiner, 
 David S. Eaton, 
 Eben Larkin, 
 Nehemiah Parsons, 
 
 Micajah Sawyer, 
 David West, Jr. 
 James Bowdoin, 
 R. Fletcher, 
 Joseph Hall, 
 Timothy Fuller, 
 Jonathan Phillips, 
 Seth Knowles, 
 William Prescott, 
 John Cod man. 
 
 " LIFE SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 " We, the subscribers, do agree to take the number of Life 
 Shares, in the Boston Athenaeum, set against our respective 
 names, and to make the payments required of life subscribers, 
 and to fulfil the conditions prescribed in the terms of subscrip- 
 tion for such subscribers. 
 
 James Jackson, 
 Charles Jackson, 
 Edmund T. Dana, 
 Benjamin Welles, 
 William Emerson, 
 James Savage, 
 
 Joseph McKean, 
 John Gorham, 
 John S. J. Gardiner, 
 John T. Kirkland, 
 Robert Field, 
 Winthrop Sargent, 
 
 Samuel C. Thacher, 
 William Tudor, Jr. 
 William Wells, 
 Charles Tappan, 
 Isaac Mansfield, 
 Octavius Pickering." 
 
 This success was regarded as evidence that the patronage 
 of the community might be rehed upon, and a new organi- 
 zation was deemed requisite to give to the new proprietors 
 their due weight. To this end, it was voted that a new 
 meeting of the proprietors be called for electing officers, 
 defining their powers, and appointing agents for the pur- 
 chase of land and the erection of the Ijuilding then contem- 
 plated. " The Society for Promoting Philosophical Know- 
 ledge" having proposed " to unite their apparatus with the 
 Boston Athenaeum on terms mutually beneficial," it was
 
 46 HISTORY OF 
 
 voted to receive it at the price of one thousand dollars, 
 " giving credit to the members of the Society for their 
 respective proportions, to go towards their subscriptions to 
 the AthenjBum ; " and, where they were not subscribers, 
 they were to give their proportions " to promote the objects 
 of the Athenaium," — lectures on natural philosophy being 
 at this time comprehended within its design. At the same 
 meeting, certificates for life shares in the Athengeum were 
 voted to all the members of the Anthology Club, in con- 
 sideration of then* having " generously made over and con- 
 veyed to the Trustees a valuable collection of books on 
 hand, a considerable importation of new books just arrived 
 from England, an amiual subscription, which they had pro- 
 cured for their own establishment, and the profits resulting 
 from the pubhcation of the Anthology." These donations 
 were considered as bringing more value to the Athengeum, 
 than if the donors had paid for life shares ; besides that 
 several of them had also " become subscribers to the 
 Athengeum, notwithstanding the above generous donations." 
 In the vote, the names of several persons were inserted, 
 who did not belong to the Anthology Club when the transfer 
 of its property was made, but who, having been since that 
 time admitted members, were regarded as entitled to the 
 privilege, as editors of the Anthology. 
 
 The first meeting which included the new proprietors 
 was held on the 16th, and, by adjournment, on the 17th 
 of July, 1807, at the hall of the Massachusetts Bank ; 
 when it was voted, that the officers of the corporation should 
 be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, 
 who were to be members ex officio of the board of Trustees ; 
 and that this board should consist of the abovementioned 
 officers and eight other persons, and be empowered to 
 manage all afiairs of the corporation, of what nature soever, 
 in a manner not repugnant to the terms of the subscrip-
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 47 
 
 tion, or the fimdamental regulations adopted by the pro- 
 prietors.* 
 
 The by-laws and regulations they might make, were to 
 have force until the first subsequent meeting of the propri- 
 etors, to whom they were to be submitted for approbation 
 or dissent. Five of the Trustees constituted a quorum for 
 granting moneys, and three for ordinary business. It was 
 at the same time voted, that, after the present year, the 
 election of officers should take place annually on the first 
 Tuesday in August. 
 
 Of the capital stock, it was ordered that ten thousand 
 dollars be invested, and the interest applied to current ex- 
 penses and exigencies ; that twenty-jive thousand be appUed 
 to the purchase of land and the erection of a suitable 
 building ; fifteen hundred to the purchase of philosophical 
 instruments ; one thousand to the purchase of objects suited 
 for a museum of natural and artificial cuiiosities, and objects 
 of the fine arts ; and aU the other funds to the purchase of 
 books, maps, charts, and other literary works, at the discre- 
 tion of the Trustees. 
 
 The design of erecting a building was soon abandoned. 
 The attack upon the frigate Chesapeake by the British, 
 the measures adopted by our government in retaUation of 
 it, and the general indications of a rupture with Great Brit- 
 ain, were precursors of pecuniary difficulties and embarrass- 
 ments affecting aU the money operations of the commu- 
 nity. In this state of things, the Trustees of the Athe- 
 naeum, at the first meeting after their appointment, on the 
 22d of August, 1807, voted, that it was " mexpedient to 
 
 * At this meeting were elected : President, Theophilus Parsons ; Vice- 
 President, John Davis ; Treasurer, John Lowell ; Secretary, William Smith 
 Shaw ; Trustees, William Emerson, John Thornton Kirkland, Peter Oxen- 
 bridge Thacher, Robert Hallowell Gardiner, Joseph Stevens Buckminsterj 
 Harrison Gray Otis, James Perkins, and Samuel Eliot.
 
 48 HISTORY OF 
 
 attempt to increase the number of proprietors' shares at 
 the present moment" ; and, at their next meeting, on the 
 2cl of October, that, in their opinion, it was inexpedient at 
 present to proceed, in execution of the vote of the proprie- 
 tors, to purchase land and erect an edifice for the purposes 
 of the mstitution, in consequence of " certain pubhc events" 
 which had taken place since that vote was passed. 
 
 The embarrassed relations of the country arising from 
 embargoes, non-intercourse, and ultimately war with Great 
 Britaui, created insvmnountable obstacles to the increase of 
 the institution. A pohcy, which had paralyzed all the 
 commercial energy of the period, left the friends of the 
 Athenoeum no resource for its advancement, but their 
 personal efibrts. They authorized the Secretary to hire an 
 additional room, and fit it up for the immediate accommo- 
 dation of the subscribers, took measures for the safe in- 
 vestment of then* fmids, and appointed a committee " for 
 the pui'pose of purchasmg such rare and valuable works, 
 and articles for the apparatus and museum, as shall be 
 thought useful for the estabhshment, under the limitations 
 prescribed by the proprietors." 
 
 On the 7th of April, 1808, the Trustees adopted a set 
 of i-ules for the government of the institution ; which the 
 proprietors, on the 11th of August, after reelecting the 
 officers of the preceding year, approved by their vote. 
 They were as follows : 
 
 " 1. Annual subscribers may be admitted at ten dollars per 
 annum ; the subscription right to end on the 31st day of De- 
 cember of the year when the subscription may be made. 
 
 " 2. Proprietors and subscribers shall be furnished with 
 tickets signed by the President or Vice-President, and by the 
 Secretary, expressing their respective rights. 
 
 " 3. The tickets of proprietors and of life-subscribers shall 
 admit the bearers of them to the privileges of the institution,
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 49 
 
 with restrictions as to inhabitants of Boston, or of places within 
 twenty miles of Boston, as provided in a subsequent article. 
 To prevent the trouble of calling for a ticket of admission on 
 each visit, proprietors and life subscribers may make a tempo- 
 rary transfer of the tickets of admission, which they may be 
 entitled to hold, for a term not less than one month ; which 
 transfer shall be recorded by the Secretary, and be notified to 
 the Librarian. 
 
 " 4. Rights and shares in this institution shall be indivisible. 
 
 " 5. Proprietors and life subscribers shall be furnished with 
 certificates of their property, under the seal of the corporation, 
 signed by the President, and countersigned by the Secretary, 
 and in such form as the Trustees shall direct. 
 
 " 6. Transfers of shares shall be made by surrender of the 
 certificates of property and by granting new certificates, sub- 
 ject to the approbation of the Trustees ; and a record of all 
 transfers shall be made by the Secretary. 
 
 " 7. The library and reading-room shall be open every 
 day (Sunday excepted) from eight o'clock in the morning till 
 nine at night, and at such other times as the Trustees shall 
 direct. 
 
 " 8. Proprietors, subscribers, and visiters, desirous of mak- 
 ing notes and extracts, will be furnished, at the expense of the 
 institution, with tables, pens, ink, paper, &c., for that purpose. 
 
 " 9. Proprietors and subscribers may propose any books 
 which they may think proper for the library ; or any news- 
 paper, literary or political journal, for the reading-room, by 
 entering the title in a book, which shall be kept for that pur- 
 pose in the library. 
 
 " 10. All new books, pamphlets, magazines, and reviews 
 shall be placed on the tables of the library or reading-room, 
 and remain there for such length of time as may appear neces- 
 sary for their perusal ; and no book, pamphlet, review, maga- 
 zine, or newspaper shall be taken by any proprietor, sub- 
 scriber, or visiter, out of the rooms. Any proprietor or life 
 subscriber, infringing this article, shall forfeit his privilege in 
 
 7
 
 50 HISTORY OF 
 
 the institution for one year ; and annual subscribers shall forfeit 
 the privilege of their subscription by a similar offence. 
 
 "11. Any proprietor or subscriber, injuring a book and 
 refusing to make compensation therefor, or otherwise infring- 
 ing the regulations of this institution, that shall from time to 
 time be made and published, shall be excluded from future 
 access to the rooms until the next meeting of the Trustees, 
 when it shall be the duty of the Librarian to report, and of the 
 Trustees to take order thereon, 
 
 " 12. No inhabitant of Boston, or of any town or place 
 within twenty miles of Boston, who is not a proprietor or sub- 
 scriber to the institution, or a member of the family of a pro- 
 prietor or life subscriber, bearing their ticket, shall be allowed 
 access to the library or reading-room, unless by consent of the 
 Trustees or of their committee ; but any stranger, not living 
 or usually residing within twenty miles of Boston, may be in- 
 troduced by any proprietor or life subscriber, personally or by 
 their card or note addressed to the Librarian. And any per- 
 son, thus introduced, may have the same use of the books and 
 papers as is allowed to subscribers, provided there be entered 
 in a book, to be kept for that purpose, the name of such stran- 
 ger and of the person by whom he may be introduced, such 
 person to be responsible for his observing the rules and regula- 
 tions of the institution. Any number of persons, accompany- 
 ing a proprietor on a visit to the rooms of the institution, may 
 be admitted. 
 
 " 13. The Trustees may give tickets of admission to all the 
 privileges of the library and reading-room, during occasional 
 visits, to any person, residing out of Boston, who may have 
 made a donation to the institution to the amount o^ fifty dollars. 
 
 " 14. The judges of the Supreme Judicial Court, the judges 
 of the Circuit and District Courts, the President and Professors 
 of Harvard College, the President of the American Academy 
 of Arts and Sciences, and of the Historical Society, the Presi- 
 dent of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and the President 
 of the Agricultural Society, shall be considered honorary mem-
 
 THE BOSTON ATHENiEUM. 51 
 
 bers of the institution, and entitled to its privileges. The use 
 of the reading-room and library shall also be allowed to the 
 tutors, librarian, regent, proctors, and resident graduates of 
 said College. 
 
 " 15. All books, which may be presented or bequeathed to 
 the institution, shall be immediately deposited in the library ; 
 and all donations which may be made, whether in books, mo- 
 ney, or other property, shall be recorded in a book to be kept 
 by the Secretary for that purpose ; and a publication of such 
 donations shall be made by the Trustees in some public paper, 
 printed in Boston, at such times and in such manner as they 
 shall determine. 
 
 " 16. All donations shall be strictly appropriated and appli- 
 ed according to the will or direction of the donors, expressed 
 at the time of the donation. If no special appropriation be 
 directed by the donors, such donations shall be applied to the 
 benefit of the institution, as the Trustees may direct. And in 
 all books given to the institution or purchased with the pro- 
 ceeds of any donation, there shall be pasted a label at the 
 beginning, expressing the name of the donor. 
 
 " 17. A complete catalogue of all the books and pamphlets 
 belonging to the institution shall be constantly in each of the 
 apartments for the inspection of visiters. 
 
 " 18. Conversation in the library or reading-room, to the 
 disturbance of others, is prohibited. 
 
 " 19. There shall be an annual examination, ten days at 
 least, before the annual meeting, of the library, reading-room, 
 and of all the property of the institution, by a committee of 
 proprietors to be chosen at the preceding annual meeting. 
 The examination of the present year shall be made by a com- 
 mittee of the Trustees ; and reports of the examining commit- 
 tees of the state and condition of the library and reading-room, 
 and of the property and concerns of the institution, shall be 
 made to the proprietors, at their annual meeting. 
 
 " 20. There shall be a meeting of the Trustees on the first 
 Mondays of January, April, July, and October, annually, at
 
 52 HISTORY OF 
 
 6 o'clock p. M. at the library, or at such other place as may 
 be notified to them by the President or Vice-President, to de- 
 liberate and decide on the affairs committed to their trust. 
 They shall keep regular minutes of their proceedings, and 
 take care to preserve exact order and the strictest economy in 
 the management of all the affairs of the institution. 
 
 "21. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to keep exact 
 and detailed accounts of all the property belonging to the in- 
 stitution, as also of all receipts and expenditures ; and he shall 
 make such exhibits of the pecuniary concerns of the institution, 
 at the stated meetings of the Trustees, or at other times, as they 
 shall require. 
 
 " 22. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep distinct 
 and perfect records of all the proceedings of the Proprietors 
 and of the Trustees, which he shall bring with him at each 
 stated meeting of the Trustees, and of each meeting of the 
 Proprietors. He shall also carefully file and preserve in proper 
 order, all letters, papers, bills, and documents relative to the 
 affairs of the institution, not belonging to the Treasurer's de- 
 partment. 
 
 " 23. It shall be the duty of the Librarian to arrange and 
 preserve the books, and pamphlets, and other property, that 
 may be placed in the apartments of the institution, in con- 
 venient and proper order ; to make out complete catalogues 
 of the same, to see that such of the rules and regulations as 
 relate to the use of the library and reading-room, or other 
 apartments, be observed, and to do such other duty relative to 
 his office as may be directed by the Trustees. 
 
 " 24. The Librarian may appoint assistants or substitutes 
 for the execution of the duties appertaining to his office, which 
 assistants or substitutes shall be approved, and their compen- 
 sation determined, by the Trustees. 
 
 " 25. A Standing Committee of the Trustees, three in num- 
 ber, of which the Librarian shall be one, shall be chosen at 
 each stated meeting of the Trustees, whose duty it shall be 
 more immediately to visit and superintend the institution during
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 63 
 
 their term, and who shall advise and direct relative to inci- 
 dental expenses occurring between the meetings of the Trustees, 
 and any other contingencies, including correspondences rela- 
 tive to the institution ; a report of all their proceedings to be 
 made at the stated meetings of the Trustees. 
 
 " 26. It shall be the duty of the Trustees at their stated 
 meetings to consider and direct relative to the purchase of 
 books, and to appoint a committee for that purpose. 
 
 " 27. No money shall be drawn from the treasury, unless 
 by order of the Trustees or of the Standing Committee, or 
 the major part of them, pursuant to appropriations and subject 
 to such rules and orders as the Trustees may prescribe. 
 
 " 28. The officers of the institution, except the Librarian 
 and Secretary, are to serve in their respective offices without 
 any pay or emolument or pecuniary advantage whatever ; and, 
 after the present year, the compensation of the Librarian and 
 Secretary shall be determined previous to their election. 
 
 " 29. The offices of Secretary and Librarian shall be united 
 until otherwise ordered by the Trustees or by the Proprietors." 
 
 The rooms, first hired and used for the accommodation of 
 the proprietors, were situated in Scollay's Buildings, between 
 Tremont and Court Streets. This position was found cir- 
 cumscribed and inconvenient, and the necessity of pur- 
 chasing a suitable site for the institution early became 
 apparent, although the erection of an edifice was postponed. 
 Accorduigly, on the 13th of February, 1809, Mr. Lowell 
 was appointed a committee to purchase " the house of 
 Doyle & Bowen, as a temporary accommodation for the 
 Boston Athenaeum, at a sum not exceeding ten thousand 
 dollars." This house was situated in Tremont Street, on 
 the spot where now (1847) stands the Savings Bank. 
 The purchase was effected in the following month, at the 
 price of nine thousand dollars. Possession was taken in the 
 course of the same month ; the rooms were suitably pre-
 
 54 HISTORY OF 
 
 pared, and in July the library was arranged in its new 
 abode. 
 
 In August, 1809, the last year's officers were reappoint- 
 ed ; and at an adjourned meeting, in September, the vote 
 concerning the appropriation of twenty-five thousand dollars 
 for an edifice was rescinded except as to the portion of it 
 already expended for the pui'chase of the estate m Tre- 
 mont Street ; and, of the residue, a part was ordered to be 
 funded, and a part was placed at the disposition of the 
 Trustees. 
 
 During this official year, measures were taken for procur- 
 ing a Catalogue of the Library, and one was made by the 
 Rev. Joseph McKean ; * but, beyond the management of 
 the prudential concerns of the institution, nothing was 
 attempted. The year was marked, however, by one 
 event, which had no inconsiderable effect in adding to the 
 dignity and usefulness of the Athenaeum. John Quincy 
 Adams, being about to embark on his mission to Russia, 
 deposited in its rooms, for the use of the proprietors, his 
 own Hbrary, amounting to five thousand four hundred and 
 fifty volumes, thus at once doubling the number of books 
 in the collection ; for in November, 1809, the volumes 
 belonging to the uistitution are stated to be only five thou- 
 sand seven hundred and fifty. Here it remained for about 
 thirteen years, till the Athen^um was removed to Pearl 
 
 * This Catalogue, in which the titles are distributed into fifteen classes (the 
 last containing Tracts), was printed, making an octavo volume of 267 pages. 
 It was preceded by the following advertisement, instead of a title-page : 
 
 " Large additions have been made to the Library since these sheets were 
 struck off, and therefore this Catalogue is incomplete. A few copies have 
 been put together in this form for use in the rooms. The Catalogue, whea 
 completed with an appendix, index, and preface, will be published and sold." 
 
 Successive committees were appointed to write the preface, but this seems 
 never to have been done, nor the Catalogue ever to have been published. Sev- 
 eral interleaved copies of it continued to be used in the Library till the publi- 
 cation of a larger Catalogue in 1827, in which, however, the Tracts are not 
 embraced.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 55 
 
 Street, the proprietors causing it to be insured for five 
 thousand dollars. 
 
 In August, 1810, the same officers were chosen for the 
 fourth time, and a vote was passed by the proprietors, 
 requesting the Trustees to cause their books to be insured. 
 The Trustees, accordingly, at their next meeting, authorized 
 an insurance of fifteen thousand dollars. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the proprietors, on the 10th 
 of August, 1811, John Lowell resigned the office of Treas- 
 urer, and Joseph Tilden was appointed in his place ; 
 and, in consequence of other resignations, new members 
 were chosen into the board of Trustees.* On the 7th of 
 November following, at an adjourned meeting of the pro- 
 prietors, the accounts of the former Treasurer were satis- 
 factorily adjusted, and the property of the institution was 
 transferred to his successor. An investigation was now 
 made into its financial state. It was found, that a large sum 
 of money was due to it, and that it was likely to sufier from 
 the insolvency of some of the original subscribers, and from 
 the delinquency of others. An urgent necessity being ap- 
 parent, that efficient measures should be taken to collect 
 the debts, and to place the funds in a safe and productive 
 state, the Treasurer was instructed to enforce the payment 
 of these debts where it was practicable, to discharge such 
 subscribers as were unable to pay the remaining instal- 
 ments of their original subscription (they releasing to the 
 institution the amount they had already paid), and, with re- 
 spect to such subscribers as had paid no part of their sub- 
 scription, to strike their names from the list, and endeavour 
 to substitute other subscribers. 
 
 * Officers chosen in 1811, — President, Theophilus Parsons; — Vice-Presi- 
 dent, John Davis ; — Treasurer, Joseph Tilden ; — Secretary and Librarian, 
 William S. Shaw ; — Trustees, Peter Oxenbridge Thacher, Robert Hallowell 
 Gardiner, Joseph Stevens Buckminster, Harrison Gray Otis, James Perkins, 
 Samuel Dexter, Richard Sullivan, John Lowell.
 
 56 HISTOKY OF 
 
 The committee for examining the Treasurer's accounts 
 reported the estimate of the property of the institution to 
 be $38,779-53, according to the following schedule: 
 Real estate on Tremont Street, at cost, . $10,070-18 
 
 Bank stock, 9,867-75 
 
 Notes of hand and other debts (bad debts 
 
 deducted), 6,100 
 
 Philosophical apparatus, 1,000 
 
 Books, purchased, not including donations, 11,741*60 
 
 $38,779-53 
 
 The proprietors then appointed a committee for the pur- 
 pose of filling up the list of subscribers to the original num- 
 ber, and of procuring annual subscribers. The annual sub- 
 scription was now raised bj the Trustees to twelve dollars, 
 and any subscriber paying fifteen dollars might have a 
 proprietor's pri\41ege of introducing other persons. 
 
 In January, 1812, Obadiah Rich ofiered to deposit in 
 the Athenaeum a considerable collection of objects in the 
 department of Natural History ; and also to give his per- 
 sonal attention to the formation of a Cabinet of Natural 
 History. The ofier appearing to the Trustees favorable to 
 the cultivation of a branch of science, the promotion of 
 which was among the earliest and most cherished objects 
 of the Athenaeum, they immediately appropriated a place 
 for such a cabinet, took measures to provide cases for 
 articles which might be deposited or given, requested Mr. 
 Rich to undertake its superintendence, authorized an ex- 
 penditure of two hundred dollars for the requisite prepar- 
 ations, and appointed a committee who, in concurrence 
 with ISIr. Rich, were to form regulations relative to the 
 cabinet, and to addi-ess the public on the subject of contri- 
 butions. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the proprietoi*s, held by ad-
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 67 
 
 joumment, in October, the officers of the preceding year 
 were reelected. 
 
 This was the first year of the ^svar mth. Great Britairi ; 
 and the dangers and embarrassment, into which all the 
 business of the United States was thrown by that event, 
 affected also the proceedings of the Trustees. By them 
 nothing seems to have been done or attempted during 
 the whole official year. Of six established meetings in suc- 
 cession, it appears by the records, that only at one could 
 a quorum be assembled. The superintendence of the affairs 
 of the institution devolved almost wholly upon the Secre- 
 tary, "William S. Shaw, who was most zealously devoted to 
 its interests. 
 
 The proprietors at their annual meeting in August, 
 1813, reelected the same officers, except that the vacancy, 
 occasioned by the death of Mr. Buckminster, was now 
 filled.* In February and March, 1814, the proceedings 
 of the Trustees indicate a re\dved acti\ity. About this 
 time, ft-om the limited state of the fimds, their decrease 
 jfrom the first subscription, and the impossibility, mider 
 the general embarrassment of the period, of obtaining 
 additional subscriptions, the Trustees began to perceive 
 that the objects embraced by the original plan of the Athe- 
 nseum were too great for their means, and too numerous 
 to be included within the sphere of one institution ; they 
 therefore appointed a committee to collect all the books and 
 apparatus they had pui'chased of the Society for Cultivating 
 Philosophical Knowledge, and to make sale of the same, as 
 to them might seem expedient. 
 
 * Officers elected in 1S13, — President, Theopbilus Parsons ; — Vice-Pres- 
 ident, John Davis ; — Treasurer, Joseph Tilden ; — Secretary and Librarian, 
 William S. Shaw; — Trustees, Peter O. Thacher, Robert H. Gardiner, Har- 
 rison G. Otis, James Perkins, Richard Sullivan, John Lowell, Samuel Dexter, 
 Josiah Quincy. 
 
 8
 
 68 HISTORY OF 
 
 A committee, wliich had been appointed for examining 
 the library, now reported, that, , exclusive of the books 
 deposited by Mr. Adams and by the Agricultural Society, 
 it contained eight thousand tivo hundred and nine volumes^ 
 generally in good preservation. They complained, however, 
 of flagrant mutilations of volumes by cutting out engrav- 
 ings, of the incompleteness and inaccuracy of the Catalogue 
 of the Hbrary, and of the dilapidations resulting from the 
 free access of boys to the reading-rooms ; and they suggest- 
 ed remedies. In conclusion, they expressed their surprise 
 at the number of volumes in the hbrary, notwithstandmg the 
 appropriation for its mcrease from the funds of the corpora- 
 tion had been so small ; and also at the considerable propor- 
 tion of valuable works in the different branches of hterature 
 and science, " some of them being rare and many of them 
 splendid." " Such a collection," they say, " of the French 
 Hterary and philosophical journals, of pohtical and period- 
 ical pubhcations, and especially of works relating to our 
 own country, are not to be found elsewhere in the United 
 States." They add, that " to the exertions of the Libra- 
 rian [Wilham Smith Shaw] are m a great measure owing 
 the great value and flourishing state of the institution." 
 By way of detecting past and preventing future mutUation 
 and abstraction of the books, they recommended pasting^ 
 in every book an engraving of the name of the Boston 
 Athenseum, with the device on the seal ; advertising such 
 as were missing, with the offer of a reward for the recovery 
 of them ; a penalty for taking away books ; the exclusion 
 of aU boys under fifteen years of age, except in the pres- 
 ence of a parent or guardian ; and pubUshing, annually, a 
 list of all donations. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the proprietors, in August, 
 1814, on the resignation of Theophilus Parsons, Judge 
 Davis was chosen President, and, in his stead, John Lowell,
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 59 
 
 Vice-President ; the other officers were reelected, and John 
 Richards was appointed Trustee in place of Mr. Lowell.* 
 
 At the annual meeting, in August, 1815, the same offi- 
 cers were re-chosen ; but, at that of August, 1816, in con- 
 sequence of the resignation, by John Davis, Joseph Tilden, 
 and Samuel Dexter, of their respective offices, John Lowell 
 was chosen President ; Josiah Quincy, Vice-President ; 
 Nathan Appleton, Treasurer ; and John Davis and Joseph 
 Tilden were made Trustees, to fill the consequent vacancies.! 
 
 During the two preceding years and the next following, 
 the history of the Athenaeum was not marked by any impor- 
 tant measures of the Trustees. The aspect of the times, 
 during the war with Great Britain, was gloomy and discour- 
 aging, and no present prospect of increasing the funds 
 of the institution appeared. At this period, while men's 
 minds were absorbed by that war and its consequences, the 
 efficiency of the Athenaeum, and its very existence, seem to 
 have been in a manner identified with WiUiam S. Shaw. 
 He held the offices both of Secretary and Librarian, and oc- 
 cupied himself almost exclusively in collecting rare books, 
 pamphlets, coins, and interesting rehcs of antiquity, and, by 
 purchase or solicitation, bringing them under its roof. All 
 felt the importance of his services ; and, while his zeal and 
 activity in behalf of the Athenaeum were undiminished, both 
 the Proprietors and the Trustees seem to have extended to 
 
 * Officers elected in 181A, — President, John Davis; — Vice-President, 
 John Lowell ; — Treasurer, Joseph Tilden ; — Secretary and Librarian, Wil- 
 liam S. Shaw ; — Trustees, Robert H. Gardiner, Peter O. Thacher, Harrison 
 G. Otis, James Perkins, Samuel Dexter, Richard Sullivan, Josiah Quincy, 
 John Richards. 
 
 t Officers elected in 1816, — President, John Lowell; — Vice-President, 
 Josiah Quincy ; — Treasurer, Nathan Appleton ; — Secretary and Librarian, 
 William S. Shaw ; — Trustees, John Davis, Harrison G. Otis, Richard Sul- 
 livan, Peter O. Thacher, James Perkins, Joseph Tilden, John Richards, 
 Robert H. Gardiner.
 
 60 HISTORY OF 
 
 Iiim a greater confidence in respect to his discharge of the 
 formal and mechanical part of his, duties, than the state of 
 his general health and temperament justified. During 
 these years, the records of the Trustees appear to have 
 been neghgently kept, and their meetings not regularly 
 entered or authenticated. 
 
 The Proprietors were awakened from this state of in- 
 activity and mattention, by a special meeting called by the 
 authority of the President, on the 20th of January, 1818 ; 
 when it appeared, that no annual meeting had been held in 
 August, 1817, conformably to the by-laws of the institution 
 and the provisions of the charter, and that the tenure, by 
 which the officers held their respective places, had termi- 
 nated -svith the year after their election. To remedy this 
 difficulty, it was voted, that the by-laws should be so altered 
 as to make the term of future officers to continue " until 
 others were chosen in their stead." A new article was 
 adopted, providing that meetings of the proprietors might 
 be called by the President, or, in the case of his absence 
 or death, by the Vice-President, or, in Uke case as to him, 
 by any two of the Trustees, and that at such meetings the 
 proprietors should have power to proceed to the election of 
 officers or the transaction of other business, "as if the 
 meetmg had been held pursuant to the by-laws at the 
 times fixed and appomted for such meetmgs." By a 
 second article, a Sub-Librarian was to be appoiuted with 
 power, in the absence of the Librarian, to perform all the 
 duties of the Librarian, and also such other duties as the 
 Trustees might assign him. 
 
 It was made the duty of the Sub-Librarian to procure 
 the minutes of the Trustees and of the Proprietors, to cause 
 the same to be regularly entered upon the records, and 
 also to execute the duties of the Secretary in the absence 
 of that officer. A vote was passed, declaring that the
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 61 
 
 oflBcers chosen at tMs meeting should hold their offices until 
 the first Monday in January, 1818, and that thenceforth 
 the annual meeting of the Proprietors should be on that 
 day of the year. 
 
 At the election which then ensued, all the late officers 
 were reelected ; and Mr. Lowell, President of the institu- 
 tion, was appointed to apply to the legislature of Massa- 
 chusetts, for a resolve ratifying these proceedings of the 
 proprietors. In conformity with the new law, Micah W. 
 Hill was chosen Sub-Librarian.
 
 62 HISTORY OF 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 REVIVAL OF THE INSTITUTION UNDER THE VIGOROUS ADMINISTRA- 
 TION OF JOHN LOWELL MEASURES ADOPTED FOR OBTAINING A 
 
 NEW BUILDING DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY OF SUCCESS RE- 
 LIEVED BY THE LIBERALITY OF JAMES PERKINS THE OFFER OF 
 
 HIS MANSION-HOUSE, IN PEARL STREET — THE PRINCIPLES OF THAT 
 OFFER — ITS ACCEPTANCE AND THE REMOVAL OF THE INSTITUTION 
 THE DEATH AND CHARACTER OF THIS BENEFACTOR. 
 
 The return of peace, and of consequent confidence and 
 enterprise, infused a new spirit of efficiency into the manage- 
 ment of the institution, and this period constitutes an event- 
 ful era in its history. Henceforth, the records of the 
 meetings both of the Proprietors and of the Trustees were 
 regularly kept and authenticated, and a vivid interest in 
 its progress began to be created. The legislature of Mas- 
 sachusetts, on the 21st of January, 1818, passed the resolve, 
 sanctioning the doings of the proprietors, which Mr. LoweU 
 had been appointed to solicit ; and the Trustees, in con- 
 formity with the spirit by which the board was now actuated, 
 at their first meeting, in February ensuing, appointed a 
 committee to confer with Mr. Shaw on the subject of coins 
 and medals, and to ascertain what had been presented to 
 the proprietors, and what were only deposited in the 
 Athenaeum by himself or others, in order to their arrange- 
 ment and preservation. Measures were also taken to ascer- 
 tain, by a conference with liim, " the state of the valuable 
 pamphlets, from time to time deposited in the Athenaeum 
 by the indefatigable care and attention of Mr. Shaw," the 
 object being to have those which were the property of the
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 63 
 
 Athenaeum distinguislied and kept separate from those 
 claimed by him. Votes were passed, directing inquiry into 
 the state of the late donations and deposits of books, — into 
 the expediency of continuing to receive such temporary 
 deposits, — into the connection which the Athenaeum held 
 with the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and 
 with the Massachusetts Agricultural Society, that such 
 conditions might be made as to render it mutually beneficial, 
 — and into the propriety of selling or exchanging duphcate 
 books. The regular receipt of English, French, and Amer- 
 ican journals of science and hterature was provided for, and 
 attention was given to the state of the Catalogue. 
 
 At this meeting, also, a vote was passed, authorizing the 
 President to issue to Dr. Kirkland a certificate of a share 
 in the Athenaeum, in consideration of the great services 
 rendered by him to the institution. Several other votes 
 tending to the improvement, enlargement, and increased 
 usefulness of the Athenaeum, indicated a settled intention 
 to give it a fresh impulse and a renewed activity. Its priv- 
 ileges were now extended gratuitously to the consuls of 
 foreign nations, when not natives of the United States. 
 
 At a meeting in March ensuing, the Trustees took meas- 
 sures towards erecting a building on the land they owned 
 in Tremont Street, appointing a committee to procure a 
 plan, and to consider the best mode of efiectmg subscrip- 
 tions, or of procuring other means, for its execution. 
 
 Great difficulties were found in bringing Mr. ShaAv to a 
 settlement, partly from the state of his health, and partly 
 from his habitual dilatoriness in relation to pecuniary con- 
 cerns. There was in his temperament, united to a regard- 
 lessness of his own interests, a love of ease, which nothing 
 could awaken to activity, but the desire to collect books, 
 pamphlets, and articles useful and desirable for the Athe- 
 naeum, which he continued unwearied m obtaining and
 
 64 HISTORY OF 
 
 adding to its stores, with little apparent solicitude that what 
 was bought with his own funds should be discriminated 
 from what was derived from the bounty of others. There 
 was in INIr. Shaw nothing of vain-glory, and, of all men, 
 he was the last to desire to appropriate to himself other 
 men's benefactions ; but, through habit, his happiness be- 
 coming inseparably united with the Athengeum, his only 
 thought was for its success. Of fame, or of pecuniary con- 
 sequences to himself, he was equally regardless. At the 
 meeting of the Trustees in April, a committee was appoint- 
 ed to receive and examine his accounts against the insti- 
 tution. The injunction to obtain a settlement with him, 
 with full authority to aUow any balance due to him, was 
 repeated at the meetings in April, May, and July ; but 
 the year passed away Arithout success. 
 
 IVIr. Shaw having thus, for more than ten years, been in 
 the habit of receiving books, coins, and medals, by donation 
 or by purchasing them with his own money, and having cast 
 the whole into the common stock, he found the attempt, to 
 him, hopeless, and shrunk from the labor and exertion neces- 
 sary, to discriminate and state them ; and he delayed to 
 respond to all sohcitations on the subject. On the other 
 hand, the Trustees, who daily witnessed the zeal and dili- 
 gence with which he pursued every object he deemed 
 important to be acquired, either by soHcitation or purchase, 
 were unwilling to take measm-es that might possibly offend 
 him, and deprive the Athenaeum of his disinterested efforts. 
 They thought it better to acquiesce in the consequences of 
 his natural temperament, than to do any thing which should 
 separate the most efficient founder and best patron of the 
 institution from it, hi point either of feeling or exertion. 
 And, after repeated trials, they abandoned the endeavour, 
 which the increasing constitutional infirmities of Mr. Shaw 
 rendered daily more and more hopeless of success.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 65 
 
 Although no final settlement was ever obtained from him, 
 the embarrassments arising from the reciprocal claims of 
 his estate and the Athenasmn were honorably reheved, as 
 will hereafter be stated, by the generosity of his brother-in- 
 law and administrator, the Rev, jNIr. Felt. 
 
 The American Academy of Arts and Sciences having, in 
 April, 1817, deposited its library in one of the principal 
 chambers of the Athengeiun, a formal agreement was con- 
 cluded in May, 1818, that it should remain there, under 
 the general care of the ofl&cers of the Athenaeum, but sub- 
 ject to the supervision of the Librarian of the Academy. It 
 was agreed that the subscribers to the Athenaeum should 
 have the use of the books, which, however, were not to be 
 taken out of the room except by members of the Academy. 
 The latter were to have free access to the hbrary, and hb- 
 erty to hold there the meetings of the Academy. For these 
 privileges, the Academy was to pay fifty dollars a year to 
 the Athenaeum, the proprietors of which were not to be 
 responsible for any loss of the books, or damage done to 
 them. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the proprietors in January, 
 1819, the officers of the preceding year were reelected, 
 except that David Sears was chosen Trustee in the place of 
 Mr. Gardiner, who had resigned.* 
 
 The contracted limits of the estate on Tremont Street 
 began about tliis time to create a repugnance La many 
 interested m the institution to building an edifice for its 
 accommodation in that place ; and the proprietors, at a 
 meeting on the 18th of January, appointed John Lowell, 
 Josiah Quincy, and John Richards, a committee to take into 
 
 * Officers elected in 1819, — President, John Lowell; — Vice-President, 
 Josiah Q,uinc}- ; — Treasurer, Nathan Applelon ; — Secretary and Librarian, 
 William S. Shaw ; — Assistant Librarian, Micah W. Hill ; — Trustees, John 
 Davis, Harrison G. Otis, Richard Sullivan, John Richards, James Perkins, 
 Peter O. Thacher, Joseph Tilden, David Sears. 
 9
 
 66 HISTORY OF 
 
 consideration the pui'chase of another site, to ascertain the 
 terms on which it could be obtained^ -with the practicabihty 
 of procuring a new subscription sufficient for such purchase, 
 and to call a meeting on the subject, whenever they were 
 prepared to report. 
 
 In January, 1819, at a meeting of the Trustees, a pre- 
 viously appointed committee reported on the state of the 
 Library, that it was " in perfect order," and that the affairs 
 of the corporation had been satisfactorily conducted. They 
 stated, that the whole number of volumes, belonging to the 
 AtheniBum, was eleven thousand nine hundred and fifty- 
 eight, besides seven thousand and five hundred volmnes 
 deposited by the American Academy and by individuals ; 
 that alcove catalogues had been prepared, which greatly 
 facihtated the examination of the Library ; that the resort 
 of citizens and strangers to the Athenaeum was never 
 greater ; that the number of annual subscribers, which, in 
 1816, was only fifteen, now amounted to forty-five ; that 
 nimierous donations had been made to the Library ; — all 
 indicating a growing interest in the institution, and its 
 popularity. 
 
 At the suggestion of this committee, the Trustees now 
 took measures " to collect and arrange the corns and me- 
 dals," and also " to communicate to the pubHc information 
 of the value of the Library in its various departments of 
 literature, science, and the arts." " Such communica- 
 tions," said the committee, " would tend to keep ahve the 
 public attention, and to animate the friends of the Athe- 
 ngeum to add to the value of this great treasure of ancient 
 and modern learning. They may tend likewise to dispose 
 the minds of the commmiity to assist in erecting a building 
 for the accommodation of the institution in its various de- 
 partments, accordmg to the plan of the original founders." 
 " A new one is requii-ed for the safe keeping and for the
 
 THE BOSTON ATHElST^IJjVI. 67 
 
 due exhibition of the books, charts, engravings, &c. ; for 
 the convenience of the proprietors, subscribers, and nume- 
 rous visiters ; and as a monument of the taste and munifi- 
 cence of a town, which has become, by the spirit of its 
 citizens, the favorite residence of learning, freedom, and 
 benevolence/' 
 
 In October, the Standing Committee were authorized to 
 admit, at their discretion, any of the regular clergy of Bos- 
 ton to the privileges of the Athenaeum. 
 
 At the annual meeting, in 1820, Mr, Lowell having 
 resigned the presidency, a new arrangement of the officers 
 took place, but the same individuals were retained in the 
 board.* 
 
 The committee on the state of the institution reported, 
 that it was highly satisfactory ; that the interest of the 
 pubUc and the munificence of individuals had evidently in- 
 creased ; that the whole number of volumes belonging to 
 the Athenoeum now amounted to twelve thousand six hun- 
 dred and forty-seven ; that the whole number of volumes 
 collected under its roof, available for the use of the propri- 
 etors and subscribers, was nearly twenty thousand; and 
 that more than fom- hundred volumes had been added to 
 the Library, by the hberal donations of numerous indi- 
 viduals. 
 
 On the 21st of January, 1820, the legislature of the 
 State of New York passed an act authorizmg the Secretary 
 of State to cause "to be delivered to the Athengeum of 
 the town of Boston, a copy of the laws of this State hereto- 
 fore passed," and also " a copy of the laws to he hereafter 
 
 * Officers elected in 1820, — President, Josiah Quincy; — Vice-President, 
 James Perkins ; — Treasurer, Nathan Appleton ; — Secretary and Idlrarian, 
 William S. Shaw; — Assistant Librarian, Micah W. Hill; — Trustees, John 
 Davis, John Lowell, Harrison G. Otis, Richard Sullivan, John Richards, Peter 
 O. Thacber, Joseph Tilden, David Sears.
 
 68 HISTORY OP 
 
 passed at each succeeding session of the legislature.''^ This 
 event called forth an appropriate acknowledgment from the 
 Trustees at the tune, and deserves to be specially commem- 
 orated for the wisdom of the example it affords to other 
 public bodies, in seeking appropriate places of deposit for a 
 continuous series of documents, Avhich are all-important as 
 elements of history, but can hardly be preserved complete, 
 except in the custody of public institutions. 
 
 At the annual meeting in January, 1821, no other 
 change took place in the board of Trustees, except that, on 
 the resignation of James Perkms, Theodore Lyman, Jr. 
 was elected to supply the vacancy.* At this meeting, the 
 Trustees were authorized to appoint a committee, consisting 
 of sLx of the Trustees and six of the 'Proprietors, for the 
 purpose of examining the Library and the state of the insti- 
 tution, in the month of December annually, and to make 
 a report to the proprietors in the January ensuing. 
 
 During this and the preceding year, no busmess had 
 been transacted, except such as was incidental to the gen- 
 eral care of the property of the institution. The inade- 
 quacy of its resources to its wants, the narrow limits of its 
 house in Tremont Street, and the impracticabihty of erecting 
 any satisfactory edifice on the scanty land there belonging 
 to it, were universally felt and lamented by the proprietors ; 
 but the attempt to obtam funds for remedying the evil 
 seemed quite hopeless. In December of this year, relief 
 came in a way wholly unanticipated. About the middle of 
 the month, a confidential communication was made to the 
 President of the institution by John Lowell, who stated 
 
 * Officers elected ia 1821, — President, Josiah Quincy; — Vice-President, 
 John Richards; — Treasurer, Nathan Appleton ; — Secretary and Librarian, 
 William S. Shaw ; — Assistant hihrarian, Joseph Backus; — Trustees, John 
 Davis, Harrison G. Otis, Richard Sullivan, Peter O. Thachcr, Joseph Tilden 
 David Sears, John Lowell, Theodore Lyman, Jr.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHENiEUM. 69 
 
 that a gentleman, with a liberality as enlarged as his for- 
 tune was ample, was prepared to make a donation to the 
 institution of a mansion-house, with land adjoining, adequate 
 to aD the pm-poses of the Athen?eum, pro\ddcd the site 
 were acceptable to the proprietors, and the terms on Avliich 
 the grant would be made shoidd be acceded to by them. 
 A meeting of the Trustees was, in conse({uence, immediately 
 called by the President, on the 20th of December, 1821 ; 
 and by their vote a special meeting of the proprietors was 
 summoned to be held on the 26th, " to consider whether 
 the Trustees shall be authorized to erect a new edifice on 
 the site now owned by the proprietors, or to sell or exchange 
 the same, and to purchase or procure any other site or 
 edifice witliin the tovai ;" and, in the mean time, three of 
 the Trustees were appointed a committee, jMr. Lowell being 
 chairman, " to soHcit subscriptions for these purposes." 
 
 The proprietors, at the meeting thus called, unanimously 
 " authorized and requested the Trustees to endeavour to 
 make the pm-chase referred to by Mr. Lowell, in his verbal 
 communication, if they are satisfied that the terms men- 
 tioned by him can be obtained;" and further authorized 
 them " to sell or mortgage the estate of the corporation, 
 and to pledge any part of its funds, to procure the purchase 
 money ; and also to sell any new shares in the corporation, 
 not exceeding one hundred." In the terms of the original 
 subscription, made in 1807, it was specifically stated, as an 
 article of compact, that the number of shares should not ex- 
 ceed one hundred and fifty. Mr. Lowell, however, in the 
 year 1818, during his presidency, anticipating the necessity 
 of soon enlarging the number of proprietors, had taken the 
 precaution to submit to every indi\ddual proprietor a writing, 
 by wliich it was agreed that, for the purpose of erecting a new 
 and more commodious edifice, the Trustees might increase 
 the number of shares to an amount not exceeding one hun-
 
 70 HISTORY OF 
 
 dred and fifty. To this agreement, which is now extant in 
 the archives of the Athenoeum, the. signatures of the own- 
 ers of one hundred and seventeen shares were affixed ; 
 which, there bemg no objection to the measure, were 
 deemed a sufficient authority for passing the above-mention- 
 ed vote by the proprietors present. 
 
 The Trustees, at a meeting hoklen the same day, 
 appomted a committee to carry mto effect the vote of 
 the proprietors. For some httle time, the importance of 
 purchasing an estate adjoining that which had been so 
 generously given, and the delays mcident to the examination 
 of titles and adjusting the terms of the donation, postponed 
 a communication to the proprietors "of its exact nature and 
 of the name of the donor. It was soon, however, announced, 
 that the Athenaeum was indebted for the munificent gift of 
 his mansion-house, in Pearl-Street, valued in the Treasur- 
 er's books at the sum of twenty thousand dollars, to James 
 Perkuis, Esq. His motives, as expressed in the deed of 
 conveyance, were, " a consideration of the importance of 
 the difi"usion of knowledge to the hberty and happiness of 
 any community, and of the beneficial effects of pubhc libra- 
 ries and reading-rooms to promote this important end, "and, 
 also, " a special regard to the Boston Athenaeum, which was 
 founded, and has been hitherto supported, on these princi- 
 ples ;" and the only conditions of a general natui-e inserted 
 in the mstrument were, that " no part of the estate herein 
 conveyed shall ever hereafter be used as a tavern, hotel, 
 boarding-house, hvery stable, or for any other pubhc use, 
 except for a hterary institution ; it not being my intention 
 to preclude the use of it as a private dwelling-house, though 
 it is my wish and expectation, in making the grant, that it 
 may be always improved for public hterary purposes ; but it 
 is not my wish to bind the corporation, in all future times, 
 to retain that estate for the purposes of an Athenaeum,
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 71 
 
 whenever three fourths of the proprietors may thmk it for 
 the interest of the institution to place it in some other 
 situation." 
 
 The Uberahty of the terms, as well as the amount of the 
 benefaction, is characteristic of the donor. James Per- 
 kins had been for several years a Trustee and Vice-Presi- 
 dent of the Athen^um ; — he had perceived its wants, and 
 was disposed, from personal feeling as well as on general 
 grounds, to advance its interests. His donation was an era 
 m the progress of the institution, and gave a decisive stimu- 
 lus to its friends and the community in aiding its advance- 
 ment. While his name was concealed from the pubhc, for 
 the reasons above alluded to, the desire of discovering the 
 secret was intense ; and the Tmstees passed a vote, that 
 " the committee, with Mr. Lowell, be authorized to sohcit 
 the disclosure of the means by which the estate proposed to 
 be conveyed to the Athenaeum has been offered, with per- 
 mission to give to the pubhc the true state of facts, m order 
 that an act of such unexampled munificence may have its 
 due effect hi promoting among our citizens a spuit of 
 emulation, and thus fostering, by the most efl&cacious means, 
 our pubhc institutions, hterary, philosophic, and rehgious." 
 They also immediately took measures for preparing the 
 estate thus generously given, and the adjoining one, which 
 had been purchased, for the reception of the Library. 
 
 At the annual meetmg of the Proprietors, in January, 
 1822, the joint committee of the Trustees and Proprietors 
 made their report upon the condition of the Library and of 
 the institution generally. It had been prepared before they 
 were apprized of the noble gift of James Perkins, and its 
 statements represent the condition of the institution before 
 any effect had been produced by that donation. Con- 
 cerning the Library, it stated that no loss of books had 
 been sustained during the past year, and that the whole
 
 72 HISTORY OF 
 
 number belonging to the proprietors amounted to tivelve 
 thousand five hundred and five, beside duplicates. The 
 committee continued to represent the necessity of new 
 accommodations, the crowded condition of the books, the 
 difficulty of access to them, the importance of resorting to 
 the munificence of individuals, and the discouragement to 
 donations, when, from the contracted condition of the edi- 
 fice, they were me vital )ly condemned to obscurity ; and 
 they concluded with earnestly recommending to the pro- 
 prietors the attempt to raise funds either by subscription 
 or by the sale of new shares. The financial condition of 
 the Athenasum, at the end of the year 1821, was stated to 
 be as follows : 
 
 In various public stocks, at their cash 
 
 value and in casli, $13,470-00 
 
 The real estate of the Corporation, at its 
 
 cost, 10,075-18 
 
 Books at their actual cost, 15,411-90 
 
 $38,957-08 
 The numl^er of shares was now only one hundred and 
 twenty-four. Such Avas the unpromising state of the affairs 
 of the institution when the hand of Mr. Perkins was ex- 
 tended to its relief. 
 
 At an adjournment of this annual meeting, the former 
 officers were reelected, and EdAvard Everett, Francis C. 
 Gray, Amos Lawrence, and Charles Jackson Avere chosen 
 to supply the places of John Davis, Harrison G. Otis, 
 Richard Sullivan, and John LoAvell, Avho had resigned their 
 seats at the board of Trustees.* 
 
 * Officers chosen in 1822, — President, Josiah Quincy ; — Vice-President, 
 John Richards ; — Treamircr, Nathan Appleton ; — Secretary and Librarian, 
 William S. Shaw ; — Assistant Librarian, Joseph Backus; — Trustees, Peter 
 O. Thacher. Theodore Lyman, Jr., David Sears, Joseph Tildcn, Edward 
 Everett, Francis C. Gray, Amos Lawrence, Charles Jackson.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHENiEUM. 73 
 
 At the same time, the Trustees were authorized, if they 
 deemed that the interests of the institution required it, to 
 put the office of Librarian into commission ; which they did 
 on a communication by the President of a letter from Mr. 
 Shaw, expressing a wish, on account of the state of liis 
 health, that such a measure should be adopted. Octavius 
 Pickering was accordingly appouited to take charge of the 
 Library as Commissioner. An entire new code of by-laws, 
 having been prepared by the Trustees and submitted to the 
 Proprietors, was adopted by them in February of this year 
 (1822). An abstract of it is here given, as exhibiting the 
 spirit of the institution at this date. 
 
 "RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE BOSTON 
 ATHEN^UM. 
 
 "CHAPTER I. 
 " MEETINGS, ELECTIONS, AND DUTIES OF OFFICEKS. 
 
 " § 1. Annual meetings of the Proprietors to be held on the 
 first Monday of January, at five o'clock, P. M. — 2. Five days' 
 notice of the annual meeting to be given by the Secretary in 
 two Boston newspapers, and also by a printed billet sent to 
 each proprietor. Any meeting may be continued by adjourn- 
 ment, the Secretary giving one day's notice in one newspaper. 
 — 3. Officers to be chosen by ballot at the annual meeting, 
 viz. a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and nine Trustees, 
 (all to be proprietors,) also a Corresponding and Recording 
 Secretary ; to continue in office till a new election, which, if 
 omitted at the annual meeting, may take place at any other 
 legal meeting of the proprietors. — 4. The President, Vice- 
 President, and Treasurer to be ex officio members of the board 
 of Trustees, which may appoint a Secretary, but must keep a 
 record of its proceedings. — 5. The President to preside at 
 proprietors' meetings ; or, in his absence, the Vice-President ; 
 or, in his absence, one of the proprietors, specially chosen. — 
 
 10
 
 74 HISTORY OF 
 
 6. Meetings of the Trustees to be held quarterly on the second 
 Monday of January, April, July, and October, at six o'clock, 
 P. M, Special meetings of the Trustees may be called by the 
 President, Vice-President, or Standing Committee. Three 
 days' notice of all meetings of the Trustees to be given by the 
 Secretary to each member of the board in a printed billet. 
 Five Trustees to be a quorum for business. — 7. The Trustees, 
 at their first meeting in January, or as soon after as may be, 
 to choose, for the year, a Librarian, and, if deemed necessary, 
 a Sub-Librarian ; and to fix their compensation. — 8. The 
 Trustees to manage all the affairs of the institution, in a man- 
 ner not repugnant to the terms of subscription, or to any stand- 
 ing regulation adopted by the proprietors at a regular meeting. 
 Regulations adopted by the Trustees to be in force until they 
 are submitted to the decision of the proprietors at their next 
 meeting. — 9. The Trustees, at their discretion, may call a 
 meeting of the proprietors, to be notified in the same manner 
 as the annual meeting. — 10. The Trustees, at each quarterly 
 meeting, to choose three of their number, as a Standing Com- 
 mittee for the immediate management of the institution, who 
 are to continue in office till a new election (one of them in- 
 specting the Athenaeum three times each week), and to report 
 their proceedings at the quarterly meetings. — 11. The Trustees 
 to direct the purchase of books, which they may do by a com- 
 mittee. — 12. The officers, except the Librarian and Sub-Li- 
 brarian, to serve without pay or emolument. 
 
 "CHAPTER n. 
 
 " DUTIES OF THE TREASURER. 
 
 " § 1*3. He is to keep an account of the property, and of all 
 receipts and expenditures ; to make a statement of the same 
 to the proprietors at the annual meeting, and to the Trustees 
 whenever they require it ; and he is to pay no money but by 
 order of the Trustees, or of the majority of the Standing Com- 
 mittee, acting under such rules as the Trustees may adopt.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHENiEUM. 75 
 
 "CHAPTER m. 
 " DUTIES OF THE SECKETART. 
 
 "§ 14. He is to record without delay the proceedings of the 
 Proprietors and of the Trustees, as also the reports made to 
 each body (unless otherwise directed), in separate books, 
 which he is to bring to all meetings. He is to exhibit his 
 record to the Standing Committee as soon as possible after 
 each meeting, and is to preserve on file all letters and docu- 
 ments belonging to his department. — 15. He is to report to the 
 Standing Committee all letters received by him in his official 
 capacity, and all other matters, of his cognizance, relating to 
 the institution. — 16. He is to take receipts for all certificates 
 or tickets, delivered to proprietors or others, in a book for that 
 purpose. 
 
 "CHAPTER rV. 
 " DUTIES OF THE LIBRARIAN AND SUB-LIBRARIAN. 
 
 " § 17. The Librarian is to arrange and preserve the books 
 and other property placed in the rooms, and to make cata- 
 logues of them ; to see that the rules of the Library and other 
 rooms are observed ; to do all other official duties assigned by 
 the Trustees ; and to be paid a stated salary determined by 
 them. — 18, He is to report to the Standing Committee all 
 donations, all letters received, and all other matters, of his 
 cognizance, concerning the institution. — 19. He is to report 
 any offence against good order to the Standing Committee, 
 who may suspend the privileges of the offender till the case is 
 submitted to the Trustees at their next meeting. — 20. The 
 Sub-Librarian is charged with all the duties of the Librarian in 
 his absence, or whenever the office is vacant. 
 
 "CHAPTER V. 
 " RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF PROPRIETORS AND SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 " <^ 21. Proprietors and life subscribers are to be furnished 
 with sealed certificates of their property, signed by the Presi- 
 dent and Secretary, in a form to be prescribed by the Trustees.
 
 76 HISTORY OF 
 
 — 22. Proprietors and subscribers are each to be furnished with 
 a ticket, signed by the President or Vice-President, and by the 
 Secretary, in a form to be prescribed by the Trustees. — 
 23. Each proprietor is entitled to two transferable tickets 
 (besides his own), valid during his proprietorship. — 24. No 
 transfer of a share is valid, till written evidence of it is lodged 
 with the Secretary, the old certificate being first given up, or 
 shown to be lost. For the benefit of the institution, two dollars 
 are to be received by the Secretary for each transfer. — 25. A 
 transfer of a ticket, in order to be valid, must be for not less 
 than a year, and must be recorded by the Secretary in a book 
 for the purpose. — 26. Proprietors and life subscribers may in- 
 troduce, personally or by writing, any stranger whose home is 
 not within twenty miles of Boston, the name of the stranger and 
 that of the introducer (who is held responsible for the observ- 
 ance of the rules) being entered together in a book for the 
 purpose. Any number of persons, accompanying a proprietor 
 or life subscriber, may be admitted. — 27. Any proprietor or 
 subscriber, injuring the property or breaking the rules, is to be 
 excluded by the Standing Committee till the case is acted upon 
 by the Trustees at their next meeting. — 28. Visiters holding 
 a transferred ticket, and annual subscribers, must sign an en- 
 gagement not to remove from the rooms, nor to injure, any 
 article of property ; and not to violate any rule, on penalty of 
 the legal forfeitures. — 29. Rights and shares in the institu- 
 tion are indivisible. 
 
 "CHAPTER VI. 
 
 " ADMISSION TO THE KOOMS. 
 
 " § 30. The Trustees may give tickets of admission to per- 
 sons residing out of Boston, who have made a donation to the 
 amount of fifty dollars. — 31. The Trustees, or a majority of 
 the Standing Committee, may give tickets to the clergy of 
 Boston. — 32. The Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Council, 
 Senate, and House of Representatives ; the Judges of the Su- 
 preme Court and of the United States' Courts ; the Presidents
 
 THE BOSTON ATHENiEUM. 77 
 
 and Professors of Harvard College and of the Andover Theo- 
 logical Institution ; the Presidents of the American Academy, 
 of the Massachusetts Historical, Medical, and Agricultural So- 
 cieties, of the Salem Athenaeum, and of the East India Marine 
 Society, shall be honorary members of the institution. — 
 33. The Tutors, other officers, and resident graduates of Har- 
 vard College and of the Andover Theological Institution may 
 use the library and reading-room. 
 
 "CHAPTER Vn. 
 
 " MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES. 
 
 " § 34. The rooms are to be kept open every day except 
 Sunday, till 9 o'clock, P. M. ; from 6 o'clock, A. M. in June, 
 July and August, and from 8 o'clock, A. M. during the rest of 
 the year. The Trustees may direct them to be kept open at 
 other times. — 35. New books to be kept on the tables long 
 enough for their perusal. — 36. No book or other article to be 
 carried out of the rooms on any pretext. Offenders, if propri- 
 etors, forfeit their rights for one year ; if annual subscribers, 
 their subscription. — 37. A complete Catalogue of all books 
 and pamphlets to be kept in the rooms. — 38. Conversation in 
 the reading-room not allowed, — 39. Stationery for taking 
 notes to be furnished by the institution. — 40. Any proprie- 
 tor or subscriber may propose the purchase of any book, in a 
 record-book kept for that purpose. — 41. Donors' names to be 
 inscribed in or upon books given, as the Trustees may direct. — 
 42. All donations of books or other property to be recorded 
 in a book kept by the Secretary for that purpose, and donations 
 to be published on a tablet suspended in the principal reading- 
 room. — 43. Donations to be applied according to the wish of 
 the donor, if expressed ; otherwise at the discretion of the 
 Trustees. — 44. No article, not the property of the Athenaeum, 
 to be deposited in the rooms, unless accepted by the Trustees, 
 and at the owner's risk. — 45. Annual subscribers admitted 
 for eighteen dollars, on such conditions as the Trustees may 
 settle. No subscription for less than a year. Subscription
 
 78 HISTORY OF 
 
 money to be paid to the Librarian, or, in his absence, to the 
 Sub-Librarian, who will account to the Treasurer. — 46. An 
 annual examination of the institution to be made, at least fifteen 
 days before the annual meeting, by a committee, appointed by 
 the Trustees, of six Trustees and six Proprietors, who are to 
 report at the annual meeting on all its concerns except those 
 of the Treasurer's department. — 47, All former by-laws re- 
 pealed, saving the recovery of penalties incurred under them." 
 
 In the month of June, 1822, the books and other 
 property of the institution were removed from the house in 
 Tremont Street to the newly acquired building in Pearl 
 Street. The newspapers and periodical publications were 
 arranged in the reading-room ; the scientific journals, and 
 the volumes of newspapers were placed in separate apart- 
 ments, so as best to facilitate reference ; the books were 
 distributed into twelve principal classes, each class occupy- 
 ing one room. Those classes were distributed into as many 
 minor divisions as the subjects rendered necessary, each 
 minor division occupying one case. This arrangement was 
 deemed proper by the Trustees, having reference to per- 
 manent utility, notwithstanding that the deficiency of books 
 in many of the classes gave to some of the cases and rooms 
 a naked appearance. Means of ready access to the books 
 was thus furnished to the proprietors and subscribers, and 
 means of ready arrangement in their respective classes as 
 the number of books increased. This, the Trustees confi- 
 dently anticipated, would amount to eighty or one hundred 
 thousand volumes in the course of the present century. 
 
 At the same time, the Trustees took measures to have a 
 new Catalogue of the Library prepared under their super- 
 intendence ; and to number the rooms, the cases, and the 
 shelves, for facilitating classification and research. 
 
 James Perkins did not long survive to Avitness the estab-
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 79 
 
 lishment and flourishing of the institution in the new seat 
 which his bounty had provided for it. At his death, which 
 occurred on the first day of August of this year, a meet- 
 ing of the Trustees was immediately called, and a vote 
 was unanimously passed, expressive of their sorrow at the 
 event, and declaring that " they are deeply impressed with 
 the great and numerous services which that distinguished 
 gentleman and merchant had rendered to the community 
 at large, and, in particular, they shall always remember 
 with pecuhar gratitude and delight that act of remarkable 
 munificence to which this institution is indebted for its 
 present spacious and splendid accommodations." Desirous 
 of showing their respect to the memory of Mr. Perkins, 
 they asked permission of the family to be present at his 
 funeral, which they attended. They also appointed a com- 
 mittee to cause a portrait of their benefactor to be copied 
 by Gilbert Stuart, from his original painting in the posses- 
 sion of Mrs. Perkins, for which the sum of three hundred 
 dollars was appropriated. 
 
 It appears from the record of a subsequent meeting of 
 the Proprietors, that all these proceedings of the Trustees 
 received their hearty sanction, but that the appropriation 
 for the payment of the artist had become unnecessary, a 
 sum adequate for that object having been readily subscribed 
 by several of the Proprietors. 
 
 The gift of Mr. Perkins to the Athenaeum was so timely, 
 so munificent, and so decisive in stamping it with the char- 
 acter of a permanent public institution, that his name de- 
 serves to be held in honorable association with those of 
 the founders, whose design he did so much to carry out. 
 The events of his life, and the prominent features of his 
 mind, will ever be natural objects of grateful inquiry to 
 the future friends of the Athenaeum ; and it is deemed 
 no unfitting tribute to his memory, to perpetuate, in this
 
 80 HISTORY OF 
 
 history, the following obituary notice, which appeared, soon 
 after his death, in one of the public journals of Boston,* and 
 in wliich his virtues and fortunes are happily and faithfully 
 delineated by one, who was well acquainted with both. 
 
 "THE LATE JAMES PERKINS, ESQ. 
 
 " The character of Mr. Perkins, whose loss we have just 
 been called to deplore, is too well known to his friends and 
 the community to need an elaborate eulogium. It was, 
 however, so strongly marked with the most valuable quali- 
 ties, as to demand this tribute of respect from those who 
 survive him. Mr. Perkins was certainly the last man who 
 would himself have wished for posthumous commendation, 
 and there is none whose delicacy would sooner have been 
 alarmed at the proposal of it. We owe it, however, to our- 
 selves, to show that we were not insensible to his worth, 
 and that we are not indifferent to his loss. And while his 
 real and most eloquent eulogy is to be sought in the course 
 of an industrious, honorable, and most useful Ufe, it is due 
 to the virtues he practised, to the example he set, to the 
 noble standard of character on which he acted, not to be 
 entirely silent, now that nothing remains of them but their 
 honored memory. 
 
 " Mr. Perkins very early engaged in commercial pur- 
 suits. He had received in boyhood, under the care of an 
 excellent mother, the preparatory instruction which might 
 have fitted him for an academical education ; but the ap- 
 proach of the revolutionary war, and the discouraging 
 aspect of the times, dictated the commercial career as the 
 more prudent. It is in the remembrance of his early 
 friends, that Mr. Perkins, while a boy, distinguished him- 
 self as the commander of a mihtary company composed of 
 
 * The " Boston Daily Advertiser," for August 6th, 1822.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 81 
 
 his playfellows, whose manoeuvres attracted the notice of 
 the officers of the British garrison here, for their soldier-hke 
 precision ; and it is worthy of remark, that many of the 
 members of this youthful corps became officers of note and 
 merit in the revolutionary war. The inclination of their 
 youthful commander pointed him to the army ; but, being 
 controlled in this by his only surviving parent, he was 
 placed in the counting-house of the Messrs. Shattuck. 
 He gave an early and striking indication of his aptitude for 
 commercial pursuits by the zeal with which he engaged, 
 of his own motion, in the study of the method of double 
 entry (then but httle known in this country), which had 
 accidentally attracted his notice, and which, though but an 
 apprentice, he introduced, at his own request, into the 
 books of the house in which he was placed. Scarcely was 
 he of age when he established himself in business in St. 
 Domingo, toward the close of the revolutionary war, where 
 he remained till the troubles in that colony began. Having 
 been forced to escape in the night from the country-house 
 of the Marquis de Rouvray, in whose family he was an 
 inmate, he took refuge at Fort Dauphin, and shortly re- 
 turned to his native town. It deserves, perhaps, to be 
 particularized, as a mark of the promptness of commercial 
 enterprise which distinguished him, that he was on board 
 and intrusted with the Charlotte, wliich formed the leading 
 case in the captures made at that time by the British govern- 
 ment, and which was tried and condemned at Antigua, for 
 pursuing in time of war a colonial trade not lawful in peace. 
 Returned to Boston, and united in a commercial house 
 with his brother, Mr. Thomas H= Perkins, now the senior 
 surviving partner, Mr. Perkins engaged extensively in the 
 trade to the North-west coast and to Canton. Of the 
 former trade, well known to have been almost exclusively 
 in the hands of the merchants of the Northern and Middle 
 11
 
 82 HISTORY OF 
 
 States of America, as great a portion was probably con- 
 ducted by the Messrs. Perkins, as -by any other house ; and 
 it may perhaps be safely stated, that, down to the present 
 day, no private commercial house in the world has been 
 more extensively engaged in the trade to Canton. In the 
 duties devolving upon the house by these extensive trans- 
 actions, Mr. Perkins ever bore a full share, and was dis- 
 tinguished at once for the large scale on which his operations 
 were planned, and for the remarkable and ever anxious 
 precision with which he superintended their smallest details. 
 To go more minutely into particulars, though it would furn- 
 ish many anecdotes of interest to his friends, and innume- 
 rable proofs of his various excellent qualities, would exceed 
 the limits of a notice like the present. 
 
 " It is unnecessary to say, that the point of \dew in which 
 Mr. Perkins's character ought to be surveyed, is that of an 
 upright merchant. This, in our country, is certainly the 
 character of greatest importance in the community. Di- 
 vested by our political institutions of an hereditary nobility, 
 in which fortunes are transmitted by descent, it unavoidably 
 follows that the chief influence in society is thrown into the 
 hands of those whose pursuits alone admit of the accumular 
 tion of ample fortunes. The merchant's profession, as ex- 
 hibited in the Hfe of Mr. Perkins, was well worthy of the 
 weight which the constitution of society gives it among us, 
 and rose very far above a mere grasping zeal for the accu- 
 mulation of money. In the long course of transactions, as 
 numerous and as various as an individual can easily be 
 connected with, — in enterprises extending over the habit- 
 able globe, employing thousands of agents, constantly in- 
 volving fortunes in their result, and requiring, on many 
 occasions necessarily incident to business of tliis extent, no 
 secondary degree of firmness and courage, and, above all, 
 in the temptation, which must so often present itself, to take
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 83 
 
 short roads to wealth, — not a shadow of suspicion of any 
 thing derogatory to the highest and purest sense of honor 
 and conscience ever attached to his conduct ; and he may 
 be quoted as one of the few, who pass through life without 
 spot or blemish. The character of such a man ought to be 
 held up for imitation. The future condition of our country 
 will depend not a little on the qualities of character which 
 predominate in the wealthiest portion of society. Every 
 instance of a life like Mr. Perkins's is a pledge of its pros- 
 perity and honor ; and a pledge that ought to be cherished 
 with tenderness and zeal in times like these, when suspicions 
 are allowed to attach to the merchant's character, which, 
 whether true or false, convey equal reproach. 
 
 " The ample fortune, which Mr. Perkins acquired in this 
 honorable manner, was appropriated to ends as honorable ; 
 to promoting the best interests of society. His zeal in serv- 
 ing his friends was, in many instances, carried even to an 
 extreme ; and, while his efforts of this kind were such as 
 few would make, he was outdone by none in his readiness 
 for every call of judicious charity. His liberal donations to 
 the General Hospital, and to the Theological School of 
 Cambridge University, are well known ; and his late mu- 
 nificent gift to the Athenaeum, (a gift which cannot be 
 estimated at less than $18,000), is fresh in the pubhc 
 recollection. In addition to these acts of liberality, it is 
 understood that Mr. Perkins has made testamentary provi- 
 sion for a donation of twenty thousand dollars to the Uni- 
 versity at Cambridge. To enumerate every instance of 
 distinguished hberahty on his part, would be to repeat the 
 list of calls on the affluent and generous in our community, 
 which is certainly among those least remarkable for the 
 rarity of these calls. 
 
 " The natural disposition of Mr. Perkins was retired and 
 unambitious. He studiously avoided every caU of political
 
 84 HISTORY OP 
 
 life ; and, while the general esteem in which he was held by 
 the pubhc, and his well known integrity and consistency as 
 a politician, would have made his access easy to the highest 
 political offices in the gift of his fellow-citizens, a natural 
 reserve of feeling led him to keep entirely aloof. He was, 
 however, ready on all occasions, by every species of honor- 
 able and active exertion, to contribute to the influence of 
 what he esteemed sound pohtical views ; and was surpassed 
 by few, if any, in weight of pohtical character, in the re- 
 spectable circle in which he moved. 
 
 " Though brought up as a merchant, and at all times 
 actively engaged in the duties of his caUing, Mr. Perkins 
 had a strong taste for reading, and possessed a highly ma- 
 tured and well-Lnformed mind. He formed, in early hfe, a 
 very familiar acquaintance with pohte hterature, particularly 
 the English poets, and contmued to devote his leisure to 
 the perusal of the standard writers of the English and 
 French languages. It was in this manner, that his taste led 
 him to employ the time too often wasted by merchants in 
 the gossip of the exchange and the insurance offices. The 
 consequences of his extensive reading were an unusually 
 matm'e and judicious style of writing ; and there are few, 
 even of those who are led more directly by profession to 
 cultivate the art of writing, who were able to express them- 
 themselves -with greater strength, clearness, and ease. 
 
 " Mr. Perkins was, in fine, a man of uncommon force 
 and elevation of mind. The least estimable portion of his 
 character was known to those who knew him only as a mer- 
 chant, high and honorable as he was in this capacity. His 
 temper and taste were retired and domestic ; his virtues 
 were those of the fireside ; and his whole character was of 
 that gentleness and simphcity which fit a man rather for 
 social, friendly, and family enjoyment, than for the bustle of 
 the world. A slender constitution, requiring unremitted
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 85 
 
 care, conspired in this respect with his feeUngs, and led him 
 to seek his pleasures more exclusively at home, than his 
 liberal and enlarged spirit might otherwise have dictated. 
 It is those only who knew him in this sphere and in the tender 
 relations of domestic life, that are able fully to bear witness 
 how good and excellent a man is taken from us. 
 
 " Though never unprepared for that event which his 
 infirm health rendered in some degree always impending, 
 Mr. Perkins's decease was at last sudden, and found every 
 one but himself unprepared for the event. During the two 
 or three days that he survived the attack which proved 
 fatal, — in the certainty of impending dissolution, and under 
 the application of painful remedies, — he retained, undisturb- 
 ed, the perfect possession of his reason, and an unclouded 
 composure of spirits. Having exhibited in his life the best 
 fruits of religious principles, the close of his life was peace- 
 ful and tranquil. No one had more to make him love and 
 cling to life, — wealth and respect abroad, and happiness at 
 home. But he resigned it all without a sigh or miu'mm- ; 
 and has left few behind who could, in the hour of extreme 
 trial, appeal more securely to ' the testimony of an approv- 
 insr conscience.' "
 
 86 HISTORY OF 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 A COLLECTION OF PAINTINGS AND SCULPTURE COMMENCED — MEAS- 
 URES FOR ESTABLISHING ANNUAL COURSES OF LECTURES — UNION 
 OF king's chapel LIBRARY AND THE THEOLOGICAL LIBRARY WITH 
 THE ATHEN^UM — A PORTION OF THE LIBRARY PERMITTED TO BE 
 
 CIRCULATED THE SCIENTIFIC LIBRARY AND THE BOSTON MEDICAL 
 
 LIBRARY UNITED WITH THE ATHENiSUM PLAN FOR ERECTING A 
 
 BUILDING FOR THE EXHIBITION OF WORKS OF ART, AND FOR A 
 LECTURE-ROOM — DIFFICULTIES ATTENDING ITS EXECUTION — LIB- 
 ERAL OFFERS OF THOMAS HANDASYD PERKINS AND JAMES PERKINS 
 — CONSEQUENT GREAT ENLARGEMENT OF THE FUNDS OF THE 
 INSTITUTION. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Proprietors, in January, 
 1823, great changes were made in the board of Trustees, 
 partly in consequence of resignations, and partly from a 
 diversity of views in relation to the conduct of the institu- 
 tion.* 
 
 The portrait of James Perkins, " painted by Stuart in 
 his best manner," having been hung in one of the rooms 
 of the Athenaeum, and the institution being now in posses- 
 sion, through the liberality of Mr. Augustus Thorndike, of 
 a truly valuable collection of casts of the most celebrated 
 statues of antiquity, these were placed, by the vote of 
 the Trustees, in the same room with the portrait of Mr. 
 Perkins. This was the commencement of that large col- 
 lection of works of art, which now constitutes one of the 
 most interesting departments of the Athenaeum. 
 
 * Officers elected in 1823. — President, Josiah Quincy ; — Vice-President, 
 Peter O. Thacher; — Treasurer, Nathan Appleton ; — Secretary, William S. 
 Shaw; — Trustees, Theodore Lyman, Jr., Edward Everett, Francis C. Gray, 
 Amos Lawrence, Henry Codman, Samuel Swett, William Sturgis, Thomas 
 Wigglesworth, George Ticknor ; — Assistant Librarian, Joseph Backus.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 87 
 
 At this meeting, the Proprietors sanctioned the sale of 
 the estate in Tremont Street, for nine thousand dollars. 
 
 A project about this time began to be agitated of at- 
 taching a room to the Athenaeum, to be used for public 
 lectures under the auspices of the institution ; and a com- 
 mittee was appointed to take the subject into considera- 
 tion, and to report the cost of a room, and the principles 
 on which a subscription at large might be effected for 
 that object. Of this committee, John Lowell was appointed 
 chairman. 
 
 At a meeting of the Proprietors in the ensuing Febru- 
 ary, the committee reported in favor of making provision 
 for annual courses of lectures on various branches of hter- 
 ature and science, in connection with the Athenaeum ; but, 
 as no part of the funds of the corporation could be ap- 
 plied to that object, if a subscription could be obtained for 
 the erection of a suitable building, in their opinion it would 
 be proper and for the interest of the Athenaeum to give a 
 part of its land for such an edifice, the fee simple to belong 
 to the corporation, and to be held in trust for the purposes 
 expressed. The terms of the subscription having been pro- 
 posed and adopted, and also measures to carry the plan into 
 effect, at a meeting of the Proprietors, in the following 
 month of May, a subscription was reported to have been 
 obtained to the amount of four thousand three hundred 
 dollars ; whereupon the Treasurer of the Athenaeum was 
 instructed to collect the sums subscribed, and a committee 
 was chosen to superintend the erection of the edifice.* 
 
 This committee consisted of three persons, Theodore Ly- 
 
 * By the terms, a subscription of $300 gave a title to a full share in the 
 Athenseum ; a subscription of $100 procured the privileges of a life-subscriber, 
 and, if $200 more should be paid before April 1st, 1828, a full share vi^ould be 
 secured. When the sum of $4000 should be obtained, a committee was to pro- 
 ceed, first, to erect the building, and then to purchase chemical and philosophical
 
 88 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 man, Jr., on the part of the Trustees ; on the part of the 
 Proprietors, Henry S. Dearborn ; and, on the part of the 
 new subscribers, Lewis Tappan. On the 9th of June they 
 reported to the Proprietors, that the sum akeady subscri- 
 bed was not in their opinion sufficient to erect a buUding 
 suitable for the purpose, and that they deemed it advis- 
 able a further sum should be obtained by way of loan. 
 To this measure the Proprietors were not prepared to 
 accede ; they therefore recommitted the whole subject to 
 the former committee on subscriptions, of which Mr. Lowell 
 was chairman. 
 
 In the summer of this year, the Library of King's Chapel, 
 and the Theological Library, belonging to the Boston As- 
 sociation of Ministers, were deposited in the Athenaeum ; 
 
 apparatus, applying- whatever surplus there might be to the enlargement of the 
 Library. 
 
 The following is a copy of the subscription list, as afterwards increased to 
 S4,600, the greater part of which consisted of donations in money, without 
 regard to the acquisition of shares. 
 
 Nathaniel Amory 
 Nathan Appleton 
 Charles Barnard 
 Joseph P. Bradlee 
 Josiah Bradlee 
 Peter C. Brooks 
 John Bryant 
 Benjamin Bussey 
 Charles R. Codman 
 Henry A. S. Dearborn 
 John Dorr 
 Ebenezer Francis 
 Francis C. Gray 
 John C. Gray 
 Gardiner Greene 
 David Henshaw 
 Henderson Inches 
 Patrick T. Jackson 
 Amos Lawrence 
 Edward J. Lowell 
 John Lowell 
 Theodore Lyman, Jr. 
 John Maclean 
 Isaac Mansfield 
 Israel Munson 
 Samuel G. Perkins 
 Thomas H. Perkins 
 
 % 50 
 50 
 50 
 50 
 50 
 
 300 
 50 
 50 
 50 
 25 
 
 300 
 50 
 50 
 50 
 
 100 
 50 
 50 
 
 100 
 50 
 
 100 
 
 200 
 50 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 50 
 
 300 
 
 William Phillips 
 
 $200 
 
 William Pratt 
 
 50 
 
 William Prescott 
 
 50 
 
 William H. Prescott 
 
 50 
 
 Josiah Quincy 
 
 50 
 
 John Randall 
 
 100 
 
 Henry Rice 
 
 50 
 
 John Richards 
 
 50 
 
 Jeflery Richardson 
 
 50 
 
 David Sears 
 
 100 
 
 George C. Shattuck 
 
 50 
 
 Robert G. Shaw 
 
 SO 
 
 William Sturgis 
 
 50 
 
 Samuel Swett 
 
 50 
 
 Charles Tappan 
 
 100 
 
 John Tappan 
 
 100 
 
 Lewis Tappan 
 
 50 
 
 Israel Thorndike 
 
 300 
 
 George Ticknor 
 
 50 
 
 Richard D. Tucker 
 
 50 
 
 Thomas B. Wales 
 
 300 
 
 Thomas W. Ward 
 
 50 
 
 Samuel Whitwell, Jr. 
 
 50 
 
 Thomas Wigglesworth 
 
 50 
 
 Timothy Williams 
 
 25 
 
 $4,600
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 89 
 
 the ministers of King's Chapel and the present proprietors 
 of the Theological Library being entitled to the privilege 
 of Hfe subscribers so long as their books respectively should 
 remain thus deposited, and the books being subject to all 
 the regulations of the Athenaeum. These Hbraries made 
 an addition of tliirteen hundred volumes, some of them 
 rare works. 
 
 In this year, by a change of the laws, the price of an 
 annual subscription was reduced from eighteen dollars to 
 ten, and proprietors' tickets were made transferable for any 
 period from three months to one year. An insurance on 
 the buildings for ten thousand dollars was eflFected, and for 
 the same sum on the books and other personal property. 
 The privileges of a life subscriber were conferred on Gil- 
 bert Stuart, "as a testimony of respect for his eminent 
 talents " ; the same privileges ha^dng been voted the year 
 before to Solomon Willard, for " the taste and skill with 
 which the alterations in the Athenaeum were planned and 
 executed." 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Proprietors, in January, 
 1824, the Standing Committee of the Trustees reported, 
 beside the above-mentioned deposit, an increase in books by 
 the gift of four hundred and twelve volumes, exceeding the 
 number given in any fonner year ; and also, that during the 
 past year a new manuscript catalogue of the Library had 
 been completed, and the books had been arranged on the most 
 approved plan. They also stated the whole number of books 
 to he fourteen thousand eigJit hundred and twenty, including 
 the volumes of newspapers and magazines, which were two 
 thousand six hundred and forty-two ; that the library had 
 been thoroughly examined, was in good condition, and the 
 missino; volumes few. The officers chosen at this meetino; 
 were nearly the same as those of the preceding year, 
 James Perkins, the son of the deceased benefactor, being 
 
 12
 
 90 HISTORY OF 
 
 added in the place of Mr. Everett, who decHned a reelec- 
 tion, and Mr. Codman being appointed Secretary in the 
 place of Mr. Shaw.* 
 
 At this meeting, Mr. Lowell called for the reading of the 
 report of the committee on the proposed lecture room, made 
 on the 9th of Jmie preceding ; and, with a view to ascertain 
 the opinion of the Proprietors on the subject, he moved, 
 " that the Treasurer be authorized to return their money 
 to the subscribers, giving notice thereof in the newspapers." 
 The question bemg fully discussed, great doubts on the 
 expediency of connecting a lecture room with the Athe- 
 nffium were expressed, and also a settled determination not 
 to supply the deficiency of the subscription fund for that 
 object by creating a loan. Mr. Lowell's motion to return 
 the money received a decided negative ; and it was at last 
 voted to call a meeting of the subscribers to the lecture 
 room in connection with the Proprietors of the Athenaeum 
 for the purpose of receiving and acting on a report of the 
 committee on subscriptions, of Avhich Mr. Lowell was chair- 
 man, and to which had been referred the report of the commit- 
 tee for building the lecture room, on the 9th of June, 1823. 
 
 This joint meeting of the Proprietors and of the sub- 
 scribers to the lecture room took place on the 2d of March 
 ensuing ; and the report of the committee, by Mr. Lowell, 
 their chairman, stated, that, of the amount subscribed for 
 the lecture room ($4,300), five-sixths were to be regarded 
 as donations ; — that the lowest price for which the lecture 
 room could be built, was 5200 dollars ; — that the deficient 
 sum could be easily raised by donations, Avithout affecting 
 
 * Officers chosen in January, 1824. — President, Josiah Quincy ; — Vice- 
 President, Peter O. Thacher ; — Treasurer, Nathan Appleton ; — Secretary, 
 Henry Codman; — Trustees, Theodore Lyman, Jr., Francis C. Gray, Amos 
 Lawrence, Henry Codman, Samuel Swett, William Sturgis, Thomas Wiggles- 
 worth, George Ticknor, James Perkins.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 91 
 
 any funds of the Athenaeum ; — that the sum subscribed was 
 a direct gain to the property of the institution, not only by 
 the numerical amount subscribed, but by the introduction of 
 new interests in favor of the general establishment; — that 
 it was the known expectation of the donor of the edifice 
 now owned by the Athenasum, that a lecture room would be 
 connected with the building ; and the committee therefore 
 recommended that the building committee should be in- 
 structed to proceed as soon as the requisite sum should 
 be obtained. 
 
 This report was accepted on a vote in which thirty-nine 
 were in the affirmative and thirteen in the negative. Tho- 
 mas H. Perkins was then added to the building committee, 
 who were authorized to purchase any land adjoining that of 
 the Athenaeum, which they might deem expedient, and to 
 appropriate for that purpose any portion of the funds sub- 
 scribed for the lecture room. 
 
 At an antecedent meeting of the Proprietors in Feb- 
 ruary, the committee for examining the Treasurer's ac- 
 counts reported the funds of the Athenaeum, on the first 
 of January, 1824, to be $61,266-21, viz. 
 
 In productive property, .... $24,213-02 
 Estate in Pearl Street, at its cost, . 21,541-29 
 Books as per leger 15,511-90 
 
 $61,266-21 
 That the increase for the year Avas . 1,636-00 
 And the expenditure 1,546-31 
 
 At this meeting, also, it was voted, " as a tribute of 
 gratitude to William Smith Shaw, our first Secretary and 
 Librarian, for his early, zealous, and successful services, by 
 which the growth and prosperity of this institution have been 
 greatly promoted, that the President be authorized to re- 
 quest Mr. Shaw to sit for his portrait, and to cause the same
 
 92 HISTORY OF 
 
 to be placed in the reading-room ; and that a sum not 
 exceeding three hundred dollars bfe appropriated to defray 
 the expense of the same." 
 
 In the month of January of this year (1824), the arrange- 
 ment was renewed between the Athenaeum and the Ameri- 
 can Academy of Arts and Sciences, on nearly the same 
 terms as those acceded to in 1818, — by which the latter 
 agreed to deposit its library in one of the rooms of the 
 former, pay a stipulated rent for it, and allow the same use 
 of its books as was permitted of other books in the insti- 
 tution, except that they were not to be carried out of the 
 house by any one not a member of the Academy. The 
 Athenaeum was not to be responsible for the loss of the 
 books in any way, nor bound to take more care of them, 
 than they took of their own ; and the agreement Avas to be 
 terminated at the pleasure of either party. 
 
 In April, of the same year, many valuable books were 
 found to be mutilated, and a reward of one hundred dollars 
 was offered for the detection of the offender. This circum- 
 stance led to a full report from the sub-librarian of all the 
 books missing and mutilations committed in the library 
 since the first establishment of the Athenseum ; from which 
 it appeared, that, during the seventeen years, about eighty 
 volumes had been lost, and, of those variously mutilated, 
 the number was about fifty. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Proprietors, on the 3d of 
 January, 1825, a report from the joint committee of the 
 Proprietors and Trustees, for visiting the library, was re- 
 ceived, stating its general good condition, but its exposure 
 to depredations and mutilations from the facility of access 
 by all visiters to all its rooms, and recommending more 
 restrictions upon admission to other rooms than the reading- 
 room. The number of books the committee stated to be 
 fourteen thousand nine hundred and eighty-seven volumes,
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 93 
 
 including books deposited, which amounted to tivo thousand. 
 The want of a fund for the increase of the library was 
 lamented by the committee, the Athenaeum not possessing 
 the means of purchasing even the works of literature and 
 science which appear in our own country, but being prin- 
 cipally indebted for these to the liberality of authors and 
 publishers. The officers chosen this year were the same 
 as those of the year preceding. 
 
 The committee on the Treasurer's accounts stated, that 
 the productive funds of the institution were $23,085*18 
 that the expenditure of the year had been . 1,644-34 
 and the income only ..... 1,373*00 
 
 The election of the Librarian being vested, by the laws, 
 in the Trustees, they, at a meeting on the 28th of January, 
 1825, chose Dr. Seth Bass ;* and at the same time it was 
 made the duty of the Librarian to report, quarterly, the 
 state of the library to the Trustees, specifying the books 
 missing or mutilated. 
 
 In April, the sum of two hundred dollars was placed un- 
 der the control of a committee of the Trustees for the pur- 
 pose of procuring new publications. This, in the succeeding 
 month of July, was augmented to five hundred dollars, in- 
 cluding the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars, given for 
 the purpose hy an unknown individual. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Proprietors, on the 2d of 
 January, 1826, the committee for examining the library 
 reported that the Athenaeum now possessed 15,039 vol- 
 umes, 3,701 pamphlets, 559 engravings, and 98 medals ; 
 the coins being claimed by Mr. Shaw as his property. 
 
 A more accurate examination of the books of the library 
 having been made, it was now ascertained 478 plates were 
 
 * Dr. Bass, continued in the office of Librarian for twenty years, and retired 
 in 1846, with an expressive testimonial of the sense entertained by the Trustees, 
 of his long and faithful service.
 
 94 HISTORY OF 
 
 missing, including all that had been lost since the foundation 
 of the institution. 
 
 By a report from the committee on the Treasurer's 
 accounts, it appeared that the expenditure of the past 
 year was $1,487-50, and the income $1,273-50. 
 
 By the resignation of Messrs. Thacher, Lawrence, and 
 Sturgis, vacancies were made in the board of officers, 
 which were filled by Messrs. Bowditch, Dorr, and Brooks.* 
 
 This meeting of the Proprietors was adjourned to the 
 6th of February ensuing ; when, on a recommendation from 
 the Trustees, it was voted, that a portion of the books 
 might be circulated " to such proprietors and life share- 
 holders as pay five dollars per annum for the privilege " ; 
 and a committee, composed of Nathaniel Bowditch, Francis 
 C. Gray, George Ticknor, Thomas W. Ward, and Francis 
 J. Oliver, was appointed to attend to this subject. The 
 expediency " of uniting, in the Athenaeum, the principal 
 circulating libraries of this city " was then considered ; and 
 the same committee was appointed to make, if possible, an 
 arrangement to that effect with the proprietors of those 
 libraries. 
 
 By a report of the committee on the subject of a new 
 building for lectures and for exhibiting works of art, it now 
 appeared, that difficulties had occurred which had delayed 
 their progress ; that the reasons in favor of the measure 
 were strong, but that the amount subscribed was not ade- 
 quate to meet the anticipated cost. They recommended, 
 however, " that the proposed building he forthivith com- 
 menced, trusting to the good feelings, generosity, and pub- 
 
 * OflScers chosen in 1826. — President, Josiah Quincy ; — Vice-President, 
 Francis C. Gray; — Treasurer, Nathan Appleton; — Secretary, Henry Cod - 
 man; — Trustees, Theodore Lyman, Jr., Thomas Wigglesworth, Nathaniel 
 Bowditch, Samuel Dorr, Henry Codman, George Ticknor, Samuel Swett, 
 James Perkins, Edward Brooks.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 95 
 
 Uc spirit of an increasing city for its completion.''^ This 
 report was accepted, and a cominittee, of which Thomas 
 H. Perkins was appointed chairman, was raised, with full 
 powers to carry the same into effect. 
 
 On the 18th of March, 1826, a special meeting of the 
 Proprietors was held, at the call of the committee ap- 
 pointed on the subject of the union of libraries and the 
 circulation of books, of which Nathaniel Bowditch was 
 chairman. On their report, it having had the previous 
 sanction of the Trustees, an arrangement for the union of 
 the Boston Medical Library with the Athenaeum was unan- 
 imously agreed to by the Proprietors, on the following terms : 
 That each Proprietor of the Medical Library should have the 
 privilege of a life subscriber on the payment of five dollars 
 per annu7n, and should become a Proprietor of the Athe- 
 naeum by paying one hundred and fifty dollars, — such life- 
 subscriber to have the right, on his removal from Boston, 
 to transfer his share for and during the period of his life ; 
 that the members of the Boston Medical Association should 
 have access to the privileges of the Athenaeum during the 
 then coming year for the sum of ten dollars ; and that the 
 Medical department should receive its full proportion of 
 the sums apphed hereafter to the purchase of books. 
 
 The same committee were now empowered " to make 
 such an arrangement of the rooms and books in the present 
 building, and to make and print such a Catalogue, as they 
 may deem most expedient to constitute the Athenaeum a 
 valuable circulating library " ; and they were moreover " re- 
 quested to ascertain what are its deficiencies in imperfect 
 sets or otherwise, and to take such measures as may be ap- 
 proved by the Trustees for supplying the same." 
 
 At this meeting, also, the committee on the subject of 
 erecting " a building for an Academy for the Fine Arts, to 
 comprise an exhibition room, lecture room, and a basement
 
 96 HISTORY OF 
 
 to accommodate such societies as should incline to locate 
 themselves " within it, reported that the -whole cost was 
 estimated to be $12,400 ; that the amount already sub- 
 scribed was $4,486-50, leaving a deficiency of $7,913-50 ; 
 and that the interest upon this sum, amounting to about 
 $474, might readily be met by the income from the lec- 
 ture room. They therefore proposed to raise the amount 
 by loan, and to pledge the income of that room, as also of 
 the exhibition and basement rooms, for the interest. To 
 tliis proposition the Proprietors acceded, providing, how- 
 ever, that the Corporation should not be holden for the 
 repayment of such loan, except so far as the lenders 
 should be able to reimburse themselves out of the rents and 
 profits of the edifice. The committee were also author- 
 ized to make arrangements with the Medical Society, the 
 American Academy, the Historical Society, and the Scien- 
 tific Library, for the occupancy of the rooms in the basement, 
 and occasional use of the lecture room. 
 
 The situation of the Athenaeum at this time was far from 
 being satisfactory. By the liberality of James Perkins, 
 their funds had been increased, and their local accom- 
 modations extended ; but their available means Avere but 
 in a very small degree applicable to the enlargement of the 
 Library, even as to those new and periodical publications, 
 which, to a majority of readers, constitute the chief inter- 
 est of such an institution. The removal of its position had 
 not augmented, but reduced, the number of annual sub- 
 scribers, which were now only twenty ; and the attempt 
 to raise funds from public lectures was deemed, by many of 
 the Proprietors, of dubious result, and, when coupled with 
 the necessity of a debt, was to some of them absolutely 
 obnoxious. From these difficulties the institution was hap 
 pily reUeved by the liberality of Thomas H. Perkins, the 
 brother, and James Perkins, the son, of its first benefac- 
 tor of that name.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 97 
 
 On the lOtli of April, the following letters, addressed to 
 a member of the committee, were laid before the Trustees. 
 
 " Boston, March 30th, 1826. 
 
 " Dear Sir, — Desirous of seeing the Athenseum placed 
 upon the most reputable footing, and with a view to the 
 increase of its resources, I beg you to make the following 
 proposition to such gentlemen as are desirous of promoting 
 the interests of this corporation, viz. that I will contribute 
 the sum of eight thousand dollars towards the completion 
 of the lecture room now contracted for, provided a like 
 sum is subscribed without the circle of my family connec- 
 tions, for the general uses of the corporation, before the 
 1st of November next, the period at which the contractors 
 agree to finish the building. 
 
 " I think there is httle doubt, that the exhibition room, 
 lecture room, and basement will give an annual income of 
 one thousand dollars and upwards, which it is presumed 
 will be appropriated to the increase of the periodical and 
 other publications, and which, with the aid proposed, will 
 do much towards placing us upon at least as good a footing 
 as our neighboui'S. 
 
 " I am, dear Sir, your friend and servant, 
 
 " T. H. Perkins." 
 
 "To George Ticknor, Esq. 
 
 " Pearl Street, March 30th. 
 
 " Dear Sir, — As it is unnecessary for me to state to 
 you the interest I feel in the Athenseum, I have only to 
 say, that I will give eight thousand dollars, provided that 
 the same sum is raised from individuals beside the eight 
 thousand dollars proffered to be raised to meet the offer 
 of Col. T. H. Perkins. We shall, in this case, give to 
 the institution sixteen thousand dollars, provided the like 
 
 13
 
 98 HISTORY OF 
 
 sum of sixteen thousand dollars is raised from the com- 
 munity by the 1st day of November next. 
 
 " Yours truly, James Perkins. 
 
 "To Geokge Ticknoe, Esq." 
 
 Votes were immediately passed by the Trustees, express- 
 ing to each of these gentlemen the deep sense entertained 
 by the Board, of the munificent liberality manifested by 
 each, " not only to this institution, but to the community." 
 
 The committee, heretofore appointed by the Proprietors 
 on the subject of the union of libraries and supplying 
 deficiencies, was immediately authorised to collect, in any 
 way they might see fit, the sums necessary to secure to the 
 institution the full benefit of these munificent ofiers. 
 
 On the 9th of May ensuing, this committee reported to 
 the Trustees, that they had obtained donations, and sub- 
 scriptions for new shares, more than enough to comply 
 with the conditions attached to the generous ofiers of the 
 Messrs. Perkins ; and a meeting of the Proprietors was 
 held, on the 25th of that month, to consider and sanction 
 their proceedings. 
 
 At this meeting, the above-mentioned committee re- 
 ported, first, that the Medical Library had become a part 
 of the Athenaeum, by a contract duly executed, in con- 
 formity with the vote of the Proprietors ; and secondly, 
 that, in relation to the Massachusetts Scientific Library 
 Association, the members had unanimously agreed to unite 
 their institution with the Athenoeum, on condition that all 
 persons (there being twelve) who had subscribed one hun- 
 dred, or fifty, dollars towards the Scientific Library, and who 
 were not already proprietors or life shareholders in the 
 Athenaeum, shall have the privileges of life-subscribers to 
 the Athenaeum ; — that the annual subscribers to the Scien- 
 tific Library (there being seventy-five) shall have all the
 
 THE BOSTON ATHENiEUM. 99 
 
 rights of annual subscribers to the Athengeum, on the pay- 
 ment of ten dollars per annum ; and also the right of life 
 shareholders, so long as they pay that sum regularly ; — 
 that, for the above consideration, the whole sum subscribed 
 to the Scientific Library shall be paid over into the funds 
 of the Athenffium, to be expended in scientific books, under 
 the direction of the Trustees of the Scientific Library. The 
 committee recommended to the Proprietors the acceptance 
 of these conditions, provided that the sum paid by the 
 Scientific Library Association be not less than three thou- 
 sand dollars by the first of July next, it being also under- 
 stood that the above Association is entirely merged in the 
 Athenaeum. 
 
 The Proprietors accepted the report, and sanctioned the 
 union with the Scientific Library Association, on the princi- 
 ples recommended. 
 
 On the subject of supplying deficiencies in the Library, 
 the same committee made a report, which having been 
 accepted and ordered to be pubhshed, soon afterward 
 appeared in print, with some introductory remarks, as 
 foUows : 
 
 "BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 
 
 " Early in January last, a committee of the Trustees of 
 the Boston Athenseum was appointed to take into consider- 
 ation the subject of allowing the books to circulate among 
 the Proprietors. This committee recommended, that an 
 attempt should be made to unite several of the pubhc 
 libraries with the Athenoeum, and that such of the Pro- 
 prietors and life shareholders, as would pay annually five 
 dollars, should be allowed to take the books from the 
 library, under such regulations as should be agreed upon. 
 This report was accepted, and a committee, consisting of
 
 100 HISTORY OF 
 
 Nathaniel Bowclitch, Francis C. Gray, George Ticknor, 
 Thomas W. Ward, and Francis J'. Ohver, was appointed, 
 with full power to carry into effect the proposed measures. 
 The same committee were also instructed to examine into 
 and ascertain the deficiencies of the Ubrary, and to take 
 such measures as the Trustees should approve to supply 
 them. 
 
 " In pursuance of this plan, a union has been effected 
 with the Medical Library, and with the Scientific Asso- 
 ciation. The Medical Library contamed more than two 
 thousand volumes of well-selected modern works on Medi- 
 cine, Surgery, and Chemistry, purchased within ten years, 
 at an expense of more than four thousand five hundred 
 dollars. This Library now forms a part of the Athenaeum. 
 The Proprietors of the Medical Library, being tliii'ty-one 
 in number, were entitled to life-rights in the Athenoeum, 
 with the privilege of exchanging such fife-rights for full 
 shares by paying each an additional sum of one hundred 
 and fifty doUars. Thirty of these Proprietors have taken 
 shares in the Athenseum, paying in all, the sum of five 
 /j»*vthousand five hundred dollars ; so that the property of the 
 Athenoeum is increased more than nine thousand dollars 
 by this union. 
 
 " The Scientific Association, formed a few months since, 
 for the purpose of procuring a collection of scientific books, 
 have obtained a subscription of 3,715 dollars, of which 
 above 3,000 dollars have already been collected. An agree- 
 ment for a union with this association, having been made 
 by the committee, was approved by the Proprietors of the 
 Athenceum, at their meeting May 25th, 1826, and the whole 
 amount subscribed will be appropriated for the purchase of 
 the scientific books contained in a catalogue prepared by 
 the Trustees of the Scientific Association. This catalogue 
 docs not contain any books now in the Athenaeum, and it
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 101 
 
 will make a very important addition to their already 
 respectable collection of scientific books. This depart- 
 ment of the Athenaeum will also be rendered much more 
 complete by the sum subscribed in February, 1826, for 
 completing the transactions of the Royal Societies and 
 Academies of Sciences in London, Edinburgh, Dublin, Paris, 
 Petersburg, Berlin, Turin, Gottingen, Stockholm, Copen- 
 hagen, Madrid, and Lisbon, making, in the whole, one of 
 the most complete scientific libraries in the United States. 
 
 " The means taken by the committee to supply the 
 deficiencies in the library will be seen by the annual Report, 
 made to the Proprietors of the Athenaeum, at their meeting 
 May 25th, 1826, which was accepted and ordered to be 
 printed. 
 
 " REPORT. 
 
 " The committee appointed by a vote of the Proprietors, 
 March 18th, 1826, beg leave to report : — 
 
 " That, having ascertained the deficiencies in the library 
 to be great, they were considering the expediency of a 
 general subscription among the Proprietors to supply the 
 same, when Col. Thomas H. Perkins, by a letter of March 
 30th, 1826, munificently ofiered to give eight thousand dol- 
 lars towards the completion of the new Lecture Rooms, 
 provided the like sum should be subscribed, by other 
 friends of the Athengeum, before the first day of Novem- 
 ber next ; and James Perkins, Esq., by a letter of the 
 same date, and in the same munificent spirit, made a sim- 
 ilar ofier, on similar conditions. Whereupon your com- 
 mittee, in pursuance of their instructions, did on the 10th 
 of April, lay the whole subject before the Trustees, who, 
 after voting the thanks of their Board to Col. T. H. Per- 
 kins and James Perkins, Esq., authorized and requested
 
 102 HISTORY OF 
 
 your committee forthwitli to collect, in any way they might 
 see fit, the sums necessary to secur6 to this institution the 
 full benefit of the offer of the Messrs. Perkins. The com- 
 mittee, accordingly, proceeded to obtain subscriptions, and 
 did obtain them to the follo^ving amounts, viz. 
 
 "Donations, $10,090 
 
 Amount paid by the Proprietors of the 
 Medical Library, to obtain full 
 shares in the Athenseum, . . . 4,500 
 Fifteen new shares in the Athenasum, 
 
 being all that remained unsold, . . 4,500 
 
 19,090 
 Donation of Col. Thomas H. Perkins, . 8,000 
 Do. of James Perkins, Esq., . . . 8,000 
 Subscriptions for the Transactions of 
 London, Paris, &c., of which sum 
 Col. Perkins subscribed $500, and 
 James Perkins, Esq., $500, . . 1,700 
 Scientffic Association, (at least) . . . 3,210 
 
 Amount in cash, or approved securities, $40,000 
 To this, add the value of the books of 
 
 the Medical Library, .... 4,500 
 
 Making the gross sum of ... . $44,500 
 
 " Being the amount of property added to the Athenaeum 
 since January last. 
 
 " Ha\ing obtained this large and generous subscription, 
 your committee proceeded to make arrangements for sup- 
 plying the deficiencies in the Athenaeum Library, accord- 
 ing to the vote of the Proprietors. They have prepared 
 lists of books, which will be purchased as soon as may be, 
 and they have made arrangements for completing the
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 103 
 
 broken sets now in the Athenaeum, and for binding the 
 unbound books now on the shelves. Of the forty thousand 
 dollars, therefore, which have been received, the following 
 appropriations are already made, viz. 
 
 To the lecture room, Col. Perkins's 
 
 donation, $8,000 
 
 Catalogue prepared by the Trustees of 
 
 the Scientific Library Association, 3,210 
 
 Catalogue prepared by the Trustees of 
 
 the Athenseum, (about) . . . 10,790 
 
 For binding and repairs, .... 1,500 
 
 Making in all $23,500 
 
 " Leaving the sum of $16,500 to be added to the perma- 
 nent funds of the institution, the income of which is to be 
 appropriated to the purchase of books hereafter. But this 
 is not the only, or the principal new source of income, that 
 will be opened to the Athenaeum, for the purchase of books, 
 which may be estimated as follows, viz. 
 
 Income from new fund, . . (about) $900 
 
 Do. " lecture rooms, . . " . 800 
 
 Do. " circulation of books, " . 900 
 
 Do. " annual Scientific subscribers, 200 
 
 Making the whole annual income $2,800 
 
 according to an extremely moderate computation, for the 
 purchase of books ; the income from the former funds of 
 the institution having been found sufficient to pay the cur- 
 rent expenses. 
 
 " This state of the Athenaeum the committee have very 
 great pleasure in laying before the Proprietors. The 
 addition to its means, thus obtained in a very short tune,
 
 104 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 mil probably render it second to no similar institution in 
 the United States. 
 
 " All which is respectfully submitted. 
 
 " Nathaniel Boavditch, 
 Francis C. Gray, 
 George Ticknor, 
 Thomas W. "Ward, 
 Francis J. Oliver.* 
 " May, 23, 1826." 
 
 * The following details are recorded in the Donation Book, under the date 
 of April 5th, 1826. 
 " Thomas H. Perkins, § 8,000 \ James Perldns, the younger, $ 8,000 
 
 " In consequence of the above gifts, there was raised for the Athenasura at this 
 time the sum of $ 45,012-32 (including the gifts of the Messrs. Perkins), of which 
 the sum of $ 14,722*32 was received in the value of the Medical Library, in 
 subscriptions for new shares, and for other privileges in the Athenaeum ; and the 
 following sums were donations in money, viz. 
 
 William Phillips 
 
 $1,000 
 
 John P. Rice 
 
 $100 
 
 Peter C. Brooks 
 
 1,000 
 
 Francis Parkman 
 
 100 
 
 Ebenezer Francis 
 
 300 
 
 John Amory 
 
 100 
 
 John Lowell 
 
 300 
 
 Joseph Head 
 
 100 
 
 Thomas Wigglesworth 
 
 300 
 
 Samuel Salisbury 
 
 100 
 
 WiUiam S. Shaw 
 
 300 
 
 Thomas Williams 
 
 100 
 
 George C. Shattuck 
 
 300 
 
 James T. Austin 
 
 100 
 
 John Tappan 
 
 200 
 
 Thomas Bartlett 
 
 100 
 
 Waiiam R. Gray 
 
 200 
 
 Benjamin Joy 
 
 100 
 
 Francis C. Gray 
 
 150 
 
 John C. Howard 
 
 100 
 
 James Jaclvson 
 
 100 
 
 Charles Taylor 
 
 100 
 
 Patrick T. Jacteon 
 
 100 
 
 Joseph Coolidge 
 
 100 
 
 Charles Jackson 
 
 100 
 
 Robert G. Shaw 
 
 100 
 
 Amos Lawrence 
 
 100 
 
 Jolm C. Jones 
 
 100 
 
 Abbott Lawrence 
 
 100 
 
 David W. Childs 
 
 100 
 
 William Lawrence 
 
 100 
 
 Daniel P. Parker 
 
 100 
 
 William Prescott 
 
 100 
 
 William H. Eliot 
 
 100 
 
 William Sturgis 
 
 100 
 
 Jonathan Mason 
 
 100 
 
 Samuel Dorr 
 
 100 
 
 Charles Torrey 
 
 100 
 
 Richard D. Tucker 
 
 100 
 
 Benjamin Wiggin 
 
 100 
 
 Ebenezer T. Andrews 
 
 100 
 
 William Sawyer 
 
 100 
 
 Joshua Clapp 
 
 100 
 
 Joseph W. Revere 
 
 100 
 
 Pliny Cutler 
 
 100 
 
 Samuel Whitwell, jr. 
 
 100 
 
 Levws Tappan 
 
 100 
 
 George Bond 
 
 100 
 
 Josiah Bradlee 
 
 100 
 
 John D. Williams 
 
 100 
 
 Josiah Quincy 
 
 100 
 
 John Parker 
 
 100 
 
 Daniel Hammond 
 
 100 
 
 Daniel Webster 
 
 100 
 
 Henderson Inches 
 
 100 
 
 George Ticknor 
 
 100 
 
 Joseph P. Bradlee 
 
 100 
 
 Nathaniel Bowditch 
 
 100 
 
 Horace Gray, 
 
 100 
 
 George Burrouglis 
 
 100 
 
 Israel Thorndike, jr. 
 
 100 
 
 William Pratt 
 
 100 
 
 Edward H. Robbins, jr. 
 
 100 
 
 Thomas W. Ward 
 
 100 
 
 Edward Tuckerman 
 
 100 
 
 Francis Lee 
 
 100
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 
 
 105 
 
 The Trustees, at a meeting in the same month, voted to 
 request Thomas H. Perkins, to sit to Gilbert Stuart for his 
 portrait, to be placed with that of his brother ; and a suita- 
 ble appropriation was made to pay the expense. 
 
 John Belknap 
 
 80 
 
 H. A. S. Dearborn 
 
 50 
 
 Jesse Putnam 
 
 80 
 
 Timothy Williams 
 
 50 
 
 J. Hall 
 
 80 
 
 Thomas K. Jones 
 
 50 
 
 ■William H. Prescott 
 
 50 
 
 P. 0. Thacher 
 
 50 
 
 Franklin Dexter 
 
 50 
 
 Edward Cmft 
 
 50 
 
 The following were donations in money, constituting the funds 
 
 of the Scien- 
 
 tific Library Association, viz. 
 
 
 
 
 Peter C. Brooks 
 
 $100 
 
 George Bond 
 
 50 
 
 James Perkins, the younger 
 
 100 
 
 Amos Lawi-ence 
 
 50 
 
 Edward Brooks 
 
 100 
 
 Samuel Whitwell, jr. 
 
 50 
 
 William Sturgis 
 
 100 
 
 William Lawrence 
 
 50 
 
 Patrick T. Jackson 
 
 100 
 
 S. L. Dana 
 
 50 
 
 John Lowell 
 
 100 
 
 Jacob Bigelow 
 
 50 
 
 John A. Lowell 
 
 100 
 
 Horace Gray 
 
 50 
 
 Charles Jackson 
 
 100 
 
 Edward H. Robbins 
 
 50 
 
 George W. Revere 
 
 100 
 
 William Sullivan 
 
 50 
 
 George Ticknor 
 
 100 
 
 Richard D. Tucker 
 
 50 
 
 Israel Thorndike 
 
 100 
 
 Samuel A. Eliot 
 
 50 
 
 John Lowell, jr. 
 
 100 
 
 Edward J. Lowell 
 
 50 
 
 John C. Gray 
 
 100 
 
 Henry Lee 
 
 50 
 
 Gorham Brooks 
 
 100 
 
 William H. Prescott 
 
 50 
 
 Nathan Appleton 
 
 50 
 
 John Tappan 
 
 50 
 
 William Appleton 
 
 50 
 
 John C. Warren 
 
 50 
 
 The following sums were 
 
 subscribec 
 
 to be appropriated to the 
 
 purchase of 
 
 Philosophical and other Transactions, v 
 
 z. 
 
 
 Thomas H. Perkins 
 
 $500 
 
 George Ticknor 
 
 100 
 
 James Perkins, the younger 
 
 500 
 
 Thomas W. Ward 
 
 100 
 
 Israel Thorndike 
 
 250 
 
 Francis C. Gray 
 
 100 
 
 Nathaniel Bowditch 
 
 100 
 
 
 
 14
 
 lOG HISTORY OF 
 
 CHAPTER. V. 
 
 SALES OF NEW SHARES AUTHORIZED BY-LAWS RELATIVE TO TAKING 
 
 OUT BOOKS — SETTLEMENT WITH THE ADMINISTRATOR OF WILLIAM 
 
 S. SHAW HIS PORTRAIT OBTAINED TRIBUTE TO HIS MEMORY 
 
 SHELF CATALOGUE OF THE LIBRARY PREPARED MEASURES FOR 
 
 MAKING IT A CIRCULATING LIBRARY ROOM CONTAINING CASTS 
 
 OPENED TO ARTISTS GENERAL BY-LAWS ESTABLISHED TREA- 
 SURER'S STATEMENTS — PROCEEDS OF THE FIRST FOUR EXHIBITIONS 
 OF PAINTINGS — APPROPRIATED TO THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE 
 
 FINE ARTS BOOKS AND MAPS RELATIVE TO THE BOUNDARY OP 
 
 MAINE LENT TO THE UNITED STATES STUART's ORIGINAL PIC- 
 TURES OF GENERAL AND MRS. WASHINGTON PURCHASED FINAL 
 
 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SUPPLYING DEFICIENCIES IN THE 
 LIBRARY. 
 
 On the lOtli of July, 1826, the Trustees caused a special 
 meeting of the Proprietors to be called on the 24th of that 
 month, for the purpose of considering the expediency of 
 authorizing the sale of fifty new shares, as provided by 
 an agreement with the original Proprietors. At the meet- 
 ing thus called, the Proprietors, after declaring that, 
 by the original subscription to the Athenaeum, the number 
 of shares was limited to one hundred and fifty, but that, by 
 a subsequent, written agreement, signed by the original and 
 other subscribers, dated July 19th, 1818, authority was 
 given to the Corporation to create one hundred and fifty 
 new shares, — of which authority the Proprietors, on the 
 20th of December, 1821, so far availed themselves as to 
 empower the Trustees to sell new shares to the number of 
 one hundred, — voted that the Trustees should have au- 
 thority to sell any number of new shares not exceeding ^/^y, 
 so as to make the whole number of shares three Imndred. 
 Of this authority, the Trustees afterwards availed them- 
 selves to its full extent.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 107 
 
 On the 13th of December, 1826, a committee of the 
 Trustees, appointed on the subject, reported the following 
 
 " By-Laws relative to taking out books from the Boston 
 Athenaeum : — 
 
 " I. Proprietors of shares, and Ufe shareholders, by paying an 
 annual assessment o^ five dollars shall have a right to take out 
 books from the AthenJEum. Also, such subscribers to the 
 Scientific Libraiy as have already complied with the conditions 
 of the transfer of that Library to the Athenaeum, and paid the 
 first assessment, shall, by paying an annual assessment of ten 
 dollars, have the right to take out books in the same manner 
 as the Proprietors ; provided, however, that this right shall 
 cease upon failure to pay this annual assessment, and that no 
 person shall have a right to take out any book till all assess- 
 ments and other dues are paid. 
 
 " II. Any person entitled to take out books under the last 
 article may have, at any one time, three volumes. 
 
 " III. Books may be kept out of the Library one calendar 
 month, and no longer ; and every person shall be subjected to 
 a fine of twenty cents a week for every volume retained beyond 
 that time. 
 
 " IV. Every book shall be returned in good order, regard 
 being had to the necessary wear of the book with good usage. 
 And, if any book shall be lost or injured, the person to whom 
 it stands charged shall replace it by a new volume, or set, if it 
 belonged to a set, or pay the current price of the volume or 
 set to the Librarian ; and thereupon the remainder of the set, 
 if the volume belonged to a set, shall be delivered to the per- 
 son so paying for the same. 
 
 " V. All books shall be returned to the Library for examina- 
 tion on the second Wednesday of May, annually, and remain 
 one fortnight. And every person then having one or more 
 books, and neglecting to return the same, as herein required, 
 shall forfeit and pay a fine of one dollar. 
 
 " VI. When a written request shall be left with the Librarian
 
 108 HISTORY OF 
 
 for a particular book then out, it shall be the duty of the Libra- 
 rian to retain the same for the person requesting it, for one day 
 after it shall have been first returned. 
 
 " VII. The Librarian will attend for the delivery and return 
 of books, from noon till 2 o'clock every day, Sundays excepted. 
 
 " VIII. The Trustees may, on special occasions, permit any 
 person to use the books belonging to the Athenaeum, under 
 such restrictions as they may think proper to impose. 
 
 " IX. Very rare or costly books, which cannot easily be 
 replaced are not to be taken from the Athenteum, except by 
 a vote of the Trustees ; and the new periodical publications, 
 and new works imported from Europe, shall be withheld from 
 circulation so long as the Trustees may deem expedient. 
 
 " X. No person shall lend a book to another, under the 
 penalty of a fine of one dollar." 
 
 At the same meeting, a committee, which had been at a 
 previous meeting appointed by the board, to settle with the 
 administrator of the estate of the late William S. Shaw, 
 reported, — 
 
 " That they have completed such a settlement, as will be 
 seen by the accompanying agreement, made with the Rev. 
 Joseph B. Felt, on the 2nd of November, 1826, which 
 agreement they pray may be considered a part of this 
 report. 
 
 "And they further report the two following resolutions, 
 which they propose for the acceptance of this board : — 
 
 " 1. That the thanks of this Board be given to the Rev. 
 Joseph B. Felt for the very liberal manner in which he 
 has effected a settlement, with the Boston Athenaeum, of 
 the claims of the estate of the late William S. Shaw, Esq. 
 
 " 2. That the thanks of this Board be given to the Rev. 
 Joseph B. Felt for the donation of a large number of coins 
 and medals. 
 
 " By order of the committee, 
 
 "N. BowDiTCH, Chairman.''
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 109 
 
 ' AGREEMENT. 
 
 " This agreement, made this 2nd day of November, 
 A. D. 1826, between the Boston Athengeum, of the one 
 part, and the Rev. Joseph B. Felt, of Hamilton, in the 
 County of Essex, Clergyman, Administrator of the estate 
 of William S. Shaw, late of Boston, Esquire, deceased, 
 witnesseth : — 
 
 " That, whereas it has been supposed that certain property 
 of the said Athenaeum might have been in the possession of 
 the said Shaw at the time of his decease, and so have come 
 into the hands of the said Felt, as his administrator, and 
 that certain property of the said Shaw might have remained 
 in the said Athenaeum after the said Shaw's decease ; and 
 whereas the said Felt has delivered to the said Athenaeum 
 certain books as belonging to them, and the committee of 
 the said Athenaeum have delivered to the said Felt certain 
 volumes as belonging to him, — found in the possession of 
 each respectively; — now the said Felt doth hereby release 
 the said Athenaeum from all demands which are or might 
 be made on his part upon the said Athenaeum ; and the 
 said Athenaeum doth hereby release the said Felt from all 
 demands which are or might be made by the said Athenaeum 
 on the said Felt. And the said Joseph B. Felt doth hereby 
 present to the said Athenaeum all coins, and other articles, 
 remaining in the Athenaeum, which may have been the pro- 
 perty of the said Shaw. 
 
 " Nathaniel Bowditch, ^ Committee for 
 
 "F. C. Gray, \ the 
 
 " George Ticknor, ) Boston Athenceum. 
 
 " Joseph B. Felt, Administrator. 
 
 " Voted, to accept the foregoing report, and to pass the 
 resolutions therein contained ; and that the same be com-
 
 110 HISTORY OF 
 
 municated to the Rev. Mr. Felt, by the Chairman of the 
 Committee." 
 
 At this meeting, also, the Trustees authorized the room 
 containing casts to be opened for the use of artists desirous 
 of draAving from them ; and a sum was appropriated to 
 enable the Standing Committee to make arrangements for 
 this purpose. The President, at this meeting, announced 
 that the portrait of William S. Shaw, Esq., for which the 
 President had been authorized to request him to sit, by a 
 vote of the Proprietors in February, 1824, was nearly 
 ready to be placed in the Athenoeum ; and, at the annual 
 meeting in January, 1827, the Committee of the Proprietors 
 on the union of Libraries, and the supply of the deficien- 
 cies of the AthenjBum, closed their annual report with the 
 following highly appropriate and most just tribute to his 
 memory : — 
 
 " The Committee cannot conclude their report without 
 adverting to the circumstance, that, since our last annual 
 meeting, the earliest and most active among the founders of 
 the Athenaeum, — the individual to whom more than to any 
 other its existence and first success are due, — has been 
 removed by death. As a distinguished public benefactor, 
 his name and memory should be especially preserved and 
 cherished among us ; for we owe him much. There was 
 probably no other person in this community,' who would have 
 made so many personal sacrifices to secure to this city the 
 benefits we now enjoy, and the still greater benefits we may 
 reasonably promise ourselves and our children, from the 
 foundation of this institution, which was chiefly estabhshed 
 by his unwearied exertions, and which he lived long enough 
 to see not only an object of general interest and regard, 
 but so munificently patronized and sustained by the most 
 liberal and intelligent among our citizens, that it had already
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. Ill 
 
 become more than his most sanguine hopes had dared to 
 anticipate. 
 
 " N. BOWDITCH, 
 
 F. C. Gray, 
 Geo. Ticknor, 
 Thomas W. Ward, 
 Francis J. Oliver," 
 
 The same Committee reported, that an examination more 
 strict and thorough than usual had been made, whereby it 
 appeared that many books which had been reported as lost 
 were now found to have been only mislaid ; that every box 
 and shelf in the Athenaeum had been numbered, and every 
 book marked on the inside with the number of the shelf to 
 which it belonged; and a manuscript inventory, or shelf 
 catalogue, of the whole had been prepared, whereby the 
 examination of the Library hereafter might be more easily 
 and quickly made, and the absence of any volume readily 
 detected. 
 
 They also reported their satisfaction with the settlement 
 made by the Trustees with Mr. Felt, the Administrator 
 of the estate of Mr. Shaw, noticing appropriately the liberal 
 manner in which Mr. Felt had desired the Committee to 
 accept all books supposed to be Mr. Shaw's not already 
 on the shelves of the Athenseum, and also all the coins, 
 whether supposed to have been claimed by Mr. Shaw or 
 not. 
 
 They reported also, that 673 volumes, some of great 
 value, and 155 pamphlets, had been presented to the 
 Athenseum in the course of the year ; enumerating many 
 of the donations, and expressing appropriate acknowledg- 
 ments, by name, to the donors. 
 
 It appeared by the same report, that upwards of 3,500 
 volumes had been bound or repaired; that 460 volumes
 
 112 HISTORY OP 
 
 had been purchased, and between 13,000 and 14,000 dol- 
 lars had been remitted to Europe for the purchase of 
 books ; and also that arrangements had, in a great measure, 
 been completed, and rules adopted, for the purpose of con- 
 stituting the Athenaeum a circulatuag Library ; an alpha- 
 betical catalogue of the library being nearly printed, distinct 
 from the manuscript catalogue for facilitating the examinar 
 tion of the Library. 
 
 Concerning the pamphlets and coins, the Committee also 
 reported, that the number which had recently come into the 
 possession of the Athenaeum was so great that they had not 
 yet had the time suitably to examine them ; that one thou- 
 sand volumes of tracts had been bound, but that a great 
 number remained unbound ; that of coins and medals the 
 Athenaeum possessed upwards of 13,000, some of which 
 were duphcates, some worthless, but that an interesting 
 cabinet of several thousand pieces might undoubtedly be 
 formed out of them. 
 
 In this report the proceedings of the Trustees, for the 
 accommodation of the artists in the vicinity, by giving them 
 free access to the casts, and ordering the room to be 
 warmed for them three evenings in the week, were stated 
 and approved. 
 
 By the Treasurer's Report, 
 
 The productive property of the 
 Athenaeum on the 30th of De- 
 cember, 1826, was .... $45,475-52 
 
 Its estate in Pearl street, valued 
 
 at its cost 21,790-40 
 
 Books per Ledger do. . . 17,379-34 
 
 Lecture-room, and cash on hand 15,104-00 
 
 ,749-26
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 113 
 
 At this meeting, the Standing Committee reported, and 
 the Proprietors accepted, the following 
 
 " By-Laws of the Proprietors of the Boston Athenaeum, 
 established January 1, 1827. 
 
 " CHAPTER I. 
 
 " Proprietors' Meetings, and Elections. 
 
 "Art. 1. There shall be Annual Meetings of the Proprietors, 
 on the first Monday of January, at 5 o'clock P. M. and Special 
 Meetings may be called at any time by order of the Trustees ; 
 all which shall be held at the Athenaeum, or such other place 
 as the Trustees shall direct. And in the absence of the 
 President and Vice-President, some Proprietor shall be chosen 
 to preside. 
 
 " Art. 2, At least five days' notice of every such Meeting 
 shall be given, in two or more newspapers printed in Boston, 
 and also by a notification to be left at the residence, or place 
 of business in Boston, of each Proprietor ; or, when this is not 
 known, at the Post-office. And at least one day's notice of 
 every adjourned meeting shall be given, in one such news- 
 paper. ^ 
 
 " Art.'S. There shall be chosen annually, a President, Vice- 
 President, and Treasurer, who shall be, ex-qfficio, Members of 
 the Board of Trustees, and nine Trustees, all Proprietors ; and 
 also a Secretary ; to continue in office until others are chosen 
 in their stead. And if any of these officers should not be 
 elected at the Annual Meeting, they may be elected at any 
 other meeting. 
 
 "CHAPTER II. 
 
 " Powers and Duties of Officers. 
 
 " Art. 4. The Trustees shall meet on the second Monday of 
 January, April, July, and October, at six o'clock, P. M., at the 
 15
 
 114 HISTORY OF 
 
 Athenseum, or at such other place as the President shall direct. 
 Special meetings of the Board may be called by order of the 
 President, Vice-President, or Standing Committee. Five mem- 
 bers shall constitute a quorum. A printed notice of every 
 meeting shall be sent to each member of the Board, at least 
 three days before the meeting. 
 
 " Art. 5. The Trustees shall appoint a Librarian, and, if 
 they think fit, a Sub-librarian, and fix their salaries. They shall 
 direct the purchase of books, and transact, manage, and regu- 
 late all affairs of the Corporation, of what nature soever, in a 
 manner not repugnant to the terms of subscription or the votes 
 of the Proprietors. They shall cause the regulations of the 
 Athenasum to be enforced, and may suspend the privileges of 
 any one violating those regulations, or injuring the property 
 of the Athenteum, until the next meeting of the Proprietors. 
 They may make new regulations, which shall be laid before 
 the Proprietors at their next meeting, and shall continue valid 
 unless disapproved by them. 
 
 " Art. 6. A Standing Committee of three Trustees shall be 
 appointed at each quarterly meeting of the Board, to continue 
 in office until others are chosen in their stead. The Athenseum 
 shall be visited by one of them, at least three times a week. 
 They shall have the immediate management of the concerns 
 and incidental expenses of the Institution, and may suspend the 
 privileges of any person causing disturbance in the Athenseum, 
 violating its rules, or injuring its property, until the next meet- 
 ing of the Trustees. 
 
 " Art. 7. The Treasurer shall keep exact accounts of all the 
 property of the Institution, and of all receipts and expenditures. 
 He shall make complete statements of its pecuniary concerns 
 to the Proprietors at their Annual Meeting, and to the Trustees 
 whenever required. He shall pay no moneys, but by order of 
 the Trustees or of the Standing Committee, and under such 
 regulations as the Trustees may prescribe. 
 
 "Art. 8. The Secretary shall give notice of all meetings of 
 the Proprietors and Trustees, as above provided ; shall record
 
 TUE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 115 
 
 in separate books the proceedings of each body, and all reports 
 accepted by them. He shall submit his records to the Stand- 
 ing Committee, as soon as may be after every meeting, for 
 inspection and approbation, and bring them with him to every 
 subsequent meeting. He shall report to the same Committee 
 all communications received by him, relating to the Institution ; 
 shall keep all papers in his department regularly on file, and 
 take receipts for all certificates of shares which he may issue. 
 In case of vacancy in the office, or of his absence from any 
 meeting, a secretary pro tempore may be appointed by the 
 Trustees. 
 
 "Art. 9. The Librarian, and in his absence the Sub-librarian, 
 shall preserve and arrange in proper order all books and other 
 articles in the Athenseum, and make out complete catalogues 
 of the same. He shall cause the rules and regulations to be 
 observed ; shall report to the Standing Committee all donations 
 and all communications received by him, and all violations of 
 good order, or of the regulations of the Athenseum ; and shall 
 perform such other duties as the Trustees may from time to 
 time prescribe. 
 
 " CHAPTER III. 
 '■'•Rights and Obligations of Proprietors and Suhscrihers. 
 
 "Art. 10. Proprietors and Life Subscribers shall be furnished 
 with certificates of their property, under the seal of the Cor- 
 poration, signed by the President and Secretary. 
 
 "Art. 11. Every Proprietor shall have two transferable tick- 
 ets of admission to the Athenseum. But no transfer of them 
 shall be made for more than twelve, or less than three months, 
 nor be valid until recorded by the Librarian. 
 
 " Art. 12. Each Proprietor and Life Subscriber may intro- 
 duce strangers, not residing whhin twenty miles of Boston, to 
 the Athenseum ; and such strangers shall be entitled to admis- 
 sion, afterwards, for the term of one month, upon having their 
 names recorded, with that of the person introducing them, who
 
 116 HISTORY OF 
 
 shall be responsible for their observing the regulations of the 
 Institution. Any number of persons may visit the Athenceum 
 in company with a Proprietor or Life Subscriber. 
 
 "Art. 13. Annual Subscribers shall be admitted on such con- 
 ditions as the Trustees shall direct, upon paying a sum not less 
 than ten dollars to the Librarian, to be accounted for by him to 
 the Treasurer. But no subscription shall be received for a less 
 term than a year. 
 
 " Art. 14. Rights and shares in this institution shall be indi- 
 visible. 
 
 " Art. 15. No transfer of a share shall be valid until the evi- 
 dence thereof in writing is deposited with the Secretary ; the 
 old certificate being first given up or shown to be lost. And 
 the Secretary may charge two dollars for each transfer, for the 
 benefit of the Institution. 
 
 " Art. 16. Any person admitted to the Athenceum may pro- 
 pose the purchase of any publication, by inserting its title in a 
 book kept for that purpose. 
 
 " Art. 17. Any person injuring the property of the Athenae- 
 um, and refusing to make compensation, or otherwise infringing 
 the regulations of the Institution, shall be deprived of its privi- 
 leges by the Standing Committee, until the next meeting of the 
 Trustees, who shall take order thereon. 
 
 " Art. 18. Any person carrying a book or other article out 
 of the building contrary to the regulations, shall forfeit his right 
 in the Institution for one year, — or, if an Annual Subscriber, 
 shall forfeit his subscription. 
 
 " CHAPTER IV. 
 
 "Miscellaneous Articles. 
 
 " Art. 19. The Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Members of 
 the Legislature for the time being, the Judges of the Supreme 
 Court, and of the Courts of the United States, the Officers and 
 Resident Graduates of Harvard College, and of the Theological 
 Institution at Andover, the several Presidents of the American
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEX^UJI. 117 
 
 Academy, Historical Society, Medical Society, Agricultural 
 Society, Salem Athenaeum, and East India Marine Society of 
 Salem, and such persons as shall be specially invited by vote of 
 the Trustees, shall have free admission to the Athenseum. 
 
 " Art. 20. A record shall be kept of all donations ; and, on 
 all books and other articles presented to the Athenteum, the 
 name of the donor shall be inscribed in such manner as 
 the Trustees shall direct. 
 
 " Art. 21. No books or other articles, not the property of the 
 Athenaeum, shall be deposited in it hereafter, unless by vote of 
 the Trustees ; and every thing thus deposited shall be at the 
 risk of the owner. 
 
 " Art. 22. There shall be an annual examination of the Li- 
 brary, at such time as the Trustees shall direct, by a Committee 
 consisting of six of the Trustees and six of the Proprietors, to 
 be appointed by the Trustees. The report of this Committee 
 on the condition of the Library, Reading-rooms, and all the 
 other concerns of the Institution, excepting those which belong 
 to the department of the Treasurer, shall be made to the Pro- 
 prietors at the Annual Meeting. 
 
 " Art. 23. The Athenaeum shall be opened at six o'clock, 
 A. M. from the first of June to the first of September, and 
 during the rest of the year at eight o'clock, and shall be kept 
 open every day, excepting Sunday, until nine o'clock. P. M., 
 and at such other times as the Trustees shall prescribe." 
 
 The officers of the ensuing year, who were chosen at 
 this meeting, were the same as those of the year preceding, 
 excepting only that, Theodore Lyman, Jr. having resigned, 
 George Hayward was elected in his place.* 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Proprietors of the Ath- 
 
 * Officers chosen in 1827. — President, Josiah Quincy ; — Vice-President, 
 Francis C. Gray; — Treasurer, Nathan Appleton ; — Secretary, Henry Cod- 
 man; — 7V«s<ees, Thomas VVigglesworth, Nathaniel Bowditch, Samuel Dorr, 
 George Ticknor, Samuel Swett, James Perkins, Edward Brooks, Henry Cod- 
 man, George Hayward.
 
 118 HISTURY OF 
 
 engeum, on the 7tli of January, 1828, the Committee 
 appointed to examine the Library reported, that the duty 
 had been fulfilled with great care, and that only one volume, 
 and that of little value, had been lost since the last examina- 
 tion ; a circumstance which, they add, gave them great 
 pleasure, as it proved that the losses anticipated from the 
 circulation of books had not been experienced. The books, 
 also, were found in good condition ; the whole number of 
 volumes amounted to 21,945, there having been added 
 to the Library during the year 4,356 volumes ; the num- 
 ber added to the coins was 77 ; and the various works 
 of art had been as well preserved as their then exposed 
 situation would permit. 
 
 The financial condition of the Athenaeum at the end of 
 the year 1827, was stated to be as follows : — 
 
 Li productive property .... $40,842*64 
 
 Net amount of subscriptions and 
 receipts for, and from, the Lec- 
 ture-room, after deducting all 
 expenses, ordinary and extra- 
 ordinary 15,550*82 
 
 Books 28,360-55 
 
 Real estate in Pearl Street . . 22,890*89 
 
 Expenses for excess of expendi- 
 ture over income 580*09 
 
 Cash in the hands of the Treasurer . 57*53 
 
 Stock $108,282*52 
 
 At this meeting, several motions were offered for a modi- 
 fication of the terms on which books might be taken from the 
 Athenaeum, of the respective tenors following, namely, — 
 first, that " Proprietors and Life Subscribers should have 
 the privilege of taking out books on the payment of an
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 119 
 
 annual assessment of one dollar ; " — second, that " all 
 books may be taken out the Athenaeum (by those otherwise 
 qualified) except such as shall be specially prohibited by a 
 vote of the Proprietors ; " — third, that " any member 
 of the Boston Medical Association may have all the privi- 
 leges of an Annual Subscriber to the Boston Athenasum, 
 ■with the right of taking books from the room containing the 
 Medical Library, under the same rules as a Proprietor, on 
 paying ten dollars annually in advance to the Librarian, 
 and signing an obligation to obey the regulations concern- 
 ing the circulation of the books." 
 
 All these motions were referred to a committee, to report 
 at an adjourned meeting on the first Monday of the ensu- 
 ing February. 
 
 The Proprietors also voted, that the proxies of absent 
 Proprietors may be admitted. 
 
 At this meeting the following ofiicers were chosen, viz., 
 Josiah Quincy, President ; Nathaniel Bowditch, Vice-Pres- 
 ident ; Thomas W. Ward, Treasurer ; Josiah Quincy, Jr. 
 Secretary; and Israel Thomdike, Jr., James Perkins, Jon- 
 athan Philhps, Henderson Inches, Joseph Coolidge, Jr., 
 George Hayward, Edward Brooks, and Franklin Dexter, 
 Trustees ; leaving one vacancy, the filling of which was 
 postponed till the next meeting. 
 
 At the adjourned meeting of the Proprietors, the com- 
 mittee on the several motions on the subject of taking out 
 books reported, — as to the first motion, that it was inex- 
 pedient to reduce the annual assessment as proposed there- 
 in, the present sum being necessary to enable the Pro- 
 prietors to meet their current expenses ; — as to the sec- 
 ond, that the members of the Boston Medical Association 
 be admitted to the privileges asked for, as they had en- 
 joyed a similar one before the union of the Medical Libra- 
 ry with the Athenaeum ; — and, as to the third, that the
 
 120 HISTORY OF 
 
 Trustees should retain the power o^ withholding rare and 
 costly books from circulation, as the Proprietors could in 
 any particular instance, by a vote, modify the list of books 
 to be withheld. 
 
 The report of this committee, after considerable debate, 
 was accepted by the Proprietors. 
 
 A motion was then made that " the annual assessment 
 be reduced from five dollars." This question was decided 
 in the negative, by yeas 43, and nays 107. 
 
 Nathaniel Bowditch having declined the office of Vice- 
 President, to which he had been elected at the preced- 
 ing meeting, Francis C. Gray was elected in his stead. 
 Jonathan Phillips and James Perkins having also declined 
 their election as Trustees, the vacancies were filled by the 
 election of Nathaniel Bowditch, George Ticknor, and Thom- 
 as Wigglesworth.* 
 
 The proceeds of the first exhibition of paintings, in 1827, 
 amounted in gross receipts to ... $ 4,000 
 
 And the expenses incurred were . . 1,500 
 
 The amount paid to the Treasurer of Athenseum 
 was, $2,500 
 
 The proceeds of this exhibition, in conformity with a sub- 
 sequent vote of the Proprietors to apply such proceeds gen- 
 erally to the encouragement of the fine arts, were expended 
 for the purchase of Trumbull's picture of the Sortie of Gib- 
 raltar, for $ 2000, and also of Neagle's picture of the Black- 
 smith for $400, and a portrait of Annibale Caracci, by 
 himself, for $100. 
 
 * Officers, as finally elected in 1828. — President, Josiah Quincy ; — Vice- 
 President, Francis C. Gray; — Treasurer, Thomas W. Ward; — Secretanj, Jo- 
 siah Quincy, Jr.; — Trustees, Israel Thorndike, INathaniel Bowditch, George 
 Ticknor, Henderson Inches, Joseph Coolidge, Jr., George Hayward, Edward 
 Brooks, Franklin Dexter, and Thomas Wigglesworth.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 121 
 
 The Commissioners appointed by the government of the 
 United States, pursuant to a convention entered into -with 
 the government of Great Britain, having communicated a 
 request to that effect through Governor Lincoln, the Trus- 
 tees, on the 23d of October, 1828, voted to empower the 
 President to deliver a number of books and maps, repre- 
 sented to be important to the statement of the claims of the 
 government of the United States to the disputed territory 
 in the State of INIaine ; — a list of the books and maps so 
 lent being placed on file and on record. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Proprietors of the Athe- 
 noeum, on the 5th of January, 1829, the result of the re- 
 ports of all the committees of examination was highly sat- 
 isfactory. 
 
 The committee having charge of the management of the 
 funds resulting from the donations of the Messrs. Perkins 
 and other individuals, under the instructions of the Propri- 
 etors, reported at length the result of their proceedings, 
 from which it appeared, that they had expended on binding 
 books, both old and new, . . . . ^ 2,185-09 
 
 And in the purchase of books, . . 11,896-42 
 
 Total, $14,081-51 
 
 That there had been placed at 
 
 their disposition funds of 
 
 the Scientific Library, . $ 3,422-38 
 Subscribed for the Transactions 
 
 of learned societies, . 1,700-00 
 Of the Athenaeum, for binding 
 
 books, .... 1,500-00 
 For the purchase of books, 10,790-00 
 
 17,412-38 
 
 Difference, $3,330-87 
 
 16
 
 122 HISTORY OF 
 
 — being the unexpended balance remaining in the hands of 
 the Treasurer. 
 
 It was then voted, on the recommendation of the Trustees, 
 1. That the net proceeds of the annual exhibitions be de- 
 voted to the promotion of the fine arts. 2. That purchasers 
 of shares on which the assessment for taking out books 
 has not been paid, may take out books on paying pro rata 
 for the remainder of the year, but not for less than one 
 quarter. 3. That, if any book be lost or injured, and not 
 replaced by a new volume, or set (if it belong to a set), 
 the Trustees may require the person to whom it stands 
 charged to pay double the current price of the volume or 
 set. 4. That the Trustees may permit any clergyman 
 regularly settled in Boston to take out books on the same 
 terms as Proprietors. 
 
 The Treasurer's report for the year 1828 was also re- 
 ceived at this meeting, and accepted, by which it appeared 
 that the property of the Athenaeum was as follows : — 
 
 In books, $31,615-58 
 
 In real estate on Pearl Street, . . 22,890-89 
 
 In Lecture-room, ..... 15,550-82 
 
 $ 70,057-29 
 
 And in deposit in the Hospital Life 
 Insurance Office, in notes, and in 
 various banks and manufacturing 
 companies, . . ... 37,675-52 
 
 Viz. in stock, . . $105,330-31 
 Fine Arts, . . 1,948-44 
 Treasurer's hands, . 454-06 
 
 $ 107,732-81 
 
 $ 107,732-81
 
 THE BOSTON ATHENAEUM. 123 
 
 By the same report of the Treasurer it appeared, that 
 the proceeds of the several exhibitions of pictures were as 
 follows : — 
 
 Of the first exhibition, .... | 2,500-00 
 
 Of the second do 2,492-26 
 
 And of an exhibition of the Capuchin Chapel, 
 
 owned by Mr. Wiggin, .... 360-21 
 
 $ 5,352-47 
 And that there had been expended in the 
 
 purchase of busts and pictures, . . 3,404-03 
 
 Leaving a balance in the Treasurer's hands to 
 
 the credit of the Fine Arts department, $ 1,948-44 
 
 The annual income from all sources was stat- 
 ed by the Treasurer to be . . . 3,600-00 
 
 And the ordinary annual expenses were esti- 
 mated by him at 3,500-00 
 
 At this meeting the annual election of officers took place, 
 and, Israel Thorndike, Jr. and Thomas Wigglesworth having 
 resigned their seats as Trustees, Messrs. Charles P. Curtis 
 and John Lowell, Jr. were elected in their place.* 
 
 In March, 1829, the Trustees voted that Miss Hannah 
 Adams should have the free use of the library. In May 
 a letter was received from Mr. Quincy, resigning the office 
 of President of the institution, whereupon it was voted that 
 the same should be communicated to the Proprietors at 
 their next annual meeting in January, 1830, when the 
 thanks of the Proprietors were voted to Mr. Quincy for his 
 services as President of the Athenaeum during the last nine 
 years. 
 
 * Officers chosen in 1829. — President, Josiah Quincy 3 — Vice-President, 
 Francis C. Gray ;— Treasj/rer, Thomas W. Ward ;— Secretary, Josiah Quincy, 
 Jr.; — T'/jw^ecs, Nathaniel Bowditch, George Ticknor, Edward Brooks, Hen- 
 derson Inches, Joseph Coolidge, Jr., George Hay ward, Franklin Dexter, Charles 
 P. Curtis, and John Lowell, Jr.
 
 124 HISTORY OF 
 
 At this meeting of the Proprietors the committee ap- 
 pointed for the examination of the ' Library conckided their 
 report with the remark, that, " taking into view the great 
 circulation of the books of the institution, which amounts, 
 on an average, to four thousand volumes a year, they were 
 found in good condition, and in an order that did credit to 
 the Librarian." 
 
 The committee on the Fine Arts reported that the gross 
 receipts of the third exhibition of paintings 
 had been $3,928-04 
 
 That the expenses had been $ 1,005-31 
 
 And pictures had been pm'chased 
 
 at a cost of . . . 600-00 
 
 ■ 1,605-31 
 
 Leaving a balance paid over to the Treasurer, $ 2,322*73 
 From the annual report of the Treasurer, for 
 1829, it appeared that during the year he 
 
 had paid $ 13,006-60 
 
 He had received .... 10,399-59 
 
 Leaving a balance credited in his account of $ 2,607*01 
 From the Treasurer's report it also appeared that in De- 
 cember, 1829, the property of the Athenaeum was as fol- 
 lows: — 
 
 Li books, $36,212-57 
 
 Eeal estate in Pearl Street, . . . 22,890-89 
 Lecture-room, ..... 15,550-82 
 
 $ 74,654-28 
 In deposit in Life Office, notes, and bank 
 
 shares, 35,675*52 
 
 In paintings, busts, &c., bought with the Fme 
 
 Arts funds, 6,159*03 
 
 Balances of foreign agents' accounts, . 450*31 
 
 Making an aggregate of . . . $ 116,939*14
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 125 
 
 Of whicli there was to the credit of the 
 
 stock account, .... $ 112,381-49 
 To the credit of the Fine Arts, . . 1,950-64 
 Of the Treasurer, 2,607-01 
 
 $ 116,939-14 
 
 The above included all the property of the Athenaeum 
 for which money had been paid, but did not include dona- 
 tions of real estate, books, pictures, medals, charts, and other 
 valuable and rare articles to a large amount. 
 
 The annual income for the then current 
 
 year was estimated to be about . . $ 3,301 
 
 And its ordinary expenditures were anticipated to be 
 about equal to its annual income. 
 
 The committee appointed to cause suitable catalogues of 
 the pamphlets to be prepared, reported that they had at- 
 tended to that subject, and two were in process of prepar- 
 ation, one alphabetical, the other arranged according to the 
 subjects ; that there were above twenty thousand pamphlets 
 in the Athenaeum already bound up, and the two catalogues 
 of these would fill four thick folio volumes. 
 
 The Proprietors voted, " That any person entitled to 
 take out books may have at any time four volumes ; and, 
 where a set shall consist of more than that number, he may 
 take out the whole, provided, however, that the total number 
 taken out at one time by any one subscriber, in his own 
 right, shall not exceed six volumes." 
 
 The choice of officers was then made for the ensuing 
 year. Messrs. Coohdge and Brooks, having dechned re- 
 election, received the thanks of the Proprietors for their 
 services, and Isaac P. Davis and Edward Wigglesworth 
 were elected in their stead.* 
 
 * Officers chosen in 1830. — President, Thomas H. Perkins ; — Vice-Presi- 
 dent, Francis C.Gray; — Treasurer, Thomas W. Ward ; — Secretary, Josiah 
 Quincy, Jr. ; — Trustees, Nathaniel Bowditch, George Ticknor, George Hay-
 
 126 HISTOKY OF 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Proprietors in January, 
 1831, the committee on the Library reported, that it was in 
 good condition ; that the number of books, as computed by 
 the Librarian, was 25,555, including an addition of 790 
 during the last year ; that the catalogue of tracts, which 
 had been preparing during the last two years under the 
 superintendence of Professor Ticknor, Francis C. Gray, 
 and Joseph Coohdge, Jr., was now completed, for which 
 the thanks of the institution were due to the gentlemen 
 above named, as well as to Dr. Augustus A. Gould, " who 
 has made out the catalogue in a style which does him much 
 credit." 
 
 By the report of the committee on the Fine Arts it ap- 
 peared, that the net proceeds of the fourth exhibition (in 
 1830) had not been so great as those of the three previous 
 years ; and, by the Treasurer's report, that they amounted 
 only to about $ 1,800. 
 
 The net receipts from all the four exhibitions, as stated 
 by the Treasurer, had been about . . $ 10,000-00 
 
 Of which had been expended for paintings 
 
 and busts, 7,165-25 
 
 For an appropriation for Audubon's Orni- 
 thology, 800-00 
 
 Leaving a balance to the credit of the Fine 
 
 Arts fund of 1,925-73 
 
 Making $9,890-98 
 
 The property of the institution in Decem- 
 ber, 1830, was as follows, viz. : — 
 Books, .... $39,443-81 
 Real estate, . . 22,890-89 
 
 Lecture-room, . . 15,550-82 
 
 $ 77,885-52 
 
 ward, Henderson Inches, Franklin Dexter, Charles P. Curtis, John Lowell, Jr., 
 Isaac P. Davis, and Edward VVigglesworth.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 127 
 
 Amount brought forward, . . $ 77,885*52 
 Deposits in Life Office, notes, and bank stares, 31,350-00 
 Paintings, &c., ..... 7,165-25 
 Balance in hands of foreign agents and Treas- 
 urer, 509-21 
 
 $ 116,909-98 
 
 Of which there was to the credit of the 
 
 stock account, .... 114,184*25 
 
 To the credit of the Fine Arts fund, . 1,925-73 
 
 And to the credit of the fund for Audu- 
 bon's Birds, 800-00 
 
 $ 116,909-98 
 
 The above included all the property of the Athena3um, 
 
 for which money had been paid, but not donations, to a large 
 
 amount, of real estate, books, medals, paintings, cash, &c. 
 
 The income of the past year the Treasurer stated to have 
 
 been $6,891-01 
 
 And the expenses .... 5,472-93 
 
 And he expressed his belief that the income of the com- 
 ing year would be sufficient to meet all demands. 
 
 The Proprietors then proceeded to the choice of officers, 
 and, John Lowell, Jr. and Josiah Quincy, Jr. having re- 
 spectively resigned the offices they held the last year, 
 Samuel A. Eliot was elected in the place of the former, 
 and WiUiam T. Andrews of the latter.* 
 
 At an adjourned meeting of the Proprietors, on the 10th 
 of January, a report of a committee, that " it was not ex- 
 pedient, under present circumstances, to make any change 
 
 * Officers chosen in 1831. — President, Thomas U. Verkins ;— Vice-Presi- 
 dent, Francis C. Gray ; — Treasurer, Thomas VV. Ward ; — Secrelarij, VVilham 
 T. Andrews 5 — Triistees, Nathaniel Bowditch, George Ticknor, George Hay- 
 ward, Henderson Inches, Franklin Dexter, Charles P. Curtis, Isaac P. Davis, 
 Edward Wiggles worth, and Samuel A. Eliot.
 
 128 HISTORY OF 
 
 in the existing regulations relative to the assessment levied 
 on the Proprietors for the privilege "of taking books from the 
 library," was accepted without discussion. The thanks of 
 the Proprietors were then voted to Josiah Quincy, Jr. for 
 his services as Secretary to the Athenaeum for the two past 
 years. 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees in May, 1831, a committee 
 was raised to purchase of the family of the late Gilbert 
 Stuart the original portraits by him of General and Mrs. 
 Washington. This committee reported in December follow- 
 ing, that they had been enabled to effect the object by the 
 encouragement at once afforded by a hberal contribution 
 from the Trustees of the Washington Monument Association, 
 and from private individuals, amounting to $ 1,500. " With 
 this sum they purchased from the family of the late Gilbert 
 Stuart, Esq., these original paintings, which, coming direct- 
 ly from the hand of the most distinguished artist who ever 
 attempted the likenesses of General Washington and Mrs. 
 Washington, are undoubtedly the most valuable and the 
 most authentic of all the portraits ever taken of them." 
 
 In December of this year, the committee (Mr. Ticknor) 
 on benefactors and donations, reported, that, " so far as the 
 Treasurer's books, the records of the Secretary, the reports 
 of committees, or any other memoranda within the control 
 of the institution, contained any information on the subject, 
 a list of all the donations and benefactors to the Athenaeum 
 has been made out and recorded in a suitable volume pre- 
 pared for that purpose. To this has been added, in another 
 volume, an index of donors' names with a reference to the 
 pages of the first volume, in which their gifts are specified ; 
 so that the two, when taken together, form, it is hoped, a 
 complete record of the great liberahty which has been 
 shown to this institution. At any rate, the record, it is be- 
 lieved, is as complete as can be made."
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 129 
 
 The books given to the Athenaeum, during the then twen- 
 ty-four years of its existence, were stated by the same com- 
 mittee to amount to about five thousand volumes ; and, to the 
 end that a list of benefactors and their gifts, as required 
 by the by-laws, might hereafter be kept, the Trustees 
 passed a resolve, " that the Librarian, in the month of Jan- 
 uary in every year, give to the standing committee of the 
 quarter a complete list of all benefactors to the Athenaeum, 
 and of their gifts ; and that the standing committee, after 
 examining the same, cause it to be neatly entered in the 
 book and index of donations, and each book or other article 
 thus given to be marked with the donor's name." 
 
 A committee appointed in May (Messrs. Davis, Ward, 
 and Ticknor) reported that they had procured a portrait of 
 the Hon. Thomas H. Perkins to be executed by Thomas 
 SuUy of Philadelphia, conformably to the authority vested 
 in them by the Board. 
 
 The committee on that subject (Messrs. Ticknor and 
 Gray) reported the great completeness with which the 
 pamphlets belonging to the institution had been examined 
 and bound according to the tenor of two votes of the Board, 
 under one of which above eighteen thousand pamphlets had 
 been bound in 1,099 volumes, and entered in two cata- 
 logues, the one alphabetical, and the other according to 
 subjects, — and under the other vote, out of twelve or fif- 
 teen thousand pamphlets lying in a confused mass, about 
 fourteen hundred, not duphcates of those bound, had been 
 selected and boimd in 82 volumes, and entered appropri- 
 ately in the alphabetical and scientific catalogues ; — " the 
 catalogue according to subjects being divided so as to suit 
 the particular nature of the vast collection of pamphlets in 
 the Athenaeum, and being provided both with a synoptical 
 table and an index, so that any one of the subdivisions of its 
 subjects may be readily found."
 
 130 HISTORY OF 
 
 This mass of pamphlets the committee regarded as consti- 
 tuting one of the most curious and important departments 
 of the Athenaeum, and, being now for the first time made 
 accessible, as of great value, and unequalled by any sim- 
 ilar collection in this country. To prevent its being over- 
 looked, a vote proposed by the committee was passed by the 
 Trustees, that " in the month of January, in every year, 
 the Librarian cause to be bound up all the pamphlets, not 
 duphcates, received during the year preceding, and furnish 
 to the standing committee a complete list of them, with a 
 reference for each to the volume in which it is contained ; 
 and that the committee, after adding to the collection of the 
 year any pamphlets which they think ought to be pre- 
 served in the Athenaeum, shall cause the whole to be en- 
 tered appropriately in the two catalogues provided for that 
 purpose."
 
 THE BOSTON ATHENiEUM. 131 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 STATE OF THE LIBRARY AND TREASURY PROPOSITION TO ENABLE 
 
 PROPRIETORS TO TAKE OUT BOOKS FREE OF CHARGE, REJECTED VOL- 
 UMES MISSING FROM THE LIBRARY, AND MEASURES TAKEN ON THE 
 
 SUBJECT — TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF DR. BOWDITCH MEASURES 
 
 TAKEN TO ERECT A MONUMENT TO HIS MEMORY DONATION OF 
 
 GEORGE W. BRIMMER — BEQUEST OF AMBROSE S. COURTIS, AND TRIB- 
 UTE TO HIS MEMORY CATALOGUE OF COINS BELONGING TO THE 
 
 ATHEN^UM, PREPARED BY CHARLES F. ADAMS TRUSTEES OF THE 
 
 ATHEN^UM APPOINTED VISITORS OF THE LOWELL TRUST — MEAS- 
 URES ARE TAKEN FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE ATHEN^UM FROM THE 
 
 HOUSE IN PEARL STREET THE APPROBATION OF THE WIDOW OF 
 
 THE DONOR IS SOLICITED AND GRANTED PROSPEROUS STATE OF THE 
 
 INSTITUTION. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Proprietors on the 2d of 
 January, 1832, the committee for the examination of the 
 Library reported the books to be generally in good condi- 
 tion, the number of volumes now belonging to the institu- 
 tion to be twenty-six thousand four hundred and fourteen, 
 of which 799 had been purchased during the last year, and 
 60 had been given ; — and that sixteen volumes alone were 
 missing. 
 
 By the report of the Treasurer, it appeared that, from 
 circumstances stated, he apprehended that in the ensuing 
 year the expenses of the institution might exceed its in- 
 come ; that the net proceeds from the exhibition of pic- 
 tures the past year had been . . $ 974-20 
 
 And there had been expended for premiums, 
 pictures, and bas-reliefs, by the commit- 
 tee on the Fine Arts, .... 1,000-00 
 
 Leaving a balance against the receipts of the 
 
 season, $25-80
 
 132 HISTORY OF 
 
 The present balance in the books of the 
 
 Treasurer to the credit of the' Fine Arts 
 
 fund was $ 1,532-10 
 
 The Treasurer further stated that the whole 
 
 property of the Athenoeum amounted 
 
 to $119,234-44 
 
 Of which the stock account 
 
 was . . . . $116,308-81 
 Fine Arts, . . . 1,532-10 
 Audubon fund, . . . 577-77 
 Debt to Barings & Company, 815-76 
 
 $ 119,234-44 
 
 At the election of officers this year, it appears that all 
 those of the preceding year were elected except Hender- 
 son Inches and Samuel A. Eliot, who had declined reelec- 
 tion.* 
 
 In consequence of the suggestion of the Treasurer, that 
 the expenditure might exceed the income this year, the 
 Trustees, at their first meeting, directed all orders for 
 books to be countermanded, and voted that no orders for 
 books be sent to Europe except through the Treasurer. 
 In February of this year, a bust of Dr. Kirkland, in mar- 
 ble, by Horatio Greenough, was presented to the Trustees 
 by a committee of citizens of the United States, who had 
 casually met together in Italy ; and it was accepted with an 
 appropriate vote of thanks. 
 
 In October, the committee on the Fine Arts reported, 
 that the exhibition of pictures this year had been satisfac- 
 torily successful, adding a net amount to the Fine Arts 
 
 * Officers chosen in 1832. — President, Thomas H. Perkins 5 — Vice-President, 
 Francis C.Gray; — Treasurer, Thomas W. Ward; — Secretary, William T. 
 Andrews ; — Trustees, Nathaniel Bowditch, Isaac P. Davis, Charles P. Curtis, 
 Edward Wigglesworth, Franklin Dexter, William H. Prescott, George Hay ward, 
 William J. Loring, and George Tickuor.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 133 
 
 fund not far from $ 1700, and that the result afforded 
 a gratifying proof of the undiminished interest of the com- 
 munity in respect to this branch of the fine arts. Their 
 recommendation of the purchase of several pictures and 
 books on the arts was authorized by the Trustees, out of 
 the Fine Arts fund. At the end of the year the standing 
 committee reported, that the receipts of the year had ex- 
 ceeded the expenditures by more than four hundred and 
 thirty dollars. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Proprietors in January, 
 1833y the committee on the Library reported, that they 
 found it in good order, and a thorough examination easy, 
 reflecting much credit on the Librarian ; that the whole 
 number of books was, in May, when the examination took 
 place, 27,157, and only five books were missing. 
 
 The Treasurer reported the property of the Athenaeum 
 to be $121,767-30 
 
 Of which was stock, . $ 118,585-41 
 
 Fine Arts fund, . . 1,954-61 
 
 Audubon fund, . . . 577-77 
 
 Due Barings & Company, 649-51 
 
 $ 121,767-30 
 It appears by this report, that the net amount of the pro- 
 ceeds of the exhibition in 1832 was . $ 1,705-97 
 That there had been expended in the pur- 
 chase of pictures, .... 1,053-46 
 And the present balance of the Fine Arts 
 
 fund was 1,954-61 
 
 At this meeting, Thomas H. Perkins declined, by letter, 
 a reelection to the office of President ; on which an appro- 
 priate vote of thanks for his services was passed, and the 
 other officers were reelected.* 
 
 * OfTicers chosen in 1833. — President, FrainciB C. Gray 3 — Vice-President,
 
 134 HISTORY OF 
 
 Two motions, the one for keeping the reading-room open, 
 from October 1st to April 1st, until 10 o'clock, P. M., the 
 other for permitting the Proprietors to take out books free 
 from any charge, were the occasion of a special meeting on 
 the 14th of the same January, at which both propositions 
 were rejected by a large majority. 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees in December, the commit- 
 tee on the Fine Arts reported the difficulty of arranging 
 a satisfactory exhibition of pictures this year, owing to the 
 want of new specimens of the art, and the increased dis- 
 crimination of the pubhc taste ; — that they had, therefore, 
 been induced to make a contract with the owner of a collec- 
 tion of pictures, the exhibition of which had been very suc- 
 cessful in New York ; — and that the arrangement had, 
 upon the whole, proved advantageous, the net proceeds of 
 the exhibition amounting, for the Athenaeum's share, to 
 $ 1,122-94 ; — also, that they had purchased, from the Fine 
 Arts fund, a painting by Washington AUston, called " Isaac 
 of York." 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Proprietors in 1834, it 
 appeared by the report of the committee for the examina- 
 tion of the Library, that it was found in good order, twelve 
 volumes only were missing, and the whole number of bound 
 volumes amounted to twenty-seven thousand four hundred 
 and seventy. 
 
 The Treasurer reported that the income 
 
 for the last year had been about . $ 2,705*81 
 
 The general expenses, .... 2,643-65 
 
 That the net receipts from the exhibition of 
 
 paintings the present year were . . 1,122*94 
 
 George Ticknor; — Treasurer, Thomas W.Ward; — Secretary, William T. 
 Andrews; — rrusifcs, Nathaniel Bowditch, George Hayward, Isaac P. Davis, 
 Edward VVigglesworth, William H. Prescott, Charles P. Curtis, Franklin Dex- 
 ter, William J. Loring, and William 'V. Andrews.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHENiEUM. 135 
 
 That there had been expended for the pur- 
 chase of pictures, &c $ 405*76 
 
 And the present balance of the Fine Arts 
 
 fund was 2,671-79 
 
 The property of the Athenaeum was stated 
 
 to be 123,185-88 
 
 Of which was to the credit of 
 the stock account, . $ 119,990-10 
 
 FmeArts, . . . 2,671-79 
 
 Audubon fund, . . 523-99 
 
 1 123,185-88 
 Letters were received from Dr. Bowditch and Mr. Tick- 
 nor, dechning a reelection, and votes were passed expressing 
 in the fullest manner the high sense entertained by the 
 Proprietors of the value of their services. The Proprietors 
 then reelected all the other officers of the last year, George 
 Hayward being made Vice-President, and Thomas G. Gary 
 and Nathaniel I. Bowditch added to the Board as Trustees.* 
 In October of tliis year, the expediency of purchasing 
 for the Gallery of the Athenoeum the four great architec- 
 tural paintings by Pannini came under the consideration of 
 the Trustees ; and letters were received from several artists 
 expressing their high estimation of those paintings and their 
 pecuniary value. It being suggested that, the price being 
 $ 8,000, if one half was subscribed by the Athengeum, the 
 other half could be raised by subscription, the Trustees 
 voted that they would subscribe for the purchase of two of 
 them at the price of two thousand dollars each, provided 
 that the other two should be purchased and presented to 
 
 * Officers chosen in 1854. — President, Francis C.Gray; — Vice-President, 
 George Hayward ; — Treasurer, Thomas W. Ward ; — Secretary, William T. 
 Andrews; — Trustees, Isaac P.Davis, Edward Wigglesworth, Charles P.Curtis, 
 Franklin Dexter, William J. Loring, William H. Prescott, Thomas G. Cary, Na- 
 thaniel I. Bowditch, and William T. Andrews.
 
 136 HISTORY OF 
 
 the Athengeum. In the November succeeding, the pictures 
 were purchased for $ 6,000, four thousand dollars being 
 paid out of the Fine Arts fund in conformity with this vote. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Proprietors in January, 
 1835, the committee for examining the Library reported 
 its general state to be highly satisfactory, fourteen volumes 
 to be missing, and the whole number of volumes to be twen- 
 ty-eight thousand one hundred and twenty-one. 
 
 The Treasurer reported the income for the 
 past year to have amounted to . • $ 8,108-81 
 
 And the general expenses and repairs to 2,147*71 
 
 That the proceeds of the exhibition of paint- 
 ings this year amounted, for the Athe- 
 naeum, to $1,324-32 
 
 And that there was a balance, now remaining 
 in the Treasurer's hands to the credit of 
 the Fine-Arts fund, of . . . 2,922-50 
 
 That the property of the Athenaeum amount- 
 ed to 124,591-83 
 
 Of which was stock, . $ 121,145-34 
 
 Fine Arts fund, . . . 2,922-50 
 
 Audubon fund, . . . 523-99 
 
 $ 124,591-83 
 Charles P. Curtis having resigned, the Proprietors pro- 
 ceeded to a choice of officers, and reelected all others of 
 the preceding year, and also Samuel May in place of Mr. 
 Curtis.* 
 At a meeting of the Trustees in March, 1835, a letter 
 
 * Officers chosen in 1835. — President, Francis C.Gray; — Vice-President, 
 George Hay ward ; — Treasurer, Thomas W.Ward; — Secretary, WUVmm T. 
 Andrews; — Trustees, Edward Wigglesworth, Isaac P.Davis, Samuel May, 
 Franklin Dexter, William J. Loring, William H. Prescott, Thomas G. Cary,Na- 
 thaniel I. Bowditch, and William T. Andrews.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM, 137 
 
 was received from Thomas H. Perkins, oiFering to subscribe 
 five hundred dollars towards erecting a north wing to the 
 Athenaeum building, to receive statuary, casts, kc, provided 
 a sufficient sum could be raised without encroaching on the 
 funds of the institution ; and also presenting to the Athe- 
 naeum a marble bust of Chief Justice Marshall, by Frazee. 
 Whereupon a vote of thanks was passed " for these two in- 
 stances of his habitual munificence towards the institution." 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Proprietors in January, 
 1836, the committee on the Library reported its state to be 
 satisfactory ; only eight volumes missing, and the whole 
 number of volumes twenty-eight thousand nine hundred 
 and nineteen. 
 
 The Treasurer reported that the general expenses of the 
 Athenaeum, including books, periodicals, and general re- 
 pairs, were estimated at about . . ^ 3,000*00 
 
 The income for these purposes at . 2,600*00 
 
 This difference arose partly from the falHng off of rents, 
 and partly from the increasing expense for the purchase of 
 books, and the yearly increasing value of the department 
 of the fine arts. 
 
 The Treasurer stated that the whole property of the 
 Athenaeum was $127,331-89 
 
 The whole amount of stock, $ 125,913*31 
 
 Audubon fund, . . 430*99 
 
 Fine Arts department, . . 141*17 
 
 Due the Treasurer, . . 846*42 
 
 $ 127,331*89 
 
 It appears by the above report and the Treasurer's books, 
 
 that the net receipts from the exhibition of pictures in the 
 
 year 1835 were $1,676*00 
 
 That the sum paid for the paintings by 
 Pannini, and for other objects connected 
 with the Fine Arts was . . . $ 4,457*33
 
 138 HISTORY OF 
 
 Which so far exhausted the whole fund as to 
 
 leave to its credit only ... $ 141*17 
 
 At this meeting the former hoard of oflBcers were reelect- 
 ed, with the exception of Franklin Dexter and Wilham J. 
 Loring, who had resigned.* 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees in March, 1836, Mr. Bow- 
 ditch, in behalf of several gentlemen who had been students 
 at law in the office of Wilham Prescott, presented to the 
 Athenasum a bust of that gentleman, by Frazee ; and, in 
 August, Thomas H. Perkins, Jr., presented a picture of 
 " Eberhart, Comte de Wirtemberg, mourning over the Body 
 of his Son" ; for both of which suitable thanks were voted. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Proprietors, in January, 
 1837, the committee on the Library reported in general its 
 good state. About forty-six volumes were missing, but they 
 were not such as were the most valuable, or as it would 
 be difficult to replace. The total number of volumes on 
 the day of their examination was twenty-nine thousand one 
 hundred and eighty-four. 
 
 The Treasurer reported that the income for the last year, 
 applicable to general expenses, was . . $ 2,648*65 
 
 And the general expense was . . 2,481*37 
 
 The whole property of the Athenaeum was $ 128,591-90 
 
 Of which the credit to the stock 
 
 account was . . $ 127,340-60 
 
 The Fine Arts fund, . . 942-23 
 
 Audubon fund, . . . 302-47 
 
 6-60 
 
 $ 128,591-90 
 
 * Officers chosen in 183G. — President, Francis C.Gray; — Vice-President, 
 George Hay ward ; — Treasurer, Thomas W. Ward ; — Secretary, William T. 
 Andrews; — Trustees, Isaac P. Davis, Edward Wigglesworth, Samuel May, 
 William H. Prescott, Thomas G. Gary, Nathaniel I. Bowditch, William T. An- 
 drews, John A. Lowell, and Samuel Lawrence. 
 
 Treasurer, . . . . 6-60
 
 THE BOSTOX ATHEN^DM. 139 
 
 That the proceeds of the exhibition of paint- 
 ings for the year 1836 were . . $ 1,770-00 
 
 There had been paid, as appears by his 
 books, for busts, paintings, and inciden- 
 tal charges, 968-94 
 
 And that the present balance to the credit 
 
 of the Fine Arts fund was . . $ 912-23 
 
 The above statement of property included only that 
 which had been paid for, and not the large amount, of various 
 kinds, which had been presented to the institution. 
 
 A vote was then passed, oifering a reward of one hundred 
 dollars for the conviction of any one for having stolen any 
 of the books reported to be missing, and that a list of them 
 should be published in two newspapers. 
 
 Thomas W. Ward having, at this meeting, decUned a re- 
 election as Treasurer, an appropriate vote was passed, ac- 
 knowledging his valuable services in that office for nine years, 
 and in promoting the general interests of the institution ; and 
 expressing the regret of the Proprietors, that his engage- 
 ments did not permit a longer continuance of his services. 
 
 Francis C. Gray also now declined a reelection to the 
 office of President ; and a hke vote was passed, assuring him 
 of the due appreciation, by the Proprietors, of his high qual- 
 ifications for that office, of the liberality he had manifested 
 in himself and promoted in others towards the institution, 
 and of the various important services he had rendered to it. 
 The Proprietors then proceeded to reelect the officers of the 
 preceding year, with the exception of those who had re- 
 signed.* 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees in March, 1837, Isaac P. 
 
 * Officers chosen in 1837. — President, George Hayward ; — Vice-President, 
 Thomas G. Gary ; — Treasurer, Josiah Quincy, Jr.; — Secret??/, William T. 
 Andrews;— Trustees, Edward Wigglesworth, William T. Andrews, Natiianiel 
 I. Bowditchj William H. Prescott, Samuel Lawrence, Thomas B. Curtis, Isaac 
 P. Davis, Samuel May, and John A. Lowell.
 
 140 HISTORY OF 
 
 Davis reported, that in pursuance of an authority vested in 
 him he had exchanged the picture" of " The Mother and 
 Child " bj Allston, for a " Flower and Fruit Piece " by 
 Peter Boel, and had paid $ 100 in exchange. 
 
 In May, Mr. Davis reported that he had bought for the 
 Athenaeum, as authorized by the Trustees, the picture of 
 " St. Cecilia," by Copley, and also certain pictures belong- 
 ing to Henry Pickering, and that Mr. Pickering had pre- 
 sented to the Athenreum two pictures in addition. 
 
 A portrait of West, by Allston, purchased by Thomas 
 Dwight, J. S. Copley Greene, B. D. Greene, Mrs. Gardi- 
 ner Greene, Francis C. Lowell, R. Crafts, W. A. Lawrence, 
 and R. C. Hooper, was now presented by them to the 
 Athenaeum, and the thanks of the Trustees were voted. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Proprietors, in January, 
 1838, the committee for examining the Library reported 
 that it was found in good condition, with the exception of 
 twenty-six volumes missing ; and that the whole number of 
 volumes now in the Library appeared, by the Librarian's 
 computation, to be thirty thousand and twenty-eight. 
 
 The Treasurer reported the whole property of the Athe- 
 nceum to be 
 
 Books $49,513-40 
 
 Real estate, 22,890-89 
 
 Lecture-room, ..... 15,550-82 
 Paintings and busts, .... 14,483-63 
 
 Productive property, .... 30,233-00 
 
 To the credit of stock, $ 128,765-48 
 
 Fine Arts fund, , . 873-11 
 
 Audubon fund, . . . 302-47 
 Ambrose S. Courtis's donation, 2,000-67 
 
 $ 131,941-73 
 
 $132,671-74
 
 THE EOSTOX ATHEN^UM. 141 
 
 Amount brought forward, $ 131,941-73 
 Debt to Barings & Co. . . 196-19 
 Due to Treasurer, . . 533-82 
 
 $ 132,671-74 
 
 It appears also by the books of the Treasurer that the 
 
 net proceeds of the exhibition of paintings, for the year 
 
 1837, amounted to $ 524-88 
 
 At this annual meeting all the officers of the preceding 
 year were reelected. 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees in April, 1838, the follow- 
 ing tribute to the memory of Dr. Bowditch was unanimous- 
 ly passed : — ■ 
 
 " Since our last meeting our country has been called to 
 mourn the death of one of its most distinguished men, the 
 late Nathaniel Bowditch. The connection of the deceased 
 with the Boston Athenaeum was so beneficial to this institu- 
 tion, that the Trustees are urged alike by official duty and 
 by private feelings to express their sense of his loss. 
 
 " This institution is deeply indebted to the late Dr. Boav- 
 ditch for the zeal with which he labored to advance its 
 interests. Finding it weak, he determined, in connection 
 with several other public-spirited individuals, to make it 
 prosper. Their appeals to the munificence of our wealthy 
 citizens were successful, and the resources of the Athe- 
 naeum were greatly increased. 
 
 " For several years Dr. Bowditch, continuing a member 
 of this Board, aided in the application of the funds which 
 he had done so much to procure ; and the high rank which 
 the scientific portion of our Library enjoys among similar 
 institutions in the United States is, in a great measure, 
 owing to his judgment and exertions. 
 
 " But Dr. Bowditch has far higher claims to notice. He 
 stood at the head of the scientific men of this country, and
 
 142 HISTORY OF 
 
 no man living has contributed more to his country's repu- 
 tation. His fame is of the most durable kind, resting on 
 the union of the highest genius with the most practical 
 talent, and the application of both to the good of his fellow- 
 men. Every American ship crosses the ocean with more 
 safety for his labors, and the most eminent mathematicians 
 of Europe have acknowledged him their equal in the highest 
 walks of their science. His last great work ranks with the 
 noblest productions of our age. 
 
 " But it is not merely the benefactor of this institution, 
 and the illustrious mathematician whose labors have given 
 safety to commerce and reputation to his country, whom 
 we lament. It is one, whose whole life was directed to 
 good ends, who combined the greatest energy with the kind- 
 est feehngs, who was the friend of every good man and 
 every good undertaking, the enemy of oppression, the pa- 
 tron of merit, the warm-hearted champion of truth and 
 virtue. It is the companion, whose simple manners and 
 amiable disposition put every one at ease in his presence, 
 notwithstanding the respect which his genius inspired ; and 
 who could turn apparently without effort from the profound- 
 est investigations, to take his part, with the light-heartedness 
 of a child, in the mirth of the social circle. His heart was 
 as tender as his intellect was powerful. His family found 
 him as affectionate as he was wise. He was equally their 
 delight and their pride. They could have no richer inherit- 
 ance than his character, and nothing but such a character 
 could afford them consolation for such a loss. 
 
 " Filled with a conviction of the truth of what is here 
 stated, the Trustees desire to express it. Therefore it is 
 
 " Voted, that the Trustees tender their sincere sympathy 
 to the family of the deceased, for the loss of one, as estimable 
 in his private relations as in his public. And, while they know 
 that no adequate consolation can be afforded under such a
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 143 
 
 calamity, they trust that some may be felt in the contem- 
 plation of a life so gloriously spent, and which has left 
 enduring monuments of excellence in every department, 
 ■whether of science or of practical utiUty, to which it has 
 been devoted. 
 
 " Voted, that the Secretary be instnicted to present a 
 copy of the foregoing preamble and resolution to the family 
 of the deceased." 
 
 At a subsequent meeting the Trustees appointed a com- 
 mittee to cooperate with those of other societies in erecting 
 a monument, at Mount Auburn, to the memory of Dr. Bow- 
 ditch. : 
 
 In May of this year, the Trustees effected the purchase 
 of the following pictures, out of a collection brought to this 
 country by Count Celestini ; namely, " Judith " ; "A Head 
 of Christ" ; two landscapes by Vanderwert ; a landscape by 
 Boquet ; a landscape by Gaspar Poussin ; a landscape, with 
 figures, by ZucchereUi ; a portrait of himself by Rembrandt ; 
 and a portrait by Vandyke ; the expense of this purchase 
 being four thousand dollars. 
 
 Mr. Davis, from the committee on the Fine Arts, report- 
 ed that Dr. S. Townsend had presented to the Athenaeum a 
 portrait, painted by Sir Thomas Lawrence at the age of thir- 
 teen years ; for which thanks were voted. Mr. Davis also 
 stated, that some gentlemen were desirous that the Athe- 
 naeum should procure the magnificent work, on " The An- 
 tiquities of Mexico," by Augustine Aglio, edited by Lord 
 Kingsborough, in seven volumes, imperial foho, and that 
 $ 150 would be subscribed by them towards the object ; 
 whereupon the Trustees voted to purchase the work, pro- 
 vided the whole cost should not exceed $400. 
 
 In November, Mr. Davis presented to the Athenaeum a 
 bust of Nicholas Biddle, and Mr. Longworth presented a 
 beautiful cast of a bas-relief portrait of Powers, the sculptor.
 
 144 HISTORY OF 
 
 In the month of September, George "W. Brimmer trans- 
 mitted to the Athenaeum a large and- magnificent collection 
 of works, chiefly in folio, embracing illustrations of archi- 
 tecture and architectural ornaments, and engravings of 
 works of the great masters in painting and architecture ; 
 also an extraordinarily fine painting, being an ancient copy of 
 Guide's " Martyrdom of St. Sebastian," and a portrait of 
 that painter at an early period of his life ; all constituting 
 one of the most splendid accessions to the collections of the 
 Athenaeum from the munificence of any individual. For this 
 an appropriate vote of thanks was passed by the Trustees, 
 who directed that the books be preserved in suitable cases, 
 and each volume be marked with the inscription, " The 
 Brimmer Donation." About the same time a very valuable 
 donation of copies of a " Cattle Piece " by Cuyp, and a 
 " Holy Family " by Murillo, Avas received from Francis C. 
 Gray, and suitably acknowledged by the Trustees. 
 
 At the annual meeting in January, 1839, the examining 
 committee on the Library reported it to be in good condition, 
 the number of missing volumes since the last examination 
 to be fifteen, and the whole number of volumes in the Li- 
 brary to be thirty thousand two hundred and eighty-six. 
 
 The committee on the Fine Arts reported, that the re- 
 ceipts from the exhibition of paintings in 1838 were up- 
 wards of twelve hundred dollars, and stated, respecting the 
 purchase of pictures made of Celestini, above mentioned, 
 that they were of rare merit, such as seldom reach our 
 shores, were in various styles of painting, and had been se- 
 lected by gentlemen of judgment and taste from Celestini's 
 whole collection. The opportunity of obtaining such pic- 
 tures being of unfrequent occurrence, they had ventured to 
 anticipate the proceeds of the exhibitions of future years 
 for two of the payments, of a thousand dollars each. The 
 committee, after recapitulating the great value of the Library
 
 THE BOSTON ATHENiEUM. 145 
 
 of the institution and of its collections of paintings and stat- 
 ues, recently increased by the donations of Mr. Brimmer 
 and Mr. Gray, declared their opinion that the whole was too 
 valuable to be kept in the Athenaeum building, subject to the 
 many disadvantages and dangers which they enumerated. 
 They felt constrained, therefore, to urge upon the attention 
 of the Proprietors the necessity of erecting a building for the 
 safe and permanent deposit of the pictures and statuary. 
 
 At this meeting the subject of a final settlement with the 
 heirs of Ambrose S. Courtis came under the consideration 
 of the Proprietors. 
 
 By the will of Mr. Courtis, five thousand dollars were 
 bequeathed to the Atheneeum, on condition that the sum 
 should " be placed at compound interest until, with other 
 donations for the like purpose and object, it should amount 
 to one million of dollars, when it should become the outright 
 property of the Proprietors of the Athengeum, be funded, 
 and the interest or income be applied for ever to the pur- 
 chase of books and the general support of the institution." 
 By the same will, another sum of five thousand dollars was 
 bequeathed to the Athenseum on like terms, the interest or 
 income of the fund, when it attained the amount of one mil- 
 lion of dollars, " to be applied to the formation of a Gallery 
 of Paintings, to be executed by artists born in the New 
 England States." 
 
 The amount specified in the above conditions respective- 
 ly being far greater than the Athengeum, by its charter, 
 was permitted to hold, it was supposed that it would be ne- 
 cessary to apply to the legislature for liberty to accept it, if, 
 notwithstanding other objections, its acceptance should be 
 deemed advisable ; and it was doubted whether the legisla- 
 ture could be induced to grant such an authority, consider- 
 ing the repugnancy of the terms of the bequest to the known 
 principles of the Constitution and the policy of the Com- 
 
 19
 
 146 HISTORY OF 
 
 monwealth in respect to the free transmission of property. 
 A committee, which had been appointed on this subject, 
 after recapitulating the difficulties incident to the nego- 
 tiation, reported that a compromise had been proposed by 
 the heirs of Mr. Courtis, and acceded to by the committee, 
 and that the Athengeum was to receive the sum of five 
 thousand dollars free of all restriction, in lieu of the com- 
 plicated and embarrassing conditions annexed to these leg- 
 acies by the testator. Their report was accepted by the 
 Proprietors. 
 
 Ambrose S. Courtis was a merchant of great respecta- 
 bility in the city of Boston, who, after accumulating a hand- 
 some property by a hfe of professional diligence and skill, 
 in addition to the liberal intentions above indicated in favor 
 of the objects of the Athenaeum, also devoted a large por- 
 tion of his property for the benefit of the Massachusetts 
 General Hospital and the Natural History Society, and in 
 aid of the elementary education of the poor in Boston, Sa- 
 lem, and Marblehead. 
 
 The Treasurer, at this meeting, reported that the in- 
 come for the past year, applicable to the general expenses, 
 was $3,729-80 
 
 And the general expenses and books Avere 2,285-83 
 
 That the balance of the Fine 
 
 Arts fund last year was $ 873-11 
 
 The proceeds of the annual ex- 
 hibition of paintings, . 978-95 
 
 1,852-06 
 Paid this year on their account, 684-44 
 
 Balance to the credit of this 
 fund .... $1,167-62 
 
 That the whole property of the institution 
 
 was $138,707-55
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 147 
 
 Of which was to the credit 
 
 of stock, . . . $131,177-68 
 
 Audubon fund, . . . 302-47 
 
 Ambrose S. Courtis, . 5,107-67 
 
 Baring, Brothers, & Co., . 250-22 
 
 Fine Arts, . . . 1,167-62 
 
 Bowditch Monument . . 701-89 
 
 $ 138,707-55 
 
 At this meeting Samuel Lawrence resigned his seat at 
 
 the board of Trustees, and the Proprietors proceeded to re. 
 
 elect all the other officers, substituting Enoch Hale in the 
 
 place of Mr. Lawrence.* 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees in February, 1839, the 
 thanks of the board were voted to Charles Francis Adams 
 for a catalogue of the coins of the Athenseum, which he 
 had kindly and skilfully prepared. The Trustees also 
 voted, that one half of the amount received from the exec- 
 utors of Ambrose S. Courtis should be devoted to the 
 " Fine Arts Fund." 
 
 Notice having been received from John A. Lowell, 
 executor of the will of John Lowell, Jr., that the Trus- 
 tees of the Athenaeum had been appointed visitors of the 
 trust created by that will, a vote was passed by the board, 
 directing that the opinion be obtained in writing, of coun- 
 sel learned in the law, concerning the duties and Habil- 
 ities of the Trustees of the Boston Athenaeum under this 
 trust ; and, at their meeting in March, an opinion was re- 
 ceived, that the acts of the Trustees as visitors of the Low- 
 ell trust would not bind or compromise the corporation in any 
 
 * Officers chosen in 1839. — President, George Hayward; — Vice-President, 
 Thomas G. Gary; — Treasurer, Josiah Quincy, Jr. ; — Secretanj, William T. 
 Andrews; — Trustees, Isaac P. Davis, Samuel May, Edward Wigglesworth, 
 William H. Prescott, Nathaniel I. Bowditch, William T. Andrews, Thomas B. 
 Curtis, John A. Lowell, and Enoch Hale.
 
 148 HISTOllY OF 
 
 way ; that the performance of the duty of \asitors -would be 
 a voluntary act of the individuals composing the board, and 
 might be withheld or dechned at pleasure ; that the acts of 
 the Trustees, as visitors, ought not to be recorded in the 
 book of records of the Athenaeum, but in a separate volume ; 
 and that the trust fund would be responsible for any costs or 
 expenses incurred by the \dsitors in enforcing a compliance 
 by the trustee with the provisions of the will, unless such 
 costs be charged by the court on the trustee. Whereupon a 
 vote was passed by the Trustees, accepting the trust of vis- 
 itors of the Lowell Fund, according to the limitations and 
 explanations of the liabilities incurred thereby, as laid down 
 in the above-stated legal opinion. 
 
 When the Athenaeum was removed to the estate bestow- 
 ed by James Perkins, Pearl Street was the residence of 
 private famiUes ; but, in 1839, the increase of business and 
 the erection of warehouses in that vicinity impressed upon 
 a great majority of the friends of the Athenaeum the neces- 
 sity of its removal to some other part of the city. Prelim- 
 inary to such a step, it was deemed proper to ascertain 
 the views and feehngs, on the subject, of Mrs. Perkins, 
 the widow of him' from whose bounty a large portion of 
 their whole estate in Pearl Street had been derived. The 
 Trustees, in June, 1839, appointed a committee on the sub- 
 ject, consisting of John A. Lowell and Thomas B. Curtis. 
 This committee accordingly addressed a letter to that lady, 
 in which they stated, that an opinion had long been enter- 
 tained by the friends of the institution, that a more central 
 situation would increase the patronage both of the Ubrary 
 and of the exhibition, by adding to the facility of access and 
 keeping them more constantly under the pubhc eye ; that, 
 knowing the peculiar interest she took in the Athenaeum, 
 the Trustees could not consent to take any steps without 
 consulting her upon the subject, and they therefore ventured
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 149 
 
 to solicit her approbation of such removal ; — adding, that 
 " they would not make the request, were they not persuad- 
 ed that the proposed change is one which will serve but to 
 perfect the good work so nobly commenced by your hus- 
 band." 
 
 To this communication Mrs. Perkins replied in a letter 
 expressing her thanks for the kindness and delicacy which 
 suggested the application to her ; and, although the removal 
 might be of some inconvenience to her, it would iU accord, 
 she said, with her feelings towards the institution, to oppose 
 any selfish considerations to a measure calculated to pro- 
 mote its prosperity and public usefulness. She then gave 
 her free assent to the proposed removal, should it be 
 thought expedient. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Proprietors in January, 
 18 iO, the committee on the examination of the Library re- 
 ported it to be in good condition, and only seven volumes 
 missing since the last examination. The whole number of 
 volumes was thirty thousand nine hundred and eighty-one. 
 
 The Treasurer also reported, that the in- 
 come of the past year, applicable to the 
 general expenses, was ... $ 2,808-93 
 
 The general expenses and books were . . 1,750-36 
 
 That the receipt from the exhibition of 
 
 paintings, for the year 1839, was . . 1,718-07 
 
 The whole property of the institution 
 
 was 1139,297-64 
 
 In real estate, . . $ 22,890-89 
 
 Lecture-room, . . . 15,550-82 
 
 Paintings, busts, &c., . 18,833-63 
 
 Books, .... 52,103-27 
 
 109,378-61 
 Productive property, . 29,919-03 
 
 $ 139,297-64
 
 150 HISTORY OF 
 
 To the credit of stock, $ 135,224-54 
 
 Audubon fund, . . . 93*77 
 Fine Arts . . . 3,979-33 
 
 $139,297-64 
 
 At this meeting all the officers of the preceding year 
 were reelected. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Proprietors in January, 
 1841, the committee for examining the Library reported, 
 that nineteen volumes had been lost during the year, gen- 
 erally of little intrinsic value, one or two only being impor- 
 tant either from their nature or their connection with sets ; 
 that the whole number received during the year was eight 
 hundred and seven ; that the whole number of the volumes 
 in the Library now amounted to thirty-one thousand eight 
 hundred and seven ; and that the general result of their 
 examination was gratifying, and indicative of the fidelity of 
 the Librarian. 
 
 The Treasurer also reported, that the income for the past 
 year, applicable to general expenses, was . $ 2,576-40 
 
 And the general expenses and books were 1,890-89 
 
 That the proceeds of the exhibition of 
 
 paintings for 1840 were . . . 638-31 
 
 The balance of the Fine Arts fund at the 
 
 end of the last year was . . . 3,979-33 
 
 Making a balance in its favor . . $ 4,617*64 
 
 That for nine pictures bought 
 of Celestini had been paid $ 4,000-00 
 
 And otherwise for this depart- 
 ment .... 451-40 
 
 4,451-40 
 
 Leaving the balance to the credit of this fund $ 166-24
 
 THE BOSTON ATHENiEUM. 151 
 
 That the whole property of the Athenasum 
 
 was $140,651-78 
 
 Of which there was to the credit of stock, 140,391-77 
 To the credit of the Fine Arts, . . 166-24 
 
 Audubon's Ornithology, . . . 93-77 
 
 $ 140,651-78
 
 152 HISTORY OF 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 MEASURES TAKEN FOR REMOVING THE INSTITUTION — CRAWFORD's MAR- 
 BLE STATUE OF ORPHEUS PURCHASED BUILDING ERECTED FOR IT 
 
 GREAT ENLARGEMENT OF THE FUNDS OF THE ATHEN^UM, ON CONDI- 
 TION OF ITS REMOVAL — A SITE ON TREMONT STREET PURCHASED 
 
 PREMIUM OFFERED FOR THE BEST PLAN OF A NEW EDIFICE THAT 
 
 OFFERED BY GEORGE M. DEXTER ACCEPTED CHANGE OF THE PRO- 
 POSED SITE OF THE NEW EDIFICE FROM TREMONT STREET TO BEACON 
 STREET PLAN, ADAPTED TO THE NEW SITE, AND DESIGNED BY ED- 
 WARD C. CABOT, ACCEPTED NOBLE DONATION OF JOHN BROMFIELD 
 
 FOR THE INCREASE OF THE LIBRARY FACTS, AND MEASURES ADOPT- 
 ED, IN RESPECT TO THAT DONATION CHARLES FOLSOM CHOSEN LI- 
 BRARIAN GREAT PROSPERITY OF THE ATHEN^UM CORNER STONE 
 
 OF THE NEW EDIFICE LAID WITH DUE CEREMONIES, 
 
 At the annual meeting, in January, 1841, the same offi- 
 cers were chosen as had served the institution for the two 
 preceding years. 
 
 At an adjourned meeting of the Proprietors, it was voted 
 that each owner of a share shall have free admission, with 
 three members of his family, to all exhibitions of paintings or 
 statuary belonging to the Athenaeum, for the present year, 
 he furnishing the door-keeper with the names of such mem- 
 bers of his family as he shall designate for admission, their 
 names being recorded, and they being made personally 
 known to the door-keeper. 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees in the same month, meas- 
 ures were taken to make known to the public the condition 
 and size of the Library, and the advantages of the institu- 
 tion, by a publication of these particulars in the newspapers ; 
 and a committee was appointed to devise and carry into 
 effect some plan for awakening the attention of the commu- 
 nity to a removal of the institution, or such other measures 
 as might serve to increase its usefulness.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 153 
 
 In May, the Trustees authorized the sum of $ 500 to 
 be subscribed towards the fund for procuring the comple- 
 tion of " the Group of Orpheus," in marble, by Mr. Craw- 
 ford, on condition, that when completed it should be the 
 property of the Athenaeum. 
 
 In July, Martin Brimmer presented to the institution a 
 copy of Guide's picture of " St. Michael," by Chatelain. 
 In December, the Trustees authorized the payment to 
 Mr. Clevenger of $ 150, on account of his bust of Mr. 
 Allston. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Proprietors, in January, 
 1842, the committee for examining the Library reported 
 eight volumes to be missing, one of the works much mu- 
 tilated, in other respects the Library in good condition, 
 and the whole number of volumes now belonging to the 
 Library to be thirty-two thousand two hundred and twenty- 
 five. 
 
 The vote of the last year for the free admission of each 
 Proprietor and three members of his family to the exhibition 
 of pictures was continued for the present year. 
 
 The Treasurer reported that the income for 
 the past year, appHcable to the general 
 expenses, was $ 2,552-65 
 
 And the general expenses, and books, . 2,817'15 
 
 During the year 1841, the Fine Arts fund 
 
 received only a credit of . . . 24*18 
 
 The balance the preceding year was . 166*24 
 
 190-42 
 Paid for bust and expenses, . . . 366-41 
 
 Balance to the debt of this fund, . . 175*99 
 
 The whole property of the Athenaeum 
 
 was $ 141,649-98 
 
 20
 
 154 HISTORY OF 
 
 Real Estate, ... $ 22,890-89 
 Lecture-room, . . . 15,550-82 
 Paintings, busts, &c., . 19,221-63 
 Books, .... 54,594-41 
 
 112,257-75 
 Productive property, . 29,392-23 
 
 To the credit of stock, . $ 141,556-21 
 Audubon fund, . . 98-77 
 
 $141,649-98 
 
 $ 141,649-98 
 
 At this meeting, the same officers were reelected as had 
 been chosen the three preceding years. 
 
 In February, John A. Lowell, as executor of the late 
 John Lowell, Jr., presented to the Athenaeum a " Statue of 
 Venus Victrix, with a bas-relief of the Judgment of Paris, 
 by our townsman, Horatio Greenough," for which the Trus- 
 tees expressed their thanks. 
 
 In May, eighty-five volumes, in folio, of Parliamentary 
 Documents on subjects appertaining to the employment and 
 sustenance of the poor, and the punishment of crime, were 
 presented by the Rev. Robert C. Waterston, which, in the 
 opinion of the board of Trustees, deserved express mention 
 and acknowledgment. 
 
 In June, the Trustees voted to pay $ 125 for Powers's 
 marble bust of Daniel Webster, $ 375 being already raised 
 for that purpose ; the property of the bust to be in the 
 Athenaeum. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Proprietors, in January, 
 1843, the committee for examining the Library reported 
 it to be in good condition, six volumes only missing, and the 
 whole number of volumes contained in it thirty-two thousand 
 two hundred and eighty-four.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 155 
 
 The Treasurer reported the income of the 
 last year applicable to general expenses to 
 have been $ 2,339-50 
 
 The general expenses and books to have 
 
 been 3,003-91 
 
 That there had been received from the exhi- 
 bition of paintings, .... 447-55 
 
 Balance the last year against 
 
 the Fine Arts fund, . . 175-99 
 
 For paintings, bust, and expenses, 443-65 
 
 619-64 
 
 Leaving a balance to the debit of the Fine 
 
 Arts department, ..... 172-09 
 The property of the Athenaeum was stated 
 
 to be $142,397-51 
 
 Real estate, ... $ 22,890-89 
 Lecture-room, . . . 15,550-82 
 Paintings, busts, &c., . 19,221-63 
 Books, .... 56,303-72 
 
 
 $ 113,967-06 
 
 
 Productive property, 
 
 28,430-45 
 
 
 
 
 142,397-51 
 
 To the credit of stock, 
 
 . $141,746-34 
 
 
 Debt to Librarian, 
 
 188-39 
 
 
 " Treasurer, . 
 
 . 369-01 
 
 
 Audubon fund, 
 
 93-77 
 
 
 $ 142,397-51 
 
 The Proprietors, at this meeting, reelected the same offi- 
 cers as had been chosen the four preceding years. 
 
 A communication was also received from the committee
 
 156 HISTORY OF 
 
 on the Fine Arts, stating the facts and circumstances which 
 had rendered the exhibition of pictures during the year 
 1842 almost wholly unproductive ; and that, after the ex- 
 pense of much time and pains, no adequate return had been 
 received. 
 
 In 1842, the population of the city had greatly increased, 
 and Pearl Street had become almost entirely occupied by 
 warehouses. The position of the Athengeum of conse- 
 quence became incompatible with the main design of that 
 institution, ready and easy access to a great public libra- 
 ry being in a manner essential to its usefulness. A general 
 desire began to be expressed for its removal. It was obvi- 
 ous, also, from the annual reports of the state of the several 
 departments, that, while the books and the collection of the 
 Fine Arts were increasing annually, the productive property 
 of the institution was gradually diminishing, and the dimi- 
 nution in the proceeds of the exhibitions of paintings was, 
 unquestionably, in a degree attributable to the local situation 
 of the Athenaeum. 
 
 In June, 1843, the Trustees therefore appointed Josiah 
 Quincy, Jr., Thomas G. Gary, and John A. Lowell a com- 
 mittee " to see if any thing can and should be done towards 
 removing the Athenaeum from its present position to some 
 place nearer the centre of the city." 
 
 In the ensuing October, this committee reported the 
 probabiUty of their being able to procure a very favora- 
 ble site for the Athenceum upon Tremont Street and ex- 
 tending from that street to Gourt Square ; and they were 
 instructed to obtain the refusal of the land, and in such 
 case to enlarge their number for the purpose of procuring 
 subscriptions on condition that the Athenaeum should be re- 
 moved to the specified place ; and it was directed that a 
 meeting of the Proprietors should be called as soon as the 
 committee should deem it expedient.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHENiEUM. 157 
 
 In September, the Trustees passed a vote authorizing 
 the expenditure of $ 300 for the erection of a suitable 
 building for the reception and exhibition of the Statue of 
 Orpheus. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Proprietors, in the month 
 of January, 1844, the committee on the examination of the 
 Library reported its condition to be good, about fourteen vol- 
 umes missing, and the whole number of volumes thirty-two 
 thousand seven hundred and seventy-five. 
 The Treasurer reported the income for the 
 past year, apphcable to general expenses, 
 
 to be $ 2,365-52 
 
 The general expenses and books, . . 1,716*36 
 That the balance to the debit of the Fine 
 
 Arts, last year, was .... 172-09 
 
 That there had been paid on this account 
 
 this year, 517-82 
 
 689-91 
 And that he had received as proceeds of 
 
 the exhibition, ..... 298-33 
 
 Leaving a balance to the debit of the Fine 
 
 Arts 391-58 
 
 The whole property of the Athenceum was 
 
 stated to be $ 144,376-61 
 
 Real estate, . . . $22,890-89 
 Lecture-room, . . . 15,550-82 
 Paintuigs, busts, &c., . 19,221-63 
 Books, .... 57,671-16 
 Crawford's Statue of Orpheus, 584-31 
 Fine Arts fund, . • . 391-58 
 
 $116,310-39
 
 158 HISTORY OF 
 
 Amount brought forward, $ 116,310-39 
 Productive property, . 28',066-22 
 
 To the credit of stock, $ 142,772-22 
 
 Audubon fund, . . 93-77 
 
 Due to the Treasurer, . . 1,510-62 
 
 $ 144,376-61 
 
 1 144,376-61 
 The Proprietors, at this meeting, reelected the same 
 officers as had been chosen the five preceding years. 
 
 The committee on the Fine Arts reported a gain of five 
 hundred and eighty-four dollars to the Athenaeum by the ex- 
 hibition chiefly of the works of art belonging to the institu- 
 tion, and also the gratifying information of the arrival of 
 the marble statue of Orpheus, executed in Italy by Craw- 
 ford. This statue had been purchased for twenty -five hun- 
 dred dollars, of which gentlemen of the city of Boston had 
 subscribed two thousand dollars, and the Athenaeum five 
 hundred, erecting also a building for its exhibition at the 
 cost of three hundred. 
 
 At this meeting the committee on the subject of the re- 
 moval of the Athenaeum from Pearl Street reported, that 
 they had obtained the refusal of a lot of land almost imme- 
 diately adjoining the Savings Bank, and extending from 
 Tremont Street to Court Square ; that the cost of the land 
 and the erection of a suitable building would require one hun- 
 dred thousand dollars ; and that the committee were unani- 
 mously of opinion, that the amount might be raised by the 
 sale of the present buildings in Pearl Street and other prop- 
 erty of the institution, by individual subscriptions, and by 
 the issue of new shares. The committee reported a series 
 of resolutions, declaring the expediency of the proposed re- 
 moval to Tremont Street ; authorizing the issuing of new 
 shares at three hundred dollars each ; and also empowering
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 159 
 
 the Trustees to dispose of the present building and any 
 stocks or securities belonging to the corporation, and to take 
 measures for erecting the new buildmg on the lot proposed, 
 as soon as they were satisfied that the means can be obtain- 
 ed for its completion without incurring a debt or permanent- 
 ly diminishing the income of the Athenaeum. These reso- 
 lutions were adopted, the first two unanimously, the last by 
 a great majority. 
 
 The Trustees, at a meeting in the same month, reappoint- 
 ed the same gentlemen who acted the last year on the sub- 
 ject of removing the institution, authorizing them to pur- 
 chase the land specified in their report to the Proprietors, 
 whenever they shall obtain the assurance of a sum of money 
 equal to 237 shares, at $ 300 each. Nathaniel I. Bow- 
 ditch was added to the committee, which now consisted of 
 Messrs. J. Quincy, Jr., Gary, Lowell, and Bowditch, and au- 
 thority was given to them to apply to the Legislature on be- 
 half of the Trustees, should there be occasion for it. 
 
 At their meeting in April, the Trustees received a com- 
 munication from the above-mentioned committee, stating 
 that they had obtained the required number of subscribers 
 (238) at $ 300 each ; but had suspended closing the bar- 
 gain for the land proposed, in the hope of obtaining land at 
 the head either of Hamilton Place or of Bumstead Place. 
 In May, however, the committee reported that, having 
 failed in obtaining either of these places, they had purchased 
 the estate on Tremont Street, first recommended, and ap- 
 proved by the Proprietors. The Treasurer, in consequence, 
 was authorized to collect the new subscriptions, and to issue 
 certificates for the new stock to the subscribers. Subse- 
 quently, the committee was authorized to purchase the 
 Greenleaf estate adjoining to their former purchase. 
 
 A bust of William H. Prescott, by Richard Greenough, 
 was presented to the Athenaeum by his father, William
 
 160 HISTORY OF 
 
 Prescott. The committee on the Fine Arts were re- 
 quested to communicate to Mr. Crawford, the sculptor of 
 the marble statue of Orpheus, now the property of the 
 AthenjBum, the high opinion the Trustees entertained of the 
 merits of the work. 
 
 At a meeting of the Proprietors in January, 1845, the 
 committee on removing the Athenoeum reported, that they 
 had purchased 17,328 feet of land, for about $ 4-85 per 
 foot, |84,102 ; — that the estimated cost of a suitable build- 
 ing was $ 76,000, making $ 160,102 ; — that the funds 
 under their control were 241 new shares $ 72,300, Pearl 
 Street land and estate $ 40,000, notes receivable $ 28,000, 
 making $ 140,300, and leaving a deficit of $ 19,802. They 
 stated that the land purchased was larger than was originally 
 contemplated, and by a sale of part of it funds sufficient for 
 the completion of the building might be provided ; but that 
 the committee were desirous to obtain accommodation for the 
 institution for all future time, and also to avoid any debt, 
 however small, and therefore submitted a vote for considera- 
 tion, authorizing them to erect a building covering the whole 
 land purchased, as soon as twenty thousand dollars could 
 be raised by the sale of new shares, or other disposition of 
 parts of the building about to be erected. This vote was 
 accepted, and the committee were directed to have plans of 
 the building prepared, some with shops and others without, 
 and to submit the same to the Proprietors at a meeting to 
 be called for that purpose. 
 
 The Proprietors then proceeded to elect officers for 
 the year ensuing, and, Isaac P. Davis, Samuel May, and 
 Nathaniel I. Bowditch having decHned a reelection, Mar- 
 tin Brimmer, George S. Hillard, and Samuel Austin, Jr. 
 were chosen in their places.* 
 
 * Officers chosen in 1845. — President, George Hay ward; — Vice-President, 
 Thomas G. Gary ; — Treasurer, Josiah Quincy, Jr. ; — Secretary, William T.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHENAEUM. 161 
 
 The committee for the examination of the Library, at this 
 meeting, reported nineteen volumes to be missing, the num- 
 ber of volumes to be thirty-three thousand five hundred and 
 three, and the Library to be in good condition. 
 
 The Treasurer reported that the income for the past year, 
 appHcable to general expenses, had been . $ 2,825-88 
 
 The general expenses and books had been 1,944*68 
 
 That the balance to the debit of the Fine 
 
 Arts last year Tvas .... $ 391*58 
 
 There had been paid this year . . . 247*79 
 
 $639*37 
 And there had been received 
 
 this year, the proceeds of 
 
 the annual exhibition of 
 
 pictures, . . . 1 626*00 
 And of that of the statue of 
 
 Orpheus .... 366*02 
 
 $992*02 
 
 Leaving a balance to the credit of the 
 
 Fine Arts department of . . . $ 352*65 
 
 That the whole property of the Athenaeum 
 
 was now $208,467*10 
 
 Viz. : — Real estate on Tre- 
 
 mont Street, . . . $ 46,102*00 
 Real estate on Pearl Street, 23,095*89 
 Lecture-room, . . . 15,550*82 
 Paintings, busts, &c., . 19,221*63 
 
 $ 103,970*34 
 
 Andrews ; — Trustees, Edward Wigglesworth, William H. Prescott, Thomas B. 
 Curtis, John A. Lowell, Enoch Hale, William T. Andrews, Martin Brimmer, 
 George S. Hillard, and Samuel Austin, Jr. 
 21
 
 XQ2 HISTORY OF 
 
 Amount brought forward, $ 103,970-34 
 Books, .... o'8,(379-81 
 Statue of Orpheus, . . 484-31 
 
 
 $ 163,134-46 
 
 Productive property, 
 
 45,332-64 
 
 
 $ 208,467-10 
 
 To the credit of stock. 
 
 $ 207,915-75 
 
 Audubon fund. 
 
 7-21 
 
 Fine Arts department, 
 
 352-65 
 
 Baring, Brothers, & Co., . 
 
 . 191-49 
 
 $ 208,467-10 
 At this meeting the committee on the Fine Arts express- 
 ed their sense of the great merit of the statue of Orpheus, 
 " as one of the most meritorious productions of the modern 
 chisel, and this the work of American genius ;" an opinion 
 which the Trustees subsequently ratified, and voted to com- 
 municate it to Mr. Crawford, with a tender of the free use 
 of the Library. 
 
 At their first meeting the Trustees appointed Messrs. 
 Quincy, Cary, Lowell, Curtis, and Andrews the building 
 committee for the new edifice, and, they having offered the 
 sum of one thousand dollars as a premium for the best 
 plan, the offer was approved by the Trustees at their next 
 meeting. 
 
 At a special meeting of the Proprietors called on the 20th 
 of May, 1845, to consider the plans submitted for the new 
 Athenasum building, a vote was proposed, that a building 
 should be erected on the specified lot " in such a manner 
 as will either by lecture rooms, picture galleries, offices, or 
 shops, or some combination of any or all of them, yield an in- 
 come at least equal to an income on sixty thousand dollars." 
 To this proposition was offered an amendment restricting
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 1G3 
 
 the accommodations to be provided for in the building to 
 galleries for paintings and statuary, and to lecture rooms. 
 After consideration and debate the whole subject was refer- 
 red to a committee of ten, with instructions to consider and 
 decide upon the various plans submitted, and to report at a 
 future meeting a plan for the Athenoeum, and estimates of 
 the expense. After this vote a further vote was passed, 
 instructing the above committee " to report no i^lan of the 
 Aihenceum, which shall embrace shops or offices P The com- 
 mittee appointed were Thomas G. Gary, Franklin Dexter, 
 Charles Sumner, George S. Hillard, Martin Brimmer, 
 Nathaniel I. Bowditch, William Gray, Thomas B. Curtis, 
 Charles Amory, and Jacob Bigelow. 
 
 The above proceedings were based upon a report of the 
 building committee, stating the financial condition of the cor- 
 poration in respect to the new building to be as follows : — 
 
 Land on Tremont Street, 16,521 feet, 
 
 which cost $ 82,902'00 
 
 Estimate for the new building, . . 100,000-00 
 
 The means provided to be, — 
 Real estate on Pearl Street, $ 60,000-00 
 238 new shares, . . 71,200-00 
 Bank stock, &c., . . 27,750-00 
 
 $ 182,902-00 
 
 $ 148,950-00 
 
 Leaving a deficiency of . . . $33,952-00 
 In this position the committee stated that it was necessa- 
 ry either to raise more money by the sale of shares, to sell 
 a part of the land and erect a smaller building, or to erect 
 a building, that, in addition to meeting the wants of the 
 Athenaeum, would yield an income sufficient to pay the in- 
 terest on the debt, provide for a sinking fund, and secure
 
 164 HISTORY OF 
 
 an income equal to that derived from the productive stock 
 which will be absorbed in the erection. 
 
 The income to be secured is . . ^1,500-00 
 
 The interest on $ 34,000-00 . . 1,700-00 
 
 $ 3,200-00 
 The committee expressed their opinion, that a building 
 might be erected on some of the plans submitted, which 
 would pay this amount and provide a sinking fund that 
 would extinguish the debt within ten years. 
 
 The committee of ten reported to the Proprietors at a 
 special meeting on the 24th of June, expressing their opin- 
 ion that the proposed site for the Athenosum Avas prefera- 
 ble to any new one which had been offered. Among the 
 plans presented, they decided in favor of that submitted 
 by George M. Dexter. After stating the probable, but yet 
 uncertain proceeds of a lecture-room, they conclude by 
 recommending, that, sijice shojjs had been prohibited by the 
 vote of the Proprietors, " a new appeal be made to the 
 public for aid to sustain the sentiment involved in the 
 prohibition, and that a committee be appointed to obtain 
 subscriptions for new shares to the extent of $ 30,000 ; " 
 Avhich, with the other enumerated resources of the institu- 
 tion, would be sufficient to prevent the using of the fands 
 of the Athenaeum already invested in stocks, which it was 
 desirable to preserve, amounting to $ 26,000. After 
 consideration and debate, the Proprietors passed a resolve 
 delegating to the Trustees all authority necessary for car- 
 rying into execution the recommendations of the committee, 
 with power to appoint committees and make the necessary 
 contracts ; and the Treasurer was directed to pay to George 
 M. Dexter the premium of one thousand dollars. 
 
 In the course of the month of November another site 
 had been suggested for the Athenaeum, which accorded
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 165 
 
 Avith the views of many proprietors ; and on the 19th of No- 
 vember a special meeting of the Proprietors was called, at 
 Avhich the committee for building the proposed new edi- 
 fice reported, that a sufficient sum could not be raised by 
 subscription to render it prudent for the Athenjeum to 
 erect a suitable building on the site proposed, unless parts 
 of it should be devoted to purposes more certainly produc- 
 tive than a lecture-room would be. They therefore recom- 
 mended the passing of a resolution, that the estate on Tre- 
 mont Street should be sold, and an estate on Beacon Street, 
 belonging to Edward B. Phillips, should be purchased, if it 
 could be obtained on satisfactory terms. This report was 
 accepted, and the resolution, including the terms specified, 
 was passed. 
 
 The Trustees at their meeting in the ensuing December 
 voted to purchase the above estate for $ 55,000, 1 15,000 
 to be paid down, and § 40,000 by a note of the Proprietors 
 payable in ten years, at an interest of six per cent, paid 
 semiannually, the same to be secured by mortgage ; and 
 the building committee were authorized to make a sale of 
 the estate recently purchased on Tremont Street. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Proprietors on the 5th of 
 January, 1846, the committee for examining the Library 
 reported, that it was found in good condition, that fourteen 
 volumes were missing, and that the whole number of vol- 
 umes was thirty-five thousand one hundred and seventy-five. 
 
 The Treasurer reported that the income for the past year, 
 applicable to general expenses, had been . $ 3,089'70 
 
 And the general expenses and books . 1,741-30 
 
 That the balance last year to the credit of 
 
 the Fine Arts was . ' • . $ 352-65 
 
 That there had been received from the ex- 
 hibition of paintings for the year 1845 . 592*26 
 
 $ 944-91
 
 166 HISTORY OF 
 
 Amount brought forward ... $ 944*91 
 And that there had been paid on their ac- 
 count this year 119-38 
 
 Balance to the credit of the Fine Arts fund $ 825-53 
 
 That the estate on Tremont Street and 
 
 Court Square had been sold the past 
 
 year for $109,221-25 
 
 Leaving to the AthenjBum a net profit of 20,597*44 
 
 That the whole property of the AthonD3um 
 
 was $313,128-40 
 
 Viz. : — Real estate on Pearl 
 
 Street, . . . $23,095-89 
 
 Lecture-room, . . 15,550*82 
 
 Paintings, busts, &c., . . 19,221*63 
 Books, .... 60,097*75 
 Beacon Street estate, . . 55,000*00 
 Crawford's statue, . . 700*00 
 
 $ 173,666*09 
 Productive property, . . 139,462*31 
 
 
 $ 313,128*40 
 
 To the credit of stock, . 
 
 $ 214,824*09 
 
 Audubon fund, . 
 
 7*21 
 
 Notes payable, 
 
 76,800*00 
 
 Due Barings & Company, 
 
 74*13 
 
 Fine Arts fund, 
 
 . 825*53 
 
 Ileal estate on Tremont 
 
 
 Street, . 
 
 . 20,597*44 
 
 
 $ 313,128-40 
 
 At this meeting the committee on the Fine Arts reported, 
 that the Boston Artists' Association had offered, the last 
 year, to furnish contributions to the annual exhibition of
 
 THE BOSTON ATHENiEUM. 167 
 
 paintings, to procure others from artists in other cities, and 
 to take the whole charge of preparing and managing the 
 exhibition, on the condition of receiving a moiety of the net 
 proceeds; that the committee, taking into consideration 
 that it was the design of the Artists' Association to appl-/- 
 their portion of the proceeds to the support of a school 
 for drawing from casts and from life, made with them an 
 agreement on the terms proposed ; and that the result of 
 the exhibition for the year 1845, thus conducted, amounted 
 to $ 1,184-52, one half of which, $ 592-26, had been paid 
 over to the Treasurer of the Athenaeum. The committee 
 expressed their opinion, that a continuance of the same un- 
 derstanding with the artists might afford a salutary stimulus 
 to improvement on their part, and would subserve the impor- 
 tant end of furnishing means for the support of the school 
 alluded to ; and a hope that future committees on the Fine 
 Arts would pursue a like policy. 
 
 At this meeting, Mr. Hayward having resigned the office 
 of President and Mr. Andrews that of Secretary, they re- 
 ceived appropriate thanks of the corporation for their ser- 
 vices ; and, Messrs. Curtis and Brimmer also having re- 
 signed their places as Trustees, Messrs. Binney, Holmes, and 
 Amory were elected, and the other members of the former 
 board were rechosen.* 
 
 At the same meeting Josiah Quincy stated, that a gentle- 
 man of this city had placed in his hands twenty-five thousand 
 dollars, "to be delivered to the Proprietors of the Boston 
 Athenteum for the purpose of constituting a fund to be kept 
 separate and distinct from all other funds, and to be put and 
 
 * Officers chosen in 184G. — President, Thomas G. Gary ; — Vice-President, 
 John A. Lowell ; — Treasurer, Josiah Quincy, Jr.; — Secretary, Henry T. Par- 
 ker ; — Trustees, William T. Andrews, Edward Wigglesworth, William H. 
 Prescott, Enoch Hale, George S. Hillard, Samuel Austin, Jr., Amos Binney, 
 Oliver W. Holmes, and Charles Amory.
 
 168 HISTORY OF 
 
 for ever to be kept out at interest on good securitj, for the 
 regular annual increase of tlie Library of the institution ; 
 three fourths of its annual income to be annually applied to 
 such increase of its Library ; the remaining one fourth to be 
 annually added to the capital fund, for the increase thereof ; 
 the incomes of such accumulated capital to be also annu- 
 ally in like manner exclusively applied in hke proportions 
 and on like terms ; all incomes not expended for books 
 ■within the year to be also added to the capital fund, for its 
 increase." 
 
 Upon the motion of Mr. John A. Lowell the Proprietors 
 voted their acceptance of the sum proffered on the terms 
 specij&ed, and requested Mr. Quincy " to express to the 
 donor their unanimous thanks for this opportune and highly 
 valuable endowment." They also voted that the fund 
 now presented be kept separate, and be called by the 
 name of the donor ; and that the books purchased from 
 the income of the fund be inscribed with his name. 
 
 After these votes were passed, Mr. Quincy, before com- 
 municating the name, stated that the gift was wholly the 
 result of the donor's own generous feelings and exemplary 
 views ; that, previously to his delivering the amount bestowed, 
 a conversation occurred, the substance of which Mr. Quincy 
 deemed it no breach of confidence to state, although without 
 the knowledge or authority of the donor ; and which was 
 to this effect : — that, " under the circumstances of the 
 donor's relations in life and to society, he had for a long 
 time been impressed with a sense of his duty to do some- 
 thing of a permanent and useful character for a city, m which 
 a great part of his life had been passed. Having been re- 
 cently informed of the deficiency of this great public insti- 
 tution in respect to a fund for the increase of its Library, 
 his mind had been impressed Avith the importance and util- 
 ity of supplying that deficiency, and his reflections resulted
 
 THE LOSTON ATHEN^UM. 169 
 
 in the belief, that this was an object to which he could best 
 apply the means at his command. His first determination 
 Avas to do this by will. Reflecting, however, upon the uncer- 
 tainty of life and the accidents to which all wills are sub- 
 ject, his mind came to the conclusion that it would be a 
 far better fulfilment of duty to supply the wants of the in- 
 stitution, in this respect, in his own lifetime, and render the 
 fund immediately available. Ha\ang finally come to the 
 determination, for these reasons, to make the gift in his life- 
 time, but having an almost insuperable aversion to publicit}', 
 his first prevailing thought was, to give it under strict in- 
 junctions of secrecy. From this course ha was, hoAvever, 
 ultimately deterred by reflecting how almost impossible it 
 was in an inquisitive and intelligent community to keep 
 such a secret long and perfectly ; and also it seemed to him 
 a species of hypocrisy to pretend to hide what it was, in a 
 manner, certain, that time would ultimately and perhaps 
 speedily reveal." 
 
 Mr. Quincy said that the strong desire of the donor was, 
 that as little should be said or done on the subject as was 
 possible considering the nature of the donation. After these 
 remarks he stated the donor to be John Bromfield, Esq. 
 
 The Trustees at their meeting in January, 1846, appoint- 
 ed a building committee, to consist of the President, Vice- 
 President, Treasurer, and Messrs. Andrews and Amory ; 
 and authorized them to take measures to erect a suitable 
 building on the land lately purchased on Beacon Street, with 
 as much despatch as was consistent with the advantageous 
 execution of the work. 
 
 They then, in consideration of the munificent donation of 
 Mr. Bromfield, voted to him the privilege of taking out 
 books under the usual regulations without charge, accompa- 
 nied by an invitation to him, through the Secretary, to visit 
 the Athenaeum at all times.
 
 170 HISTORY OF 
 
 The increase of the capital of the institution, and the 
 prospective annual enlargement of the Library under the 
 operation of the Bromfield fund, as well as the new arrange- 
 ment of its several departments and the improvement in its 
 administration which would be requisite on a removal to the 
 projected building, made it obvious to the Trustees that 
 some person, specially suited by learning, taste, and judg- 
 ment, ought to be invited to take the place of Librarian ; 
 and Charles Folsom, formerly Librarian of Harvard Uni- 
 versity, being considered to possess these qualifications, as 
 well as great interest in and acquaintance with such labors, 
 was unanimously chosen, Dr. Bass being now made Assistant 
 Librarian. 
 
 In April, 18-16, the building committee reported, that 
 they had selected, from all the plans for the new building 
 which had been oifered, one, of which Edward C. Cabot was 
 the designer, and for which the estimate, accompanying it, 
 was fifty-nine thousand dollars, and that this was to be exe- 
 cuted jointly by him and George M. Dexter. The proceed- 
 ings of the committee were approved by the Trustees, who 
 at the same meeting received from Mr. Folsom a letter ac- 
 cepting the office of Librarian. 
 
 At their meeting in June the necessity of a thorough re- 
 pair of the binding of the books in the Library, previous to 
 its removal from its present situation, was stated by the 
 Librarian, with a recommendation that the work should be 
 done within the walls of the Athenseum, under his special 
 supervision ; a measure, which he was authorized to begin 
 immediately to carry into effect. 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees, in October, 1846, a letter 
 was received from Amos Binney, Esq., offering to the Athe- 
 naeum a collection of engravings after the Flemish paint- 
 ers ; on which the Trustees voted their thanks for this very 
 interesting and valuable donation, assuring him that they
 
 THE BOSTON ATHBNiEUM. 171 
 
 would follow his suggestions in regard to the mode of pre- 
 paring and arranging them for preservation. 
 
 In November, twenty-six valuable volumes, being mostly 
 translations of the Scriptures into various languages of In- 
 dia, were presented by Captain Eben S. Coffin, and also 
 seventy-three octavo volumes, mostly legislative documents 
 of the State of New York, including a large folio volume 
 of the Census of that State, were presented by the Rev. 
 Dr. William B. Sprague, of Albany ; for each of which do- 
 nations an appropriate vote of thanks was passed by the 
 Trustees. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Proprietors, holden on the 
 4th of January, 1847, the officers of the last year were re- 
 appointed. The committee for examining the Library re- 
 ported about ten volumes to be missing, its condition in 
 other respects to be good, and the whole number of volumes 
 to be thirty-seven thousand two hundred and seventy-five. 
 
 The Treasurer reported the income of the past year, ap- 
 plicable to general expenses, to have been . $ 5,286'68 
 
 And the general expenses and books to 
 
 have been ..... 3,831-37 
 
 The balance to the credit of the Fine 
 
 Arts fiind was last year . . . 825*53 
 
 That from the exhibition of pictures and 
 
 other sources had been received . . 901 "06 
 
 $1,726-59 
 That there has been paid on this account 419-16 
 
 Leaving to the credit of the Fine Arts fund, $ 1,307*43 
 The Treasurer reported the whok property 
 
 of the Athenaeum to be . . $ 342,121*69 
 
 Viz., Real estate in Pearl 
 
 Street, . . . $23,095*89
 
 (Z niSTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 Amount brought forward, . ; 
 
 $23,095-89 
 
 Lecture-room, 
 
 15',oo0-82 
 
 Crawford's statue of Orpheus, 
 
 700-00 
 
 Paintings, busts, &c., . 
 
 19,221-63 
 
 Books, .... 
 
 62,254-04 
 
 Real estate in Beacon Street, 
 
 64,960-12 
 
 $ 
 
 185,783-10 
 
 Productive property 
 
 156,338-59 
 
 
 $342,121-69 
 
 To the credit of stock, . $ 
 
 218,147-64 
 
 Real estate in Tremont Street, 
 
 20,505-91 
 
 Audubon fund. 
 
 7-21 
 
 Notes payable, . 
 
 76,800-00 
 
 Fine Arts fund, 
 
 1,307-43 
 
 Bromfield fund, . 
 
 25,353-50 
 
 $342,121-69 
 
 The Treasurer also stated that $1,058-00 had been 
 drawn from the Bromfield fund, and invested in books to 
 be specially marked and kept as accruing from the liber- 
 ality of the donor of said fund, agreeably to the vote of the 
 Proprietors of the Athenaeum. 
 
 The committee on the Fine Arts reported, that the annual 
 exhibition of pictures had been prepared in concert with 
 the Boston Artists' Association, and that the net income of 
 it was $892-26 
 
 Of which one third belonged to the Artists' 
 
 Association, 297*42 
 
 And two thirds to the Athengeum, . . 594-84 
 
 At this meeting of the Proprietors, a vote was passed, 
 requesting Mr. Bromfield to sit for his portrait or bust (as 
 he might prefer), to be preserved in the Athenasum. This 
 vote was duly communicated to Mr. Bromfield by the Pres-
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 173 
 
 ident, who received a courteous answer, containing the fol- 
 lowing characteristic sentence : 
 
 " Deeply impressed with the kindness of the motives of 
 the gentlemen who have made this proposition, and fully ap- 
 preciating the honor intended to be conferred upon me there- 
 by (for which I beg you to tender them my most grateful 
 and unfeigned thanks), I nevertheless beg leave, most decid- 
 edly and explicitly, to decline their very friendly and polite 
 proposition." 
 
 Dr. Bass being about to retire from his oiBce after a ser- 
 vice of more than twenty years, the Trustees, at their meet- 
 ing in May, passed a vote, " That the Treasurer be direct- 
 ed to pay to Dr. Seth Bass one thousand dollars, as a tes- 
 timonial of the esteem of the Trustees for one who has 
 served the Athenaeum so long and so faithfully in the office 
 of Librarian ; and that Dr. Bass be invited to visit the rooms 
 of the institution at pleasure after his connection with it 
 shall have ceased, and be authorized to take from the 
 Library, free of expense, the usual number of books allowed 
 to a Proprietor." Mr. Charles Bullard Fairbanks was ap- 
 pointed Assistant Librarian, at the same meeting. 
 
 On the 27th day of April, 1847, the corner stone of the 
 new building on Beacon Street was laid with suitable cere- 
 monies, of which the following account appeared in the 
 " Boston Daily Advertiser " of the next morning. 
 
 "the eostox athen^um. 
 
 " The ceremony of laying the comer stone of the new 
 building to be erected for the Athenaeum took place yes- 
 terday morning, and was attended by a large number of the 
 Proprietors, of the literary gentlemen of Boston, and of oth- 
 ers interested in the prosperity of this valuable institution. 
 The President of the Athenaeum, the Hon. Thomas G.
 
 174 HISTORY OF 
 
 Cary, opened the proceedings with the following appropri- 
 ate remarks. 
 
 " Gentlemen, 
 
 " Proprietors of the Boston Aihenmim : 
 
 "The circumstances under which we meet to-day are a fit 
 subject for cordial congratulation. 
 
 " But I shall not enlarge upon them, because one of the found- 
 ers of the institution, who is with us here, has kindly consented 
 to address you. He knows its history from its earliest infancy to 
 its present expanded state. He has presided over the direction 
 of its affairs in times of difficulty, when wisdom and skill, such 
 as his, were necessary to save it from falling into premature 
 decay. 
 
 " After the eminent success with which he has directed the 
 various and important interests that have been intrusted to him 
 from the dawn of the century to this time, his presence here, 
 and his sanction of our proceedings, are among the most favor- 
 able auspices of the day. 
 
 " Gentlemen, — For the present, I have only to say to you, 
 in behalf of those who are now charged with the management 
 of your affairs here, that, after the ample rewards which they 
 have received for their exertions to extend the usefulness of the 
 institution, all that has been done thus far has only opened the 
 way to further progress, and shown the necessity for continued 
 exertion. We ask the further cooperation and aid of all those 
 who have at heart what tends to the welfare and ornament of 
 society. 
 
 " Gentlemen, — I now invite you to listen to an address from 
 a former President of the Association, the Hon. Josiah Quincy. 
 
 " Mr. Quincy then delivered the following address. 
 
 " Gentlemen, 
 
 " Proprietors of the Boston Athenaum: 
 " We assemble to unite in laying the corner stone of an edi- 
 fice, destined to protect the monuments of science and of the
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 1(0 
 
 arts ; — to be a store-house of the fruits of the wisdom of all 
 ages and nations ; — a library of whatever is rare and valuable 
 in ancient and modern languages ; — a literary reservoir, to 
 which all may resort for intellectual health, strength, and re- 
 freshment. 
 
 " The Trustees of the Athenseum having thouglit that this 
 occasion ought not to pass without a public recurrence to the 
 grateful reminiscences it awakens, and having urgently soli- 
 cited me to be their voice at this ceremony, I have yielded. 
 Being one of the few survivors of the first subscribers to this 
 institution, having been for many years in its direction, ac- 
 quainted with all its early founders, many of whom were my 
 most intimate and cherished friends, I am happy in the oppor- 
 tunity of bearing public testimony to my long-entertained and 
 heartfelt respect for their worth and excellence. 
 
 " A notice of this kind seemed to the Trustees the more 
 proper and indispensable, as they were not so much laying the 
 corner stone of a new fabric, as in effect removing that of an 
 old one, and, from motives of convenience, relaying it in a spot 
 now better adapted to promote the enlargement and usefulness 
 of the institution. At such a time our thoughts naturally turn 
 to its origin, progress, and success ; requiring us to retrace and 
 deepen the memory of its founders and distinguished benefac- 
 tors , to enumerate the particulars which constitute its pres- 
 ent prosperity, and to repeat its claims on the future patronage 
 of the public. 
 
 "Neither the time nor the place, assigned for this ceremony, 
 is suitable for the full performance of so extensive a class of 
 duties; I shall, therefore, at present, only sketch a brief outline 
 of those events, of which the laying of the corner stone is but 
 a result and a symbol. 
 
 " On the origin of this institution there rests no obscurity. 
 Early in the year 1805, a few earnest and energetic literary 
 men, just entering upon life, formed themselves into a Society 
 for the purpose of mutual self-improvement, and for the con- 
 ducting of a periodical publication, which, as subsidiary to that
 
 17 G HISTORY OF 
 
 purpose, they had undertaken. They soon found themselves 
 straitened, and the progress of their work embarrassed, by the 
 literary poverty and apathy of the period. To relieve them- 
 selves, in a degree, from these wants, on the 23d of October, 
 1805, they voted, ' that a library of periodical publications be 
 instituted for the use of the Society.' In furtherance of 
 this design, John Sylvester John Gardiner, William Emerson, 
 William Smith Shaw, William Tudor, jun., and Joseph Stevens 
 Buckminster immediately contributed largely from their own 
 libraries. At subsequent meetings, similar liberality was dis- 
 played by other members of the Society, and ' a library was 
 thus established of periodical publications, for the use of the So- 
 ciety.' In this limited form, you behold, Gentlemen, the germ, 
 the vital principle, and the nucleus of this great institution. 
 
 " The members of the Society soon found by experience, 
 that contributions from the libraries of a few private individu-' 
 als, nearly one half of whom were clergymen, and none of 
 whom were affluent, were wholly insufficient to supply their 
 literary necessities. It was apparent that external aid must be 
 sought. But the attempt was novel, and, in the state of the 
 times, success appeared dubious. The tact of VVilliam Smith 
 Shaw first discerned a way of escape from their difficulties. 
 Having formed the opinion, that, by asking from the commu- 
 nity only a small pecuniary advance, and by promising a quick 
 return in pleasure and information, what a love of letters might 
 not effect, a love of novelty and amusement might obtain, he 
 proposed, and, on his motion and active urgency, the associated 
 scholars were persuaded to attempt, establishing a Reading- 
 Room, to be called, after the name of their Society, ' The 
 Anthology Reading-Room.' 
 
 " A prospectus was accordingly issued, one hundred and 
 sixty subscribers, at ten dollars a year, were obtained, and, on 
 the strength and hope afforded by this voluntary annual sub- 
 scription of sixteen hundred dollars, this new source of rational 
 pleasure and intellectual improvement was opened to the pub- 
 lic, and the busy external world were invited to try its reviving 
 and slrensihenins influence.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 177 
 
 " Scanty as was this success, it exceeded the expectation of 
 the Society, and encouraged its members to contemplate, and 
 prepare the way for, an institution on a broader basis and of a 
 more comprehensive character. With this view, in the course 
 of a few months they transferred to five Trustees their whole 
 property in the reading-room and library, then amounting to one 
 thousand volumes, and gave them authority, at their discretion, 
 to convey the whole to a corporate body, and, if they deemed it 
 expedient, to change the name and character of the institution. 
 
 " Under this authority, the Trustees associated with them- 
 selves Theophilus Parsons, the Chief Justice of the State, John 
 Davis, the United Slates Judge of this District, and John Lowell, 
 one of the most efficient and active men of the period, leading 
 and zealous in the promotion of every wise, noble, and good 
 object. With their aid and under their auspices the plan of 
 this institution was traced, an act of incorporation was obtained, 
 and on the 7th of April, 1807, ' the Proprietors of the Boston 
 Athenaeum' organized themselves into a body politic and cor- 
 porate, according to the provisions of their charter ; all the 
 Trustees being elected out of the members of the Anthology 
 Club, excepting only that the offices of President, Vice-Pres- 
 ident, and Treasurer were filled, respectively, by the three 
 distinguished gentlemen above named. A subscription of one 
 hundred and fifty shares, at three hundred dollars each, was 
 speedily effected ; and on this foundation, somewhat exceeding 
 in amount forty-two thousand dollars, the Boston Athenaeum 
 commenced its career of activity and usefulness. 
 
 " We have thus traced the course of this institution from its 
 origin, in the wants of a few intellectual and energetic young 
 men, to the period when it assumed a chartered existence. Its 
 first movements were, however, restricted by the inadequacy of 
 its means to its necessities. Public patronage began to flow 
 towards it, indeed, but yet slowly and inefficiently. For the 
 first fifteen years, its condition was, consequently, stationary 
 and languid, until, in December, 1821, new life and hope were 
 infused into it by the proffered liberality of the elder James 
 
 23
 
 178 HISTORY OF 
 
 Perkins (one of the most prosperous merchants and noble spir- 
 its of this community), which resulted in his voluntary gift to the 
 Athenseum of that noble estate in Pearl Street, which it now 
 occupies. Under the stimulus of his example, a subscription 
 was opened in 1822, seventy-three shares, at three hundred 
 dollars each, were taken, and nearly twenty-two thousand dol- 
 lars were added to the efficient means of the institution. 
 
 " Notwithstanding this successful augmentation of its resour- 
 ces, circumstances impeded its desired advancement until, in the 
 year 1826, Thomas Handasyd Perkins, the brother, and James 
 Perkins, the son, of our first benefactor of that name, came to 
 its aid, and, by donations noble in amount and wise in their con- 
 ditions, gave a further impulse to the spirit of the community ; 
 and thus this institution was at once raised to an enviable height 
 of prosperity by the reiterated munificence of a family, which, 
 for,patronage of science and the arts, and for generous support 
 of institutions of charity and philanthropy, may well vie, in the 
 city of Boston, with that of the Medici in Florence. 
 
 " In consequence of these donations, a subsidiary action was 
 excited in the community ; a union, with this institution, of the 
 libraries and funds of other Societies was effected ; large addi- 
 tional subscriptions were obtained, chiefly through the exer- 
 tions and influence of the late lamented Nathaniel Bowditch, 
 aided by Francis Galley Gray, George Ticknor, and Thomas 
 Wren Ward ; and an addition was thus made to the funds of 
 the Athenaeum of nearly forty-five thousand dollars. 
 
 From this time the institution has advanced annually and reg- 
 ularly ; — its library enlarging ; — its statuary and other works 
 of art multiplying ; — its property increasing, until, through the 
 progress of population and commerce, its local position became 
 incompatible with its objects and usefulness ; when, through 
 large subscriptions, excited by the desire of providing for it a 
 better locality, — through the union above mentioned of the 
 libraries and funds of other Societies, — through the establishment 
 of a perpetual fund for the increase of its library by the noble 
 munificence of one of our native citizens, John Bromfield, — the
 
 THE BOSTON ATHENAEUM. 179 
 
 Boston Athenseum, feeble in its origin, humble and restricted 
 in its first resources, now numbers in its alcoves upwards of 
 thirty-seven thousand volumes, possesses a valuable collection of 
 paintings, statuary, and other works of art, and a property, real 
 and personal, exceeding in value three hundred and forty-two 
 thousand dollars. 
 
 Under circumstances thus prosperous and auspicious we meet 
 this day to lay the Corner Stone of this edifice. May it rise in 
 architectural solidity and beauty, — an ornament of our city, 
 an honor to its Proprietors ! May it fulfil all the hopes and as- 
 pirations of its projectors, early founders, and successive pa- 
 trons ! May it become a library of all that is rare and valuable 
 in the ancient and modern languages, — a store-house of the 
 collected fruits of the wisdom of all ages and nations ! May it be 
 an abode for the Fine Arts, — a home for sculpture and painting, 
 where they may find models to imitate and patrons to encour- 
 age and reward them ! By easiness of access, and by the variety 
 of its treasures, may it allure our youth from the pleasures of 
 sense to the delights of science ! And, aided by the literary taste 
 and spirit now from year to year disseminated throughout our 
 community by free public lectures, — once a favorite object of 
 this Athenaeum, but now superseded by the noble and faithfully 
 executed provisions of the will of the late John Lowell, junior, 
 — may these associated institutions, by joint and harmonious ac- 
 tion, raise, in after times, the intellectual, moral, and social con- 
 dition of the people of this metropolis to such a height of purity, 
 knowledge, and virtue, as shall reflect upon the memories of 
 their respective founders and patrons the glory of being, not only 
 honored benefactors of our city, but acknowledged blessings to 
 their race ! " 
 
 " At the close of the address, the President announced, 
 t'nat, under the direction of the building committee, the cor- 
 ner stone would then be lowered into its place. 
 
 " After this was done, he announced that there was de- 
 posited beneath it a copper case, containing the statistic
 
 180 HISTORY OF 
 
 annuals of the time, the coins of the country, the papers of 
 the day, with various memorials of the present condition of 
 the city, and of the state of society, and also a silver plate, 
 on which is engraved the following inscription : 
 
 [On the face.] 
 
 THE CORNER STONE OF THIS BUDDING, 
 
 DEDICATED TO LETTERS AND THE ARTS 
 
 BY THE PROPRIETORS OF THE BOSTON ATHENAEUM, 
 
 WAS LAID 
 
 ON THE TWENTY SEVENTH DAY OF APRIL, IN THE YEAR OF OITR LORD 
 
 ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND FORTY SEVEN, 
 
 AND IN THE FORTY FIRST YEAR OF THE INSTITUTION ; 
 
 AVHICH, 
 
 FOUNDED BY THE EXERTIONS 
 
 OF WILLIAM SMITH SHAW AND THE OTHER MEMBERS OF 
 
 THAT ASSOCIATION OF INGENUOUS SCHOLARS, 
 
 "THE ANTHOLOGY CLUB," 
 
 HAS IN LATER DAYS BEEN ENLARGED AND ADORNED 
 
 BY THE GENEROSITY AND PUBLIC SPIRIT OF MANY CONTRIBUTORS, 
 
 AND ESPECIALLY BY THE MUNIFICENCE OF 
 
 JAMES PERKINS, 
 
 THOMAS HANDASYD PERKINS, HIS BROTHER, 
 
 JAMES PERKINS, HIS SON, 
 
 AND 
 
 JOHN BROMFIELD. 
 
 WHENEVER THIS STONE SHALL BE REMOVED, 
 MAY IT BE ONLY TO IMPROVl) AND PERPETUATE THE INSTITUTION.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 181 
 
 [On the reverse.] 
 
 Principal Endowmenis of the Boston Afhenanim before the Year 1847. 
 
 The sum of Forty-Two Thousand Dollars was raised for the general 
 purposes of the Athenaeum by voluntary subscriptions for shares 
 created in 1807. 
 
 James Perkins, in 1821, gave his own costly Mansion in Pearl 
 Street, which from that time has been the Seat of the Institution. 
 
 Tn the same year, Twenty-Two Thousand Dollars were raised by vol- 
 untary subscriptions for shares. 
 
 Thomas Handasyd Perkins (beside his earlier and later valuable 
 donations) and James Perkins, the younger, seconded in 1826 the 
 liberality of the brother and the father, each giving Eight Thou- 
 sand Dollars ; and the sum of their contributions was increased to 
 Forty-Five Thousand Dollars by other subscriptions, obtained chiefly 
 through the efforts and influence of Nathaniel Bowditch, Francis 
 Galley Gray, George Ticknor, and Thomas Wren Ward. 
 
 Augustus Thorndike, in 1823, gave a choice collection of casts of 
 the most celebrated Ancient Statues. 
 
 George Watson Brimmer, in 1838, gave a magnificent collection of 
 books on the Fine Arts. 
 
 John Bromfield, in 1846, gave Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars as a 
 fund, to be regularly increased by one quarter of the income, of 
 which the other three quarters are to be annually applied to the 
 purchase of books for ever. 
 
 The sum of Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars, for the erection of this 
 Building, was raised by voluntary subscriptions for shares created 
 in 1844. 
 
 Officers for the Year MDCCCXLVII. 
 
 President, Thomas Greaves Gary. Vice-President, John Amory 
 
 Lowell. Treasurer, Josiah Quincy, Jun. 
 
 Trustees, William Turell Andrews, Edward Wigglesworth, William 
 
 Hickling Prescott, Enoch Hale, George Stillman Hillard, 
 
 Samuel Austin, Jun., Amos Binney, Gharles 
 
 Amory, Oliver Wendell Holmes. 
 
 Secretary, Henry Tuke Parker. Librarian, Gharles Folsom. 
 
 Architects, Edward Glarke Gabot and George Minot Dexter. 
 
 James Knox Polk, President of the United States. 
 
 George Nixon Bnraas, Governor of the Gommonwealth of 
 
 Massachusetts. 
 
 JosTAii Quincy, Jun., Mayor of the Gity of Boston.
 
 182 HISTORY OF 
 
 " The President then informed the Proprietors, that, with 
 the preparations that had been made, the buildmg would 
 rise rapidly from its foundation, and that the committee 
 cherished the hope of welcoming them within its walls with- 
 in a twelvemonth ; and he then announced that the ceremo- 
 nies of the day were completed. 
 
 " The day was fine, and the circumstances were favora- 
 ble for exhibiting the beauty and advantages of the posi- 
 tion that has been chosen."
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 183 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE INSTITUTION THE EXTERIOR OF THE NEW BUILDING 
 
 ERECTED AT AN EXPENSE EXCEEDING THE ESTIMATES THE OCCA- 
 SION OF THAT EXCESS — THE PRINCIPAL LIBRARY-ROOM ORDERED TO 
 BE FINISHED, AND THE OTHER PARTS OF THE INTERIOR TO BE LEFT 
 
 UNFINISHED A PROJECT TO CONVERT THE ATHEN^UM INTO A CITY 
 
 LIBRARY, DISCUSSED AND REJECTED — DEATH OF ENCOH HALE, ONE 
 OF THE TRUSTEES — VOTE ON THAT OCCASION PART OF THE LI- 
 BRARY OF WASHINGTON RECEIVED THE MAIN LIBRARY-ROOM FIN- 
 ISHED, THE BOOKS REMOVED AND ARRANGED, AND ITS OCCUPATION 
 AUTHORIZED MEASURES ADOPTED FOR RAISING THE FUNDS NECES- 
 SARY FOR COMPLETING THE INTERIOR OF THE NEW BUILDING THE 
 
 DEATH OF JOHN BROMFIELD ANNOUNCED AND APPROPRIATELY NOTICED 
 
 THE SALE OF THE ESTATE IN PEARL STREET RATIFIED BY THE 
 
 PROPRIETORS COMMITTEE RAISED FOR OBTAINING THE NECESSARY 
 
 FUNDS FOR FINISHING THE NEW BUILDING THEIR REPORT 
 
 THANES OF THE PROPRIETORS FOR THEIR SUCCESSFUL LABORS, AND 
 VOTES PASSED FOR GIVING FULL EFFECT TO THEIR PROCEEDINGS — 
 COMMITTEE RAISED, WITH AUTHORITY TO SELL NEW SHARES SUF- 
 FICIENT FOR THAT OBJECT, AND TO TAKE MEASURES TO COMPLETE 
 THE NEW BUILDING. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Proprietors in January, 1848, 
 after the election of officers,* the Treasurer reported that 
 the income of the last year, applicable to general expenses, 
 
 was $3,950-47 
 
 And the general expenses and books were . 6,242-98 
 That the balance last year to the credit of 
 
 the Fine Arts fund was . . . $ 1,307-43 
 That during the year 1847 there had been 
 
 received ...... 1,382-83 
 
 $ 2,690-26 
 
 * Officers chosen in iSiS. — President, Thonaas G. Gary ; — Vice-President, 
 John A. hnweW; — Treasurer, Josiah Quincy, Jr.; — Secretary, Henry T. 
 Parker; — Trustees, William T. Andrews, Edward Wigglesworth, Enoch Hale, 
 George S. Hillard, Samuel Austin, Jr., Oliver W. Holmes, Charles Araory, John 
 L. Gardner, and Henry B. Rogers.
 
 18 J: HISTORY OF 
 
 Amount brought over, .... $2,690-26 
 That there had been paid the pa^ year 1,298-07 
 
 Leaving a balance to the credit of the fund, $ 1,392-19 
 That the whole property of the Athenoeum 
 
 was $387,312-78 
 
 Real estate on Pearl Street $ 23,095-89 
 Estate on Beacon Street, 110,736-82 
 
 $133,832-71 
 Lecture-room, . . . 15,550-82 
 Paintings, busts, &c., including 
 
 the Orpheus, . . 19,921-63 
 Books, .... 65,257-77 
 Productive property, . 152,749-80 
 
 $ 387,312-78 
 And that the Bromfield fund amounted to $ 25,838-84 
 
 By the report of the Treasurer it appeared, that there had 
 been invested in books, from the proceeds of the Bromfield 
 fund, the sum of $ 1,454-53; and that these had been marked 
 and kept as accruing from the liberality of the donor of said 
 fund, agreeably to the vote of the Proprietors of the Athe- 
 nneum. 
 
 The committee for examining the Library reported, that 
 only twelve volumes Avere missing, most of Avhich, it was 
 hoped, would reappear, as was the case with several reported 
 as missing the last year ; and that the Library now contained 
 at least forty thousand volumes exclusive of duplicates. 
 
 The committee on the Fine Arts reported, that an ar- 
 rangement had been made with the Boston Artists' Associ- 
 ation, and the exhibition, which had been made in conjunc- 
 tion with them, had produced a gross receipt of $ 1,912-37 
 
 And the incidental expenses had been . 1,185-00 
 
 Leaving a net balance of . . . $ 727-37
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN.EUM. 185 
 
 Of which one half accrued to the Athe- 
 naeum, $363-68 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees on the 10th of April the 
 same year, the building committee reported, that the exte- 
 rior of the new building had now cost $ 70,000, and to 
 complete the interior in a manner corresponding with what 
 had already been done would cost $ 50,000, — thus greatly 
 exceeding the estimates ; that the means appropriated for 
 the building were 
 
 Subscriptions for new shares, after speci- 
 fied deductions, $ 68,800-00 
 
 Actual profits on sale of land on Tremont 
 
 Street, 20,342-79 
 
 Estimated value of land on Pearl Street, 50,000-00 
 
 Hospital Life Insurance policy $ 20,000-00 
 Bank shares, . . . 5,000-00 
 Notes, 600-00 
 
 25,600-00 
 
 $164,742-79 
 Cost of land on Beacon Street, $ 55,000-00 
 Expenditures on building, . 70,000-00 
 
 125,000-00 
 
 Remaining to complete the building, . . $ 39,742-79 
 
 The committee left it to the board to consider what course 
 should be pursued, after stating that the woi-k was done in 
 the best and most substantial manner, and that the error had 
 not arisen from having paid more than the vvork was worth, but 
 from supposing that such a substantial and beautiful building 
 could be erected for so small a sum as had been estimated. 
 After deliberation it was voted, that an iron stair-case should 
 be erected in the vestibule, and the principal library-room
 
 186 HISTORY OF 
 
 be finished in the style and manner of the original design, 
 and the other parts of the interior' be left, for the present, 
 wholly unfinished. 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees, May 8th, 1848, a commit- 
 tee "was appointed to consider what measures should be 
 taken to obtain funds for the completing of the Athenaeum 
 building. This committee, in August, reported a plan by 
 ■which the Trustees should recommend to the Proprietors, 
 " that they should give to the public the use of the Library 
 in as full a manner as it now is, or hereafter may be, enjoyed 
 by the share-holders," — the City paying the sum of fifty 
 thousand dollars on the first day of the next December, and 
 annuall}^, in quarterly payments, an additional sum of five 
 thousand dollars, — the management of the Athenaeum to be 
 confided to ten directors, six of whom should be chosen by 
 the Trustees of the Athenaeum, and four by the City Coun- 
 cih * The report was accepted by the Trustees, and a meet- 
 ing of the Proprietors was accordingly held on the 24th of 
 October, 1848, when the above-mentioned plan was proposed 
 and discussed, and, on motion, the whole subject was indefi- 
 nitely postponed. 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees in November, the Librarian 
 having laid before them a collection of rare and valuable 
 Sanscrit and other Oriental Manuscripts, a donation from 
 Theodore A. Neal, of Salem, the thanks of the board and 
 the privileges of the Athenaeum were voted to the donor. 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees on the 11th of December, 
 the death of their late associate, Dr. Enoch Hale, was 
 announced, and a vote was passed expressive of their deep 
 regret for the loss of a colleague " whose valuable assistance 
 in the management of the affairs of the institution they 
 have long enjoyed, and whose memory is cherished with af- 
 fection and respect." 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Proprietors in January,
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM, 187 
 
 1849, all the officers of the last year were reelected, except 
 that George T. Lyman and Wilham Lawrence were chosen 
 Trustees in the places of Mr. Gardner, who had resigned, 
 and Dr. Hale, who had deceased.* 
 The Committee on the Fine Arts reported that 
 the gross receipts from the exhibition for 
 the preceding year were ... $ 1,182*87 
 
 And the incidental expenses, .... 757*76 
 
 Leaving a balance of $425*11 
 
 One half of which was paid to the Boston Art- 
 ists' Association, and the other half to the 
 Athensjum, 1 212*55 
 
 The committee on the Library made a highly satisfactory 
 report, from which the following is an extract : 
 
 " The committee have great pleasure in being able to 
 state, from the report of the Librarian, that the last year 
 has been distinguished beyond all precedent in the history 
 of the institution by the number and value of the donations 
 made to the Library. 
 
 " First in importance is a collection of books which for- 
 merly belonged to Washington. Seventy gentlemen, of Bos- 
 ton, Cambridge, and Salem, by a subscription of $ 50 each, 
 amounting to nearly | 4,000, have secured to the Athe- 
 noeum this treasure. The light in which they regard it, 
 and the motives which animated them, will best appear 
 from their own words. 
 
 " ' The greater number of these books,' they say, ' con- 
 tain Washington's autograph. All which are so distin- 
 guished, and, next after them, those which were presen- 
 
 * Officers chosen in 1819. — P resident, ThQm?LS G. Gary; — Vice-President, 
 John A. Lowell; — Treasurer, Josiah Quincy, Jr. ; — Secretary, Henry T. Par- 
 ker; — Trustees, \N\\\\^vc\ T.Andrews, George S. Hillard, Edward Wiggles- 
 worth, Samuel Austin, Charles Amory, Henry B. Rogers, Oliver VV. Holmes, 
 George T. Lyman, and William R. Lawrence.
 
 188 HISTORY OF 
 
 tation copies to him, and, next to tliem, those -which 
 contain his book-plate, or can in any other way be 
 proved to have been in his possession, would be regard- 
 ed, even in Europe, as curiosities of great interest and 
 value, and would command prices which might seem in- 
 credible to one unacquainted with the sums given for ob- 
 jects associated with the memory of highly distinguished 
 men. 
 
 " ' But by an American the collection should be differ- 
 ently estimated. To no country has its history left so 
 valuable a legacy as we have inherited in the character 
 of Washington. He stands alone among all the great 
 men of the world, preeminent for his ser^dces to his coun- 
 trymen, for his freedom from all sordid and selfish mo- 
 tives, for his elevation above ordinary human weaknesses, 
 and for his thorough integrity and completeness of char- 
 acter. He rises higher in our estimation the better we 
 become acquainted with history and with human nature. 
 No other country can look back to a man who has left 
 an example so excellent and so weighty, so adapted by 
 its influence to promote all that is good. 
 
 " ' Of such a man all the relics should be venerated ; 
 and there can be few of more interest than the books 
 which have been in his hands, and which are marked 
 by his handwriting. Every tribute of respect paid to 
 him is a tribute of respect to moral excellence, and a 
 lesson to our posterity, teaching them our sense of its 
 worth.' * 
 
 " It should be remarked, that of these seventy benefac- 
 tors, twenty-eight, contributing $ 1,400, are not Proprie- 
 tors, but friends of the Athcnseura only as they are friends 
 of learning, and of those high interests of the community, 
 
 * Printed circular [letter, signed by Andrews Norton and Jared Sparks, two 
 of the contributors.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEXiEUM. 
 
 189 
 
 which the Athenaeum was intended, and is expected, to 
 promote.* 
 
 " Another very important donation consists of a collec- 
 tion of beautiful Oriental Manuscripts, principally Sanscrit, 
 presented by Theodore A. Neal, Esquire, of Salem. 
 These were selected, at the request of the donor, by one 
 of the most celebrated native scholars in Calcutta, and were 
 copied under his learned superintendence, as interesting 
 specimens of the hterature of India, to those who seek to 
 pursue Oriental studies in the Western world. 
 
 * Since the date of the above report, the number of contributors has been in- 
 creased, and is to be further extended to one hundred, in order to procure a 
 suitable case for these and other memorials of Washington, to put the binding 
 of the books in perfect condition, and to pay for the printing of an appropri- 
 ate descriptive catalogue of the collection. The list is now (1830) as follows : 
 
 CONTRIBUTORS TO THE PURCHASE OF THE WASHINGTON LIBRARY. 
 Israel Lombard, William Bordman, Charles E. Norton, 
 
 J. IngersoU Bowditch, 
 Francis Bacon, 
 Jonathan Phillips, 
 Theodore Chase, 
 
 Abbott Lawrence, 
 James K. Jlills, 
 George H. Kuhn, 
 Edward H. Robbins, 
 
 Thos. Wigglesworth, Jr., Jonas Chickering, 
 
 Henry Lee, Jr., 
 Charles Beck, 
 Ozias Goodwin, 
 Henry Lee, 
 Andrews Norton, 
 John P. Cushing, 
 William G. Stearns, 
 Edward Everett, 
 Jared Sparks, 
 Daniel Austin, 
 I Nathan Rice &. 
 John Ware, 
 George Ticknor, 
 J. Davis, Jr., 
 William S. Bullard, 
 S. H. Bullard, 
 H. P.^Oxnard, 
 Charles H. Mills, 
 William Appleton, 
 Samuel Lawrence, 
 
 Samuel Austin, 
 George M. Barnard, 
 William Perkins, 
 John E. Thayer, 
 Edward Austin, 
 Moses Grant, 
 Edmund Dwight, Jr., 
 John C. Gray, 
 
 Samuel Batchelder, 
 John C. Warren, 
 David Sears, 
 Robert G. Shaw & Co., 
 George W. Lyman, 
 Josiah Quincy, Jr., 
 Thomas B. Wales, 
 William T. Eustis, 
 Daniel C. Bacon, 
 Daniel P. Parker, 
 George E. Ellis, 
 
 5 Joseph lasigi & 
 George Parkman, 
 
 Milton, Cushman, & Co., Edmund Dwight, 
 
 James Lloyd, 
 John J. Dixwell, 
 Francis C. Lowell, 
 Thomas Lee, 
 James Read, 
 Nathan Appleton, 
 Amos Lawrence, 
 Thomas H. Perkins, 
 Edward N. Perkins, 
 Benjamin D. Greene, 
 George Livermore, 
 
 John A. Lowell, 
 C, Gaylon Pickman, 
 Z. Hosmer, 
 Nathaniel Silsbee, 
 George Peabody, 
 Francis Peabody, 
 W. Neal, 
 
 William Pickman, 
 Daniel Webster, 
 Samuel T. Armstrong, 
 Richard Fletcher.
 
 190 HISTORY OF 
 
 " The Hon. Charles Francis Adams has recently pre- 
 sented the numerous and vahiable pamphlets accumulated 
 by his father, the late John Quincy Adams, to the num- 
 ber of between six and seven thousand, which go to en- 
 rich a department in which the Athenceum is perhaps 
 unrivalled by any other Library in the country. 
 
 " Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes has presented a valuable 
 portion of the library of his father, the late Rev. Dr. 
 Holmes, the annalist of America ; and many others have 
 made smaller donations, yet considerable for their number, 
 or for the separate value of each book. A list of all the 
 donors during the year is annexed. 
 
 " The total number of books given during the year is, 
 of bound volumes 830, of pamphlets 7,393, 
 
 " The whole number of books purchased during the year 
 is 3,346 volumes, and 11,000 pamphlets. 
 
 " Thus the increase of the Library in the past year has 
 been 4,176 bound volumes, and 18,393 pamphlets or 
 tracts. 
 
 " The number of volumes bound during the year is 1,115, 
 beside a large number repaired." 
 
 By the Treasurer's report, it appeared that the income 
 the past year, applicable to general expenses, from all sour- 
 ces, including the Bromfield fund, amounted to $ 10,048-46 
 
 And the general expenses and books were 6,276*84 
 
 That the balance to the credit of the Fine 
 
 Arts fund last year was . . . 1 1,392-19 
 
 That there had been received the past year 1,182-87 
 
 $ 2,575¥6 
 And there had been paid . . . 1,067-92 
 
 $1,507^4 
 That the whole property of the Athenaeum 
 
 was $417,901-91
 
 THE BOSTON ATHENiEUM. 191 
 
 Real estate on Pearl Street $ 23,095-89 
 Do. on Beacon Street . 138,520-84 
 
 161,616-73 
 Lecture-room, . . . 15,550-82 
 Statues, busts, &c., including 
 
 the statue of Orpheus . 19,921-63 
 
 Books .... 68,803-23 
 Productive property, . 152,009-50 
 
 $417,901-91 
 By the same report it appeared that the 
 
 income from the Bromfield donation, 
 
 during the past year, amounted to . $ 2,167-93 
 Of which $ 1,152-93 had been applied to 
 
 the purchase of books, conformably to 
 
 the terms prescribed by the donor ; and 
 
 the capital of the fund now amounted to $ 26,207-65 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees in January 1849, the 
 statue, in marble, of " The Backwoodsman," executed by 
 Henry Dexter, was presented to the Athenseum, in the name 
 of the following donors : — Samuel Appleton, Thomas H. 
 Perkins, Abbott Lawrence, David Sears, Edmund Dwight, 
 Nathan Appleton, William Lawrence, George W. Lyman, 
 Samuel A. EUot, George C. Shattuck, George C Shattuck, 
 Jr., Edward Brooks, John D. Williams, John Bryant, Jr., 
 John C. Gray, John P. Gushing, Wilhara Appleton, Fran- 
 cis C. Gray, Jonas Chickering, and Josiah Quincy, Jr. ; 
 for which appropriate thanks were voted by the Trustees. 
 
 At a meeting of the Proprietors on the 9th of February, 
 1849, a committee which had been appointed by them at 
 the preceding annual meeting, " to examine the financial 
 and other affairs of the institution, the Treasurer and other 
 officers being requested to afford such information as will en-
 
 192 HISTORY OF 
 
 able them to report as to the history of the institution for 
 the past two years, and its future covtrse," made the report 
 which follows. 
 
 " The Committee, appointed at the last annual meeting of the 
 Proprietors, to examine the financial and other affairs of the 
 institution, and to report as to its recent history and future 
 course, offer the following 
 
 REPORT. 
 
 " The past history and immediate concerns of the Atheneeum 
 are so closely connected with the original design of its removal, 
 and the consequences resulting from it, that the recital of the 
 proceedings in relation thereto is rendered necessary. 
 
 " The first reference to the subject of a removal of the 
 Athenaeum was at a meeting of the Trustees, held June 11, 
 1843, when a committee was appointed ' to see if any thing can 
 and should be done towards removing the Athenaeum from its 
 present position, to some place nearer the centre of the city.' 
 
 " October 9, 1843, this committee of the Trustees made a 
 report to that board, in regard to a location for the Athenaeum, 
 and they were instructed to obtain a refusal of the lots of land 
 in Tremont Street, and to obtain subscriptions, in case the re- 
 fusal can be obtained. 
 
 "At the next annual meeting of the Proprietors, January 1, 
 1841, the above committee of Trustees reported, that they had 
 obtained a refusal of the estate in Tremont Street, that the land 
 and building will require about one hundred thousand dollars, 
 which they are of opinion can be raised by sale of property be- 
 longing to the Athenaeum, by subscription, and sale of new 
 shares. It was accordingly ' Voted, that the Trustees be au- 
 thorized to take all necessary measures for the erection of a 
 new building on the spot proposed, as soon as they are satisfied 
 that the means can be obtained to complete the same without 
 incurring a debt, or permanently diminishing the income of the 
 Athenaeum.' 
 
 " At a meeting of the Trustees, a few days after, January
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 193 
 
 8, 1844, a committee was authorized to purchase the estate he- 
 tween Tremont Street and Court Square, whenever they should 
 obtain the assurance of raising a sum of money equal to 237 
 shares, at three hundred dollars per share. 
 
 " At the succeeding annual meeting of the Proprietors, Janu- 
 ary 6, 1845, this committee made a report, that they had pur- 
 chased the Tremont Street estate for S 84,102, that the estimated 
 cost of a suitable building was $ 76,000, making $ 160,102 ; — 
 amount of available funds, new shares $ 72,300, Pearl Street 
 estate $ 40,000, notes receivable $28,000, making $ 140,300 ; 
 deficiency § 19,802. The erection of a building was then au- 
 thorized by the Proprietors, ' as soon as $ 20,000 more can be 
 raised by subscriptions, by sale of new shares, or other disposi- 
 tion of parts of the building to be hereafter erected.' It was also 
 ' Voted, that the building committee be directed to cause to be 
 prepared plans for the building, and that the same be submitted 
 to a meeting of the Proprietors to be called for the purpose.' 
 
 " On the following 20th of May the plans were accordingly 
 submitted to the Proprietors, at a special meeting ; — resolutions 
 were proposed with a view to an increased income, a warm 
 and animated discussion followed, and finally the subject was 
 referred to a committee of ten, with instructions to consider and 
 decide upon the various plans submitted, and to report at a fu- 
 ture meeting a plan for the Athenoeum, and estimates for the 
 expense of the same. 
 
 " The report of the committee of ten was laid before the 
 Proprietors, at a meeting called for the purpose, June 24, 
 1845, and the Trustees were authorized to build on Tremont 
 Street, according to the recommendations of the committee, 
 whereby Mr. George M. Dexter's plan was adopted, with the 
 assurance of a greatly increased income. 
 
 " A kw days subsequent, June 30th, in pursuance of the do- 
 ings of the meeting of the Proprietors, a committee was appoint- 
 ed by the board of Trustees to solicit further subscriptions. 
 
 " At a special meeting of the Proprietors, called for the pur- 
 pose, November 19, 1845, this committee reported that a suffi-
 
 194 HISTORY OP 
 
 cient sum could not be raised to render it prudent to build on 
 Tremont Street, and they recommended the sale of the Tremont 
 Street estate, and the purchase of the estate on Beacon Street. 
 This report was accepted, and the Trustees were authorized 
 to sell the estate on Tremont Street, and buy the estate on Bea- 
 con Street. No authority was given to the Trustees, at this 
 meeting or at any subsequent meeting of the Proprietors, for the 
 erection of any building on the Beacon Street estate. 
 
 " This estate was purchased of Mr. Edw-ard B. Phillips, 
 Deccember 1, 1845, for $55,000, — $ 15,000 cash, and the 
 balance by note for ten years, secured by mortgage. 
 
 " The Tremont Street estate was sold to Mr. David Kimball, 
 on the 20th of the same month, for $ 109,221-25, payable 
 $ 10,000 cash 2Tth December, and by note dated May 1, 1846, 
 on demand, for $ 100,000, including ^ 778-75 interest, and 
 secured by mortgage. 
 
 " The annual meeting of the Proprietors took place on the 5th 
 of January following. At this meeting no report was made by 
 the Trustees in relation either to the sale or the purchase, and 
 no allusion was made to either subject. 
 
 " At a meeting of the Trustees, January 12, 1846, it was ' Vot- 
 ed, that the building committee consist of the President, the 
 Vice-President, and the Treasurer, with Mr. Andrews and Mr. 
 Amory, and that they be authorized to procure designs and take 
 the necessary measures for erecting a suitable building for the 
 Athenaeum, on the land purchased in Beacon Street, with as 
 much despatch as is consistent with the advantageous execution 
 of the work.' 
 
 " During the month of March following, three designs were of- 
 fered to the Trustees, and that of Mr. Edward C Cabot had been 
 selected. Some concern was expressed for the disappointment 
 of Mr. Dexter, who had sent in one of the designs, and it was 
 proposed that he should be associated with Mr. Cabot in the 
 execution of the plan offered. Mr. Cabot hesitated, and, when 
 the suggestion was made that Mr. Rogers, an experienced archi- 
 tect, should bo employed under his superintendence, it seemed
 
 THE BOSTON ATHENiEUM. 195 
 
 to him more satisfactory. His objections, however, were over- 
 ruled, and it was agreed that they, Messrs. Dexter & Cabot, 
 should carry on the business of architecture jointly for the pe- 
 riod of three years; — Mr. Cabot to attend principally to the 
 office business and drawing, and Mr. Dexter to the out-door or 
 construction part. 
 
 " Arrangements were now made for the progress of the 
 work, and, on the 10th of August, 1846, it was voted by the 
 Trustees, ' that the Treasurer be authorized to pay such bills or 
 drafts for the cost of erecting the new building on Beacon 
 Street, as shall be presented to him by order of the architects, 
 and sanctioned by the chairman of the building committee.' 
 
 "At the annual meeting of the Proprietors, January 4, 1847, 
 the President read a statement of expense already incurred, 
 amounting to S 12,499- 13, and an estimate of cost to finish, 
 being $52,996-52, the two sums making 8 65,495-65, about 
 the amount of the original estimate by Mr. Cabot. 
 
 "In relation to Mr. Cabot's estimate it is proper to state, that, 
 as he informs your committee, it was made with great care by 
 Mr. S. C. Bugbee, an architect of this city, who expressed 
 himself willing to contract for the erection and completion of 
 the building for the amount named ; and Mr. Cabot has entire 
 confidence, that the design, as presented by him, could have 
 been executed within the estimate. 
 
 " In the mean time the work advanced. Mr. Cabot made all 
 the working plans which were used, or they were made under 
 his direction. When completed, they were, as requested, 
 handed to the mechanics, or to Mr. Dexter himself, who had, 
 as he informs your committee, no detailed plans or specifica- 
 tions furnished to him, and no reference was had to former 
 estimates of cost. No specific contracts were made with that 
 care and attention, which the magnitude and importance of the 
 work would seem to have demanded. Materials were ordered, 
 or agreements made for their supply ; the work was engaged 
 by the day, or proposals were made and accepted according 
 to the discretion of Mr. Dexter, from whom, as he states, no
 
 196 HISTORY OF 
 
 account of costs was rendered, or estimates asked for, till June, 
 1848, and who assured your committee^ that, with the exception 
 of the chairman of the building committee, they had then sug- 
 gested to him the first and only inquiries in relation to the 
 Athenaeum. 
 
 " On the 27th April, 1847, the Corner Stone of the new 
 building was laid. 
 
 " The difficulty of negotiating a mortgage for so unusual an 
 amount as $ 100,000, had rendered it necessary that the Treas- 
 urer should make use of his own credit, with that of the insti- 
 tution, in order to meet the increasing demands on him. Ac- 
 cordingly, at a meeting of the Trustees, November 8, 1847, 
 on motion of Mr. Quincy, it was ' ordered, that the Treasurer, 
 Josiah Quincy, Jr., be authorized to give the note or notes of 
 the Athenaeum for any amounts that may be required for the 
 erection of the new building on Beacon Street, and to negotiate 
 and renew the same at pleasure;' also, 'ordered, that the 
 Treasurer, Josiah Quincy, Jr., be authorized to retain or pledge, 
 as security, any of the property of the Athenaeum now in his 
 hands.' 
 
 " As the time approached for the annual meeting of the Pro- 
 prietors, it was thought desirable to ascertain the amount of ex- 
 penditures to the 31st of December, 1847. No regular meetings 
 of the building committee had been held, nor had they, in any 
 instance, during the past year, been officially called together. 
 No definite idea could be formed, nor were the means affijrded 
 for any precise opinion, on the subject. Under these circum- 
 stances, it may be supposed that the statement laid before the 
 Trustees, only a short time before the meeting of the Proprie- 
 tors, 3 January, 1848, occasioned no small degree of surprise, 
 when it appeared, that seventy thousand dollars had already 
 been expended. 
 
 " No reference was had, however, nor any allusion made, to 
 the subject, by the Trustees, at the meeting of the Proprietors. 
 
 " In the mean time, the demand for money had increased, and, 
 some arrangement having become necessary, it was voted by
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 197 
 
 the Trustees, 14 February, 1848, ' that the Treasurer be, and 
 he hereby is, authorized to take notes of Daniel Kimball, as 
 collateral to his mortgage note for $ 100,000, for such time or 
 times as he may agree, and to transfer the same by indorse- 
 ment : Provided, that the present security of the Athenaeum 
 shall in no way be diminished by such transaction.' 
 
 "Nine notes, signed by David Kimball, were in consequence 
 given to the Treasurer, during the month of April following. 
 These notes were drawn at six months from date, for various 
 sums, in all amounting to forty thousand dollars, and payable 
 to the Treasurer of the Boston Athenseum, by whom a receipt 
 was given, in which it is stated, that said notes are to stand as 
 collateral security for the note and mortgage now held by said 
 Boston Athenseum for $ 100,000 and interest, against said Kim- 
 ball, and, moreover, that it is understood to be the intention of 
 the Athenaeum not to press said Kimball on his large note 
 and mortgage, while he shall continue to meet punctually the 
 notes this day given, and to keep down the interest. These 
 notes have never been paid, but have been renewed and dis- 
 counted, from time to time, with the indorsement of the 
 Treasurer. 
 
 " When it was ascertained that the expenditures had so far 
 exceeded the estimates, immediate measures had been taken to 
 check the progress of the work, and, on the 10th of April, 1848, 
 the President, as chairman of the building committee, laid be- 
 fore the Trustees a statement, showing ' that the exterior of 
 the building has now cost seventy thousand dollars, and that to 
 complete the interior, in a manner corresponding with what 
 has been done, would require fifty thousand dollars more.' It 
 was accordingly voted, ' that the building committee cause an 
 iron staircase to be erected in the vestibule of the new building, 
 and the library to be finished in the style and manner of the 
 original design, leaving other parts of the interior wholly un- 
 finished.' 
 
 " In compliance with the above vote, contracts were made 
 for the completion of the library and staircase, and on the
 
 198 HISTORY OF 
 
 20th of June, 1848, the result was as follows : $ 73,67899 paid 
 and outstanding; contracts to finish library and staircase, 
 $ 23,649-50 ; making $ 97,328-49, commissions not included. 
 
 " It was natural, however, that an earnest desire should ex- 
 ist, and that efforts should be made, to remove the obstacles in 
 the way of a completion of the building. The Trustees, in 
 consequence, voted, May 8, 1848, ' that the President and Vice- 
 President be a committee to consider and report what measures 
 it is expedient to take in order to obtain funds sufficient for the 
 completion of the Athenaeum building according to the original 
 design of the same.' 
 
 " August 14, 1848, the above committee laid before the 
 Trustees a letter addressed by them to Josiah Quincy, Jr., 
 Mayor, offering conditionally the free use of the Athenaeum Li- 
 brary to the citizens of Boston. 
 
 " This proposition, with the accompanying papers, having 
 been laid before the Proprietors at a special meeting called for 
 the purpose, October 24, 1848, the whole subject was indefi- 
 nitely postponed. 
 
 " A strong desire having been expressed by the Proprietors 
 for further information, and no full exposition of the affairs of 
 the institution having been made at the annual meeting, held 
 January 1, 1849, a committee was then appointed for that pur- 
 pose. 
 
 " Your committee have thus recited the leading incidents in 
 the recent history of the Athenaeum. 
 
 " As an important object of inquiry, they have turned their 
 attention to the note of Mr. Kimball for $ 100,000, secured by 
 mortgage. It appears, that, although the Tremont Street estate 
 had been sold on the 20th of December, 1845, the negotiation 
 had been consummated, and the deeds to and from Mr. Kimball 
 had been dated and delivered, 1st of May, 1846. On the same 
 day Mr. Kimball was one of the parties to an indenture and 
 trust deed, duly recorded, by which he conveyed the Tremont 
 Street estate, subject to the mortgage of $ 100,000, to Addison 
 Gilmore and Ellis Gray Loring, in trust, as security for the pay-
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 199 
 
 ment of certain bonds, to the amount of eighty thousand dollars, 
 and by which indenture he covenants to pay to said trustees, 
 in addition to the interest on said bonds, the sum of fourteen 
 thousand dollars per annum, in quarterly payments of $ 3,500. 
 This, it will be seen, is virtually an agreement on his part to 
 appropriate the rents and proceeds of the estate to the gradual 
 payment of a second mortgage, and thereby disqualify himself 
 from the payment of any portion of his note on demand, secured 
 by a first mortgage. This is the more to be regretted, as Mr. 
 Kimball's mortgage would seem to have been eminently the 
 means this institution should have relied on to pay oif its heavy 
 impending liabilities. And, so far as the above-mentioned cov- 
 enant on the part of Mr. Kimball, added to the unusually large 
 amount of the mortgage, may render its negotiation difficult, 
 is the necessity increased of taking legal possession, under the 
 mortgage note, as the only alternative in order to realize its 
 payment. 
 
 " The statement of the liabilities and resources of the Athe- 
 nseum is as follows : 
 
 Notes Receivable. 
 
 Mass. Hosp. Life Ins. Co., ^ 20,000 
 
 David Kimball, 100,000 
 
 Sundry small notes, ...... 800 
 
 $ 120,800 
 
 Notes Payable. 
 
 To E. B. Phillips, due Dec. 1, 1855, ... $ 40,000 
 
 " Th. Greenleaf, " Mar. 10, 1853, . . . 36,800 
 " E. B. Phillips, " on demand, .... 4,000 
 
 " J. A. Lowell, " Feb. 6, 1849, . . . 6,000 
 
 " T. Wigglesworth, " 22, " . . . . 3,000 
 
 " J. Quincy, Jr., " " 28, "... 4,000 
 
 " J. Quincy, Jr., " Mar. 1, " . . . . 2,000 
 
 " J. A. Lowell, " " 1, " ... 4,000 
 
 " T. G. Gary, " April 7, " . . . . 5,000 
 
 " J. Quincy, Jr., « " 28, "... 3,000
 
 200 HISTORY OF 
 
 To J. Quincy, Jr., due May 1, 1849, . . . . 2,500 
 " David Kimball's notes, indorsed, negotiated, and pro- 
 ceeds realized by the Treasurer, due on or be- 
 fore 23d April, 40,000 
 
 $ 150,300 
 
 " The liahilities of the Athenaeum will thus stand: 
 Notes payable, as per schedule, . . . $ 150,300'00 
 J. Quincy, Jr., Treasurer, balance of account, 3,516'66 
 
 Baring, Brothers, & Co., ..... 23 90 
 
 $ 153,840-56 
 
 To which add contracts payable in April and May, 17,149-50 
 
 Balance of commissions to architects, . . . 1,750-00 
 
 " to mechanics, ..... 500-00 
 
 Estimated expenses, not included in contracts, with 
 
 expenses of removing, furnishing, etc., . . 4,55994 
 
 $ 177,800-00 
 Available Means. 
 Real estate on Pearl Street, estimated . . $ 40,00000 
 New England Bank, 10 shares, .... 1,00000 
 Columbian Bank, 40 shares, .... 4,00000 
 
 Notes receivable, as per schedule, . . 120,800-00 
 
 $ 165,80000 
 
 " From this statement it appears, that, on the contemplated 
 
 removal to the new building, there will be a deficit, on work 
 
 actually finished, of $ 12,000 
 
 And to finish the edifice as originally intended, and as 
 is requisite for the purposes for which it was designed, 
 will require, as per estimate, .... 25,000 
 
 in addition to our present means. So that $ 37,000 are re- 
 quired to complete the building, or $ 12,000 to pay the actual 
 debts, leaving the building in its present unfinished state. 
 
 " It would also appear from these facts and estimates, that 
 the estate on Beacon Street will have cost, on the completion of 
 the building, $ 180,000.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 201 
 
 " Your committee are, however, under the impression, after 
 conferences with Mr. Dexter and others, that $ 35,000 would 
 be a safer estimate fur such completion, and that the ultimate 
 cost of the estate will amount to § 190,000. 
 
 " This amount is larger than could have been anticipated, 
 and, had it been foreseen, larger than our immediate resour- 
 ces would have warranted or could have justified. Never- 
 theless, it is gratifying to know that the work has been well 
 done, with the best materials and in the most substantial and 
 durable manner. And this elegant and costly edifice, when 
 finished, will present a fine specimen of architectural taste, and 
 one admirably adapted to the object designed, and worthy of 
 the purposes to which it is to be applied. 
 
 " The Athenasum has always been a cherished object of in- 
 terest. Among its earliest and best friends were numbered 
 some of the brightest ornaments of our city, and their example 
 and efforts have shed an influence, and awakened feelings, 
 that have supported it in its earlier struggles ; while the unceas- 
 ing efforts and munificent patronage of its friends at a later 
 period have made it not less an object of just pride to our 
 whole community, than of refined enjoyment to its immediate 
 proprietors. 
 
 " To strangers it has afforded the best means of hospitality. 
 Under the auspices of our valua!)le Librarian, and with the ad- 
 vantages of more liberal and suitable accommodations, the hope 
 had been entertained that a new and auspicious era was about 
 to open, while your committee are aware that their appointment 
 has been dictated by a feeling of anxious interest, which has 
 lately been awakened as to the future prospects of this valuable 
 institution. 
 
 " Of that future they should have no distrust ; — all the re- 
 sources of the corporation are under the control of those, whose 
 judgment and experience will best teach them how to avail of 
 them, and the deep interest they take in its concerns is best 
 evidenced by the responsibility they have assumed. 
 
 " To the Trustees, therefore, the friends of the institution will 
 
 26
 
 202 HISTORY OP 
 
 look with renewed feelings of interest, and with a confident 
 hope, that their bold enterprise, conrimenced and carried on 
 with that fearless independence and personal agency which 
 looks mainly to the object to be accomplished, may result in a 
 successful completion of their undertaking, without detriment to 
 the important interests they were appointed to guard. 
 "All which is respectfully submitted. 
 
 Chas. Torrey, 
 Wm. Rollins, 
 
 E. H. RoBBINS, 
 
 Francis B. Hayes. 
 " Boston, Feb. 9, 1849." 
 
 " The above Report having been read, the President remarked 
 that he felt bound, in justice to the gentlemen who had been as- 
 sociated with him, to state some facts, to the following effect, 
 which should be understood in connection with the representa- 
 tions given in the Report, viz. 
 
 " The building committee had concluded, at the outset, that 
 it was not best to put the whole building under contract, as 
 that would preclude all alterations in the plan of structure 
 which might be found advisable, and they considered it impor- 
 tant that the work should be thoroughly done. But they had 
 made a formal contract for the stone to be used, and agreed for 
 the hammering of it at a fixed price. The bricks were to be 
 laid by the thousand, being bought at the market price. 
 
 " There had been no neglect to hold meetings of the build- 
 ing committee at any time when such meetings were likely 
 to have been of use. Such meetings had been frequent until 
 the mode of proceeding with the structure had been carefully 
 arranged, with such a system of checks in the disbursement of 
 money as provided effectually against any misapplication of it, 
 none having been paid without a warrant from himself as Chair- 
 man, and a voucher to the Treasurer from the mechanic to 
 whom it was due. Subsequently to this arrangement, the Chair- 
 man (representing the committee) habitually conferred with the
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 203 
 
 architects, and consulted with the several members of the com- 
 mittee, whom he met at the monthly meetings of the Trustees 
 and elsewhere. 
 
 " The committee were early aware that the cost must ex- 
 ceed the estimate given with the design by the architect, Mr. 
 Cabot ; having themselves concluded to authorize stone ends to 
 the building, instead of brick, which was found necessary to 
 prevent an awkward appearance from the probable removal 
 hereafter of the houses on each side ; and having authorized 
 additional ornament on the rear, which proved to be more ex- 
 posed to view than was anticipated. They felt, however, no 
 serious uneasiness on that subject, having, by the purchase and 
 sale of the estate in Tremont Street, added twenty thousand 
 dollars to the fund appropriated to the building, and believing, 
 from an opinion stated by the executive architect, Mr. Dexter, 
 with whom the President, as Chairman of the committee, had 
 two consultations on the subject as the work advanced, that the 
 whole cost would not probably exceed the estimate that had 
 accompanied his own design, that estimate having been eighty- 
 five thousand dollars. This opinion was repeated by him (Mr. 
 Dexter), but was founded on no accurate estimate, and was un- 
 derstood as no more than an approximation to the result. 
 
 " This belief was, however, thus entertained by the commit- 
 tee until the close of the year 1847, when Mi*. Dexter was de- 
 sired, by actual payment of all bills (as he had done the year 
 preceding for the foundation), to ascertain the cost of the exte- 
 rior which was then erected. He found, to his own surprise 
 and concern as well as that of the committee, that it amounted 
 to S 70,000, and that to complete the interior in the same style 
 would require nearly $ 50,000 more. 
 
 " These facts were not fully ascertained in season for a cor- 
 rect statement of them at the annual meeting, held in January, 
 1848. The general affairs of the community were then becom- 
 ing very much depressed by financial difficulties ; and the com- 
 mittee, expecting no aid from the shareholders under such cir- 
 cumstances, thought it best to make no communication of any
 
 204 HISTORY OF 
 
 embarrassment, unless it should be called for, but simply to 
 stop the work until tliey could make specific contracts for so 
 much as they had the means to finish. That portion of the 
 new building will be sufficient to receive the Library, and it 
 will be ready for its reception in about two months. 
 
 " The above work being of the most substantial character, 
 the committee find no reason to believe that it could have 
 been as well done for materially less money than it has cost, or 
 to regret that they did not act on the estimate of Mr. Bugbee, 
 who probably thought of a building quite inferior to the one 
 erected. That estimate was $ 61,988, as presented by Mr. 
 Cabot, who has since, in a detailed statement, estimated the 
 cost of finishing the interior in a suitable manner at $ 47,522. 
 This would leave from Mr. Bugbee's estimate only $ 14,466 
 for the foundation and exterior, which is manifestly inadequate. 
 
 " In relation to the statement in the Report, that a committee 
 of the Trustees had offered the use of the Library to the citizens 
 of Boston, through the Mayor, the President remarked that this 
 was a mistake, as the records would show ; no offer of the kind 
 having been made, and the facts in reference to that subject be- 
 ing these, viz. 
 
 " The Trustees were informed by the Mayor that the City 
 had been authorized by the Legislature to pay § 5,000 annu- 
 ally for the support of a public library, and that probably this 
 annuity and the sum of $ 100,000 (which he supposed could be 
 raised by subscriptions among citizens, not shareholders of the 
 Athenaeum) might be given to this institution to complete the 
 new building, and provide for a great extension of the Library, 
 on condition that the citizens generally should be admitted to 
 all the privileges of the shareholders in the Athenaeum. The 
 Trustees declined to lay this proposal before the shareholders, 
 regarding it as inadmissible. 
 
 " The Trustees were then desired, on the part of the City, to 
 state what terms they would consent to lay before the share- 
 holders for their consideration. To this it was replied, that, if 
 they should receive an intimation or ofl"er that the City would
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 205 
 
 furnish the sum of $ 50,000 for the completion of the new 
 building, and $ 5,000 annually for the support and increase of 
 the Library, as compensation for the admission of the citizens to 
 the use of the Library only, without any privileges in the read- 
 ing-room or otherwise, they would lay the subject before the 
 shareholders for their decision on it. This was accordingly 
 done ; the shareholders decided not to authorize the arrange- 
 ment ; and, the Trustees having made no offer, nor commit- 
 ted themselves or the institution in any way, the matter end- 
 ed there." 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees on the 12th of February, 
 1849, the Librarian announced a large donation of books 
 and pamphlets, and several curious and beautiful engrav- 
 ings, paintings, and busts, from the widow of Dr. Benjamin 
 Waterhouse, being part of the library and collection of her 
 deceased husband ; whereupon was passed an appropriate vote 
 of thanks to Mrs. Waterhouse for this munificent present. 
 
 In March, 1849, Mr. George C. Ward presented a fine 
 cast of the celebrated " Venus of the Capitol," for which 
 were voted suitable thanks. 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees on the 9th of July, the build- 
 ing committee reported, that so much of the new building, 
 as it was thought best to complete before occupation, would 
 be entirely finished in the course of a month, and that, the 
 books having been removed to it and arranged for use, the 
 building would be forthwith opened for the Proprietors ; — 
 that the cost of the building, in its present 
 state, had been $104,296-28 
 
 That to complete it in a thorough manner 
 
 would require ..... 24,842*00 
 
 $129,138-28 
 The amount paid for the land was . . 55,000-00 
 
 Making a total, for the estate, of . $ 184,138-28
 
 20G HISTORY OF 
 
 That the available funds and resources 
 
 for the land and the new buildhig were $ 159,742*79 
 And the cost of the building 
 
 was at present, as above 
 
 stated, . . . $104,296-28 
 And of the land . . 55,000-00 
 
 $ 159,296-28 
 
 Whereupon a vote was passed, calUng a special meeting of 
 the Proprietors, which was accordingly holden on the 27th 
 of July, 1849, and a general statement of the cost of the 
 building and the land, as well as of the available funds, 
 was submitted, with a particular specification of facts illus- 
 trative of both. After debate a vote was passed, request- 
 ing the Trustees to consider, and report at a future meet- 
 ing, such measures as they may deem advisable to raise the 
 necessary funds for the uses of the Athen^um. At the 
 same meeting the Trustees were authorized to sell the real 
 estate in Pearl Street at such time, and in such manner, as 
 they should deem most advantageous. 
 
 In conformity with the first of the preceding votes, the 
 Trustees prepared a report, which they submitted to the 
 Proprietors at a special meeting on the 29th of October en- 
 suing, in the following words : 
 
 "REPORT. 
 
 " In accordance with the vote passed at the last meeting 
 of the Proprietors, by which the Trustees were requested to 
 consider and report such measures as they may deem ad- 
 visable to raise the necessary funds for the uses of the 
 Athenaeum, and also to report what probability there may 
 be that such measures can be carried out ; that subject has 
 been referred to a committee of the board, and has re- 
 ceived particular attention.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 207 
 
 " The most obvious and convenient mode of raising funds 
 appears to be, to obtain subscriptions for new shares, if pos- 
 sible, at the present subscription price of three hundred dol- 
 lars. Although some gentlemen have recommended that 
 the price should be reduced, it is, as yet, uncertain -whether 
 as much money would, on the whole, be obtained in that 
 way ; and many are of opinion that it is best not to dimin- 
 ish the price. 
 
 "A commencement has, therefore, been made, and about 
 thirty shares have been subscribed for at $ 300 each, to 
 be issued, if the proprietors shall authorize it. There is 
 reason to expect that this list of subscriptions will be con- 
 siderably extended ; but time is required to draw the atten- 
 tion of individuals to the subject, with suitable explanations, 
 and it is not very probable that any plan can be carried 
 very speedily into effect. 
 
 " There is, however, a favorable feeling in the communi- 
 ty ; and a general belief is expressed, that in some way the 
 means will be furnished to complete the building, and in- 
 crease the funds as far as is necessary for the support of 
 the institution. 
 
 " One gentleman has offered to the committee to be one 
 of five who will take fifty new shares, if the number can be 
 made up to two hundred shares, at $ 300 each. 
 
 " Another gentleman has offered to be one of thirty who 
 shall furnish the means to complete the building by each of 
 them taking three new shares ; and a few other gentlemen 
 have agreed to follow his example, if the others can be 
 found. 
 
 " Several of the Proprietors, also, have expressed their 
 readiness to submit to a voluntary assessment ; and there 
 seems encouragement to believe, that, in this way, and with 
 the subscriptions that can be obtained, a sum equivalent to 
 two hundred new shares at $ 300 each, or nearly so, may 
 be raised at no distant period.
 
 208 HISTORY OF 
 
 " It is, therefore, recommended, as the plan for present 
 action, that the eflForts to obtain subscriptions for new shares 
 at the present price should be continued ; and what proba- 
 bility there is of success may be inferred from Avhat has 
 been stated, the whole number of new shares that are 
 agreed for, either with conditions or without, being thus far 
 fifty-two. 
 
 " Unless the Proprietors would recommend some different 
 plan of proceeding, no action on their part seems to be re- 
 quired at present, except it might be to authorize the issue 
 of a limited number of shares at $ 300 each. 
 
 " All of which is respectfully submitted. 
 " For the Trustees, 
 
 " Thomas G. Cart, President. 
 
 " Boston, Oct. 29, 1849." 
 
 After consideration and debate, it was voted, " that the 
 Trustees be authorized to issue, as they may see fit, any 
 number of new shares not exceeding two hundred, provided 
 that the same shall not be sold under the present par value." 
 It was further voted, " that the Trustees be requested to 
 ascertain how many of the Proprietors are willing to assess 
 themselves, and the probable amount which could be raised 
 by such assessment towards paying off the present debt, and 
 providing a fund for the future support of the Athenaeum." 
 
 In October, also, the Librarian announced to the Trus- 
 tees a donation, from Miss Elizabeth P. Peabody, of a large 
 and valuable collection of Polish books ; for which a suitable 
 vote of thanks was passed. 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees on the 10th of December, 
 1819, the recent death of the eminent benefactor to the 
 Athenaeum, John Bromfield, having been made known to 
 the Trustees, it was voted, unanimously, 
 
 " That the President be requested to inform the relatives
 
 THE BOSTON ATHENAEUM. 209 
 
 of the late John Bromfield, Esquire, that the Trastees have 
 heard with much sensibiUtj of the sudden death of a man 
 so distinguished for the uprightness of his character and 
 the generosity of his spirit, and whose munificent donation 
 to this institution places him among the most distinguished 
 patrons of literature whom this country has produced." 
 
 The letter of Mr. Gary, the President of the Athenaeum, 
 in which he communicated the above vote to Mrs. Anne 
 Tracy, sister of Mr. Bromfield, and which was placed by the 
 Trustees upon their record, contains the following personal 
 tribute to his memory : 
 
 " In performing this duty, I avail myself of the opportu- 
 nity to express the satisfaction with which I recur to a per- 
 sonal acquaintance with him extending over the greater 
 portion of his active life, through which his keen sense of 
 what is honorable and virtuous has ever been conspicuous. 
 
 " As one of those, too, who were charged with the appli- 
 cation of his noble gift to the purpose intended, I am 
 happy in a behef that he found new pleasure in witnessing 
 the fruitful supply that it steadily furnished to the intelli- 
 gence and happiness of the public." 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Proprietors on the 7th of 
 January, 1850, on the suggestion of the President, a com- 
 mittee of seven was appointed to nominate a list of offi- 
 cers for the year ensuing. The list which they reported 
 embraced the names of all the officers of the preceding 
 year, excepting William R. Lawrence, who had resigned 
 as Trustee, and whose place was now supplied by the choice 
 of William Phillips.* 
 
 * Officers chosen in 1850. — President, Thomas G. Gary ; — 'Vice-President, 
 John A. Lowell ; — Treasurer, Josiah Quincy, Jr. ; — Secretary, Henry T. Par- 
 ker; — Trustees, Charles Amory, William T. Andrews, Samuel Austin, George 
 S. Hillard. Oliver W. Holmes, George T. Lyman, Henry B. Rogers, Edward 
 Wiggiesworth, and William Phillips. 
 27
 
 210 HISTORY OF 
 
 The committee for examining the Library reported, that 
 the removal of it to the new building was completed in the 
 preceding July, with great care and success ; that the fin- 
 ished hall contained about 40,000 volumes, and the unfin- 
 ished rooms on the same floor about 10,000 more (sup- 
 posing the pamphlets to be bound in volumes of a due size) ; 
 and that the more accessible, convenient, and agreeable sit- 
 uation of the Library had given a new impulse to those who 
 seek to increase it by donations from their own libraries. 
 
 The committee on the Fine Arts reported, that the usual 
 annual exhibition had been omitted the last summer, and 
 the opportunity embraced to have the pictures cleaned and 
 repaired by competent artists, so that they were now in a 
 better condition than at any former period ; and that cir- 
 cumstances had as yet prevented the removal of the stat- 
 uary, with the exception of the statue of Orpheus, which 
 had been safely transported to the new building. 
 
 The statement of the Treasurer was also presented by 
 that officer. It appeared that the income the past year, 
 applicable to general expenses, had been . $ 9,955-40 
 
 And the disbursements for general expen- 
 ses 0,039-23 
 
 That the credit to the Fine Arts fund last 
 
 year was $1,507-14 
 
 That there had been paid this year . . 654-84 
 
 $ 852-30 
 
 That the balance of the fund applicable to 
 the new building, as by last year's state- 
 ment, was $ 13,207-71 
 
 That there had been expended this year 20,001-72 
 
 Leaving a deficit of . . . • $ 6,794-01 
 That the whole property of the Athenaeum 
 
 was -S 441,291-61
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 211 
 
 Real estate on Pearl Street, $ 23,095-89 
 Estate on Beacon Street, 158,522-56 
 
 $ 181,618-45 
 Lecture-room, . . 15,550-82 
 
 Paintings, busts, &c., including 
 
 the Orpheus, . . 19,921-63 
 Books, .... 70,316-21 
 Productive property, . 15o,884-50 
 
 $441,291-61 
 That the BromJBeld fund now amounted to 26,581*13 
 
 At this meeting the President stated, that the debts of 
 the Athenceum amounted to . . . $191,176-47 
 That the assets available to meet the above 
 
 were 172,000-00 
 
 And the deficiency was ... $ 19,176-47 
 
 That, if this deficiency was provided for, the Athenaeum 
 would have the following property unencumbered, viz. : — 
 •Estate on Beacon Street, at cost, . $ 158,522-56 
 Add outstanding bills, .... 4,164-71 
 
 Library, at cost, without donations, . . 70,316*21 
 Pictures and statuary, do. do., . . 19,921-63 
 Bromfield fund for the purchase of books, . 26,581*13 
 
 $ 279,506-24 
 
 At a special meeting of the Trustees on the 21st of Feb- 
 ruary, 1850, an offer of Edward Brooks to purchase the 
 estate in Pearl Street, for the sum of $ 45,000, was read, 
 and accepted by the Trustees, subject to the ratification of 
 the Proprietors, a meeting of whom was called for this 
 purpose on the 28th of the same month ; when the Presi- 
 dent laid before them a statement of the affairs of the Athe-
 
 212 HISTORY OP 
 
 nseum, wliicli had been previously sent to each Proprietor in 
 a circular letter, of which the following is a copy : 
 
 " The Trustees of the Athen?eum consider it a duty to call 
 the particular attention of the Proprietors to the present 
 state of the pecuniary affairs of the institution. 
 
 " At the last annual meeting, the Proprietors were in- 
 formed by the President that the usual preparation of votes 
 for the choice of officers, for this year, had not been made, 
 the Trustees being desirous, that, after the important trans- 
 actions attending the removal from Pearl Street under their 
 direction, the choice should be Avholly unbiased by any 
 such preparation ; and he recommended that a committee of 
 nomination should be appointed to prepare a ticket. This 
 was done, and the members of the former Board were re- 
 elected. 
 
 " They have made exertions to reduce the liabilities of 
 the corporation by converting its assets into money and ob- 
 taining aid from the Proprietors ; and they have succeeded 
 so far as to obtain an offer for the estate in Pearl Street at 
 the price at which it was estimated. But, with the high 
 rate of interest which has so long prevailed, they have 
 not been able to succeed farther ; nor do they meet that 
 cordial cooperation from Proprietors which is essential to 
 success. 
 
 " While they are duly sensible of the favorable regard 
 indicated by their reelection, they apprehend that they do 
 not possess the confidence of the Proprietors ; and they be- 
 lieve it to be for the welfare of the institution, which is in 
 pressing want of aid, that they should resign the manage- 
 ment to others who can obtain it. 
 
 " With these views, they have concluded to tender their 
 resignations, and to call a meeting of the Proprietors, that 
 there may be a new choice.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 213 
 
 " In the mean time they present for consideration the 
 following statement of affairs. 
 
 STATEMENT. 
 
 " The Debts of the institution are as follows, viz. 
 Floating debt, consisting chiefly of notes given by the Treas- 
 urer and discounted at banks and through brokers, . . $112,880-62 
 Outstanding bills for new building, .... . 1,729-85 
 
 Loan from Thomas Greenleaf, Esq., ..... 36,80000 
 
 Mortgage on estate in Beacon Street, due December, 1855, 40,000*00 
 
 $191,410-47 
 
 " The Assets, to be applied to the above, are — 
 D. Kimball's mortgage on Land in Tremont 
 
 Street $100,000 
 
 Proceeds of estate in Pearl Street, .... 45,000 
 Investment in Massachusetts Life Insurance Office, 20,000 
 Bank Stock, $5,000; Railroad Stock, $1,500; 
 
 Notes, $.500, 7,000 
 
 172,00000 
 
 Deficit, $19,410-47 
 
 " This deficiency has been caused in part by heavy 
 charges of interest, incurred in consequence of the diffi- 
 culty which the Treasurer finds in obtaining cash for the 
 mortgage of ^ 100,000 on the estate in Tremont Street, 
 and may be increased alarmingly by the same cause. The 
 security is unquestionable ; but the amount is so large, that, 
 with the high rate for money which has prevailed for two 
 years, it cannot be disposed of. The interest on it is regu- 
 Jarly paid. But the principal itself is wanted to pay off the 
 debts of the institution ; and, until this can be obtained, the 
 only resource is to raise the same sum of money on disad- 
 vantageous terms where it can be foimd. If some of our 
 wealthy Proprietors would lend any considerable portion of 
 the $ 100,000 at 6 per cent, interest, dividing the loan into 
 small sums, and one of them holding the mortgage as trus-
 
 214 HISTORY OF 
 
 tee for all, it would afford great relief. Some gentlemen 
 have expressed their readiness to do so if a sufficient num- 
 ber can be found. 
 
 " To provide for the further wants of the institution, and 
 to complete the building, the Trustees have been authorized 
 to issue two hundred new shares at $ 300 each. After 
 considerable exertion, the Trustees have succeeded only so 
 far as to obtain subscribei'S for seventj-five of these shares, 
 and, most of the subscriptions being on the condition that a 
 sum should be secured sufficient to relieve the institution 
 from embarrassment, and finish the building, they are not 
 yet binding. 
 
 "This would give $60,000 
 
 Of which there would be required — 
 To provide for the deficit, say .... f 20,000 
 
 To finish the building, 25,000 
 
 And there would remain, towards a fund for current 
 
 expenses, . 15,000 
 
 $60,000 
 
 " To place the institution on a proper footing, the fund 
 for current expenses should be increased hereafter to 
 $50,000. 
 
 " Several of the Proprietors have expressed their readi- 
 ness, in consideration of the great improvement of the prop- 
 erty, to submit to a voluntary assessment of one hundred 
 dollars on each share, provided one half of the Proprietors 
 would agree to do the same ; and some names have been 
 subscribed. But to effect the object, in either case, it is 
 necessary that those of the Proprietors who have influence 
 should take an active interest in the subject, and aid the 
 Trustees, who may be chosen, in their exertions. 
 
 " If the debts were liquidated by disposing of the assets, 
 and the deficit which has been mentioned were provided for, 
 the institution would then have an unencumbered, perma- 
 nent property of more than $ 275,000, invested in a man-
 
 THE BOSTON ATHENiEUM. 215 
 
 ner peculiarly well suited to promote the objects for which 
 it was established ; viz. 
 
 " Estate in Beacon Street, amount paid for land and building, $ 160,957-42 
 Library, taken at cost, exclusive of donations, . . 70,316-21 
 
 Paintings and statuary, do. do., .... ]9,921-63 
 
 Bromfield fund for the purchase of books, . . . 26,58113 
 
 $ 277,776-39 
 The value in 1844, when it was first proposed to remove 
 from Pearl Street, was 143,862-88 
 
 Showing an increase of $ 133,913-51 
 
 " This has been obtained (excepting the munificent dona- 
 tion of Mr. Bromfield) chiefly by the exertions of those who 
 have advocated and conducted the removal, with the assist- 
 ance of gentlemen in various departments of business, who 
 freely lent their aid in procuring subscriptions for new 
 shares. 
 
 " This amount is not stated in money as proof of con- 
 vertible value ; but to show that there has been such an 
 accumulation of property for the promotion of literature 
 and the arts, as well deserves attentive care and further ex- 
 ertion. 
 
 " While the Trustees regret that any embarrassment 
 should have arisen under their management, they have the 
 satisfaction to be assured, that the materials and work in 
 the new building are all worth the money expended on 
 them, and that there is a favorable disposition in the com- 
 munity to aid in completing it. 
 
 " In some respects the institution appears to be particu- 
 larly prosperous. Since the removal to the new building, 
 it has gained new attention from the friends of literature 
 and the donations of books increase in number and value. 
 The annual subscriptions for the use of books are likewise 
 increasing, and now yield an income equal to more than one 
 third of tiie annual expenses. It is probable, also, that the
 
 216 HISTORY OF 
 
 exhibition of pictures in the Spring will he more productive 
 than others have been of late years. 
 
 " By a vote of the Trustees. 
 
 " Thomas G. Cart, President. 
 " Boston, 22 February, 1850." 
 
 At this meeting the Proprietors ratified the sale by the 
 Trustees, to Mr. Brooks, of the estate in Pearl Street for 
 $ 45,000 ; and, at the suggestion of the President, they 
 passed a vote tendering their thanks to Nathaniel I. Bow- 
 ditch for his great kindness in rendering valuable legal 
 services to the institution for several years gratuitously. 
 
 The President then, for himself and in behalf of the Vice- 
 President and Trustees, tendered a resignation of their offi- 
 ces, and left the chair ; but, in accordance with the gen- 
 eral expressed wish of the meeting, resumed it ; where- 
 upon votes were passed, unanimously, that the resignation 
 of the President and other Trustees he 7iot accepted, and 
 that they be requested to continue their valuable services 
 during the term for which they were elected. 
 
 Whereupon, on motion and after debate, the Proprietors 
 passed the following vote : — " That a committee of fifteen 
 Proprietors be appointed by the Trustees to aid them in 
 raising funds to pay oif the floating debt of the corporation, 
 to finish the building, and to create a fund for the ordinary 
 expenses of the institution ; and also that the committee 
 have power to fill any vacancy that may exist in their 
 number, and that they report at a meeting of the Propri- 
 etors to be held on the 28th of March." 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees, on the 1st of March, the 
 committee of fifteen, as authorized by the vote of the Pro- 
 prietors, were duly appointed. 
 
 At a special meeting of the Proprietors, holden, accord- 
 ing to their vote, on the 28th of March, 1850, the commit-
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN.EUM. 217 
 
 tee of fifteen made, bj their chairman, William H. Gardi- 
 ner, the following 
 
 "REPORT. 
 
 " The Committee, appointed by the Trustees of the Boston 
 Athenaeum, pursuant to a vote of the Proprietors at their last 
 meeting, for the purpose of aiding the Trustees in raising funds 
 for the institution, respectfully report as follows : — 
 
 " They experienced, at the outset, great embarrassment from 
 the apathy and disinclination to do any thing, which appeared 
 to pervade the Proprietors. It was difficult even to obtain a 
 sufficient number to act on the Committee. Of the fifteen 
 gentlemen selected by the Trustees, there appeared at the first 
 meeting of the Committee less than one half. Some perempto- 
 rily declined serving. Others took no notice of the invitation. 
 Those who met concluded that it would be vain for so small a 
 number to undertake the whole of a service which seemed so 
 unpromising. They therefore filled the vacancies signified, 
 and took the liberty, also, of extending to others an invitation to 
 join them, which, if accepted, would increase the number to 
 twenty-five. 
 
 " At the second meeting, called upon this enlarged circle of 
 invitation, the number who attended was no larger than at the 
 first, and consisted mainly of the same individuals. Notwith- 
 standing this discouragement, the members present proceeded 
 again to fill such vacancies in the number of twenty-five as 
 were positively announced, and agreed to attempt, by personal 
 appeals, to secure the attendance of a larger number at a third 
 meeting, if it were only for the purpose of consultation. 
 
 " The third effort was so far successful, that about a dozen 
 gentlemen were at last convened to consider what steps should 
 be taken. 
 
 " The result of the conferences at this and the previous 
 meetings (founded upon a comparison of opinions among those 
 present, and the reports from individuals of their conversations 
 with other Proprietors) was the conviction, that a principal 
 
 28
 
 218 HISTORY OF 
 
 obstacle to successful action by the Committee lay in the gen- 
 eral dissatisfaction of persons interested in this institution, at its 
 existing financial condition. The chief grounds of dissatisfac- 
 tion appeared to be, not so much that the cost of the new 
 building had exceeded expectations and estimates, as that a 
 floating debt of 8 112,000 had been suffered to accumulate, 
 and to be maintained almost entirely by the issuing and renew- 
 al of notes at short time ; that, notwithstanding the gratuitous 
 accommodation of the Treasurer's individual indorsement of 
 these notes, the greater part of them had, of late, been nego- 
 tiated, and, in the present state of the money market, must 
 necessarily continue to be negotiable, only at high rates of in- 
 terest, while the money was obtained upon the residue of these 
 notes only through the friendly aid of individuals, on their own 
 responsibility or private resources ; that, during the period in 
 which this state of things had grown up, the corporation was 
 holding, all the while, a note of S 100,000, payable upon de- 
 mand, and adequately secured, as it was thought, by a valua- 
 ble mortgage ; that, although interest upon that debt had been 
 received from time to time, nothing had been paid on account 
 of the principal, and no step was known to have been taken 
 towards its eventual collection ; and that, in the mean time, a 
 debt due from the same promisor to other parties, and secured 
 by a second mortgage on the same estate, had been reduced, 
 as was understood, $ 45,000 within the last three years. It was 
 true, that, by arrangements with Mr. Kimball (the promisor, 
 who was liable on this note of $100,000), accommodation pa- 
 per of his, to the extent of § 40,000, was placed at the disposal 
 of the AtheUcEum, and, with the indorsement of this corpora- 
 tion, and the private indorsement of its Treasurer, was nego- 
 tiated and renewed at Mr. Kimball's expense, thereby relieving 
 this corporation from the payment of extra interest on its 
 floating debt to that extent. But this arrangement, it was urged, 
 had no tendency towards final liquidation. If it did not rather 
 complicate affairs by involving this corporation in the respon- 
 sibility of an indorser of accommodation paper, it, at any rate.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 219 
 
 did but substitute a liability in that form for a liability as a di- 
 rect promisor, for moneys borrowed for its own use. It got 
 rid of extra interest upon $ 40,000 ; but, to the extent of about 
 $ 70,000, the floating debt was still maintained at the sole ex- 
 pense of this corporation (so far as extra interest was found 
 unavoidable), notwithstanding that a sum of $ 100,000, well 
 secured, was justly due to it, and, in form at least, payable on 
 demand. In this state of things it was objected by those who 
 plainly expressed their dissatisfaction, that the Athenaeum was 
 in effect made to be a standing borrower of $ 100,000, in the 
 most disadvantageous form, and at any rate of the market, for 
 the sake of lending a like sum to Mr. Kimball, for an indefinite 
 term, at six per cent. Such an accommodation, in the past 
 and present state of the money market, it was said, could not 
 be maintained, except at great cost to somebody ; and that, 
 although the greater part of the cost, under the actual arrange- 
 ment, had in fact been borne by Mr. Kimball himself, still 
 that a loss, by extra interest, to the extent of about $ 3,500, 
 had also fallen upon the Athenaeum ; and that, in the language 
 of the late circular of the Trustees, ' the deficiency in its funds 
 may be increased alarmingly by the same cause.' 
 
 " The expedient which had been suggested, of a loan by sub- 
 scription on the security of an assignment of the § 100,000 note 
 and mortgage, if such a loan could be obtained from persons 
 friendly to the institution, seemed to many a mere temporary 
 expedient, postponing the evil day of settlement. That it would 
 take the Athenaeum, for the time being, out of the money mar- 
 ket, and probably relieve it from further loss in the payment 
 of extra interest, was obvious. But it was said with truth, that 
 the sums so borrowed would still be debts, to be repaid at some 
 future day; and that, when payable, the debt of $ 100,000, due 
 to the Athenaeum, might still be uncollected and unreduced, 
 with no time fixed for final liquidation, and no nearer visible 
 approach to actual payment than exists now. The proposal 
 was thus looked upon, by the numerous dissatisfied party, as a 
 proposal for the borrowing of a large sum, from friends of
 
 220 HISTORY OF 
 
 the Boston Athenseum, at more or less of inconvenience to 
 them, for the purpose, in effect, of lending, or continuing a loan 
 of the same sum, indefinitely, to a different institution, called 
 the Boston Museum, which, however respectable and highly 
 regarded by the public, the friends of the Athenneum were not, 
 in that capacity, particularly bound to support. 
 
 " Under these representations, your Committee did not think 
 it incumbent on them, nor useful for any body, to investigate 
 the circumstances which had led to so embarrassing a position. 
 It was easy to see how a small beginning in the issue of tem- 
 porary paper might well have been made, with a reasonable 
 expectation on the part of the Treasurer, and of the Trustees, 
 that he would soon find an opportunity to convert the large 
 note and mortgage into more available assets, and that, while 
 the unprecedented continuance of pressure in the money mar- 
 ket was constantly disappointing this expectation, such a begin- 
 ning would naturally and necessarily grow, without great fault 
 imputable to any one, until the whole floating debt had come to 
 rest upon short paper, and to be no longer manageable in that 
 form. But, without stopping to inquire into the causes of that 
 which was past and irremediable, your Committee thought, that 
 their business was to look to the actual state of things, and that 
 their first inquiry should be, whether any thing practical could 
 be done, to amend them so as to remove the most pressing 
 cause of existing dissatisfaction, in reference to the future ; 
 and they had the pleasure to learn from the Treasurer, agree- 
 ably to his statement at the last meeting of the Proprietors, 
 that no impediment existed, in consequence of any arrange- 
 ment made by him with Mr. Kimball, to such course of action 
 by this corporation, for the collection of the $ 100,000 debt, as 
 its true interests might seem to make expedient. And it was 
 found from the records of the Trustees, that the vote of Febru- 
 ary 14, 1848, (a copy whereof is subjoined,) whereby the 
 Treasurer was authorized to take and indorse the notes of Mr. 
 Kimball, was founded upon the express condition, ' that the 
 present security of the Athenaeum shall in no way be dimin- 
 ished by such transaction.'
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 221 
 
 " In this state of facts, your Committee were unwilling to 
 take upon themselves the responsibility of recommending and 
 urging upon others the proposed loan, at least as a solitary 
 measure ; and they were equally unwilling to recommend it as 
 one of a series of measures, unless they could see their way 
 to a termination, at some time, of a system of mutual loans 
 and accommodations between the Boston Museum and the Bos- 
 ton Athenaeum, which seemed to them foreign to the purposes 
 of the latter institution, and not tending to advance its interests 
 upon a solid basis. 
 
 " The only effectual and final relief, which can be brought 
 to the Athenoeum, it was thought, must be by positive addition 
 to its resources, either by absolute donation or by a sale of new 
 shares; and, it was only thought, that, so long as it could be 
 justly complained that the existing assets of the corporation 
 were not applied so effectually as they might be to the extin- 
 guishment of its liabilities, it would be quite useless, in the ac- 
 tual state of feeling on this subject, to solicit large contributions 
 in any form from the present Proprietors, and still more so 
 from persons having no immediate connection with the institu- 
 tion. 
 
 " The result of their deliberations, therefore, was a vote, rec- 
 ommending the Trustees to take such measures as might seem 
 to them suitable for the peaceable and quiet foreclosure of 
 the Kimball mortgage without delay ; and all further action of 
 the Committee was postponed until some future meeting should 
 be called in pursuance of some notice from the Trustees. 
 
 " A meeting was afterwards called, upon notice of a vote of 
 the Trustees (of which a copy is hereto annexed), directing 
 possession to be taken of the mortgaged premises, and ap- 
 pointing agents for that purpose. At the meeting called upon 
 this notice, your Committee were pleased to learn, that a pro- 
 posal had been received from Mr. Kimball, to give peaceable 
 and quiet possession, and to accept a lease of the premises, as 
 a tenant of the corporation, for the term of three years from 
 the first day of April next, at a rent of $ 14,000 per annum.
 
 222 HISTORY OF 
 
 payable quarterly. The letter of Mr. Kimball containing this 
 proposal is herewith submitted. 
 
 " The effect of this will be, after keeping down interest, to 
 reduce the principal of the debt, by quarterly payments, about 
 $ 25,000 in the course of the three years, and to insure the 
 probable realization of the residue at the expiration of that term, 
 as the only means to prevent a final foreclosure of the mort- 
 gage. It may, perhaps, be realized at an earlier day, if Mr. 
 Kimball should be enabled, as he hopes, to make some arrange- 
 ment elsewhere for a loan of a larger sum. 
 
 " The Committee were of the opinion, that, considering the 
 peculiar nature of the property mortgaged, this was, upon the 
 whole, a satisfactory arrangement, and perhaps better than 
 could be made with any other tenant. 
 
 " They were also informed, that the securities received in 
 part payment for the estate sold in Pearl Street had been ne- 
 gotiated, and that the full value of that property was, or soon 
 would be, realized in money, and made applicable to the ex- 
 tinction of debt. 
 
 " They learned from the Treasurer that he was provided 
 with funds sufficient to meet the notes that would fall due in 
 March, amounting to 8 38,500, and that he would probably 
 receive, from the proceeds of the negotiation last mentioned, 
 enough to pay those which mature in April, amounting to 
 $ 14,000. In May, only $ 7,000 fall due ; in June, nothing ; 
 in July, i^ 7,000. In August and the early part of September, 
 the remainder of the short paper matures, amounting to 
 $ 43,000. But some $ 15,000 or $ 20,000 of this short paper 
 is in friendly hands, from whom further indulgence may be 
 expected, if needful. Under this improved aspect of affairs, 
 the Committee thought that they could see their way to 
 proceed with advantage. The chief cause of dissatisfaction 
 seemed to be removed ; and the financial arrangements to be 
 put on a footing which would meet the difficulty so far as means 
 went. The Committee, therefore, thought they might safely 
 give reasonable assurance to persons invited to aid, that the
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEXiEUM. 223 
 
 raising of a certain sum would effect the threefold object of 
 relieving the institution from all embarrassment of debt, com- 
 pleting the present building within a reasonable time, and pro- 
 viding a fund adequate to yield a small income for current 
 expenses. The minimum needful for these objects, they esti- 
 mated, as the Trustees do, at $ 60,000 ; and the best mode of 
 raising it was, in their judgment, one of the modes indicated 
 by the Trustees, namely, the issuing of two hundred new 
 shares, at the par of $ 300 a share, to such persons as n)ight be 
 willing to purchase them at that price. A subscription, in that 
 form, had already been opened by the Trustees, and some 
 progress made. The Committee considered it the best form, 
 because they were of opinion, that all who subscribed, if the 
 object were accomplished, would have, in their shares, a prop- 
 erty intrinsically worth, as property, much more than it cost. 
 If the subscriber for a share should choose to part with it soon, 
 at its market price, it was thought that he would be, in effect, a 
 donor to the Athenaeum of little more than the $ 100 which had 
 been proposed as a voluntary assessment; and, if he should hold 
 it until the whole object of the subscription were accomplished, 
 the Committee believed that he would, by that time, be able to 
 part with it without any considerable loss, and it would not be 
 surprising if the shares should eventually be worth, in the 
 market, even more than their cost, considering the personal ad- 
 vantages which attach to them, in addition to the intrinsic value 
 of the property. 
 
 " But to proceed on safe and satisfactory ground, they 
 deemed it indispensable that this entire sum should be raised. 
 They were of opinion that nobody ought to be asked to con- 
 tribute any thing, unless the placing of the institution on a cred- 
 itable foundation could be really effected, with reasonable cer- 
 tainty ; and, believing the sum of $ 60,000 adequate to that 
 end, though by no means all that would be desirable, they con- 
 cluded to open subscription papers for new shares, upon the 
 terms adopted by the Trustees, with this addition, — ' on condi- 
 tion that no subscription be binding, unless two hundred shares 
 in the whole be subscribed for.'
 
 224 HISTORY OF 
 
 " The delays occasioned by the difficulty, in the outset, of 
 getting a committee willing to serve, by -the suspension of ac- 
 tion to await the negotiations with Mr. Kimball, and by other 
 preliminary arrangements, have left to your Committee but a 
 very few days preceding the meeting to act in. They have 
 the satisfaction, however, to report successful progress thus far. 
 
 " Many of the individuals most likely to subscribe have not, 
 as yet, been invited ; there has not even been opportunity to 
 see all the Proprietors ; but, of the 200 shares offered, 164 (in- 
 cluding the subscriptions obtained by the Trustees) have been 
 already taken. The number obtained by the Committee has 
 been 96 ; which has, perhaps, been doing as well as could have 
 been expected from so small a committee in so short a time. 
 
 " Your Committee are encouraged to believe, therefore, that, 
 with the hearty support and cooperation of the Proprietors, ac- 
 cording to their ability, purchasers will be found for the whole 
 number in good season to meet the necessities of the corpora- 
 tion. But your Committee desire to have it distinctly under- 
 stood, that, in their opinion, the object cannot be accomplished, 
 or at least not without great procrastination, in which there is 
 much danger, unless the Proprietors themselves, generally, lend 
 such aid as they reasonably can. It is difficult to answer to 
 strangers the objection, plausible at least, that it belongs to the 
 Proprietors of the property, themselves, to free it from its em- 
 barrassments ; and, unless some good part of the work be done 
 by them, it will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to in- 
 duce others to do it. When this shall have been accomplished, 
 persons now unconnected with the institution will be the more 
 readily induced to furnish means, from time to time, for those 
 enlargements of the Library and of the collections in the Fine 
 Arts, and of the facilities for their use, which still will be desira- 
 ble, and for which a demand, from time ^to time, ought con- 
 stantly to grow, commensurately with the growth of a cultivated 
 people. The point now sought to be reached is not develope- 
 ment and growth, but mere preservation, including what is 
 necessary to make that which has been undertaken useful and
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 225 
 
 respectable according to its present limited scale ; and, if 
 enough of aid to furnish means for the liquidation of debt is 
 not obtained in some form, within a short time, what is the 
 alternative ? Your Committee confess that they see none, 
 except to stop all current expenses, shut up the building, and 
 suffer as much of the property, as may be needful, to be taken 
 for the payment of creditors and the relief of the Treasurer 
 from his personal liabilities for the debts of the Athenseum. 
 Whose business is this, if not that of the owners of the property ? 
 
 " In conclusion, the Committee beg leave to express their 
 unanimous opinion, that, so far as means will permit, all dis- 
 counted notes and notes on short time ought, if possible, to be 
 paid without renewal, and as fast as they fall due. To facili- 
 tate this object, they respectfully recommend, if there be any 
 vote, as has been suggested to them, by which the Trustees 
 were formerly restricted from withdrawing, and using in the 
 payment of debts, the invested fund of $ 25,000, that the same 
 be now reconsidered ; and that, whensoever the subscription for 
 200 new shares shall be filled, the Trustees be thereupon au- 
 thorized, at their discretion, to sell any stocks, or other proper- 
 ty, composing the fund of $ 25,000, or otherwise to convert 
 them into available assets, in season to meet the notes of the 
 institution as they mature. They recommend this only on con- 
 dition that the subscription be filled, because, in that event, the 
 course for the extinction of debt, as well as the attainment of 
 the other object, is clear ; and otherwise, unless some better 
 scheme of relief than that of the Committee shall be devised 
 and made effectual, the condition of the corporation, with all 
 its property, is likely to be one of bankruptcy. 
 " For the Committee, 
 
 " W. H. Gardiner, Chairman. 
 
 " March 28, 1850." 
 
 This report having been read and considered, the Propri- 
 etors voted, " That, whenever the subscription for two hun- 
 dred new shares shall be filled, the Trustees be thereupon 
 
 29
 
 226 HISTORY OF 
 
 authorized, at their discretion, to sell any stocks or other 
 property composing the invested fund "of the Athenoeum, of 
 twenty-five thousand dollars, or otherwise to convert the 
 same into available assets, in season to meet the notes of 
 the institution as they mature. 
 
 " Voted, That the thanks of the Proprietors be given to 
 the Committee for their zealous and effective labors, and 
 that they be requested to continue their exertions imtil 
 they shall have made such further provision for the wants of 
 the institution as they may deem necessary." 
 
 An adjournment was then voted for four weeks. Ac- 
 cordingly, on the 25th of April, another meeting of the 
 Proprietors was held, at which William H. Gardiner, as 
 Chairman of the Committee, made a further report, as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 "REPOllT. 
 
 " The Committee, appointed to aid the Trustees in raising 
 funds for the Boston Athenaeum, have the satisfaction to report, 
 that they have been so far successful as to have obtained sub- 
 scriptions for a sufficient number of new shares to make up the 
 minimum proposed, and bind the whole subscription. 
 
 "The number of shares now agreed to be taken, — including 
 subscriptions formerly obtained by the Trustees, from persons 
 who have expressly assented to the variation of terms contained 
 in the subscription books opened by the Committee, — is two 
 hundred and eleven. 
 
 "The names of the subscribers, and the number of shares 
 taken by them respectively, are contained in a list herewith 
 presented. 
 
 " The Committee are of opinion, that the present amount of 
 subscription by no means exhausts the liberality of the public 
 towards this institution, but that many other persons will be 
 found ready and willing to take shares upon being satisfied of 
 the fact, that the financial arrangements, and means provided,
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 227 
 
 are such as will effectually relieve the institution from all lia- 
 bility to creditors, and from all hazard of loss. The dissatis- 
 faction, at first encountered, has been in a great degree over- 
 come ; and it is thought that an assurance may now be safely 
 given, that the amount already subscribed, when collected, 
 will, with the other available assets of the corporation, be fully 
 adequate to answer the primary object of immediate relief, and 
 also to complete the present building according to its original 
 design, and to leave a small surplus, as a fund for current ex- 
 penses. This surplus, however, will, in the opinion of your 
 Committee, be very insufficient to maintain the institution as 
 such an institution ought to be maintained. They propose, 
 therefore, if the Trustees and Proprietors should concur in 
 this opinion, that the subscription books should remain in the 
 hands of the Committee, open to further subscription, until the 
 next annual meeting of the Proprietors, by which time it is 
 hoped that such a fund may have been accumulated, as will 
 reasonably satisfy every want of the Athenseum upon its present 
 scale of usefulness. 
 
 " Your Committee, therefore, not proposing at this time to 
 surrender their subscription books as closed, unless the Pro- 
 prietors should so elect, yet considering it to be highly im- 
 portant that the Trustees should be furnished with means to 
 meet debts, about to fall due, without waiting for the closing 
 and final surrender of the subscription books, took into consid- 
 eration the most convenient mode of accomplishing that object, 
 while the subscription should be still going on, and the business 
 remaining unfinished in charge of the Committee. It was 
 found that an arrangement might be made with one of their 
 own number, if it should be approved by the Proprietors, 
 whereby, without impediment to the further action of the Com- 
 mittee, subscriptions already made might not only be collected 
 with great convenience to most of the subscribers, and no ex- 
 pense to the corporation, but might also be placed at interest 
 from the moment they were received, and remain so, while 
 lying subject to the call of the Trustees, upon demand.
 
 228 HISTORY OF 
 
 " This arrangement seemed to the Committee an advan- 
 tageous one for all parties. The gentleman, to whom they re- 
 fer as willing to make it, is Mr. John E. Thayer, whose single 
 exertions in this good cause have already brought in, from the 
 extensive circle of his business acquaintance, a very large pro- 
 portion of the whole number of subscriptions obtained, and 
 promise to bring in a considerable further addition. Your 
 Committee doubt, whether any other gentleman, of equal respon- 
 sibility as a depositary, would be willing to take the trouble 
 and inconvenience of collecting and holding the moneys till 
 called for, on terms so favorable to the pecuniary interests of 
 the AthenfEum ; or whether any can be found, whose position 
 and office arrangements would enable him to transact this busi- 
 ness of collecting in driblets, and allowing interest upon them, 
 with so much facility to himself, and to most of the subscribers. 
 
 " The Committee, therefore, at a recent meeting, passed the 
 following vote. 
 
 " ' Whereas it appears, that a sufficient number of new 
 shares in the Boston Athenaeum has now been obtained to au- 
 thorize collection, and that Mr. John E. Thayer, who has 
 obtained a much larger number of subscribers than any other 
 member of this Committee, has kindly consented to act, in 
 behalf of the Committee, in collecting the amounts subscribed, 
 without charge or expense, and to hold all sums collected, pay- 
 able to the order of the Trustees, upon demand, allowing in- 
 terest thereon at the rate of six per cent, per annum, from 
 the time of their reception, so long as they may remain in his 
 hands ; — 
 
 " 'Voted, That the Trustees be requested to ratify this ar- 
 rangement, and to cause proper certificates of shares to be 
 filled up with the names of the subscribers, and to be deposited 
 with Mr. Thayer for delivery, when and as they shall be fully 
 paid for.' 
 
 " This vote was passed under the idea that the whole subject 
 of raising and realizing the requisite sum had been placed by the 
 Proprietors in the hands of this Committee, acting concurrently
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 229 
 
 with the Trustees. This view was in accordance with the 
 tenor of the resolutions proposed by the gentleman on whose 
 motion the Committee was originally appointed ; and these res- 
 olutions were understood to have been adopted by the Proprietors 
 in substance, though not in form. A doubt has since suggested 
 itself, whether it was the intention of the Proprietors to commit 
 any thing further than the mere soliciting of subscriptions up 
 to the time of this adjourned meeting, and whether, that pur- 
 pose being accomplished to the extent above stated, the Com- 
 mittee have now any thing more to do, than to surrender the 
 books, and ask for a discharge. As the terms of the vote, 
 finally adopted in the appointment of the Committee, are ex- 
 tremely general, and its members have no desire to enlarge 
 the commission intended, or to ' magnify their office,' they re- 
 spectfully submit this matter to the consideration of the Pro- 
 prietors. 
 
 " The Committee further report, that very many of the sub- 
 scribers have subscribed upon an understanding, not expressed 
 in the written terms of the subscription, that their moneys shall 
 be so applied as to insure the early completion of this building, 
 in a style conformable to its general design and the execution 
 of the work thus far. From this consideration, and with the 
 view, also, to allow of the investment of funds, from time to 
 time, by order of the Trustees, whenever it shall be deemed 
 advisable to invest them in any other form than is above pro- 
 posed, the following vole was passed by the Committee, which 
 they also submit to the consideration of the Proprietors. 
 
 " ' Voted, That the Trustees be further requested to set aside, 
 out of the moneys collected, as a specific appropriation for the 
 completion of the building now occupied by the Boston Athe- 
 naeum, such sum as they shall find to be needful therefor, not 
 exceeding the sum of $ 30,000 ; and that, until the building is 
 completed, the same shall be drawn for no other purpose, ex- 
 cept such safe investment as the Trustees may order ; and that 
 the residue of the moneys collected, together with all other 
 available funds of the corporation not held for specific trusts, be
 
 230 HISTORY OF 
 
 appropriated by the Trustees exclusively to the payment of its 
 existing debts, as fast as they fall due.' . 
 
 " Finally, the Committee recommend, that, if there be any 
 question respecting a limit to the number of new shares, author- 
 ized to be issued by the former votes of the Proprietors, all 
 doubt upon this subject be removed by an express vote, impos- 
 ing no other limit than that which may arise from a full satis- 
 faction, in the opinion of the Trustees, of the wants of the insti- 
 tution, in respect to an adequate fund to place it on the most 
 
 creditable foundation. 
 
 " For the Committee, 
 
 » W. H. Gardiner. 
 " April 25, 1850." 
 
 After this report had been heard by the Proprietors, it 
 was unanimously 
 
 " Voted, That the report be accepted, and the votes 
 therein proposed for the acceptance of the Proprietors be 
 adopted. 
 
 " Also, Voted, That the Trustees be authorized to issue 
 as many new shares as the Committee shall obtain subscrip- 
 tions for during the year, and as the Trustees may deem 
 it for the interest of the institution to issue. 
 
 " Also, Voted, That the thanks of the Proprietors be 
 given to the Committee for their very successful labors."* 
 
 * The following are the names of the acting Committee : — 
 
 William H. Gardiner, Chairman. 
 
 J. Ingersoll Bowditch, William Rollins, 
 
 Gardner Brewer, G. Howland Shaw, 
 
 William S. BuUard, John E. Thayer, 
 
 Edmund Dwight, William Thomas, 
 
 Franklin Haven, Charles Torrey, 
 
 Peter T. Homer, George B. Upton, 
 
 Charles Hamilton Parker, Charles E. Ware.
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 231 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 MEASURES ADOPTED BY THE TRUSTEES FOR CARRYING INTO EFFECT 
 THE VOTE OF THE PROPRIETORS RELATIVE TO NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS, 
 
 AND FOR COMPLETING THE ATHEN^UM BUILDING PLANS, BY MR. 
 
 BILLINGS, OF A CHANGE IN THE VESTIBULE PROPOSED THE TRUS- 
 TEES OF THE STATE LIBRARY PERMITTED TO DEPOSIT BOOKS IN 
 THE ATHEN^UM PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, ESTIMATES, AND PRO- 
 POSALS FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE BUILDING SUBMITTED RE- 
 PORT THEREON MR. BILLINGS'S PLANS AMENDED, LAID BEFORE THE 
 
 TRUSTEES, AND ACCEPTED — FINAL REPORT THEREON ACCEPTANCE 
 
 OF THE PROPOSALS OF THEOPHILUS BURR THE PRESIDENT AU- 
 THORIZED TO SIGN A CONTRACT WITH HIM FOR THE COMPLETION 
 OF THE BUILDING, AND THE STANDING COMMITTEE CHARGED WITH 
 THE DIRECTION OF SUCH REMOVAL OF THE PROPERTY IN IT, AS 
 MIGHT BE NECESSARY DURING THE PROGRESS OF THE WORK CON- 
 CLUDING REMARKS. 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees on the 30th of April, 1850, 
 it was voted, " that proper certificates of shares be filled up 
 "with the names of the new subscribers, and deposited with 
 Mr. John E. Thayer, for dehvery when they shall be fully 
 paid for ; " and he was authorized to call in the instalments 
 in conformity with the terms of the original subscription. 
 Mr. Thayer was also requested to set aside, out of the 
 moneys collected, a sum not more than thirty thousand 
 dollars, nor less than twenty-five thousand, as a specific ap- 
 propriation for the completion of the building ; and, until 
 ,this event, it was to be drawn for no other purpose, except 
 for such safe investment as the Trustees might order. A 
 vote was then passed, appointing a committee of the board 
 to dispose of the stocks and other property of the Athenae- 
 um, composing its invested fund of twenty-five thousand 
 dollars, in conformity with the vote of the Proprietors ; and
 
 232 HISTORY OF 
 
 the President, Mr. Rogers, and Mr. Andrews were appoint- 
 ed a committee to obtain plans, specifications, estimates, and 
 proposals for the completion of the building, and to report 
 the result to the Trustees. 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees on the 10th of June, thanks 
 were voted to Franklin Dexter for his kindness in arrang- 
 ing the Allston Gallery, and for other valuable assistance 
 rendered to the Committee on the Fine Arts ; and a similar 
 acknowledgment was made to Charles Amory, Chairman of 
 that Committee, for his valuable services in collecting and 
 arranging pictures for the annual exhibition. 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees on the 8th of July, the 
 President, in behalf of the committee appointed to obtain 
 plans, specifications, estimates, and proposals for the com- 
 pletion of the building, submitted designs from Mr. Billings, 
 for a total change of the vestibule by removing the stair- 
 case to the west room (intended heretofore for a reading- 
 room) and to the rooms over it, with estimates ; but, as the 
 committee were not yet able to make a final report, the 
 subject was postponed for the future decision of the board. 
 At a meeting of the Trustees, on the 12th of August, the 
 same committee having reported that no estimate on the 
 plans of Mr. Billings had yet been obtained so low as the 
 limit fixed by the Proprietors for the completion of the 
 building, at their suggestion the subject was again post- 
 poned for decision. 
 
 At this meetmg the Secretary read a letter, addressed to 
 Mr. Folsom, the Librarian of the Athenaeum, by Joel Giles, 
 one of the Trustees of the State Library ; expressing, in 
 their behalf, their desire " to transfer a selection of the 
 books to the Athenaeum, if it can be done, to make room for 
 other works more in keeping with the special character of 
 the State Library;" and making the inquiry, " whether the 
 Athenaeum would receive, from time to time, books from the
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 233 
 
 State Library, to remain at the risk of the State, and to be 
 used according to the rules of the Athenaeum, in common 
 by those who would have a right to use them in the State 
 Library." Whereupon a vote was passed, " that the Sec- 
 retary be directed to reply respectfully, on the part of the 
 Trustees, to the inquiry of the Trustees of the State Library, 
 that the Athenaeum will receive books from the State Li- 
 brary on the terms stated in Mr. Giles's letter, which shall 
 form a part of the record of this meeting." 
 
 A letter was received from Charles B. Wells, stating 
 that, in compliance with the wishes of the late Miss Caroline 
 Doane, he presented to the Athenaeum a crayon drawing, by 
 Cheney, of Miss D. L. Dix ; and also a bronze medal, given 
 by Napoleon Bonaparte to General Grouchy, and by him to 
 the late Isaiah Doane. 
 
 A letter was also received from E. S. Ritchie, asking the 
 Athenaeum to accept an accompanying cast of a bust of 
 General Cass, by T. D. Jones, of Cincinnati. 
 
 Votes were accordingly passed, making appropriate ac- 
 knowledgments to Mr. Wells and Mr. Ritchie. 
 
 At a special meeting of the Trustees on the 28th of Sep- 
 tember, the committee on the subject of the completion of 
 the building submitted to the board the following report, 
 accompanied by six distinct plans. 
 
 "REPORT. 
 
 " The Committee appointed by the Trustees, at their meet- 
 ing on the 30th of April last, to obtain plans, specifications, es- 
 timates, and proposals for the completion of the building, and 
 to report the same at a future meeting of the Trustees, now 
 report : 
 
 " That since their appointment they have held numerous 
 meetings, and had frequent consultations with architects on 
 the subject committed to them, and have given it unremitting 
 
 90
 
 234 HISTORY OF 
 
 attention. They were in hopes of obtaining a design for some 
 alteration of the building that would remove all objections to 
 the present entrance without exceeding the cost of $ 25,000, 
 for which amount they had supposed, from the estimates previ- 
 ously made, that the whole might be finished. Although the 
 Proprietors had appropriated the sum of 8 30,000 for the object, 
 the Committee were anxious that the whole of this sum should 
 not [he used, if it could be avoided ; and at any rate that it 
 should not be exceeded. Their caution on this point has 
 caused an unexpected delay ; but they now submit, as the full 
 result of their efforts, the following : 
 
 " 1st. A sketch for an alteration of the vestibule, prepared 
 by Mr. Hammatt Billings, and recommended by him as the 
 best that could be adopted, because it makes the least change 
 of the original design, while it gives the necessary additional 
 light. It leaves the floor over the entrance undisturbed, sup- 
 porting it by an arch instead of the dome. It was supposed by 
 Mr. Dexter, acting as our architect, that the cost of finishing in 
 this mode would be about $ 30,000. 
 
 " 2d. Another sketch, by Mr. Billings, made at the request 
 of the Committee, to show the effect of an opening through 
 the floor from the bottom to the top of the building, but not 
 recommended by him. This is accompanied by a plan of some 
 additional alterations proposed by Mr. Dexter, and an estimate 
 prepared by him, showing that the cost of finishing with this 
 design would be $ 29,424, commissions not included. Mr. Dex- 
 ter was of opinion, that the cost of finishing by the first sketch 
 would exceed this sum. 
 
 " 3d. A sketch, with an estimate, by Mr. George Snell, for 
 an alteration of the vestibule by an opening through the floor 
 and a double staircase throughout ; but not giving more light 
 to the stairs by the increased expense, than can be obtained 
 with the staircase as it is, and the removal of a small part of the 
 wall only. 
 
 " 4th. A design by Mr. Billings, and a complete set of elab- 
 orate drawings of plans and sections, with an estimate ; by
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 235 
 
 which it appears that the whole staircase may be removed from 
 the vestibule to the adjoining western apartment, with little 
 sacrifice of room on the whole, and at a cost of about $ 30,500, 
 commissions not included. 
 
 " The foregoing designs have all been laid before the Trus- 
 tees at successive meetings, when this Committee have, from 
 time to time, reported progress. They now submit further : 
 
 " 5th. A design for giving more light and a more ornate 
 finish to the staircase, by Mr. Paul Schultz, with drawings. In 
 mode and effect this is a near approach to the first sketch of 
 Mr. Billings. 
 
 " 6th. A design by our architect, Mr. Cabot, proposing an 
 alteration of the vestibule, by removing the dome and most of 
 the wall, and substituting a groined arch, which would give 
 more light than either of the designs already mentioned as 
 adapted mainly to the same object ; and altering the upper 
 staircase so as to make it single throughout, and avoid any in- 
 terference with the front window. An offer has been made to 
 the Committee by a respectable mechanic to complete the whole 
 building in conformity with this design, and in keeping with the 
 parts already finished, for a sum not exceeding 6 25,000. 
 
 " The designs are all submitted for the examination of the 
 Trustees ; and the Committee recommend, that one of them be 
 selected, and offered among trustworthy mechanics for contract, 
 that the lowest terms may be obtained. 
 
 " All which is respectfully submitted. 
 
 " For the Committee, 
 
 " Thomas G. Cary, Chairman. 
 
 " Boston^ September 28th, 1850." 
 
 The meeting not being a full one, it was adjourned till 
 the 5th of October, when the six plans for finishing the 
 building, and the final report of the committee, were exam- 
 ined and discussed, and a further consideration of the sub- 
 ject was postponed to the next regular quarterly meeting, 
 which took place on the 14th of the same month. The ex-
 
 236 HISTORY OF 
 
 amination and discussion being then renewed, on motion a 
 vote was passed, that the plan of Mi*. Hammatt Billings 
 should be adopted. It was further voted, that the Presi- 
 dent and Messrs. Andrews, Rogers, and Hillard be a com- 
 mittee to consult with Mr. Billings concerning alterations 
 in his plan, and to submit the same, as amended, to mechan- 
 ics for estimates on the specifications. 
 
 On the 29th of November, at a special meeting of the 
 Trustees, the committee appointed to submit the amended 
 plan for the completion of the building to mechanics, for es- 
 timates on the specifications, made the following 
 
 "REPORT. 
 
 " The Committee appointed by the Trustees at their quar- 
 terly meeting, October 14, 1850, consisting of the President, 
 Mr. Rogers, Mr. Hillard, and Mr. Andrews, to take the neces- 
 sary measures for making a contract to complete the building in 
 Beacon Street according to the principal design of Mr. Billings 
 for the entrance and stairs, met at the office of Mr. Hillard, 
 in pursuance of notice, on the 15th of October, at 11 o'clock 
 A. M. Present Messrs. Hillard, Andrews, and Gary. The 
 President, acting as Chairman, reported that he had conferred 
 with Mr. Cabot, who had expressed his readiness to act, still, as 
 the architect of the building, and superintend the completion of 
 it, adopting the changes recommended by Mr. Billings, whose 
 design he approved and considered an improvement. 
 
 " It was thereupon voted. That the Chairman be authorized 
 to instruct Mr. Cabot to proceed with all convenient despatch, 
 and obtain estimates from several other mechanics (not exceed- 
 ing four), besides Mr. Dupee and Mr. Burr, founded on such 
 curtailments of ornament, to be made on consultation with Mr. 
 Billings, as may be required to bring the cost within the sum of 
 $ 30,000. 
 
 " The Chairman was also desired to inform Mr. Rogers of 
 this proceeding, that he might make any such suggestion of
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 237 
 
 chanses in ornament, or other matter of detail, as he should 
 recommend. 
 
 " It being understood that Mr. Cabot executes this design and 
 completes the building without any further compensation than 
 the balance of $ 475, which remains due to him under the 
 compromise made with the architects, it was suggested by Mr. 
 Hillard, that it would be proper hereafter, on the satisfactory 
 completion of the work, to make him some further compen- 
 sation. 
 
 " The meeting was then dissolved. 
 
 " A note was addressed to Mr. Rogers, in conformity with 
 the above. 
 
 " Nov. 25th, 1850. A meeting was held at the office of the 
 Chairman, who reported that Mr. Burr had offered to complete 
 the building on Mr. Billings's plan of alterations, for $ 29,000, 
 provided the offer be accepted now, and that no other estimates 
 should be called for. 
 
 " Present the Chairman, Mr. Rogers, and Mr. Andrews ; Mr. 
 Hillard being absent, but having previously agreed to accept 
 Mr. Burr's proposal. 
 
 " Mr. Cabot was present with detailed specifications of the 
 plans, and with supplementary drawings, &c., and explained to 
 the Committee in what particulars he had varied from Mr. Bil- 
 lings's design. 
 
 " Whereupon it was voted unanimously, that the Committee 
 will recommend to the Trustees to conclude a contract with 
 Mr. Burr for the whole work on the terms proposed, and that 
 a meeting of the Trustees be called for Friday next, at 5 o'clock, 
 P. M. 
 
 " Voted, that the Chairman be authorized to approve Mr. 
 Billings's bill for $ 600, and cause it to be paid. 
 
 " Adjourned. 
 
 " All which is now submitted to the Trustees by the Commit- 
 tee as their report of proceedings. 
 
 " Thomas G. Cauy, Chairman. 
 
 " November 29th, 1850."
 
 238 HISTORY OF 
 
 This report, having been read and considered, was ac- 
 cepted by the Trustees ; the President was authorized to 
 execute a contract with Theophilus Burr for completing 
 the building in conformity Avith the specifications, on the 
 terms proposed ; and the Standing Committee were charged 
 with the direction of such removal of the property in the 
 building, as might be necessary for its safety during the 
 progress of the Avork. The Treasurer, also, was author- 
 ized to pay bills or orders for the cost of completing the 
 building according to the contract, when certified by the 
 architect, and approved by the President. 
 
 "With these votes and proceedings the records of the in- 
 stitution, at this period, close. By them it appears that 
 the Athenaeum, through the zealous and faithful exertions 
 of its Trustees and Proprietors, aided by the enlightened 
 and liberal spirit of the citizens of Boston and its vicinity, 
 has been raised to a position, in point of property and ac- 
 commodation, adequate to its chief immediate wants, and to 
 every reasonable expectation of its friends and the public. 
 The difficulties which retarded its progress have been sur- 
 mounted. Funds sufficient to discharge all its debts and 
 liabilities, and to finish the building on the plan on which 
 it Avas originally commenced, have been obtained. The in- 
 stitution is, therefore, at this moment, in a highly honorable 
 and satisfactory state. All its debts and liabilities are paid, 
 or provided for, by funds independent of those embraced 
 by the ensuing estimate. It has now a clear, unembar- 
 rassed property of the following articles and value. It 
 possesses land, buildings, books, statuary, and pictures, at 
 their actual cost, (Avithout including the great number and 
 value of the articles AAhich, during the past half-century, 
 have been derived from donations,) of a value exceeding
 
 THE BOSTON ATHENiEUM. 239 
 
 two hundred and fifty-three thousand dollars; it also pos- 
 sesses a productive property (including what remains of the 
 subscriptions made the present year, after the payment of 
 the debts and liabilities above mentioned) exceeding in 
 value forty five thousand dollars ; to which must be added 
 the noble fund for the increase of the Library, the gift of 
 the late John Bromfield in his lifetime, now amounting to 
 upwards of twenty-seven thousand dollars ; and also the net 
 proceeds of the exhibitions of pictures during the present 
 year, amounting to tiventy-seven hundred dollars ; — to- 
 gether constituting an aggregate of more than three hun- 
 dred and twenty-seven thousand dollars* 
 
 It is impossible to witness this great result, without feel- 
 ings of gratitude, and expressions of congratulation, that 
 our lot is cast in a community able by its capital, and 
 willing by the spirit of individual citizens, to uphold such 
 a literary institution amidst the vicissitudes and occasional 
 embarrassments to which, through the changes of the times, 
 it has been subjected ; and to raise it, at length, to a height 
 of resources and power, on which it is apparently placed 
 beyond the reach of future accident ; — thus, by the ex- 
 perience of the past, justifying a confident hope, or rather 
 giving a firm assurance, that ever hereafter its stores will 
 be increased, and its means enlarged, in proportion to the 
 literary claims and wants of an intellectual and prosperous 
 community. 
 
 Nor can the writer of this History refrain, on this occa- 
 sion, from expressing, in behalf of his departed friends and 
 contemporaries, the delight they would have felt, if, looking 
 through the long vista of nearly fifty years, they could 
 
 * A reduction of about $ 4,000 may be made from the above for the settlement 
 of current expenses at the close of this year. The building, also, in Beacon 
 Street, is not yet finished ; but a contract has now been made to complete the 
 work in the best manner for 5 29,C0O, which will also be a deduction from these 
 funds.
 
 240 HISTORY OF 
 
 have seen a result thus exceeding their fondest and bright- 
 est hterary and patriotic visions ; — if the httle band of en- 
 thusiastic scholars, when casting together, from their scanty 
 means, a few volumes to form a collection of " periodical 
 publications," could have beheld in the distance these small 
 seeds expanded into a hbrary of more than fifty thousand vol- 
 umes, embracing, in the language of one of them,* " abun- 
 dance of magazines, pamphlets, and new books, and of works 
 difficult to be procured in America ; " — if Shaw, the guar- 
 dian of its infancy, when uttering his " delight " at the at- 
 tainment, " surpassing the expectations of the most san- 
 guine," of " o)ie hundred and sixty subscribers at ten dollars 
 a year " and of a donation of " one hundred and fifty dol- 
 lars in cash,''^ f could have realized, that within fifty years 
 an institution would arise from these feeble beginnings, 
 the result of private liberality, possessing an accumulated 
 property exceeding three hundred thousand dollars ; — if 
 Buckminster, when warning his associates " not to build a 
 new edifice unless they could raise money enough to erect an 
 elegant, classical building, entirely of stone, or with a stone 
 facade," J could have beheld, in his mind's eye, the efiect 
 of his o^vn and his associates' labors, in a classical edifice, § 
 
 * See Biographical iXotices, page 52. t lb., pp. 26, 27. t lb., p. 52. 
 
 ^ This building, erected on Beacon Street, is 114 feet in length, of irregular 
 breadth, and GO feet in height. The elevation is in the later Italian style of 
 architecture, and resembles in the general arrangement some of the works of 
 Palladio, although some of the details belong to a still later style. The mate- 
 rial is Patterson freestone, tlie texture of which is consideriibly harder than 
 that of the freestone in general use, and the color is a light gray. 
 
 The basement story is of solid masonry, supporting the first floor on groined 
 arches of brick. The entrance to the first story is by a doorway 14 feet high 
 and 10 feet broad, opening on a vestibule from which access is had to the stair- 
 case and to all the rooms in the building. 
 
 The first story contains a hall 80 feet in length, designed for a sculpture gal- 
 " , lery ; a reading-room ; and a room for the use of committees, &.c. 
 
 ;fVi/d-< The second story is appropriated to the Library^extends the entire length 
 
 of the building, and is surrounded by an iron gauery, accessible by iron spiral
 
 THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM. 241 
 
 one hundred and fourteen feet in length, sixty feet in 
 height, of a breadth that aflFords a space capable of splendidly 
 accommodating a hbrarj, reading-room, picture gallery, and 
 sculpture gallery, and " with a stone facade " in the style of 
 Palladio, — the hearts of each and all of them Avould have 
 been filled with a joy and exultation, which those alone can 
 understand and reahze, who, like them, combine, as an ac- 
 tive principle of their lives, a love of literature with a love 
 of country. 
 
 staircases. The main hall is divided by an archway, one compartment display- 
 ing the books in cases lining the walls, the other in alcoves between the pil- 
 lars. It is highly finished in Italian style, with a decorated ceiling. For ad- 
 vantages of light, air, retirement, and an open southern aspect, it can hardly be 
 surpassed. It contains over 40,000 volumes, about four fifths of the present 
 collection. In front of this hall are two rooms, to be likewise finished with 
 iron galleries and spiral staircases. They are capable of containing 30,000 
 volumes. The building when completed, as it will be in a few months, will 
 give room for eighty thousand volumes, besides the parts occupied by pictures 
 and statuary ; and, if these should be removed to any other place, it might con- 
 tain at least one hundred andjifty thousand volumes. 
 
 The third story is designed for pictures, and is divided into four apartments. 
 The side walls are but 13 feet high, so that no picture can be placed too high 
 to be seen distinctly. The light is admitted into each apartment by a skylight, 
 from which it is favorably reflected upon the walls.
 
 CHRONOLOGICAL LIST 
 
 OF THE 
 
 PROPRIETORS OP THE BOSTON ATHENiEUM, 
 
 PROM 
 
 ITS FOUNDATION TO THE END OF THE TEAR 1850, 
 ACCORDING TO THE CERTIFICATE BOOK. 
 
 N. B. When several names are attached to the number of a share, the last is that of the 
 present holder. The certificates of the shares taken by the original subscribers in 1S07 
 were not issued till 1815. Such names of those subscribers as do not appear below may 
 be found in the list on pages 43-45. By the terms of the first subscription, no individ- 
 ual could hold more than three shares. 
 
 No. of 
 
 Share 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 11 
 
 12 
 
 13 
 14 
 15 
 
 ■n • . Date of 
 
 Proprietors. Certificate. 
 
 Harrison Gray Otis 1815 
 
 Charles Thacher 1849 
 
 John Lowell 1815 
 Rebecca Amory Lowell 1842 
 
 John Lowell 1815 
 
 John Amory Lowell 1817 
 
 Josiah Quincy 1815 
 
 Josiah Quincy 1815 
 
 Josiah Quincy, Jr. 1823 
 
 Josiah Quincy 1815 
 
 George Burroughs 1815 
 
 Samuel Eliot 1815 
 
 William Havard Eliot 1821 
 
 Nathaniel Greene 1832 
 
 Nathaniel Curtis, Jr. 1841 
 
 Francis Alger 1842 
 
 James Perkins 1815 
 
 Samuel Cabot 1831 
 
 Francis Skinner 1839 
 
 John C. Brown 1815 
 
 John Coffin Jones 1820 
 
 Anna P. Jones 1839 
 
 Thomas Perkins 1815 
 
 William P. Perkins 1829 
 
 Daniel Sargent 1815 
 
 John H. Cabot 1820 
 
 Amos Binney 1833 
 
 Samuel W. Swett 1840 
 
 Russell Sturgis 1846 
 
 Joseph Head 1815 
 
 Moody Kent 1837 
 
 Thomas H. Perkins 1815 
 
 William Pickman 1815 
 
 Uriah Cotting 1815 
 
 No. of TJ-„.,-:«. , Date of 
 
 Share. Proprietors. Certificate. 
 
 Ebenezer Francis 1815 
 
 16 Benjamin Bussey 1815 
 
 George Livermore 1843 
 
 17 Thomas Coffin Amory 1815 
 
 Thomas Coffin Amory 1818 
 
 Thomas A. Dexter 1820 
 
 Jeffi-ey Richardson 1822 
 
 Thomas W. Storrow 1815 
 
 Jacob Tidd 1817 
 
 George Minot Dexter 1828 
 
 Samuel G. Williams 1830 
 
 Enoch Martin 1837 
 
 Arthur Scholfield 1841 
 
 Peter O. Thacher 1815 
 
 18 
 
 19 
 
 20 
 
 21 
 22 
 23 
 24 
 
 25 
 26 
 
 Charles Pelham Curtis 1828 
 
 Samuel Torrey 1815 
 
 Daniel P. Parker 1821 
 
 Samuel Dexter 1815 
 
 Charles Lowell 1815 
 
 John Hancock 1815 
 
 Cornelius Coolidge 1815 
 
 Samuel G. Williams 1821 
 
 James Allen 1822 
 
 Joseph M. Marsh 1824 
 
 James Allen, Jr. 1826 
 
 Eben Billings 1828 
 
 Robert B. Allen 1830 
 
 Charles Allen 1834 
 
 George W. Warren 1836 
 
 Edward Sprague Rand 1839 
 
 Francis Johonnot Oliver 1815 
 
 Oliver Putnam 1815 
 
 Daniel Parkman 1827 
 
 Samuel A. Bemis 1827
 
 244 
 
 CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF PROPRIETORS. 
 
 Amos A. Lawrence 1842 
 
 27 Nathan Appleton 1815 
 
 28 Stephen Higginson, Jr. 1815 
 
 Irancis J. Higginson 1828 
 
 Howard Sargent 1831 
 
 Mrs. C. K. Sargent 1834 
 
 Nathaniel 1. Bowditch 1834 
 
 Stephen Higginson, Jr. 1815 
 
 George Sullivan 1816 
 
 Henry Lee 1817 
 
 Francis Lee 1821 
 
 Henry Lee 1830 
 
 Joiin Richards 1815 
 
 Francis Richards 1826 
 
 Stephen Codman 1815 
 
 Henry Codman 1818 
 
 Samuel May 1815 
 
 James Lloyd 1815 
 
 John Borland 1832 
 
 John Gore 1815 
 
 Tho. Perkins (Guard.) 1819 
 
 John C. Gore 1827 
 
 Allan Melville 1815 
 
 Charles R. Codman 1820 
 
 Joseph Coolidge, Jr. 1815 
 
 Tasker H. Swett 1841 
 
 Elizabeth B. Swett 1842 
 
 Eben Preble 1815 
 
 Ralph R. Wormeley 1826 
 
 James Blake 1828 
 
 John Harrison Blake 1849 
 
 John Prince, Jr. 1815 
 
 William H. Gardiner 1831 
 
 Samuel Parkman 1815 
 
 Thomas Davis 1832 
 
 William Davis Bliss 1850 
 
 Kirk Boott 1815 
 
 John Wright Boott 1817 
 
 William Boott 1831 
 
 John Wright Boott 1834 
 
 Kirk Boott 1850 
 
 Edward Tuckerman, Jr. 1815 
 Edward Tuckerman, Jr. 1839 
 
 Thomas L. Winthrop 1815 
 
 George S. Hillard 1843 
 
 Timothy Williams 1815 
 
 Joshua H. Wolcott 1842 
 
 William Smith Shaw 1815 
 
 Joseph Barlow Felt 1826 
 
 William Sawyer 1815 
 
 Judah Hays 1815 
 
 Boston Athenapum 1822 
 
 Thomas Beale Wales 1823 
 
 John Parker 1815 
 
 John Parker, Jr. 1825 
 
 Charles Beck 1845 
 
 48 Samuel D. Harris 1815 
 
 29 
 
 30 
 
 31 
 
 34 
 
 37 
 
 40 
 
 44 
 
 47 
 
 49 
 
 50 
 51 
 
 52 
 
 53 
 54 
 
 55 
 
 56 
 
 57 
 
 58 
 59 
 
 60 
 61 
 
 62 
 63 
 64 
 65 
 
 66 
 
 67 
 
 Samuel Salisbury 1826 
 
 Alexander Parris 1826 
 
 Stephen Codman 1847 
 
 Gardiner Greene 1815 
 John S. Copley Greene 1835 
 
 Samuel Austin 1840 
 
 Edward Blake, Jr. 1815 
 
 Nathaniel Goddard 1815 
 
 Martin Gay 1843 
 
 Samuel Salisbury 1815 
 
 Josiah Salisbury 1819 
 
 Edward E. Salisbury 1833 
 
 Joseph Tilden 1815 
 
 Peter Chardon Brooks 1815 
 
 Peter Chardon Brooks 1849 
 
 Thomas K. Jones 1815 
 
 Samuel James Bridge 1832 
 
 Bradford Lincoln, Jr. 1833 
 
 Robert Treat Paine 1837 
 
 Nathaniel R. Sturgis 1815 
 
 Russell Sturgis 1818 
 
 Samuel Henshaw 1845 
 
 William Ingalls 1815 
 
 Caleb Stimson 1824 
 Caleb Morton Stimson 1841 
 
 Israel Munson 1815 
 
 Le Baron Russell 1844 
 
 William R. Gray 1815 
 
 William Gray 1831 
 
 James Freeman 1833 
 
 Charles Torrey 1836 
 
 James H. Hicks 1838 
 
 Josiah Parsons Cooke 1842 
 
 Ebenezer T. Andrews 1815 
 
 William T. Andrews 1830 
 
 Thomas Cushing 1815 
 
 Benjamin M. Watson 1818 
 
 John P. Rice 1824 
 Benj. W.Crowninshield 1832 
 
 Isaiah Thomas 1815 
 
 Frederic Tudor 1831 
 
 Theodore Lyman 1815 
 
 Theodore Lyman 1820 
 
 Caleb Loring 1815 
 Charles Greely Loring 1836 
 
 John Pickens 1815 
 
 Henry Lienow 1826 
 
 Hartley H. Wright 1838 
 
 Benjamin Pickman, Jr. 1815 
 
 Clarke G. Pickman 1821 
 
 Peter P. F. Degrand 1839 
 
 Charles Torrey 1844 
 
 E. Rock wood Hoar 1850 
 
 Francis Cabot Lowell 1815 
 
 John Lowell, Jr. 1821 
 
 Jacob Abbott 1838 
 
 Francis Brown Hayes 1844
 
 CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF PROPRIETORS. 
 
 245 
 
 68 
 
 69 
 70 
 
 71 
 
 72 
 
 73 
 
 74 
 
 76 
 
 77 
 
 78 
 
 79 
 
 80 
 81 
 
 82 
 
 83 
 
 84 
 85 
 86 
 
 87 
 
 Lemuel Stanwood 1845 
 
 Nathaniel Amory 1815 
 Joseph L. Cunningham 1822 
 
 Henry B. Rogers 1822 
 
 Benjamin Weld 1815 
 
 Charles Barnard 1823 
 
 John Warren 1815 
 
 Edward Warren 1833 
 
 Joshua Davis 1815 
 
 Robert Farley 1843 
 
 Stephen H. Phillips 1847 
 
 Benjamin Rich 1815 
 
 John Bellows 1822 
 
 Benjamin Rich. Jr. 1824 
 
 Samuel H. Rich 1827 
 
 Francis Brown Hayes 1846 
 
 Micajah Sawyer 1815 
 
 Thomas Sawyer 1824 
 
 Joseph Hall 1815 
 
 Charles Cunningham 1848 
 
 Seth Knowles 1815 
 
 William Taylor 1831 
 
 Thomas B. Curtis 1837 
 
 John Albree 1850 
 
 William Parsons 1850 
 
 William Prescott 1815 
 
 William H. Prescott 1827 
 
 Thomas Hill, Jr. 1815 
 
 Francis Boott 1817 
 
 Mark Healey 1848 
 
 George Gardner Lee 1815 
 
 David Sears 1816 
 
 Jonathan Davis 1815 
 
 Edward G. Davis 1829 
 
 Pickering Dodge 1835 
 
 J. Ingersoll Bowditch 1836 
 
 John Heard, Jr. 1815 
 
 Sanmel Salisbury, Jr. 1815 
 
 Nancy Salisbury 1850 
 
 Stephen Higginson 1815 
 
 Henry Higginson 1834 
 
 Thomas B. Pope 1839 
 
 John Stevens 1840 
 
 Samuel G. Perkins 1815 
 
 Thomas H. Perkins 1833 
 
 Stephen H. Perkins 1833 
 
 John T. Apthorp 1815 
 
 George B. Upton 1849 
 
 Timothy Bigelow 1815 
 John Prescott Bigelow 1817 
 
 Adam Babcock 1815 
 
 William E. Payne 1831 
 
 Edward W. Payne 1831 
 
 Edward G. Loring 1832 
 
 Richard C. Cabot 1835 
 
 Francis Davis 1845 
 
 Andrew Craigie 1815 
 
 89 
 90 
 
 91 
 
 92 
 
 93 
 94 
 
 95 
 
 96 
 
 97 
 98 
 99 
 
 100 
 
 101 
 
 102 
 
 103 
 
 104 
 
 105 
 
 106 
 
 107 
 
 108 
 109 
 
 Daniel Hastings 1816 
 
 John D. Winslow 1820 
 
 Daniel Hastings 1824 
 
 Charles Pelham 1839 
 
 Charles Davis 1815 
 
 Josiah Marshall 1823 
 
 Thomas Motley 1831 
 
 Richard C. Derby 1815 
 
 Isaac P. Davis 1815 
 William S. Tuckerman 1847 
 
 Benjamin Joy 1814 
 
 Jonathan Mason 1815 
 Robert Bennett Forbes 1832 
 
 George Bancroft 1838 
 Nathaniel H. Emmons 1850 
 
 Joseph W. Revere 1815 
 
 Abraham Touro 1815 
 
 Charles Taylor 1823 
 
 Russell Sturgis 1815 
 Mass. General Hospital 1817 
 
 John Belknap 1822 
 
 Robert H. Gardiner 1815 
 
 Thomas Bartlett 1815 
 
 Jonathan Phillips 1815 
 
 Stephen Jones, Jr. 1815 
 
 John Richards, Jr. 1834 
 
 Francis Richards 1850 
 
 Samuel Welles 1815 
 
 Peter Parker 1816 
 
 James Lamb 1815 
 
 Thomas Lamb 1822 
 
 Isaac Parker 1815 
 
 Daniel Parkman 1828 
 
 Cyrus Alger 1828 
 
 William Smith Shaw 1815 
 
 George Searle 1826 
 
 Benjamin M. Watson 1829 
 
 Samuel J. Gardner 1833 
 
 Jesse P. Richardson 1834 
 
 Isaac Parker 1836 
 
 RicJiard C. Cabot 1849 
 
 Henry Gardner Rice 1815 
 
 Caleb Adams 1819 
 
 Benjamin Adams 1829 
 
 Ralph L Reed 1815 
 
 Jacob Gates 1816 
 
 Boston Athenseum 1821 
 
 H. A. S. Dearborn 1822 
 
 G. L. Chandler, Jr. 1832 
 
 Giles Henry Lodge 1835 
 
 Joseph Hurd, Jr. 1815 
 
 William Hurd 1842 
 
 William V. Hutchings 1815 
 
 James T. Austin 1820 
 
 Nehemiah Parsons 1815 
 Thomas Wigglesworth 1818 
 
 Nathaniel G. Snelling 1815
 
 246 
 
 CimONOLOGICAL LIST OF PROPRIETORS. 
 
 George C. Shattuck 1815 
 
 110 James Bowdoin 1815 
 
 James Bowdoin 1832 
 
 William C. Tyler 1835 
 
 Edward Blake 1835 
 
 111 George Higginson 1815 
 
 James P. Higginson 1819 
 
 112 Henry Andrews 1815 
 
 Thomas G. Chase 1819 
 
 Henry Gardner Rice 1820 
 
 Samuel B. Rice 1826 
 
 Henry Gardner Rice 1827 
 
 113 William VVhitwell 1815 
 
 John Bumstead 1817 
 
 114 John Clarke Howard 1815 
 
 John Clarke Howard 1841 
 
 115 Eben Larkin 1815 
 
 Henry Rice 1819 
 VVhitwell, Bond, & Co. 1829 
 
 Henry Rice 1835 
 John McLean Bethune 1841 
 
 116 William Oliver 1815 
 
 Boston Athenaeum 1821 
 
 R. D. Shepherd 1822 
 
 Gorham Brooks 1844 
 
 117 Benjamin Whitwell 1815 
 
 Henry Cabot 1818 
 
 George Bond 1820 
 
 Benjamin F. White 1837 
 
 Samuel Whitwell 1838 
 
 118 Samuel G. Williams 1815 
 
 Charles Pelham Curtis 1819 
 
 Kathaniel Bowditch 1824 
 
 Henry 1. Bowditch 1839 
 
 119 Richard Sullivan 1815 
 
 120 Francis J. Oliver 1815 
 
 John S. Capt 1817 
 
 121 John Codman 1815 
 
 William Appleton 1820 
 
 122 Thomas Williams 1815 
 
 Francis H. Williams 1834 
 
 Frederick Howes 1837 
 
 Susan Burley 1841 
 
 123 Samuel J. Prescott 1815 
 
 John Brown 1818 
 
 Boston AthenjEum 1821 
 
 Joseph Coolidge 1822 
 
 Joseph Coolidge, Jr. 1826 
 
 Elijah Loring 1834 
 
 124 William Phillips 1815 
 
 Gustavus Tuckerman 1827 
 
 Henry H. Tuckerman 1837 
 
 Henry Gardner 1837 i 
 
 125 William Phillips 1815 
 
 Samuel H.Walley 1822 
 
 John Welles 1827 I 
 
 Arnold Welles 1835 | 
 
 126 William Phillips 1815 
 
 Edward Phillips 1822 
 
 127 John- T. Kirkland 1818 
 
 James Freeman, Jr. 1828 
 Henry H. Tuckerman 1831 
 
 John llomans 1844 
 
 128 William Cochran 1820 
 
 Caleb Andrews 1822 
 
 129 Samuel Appleton 1822 
 
 130 George Searle 1822 
 
 Washington P. Gragg 1825 
 
 Martin Brimmer 1830 
 
 Martin Brimmer 1849 
 
 131 Lewis Tappan 1822 
 
 Charles Bovven 1827 
 
 John Hancock, Jr. 1827 
 
 132 Joseph P. Bradlee 1822 
 
 Franklin Haven 1843 
 
 133 Thomas Wigglesworth 1822 
 
 Edward Wigglesworth 1822 
 
 134 Josiah Bradlee 1822 
 
 Frederic W. Bradlee 1849 
 
 135 Daniel Hammond 1822 
 
 136 Asa Whitney 1822 
 
 Benjamin D. Whitney 1831 
 
 Cornelius C. Felton 1838 
 Benjamin D. Whitney 1848 
 
 137 Pliny Cutler 1822 
 
 Charles Brown 1841 
 
 Joseph W. Homer 1841 
 
 138 John Hooper 1822 
 
 Samuel Hooper 1824 
 
 139 Richard D. Tucker 1822 
 
 William S. Bullard 1840 
 Franklin H. Story, Jr. 1847 
 
 140 Francis Lee 1822 
 
 Rufus Wyman 1826 
 
 Jeffries Wyman 1843 
 
 141 Thomas Lee 1822 
 
 142 George Ticknor 1822 
 
 143 John Hubbard 1822 
 
 Caleb Reed 1845 
 
 144 John S. Ellery 1822 
 
 Samuel W. Waldron 1836 
 
 Lemuel Shattuck 1836 
 
 Sarah Baxter 1838 
 
 Lemuel Shattuck 1845 
 
 Jonathan Amory 1822 
 
 Jonathan Amory, Jr. 1830 
 
 Henry Grew 1831 
 
 Zelotes Hosmer 1836 
 
 Henry Roby 1837 
 
 Jesse Putnam 1822 
 
 Charles Jackson 1822 
 
 Samuel P. Gardner 1822 
 
 Peter Thacher Homer 1844 
 
 Patrick Tracy Jackson 1822 
 
 145 
 
 146 
 147 
 148 
 
 149
 
 CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF PROPRIETORS. 
 
 247 
 
 150 
 151 
 
 152 
 153 
 154 
 155 
 156 
 157 
 158 
 159 
 160 
 
 161 
 
 162 
 163 
 164 
 165 
 
 166 
 167 
 168 
 169 
 
 170 
 
 171 
 172 
 
 173 
 174 
 
 175 
 176 
 177 
 
 178 
 
 179 
 180 
 
 Charles Bradbury 
 
 Horace Gray 
 
 William S. Bullard 
 
 Francis Calley Gray 
 
 John Chipman Gray 
 
 Thomas Wren Ward 
 
 William Sturgis 
 
 John Bryant 
 
 Henderson Inches 
 
 Isaac Winslow 
 
 Gorham Brooks 
 
 George Hallet 
 Caleb Gushing 
 
 Charles Thorndike 
 
 Chas. G. Loring, Adm'r. 
 
 Augustus Thorndike 
 
 Benjamin Guild 
 
 Edward Brooks 
 
 Ebenezer Appleton 
 Alden B. Weston 
 
 Ebenezer Rollins 
 
 Abbott Lawrence 
 
 Marshall Binney Spring 
 
 Amos Lawrence 
 
 William R. Lawrence 
 
 Israel Thorndike 
 Edward G. Loring 
 George W. Warren 
 
 William Pratt 
 
 William P.Winchester 
 
 James Hall 
 
 James T. Austin 
 Susanna Williams 
 
 John Tappan 
 
 David W. Child 
 Arte mas Ward 
 Henry Artemas Ward 
 
 Robert Gould Shaw 
 
 Thomas Cordis 
 
 John Bellows 
 George A. Otis 
 John Brazer Davis 
 James M. Robbins 
 
 Abijah Fisk 
 
 Hercules M. Hayes 
 John Williams 
 Hercules M. Hayes 
 Simon Eliot Greene 
 Samuel G. Goodrich 
 John H. Jenks 
 Samuel G. Goodrich 
 John Mackay 
 William D. Sohier 
 
 Samuel Dorr 
 Charles H. Dorr 
 
 Samuel Whitwell 
 Benjamin F. White 
 
 1822 
 
 
 Charles R. Bond 
 
 1822 
 
 
 Thomas W. Parsons, Jr 
 
 1849 
 
 181 
 
 Frederic William Paine 
 
 1822 
 
 
 Gardiner L. Chandler 
 
 1822, 
 
 
 David B. Tower 
 
 1822 
 
 
 Rufus Choate 
 
 1822 
 
 182 
 
 Francis Stanton 
 
 1822 
 
 
 Joshua Blake 
 
 1822 
 
 183 
 
 Jonathan Chapman 
 
 1822 
 
 
 George Chapman 
 
 1822 
 
 
 Jonathan Chapman 
 
 1822 
 
 
 O. Goodwin, (Trustee) 
 
 1828 
 
 184 
 
 Lot Wheelwright 
 
 1822 
 
 
 Wm. W. Wheelwright 
 
 1846 
 
 
 Chas. H. Wheelwright 
 
 1822 
 
 
 Edward Blanchard, Jr. 
 
 1822 
 
 185 
 
 John D. Williams 
 
 1822 
 
 
 G. Foster Williams 
 
 1822 
 
 186 
 
 Charles Torrey 
 
 1832 
 
 
 Frederick A. Cobb 
 
 1822 
 
 
 Amos A. Lawrence 
 
 1822 
 
 
 Francis Boott 
 
 1822 
 
 
 Benjamin R. Curtis 
 
 1822 
 
 187 
 
 Samuel Torrey 
 
 1836 
 
 188 
 
 John Odin 
 
 1822 
 
 
 Reuben Richards, Jr. 
 
 1844 
 
 189 
 
 David Ellis 
 
 1844 
 
 
 Samuel B. Barrel! 
 
 1822 
 
 
 Alvan Lamson 
 
 1845 
 
 190 
 
 Samuel Calley Gray 
 
 1822 
 
 191 
 
 Gorham Parsons 
 
 1841 
 
 
 Theophilus Parsons 
 
 1847 
 
 192 
 
 James Jackson 
 
 1822 
 
 193 
 
 Edward Cruft 
 
 1822 
 
 194 
 
 Peter R. Dalton 
 
 1835 
 
 
 Samuel T. Armstrong 
 
 1848 
 
 195 
 
 Edward Everett 
 
 1822 
 
 196 
 
 William Lawrence 
 
 1822 
 
 
 Josiah D. Whitney 
 
 1822 
 
 197 
 
 Elbridge Gerry 
 
 1826 
 
 
 Daniel Parkman 
 
 1827 
 
 
 John Parkman 
 
 1835 
 
 
 Samuel Gridley Howe 
 
 1822 
 
 108 
 
 Benjamin Wiggin 
 
 1824 
 
 
 Moses Whitney 
 
 1829 
 
 
 Warren J. Whitney 
 
 1830 
 
 
 Samuel Downer 
 
 1830 
 
 199 
 
 Samuel Atkins Eliot 
 
 1831 
 
 200 
 
 David Henshaw 
 
 1832 
 
 201 
 
 Samuel Swett 
 
 1833 
 
 202 
 
 John Dorr 
 
 1840 
 
 203 
 
 Benjamin Russell 
 
 1845 
 
 204 
 
 Daniel Webster 
 
 1822 
 
 205 
 
 Seth Bass 
 
 1845 
 
 
 George N. Faxon 
 
 1822 
 
 206 
 
 Jacob Bigelow 
 
 1837 
 
 207 
 
 William Ingalls 
 
 1839 
 .1840 
 1822 
 1835 
 1837 
 1839 
 1822 
 1840 
 1822 
 1831 
 1834 
 1849 
 1822 
 1827 
 1835 
 1838 
 1822 
 1849 
 1822 
 1829 
 1838 
 1841 
 1843 
 1822 
 1822 
 1833 
 1822 
 1839 
 1843 
 1822 
 1822 
 1822 
 1822 
 1822 
 1822 
 1826 
 1822 
 1822 
 1850 
 1822 
 1828 
 1828 
 1834 
 1822 
 1827 
 1836 
 1841 
 1822 
 1822 
 1822 
 1822 
 1822 
 1822 
 1822 
 1849 
 1826 
 1826
 
 248 
 
 CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF PROPRIETOKS. 
 
 208 Samuel Atwood Shurtleff 
 201) John Ware 
 
 210 Zabdiel Boylston Adams 
 
 211 Enoch Hale, Jr. 
 
 212 Edward Reynolds, Jr. 
 
 Thomas W. Parsons 
 Alfred Greenough 
 
 213 Woodbridge Strong 
 
 214 Josiali Foster Flagg 
 
 215 Joshua H. Hayward 
 
 Thomas Greaves Gary 
 
 216 John G. Coffin 
 
 Ambrose S. Courtis 
 Thomas Courtis 
 James Diman Green 
 
 217 George Parkraan 
 
 218 George Hayward 
 
 219 Walter Channing, Jr. 
 
 220 John Gorham 
 
 Samuel Kettell 
 
 221 Horace Bean 
 
 Richard Fletcher 
 
 222 John Dixwell 
 
 223 George W. Otis, Jr. 
 
 224 George Bates 
 
 225 David Osgood 
 
 226 Anson Hooker, Jr. 
 
 Thomas J. Whittemore 
 Thomas Sherwin 
 Thomas C. Amory, Jr. 
 
 227 Chandler Robbins, Jr. 
 
 Samuel R. Putnam 
 
 228 Thomas Foster 
 
 John Foster 
 James Hayward 
 
 229 Charles Wild 
 
 230 Amos Farnsworth 
 
 Charles K. Dillaway 
 Robert Henry Eddy 
 
 231 John Collins VVarren 
 
 232 William J. Walker 
 
 John P. Rice 
 Samuel Lawrence 
 Uriah A. Boyden 
 
 233 Asa Bullard 
 
 Simon Eliot Greene 
 Ammi B. Young 
 
 234 Solomon D. Townsend 
 
 235 John Randall 
 
 Elizabeth Randall 
 
 236 John Clark 
 
 Richard Cobb 
 Matthias Plant Sawyer 
 
 237 Benjamin Ropes Nichols 
 
 238 Samuel Hubbard 
 
 239 William E. Channing 
 
 William F. Channing 
 
 1826 
 
 240 
 
 1826 
 
 
 1826 
 
 241 
 
 1826 
 
 
 1826 
 
 ^42 
 
 1836 
 
 243 
 
 1838 
 
 244 
 
 1826 
 
 
 1826 
 
 
 18--^6 
 
 245 
 
 1832 
 
 
 1826 
 
 246 
 
 1829 
 
 247 
 
 1644 
 
 
 1844 
 
 
 1826 
 
 
 1826 
 
 248 
 
 1826 
 
 249 
 
 1826 
 
 
 1839 
 
 
 1826 
 
 250 
 
 1827 
 
 
 1826 
 
 251 
 
 1826 
 
 
 1826 
 
 252 
 
 1826 
 
 
 1826 
 
 
 1830 
 
 253 
 
 1834 
 
 254 
 
 1846 
 
 
 1826 
 
 255 
 
 1835 
 
 
 1626 
 
 256 
 
 1831 
 
 
 1841 
 
 257 
 
 1826 
 
 
 1826 
 
 
 1835 
 
 258 
 
 1836 
 
 
 1826 
 
 
 1826 
 
 259 
 
 1835 
 
 260 
 
 1835 
 
 
 1841 
 
 261 
 
 1826 
 
 262 
 
 1827 
 
 263 
 
 1840 
 
 
 1826 
 
 
 1826 
 
 264 
 
 1846 
 
 265 
 
 1826 
 
 266 
 
 1629 
 
 267 
 
 1836 
 
 
 1826 
 
 268 
 
 1826 
 
 269 
 
 1826 
 
 270 
 
 1849 
 
 
 William Parsons 1826 
 
 William Parsons 1838 
 
 William Sullivan 1826 
 
 Francis Bassett 1839 
 
 Benjamin Willis 1826 
 
 Henry Sigourney 1826 
 
 Alexander Bliss 1826 
 
 William Grigg 1828 
 
 Nathaniel Faxon 1836 
 
 William Ropes 1826 
 
 George W. Lyman 1830 
 
 Jonathan Porter 1826 
 
 Abiel Chandler 1826 
 
 George M. Dexter 1833 
 
 William Gibbs 1834 
 
 William Richardson 1847 
 
 Edmund Dwight 1826 
 
 Robert Waterston 1826 
 
 Helen Ruthven 1829 
 
 Robert Waterston 1830 
 
 Charles J. Cazenove 1826 
 
 John Eliot Thayer 1834 
 
 John Davis 1826 
 
 Andrew Alexander 1848 
 
 Josiah Loring 1826 
 
 Henry R. Cleveland 1842 
 
 Sarah P. Cleveland 1844 
 
 Benjamin Loring 1827 
 
 John Randall 1827 
 
 James Andrews 1827 
 
 John Quincy Adams 1829 
 
 Charles Francis Adams 1829 
 
 Thomas H. Cabot 1830 
 
 Samuel Cabot, Jr. 1836 
 
 John Guardenier 1831 
 
 George Howe 1839 
 
 Charles Mixter 1843 
 
 Israel Thorndike 1831 
 
 William J. Loring 1831 
 
 John E. Lodge 1841 
 
 George Mi not Dexter 1842 
 
 John Guardenier 1842 
 
 Joseph Bell 1843 
 
 Luther Stearns Gushing 1842 
 
 Oliver Wendell Holmes 1843 
 
 John Guardenier 1845 
 
 John Redman 1845 
 
 John Bromfield 1846 
 
 Josiah Bradlee, Jr. 1844 
 
 Thomas Beale Wales 1844 
 
 Robert Hooper 1844 
 
 John Parker 1844 
 
 Robert Wm. Hooper 1845 
 
 William E. Coale 1844 
 
 George C. Shattuck, Jr. 1844 
 
 Thomas Wren Ward 1844 
 
 John Gallison Ward 1844
 
 CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF PKOPRIETORS. 
 
 249 
 
 271 
 
 272 
 
 273 
 274 
 
 275 
 
 276 
 277 
 
 278 
 279 
 280 
 281 
 
 282 
 283 
 284 
 285 
 286 
 
 287 
 
 288 
 
 289 
 
 290 
 
 291 
 
 292 
 
 293 
 294 
 
 295 
 
 296 
 297 
 
 298 
 
 299 
 300 
 301 
 
 302 
 
 303 
 
 304 
 305 
 306 
 307 
 308 
 
 309 
 310 
 
 Thomas Wren Ward 1814 
 
 George Cabot Ward 1844 
 
 Samuel Fales 1844 
 
 Charles Henry Parker 1850 
 
 James S. Amory 1844 
 
 Charles Barnard 1844 
 
 Jolin Borland 1844 
 
 James Lloyd 1844 
 
 John Nelson Borland 1849 
 
 Edward Blancliard 1844 
 George Theodore Lyman 1844 
 
 William Amory 1844 
 
 Francis Cabot Lowell 1844 
 
 George G. Lowell 1844 
 
 George Batev Blake 1844 
 
 J. Wiley Ed'mands 1844 
 
 Phineas Upham 1844 
 
 Sidney Bartlett 1«44 
 
 Samuel Leonard Abbot 1844 
 
 Joseph Balch 1844 
 
 Anna L. Balch IcJoO 
 
 John Chipman Gray 1844 
 
 Horace Gray, Jr. 1848 
 
 John Chipman Gray 1844 
 
 Francis Aug. Brooks 1849 
 
 John Chipman Gray 1844 
 
 Nathaniel Hooper 1849 
 
 Abbott Lawrence 1844 
 
 James Lawrence 1846 
 
 Abbott Lawrence 1844 
 
 Timothy B. Lawrence 1846 
 
 Abbott Lawrence 1844 
 
 Abbott Lawrence, Jr. 1846 
 
 Amos Lawrence 1844 
 
 Amos Lawrence 1844 
 
 Jerome V. C. Smith 1849 
 
 Joshua H. Wolcott 1844 
 
 Charles Sumner 1845 
 Charles Hamilton Parker 1844 
 
 Ozias Goodwin 1844 
 
 Pratt, William 1844 
 
 Sarah P. Pratt 18-15 
 
 Benjamin Adams 1850 
 
 John Bryant, Jr. 1844 
 
 Jacob Sleeper 1844 
 
 Daniel P. Parker 1844 
 
 Henry Take Parker 1845 
 
 Henry B. Stone 1844 
 
 Isaac Orr Barnes 1850 
 
 George W. Coffin 1844 
 
 Caleb Curtis 1844 
 
 Henry Sidney Waldo 1844 
 
 Thomas P. Cusliing 1844 
 
 Samuel R. Putnam 1844 
 
 Robert B. Storer 18.30 
 
 Charles Amory 1844 
 
 William Lawrence 1844 
 
 311 William Lawrence 1844 
 
 Benjamin D. Greene 1850 
 
 312 William W. Stone 1844 
 
 313 Thomas Wetmore 1844 
 
 314 Gardner Colby 1844 
 
 315 Jonathan French 1844 
 
 316 James Ingersoll 1844 
 
 317 Robert C. Hooper 1844 
 
 318 John W. Trull 1844 
 
 John Hunt Welch 1849 
 
 319 John D. Williams 1844 
 
 John D. W. Williams 1849 
 
 320 John D. Williams 1844 
 
 David W. Williams 1849 
 
 321 John D. Williams 1844 
 
 David W. Williams 1849 
 
 Edwin Lamson 1850 
 
 322 Stephen Ball, Jr. 1844 
 
 323 John P. Thorndike 1844 
 
 George Q,. Thorndike J850 
 
 324 Benj. VV. Crowninshield 1844 
 
 Edw.A. Crowninshield 1849 
 
 325 Daniel Sargent Curtis 1844 
 
 326 Addison Gilmore 1844 
 
 327 Francis Henry Appleton 1844 
 
 328 Samuel Cabot 1844 
 
 329 Charles F. Hovey 1844 
 
 330 Samuel Batchelder 1844 
 
 331 William Rollins 1844 
 
 332 Charles B. Shaw 1844 
 
 333 William Blake 1844 
 
 334 John James Di.xwell 1844 
 
 335 George Basil Dixwell 1844 
 
 336 Joshua Sears 1844 
 
 337 Joseph Whitney 1844 
 
 338 Samuel Frothingham 1844 
 
 339 David S. Greenough 1844 
 
 340 Aaron Hobart 1844 
 
 William S.Bullard 1847 
 
 Charles Eliot Norton 1849 
 
 341 George Robert Russell 1844 
 
 342 George Callender 1844 
 
 343 William F. Whitney 1844 
 
 344 Henry Hall 1844 
 
 345 William Perkins 1844 
 
 346 Willard Sayles 1844 
 
 Maria F. Sayles 1849 
 
 347 Isaac Livermore 1844 
 
 348 John A. Blanchard 1844 
 
 349 Francis Fisher 1844 
 
 350 Charles Storer Storrow 1844 
 
 351 Hugh R. Kendall 1844 
 
 352 James Parker 1844 
 
 353 Sumner Hudson 1844 
 
 Lvman Perry 1848 
 
 James Tuttle 1850 
 
 354 John S. Wright 1844
 
 250 
 
 CnRONOLOQICAL LIST OF PROPRIETORS. 
 
 355 George Gardner 
 
 356 Cliarles K. Miller 
 
 357 Gardner Brewer 
 35d Benj. G. VVainwright 
 
 Farnham Pluiiitiier 
 359 Charles Francis Adams 
 361) John M. Forbes 
 
 361 George Francis Parkman 
 
 362 Timoihy C. Leeds 
 
 363 Sampson Reed 
 
 364 Andrew Eliot Belknap 
 
 365 John Lowell Gardner 
 
 366 John Lowell Gardner 
 
 367 John Lowell Gardner 
 
 Thomas Groom 
 363 George H. Kuhn 
 
 369 James B. Bradlee 
 
 370 William Gray 
 
 371 Caleb Eddy 
 
 Samuel Barrett 
 VVillard Phillips 
 
 372 Francis Low 
 
 Daniel S. Gilchrist 
 Nathaniel Greene 
 
 373 William Whiting 
 
 374 Benjamin Seaver 
 
 375 Henry A. Page 
 
 376 Theodore Metcalf 
 
 377 Lucius Manlius Sargent 
 
 378 Nathan Carruth 
 
 Simon Greenleaf 
 
 379 Jabez C. Howe 
 
 380 Joseph N. Howe, Jr. 
 
 381 George A. Whitney 
 
 382 Jeffrey Richardson 
 
 383 John Douglas Bates 
 
 384 Francis S. Carruth 
 
 Charles Homer 
 
 385 Edward H. Robbins 
 
 386 Abel Kendall, Jr. 
 
 387 Charles Sprague 
 
 388 William Minot 
 
 389 George Barrell Emerson 
 
 390 John D. Gardner 
 
 391 William Thomas 
 
 392 John T. Coolidge 
 
 393 John Lamson 
 
 394 Erastus B. Bigelow 
 
 395 Andrew T. Hall 
 
 396 Charles Lyman 
 
 Peter P. F. Degrand 
 
 397 Francis Caleb Loring 
 
 398 Marshall Spring Perry 
 
 399 Nathan Cooley Keep 
 
 400 Francis B. Crowninshield 
 
 401 R. C. Mackay 
 
 402 Josiah Ciuincy, Jr. 
 
 1844 
 
 403 
 
 1844 
 
 404 
 
 1844 
 
 405 
 
 1844 
 
 406 
 
 1849 
 
 
 1844 
 
 407 
 
 1844 
 
 
 1844 
 
 408 
 
 1844 
 
 409 
 
 1844 
 
 410 
 
 1844 
 
 411 
 
 1844 
 
 412 
 
 1844 
 
 413 
 
 1844 
 
 414 
 
 1845 
 
 415 
 
 1844 
 
 416 
 
 1844 
 
 
 1844 
 
 417 
 
 1844 
 
 418 
 
 1847 
 
 419 
 
 1848 
 
 
 1844 
 
 420 
 
 1848 
 
 421 
 
 1849 
 
 422 
 
 1844 
 
 423 
 
 1844 
 
 424 
 
 1844 
 
 
 1844 
 
 425 
 
 1844 
 
 
 1844 
 
 426 
 
 1846 
 
 427 
 
 1844 
 
 428 
 
 1844 
 
 
 1844 
 
 429 
 
 1844 
 
 
 1844 
 
 430 
 
 1844 
 
 431 
 
 1845 
 
 432 
 
 1844 
 
 
 1844 
 
 433 
 
 1845 
 
 434 
 
 1845 
 
 435 
 
 1845 
 
 
 1845 
 
 
 1845 
 
 436 
 
 1845 
 
 437 
 
 1845 
 
 
 1845 
 
 438 
 
 1845 
 
 
 1845 
 
 439 
 
 1845 
 
 440 
 
 1845 
 
 441 
 
 1845 
 
 
 1845 
 
 
 1845 
 
 442 
 
 1845 
 
 
 145 I 
 
 443 
 
 James Johnson 1845 
 
 Ebenezer Chadwick 1845 
 Wflliam Gushing Aylvvin 1845 
 
 Jeremiah Mason 1845 
 
 Charles Alason 1849 
 
 Jamos Paul 1845 
 
 Otis Daniell 1847 
 
 Benjamin Bangs 1845 
 
 Thomas Greenleaf 1845 
 
 Thomas Greenleaf 1845 
 
 Thomas Greenleaf 1845 
 
 Thomas Greenleaf 1845 
 
 Francis Calley Gray 1845 
 
 Nathan Appleton 1845 
 
 Nathan Appleton 1845 
 
 Nathan Appleton 1845 
 
 Thomas G. Appleton 1847 
 
 Edward Austin 1845 
 
 Theodore Chase 1845 
 
 Martin Brimmer 1845 
 
 Nathaniel Whiting 1849 
 
 John Stearns 1845 
 
 Oliver Eldridge 1845 
 
 Charles Fred. Adams 1845 
 
 Samuel Appleton 1845 
 
 Robert Gould Shaw 1845 
 
 Francis Geo. Shaw 1849 
 
 Peter Chardon Brooks 1845 
 
 Abigail B.Adams 1849 
 Peter Chardon Brooks, Jr. 1845 
 
 Daniel C. Bacon 1845 
 Charles C. Little & 
 
 James Brown 1845 
 
 Peter Chardon Brooks 1845 
 
 Gorham Brooks 1849 
 
 Amos Binney 1845 
 
 Caleb Chace 1845 
 
 Jonathan Chapman 1845 
 
 Francis Bacon 1849 
 
 Jonas Chickering 1845 
 
 Edward Codman 1845 
 Samuel F. Coolidge & 
 
 Elisha Haskell 1845 
 
 Jonathan Brown, Jr. 1849 
 
 Charles P. Curtis, Jr. 1845 
 
 Thomas Dixon 1845 
 
 B. Homer Dixon 1850 
 
 John Guardenicr 1846 
 
 Benjamin T. Reed 1850 
 
 James Davis, Jr. 1845 
 
 Samuel Atkins Eliot 1845 
 
 Edwards & Stoddard 1845 
 
 Charles Stoddard & 
 
 J. S. Lovering 1847 
 
 John Earle, Jr., & Co. 1845 
 
 William P. Parrott 1849 
 
 Stephen Fairbanks 1845
 
 CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF PROPRIETORS. 
 
 251 
 
 444 
 
 Samuel Atkins Eliot 
 
 1845 
 
 485 
 
 Michael H. Simpson 
 
 1845 
 
 445 
 
 Richard Sullivan Fay 
 
 1845 
 
 486 
 
 James Savage 
 
 1845 
 
 446 
 
 John Gardner 
 
 1845 
 
 487 
 
 John Amory Lowell 
 
 1845 
 
 447 
 
 Horace Gray 
 
 1845 
 
 488 
 
 Charles Francis Adams 
 
 1850 
 
 
 Tristram B. Mackay 
 
 1849 
 
 489 
 
 Lemuel Shaw 
 
 1845 
 
 448 
 
 Prince Hawes 
 
 1845 
 
 490 
 
 H. M. Holbrook, J. B. 
 
 
 
 Benjamin Lincoln 
 
 1849 
 
 
 Carter, & Co. 
 
 1845 
 
 449 
 
 George Hallet 
 
 1845 
 
 491 
 
 Samuel Appleton 
 
 1845 
 
 
 Benjamin F. Wing 
 
 1845 
 
 492 
 
 Samuel Appleton 
 
 1845 
 
 450 
 
 James H. Hicks 
 
 1845 
 
 493 
 
 David Sears, Jr. 
 
 1845 
 
 
 Charles Eliot Ware 
 
 1849 
 
 494 
 
 Peter Chardon Brooks 
 
 1845 
 
 451 
 
 Robert Gould Shaw 
 
 1845 
 
 
 Francis Boott Brooks 
 
 1849 
 
 
 Robert G. Shaw, Jr. 
 
 1849 
 
 495 
 
 Frederic Sears 
 
 1845 
 
 452 
 
 Patrick T. Jackson 
 
 1845 
 
 496 
 
 Mercantile Library Asso 
 
 .1845 
 
 
 Lydia Jackson, (Trustee 
 
 )1848 
 
 497 
 
 Winlhrop Sears 
 
 1845 
 
 453 
 
 Eliphalet Kimball, J. H. 
 
 
 498 
 
 Thomas H. Perkins 
 
 1845 
 
 
 Jewett, & Co. 
 
 1845 
 
 499 
 
 Thomas H. Perkins 
 
 1845 
 
 
 Eliphalet Kimball 
 
 1849 
 
 500 
 
 Thomas H. Perkins 
 
 1845 
 
 
 Augustine Heard 
 
 1849 
 
 501 
 
 Charles Amory 
 
 1850 
 
 454 
 
 Henry Lee, Jr. 
 
 1845 
 
 
 John Louis Clarke 
 
 1850 
 
 455 
 
 Arnold Welles 
 
 1845 
 
 502 
 
 Charles Amory 
 
 1850 
 
 456 
 
 James L. Little, Paul 
 
 
 503 
 
 William Amory 
 
 1850 
 
 
 Alden, & Co. 
 
 1845 
 
 
 William Amory, Jr. 
 
 1850 
 
 457 
 
 John Amory Lowell 
 
 1845 
 
 504 
 
 Nathan Appleton 
 
 1850 
 
 458 
 
 Robert M. Mason 
 
 1845 
 
 505 
 
 Robert Appleton 
 
 1850 
 
 459 
 
 James K. Mills 
 
 1845 
 
 506 
 
 Samuel Appleton 
 
 1850 
 
 460 
 
 Charles C. Perkins 
 
 1845 
 
 507 
 
 Samuel Appleton 
 
 1850 
 
 461 
 
 Edward N. Perkins 
 
 1845 
 
 508 
 
 Samuel Appleton 
 
 1850 
 
 462 
 
 John Amory Lowell 
 
 1845 
 
 509 
 
 Samuel A. Appleton 
 
 1850 
 
 463 
 
 Samuel Phipps 
 
 1845 
 
 510 
 
 William Appleton 
 
 1850 
 
 464 
 
 George Pratt 
 
 1845 
 
 
 William Appleton, Jr 
 
 1850 
 
 465 
 
 William C. Eayrs & 
 
 
 511 
 
 Samuel T. Armstrong 
 
 1850 
 
 
 Josiah L. Fairbanks 
 
 1845 
 
 
 Mrs. A. Armstrong 
 
 1850 
 
 466 
 
 Thomas 11. Perkins 
 
 1845 
 
 512 
 
 Samuel Austin 
 
 1850 
 
 
 Thos. H. Perkins, Jr. 
 
 1849 
 
 513 
 
 Ebenezer Bacon 
 
 1850 
 
 467 
 
 George R. Sampson 
 
 1845 
 
 514 
 
 Daniel C. Bacon 
 
 1850 
 
 468 
 
 Robert Gould Shaw 
 
 1845 
 
 
 Ebenezer Bacon 
 
 1850 
 
 
 G. Howland Shaw 
 
 1849 
 
 515 
 
 James F. Baldwin 
 
 1850 
 
 469 
 
 Francis Skinner &. Co. 
 
 1845 
 
 516 
 
 George P. Bangs 
 
 1850 
 
 
 Henry K. Horton 
 
 1847 
 
 517 
 
 James Bayley 
 
 1850 
 
 470 
 
 Josiah Stickney 
 
 1845 
 
 518 
 
 Charles Beck 
 
 1850 
 
 471 
 
 Philo S. Shelton 
 
 1845 
 
 519 
 
 Joseph Bell 
 
 1850 
 
 472 
 
 Ignatius Sargent 
 
 1845 
 
 520 
 
 John A. Blanchard 
 
 1850 
 
 473 
 
 James W. Smith 
 
 1845 
 
 521 
 
 John W. Blodget 
 
 1850 
 
 474 
 
 Matthias Plant Sawyer 
 
 1845 
 
 522 
 
 J. Ingersoll Bowditch 
 
 1850 
 
 475 
 
 John L. Tucker 
 
 1845 
 
 523 
 
 Dwight Boyden 
 
 1850 
 
 
 Samuel K. Williams 
 
 1848 
 
 524 
 
 Josiah Bradlee 
 
 1850 
 
 476 
 
 Adam W. Thaxter 
 
 1845 
 
 
 George B. Cary 
 
 1850 
 
 477 
 
 John Eliot Thayer 
 
 1845 
 
 525 
 
 Josiah Bradlee 
 
 1850 
 
 478 
 
 Henry Timmins 
 
 1845 
 
 526 
 
 Josiah Bradlee 
 
 1850 
 
 479 
 
 John Collins Warren 
 
 1845 
 
 527 
 
 Elijah D. Brigham 
 
 1850 
 
 480 
 
 John Welles 
 
 1845 
 
 528 
 
 Francis Augustus Brook 
 
 3 1850 
 
 481 
 
 John Welles 
 
 1845 
 
 529 
 
 Peter Chardon Brooks 
 
 1850 
 
 
 H. Hollis Hunnewell 
 
 1847 
 
 530 
 
 John Bryant 
 
 1850 
 
 482 
 
 Moses B. Williams 
 
 1845 
 
 
 Henry Bryant 
 
 1850 
 
 483 
 
 J. Simmons & Son 
 
 1845 
 
 531 
 
 William S.Bullard 
 
 1850 
 
 484 
 
 Lewis W. Tappan 
 
 1845 
 
 532 
 
 Benjamin Burgess 
 
 1850
 
 252 
 
 CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF PROPRIETORS. 
 
 533 
 
 534 
 53.3 
 536 
 537 
 53S 
 53'J 
 540 
 541 
 542 
 543 
 544 
 545 
 546 
 547 
 
 548 
 549 
 
 550 
 551 
 552 
 553 
 
 554 
 555 
 
 556 
 
 557 
 558 
 55!) 
 560 
 561 
 562 
 
 563 
 564 
 5(i5 
 566 
 567 
 568 
 569 
 570 
 571 
 572 
 573 
 574 
 575 
 576 
 577 
 578 
 579 
 580 
 581 
 
 Susan But ley 
 
 Frt'il llowes, (Cxec.) 
 
 \Villi:iiii B. Howes 
 Joseph Burnett 
 T. O. II. P. iSuniham 
 Tlieopliilus Burr 
 Tlioinas Greaves Cary 
 Ebenezer (,'liad\vick 
 \V\nlter Clianning 
 Rufus Clioate 
 B. C. Clark- 
 Cliarles 11. Codnian 
 Kdward Codrnan 
 George \V. Coffin 
 William E. Coffin 
 Joseph II. Cotton 
 Jolin A. Cunningham 
 
 C. Loring Cunningham 
 Benjamin 11. Curtis 
 Charles P. Cmtis 
 
 William W. Greenough 
 Thomas B. Curtis 
 Thomas P. dishing 
 Samuel T. Dana 
 Edmund W. Dana & 
 
 Stephen \V. Dana 
 George Darracott 
 James Davis, Jr. 
 
 Frederick \V. Davis 
 Peter P. V. Degrand 
 
 Otis Turner 
 William Dehon 
 Franklin Dexter 
 John R. Dow 
 Levi A. Dowley 
 Daniel Draper 
 ^Vlllianl C. Eayrs & 
 
 Josiah L. Fairbanks 
 Edward Everett 
 George N. Faxon 
 Harrison Fay 
 William C Fay 
 Fay & Farwells 
 Albert Fearing 
 Charles B. Fessenden 
 Richard Fletcher 
 William B. Fosdick 
 Jonatiian French 
 Nath. L. Frotliingham 
 Addison Gage 
 William M.Gardiner 
 Henry J. Gardner 
 John L. Gardner 
 Ozias Goodwin 
 Moses Grant 
 John Chipman Gray 
 Tliomas Gray 
 
 1850 
 
 '582 
 
 ]850 
 
 583 
 
 1r50 
 
 584 
 
 1850 
 
 585 
 
 1850 
 
 586 
 
 1850 
 
 587 
 
 1850 
 
 588 
 
 1850 
 
 589 
 
 1850 
 
 590 
 
 1850 
 
 591 
 
 1850 
 
 592 
 
 1850 
 
 593 
 
 1850 
 
 
 1850 
 
 594 
 
 1850 
 
 595 
 
 1850 
 
 596 
 
 1850 
 
 597 
 
 1850 
 
 598 
 
 1850 
 
 599 
 
 1850 
 
 600 
 
 1850 
 
 601 
 
 1850 
 
 602 
 
 1850 
 
 603 
 
 1850 
 
 604 
 
 1850 
 
 605 
 
 1850 
 
 
 1850 
 
 606 
 
 1850 
 
 607 
 
 1850 
 
 608 
 
 1850 
 
 609 
 
 1850 
 
 610 
 
 1850 
 
 611 
 
 1850 
 
 612 
 
 1850 
 
 613 
 
 1850 
 
 
 
 614 
 
 1850 
 
 
 1850 
 
 615 
 
 1850 
 
 616 
 
 1850 
 
 617 
 
 1850 
 
 618 
 
 1850 
 
 619 
 
 1850 
 
 620 
 
 1850 
 
 621 
 
 1850 
 
 622 
 
 1850 
 
 623 
 
 1850 
 
 624 
 
 1850 
 
 625 
 
 1850 
 
 626 
 
 1850 
 
 627 
 
 1850 
 
 626 
 
 1850 
 
 
 1850 
 
 629 
 
 1850 
 
 630 
 
 1850 
 
 631 
 
 1 850 
 
 632 
 
 Andrew T. Hail 1850 
 
 Henry Hall 1850 
 
 Hen'ry S. Hallet 1850 
 
 Peter Harvey 1850 
 
 Franklin Haven 1850 
 
 William Hayden 1850 
 
 William A. Hayden 1850 
 
 George Haj'ward 1850 
 
 Augustine Heard 1850 
 
 Peter Thacher Homer 1850 
 
 George Howe 1850 
 
 Jabez C. Howe 1850 
 
 Samuel Johnson 1850 
 
 H. Hollis Hunnewell 1850 
 
 James Ingersoll 1850 
 
 Chailes Jackson 1850 
 
 Charles Jackson, Jr. 1850 
 
 Anna P Jones 1850 
 
 George B. Jones 1850 
 
 George H. Kuhn 1850 
 
 Abbott Lawrence 1850 
 
 Abbott Lawrence 1850 
 
 Abbott Lawrence 1850 
 
 Amos Lawrence 1850 
 
 Samuel K. Lothrop 1850 
 
 Amos Lawrence 1850 
 
 Samuel Lawrence 1850 
 
 Amos Lawrence 1850 
 
 James Lawrence 1850 
 
 Samuel Lawrence 1850 
 
 William 11. Lawrence 1850 
 
 James Lee, Jr. 1850 
 
 Thomas Lee 1850 
 
 Sargent S. Littlehale 1850 
 
 Giles Henrv Lodge 1850 
 
 G. C. Henry Lodge 1850 
 
 John E. Lodge 1850 
 
 Henry Cabot 1850 
 
 Ammi C. Lombard 1850 
 
 Israel Lombard 1850 
 
 Elisha T. Loring 1850 
 
 Francis Caleb Loring 1850 
 
 Francis Cabot Lovveli 1850 
 
 Francis Cabot Lowell 1850 
 
 Francis Cabot Lowell 1850 
 
 John Ainory Lowell 1850 
 
 John Amory Lowell 1850 
 
 John Amory Lowell 1850 
 
 John Amory Lowell 1850 
 
 George Tlieodore Lyman 1850 
 
 George Williams Lyman 1850 
 Thacher Magoun & 
 
 Thacher Magoun, Jr. 1850 
 
 William P. Mason 1850 
 
 John M. Mayo 1850 
 
 Charles Merriam 1850 
 
 Charles H. Mills 1850
 
 CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF PROPRIETORS. 
 
 253 
 
 633 Charles H. Mills 
 
 634 Charles H. Mills 
 
 635 (Unsold.) 
 
 636 James K. Mills 
 
 637 Lawrence Aichols 
 63rf Nathaniel H.Osgood 
 
 639 James VV. Paige 
 
 640 Daniel Pinckney Parker 
 
 641 John Brooks Parker 
 
 642 William F. Parrott 
 
 643 Arthur L. Payson 
 
 644 George Peabody 
 
 645 John H. Pearson 
 
 646 Charles C. Perkins 
 
 647 Edward Newton Perkins 
 
 648 Thomas H. Perkins 
 
 649 Thomas H. Perkins 
 
 650 Thomas H. Perkins 
 
 651 Lyinan Perry 
 
 652 Edward D. Peters 
 
 653 William D. Pickman 
 
 654 Samuel S. Pierce 
 
 655 William H. Prescott 
 
 656 Josiah Q,uincy, Jr. 
 
 Josiah P. Quincy 
 
 657 James Read & 
 
 Cliristoph.C.CIiadwick 
 
 658 Lewis Rice 
 
 659 Henrv B Rogers 
 
 660 William Ropes 
 
 661 George R. Sampson 
 
 662 William Sawyer 
 
 663 David Sears 
 
 664 George Ciieyne Shattuck 
 
 William VVashburn 
 
 665 George Cheyne Shattuck 
 
 Timothy Farrar 
 
 666 George Cheyne Shattuck 
 
 Horatio Bigelow 
 
 667 George Cheyne Shattuck 
 
 Nathaniel J. Bradlee 
 
 663 G. Howland Shaw 
 
 669 Robert Gould Shaw 
 
 670 Robert Gould Shaw 
 
 1850 I 671 
 
 1650 
 
 672 
 673 
 674 
 675 
 676 
 677 
 678 
 679 
 
 1650 
 
 1650 
 
 1650 
 
 1650 
 
 1650 
 
 1650 
 
 1850 
 
 1650 i 680 
 
 1650 1 
 
 1850 681 
 
 1650 
 1650 
 1650 
 
 682 
 
 663 
 1850 '664 
 1650 I 685 
 1850 686 
 1650 687 
 16.50 668 
 1650 I 689 
 1650 I 690 
 1850 I 691 
 le50 ! 692 
 1 693 
 694 
 695 
 
 16T(I 
 ]65;> 
 1650 
 1850 
 1850 
 1850 
 
 1850 
 1650 
 1850 
 1850 
 18.50 
 1850 
 1650 
 1650 
 1850 
 1650 
 1850 
 
 696 
 697 
 
 698 
 
 1650 I 699 
 
 700 
 701 
 702 
 703 
 704 
 705 
 706 
 
 707 
 708 
 
 Robert Gould Shaw 1850 
 
 Quincy A. Shaw 1850 
 
 Robert Gould Shaw, Jr. 1650 
 
 Michael H. Simpson 1650 
 
 Francis Skinner ltf50 
 
 Jarvis Slade 1850 
 
 Richard Soule 1650 
 
 Paran Stevens 1650 
 
 J. Thomas Stevenson 1650 
 
 Henry P. Sturgis 1850 
 
 William Sturgis 1850 
 
 Henry J. Bigelow 1850 
 
 Lewis W. Tappan 1650 
 
 John Eliot Tiiayer 1850 
 
 Enoch Train 1850 
 
 Nathaniel Thayer 1850 
 
 William Thomas 1850 
 
 Charles Torrey 1850 
 
 Frederic Tudor 1850 
 
 William Underwood 1650 
 
 Thomas Beale Wales 1650 
 
 Samuel G. Ward 1650 
 
 Thomas Wren Ward 1650 
 
 George W. Warren 1850 
 
 Aaron D. Weld 1850 
 
 William F. Weld 1650 
 
 John Welles 1850 
 
 Aiden Bradford Weston 1^50 
 
 Ezra Weston 1650 
 
 Charles O. Whitmore 1850 
 
 David R. Whitney 1850 
 
 Edward Wiegiesworth 1850 
 
 James C. W^M 1850 
 
 Solomon ^V'ildes 1850 
 
 Charles Wilkins 1850 
 
 John H. Wilkins 1850 
 
 David W. Williams 1650 
 
 G.Foster Williams 1850 
 
 John E. Williams 1850 
 Hamilton Willis & 
 
 Lucian Skinner 1850 
 
 William P. Winchester 1850 
 Joshua H. W^olcott 
 
 Henry A. Rice 1850
 
 ALPHABETICAL LIST 
 
 OK THE 
 
 PROPRIETORS OF THE BOSTON ATHEN^UM, 
 
 FROM 
 
 ITS FOUNDATION TO THE END OF THE TEAR 1850, 
 ACCORDING TO THE CERTIFICATE BOOK. 
 
 N. B. 
 
 The numbers within parentheses denote shares formerly held by the persons to 
 whose names they are annexed. 
 
 Abbot, Samuel Leonard 
 
 285 
 
 Abbott, Jacob 
 
 (67) 
 
 Adams, Abigail B. 
 
 425 
 
 Adams, Benjamio 
 
 104, 299 
 
 Adams, Caleb 
 
 (104) 
 
 Adams, Charles Francis 
 
 255, 359, 
 
 
 [488 
 
 Adams, Charles Frederic 
 
 k 422 
 
 Adams, John Ciuincy 
 
 (255) 
 
 Adams, Zabdiel Boylston 
 
 210 
 
 Albree, John 
 
 (75) 
 
 Alexander, Andrew 
 
 251 
 
 Alger, Cyrus 
 
 102 
 
 Alger, Francis 
 
 7 
 
 Allen, Charles 
 
 (24) 
 
 Allen, James 
 
 (24) 
 
 Allen, James, Jr. 
 
 (24) 
 
 Allen, Robert B. 
 
 (24) 
 
 Amory, Charles 300, 
 
 (501), 502 
 
 Amory, James S. 
 
 273 
 
 Amory, Jonathan 
 
 (145) 
 
 Amory, Jonathan, Jr. 
 
 (145) 
 
 Amory, Nathaniel 
 
 (68) 
 
 Amory, Thomas Coffin 
 
 (17) 
 
 Amory, Thomas Coffin 
 
 (17) 
 
 Amory, Thomas C, Jr. 
 
 226 
 
 Amory, William 
 
 278, (503) 
 
 Amory, William, Jr. 
 
 503 
 
 Andrews, Caleb 
 
 128 
 
 Andrews, Kbenezer T. 
 
 (60) 
 
 Andrews, Henry 
 
 (112) 
 
 Andrews, James 
 
 254 
 
 Andrews, William Turell 60 
 
 Appleton, Ebenezer 
 
 (165) 
 
 Appleton, Francis Henry 327 
 
 Appleton, Nathan 27, 414, 415, 
 [(416), 504 
 Appleton, Robert 505 
 
 Appleton, Samuel 129, 423, 491, 
 [492, 506, 507, 508 
 Appleton, Samuel A. 509 
 
 Appleton, Thomas Gold 416 
 
 Appleton, William 121, (510) 
 
 Appleton, William, Jr. 
 Apthorp, John T. 
 Armstrong, Mrs. A. 
 Armstrong, Samuel T. 
 Austin, Edward 
 Austin, James T. 
 Austin, Samuel 
 Aylwin, William Cusliin 
 
 510 
 
 (84) 
 511 
 
 194, (511) 
 417 
 
 107, (172) 
 49, 512 
 
 I 405 
 
 B. 
 
 Babcock, Adam 
 Bacon, Daniel C. 
 Bacon, Ebenezer 
 Bacon, Francis 
 Balch, Anna L. 
 Balch, Joseph 
 Baldwin, James F. 
 Ball, Stephen, Jr. 
 Bancroft, George 
 Bangs, Benjamin 
 Bangs, George P. 
 Barnard, Charles 
 Barnes, Isaac Orr 
 Barrell, Samuel B. 
 Bartlett, Sidney 
 
 (86) 
 
 427, (514) 
 
 513, 514 
 
 432 
 
 286 
 
 (286) 
 515 
 322 
 (92) 
 408 
 516 
 69,274 
 303 
 
 (189) 
 284
 
 ALPHABETICAL LIST OF PROPKIETORS. 
 
 255 
 
 Bartlett, Thomas 97 
 
 Barrett, Samuel (371) 
 
 Bass, Seth (205) 
 
 Bassett, Francis 241 
 
 Batchelder, Samuel 330 
 
 Bates, George 224 
 
 Bates, John Douglas 383 
 
 Baxter, Sarah (144) 
 
 Bay ley, James 517 
 
 Bean, Horace (221) 
 
 Beck, Charles 47,518 
 
 Belknap, Andrew Eliot 364 
 
 Belknap, John 95 
 
 Bell, Joseph 260, 519 
 Bellows, John (72), (177) 
 
 Bemis, Samuel A. (26) 
 
 Bethune, John McLean 115 
 
 Bigelow, Erastus B. 394 
 
 Bigelow, Henry J. 680 
 
 Bigelow, Horatio 666 
 
 Bigelow, Jacob 206 
 
 Bigelow, John Prescott 85 
 
 Bigelow, Timothy (85) 
 
 Billings, Eben (24) 
 
 Binney, Amos (11), 430 
 
 Blake, Edward 50 
 
 Blake, Edward 110 
 
 Blake, George Batey 281 
 
 Blake, James (37) 
 
 Blake, John Harrison 37 
 
 Blake, Joshua 182 
 
 Blake, William 333 
 
 Blanciiard, Edward 276 
 
 Blanchard, Edward, Jr. 184 
 
 Blanchard, John A. 348, 520 
 
 Bhss, Alexander (244) 
 
 Bliss, William Davis 39 
 
 Blodget, John W. 521 
 
 Bond, Charles R. (180) 
 
 Bond, George (117) 
 
 Boott, Francis (77) 
 
 Boott, Francis (186) 
 
 Boott, John Wright (40) 
 
 Boott, Kirk (40) 
 
 Boott, Kirk 40 
 
 Boott, William (40) 
 Borland, John 33,(275) 
 
 Borland, John Nelson 275 
 Bowditch, Henry Ingersoll 118 
 
 Bowditch, J. Ingersoll 79, 522 
 
 Bowditch, Nathaniel (118) 
 Bowditch, Nathaniel Ingersoll 28 
 
 Bowdoin, James (HO) 
 
 Bowdoin, James (119) 
 
 Bowen, Charles (131) 
 
 Boyden, Dwight 523 
 
 Boyden, Uriah A. 232 
 
 Bradbury, Charles 150 
 
 Bradlee, Frederic Wainwright 134 
 Bradlee, James B. 369 
 
 Bradlee, Joseph P. (132) 
 
 Bradlee, Josiah (134), (524), 525, 
 [526 
 Bradlee, Josiah, Jr. 264 
 
 Bradlee, Nathaniel J. 667 
 
 Brewer, Gardner 357 
 
 Bridge, Samuel James (55) 
 
 Brigham, Elijah D. 527 
 
 Brimmer, Martin (130), (419) 
 
 Brimmer, Martin 130 
 
 Bromfield, John 263 
 
 Brooks, Edward 164 
 
 Brooks, Francis Augustus 288, 528 
 Brooks, Francis Boott 4'J4 
 
 Brooks, Gorham 116, 159, 429 
 
 Brooks, Peter C. (54), (425). (429), 
 [(494) 
 Brooks, Peter C. 54, 426, 52'J 
 
 Brown, Charles (137) 
 
 Brown, John (123) 
 
 Brown, John C. (9) 
 
 Brown, Jonathan, Jr. 435 
 
 Bryant, Henry 530 
 
 Bryant, John 156, (530) 
 
 Bryant, John, Jr. 300 
 
 Bullard, Asa (233) 
 
 Bullard, William S. (139), 151, 
 [(340,) 531 
 Bumstead, Jolin 113 
 
 Burgess, Benjamin 532 
 
 Buriey, Susan 122, (5.33) 
 
 Burnett, Joseph 534 
 
 Burnham, Thomas O. H. Perry 535 
 Burr, Theophilus 536 
 
 Burroughs, George 6 
 
 Bussey, Benjamin (16) 
 
 C. 
 
 Cabot, Henry (117), 614 
 
 Cabot, John H. (11) 
 
 Cabot, Richard C. (86), 103 
 
 Cabot, Samuel (8), 328 
 
 Cabot, Samuel, Jr. 256 
 
 Cabot, Thomas H. (256) 
 
 Callender, George 342 
 
 Capt, John S. 120 
 
 Carruth, Francis S. (384) 
 
 Carruth, Nathan (378) 
 
 Cary, George B. 524 
 Cary, Thomas Greaves 215, 537 
 
 Cazenove, Charles J. (250) 
 
 Chace, Caleb 431
 
 256 
 
 ALPHABETICAL LIST OF PROmiETORS. 
 
 Chadwiek, Ebenezer 40-1, 538 
 
 Chiiiuiler, Abiul ('2-17) 
 
 Cha.icller, G. L., Jr. (105), (181) 
 
 Clmnning, Walter 211), 53'.) 
 
 Cluimiiiig, William Ellery (i>3;)) 
 
 Channing, William F. 23'.) 
 
 CliapiiKin, George 0'^^) 
 
 Chapman, Jonathan i^'^'-^) 
 
 Chapman, Jonathan (1^3), (432) 
 
 (.Jhase, Thomas G. 
 
 Chase, Theodore 
 
 Chickering, Jonas 
 
 Child, David W. 
 
 Choate, Rufus 
 
 Clark, B. C. 
 
 Clark, John 
 
 Clarke, John Louis 
 
 Cleveland, Henry Russell 
 
 Cleveland, Sarah Perkins 
 
 Coale, William E. 
 
 Cobb, Frederick A. 
 
 Cobb, Richard 
 
 Cochran, William 
 
 Codman, Charles R. 
 
 Codman, Edward 
 
 Codman, Henry 
 
 Codman, John 
 
 Coilman, tstejihen 
 
 CoiBn, George W. 
 
 Coffin, John G. 
 
 Coffin, William E. 
 
 Colby, Gardner 
 
 Cooke, Josiah Parsons 
 
 Coolidge, Cornelius 
 
 Coolidge, John T. 
 
 Coolidge, Joseph 
 
 Coolidge, Joseph, Jr. 
 
 Coolidge, Samuel F. &. 
 
 Haskell, Elisha 
 Cordis, Thomas 
 Cotting, Uriah 
 Cotton, Joseph H. 
 Courtis, Ambrose S. 
 Courtis, Thomas 
 Craigie, Andrew 
 Crowninshield, Benj. VV. Gl 
 Crowninshield, Edward A. 
 Crowninshield, Francis B. 
 Crufl, Edward 
 Cunningham, Charles 
 Cuimingham, C. Loring 
 C'unningham, John A. 
 Cunningiiam, Joseph L. 
 Curtis, 15onjainin liobbins 
 Curtis, Caleb 
 
 Curtis, Charles P. 
 Curtis, Charles P. 
 
 (112) 
 
 418 
 
 433 
 
 (174) 
 
 181, 540 
 
 541 
 
 (236) 
 
 .501 
 
 (252) 
 
 252 
 
 268 
 
 (186) 
 
 (236) 
 
 (128) 
 
 35, 542 
 
 434, 543 
 
 31 
 
 (121) 
 
 (31), 48 
 
 304, 544 
 
 (216) 
 
 545 
 
 314 
 
 59 
 
 (24) 
 
 392 
 
 (123) 
 
 (36), (123) 
 
 (435) 
 
 176 
 
 (15) 
 
 546 
 
 (216) 
 
 (216) 
 
 (87) 
 
 (324) 
 
 324 
 
 400 
 
 li)3 
 
 74 
 
 547 
 
 (547) 
 
 (66) 
 
 186, 548 
 
 305 
 
 19, (lift), (.549) 
 Jr. 436 
 
 Curtis, Daniel Sargent 325 
 
 Curtis, Nathaniel, Jr. (7) 
 
 Curtis, Thomas B. (75), 550 
 
 Cushing; Caleb 160 
 
 Gushing, Luther Stearns 261 
 
 Gushing, Thomas (61) 
 
 Gushing, Thomas P. 307, 551 
 
 Cutler, Pliny (137) 
 
 D. 
 
 Dalton, Peter R. (194) 
 Dana, Edmund W. & 
 
 Dana, Stephen W. 553 
 
 Dana, Samuel T. 552 
 
 Daniell, Otis 407 
 
 Durracott, George 554 
 
 Davis, Charles (88) 
 
 Davis, Edward G. (79) 
 
 Davis, Francis 86 
 
 Davis, Frederick W. 555 
 
 Davis, Isaac P. (90) 
 Davis, James, Jr. 439, (5-55) 
 
 Davis, John (251) 
 
 Davis, John Brazer (177) 
 
 Davis, Jonathan (79) 
 
 Davis, Joshua (71) 
 
 Davis, Thomas (39) 
 
 Dearborn, Henry A. S. (105) 
 Degrand, Peter P. F. (66), 396, (556) 
 
 Dehon, William 557 
 
 Derby, Richard C. 89 
 
 Dexter, Franklin 558 
 Dexter, George M. (18), (247), 259 
 
 Dexter, Sanmel 21 
 
 Dexter, Thomas A. (17) 
 
 Dillaway, Charles K. (230) 
 
 Dixon, H. Homer 437 
 
 Dixon, Thomas (437) 
 
 Dixwell, (jieorge Basil 335 
 
 Dixwell, John 222 
 
 Dixwell, John James 334 
 
 Dodge, Pickering (7!>) 
 
 Dorr, Charles H. 179 
 
 Dorr, John 202 
 
 Dorr, Samuel (179) 
 
 Dow, John R. 559 
 
 Dovvley, Levi A. 560 
 
 Downer, Samuel 198 
 
 Draper, Daniel 561 
 
 Dwight, Edmund 248 
 
 E. 
 
 Earle, John, Jr, &Co. (412)
 
 ALPHABETICAL LIST OF PROPRIETORS. 
 
 257 
 
 Eayrs, William C. & 
 
 Fairbanks, Josiah Loring 465, 
 [562 
 Eddy, Caleb (371) 
 
 Eddy, Robert Henry 230 
 
 Edraands, J. Wilev 282 
 
 Edwards & Stoddard (441) 
 
 Eidridge, Oliver 421 
 
 Eliot, Samuel (7) 
 
 Eliot, Samuel Atkins 199, 440, 444 
 Eliot, William Havard (7) 
 
 Ellery, John S. (144) 
 
 Ellis, David (189) 
 
 Emerson, George Barrell 389 
 
 Emmons, Nathaniel H. 92 
 
 Everett, Edward 195, 563 
 
 Fairbanks, Stephen 443 
 
 Fales, Samuel (272) 
 
 Farley, Robert (71) 
 
 Farnsworth, Amos (230) 
 
 Farrar, Timothy 665 
 
 Faxon, George N. 205, 564 
 
 Faxon, Nathaniel 244 
 
 Fay, Harrison 565 
 
 Fay, Richard Sullivan 445 
 
 Fay, William C. 566 
 
 Fay & Farwells 567 
 
 Fearing, Albert 568 
 
 Felt, Joseph Barlow 44 
 Felton, Cornelius Conway (136) 
 
 Fessenden, Charles B. 569 
 
 Fisher, Francis 349 
 
 Fisk, Abijah (178) 
 
 Flagg, Josiah Foster 214 
 
 Fletcher, Richard 221,570 
 
 Forbes, John M. 360 
 
 Forbes, Robert Bennett (92) 
 
 Fosdick, William B. 571 
 
 Foster, John (228) 
 
 Foster, Thomas (228) 
 
 Francis, Ebenezer 15 
 
 Freeman, James (59) 
 
 Freeman, James, Jr. (127) 
 
 French, Jonathan 315, 572 
 
 Frothingham, Nathaniel L. 573 
 
 Frothingham, Samuel 338 
 
 G. 
 
 Gage, Addison 574 
 
 Gardiner, Robert Hallowell 96 
 
 Gardiner, William Howard 38, 575 
 
 33 
 
 Gardner, George 355 
 
 Gardner, Henry 124 
 
 Gardner, Henry J. 576 
 
 Gardner, John 446 
 
 Gardner, John D. 390 
 Gardner, John L. 365, 366, (367), 577 
 
 Gardner, Samuel J. (103) 
 
 Gardner, Samuel P. (148) 
 
 Gates, Jacob (105) 
 
 Gay, Martin 51 
 
 Gerry, Elbridge (197) 
 
 Gibbs, William (247) 
 
 Gilchrist, Daniel S. (372) 
 
 Gilmore, Addison 326 
 
 Goddard, Nathaniel (51) 
 
 Goodrich, Samuel G. (I'^S) 
 
 Goodwin, Ozias 297, 578 
 
 Goodwin, Ozias, (Trustee) 183 
 
 Gore, John (34) 
 
 Gore, John C. 34 
 
 Gorham, John (220) 
 
 Gragg, Washington P. (130) 
 
 Grant, Moses 579 
 
 Gray, Francis Calley 152, 413 
 
 Gray, Horace (151), (447) 
 
 Gray, Horace, Jr. 287 
 
 Gray, John Chipman 153, (287), 
 [(288), (289), 580 
 
 Gray, Samuel Calley 
 Gray, Thomas 
 Gray, William 
 Gray, William R. 
 Green, James Diman 
 Greene, Benjamin D. 
 Greene, Gardiner 
 Greene, John S. Copley 
 Greene, Nathaniel 
 Greene, Simon Eliot 
 Greenleaf, Simon 
 
 190 
 
 581 
 (59), 370 
 (59) 
 216 
 311 
 (49) 
 (49) 
 (7), 372 
 (178), (233) 
 378 
 
 Greenleaf, Thomas 409, 410, 411, 
 [412 
 Greenough, Alfred 212 
 
 Greenough, David Stoddard 339 
 Greenough, William W. 549 
 
 Grew, Henry (145) 
 
 Grigg, William (244) 
 
 Groom, Thomas 367 
 
 Guardenier, John (257), (260), (263), 
 [(438) 
 Guild, Benjamin 163 
 
 H. 
 
 Hale, Enoch 
 Hall, Andrew T. 
 Hall, Henry 
 
 211 
 
 395, 582 
 344, 583
 
 258 
 
 ALPHABETICAL LIST OF PROPRIETORS. 
 
 Hall, James 
 Hall, Joseph 
 Hallet, George 
 Haliet, Henry S. 
 Hammond, Daniel 
 Hancock, John 
 Hancock, John, Jr. 
 Harris, Samuel D. 
 Harvey, Peter 
 Hastings, Daniel 
 Haven, Franklin 
 Hawes, Prince 
 Hayden, William 
 
 172) 
 
 (74) 
 
 (160), (449) 
 
 584 
 
 135 
 
 23 
 
 131 
 
 (48) 
 
 585 
 
 (87) 
 
 132, 586 
 
 (448) 
 
 587 
 
 Hayden, William Augustus 588 
 
 Hayes, Francis Brown (67), 72 
 
 Hayes, Hercules M. (178) 
 
 Hays, Judah (46) 
 
 Hay ward, George 218, 581) 
 
 Hayward, James 228 
 
 Hayward, Joshua H. (215) 
 
 Head, Joseph (12) 
 
 Healey, Mark 77 
 
 Heard, Augustine 453, 590 
 
 Heard, John, Jr. 80 
 
 Henshaw, David 200 
 
 Henshaw, Samuel 56 
 
 Hicks, James H. (59), (450) 
 
 Higginson, Francis J. (28) 
 
 Howe, Jabez C. 379, (593) 
 
 Howe, Joseph N., Jr. 380 
 
 Ho\v£, Samuel Gridley 197 
 
 Howes, Frederick (122) 
 Howes, Frederick, (Executor) (533) 
 
 Howes, William B. 533 
 
 iIubbard,John (143) 
 
 Hubbard, Samuel 238 
 
 Hudson, Sumner (353) 
 
 Hunnewell, H. HoUis 481, 594 
 
 1 Hurd, Joseph, Jr. (106) 
 
 I Hurd, WilHam 106 
 
 Hutchings, William V. (107) 
 
 Higginson, Henry 
 Higginson, James Perkins 
 Higginson, Stephen 
 Higginson, Stephen, Jr 
 Hill, Thomas, Jr. 
 
 (Ill) 
 
 (82) 
 111 
 
 (82) 
 (28), (29) 
 (77) 
 
 Hillard, George Stillman 42 
 
 Hoar, E. Rockwood 66 
 
 Hobart, Aaron (340J 
 Holbrook, Henry M., Carter, J. B. 
 
 & Co. 490 
 
 Holmes, Oliver Wendell 262 
 
 Homans, John 127 
 
 Homer, Charles 384 
 
 Homer, Joseph W. 137 
 
 Homer, Peter Thacher 148, 591 
 
 Hooker, Anson, Jr. (226) 
 
 Hooper, John (138) 
 
 Hooper, Nathaniel 289 
 
 Hooper, Robert 266 
 
 Hooper, Robert C. 317 
 
 Hooper, Robert William 267 
 
 Hooper, Samuel 381 
 
 Horton, Henry K. 694 
 
 Hosmer, Zelotes (145) 
 
 Hovey, Charles F. 329 
 
 Howard, John Clarke (114) 
 
 Howard, John Clarke 114 
 Howe, George (257), 592 
 
 I. 
 
 Inches, Henderson 
 Ingalls, William 
 Ingersoll, James 
 
 157 
 
 (57), 207 
 316, 595 
 
 Jackson, Charles 147, 596 
 
 Jackson, Charles, Jr. 597 
 
 Jackson, James 192 
 
 Jackson, Lydia, (Trustee) 452 
 Jackson, Patrick Tracy 149, (452) 
 
 Jenks, JohnH. (178) 
 
 Johnson, James 403 
 
 Johnson, Samuel 593 
 
 Jones, Anna P. 9, 598 
 
 Jones, George B. 599 
 
 Jones, John Coffin (9) 
 
 Jones, Stephen, Jr. (99) 
 
 Jones, Thomas K. (55) 
 
 Joy, Benjamin 9l 
 
 K. 
 
 Keep, Nathan Cooley 399 
 
 Kendall, Abel, Jr. 386 
 
 Kendall, Hugh R. 351 
 
 Kent, Moody 12 
 
 Kettell, Samuel 220 
 Kimball, Eliphalet, Jewett, J. H. 
 
 & Co. (453) 
 
 Kimball, Eliphalet (453) 
 Kirkland, John Thornton (127) 
 
 Knowles, Seth (75) 
 
 Kuhn, George H. 368,600 
 
 Lamb, James (101)
 
 ALPHABETICAL LIST OF PROPRIETORS. 
 
 259 
 
 Lamb, Thomas 
 
 101 
 
 I.ainson, Alvan 
 
 189 
 
 Laiiison, Edwin 
 
 321 
 
 Lanison, John 
 
 3!»3 
 
 Larkin, Eben 
 
 (115) 
 
 Lawrence, Abbott 167, (290),) 291), 
 (292), 601, 602, 603 
 Lawrence, Abbott, Jr. , 292 
 
 Lawrence, Amos (169), 293, (294), 
 [(604), (605), 606 
 Lawrence, Amos Adams 26. (186) 
 Lawrence, James 290, 607 
 
 Lawrence, Samuel (232), 605, 608 
 Lawrence, Timothy Bigelow 291 
 Lawrence, William (196), 310, (311) 
 Lawrence, William R. 169, 609 
 
 Lee, Francis (29), (140) 
 
 Lee, George Gardner (78) 
 
 Lee, Henry 29 
 
 Lee, Henry, Jr. 454 
 
 Lee, James, Jr. 610 
 
 Lee, Thomas 141, 611 
 
 Leeds, Timothy C. 362 
 
 Lienovv, Henry (65) 
 
 Lincoln, Benjamin 448 
 
 Lincoln, Bradford, Jr. (55) 
 
 Little, James L., Alden, Paul, 
 
 & Co. 456 
 
 Little, Charles C.& 
 
 Brown, James 428 
 
 Littlehale, Sargent S. 612 
 
 Livermore, George 16 
 
 Livermore, Isaac 347 
 
 Lloyd, James (33), (275) 
 
 Lodge, G. C. Henry 613 
 
 Lodge, Giles Henry 105, (613) 
 
 Lodge, John E. 258, (614) 
 
 Lombard, Ammi C. 615 
 
 Lombard, Israel 616 
 
 Loring, Benjamin 253 
 
 Loring, Caleb (64) 
 
 Loring, Charles Greely 64 
 
 Loring, Charles Greely, (Adm'r) 161 
 Loring, Edward G. (86), (170) 
 
 Loring, Elijah 123 
 
 Loring, Elisha T. 617 
 
 Loring, Francis Caleb 397, 618 
 
 Loring, Josiah (252) 
 
 Loring, William J. (2-58) 
 
 Lotlirop, Samuel K. 604 
 
 Low, Francis ('^''^) 
 
 Lowell, Charles 22 
 
 Lowell, Francis Cabot (67), 279, 
 [619, 620, 621 
 Lowell, George G. 280 
 
 Lowell, John (2), (3) 
 
 Lowell, John, Jr. (67) 
 
 Lowell, John Amory 3, 457, 462, 
 [487, 622, 623, 624, 625 
 Lowell, Rebecca Amory 2 
 
 Lyman, Charles (396) 
 
 Lyman, George Theodore 277,626 
 Lyman, George Williams 245, 627 
 Lyman, Theodore (63) 
 
 Lyman, Theodore 63 
 
 M. 
 
 Mackay, John (178) 
 
 Mackay, R. C. 401 
 
 3Iackay, Tristram B. 447 
 Magoun, Thacher & 
 
 Thacher 31agoun, Jr. 628 
 
 Marsh, Joseph 31. (24) 
 
 Marshall, Josiah (8p) 
 
 3Iartin, Enoch (18) 
 
 3Ia.son, Charles 406 
 
 Mason, Jeremiah (406) 
 
 Mason, Jonathan (92) 
 
 3Iason, Robert 31. 458 
 
 3Iason, William P. 629 
 
 3Iass. General Hospital (95) 
 
 3Iay, Samuel 32 
 
 3Iayo, John 31. 630 
 
 3Ielvilie, Allan (35) 
 3Iercantile Library Association 496 
 
 3Ierriam, Charles 631 
 
 3Ietcalf, Theodore 376 
 
 3Iiller, Charles E. 356 
 Mills, Charles H. 632,633,634 
 3Iills, James K. 459, 636 
 
 Minot, W^illiam 388 
 
 3Iixter, Charles 257 
 
 3Iotley, Thomas 87 
 
 3Iunson, Israel (58) 
 
 N. 
 
 Nichols, Benjamin Ropes 237 
 
 Nichols, Lawrence 637 
 
 Norton, Charles Eliot 340 
 
 O. 
 
 Odin, John (188) 
 Oliver, Francis Johonnot 25, (120) 
 
 Oliver, William (116) 
 
 Osgood, David 225 
 
 Osgood, Nathaniel H. 638 
 
 Otis, George A. (177) 
 
 Otis, George W^ashinglon 223 
 
 Otis, Harrison Gray (1)
 
 260 
 
 ALPHABETICAL LIST OF PROPRIETORS. 
 
 Page, Henry A. 375 
 
 Paige, James VV. 639 
 
 Paine, Frederic William (181) 
 
 Paine, Robert Treat 55 
 
 Parker, Charles Hamilton 206 
 
 Parker, Charles Henry 272 
 
 Parker, Daniel P. 20, (302), 640 
 Parker, Henry Tuke 302 
 
 Parker, Isaac (102), (103) 
 
 Parker, James 352 
 
 Parker, James Brooks 641 
 
 Parker, John (47) 
 
 Parker, John (47), (267) 
 
 Parker, Peter 100 
 
 Parkman, Daniel (26), (102), (197) 
 Parkrnan, George 217 
 
 Parkman, George Francis 361 
 
 Parkman, John (197) 
 
 Parkman, Samuel (39) 
 
 Parris, Alexander (48) 
 
 Parrott, William F. 642 
 
 Parrott, William P. 442 
 
 Parsons, Gorham (1^1) 
 
 Parsons, Nehemiah ('08) 
 
 Parsons, Theopliilus 191 
 
 Parsons, Thomas W. (212) 
 
 Parsons, Thomas W., Jr. ISO 
 
 Parsons, William (240) 
 
 Parsons, William 240 
 
 Parsons, William 75 
 
 Paul, James (407) 
 
 Payne, Edward W. (86) 
 
 Payne, William E. {rG) 
 
 Payson, Arthur L. 643 
 
 Peabody, George 644 
 
 Pearson, John H. 645 
 
 Pelham, Charles 87 
 
 Perkins, Charles C. 460, 646 
 
 Perkins, Edward Newton 461,647 
 Perkins, James (8) 
 
 Perkins, Samuel G. (83) 
 
 Perkins, Stephen Higginson 83 
 
 Perkins, Thomas (10) 
 
 Perkins, Thomas, (Guardian) (34) 
 Perkins, Thomas H. 13, (83), (466), 
 [498, 499, 500, 648, 649, 650 
 Perkins, Thomas H., Jr. 466 
 
 Perkins, William 345 
 
 Perkins, William P. 10 
 
 Perry, Lyman (353), 651 
 
 Perry, Marshall Spring 398 
 
 Peters, Edward D. 652 
 
 Phillips, Edward 126 
 
 Phillips, Jonathan 98 
 
 Phillips, Stephen Henry 71 
 
 Phillips, Willard 371 
 Phillips, William (124), (125), (126) 
 
 Phipps, Samuel 463 
 
 Pickens, John (65) 
 
 Pickman, Benjamin, Jr. (66) 
 
 Pickman, Clarke Gayton (66) 
 
 Pickman, William 14 
 
 Pickman, William D. 653 
 
 Pierce, Samuel S. 654 
 
 Plummer, Farnham 358 
 
 Pope, Thomas B. (82) 
 
 Porter, Jonathan 246 
 
 Pratt, George 464 
 
 Pratt, Sarah P. 298 
 
 Pratt, William (17!) 
 
 Pratt, William (298) 
 
 Preble, Eben (37) 
 
 Prescott, Samuel J. ('23) 
 
 Prescott, William (76) 
 Prescott, William Hickling 76, 655 
 
 Prince, John, Jr. (38) 
 
 Putnam, Jesse 146 
 
 Putnam, Oliver (26) 
 Putnam, Samuel R. 227, (308) 
 
 Quincy, Josiah 4, (5), (6) 
 
 Q,uiney, Josiah, Jr. 5, 402, (656) 
 Q,uincy, Josiah P. 656 
 
 R. 
 
 Rand, Edward Sprague 24 
 
 Randall, Elizabeth 235 
 
 Randall, John (235), (254) 
 Read, James & 
 
 Christopher C. Chadwick 657 
 
 Redman, John (263) 
 
 Reed, Benjamin T. 438 
 
 Reed, Caleb 143 
 
 Reed, Ralph I. (10.5) 
 
 Reed, Sampson 363 
 
 Revere, Joseph W. 93 
 
 Reynolds, Edward (212) 
 
 Rice, Henry (1 15) 
 
 Rice, Henry A. 708 
 
 Rice, Henry Gardner (104), 1 12 
 
 Rice, John P. (61), (232) 
 
 Rice, Lewis 658 
 
 Rice, Samuel B. ("2) 
 
 Rich, Benjamin (72) 
 
 Rich, Benjamin, Jr. (72) 
 
 Rich, Samuel H. (72) 
 
 Richards, Francis 30, 99
 
 ALPHABETICAL LIST OF PROPRIETORS. 
 
 261 
 
 Richards, John 
 Richards, John, Jr. 
 Richards, Reuben, Jr. 
 Richardson, Jeflrey 
 Richardson, Jesse P. 
 Richardson, William 
 Robbins, Chandler 
 Robbins, Edward H. 
 Robbins, James Murray 
 Roby, Henry 
 Rogers, Henry Bromfield 
 Rollins, Ebenezer 
 Rollins, William 
 Ropes, William 
 Russell, Benjamin 
 Russell, George Robert 
 Russell, Le Baron 
 Ruthven, Helen 
 
 S. 
 
 (30) 
 
 (99) 
 
 188 
 
 17, 382 
 
 (103) 
 
 247 
 
 (277) 
 
 3a5 
 
 177 
 
 145 
 
 68, 659 
 
 166 
 
 331 
 
 (245), 660 
 
 203 
 
 341 
 
 58 
 
 (249) 
 
 Salisbury, Edward Elbridge 52 
 
 Salisbury, Josiah (52) 
 
 Salisbury, Nancy 81 
 
 Salisbury, Samuel (48), (52) 
 
 Salisbury, Samuel, Jr. (81) 
 
 Sampson, George R. 467, 661 
 
 Sargent, Mrs. C. K. (28) 
 
 Sargent, Daniel (II) 
 
 Sargent, Howard (28) 
 
 Sargent, Ignatius 472 
 
 Sargent, Lucius Manlius 377 
 
 Savage, James 486 
 
 Sawyer, Matthias Plant 236, 474 
 
 Sawyer, Micajah (73) 
 
 Sawyer, Thomas 73 
 
 Sawyer, William 45, 662 
 
 Sayles, Maria F. 346 
 
 Sayles, Wiliard (346) 
 
 Scholtield, Arthur 18 
 
 Searle, George (103), (130) 
 
 Sears, David 78, 663 
 
 Sears, David, Jr. 493 
 
 Sears, Frederic 495 
 
 Sears, Joshua 336 
 
 Sears, Winthrop 497 
 
 Seaver, Benjamin 374 
 
 Shatluck, George C. 109, (664), 
 
 [(665), (666), (667) 
 
 Shattuck, George C, Jr. 269 
 
 Shattuck, Lemuel 144 
 
 Shaw, Charles B. 332 
 
 Shaw, Francis George 424 
 
 Shaw, G. Howland 468, 663 
 
 Shaw, Lemuel 489 
 
 Shaw, Q,uincy A. 716 
 
 Shaw, Robert G. 175, (424), (451)» 
 (463), 669, 670, (671) 
 Shaw, Robert Gould, Jr. 451,672 
 Shaw, William Smith (44), (103) 
 
 Shelton, Philo S. " 471 
 
 Shepherd, R. D. (I16> 
 
 Shervvin, Thomas (226) 
 
 Shurtleff, Samuel Atwood 2U8 
 
 Sigourney, Henry 243 
 
 Simmons, J. & Son 483 
 Simpson, Michael H. 485, 673 
 
 Skinner, Francis 8, 674 
 
 Skinner, Francis and Co. (469) 
 
 Slade, Jarvis 675 
 
 Sleeper, Jacob 301 
 
 Smith, James W. 473 
 
 Smith, Jerome V. C. 294 
 
 Snelling, Nathaniel G. (109) 
 
 Sohier, William Davies 178 
 
 Soule, Richard 676 
 
 Sprague, Charles 387 
 
 Spring, Marshall Binney 168 
 
 Stanwood, Lemuel 67 
 
 Stanton, Francis (IS^^) 
 
 Stearns, John 420 
 
 Stevens, John H2 
 
 Stevens, Paran 677 
 
 Stevenson, J. Thomas 678 
 
 Stickney, Josiah 470 
 
 Stimson, Caleb (57) 
 
 Stimson, Caleb Morton 57 
 Stoddard, Charles & 
 
 J. S. Levering 441 
 
 Stone, Henry B. (303) 
 
 Stone, William W. 3l2 
 
 Storer, Robert B. 308 
 
 Storrow, Charles Storer 350 
 
 Storrow, Thomas W. (18) 
 Story, Franklin Howard, Jr. 139 
 
 Strong, Woodbridge 2l3 
 
 Sturgis, Henry P. 679 
 
 Sturgis, Nathaniel R. (56) 
 Sturgis, Russell 11, (56), (95) 
 Sturgis, William 155, f680) 
 
 Sullivan, George (29) 
 
 Sullivan, Richard 119 
 
 Sullivan, William (241) 
 
 Sumner, Charles 295 
 
 Swett, Elizabeth B. 36 
 
 Swett, Samuel 201 
 
 Swett, Samuel W. (H) 
 
 Swett, Tasker H. (36) 
 
 Tappan, John 
 
 173
 
 262 
 
 ALPHABETICAL LIST OF PROPRIETORS. 
 
 Tappan, Lewis 
 Tappan, Luwis W. 
 Taylor, Cliarles 
 Taylor William 
 Tliaclier, Cliarles 
 TJiacher, Peter O. 
 Tiiaxter, Adam W. 
 
 (i:U) 
 
 484, (i81 
 
 94 
 
 (75) 
 
 I 
 
 (19) 
 
 476 
 
 Thayer, Jolin E. 250, 477, (682) 
 Thayer, Nathaniel 683 
 
 Thomas, Isaiah (62) 
 
 Thomas, William 391,684 
 
 Thorndike, Augustus 162 
 
 Thorndike, Charles (161) 
 
 Thorndike, Ciieorge Quincy 323 
 Thorndike, Israel (170), (258) 
 
 Thorndike, John P. (323) 
 
 Ticknor, George 142 
 
 Tidd, Jacob (18) 
 
 Tilden, Joseph 53 
 
 Timmins, Henry 478 
 
 Torrey, Charles (59), (66), (186), 
 [685 
 Torrey, Samuel (20), 187 
 
 Touro, Abraham (94) 
 
 Tower, David B. (181) 
 
 Townsend, Solomon Davis 234 
 
 Train, Enoch 682 
 
 Trull, John W. (318) 
 
 Tucker, John L. (475) 
 
 Tucker, Richard D. (139) 
 
 Tuckerinan, Edward, Jr. (41) 
 
 Tuckerman. Edward, Jr. 41 
 
 Tuckerman, Gustavus (124) 
 
 Tuckerman, Henry H. (124), (127) 
 Tuckerman, William S. 90 
 
 Tudor, Frederic 62, 686 
 
 Turner, Otis 556 
 
 Tuttle, James 353 
 
 Tyler, William C. (110) 
 
 U. 
 
 Underwood, William 687 
 
 Upham, Phineas 283 
 
 Upton, George B. 84 
 
 W. 
 
 Wainwright, Benjamin G. (358) 
 
 Waldo, Henry Sidney 306 
 
 Waldron, Samuel W. (144) 
 Wales, Thomas Beale 46, 265, 688 
 
 Walley, Samuel H. (125) 
 
 Walker, William Johnson (232) 
 
 Ward, Artemas (174) 
 
 I Ward, George Cabot 271 
 
 Ward, Henry Artemas 174 
 
 Ward, John Gallison 270 
 
 Ward, Samuel G. 689 
 
 , Ward, Thomas W. 154, (270), (271), 
 
 [690 
 Ware, Charles Eliot 450 
 
 Ware, John 209 
 
 Warren, Edward 70 
 
 Warren, George W. (24), 170, 691 
 Warren, John (70) 
 
 Warien, John Collins 231, 479 
 
 Washburn, William 664 
 
 Waterston, Robert 249 
 
 Watson, Benjamin M. (61), (103) 
 Webster, Daniel 204 
 
 AVelch, John Hunt 318 
 
 Weld, Aaron D. 692 
 
 Weld, Benjamin (69) 
 
 Weld, William F. 693 
 
 Welles, Arnold 125, 455 
 
 Welles, John (125), 480, (481), 694 
 Welles, Samuel (100) 
 
 Weston, Alden Bradford 165, (695) 
 Weston, Ezra 695 
 
 Wetmore, Thomas 313 
 
 Wheelwright, Charles H. (184) 
 
 Wheelwright, Lot (184) 
 
 Wheelwright, William W. (184) 
 White, Benjamin F. (117), (180) 
 Whiting, Nathaniel 419 
 
 Whiting, William 373 
 
 Whitmore, Charles O. 696 
 
 Whitney, Asa (136) 
 
 Whitney, Benjamin Duick 136 
 
 Whitney, David R. 697 
 
 Whitney, George A. 381 
 
 Whitney, Joseph 337 
 
 Whitney, Josiah D. 196 
 
 Whitney, Moses (198) 
 
 Whitney, Warren J. (198) 
 
 Whitney, William F. 343 
 
 Whittemore, Thomas J. (226) 
 
 Whitwell, Benjamin (117) 
 
 Whitwell, Bond, & Co. (115) 
 
 Whitwell, Samuel 117, (180) 
 
 Whitwell, William (113) 
 
 Wiggin, Benjamin (198) 
 
 Wiggleswortli, Edward 133,(598 
 Wigglesworth, Thomas 108, (133) 
 Wild, Charles 229 
 
 Wild, James C. 699 
 
 Wildes, Solomon 700 
 
 Wilkins, Charles 701 
 
 Wilkins, John H. 702 
 
 Williams, David W. 320, (321), 703 
 Williams, Francis H. (122)
 
 ALPHABETICAL LIST OF PROPRIETORS. 
 
 263 
 
 Williams, G. Foster 
 Williams, Horace H. 
 Williams, John 
 Williams, John D. 
 
 Williams, John D. W. 
 Williams, John E. 
 Williams, Moses B. 
 Williams, Samuel G. ( 
 Williams, Samuel K. 
 Williams, Susanna 
 Williams, Timothy 
 Williams, Thomas 
 Willis, Benjamin 
 Willis, Hamilton & 
 Lucian Skinner 
 
 185, 704 
 
 (172) 
 
 (178) 
 
 (185), (319), 
 
 [(320), (321 ) 
 
 319 
 
 705 
 
 482 
 
 18),(24),(118) 
 
 475 
 
 172 
 
 (43) 
 
 (122) 
 
 242 
 
 706 
 
 Winchester, William P. 171, 707 
 Wing, Benjamin F. 449 
 
 Winslow, Isaac 158 
 
 Winslow, John D. (87) 
 
 Winthrop, Thomas L. (42) 
 
 Wolcott, Joshua H. 43, (295), (708) 
 Wormeley, Ralph R. (37) 
 
 Wright Hartley Hezekiah 65 
 
 Wright, John S. 354 
 
 Wyman, Jeffries 140 
 
 Wyman, Rufus (140) 
 
 Young, Ammi Burnham 233
 
 LIST OF LIFE SUBSCRIBERS 
 
 TO THE END OF THE YEAR 1830. 
 
 N. B. This list embraces the names (in Italics) of aU the members of the Anthology 
 Chib except Arthur May7iard Waller, who died before the incorporation of the Athe- 
 n:eum. Tbey tiecame eatitled to Life-shares by a vole of llie Proprietors, passed in 1807. 
 
 Alden, Timothy 
 
 Bigdow, Jacob 
 
 Boott, Kirk 
 
 Brimmer, George Watson 
 
 Bucliminstcr, Joseph Stevens 
 
 Burrouglis, Charles 
 
 Cabot, Frederick 
 
 Clap, Elisha 
 
 Codman, John 
 
 Colman, Henry 
 
 Dana, Edmund Trowbridge 
 
 Dana, Samuel Luther 
 
 Danforth, Blowers 
 
 Eaton, Asa 
 
 Emerson, Ralph Waldo 
 
 Emerson, fyHliam 
 
 Everett, Alexander Hill 
 
 Field, Robert 
 
 Freeman, James 
 
 Frothingham, Nathaniel Langdon 
 
 Foster, Leonard 
 
 Gardiner, John Sylvester John 
 
 Gardiner, Robert HalloiccU 
 
 Gore, Christopher 
 
 Gorham, John 
 
 Gray, Thomas 
 
 Greene, Benjamin Daniel 
 
 Greenwood, Francis William Pitt 
 
 Harris, Thaddeus Mason 
 
 Head, Joseph, Jr. 
 
 Holmes, Abiel 
 
 Jackson, Charles 
 
 Jackson, James 
 
 Kirkland, John Thornton 
 
 Loweil, Edward Jackson 
 
 Lowell, Francis Cabot 
 Lyman, William 
 McKean, Joseph 
 McKean, Joseph William 
 Mansfield, Isaac 
 Moody, David 
 Moody, David J, 
 Moody, Paul 
 JVorton, Andrews 
 Parkman, Francis 
 Payne, VVilliam Edward 
 Pickering, Octavius 
 Pierce, John 
 Porter, Eliphalet 
 Ritchie, Andrew 
 Sales, Francis 
 Sargent, (Vinthrop 
 Savage, James 
 Shaw, JVilliam Smith 
 Smith, Isaac 
 Stichney, John 
 Stuart, Gilbert 
 Tappan, Charles 
 Thacher, Peter Oxenbridge 
 
 Thacher, Samuel Cooper 
 Thorndike, Israel 
 
 Tichnor, George 
 
 Tuckcrman, Joseph 
 
 Tudor, William, Jr. 
 
 Warren, John Collins 
 
 Welles, Benjamin 
 
 Wells, William 
 
 Willard, Sidney 
 
 Willard, Solomon
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES 
 
 FOUNDERS OF THE BOSTON ATHENi^UM,
 
 JOHN SYLVESTER JOHN GARDINER 
 
 John Sylvester John Gardiner was descended from 
 one of the early settlers of New England, and was of a fam- 
 ily highly respectable and prosperous. His great-grand- 
 father was a lawyer in Rhode Island, and united to the prac- 
 tice of his profession the cultivation of a farm ; — a union 
 which, during the colonial period, the narrow sphere of the 
 business of the bar and the scantiness of professional remu- 
 neration rendered expedient and not uncommon. 
 
 His grandfather, Sylvester Gardiner, manifested, while 
 yet a youth, an ardent desire for the study of medicine. 
 On his attainment of manhood, being impressed with the low 
 state of that science in the Colony, his desire to have the 
 advantage of professional education in Europe became in- 
 tense ; and he proposed to his father, on whose limited re- 
 sources a large family heavily pressed, to relinquish all fu- 
 ture claims on the paternal estate in favor of his brothers 
 and sisters, if the requisite funds for prosecuting his studies 
 in Paris were immediately advanced. On these terms his 
 request was granted ; and, after faithfully availing himself 
 of the privilege, he returned to America with a degree of 
 professional knowledge unexampled at that period. The
 
 4 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 advantages he thus enjoyed, united to a powerful mind de- 
 voted to his profession, soon introduced him to an exten- 
 sive practice in Boston. He thus acquired great wealth, 
 which he increased by wise investments ; and although, as he 
 was a loyahst and refugee, a great proportion of his property 
 was confiscated at the crisis of the American Revolution, 
 enough remained to enable him to make in his will a hand- 
 some provision for his descendants. 
 
 Being an early proprietor in the Kennebec Purchase, 
 he received, as a portion of his interest in it, a special 
 property in that township which now bears the name of 
 Gardiner. There, and elsewhere in Maine, he erected 
 mills and farm-houses, and made great expenditures for the 
 improvement of that part of the country. This township 
 afterward became, by virtue of his will, the property of Rob- 
 ert Hallowell Gardiner, who now resides in it, respected and 
 honored for his virtues and usefulness, and who was also an 
 early elected member of the Anthology Club,* and one of its 
 active and efficient members. 
 
 John, the eldest son of Dr. Sylvester Gardiner, was in 
 early hfe sent to England for his education. Whilst study- 
 ing in the Temple he formed an acquaintance with Lord 
 Mansfield, with whom he became a favorite ; and, with the 
 assurance of his patronage, he commenced the practice of 
 the law with every prospect of rising in England, in his pro- 
 fession, — uniting, as he did, to the qualifications of a clas- 
 sical scholar, a strong mind, a retentive memory, and great 
 professional assiduity. But, eccentric in character, fearless 
 and independent in action, he took the Whig side, and, to 
 the surprise of Lord Mansfield, appeared as junior counsel 
 in the famous trial of Wilkes, and argued, to general sat- 
 isfaction, the defence of Mr. Beardmore and Mr. Mere- 
 dith, who, for writings in support of Wilkes, had been im- 
 
 * See ante, p. 5.
 
 JOHN SYLVESTER JOHN GARDINER. 5 
 
 prisoned on a general warrant.* His zeal on this occasion 
 put an end to all hopes of his rising in that country by 
 court or Tory influence. 
 
 While in England, he married a lady of a Welsh family 
 by the name of Harris. Their eldest son, the subject of 
 this memoir, was born in June, 1765, at Haverford West, ui 
 South Wales. Soon after this event, Mr. Gardiner, having 
 received the appointment of Attorney-General in the Island 
 of St. Christopher, removed his family to the West Indies, 
 from whence he sent his son to Boston for his education. 
 Here he remained until the commencement of the American 
 Revolution, when he returned to his father in the West In- 
 dies, and by him was transferred to England, and placed, in 
 September, 1776, under the tuition and in the family of that 
 celebrated classical scholar. Dr. Samuel Parr. Under his 
 care young Gardiner remained more than six years, when 
 he rejoined his father in the West Indies, and removed with 
 him, in 1783, to Boston. 
 
 Having been destined by his father for the bar, his first 
 professional studies took that direction. Circumstances, 
 however, soon concurring with his own inclinations, he en- 
 tered upon a course of theological preparation, was, in 
 1787, ordained in New York by Bishop Provost, and soon 
 
 * " At Guildhall, before Chief Justice Pratt, subsequently Lord Camden, 
 after a trial which lasted several hours, a verdict was given for Mr. Beard- 
 more with £ 1,000 damages, and another for Mr. Meredith, his clerk, for £200 
 damages against the Earl of Halifax and the king's messengers." — North 
 Briton, No. 12L 
 
 In reference to Mr. Gardiner's aid on these trials, there now remains in the 
 possession of William H. Gardiner, his grandson, a valuable and beautiful piece 
 of plate, bearing the following inscription : — 
 
 " Pro libertate semper strenuus. 
 " To John Gardiner, Esq., this waiter is presented by Arthur Beardmore, as a 
 small token of gratitude for pleading his cause, and that of his clerk, David 
 Meredith, against the Earl of Halifax, then Secretary of State, for false im- 
 prisonment under his warrant, commonly called a Secretary of State's warrant, 
 that Canker of English Liberty. — 1766."
 
 6 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 after commenced his labors in the Episcopal Church at 
 Beaufort, in South Carolina. 
 
 The climate not suiting his constitution, he accepted, in 
 the year 1792, the office of Assistant Minister at Trmity 
 Church in Boston, on the Greene foundation, and retained 
 it till the year 1805, when, on the death of Bishop Parker, 
 he was unanimously elected Rector of that church. 
 
 On his marriage, in 1794, finding the income of the 
 Greene foundation insufficient to supply the wants of his 
 family, he opened a school for classical instruction, chiefly 
 in the Greek and Latin languages. The uncommon advan- 
 tages of his education, and his well-known taste and acquire- 
 ments, excited expectations in the pubHc mind, which the 
 result more than fulfilled. His school soon became large, 
 and sustained a high reputation during the whole period of 
 its continuance. His system of instruction, being mod- 
 elled on that of Dr. Parr, was exact and critical. His pu- 
 pils were made to understand and feel the beauties of the 
 ancient classics. Composition in both Latin and Enghsh, 
 reading, and declamation were taught systematically. The 
 benefit of a classical school on the English model, severe 
 and methodical, was realized, and its influence was felt in 
 other schools of the Commonwealth and in our colleges. 
 During the Revolutionary War, classical learning had de- 
 clined, and it was now at a low ebb. His school, and 
 the spirit in which it was conducted, gave an impetus to 
 these branches, which was perceived in the greater thor- 
 oughness of preparation for the colleges, and gradually in 
 higher requisitions for admission into them. 
 
 After accepting the rectorship of Trinity Church, he dis- 
 continued his school ; but, yielding to the urgency of par- 
 ents, he resumed the instruction of a small and select num- 
 ber of pupils. As an evidence of his familiarity with the 
 ancient classics, and the all-absorbing delight with which, at
 
 JOHN SYLVESTER JOHN GARDINER. 7 
 
 every period, he kept alive his acquaintance with them, two 
 facts deserve, in this place, to be recorded. The first ap- 
 pears by the journal of his studies, in his own handwriting. 
 In the course of the first year after he left Dr. Parr's school, 
 being then only nineteen years of age, he read " Virgil, 
 Sallust, Velleius Paterculus, Valerius Maximus, Tacitus, 
 Suetonius, Quintus Curtius, Justin, Florus, Plautus, Terence, 
 Lucretius, Memoirs of the Academy of Inscriptions (twenty 
 volumes). Homer and his Life, D'Alembert's Melanges." 
 And in the last year of his life, when his frame was sink- 
 ing under the disorder which terminated it, he carefully 
 read the forty-eight books of the Iliad and Odyssey in the 
 original, without the aid of a lexicon or Enghsh version. 
 His familiarity with the Latin tongue was still more perfect ; 
 and it may be doubted if he left an equal, in this respect, 
 behind him in the United States. The subjoined tribute to 
 the memory of his grandfather. Dr. Sylvester Gardiner, 
 which is inscribed on a marble monument erected in the 
 Episcopal Church in Gardiner, Maine, is from his pen, and 
 is one of the few remaining specimens of his fehcity and 
 power in the use of the Latin language.* 
 
 * Sacrum Memoriaj 
 
 SYLVESTRI GARDINER, 
 
 Qui natus, baud obscuro genere, in insula Rhodi, 
 
 Studuit Parisiis, et Bostonise diu medicinam feliciter 
 
 Exercuit. Postquam satis opum paravisset, 
 
 Navavit operam ad domandam ornandamque 
 
 Hanc orientalem regionem, tunc incultam. 
 
 Hie sylvas lat6 patentes evertit, molas omnigenas 
 
 iEdificavit, omnia rura permultis tuguriis ornavit, 
 
 Templum Deo erexit, 
 
 Atque haec loca habitantibus pater-patriae dici 
 
 Profect5 meruit. 
 
 Vir acerrimo ingenio, medicus sciens, 
 
 Maritus fidelis, pius in liberos, 
 
 In obeundis negotiis vigilans, sagax, indefessus, 
 
 Integer vitae, in eacris Uteris doctus, 
 
 Christianae fidei omnino addictus,
 
 8 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 These general relations to society he sustained during the 
 remainder of his Ufe, performing both his public and paro- 
 chial duties with exemplary punctuality ; and enjoying the 
 pleasures of the domestic and social circles, of wliich he 
 was an ornament and a favorite. His character as a cler- 
 gyman and a scholar was highly appreciated by his contem- 
 poraries. In 1803, Harvard College conferred upon him 
 the degree of Master of Arts, and in 1813 the University 
 of Pennsylvania that of Doctor in Divinity. His thorough 
 acquaintance with Greek, Latin, and Enghsh infused a re- 
 fined and classical spirit into his thoughts and studies, con- 
 stituting his delight in manhood and his solace in his advan- 
 cing years. The historians, the poets, and the philosophers 
 of each language were his constant companions in the hours 
 not devoted to social or professional duties. 
 
 After the enjoyment of a long Hfe of almost uninterrupt- 
 ed health, in the year 1827 his constitution began gradually 
 to fail. By the advice of his physicians, he sailed for Eng- 
 land, accompanied only by his wife and oldest daughter ; 
 and at Harrowgate, where he had resorted for the benefit 
 of its mineral waters, he died, in July, 1830, in the sixty- 
 fifth year of his age. 
 
 Exemplary in the fulfilment of the duties of husband, 
 father, and friend, to the domestic and social circles his 
 death was severely afilictive. By his church he was lar 
 mented as a faithful pastor, an eloquent preacher, and an 
 
 Ecclesia>que Anglicans observantissimus, 
 
 Mortuus est in insula Rhodi, 
 
 Anno Domini MDCCLXXXVI., fetalis LXXIX. 
 
 Ut viri de Ecclesia deque Republica optima meriti 
 
 Memoriam commendaret posteris, sureque insuper 
 
 Erga avum venerandum pielatis monumentum extaret, 
 
 Honorarium hoc marmor erexit 
 
 Nepos haeresque, 
 Robertas Hallowell Gardiner.
 
 JOHN SYLVESTER JOHN GARDINER. 9 
 
 assiduous benefactor. Having felt the restriction conse- 
 quent upon the insufficiency of the Greene Fund for the 
 support of an Assistant Minister, he assumed all the du- 
 ties of the church, both pulpit and pastoral, for a period 
 of twenty years, and thus accumulated the income for the 
 benefit of the foundation till it was adequate to the 
 support of a successor. As a preacher, his discourses, 
 wrought by a classical model, were direct, practical, unpre- 
 tending. Avoiding controversy, he upheld the doctrines 
 and order of his church with earnestness. Liberal in re- 
 spect to the opinions of others, he claimed reciprocity for his 
 own. For cant or fanaticism he had neither sympathy nor 
 respect. As a reader he was admired, and his delivery 
 partook of the character of his mind, — simple, graceful, 
 and effective. 
 
 Such talents and acquirements naturally gave him a dis- 
 tinguished rank among the scholars of the period. And he 
 was one of the first among those who associated themselves 
 for the purpose of estabhshing the Anthology Club. His 
 age and acquirements constituted an unquestionable title to 
 the rank of its President, to which office he was unanimously 
 elected from its commencement to his withdrawal from the 
 Society in 1810. His influence on all the measures of that 
 Society was direct and, in a degree, conclusive. Its first 
 meeting was held at his house, on the 3d of October, 1805. 
 Again, at a meeting at his house, on the 23d of the same 
 month, the plan for establishing " a hbrary of periodical pub- 
 lications " was debated and adopted. He first commenced 
 a voluntary contribution to it, by a donation of a complete 
 set of the Gentleman's Magazine, amounting to sixty or sev- 
 enty volumes. When, on the motion of William Smith Shaw, 
 the estabhshment of a public hbrary and reading-room came 
 under debate in the Society, he was chairman of the com- 
 mittee to whom the subject was referred ; and again, at his
 
 10 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 house, a favorable report of that committee was made, and 
 the plan was adopted, which, beiiig carried into effect, 
 finally expanded into the Boston Athenaeum. 
 
 To the " Anthology," he was a frequent and efficient con- 
 tributor. To the chaste severity of his criticism is to be 
 attributed much of the high literary character, which that 
 pubhcation attained. Possessing a lively wit, which oc- 
 casionally could indulge in playful sarcasm, he permitted 
 nothing to receive the sanction of the Society, wliile he pre- 
 sided, without strict and searching animadversion. To his 
 opinion on points of literary criticism, the other members, 
 respecting both his comparative age and the uncommon 
 advantages of education he had enjoyed, naturally deferred, 
 and in all their decisions they yielded to him a leading, 
 if not decisive, influence. " He was," said a surviving 
 member of the Anthology Club,* " the hfe and soul of the 
 Society." Indeed, it could not be otherwise ; for his 
 acquaintance with the Greek, Latin, and EngHsh classics 
 was extensive, his memory retentive. Ids power of quota- 
 tion fehcitous ; and neither ready wit nor keen satire was 
 ever wanting to give interest to his conversation, and point 
 to his arguments in debate. 
 
 * Robert H. Gardiner, Esq.
 
 WILLIAM EMERSON. 
 
 William Emerson was bom at Concord, Massachusetts, 
 in May, 1769, was graduated at Harvard College in 1789, 
 ordained over the church in Harvard in 1792, installed 
 over the First Church in Boston in 1799, and died in 1811, 
 in the forty-third year of his age. 
 
 As a clergyman and a scholar, the course of his life was 
 uniform and regular, furnishing few materials for biogra- 
 phy. His father died when he was seven years of age ; 
 but, under the care of an excellent mother, his education was 
 judicious, and his talents were wisely and happily developed. 
 At college, his habits of industry became fixed, and he left 
 the seminary with a reputation for talents, learning, and 
 virtue. In youth and in manhood he was distinguished for 
 purity of mind, elevation of principle, tenderness of con- 
 science, and devoutness of feeling. 
 
 As a divine, he was dihgent and zealous ; in his pastoral 
 duties, assiduous and exact. His exemplary fidelity in ful- 
 filling them secured for him private affection and public 
 esteem. The sweetness of his demeanour, being attended 
 with general courtesy, became a ready passport to the heart. 
 He was, consequently, one of the most beloved and popular 
 clergymen of the metropolis.
 
 12 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 At that period, the superintendence of literary and char- 
 itable institutions in Boston chiefly devolved upon the clergy. 
 In most of these, Mr. Emerson was intrusted with some im- 
 portant office. His methodical strictness in the distribution 
 of his time, his exemplary punctuality in all his engage- 
 ments, and the fideUty with which he executed every trust, 
 made his talents and services the subject of frequent requi- 
 sition, wliich his love of labor and usefulness seldom per- 
 mitted him to decline. 
 
 To the " Monthly Anthology " he was one of the earhest 
 contributors ; and of the Society, which was formed in its 
 name and for its support, he was one of the earliest mem- 
 bers, and the first Vice-president, often acting as editor of 
 the work, and devoting himself with zeal and laborious fidel- 
 ity to the advancement of its character and interests. On 
 his motion, seconded by William Smith Shaw, the vote to 
 establish a library of periodical publications was adopted by 
 the Society ; and this constituted the first step towards the 
 establishment of the Boston Athenasum. 
 
 He died in the midst of his usefulness and in the vigor of 
 manhood, feelingly lamented by the pubKc, intensely by his 
 personal and literary friends.* 
 
 * See Buckminster's "Sermon delivered at the Interment of the Rev. Wil- 
 liam Emerson," Boston, 1811. Also, the "Collections of the Massachusetts 
 Historical Society," Second Series, Vol. I. p. 25-i.
 
 ARTHUR MAYNARD WALTER. 
 
 The talent, attainments, and high promise of Arthur 
 Maynard Walter made a deep impression on his contempo- 
 raries. Their sorrow for his early loss, at the age of 
 twenty-six years, was deep and abiding, and is fully jus- 
 tified by the evidences yet remaining of his intellectual 
 power and moral worth. 
 
 His ancestors were all of the stock of the early settlers 
 of New England. On the paternal side, he was grandson 
 of the Rev. Nathaniel Walter, for many years a distin- 
 guished minister of Roxbury, and great-grandson of the 
 Rev. Increase Mather, one of the most eminent names in 
 our history ; and, on the maternal, he was grandson of the 
 Hon. Benjamin Lynde, Chief Justice of Massachusetts. 
 For many years antecedent to the war of the American 
 Revolution, his father, the Rev. WilUam Walter, D. D., had 
 been Rector of Trinity Church, in Boston. Under a deep 
 sense of the obligation of his ordination oath to support the 
 king and his country, he took refuge from the turbulent 
 scenes of that period, first in New York, and afterwards at 
 Shelburne in Nova Scotia. On the return of peace, he 
 accepted the office of Rector of Christ Church in Boston. 
 
 His son, Arthur Maynard Walter, was born in New York, 
 on the 14th of November, 1780.
 
 14 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 Removing -with his parents to Boston, he entered the 
 Latin School in the year 1791, where he attained its high- 
 est honors ; the silver medal awarded him still remains in 
 his family. In the year 1794, being then only in his four- 
 teenth year, he was admitted into Harvard College. He 
 was there also distinguished both for his exemplary conduct 
 and the amount of his Hterary attainments ; and would have 
 graduated in the year 1798, with high honors, had not a 
 dissatisfaction with the part assigned him for Commence- 
 ment induced him, with the full support of his friends, to 
 refuse to perform it. His degree was, in consequence, 
 withheld ; and his friends, taking up his connection with 
 that institution, transferred him to Columbia College in New 
 York, where he was at once admitted, on receiving from 
 Harvard College a certificate of good moral conduct ; and, 
 after a year's residence as a student, he was admitted to a 
 degree in 1799, with the highest honors of the institution, 
 and with the reputation of being one of its most distin- 
 guished Alumni. Returning to his father's house in Boston, 
 he entered, as a law student, the office of the Hon. Samuel 
 Dexter. 
 
 A journal, which he kept from early life, most hon- 
 orably indicates his ambition for literary and professional 
 enunence, its intensity and correctness, and, above all, the 
 deep-seated piety by which it was accompanied and puri- 
 fied. Having studied the usual term in the office of Mr. 
 Dexter, in September, 1802, he thus wrote in his jour- 
 nal : — '•' My studies in the law offices are now finished. 
 I have read three years, I hope not unprofitably, and 
 this coming October I should have been admitted into 
 our Court of Common Pleas ; but my property is sufficient 
 to bear my expenses in a Southern journey to Washington 
 and other cities in other States, as well as to Europe. I 
 shall go to London. I am to provide a law library, which
 
 ARTHUR MAYNARD WALTER. 15 
 
 is indispensably necessary ; and I also intend to procure a 
 good scientific and literary collection for my hours of va- 
 riation of study. I shall have to see mankind in new situ- 
 ations, to improve my mind in the numerous scenes to 
 ■which I shall be a party ; and, under the guidance of 
 Heaven, I hope my time will not be lost, as it regards 
 either the acquisition of knowledge or the improvement of 
 opinion." Again, in a subsequent place, he writes : — " Lit- 
 erature is my object. I shall buy a good library in London. 
 I shall expend $ 1,500 in law books and a private, choice 
 collection. I mean to buy the corner-stones of learning. 
 These must support the building ; and others, gradually at- 
 tained, must contribute to its strength and beauty. The 
 gigantic names of Cudworth, Locke, Milton, Selden, and oth- 
 ers, will be first obtained, and, if my money be sufficient, 
 my library will not be small. There is a pathway open in 
 this country to a goodly land. I mean to offer my passport 
 at the turnpike-gate. I mean steadily to study when I re- 
 turn from Europe. Diligence alone can add greatness to 
 genius, or produce respectability when talent is wanting. 
 Nothing can supply its place. Imagination, without the 
 sense acquired by industry to restrain and embellish it, is 
 nothing but a wUd hippogriff, that plays fantastically in the 
 high heavens and amuses children with its freaks and vaga- 
 ries. And what is wit even, unless illuminated by knowledge ? 
 Acquii-ed by study, indeed, it amuses for a little while, but 
 mere wit is contemptible. Its coruscations are sparkling, 
 perhaps dazzling, but they enlighten not, like the beams of 
 the sun, nor do they please, like the mildness of the moon 
 or the steady lustre of the planets. All knowledge must 
 be acquired from books, conversation, or reflections upon 
 human nature. Genius may quicken progress, give an en- 
 ergy to our researches ; it may illuminate what is obscure. 
 But to know what have been the collected treasures of the
 
 16 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 old countries, to investigate our nature by their productions, 
 to measure the mind by the stores of" intellect which former 
 ages have furnished, to know how to systematize our re- 
 searches, how to direct our inquiries, can only be learned 
 from books by continued perseverance in our studies, and 
 by indefatigable diligence in exploring what has been dis- 
 covered. Whilst I pursue these studies, may I not neglect 
 that rehgion, which is the pole-star of virtue. I hope to 
 live as becomes a man, a student, and a scholar." 
 
 These private records, the secret outpourings of the 
 mind and feeUngs of Mr. Walter, indicate the purity and 
 strength of that love of excellence, which so concentrated 
 around him the hopes and affections of his friends and com- 
 panions. 
 
 In November, 1802, he embarked for England ; and, 
 residing several months in London, he enjoyed the society 
 and companionship of many young men from the United 
 States of great promise, which in future life they redeem- 
 ed. Among these were Washington AUston, Edmund 
 T. Dana, Charles Lowell, Samuel Welles, and Benjamin 
 Welles. With these friends he partook largely of the in- 
 tellectual and social pleasures, the taste for which a resi- 
 dence in London was so well adapted to gratify. 
 
 His European tour occupied two years, devoted by him 
 to self-improvement, to a critical examination of the events 
 and characters of the literary and political world, as it was 
 then passing before the traveller's vision, and to the acqui- 
 sition of five or six languages in which he had already made 
 some progress. His journal bears uninterrupted evidence 
 of the justness of his thoughts, the elevation of his motives, 
 and the purity of his life, of which religion was the mov- 
 ing principle and guide. It shows that he had already col- 
 lected materials for critical remarks upon various authors, 
 and for a series of periodical essays, and had submitted to
 
 AETHUR MAYNARD WALTER. IT 
 
 his friends Dana and AUston some of the papers he had pre- 
 pared for publication, and received their encouragement 
 and approbation. 
 
 With Joseph Stevens Buckminster, William Smith Shaw, 
 and other founders of the Anthology Club, he maintained 
 the strictest intimacy and correspondence, and on his re- 
 turn to Boston, in 1804, entered readily into schemes of 
 literary labor and enterprise, which resulted, in 1805, in 
 the formation of that Society of which he was, during his 
 whole life, the Secretary, and one of the most active and 
 laborious members. 
 
 In all the arrangements and negotiations, which preceded 
 and followed the transfer of that Society's hbrary and 
 reading-room, he had a leading influence, and he took a 
 lively interest in the consequent estabhshment of the Bos- 
 ton Athenaeum. 
 
 He at the same time commenced his professional career 
 with high hopes and commendable ambition. But his heart 
 was devoted to hterature, and was ceaseless in its yearnings 
 to accomplish some literary work " worthy of a man and a 
 Christian." About this time he wrote to a friend, — "I 
 have various things to learn before I can become a marked 
 character, either political or hterary. I hope, one day, to 
 do something which will be worthy of being remembered. 
 I hope that the great Father of all will continue to give 
 me his favor of health and competency. I could hope to 
 extend the empire of morals and religion by some work of 
 merit. In America, letters are not too much encouraged ; 
 yet perhaps my fortune may enable me to print my own 
 work. I have ambition and perseverance for honor and 
 virtue. The latter especially; for how foolish is earthly 
 greatness in comparison with the rewards of religion and 
 virtue ! " But his aspirations were not destined to be real- 
 ized, nor was he long permitted to. enjoy the success of
 
 18 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 the institution. In October, 1806, the symptoms of a rapid 
 consumption appeared, which terminated his hfe on the 2d 
 day of January, 1807, when he had just entered the twenty- 
 seventh year of his age. 
 
 The lamentations on his death were deep and general. 
 A letter from Joseph Stevens Buckminster, dated Lon- 
 don, the 22d of February, 1807, evidences the strength 
 of his affection for Walter, and his affliction at the ii-repar- 
 able loss he had sustained by that event. 
 
 " Burning with impatience, I open my letters from Amer- 
 ica. They tell me that Walter is dead ! — 0, dear, dear 
 fellow ! have I lost you for ever ? Alas ! I am ashamed of 
 myself, of the weakness of my faith. When I left you all, 
 to come to Europe, the parting was painful in the extreme, 
 but continually relieved by the behef, that I should see you 
 all again after some time of absence. I ought to feel that 
 it is the same thing now with respect to Walter. My ab- 
 sence from him is only a little lengthened. The voyage of 
 my life will not be very long, and we shall embrace again." 
 " My dear Shaw, I wish I was with you to give vent to my 
 sorrow. I cannot do it on paper. It is a cold, idle, slow 
 method, and, instead of reUenng, it oppresses me. I look 
 to the great promises and expectations which the Gospel 
 holds out. They tell me I shall see him again in a world 
 more worthy of his noble, pure, pious heart than this, if I 
 shall be worthy to reach that world myself. But the great 
 duty is to resign ourselves to the loss, till we meet him 
 again. This is difficult. Even Jesus wept at the tomb of 
 Lazarus, though he knew that his power could restore him 
 again to life. ' Behold how he loved him,' said the Jews. 
 We surely may weep. Alas ! we may go to him, but he 
 cannot return to us." 
 
 In the same affectionate strain, Mr. Shaw responds in a 
 letter dated Boston, May 13th, 1807. " I do most sincere-
 
 ARTHUR MATNARD WALTER. 19 
 
 Ij congratulate you, my dear Buckminster, on the flattering 
 prospect you have of the restoration of your health. This 
 is the only consideration which, in any degree, reconciles 
 me to your longer absence ; for I do most ardently -wish for 
 your return. Since the death of our friend Walter, I have 
 regretted your absence, and wished for your company, more 
 than ever. my dear friend, how little did we anticipate 
 this most grievous dispensation of God's holy providence, 
 when we last parted ! A thousand httle incidents relative 
 to his sickness and death forcibly impress themselves on my 
 mind ; and, if God shall be pleased to permit us to meet 
 again, I will detail them to you with melancholy pleasure. 
 I need not tell you, who were so well acquainted with us 
 both, how much I loved him, and how worthy he was of 
 admiration and esteem. There was no good I ever enjoyed, 
 there was no pleasure I ever anticipated, with which Walter 
 was not most intimately associated. But my dear friend is 
 dead ! I ought not to complain ; God's will be done ! How 
 many dehghtful hours have we passed together in convers- 
 ing about you, my friend, in recollectuig the pleasures of 
 former days, in social converse, in felicitating you on the 
 advantages we flattered ourselves you would enjoy from your 
 travels, in your health and intellectual improvement, and 
 with what transport did we anticipate your return ! my 
 God ! of such pleasures, departed never to return, how 
 painful the remembrance ! " 
 
 Under the influence of the same intense afiection for the 
 memory of this his youthful friend, Mr. Buckminster, in 
 August, 1809, when illustrating, in his Address before 
 the Phi Beta Kappa Society at Harvard College, " the 
 cause of religion and the fidehty of the learned," poured 
 forth the following eloquent and touching tiibute to Walter's 
 memory : — 
 
 " Do you want examples of learned Christians ? I could
 
 20 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 not recount them all in an age. You need not be told that 
 
 ' Learning has borne sucli fruit, in other days, 
 On all her branches ; piety has found 
 Friends in the friends of science, and true prayer 
 Has flowed from lips wet with Castalian dews.' 
 
 Yes, it has ! We have known and loved such men, and, 
 thank God, have been loved by them. There is now pres- 
 ent to my mind the image of a scholar, whom some of you 
 know (for he was one of us), and those who knew him well 
 will say, with me, he was as pure a spirit as ever tasted the 
 dew of Castaha. — How would Walter have delighted in this 
 anniversary ! He would have heard me ! me, who am now 
 left to speak of him only, and ask for him the tribute, the 
 passing tribute, of your grateful recollection. He would 
 have heard me ! It may be, that he now hears me, and 
 is pleased with this tribute. 
 
 'Manibus date lilia plenis j 
 Purpureos spargam flores, animamque amid 
 His saltern accumulem donis, etfungar inani 
 Munere.' " * 
 
 Nor can this brief sketch of the hfe and character of 
 
 Mr. Walter close with a more appropriate tribute, than that 
 
 which his friends in the Anthology Club bestowed, in their 
 
 publication for the month in Avhich he died. 
 
 " In Memoriam 
 
 Arthur Maynard Walter, 
 
 Boni, 
 
 Juris ac omnium 
 
 Rerum 
 Literis attinentium 
 
 " Bring fragrant flowers, the whitest lilies bring, 
 With all the purple beauties of the spring ; 
 On the dear youth, to please his shade below, 
 This unavailing gift, at least, I may bestow ! " 
 
 Dryden and Pitt.
 
 ARTHUR MAYNARD WALTER. 21 
 
 Supra suam ?etatem 
 
 Yalde periti. 
 
 Anno Domini 
 
 Millesimo octingentesimo septimo, 
 
 ^tatis suse 
 
 Vicesimo sexto, 
 
 Januarii 
 
 Die secundo, 
 
 Splendidiorem inire 
 
 Hanc vitam reliquit. 
 
 Eheu, vos charum tarn perdere sanguine junctos ! 
 Eheu, vos comites miseros tarn perdere fidum ! 
 Eheu, vos Musas tristes tarn perdere amicum ! 
 Eheu, mundum infelicem tarn perdere rectum ! 
 Tristes dilectam sobolem plorate, Camaenaj ! 
 Occidis, infelix puer, ah ! memorande per gevum, 
 Nulla tuam poterit virtutem abolere vetustas."
 
 WILLIAM SMITH SHAW. 
 
 Among those whose labors contributed to the foundation 
 of the Boston Athenaeum, William Smith Shaw is preemi- 
 nently entitled to distinct and grateful commemoration. If 
 not the first, he was among the earliest to conceive the de- 
 sign. In forming and executing that plan for a public 
 reading-room, which led to it, he was chiefly active. In 
 obtaining that act of incorporation which gave the Athe- 
 naeum existence, and, subsequently, in procuring for it sub- 
 scribers, his zeal and efforts were unremitted. During the 
 long, succeeding period in which its early movements were 
 embarrassed by the inadequacy of its resources to its ob- 
 jects, he was ceaseless and indefatigable in his endeavours 
 to enlarge its means of usefulness, by seeking out patrons 
 and exciting public interest in its favor. In connection with 
 this institution, the memory of no one better deserves to be 
 preserved and gratefully cherished, for intelligent zeal and 
 efficient efforts for its estabhshment and success. His la- 
 bors, indeed, were confined to a narrow circle, but they 
 embraced in their horizon the whole sphere of Uterature 
 and science. Though humble and unpretending, they had 
 for their object the forming and feeding an intellectual 
 lamp, destined to cast its light through all time and over the 
 whole land.
 
 WILLIAM SMITH SHAW. 23 
 
 "William Smith Shaw was the son of the Rev. John Shaw, 
 a clergyman settled at Haverhill, in Massachusetts, of clas- 
 sical taste and literary acquirements. These he employed, 
 enlarged, and brightened by the instruction of youth for 
 college ; the pecuniary embarrassment incident and subse- 
 quent to the war of the Revolution having rendered the 
 parochial support of clergjnnen limited and precarious. 
 His mother, Elizabeth Smith, was the daughter of the Rev. 
 Wilham Smith of Weymouth, and the sister of Mrs. Abigail 
 Adams (the wife of John Adams, the second President of the 
 United States), whose talents and acquirements have been 
 recently and happily illustrated in a Memoir, by her grand- 
 son, Charles Francis Adams. 
 
 Mrs. Shaw was not less distinguished than her sister for 
 intellectual power and literary attainments. Though she was 
 called to move in a different and less public ch'cle, it was far 
 from being contracted. In it she gave proof of being alike 
 gifted by nature and distinguished for attainments of mind 
 and virtues of the heart. In the excellence of maternal in- 
 fluence, the most effectual and conclusive on the character 
 of a child, William Smith Shaw enjoyed great and seldom 
 exceeded advantages. He was born on the 12th of August, 
 1778. Feeble in original constitution, with a tendency 
 from childhood to chronic rheumatism, he was early sub- 
 jected to the restraints and trials incident to sickness ; in 
 the intervals of which, books became to him a source of 
 enjoyment, as well as of improvement. The desire of accu- 
 mulating and preserving them gradually grew into a pas- 
 sion, which in the progress of years became insatiable and 
 almost exclusive. 
 
 Though ill health impeded, it did not prevent or long post- 
 pone, his entrance into Harvard College, which took place in 
 the year 1794, and in the sixteenth year of his age. His 
 prospects there were, however, soon clouded by the death of
 
 24 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 Ills father, and the consequent want of pecuniary means to 
 defray the expenses of his education; By the aid of friends 
 and an occasional exertion in school-keeping he was enabled 
 to graduate regularly in 1798. The success of his collegi- 
 ate studies was embarrassed by the feebleness of his con- 
 stitution ; yet, while in college, his associations and intimacies 
 were among those most distinguished for their hterary ac- 
 quisitions, many of whom were afterwards fellow-workers 
 with him in founding the Anthology Club, or in contributing 
 by their writings to the periodical publication, with which its 
 name and character were connected. 
 
 After graduating, he received from John Adams, then 
 President of the United States, the appointment of his 
 Private Secretary, and became a resident in his family, in 
 Philadelphia. Here his love of literature, early instilled by 
 his mother, was further excited by the influence of her 
 sister, Mrs. Adams, and of the circle of which this lady was 
 the dehght and the ornament. 
 
 It appears, from his letters to his friends, that, at this 
 early period of his life, his mind became deeply impressed 
 by the lowness of the standard of literature in the United 
 States, and earnestly possessed with the desire of adopting 
 measures to enlarge and elevate it. Availing himself of 
 the opportunities his official position afibrded, and as one 
 means of aiding the advancement of literature, he com- 
 menced that extensive and valuable collection of tracts, 
 which now constitutes one of the richest portions of the 
 library of the Boston Athenaeum. 
 
 At this period, he had the melancholy but interesting 
 duty to perform of visiting Mount Vernon, and of bearing, 
 in his official capacity, the Resolve of Congress of the 23d 
 of December, 1799, expressing to Mrs. Washington their 
 condolence at her bereavement, and their request that the 
 remains of her husband might be deposited in the city of
 
 WILLIAM SMITH SHAW. 25 
 
 Washington, and of bearing, in return, her touching and 
 dignified reply. 
 
 Early in 1801, Mr. Shaw left the family of President 
 Adams, and entered, as a student of law, the office of Wil- 
 liam Sullivan, Esq., of Boston, and continued in it until his 
 admission to the bar in 1804. While resident in Philadel- 
 phia, Mr. Shaw's interest in the advancement of letters 
 was manifested by the active zeal with which he encouraged, 
 in every way in his power, the hterary enterprises of the 
 period ; and particularly by the earnestness and diligence 
 with which he exerted himself to promote a subscription for 
 the " Port-Foho," a periodical work then commencing, and 
 which subsequently obtained an enviable celebrity under the 
 editorial care of Joseph Dennie, a name distinguished in 
 the literary history of that period. While a student in 
 Boston, in the office of Mr. Sullivan, the same tendency 
 of his disposition was apparent from the like active interest 
 with which he solicited subscriptions for Marshall's " Life of 
 AVashington," and for a public monument to this first and 
 greatest of American patriots, and in favor of every project 
 he deemed worthy of public patronage. 
 
 In this connection, also, should not be omitted the more 
 than fraternal kindness which through life he extended to 
 that estimable and meritorious authoress, Hannah Adams, 
 by assisting her with books, procuring for her friends, 
 obtaining subscriptions for her works, and afterwards, 
 when age and infirmities had visited her, obtaining an an- 
 nuity for her support, superintending all her concerns, and 
 contributing in every way to her comfort. His attention 
 and kindness were the frequent topics of that lady's ac- 
 knowledgments, accompanied by intense expressions of 
 gratitude. 
 
 Early in the year 1805, Mr. Shaw with other literary 
 men, formed the Anthology Club, which took upon itself
 
 26 BIOGRAPinCAL NOTICES. 
 
 the responsibility of a periodical work entitled " The 
 Monthly Anthology." The objects of that association co- 
 incided with the prevailing current of his thoughts. With 
 Arthur Maynard Walter and Joseph Stevens Buckminster, 
 as a committee, he formed the Constitution of that Socie- 
 ty, of which he was the first Treasurer, and an ex officio 
 member of its Standing Committee ; and after the lapse 
 of a year, on the resignation of Samuel Cooper Thacher, 
 he was appointed Superintending Committee of their pub- 
 lication, — a designation by Avhich they had agreed to 
 express the office and duty of editor. He seconded the 
 motion of Mr. Emerson for the establishment of " a Library 
 of periodical publications for the use of the Society," and 
 was one of the first contributors to it. He was also the first 
 to suggest, and was principally active in, the making that 
 library public, and connecting it with a pubhc reading-room, 
 which was the direct and earliest efficient step towards the 
 establishment of the Boston Athenaeum. 
 
 Of the measures which succeeded to this first step, and 
 which resulted in the incorporation, and, finally, in the suc- 
 cessful foundation of that institution, no better accounts 
 exist, than those contained in Mr. Shaw's letters to Mr. 
 Buckminster, who was then in Europe. Of a letter written 
 by him to this gentleman, dated on the 1st of December, 
 1806, a copy exists among Mr. Shaw's papers, which so dis- 
 tinctly displays his zeal for the interests, and acquaintance 
 with the wants, of the institution he was so instrumental in 
 founding, that it deserves to be presented to the pubhc at 
 length in this biographical notice. 
 
 " Boston, December 1st, 1806. 
 
 " Dear Buckminster, — I know you will be dehghted 
 to hear of the progress we have made in the reading-room 
 and hbrary, which has much surpassed the expectation of
 
 WILLIAM SMITH SHAW. 27 
 
 even the most sanguine of us. We have one hundred and 
 sixtj subscribers at ten dollars a year, consisting of the 
 most respectable gentlemen in Boston, with the probability 
 of having two hundred subscribers, at least, the moment the 
 rooms are opened. We have taken rooms in Congress 
 Street, in what are called Joy's Buildings, which we shall 
 occupy till the spring, when we expect to be able to pro- 
 cure more commodious rooms. We have had nearly a 
 thousand volumes of valuable books presented to us, and 
 one hundred and sixty dollars in cash. The institution is 
 a very popular one, and there is a strong inclination dis- 
 covered to patronize it on a very extensive plan ; and I 
 have very little doubt, that in a few years we shall see a 
 library in our beloved Boston inferior to none in America. 
 If we do not, it will be owing altogether to want of exertion 
 on the part of our literary men, whose duty it is to awake 
 from their stupid lethargy, and to rescue our country from 
 the scorn and derision which now lie so heavily upon her. 
 
 " We propose that the whole property of the institution 
 shall be vested in a number of Trustees, not exceeding 
 eleven, seven of whom to be chosen from the Anthology 
 Society, the remaining four to be gentlemen out of the So- 
 ciety ; the trustees so chosen to have the sole and exclusive 
 management of the institution. Dr. Kirkland, Mr. Emer- 
 son, Peter Thacher, Walter, and myself, are chosen from 
 the Anthology Society, and we intend to choose your Honor 
 to be one the moment you come home. Chief Justice Par- 
 sons, Mr. John Lowell, and Mr. Freeman, we have also cho- 
 sen, none of whom have yet made known their acceptance 
 but Mr. Parsons, who very readily complied with our re- 
 quest, much to the joy of us all. As soon as the Trustees can 
 be called together, they are to choose a President, Vice-Pres- 
 ident, Recording and Corresponding Secretaries, Treasur- 
 er, &c. &c. Mr. Parsons is to be chosen President, Walter
 
 28 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 will probably be chosen Corresponding Secretary, and your 
 humble servant Recorder. 
 
 " In drawing up the regulations, we have followed very 
 closely the laws of the Athenaeum of Liverpool, for which 
 I am greatly indebted to your kindness in transmitting im- 
 mediately on your arrival at Liverpool. It is an admirable 
 institution, and we intend to make ours as much like that 
 as the different circumstances of the two countries Avill ad- 
 mit. I pray you to make it an object to collect as much 
 information as will be in your power respecting all literary 
 societies, catalogues of their libraries, their laws, &c. &c. 
 They will be pleasant to have in our reading-room, at least, 
 and thus may be made useful in America, to stimulate 
 our countrymen to some important mental exertions. I 
 wish you could be prevailed upon to avail yourself of the 
 advantages your residence in London this winter will af- 
 ford you, to collect information relative to the literature of 
 England, its colleges, schools, scientific institutions, liter- 
 ary men, &c. &c., and pubhsh a series of papers in our 
 dearly cherished ' Anthology ' on the present state of English 
 literature, which I am very certain would be novel, inter- 
 esting, and useful to the people of this country. Write a 
 series of letters from England to us in America, as 
 Laharpe wrote from Paris to the Emperor Paul the 
 First, of Russia. He was engaged in a correspondence 
 with the Emperor for five years, which, since Laharpe's 
 death, has been published in four volumes. He sent to the 
 young prince all the literary and political news of Paris, 
 and judged of men and books with all the freedom which 
 a literary correspondence admits. The work is wonderful- 
 ly interesting. It will be read by men of letters and men 
 of fashion. The first will find much correct criticism, the 
 second, pleasant anecdote, and all, variety, which you 
 know is always charming.
 
 WILLIAM SMITH SHAW. 29 
 
 " I inclose to you, with this, a bill of exchange, payable to 
 you, and drawn upon Samuel Williams, Esq., for six hun- 
 dred dollars, — five hundred of which are to be expended 
 in procuring books for the reading-room, and to be sent out 
 as early in the spring as possible. The intention of the 
 Trustees is to appropriate the money arising from subscrip- 
 tions as follows : — After the necessary expenses of the in- 
 stitution are paid, the first object will be to provide for the 
 rooms all the celebrated gazettes published in any part of 
 the United States ; the most interesting literary and political 
 pamphlets in Europe and America ; magazines, reviews, and 
 scientific journals in the English and French languages ; 
 London and Paris newspapers ; Steel's Army and Navy 
 List, Naval Chronicle, London and Paris booksellers' cata- 
 logues, Parliamentary Debates, bibliographical works, voy- 
 ages and travels, valuable maps and charts. The gazettes 
 and pamphlets of our own country we can, of course, pro- 
 cure without troubling you ; but ayo wish you to take such 
 measures as will insure to us the early transmission of all 
 interesting pamphlets published in England on important 
 subjects, — the average amount for the year not to exceed 
 three dollars per month ; that is, we are willing to appro- 
 priate thirty-six dollars a year of our funds for English 
 pamphlets, including booksellers' catalogues. If your 
 friends, Mr. Samuel and Francis Williams, could be per- 
 suaded to undertake this commission after you leave Eng- 
 land, they would be the best men in the world for this 
 purpose. At any rate, we shall depend on your selecting 
 some person of judgment, in whom we may confide, for the 
 punctual discharge of this part of our engagement to supply 
 the room with English pamphlets. 
 
 " English magazines, reviews, &c. These pubUcations 
 we have thought it most expedient to procure, for the pres- 
 ent at least, through the agency of Mr. Wilham Skinner,
 
 30 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 an English gentleman connected •n'itli a house in London, 
 whose cai-d I inclose to jou, and would wish you to call upon 
 them and converse with them on the objects of the institu- 
 tion, and urge upon them the necessity of most punctual 
 communication. I inclose to you, with this, a list of all the 
 pubUcations we have ordered from England, with a request 
 that you would order any others you should think proper. 
 We wish particularl}^ for Dr. Aikin's new magazine, the 
 Athenaeum, Arthur Aikin's Annual Review, to be sent out in 
 numbers, beginning with the first number of the fifth volume, 
 and, indeed, for all the distinguished periodical journals in 
 England. If you think, therefore, that we have not ordered 
 a sufficient number, you are at perfect liberty to make any 
 additions you please. You will observe, that we have only 
 sent for three newspapers, — the Morning Chronicle, the 
 Courier, and Bell's Weekly Messenger, — which are as 
 many as we thought our funds would allow of at present. 
 If you think we ought to have one more, you may direct it 
 to be sent to us. To collect valuable maps and charts is 
 one of the prime objects of the institution, and ought to be 
 immediately attended to. You will therefore appropriate 
 a part of the money sent you with this (say, perhaps, one 
 hundred dollars) to the purchasing of two or three good 
 Atlases of standard reputation. 
 
 " After having furnished the room with newspapers, mag- 
 azines, maps and charts, &c. &c., as above mentioned, the 
 second object of the Trustees will be to supply the library 
 with the most valuable Encyclopaedias of the arts and sci- 
 ences in the French and English languages, with standard 
 dictionaries of the learned and modern languages, also dic- 
 tionaries, critical, biographical, &c., and books of general 
 reference, useful to the merchant and scholar. We have 
 already procured the American edition of Rees's Encyclo- 
 paedia as far as it has been published. We have also had
 
 WILLIAM SMITH SHAW. 31 
 
 presented to us a superb edition of Dr. Aikin's Johnson's 
 Dictionary, in four large octavo volumes, by my friend, Jo- 
 seph Tilden. Books printed on the Continent we can 
 probably purchase cheaper by sending to Paris and Holland, 
 than you could be able to procure them in London. I 
 should not, therefore, advise you to purchase books of this 
 kind ; but of this you will be a much better judge than myself. 
 I merely mention it by way of suggestion, leaving it entire- 
 ly to your discretion. Some of the money, I should think, 
 ought to be appropriated to purchase standard works upon 
 commerce and books of useful reference to the merchants, 
 as most of our subscribers are of this class. Mr. Samuel 
 Wilhams could recommend to you some books of this kind. 
 There is a work on this subject reviewed in the sixteenth 
 number of the Edinburgh Review, entitled, I beUeve, Mac- 
 pherson's "Annals of Commerce," which I should think we 
 ought to have. You ought to send us out, also, some mis- 
 cellaneous books, useful to the loungers, — such, perhaps, 
 as a complete edition of the English classics, such as the 
 Spectator, Guardian, &c., with Drake's Essays on these 
 periodical writers, &c. &c. The books you purchase must 
 be all good editions, printed on good paper, and well bound ; 
 but take care not to be too extravagant. 
 
 " I have thus, my dear Buckminster, detailed to you the 
 objects to which we conceive the income of our institution 
 ought for the present to be appropriated, and, with this in- 
 formation, send the five hundred dollars to you to procure 
 such books for the institution as your judgment shall dictate, 
 with an entire confidence that the money will be appropri- 
 ated in such a manner as will advance the interests and 
 extend the patronage of the estabhshment, which I am very 
 sensible you have much at heart. All the newspapers and 
 literary publications, which we procure through the kindness 
 of Mr. Skinner, we expect to pay for here, and have made 
 our arrangements accordingly.
 
 32 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 " You must be very sensible, that the success of an in- 
 stitution like ours will depend very much on the punctuality 
 and despatch with which we receive our foreign newspapers, 
 pamphlets, new books, and periodical i^ubhcations. I can- 
 not urge upon you, therefore, too strongly the necessity of 
 adopting such measures, before you embark for this country, 
 as will best secure to us these great objects. I Avould beg 
 leave to suggest to you the expediency of selecting a con- 
 fidential bookseller in London ; promise that we will pur- 
 chase all our books of him ; let him supply us with all our 
 newspapers, magazines, &c., — in short, every thing we 
 shall want from England ; tell him that our institution prom- 
 ises to be a permanent one, that we shall probably send 
 to England from one thousand to fifteen hundred dollars 
 per year, to be expended in books. With such induce- 
 ments, I should think some one might be persuaded to 
 make considerable exertion to comply with our requisitions. 
 If you should adopt any plan of this kind, you must give 
 information to Skinner's house, in London. 
 
 " I send you one hundred dollars, on my own account, 
 with which I wish you to procure for me the best edition of 
 Shakspeare's Plays, Avith all the prefaces, notes, commenta- 
 ries, &c. (fee, which I suppose to be Reed's ; Dr. Aikin's 
 edition of Dr. Johnson's dictionary, in four volumes, octa- 
 vo, both to be Avell bound in calf ; Dibdin's bibliographical 
 works ; and, if these should not amount to one hundred dol- 
 lars, any other books you may please to procure for me. 
 Alas ! I have no more time to write at present. Remem- 
 ber me most affectionately to Mr. Thacher. Consult him 
 about the reading-room. Love me always, and believe me 
 to be, most sincerely, yours most affectionately, 
 
 "Wm. S. Shaw." 
 
 In a letter to the same gentleman, on the 13th of the 
 same month, Mr. Shaw displays a hke earnest and indefati- 
 gable spirit.
 
 WILLIAM SMITH SHAW. 33 
 
 " Boston, 13 December, 1806. 
 
 " Dear Buckminster, — I wrote to you by the Galen 
 a long letter, and inclosed to you a bill of exchange drawn 
 upon Samuel Williams, Esquire, for six hundred dollars, 
 which letter I presume you have received. It ought to be 
 a considerable object, I should think, in the purchase of 
 books for our library, to procure such valuable works as 
 are least common in this town and most difficult to be 
 procured in this country. The pubhcations relative to the 
 literary fund in England I have never seen in this country, 
 and, if they have any merit, I think you had best procure 
 
 them Rare books relative to the history of this 
 
 country, or the West India Islands, &c. &c., ought to be 
 obtained. The publications of literary associations of emi- 
 nence in Great Britain we ought to procure. Perhaps 
 such letters might be addressed to the societies as would 
 induce them to present copies of their publications to our 
 institution; but of this you are the better judge. I send 
 you, inclosed with this, ten copies of our Prospectus, that 
 you may distribute them in a manner most likely to pro- 
 mote the great objects of our institution. In my last, I 
 suggested to you the expediency of selecting some booksel- 
 ler in London who would undertake to supply us with every 
 thing we wanted, and who would be responsible for the 
 punctual and early transmission of all our newspapers and 
 literary publications. This is a very great object, and the 
 prosperity and advancement of the institution depend very 
 much on the success of our exertions in this particular. I 
 would further suggest, whether it would not be possible to 
 make some arrangements with the Athenaeum and Lyceum 
 in Liverpool, that would operate beneficially to our estab- 
 lishment. The librarians of those institutions might possibly 
 be induced to send us some of the numerous publications 
 which they receive. I have frequently seen, in this town,
 
 34 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 at our printing-offices, English newspapers, with the name 
 of ' Athengeum ' stamped upon them, and which, I have un- 
 derstood, came from that institution. These institutions 
 must receive a number of newspapers, magazines, &c. &c., 
 and often duplicates, which they do not care to preserve, and 
 would be wilUng to send to us at a very low price ; — also 
 political pamphlets. 
 
 " I think you might also advance the interests of our es- 
 tablishment by conversing with the Americans, particularly 
 the Bostonians, in England, on the utility and the pleasure 
 which will probably be afforded by an institution on our 
 plan. In my exertions here, I have generally succeeded be- 
 yond my most sanguine expectations in obtaining subscrip- 
 tions, and donations in books as well as money. The plan 
 is a very popular one, and almost every one is desirous of 
 doing something to promote its objects. If you choose to 
 exercise the influence which I know you must possess over 
 your American acquaintance in England, and I think it is 
 your duty to do it, I have no doubt but that you might ob- 
 tain some very valuable donations to the library. I should 
 advise you to give one of our pamphlets to every generous 
 American, with some observation which may induce him 
 to make some exertion to promote the interests of the es- 
 tablishment. 
 
 " There are many Englishmen, such as Sir John Sinclair, 
 &c., Avho are pleased to take a very lively interest in every 
 thing relating to American affairs, and who, I have no 
 doubt, would be very much delighted in promoting the ob- 
 jects of our establishment. These gentlemen might be 
 very useful in influencing the learned societies to make 
 donations of their publications. I should also think it very 
 proper to establish a correspondence with some learned men 
 in England, to whom we might be permitted to write in be- 
 half of the institution, and who might be the means of our
 
 WILLIAM SMITH SHAW. 35 
 
 procuring rare, valuable works, out of print, which we 
 could not otherwise obtain. Mr. Benjamin Vaughan, here, 
 has recommended us to his brother William, and has prom- 
 ised to give us letters to him. In my former letter, I re- 
 quested you to procure some books of reputation for the 
 merchants. In addition, I would suggest to you the pro- 
 priety of purchasing Oddy's ' European Commerce,' review- 
 ed in the Monthly Re\aew for August last. I send you, 
 with this, a second bill of exchange, drawn upon Samuel 
 Williams, Esq., for six hundred dollars ; five hundred to be 
 laid out in books for the reading-room, as I wrote in my 
 
 former letter, and one hundred on my own account 
 
 " The gentlemen of the Anthology Society desire to be par- 
 ticularly remembered to you and our friend Thacher. We 
 meet now in Congress Street, under the same roof with the 
 reading-room ; and Cooper, who is to keep the hbrary, pro- 
 vides for us. Our subscribers gradually increase, and the 
 pubHcation seems to be rising in reputation. The booksel- 
 lers and printers begin to think us of some consequence, 
 and send us most of their pubhcations. We frequently 
 drink a bumper to the health of our good friends in Europe, 
 and with much sincerity wish them pleasure and improve- 
 ment from their travels. We often regret we have not 
 been favored with some communications for the Anthology, 
 but anticipate with pleasure the time when they will come 
 en masse. Mr. Thacher must not fail to fulfil his promise, 
 and we expect a whole budget in the spiing. Phillips, in 
 London, has sent us an answer to the letter which we wrote to 
 him last spring, thanking us for the numbers of the Anthol- 
 ogy which we sent him, speaking in a very flattering man- 
 ner of the publication, and saying that he should be very hap- 
 py to interchange with us ; but he has as yet sent us none 
 of his numbers. If it is not too much trouble, I wish either 
 you or Thacher would call upon him, and converse with him
 
 36 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 on the subject. I should think it would be worth while to 
 make the same attempt of an interchange with other peri- 
 odical pubHcations in London. I also wish that one of you 
 would cause the plan of our institution to be published in 
 the Monthly Magazine, and perhaps some other pubHcations, 
 with such observations as you may think proper. Profes- 
 sors M'^Kean and Willard are on nomination for members of 
 our Society. You have already heard of Dr. Kirkland be- 
 ing a member; we find him very pleasant as a sociable 
 man. We have now completed our third volume, and we 
 flatter ourselves that the last is very much the best. We 
 commence the new year with a firm determination to perse- 
 vere, and we flatter ourselves, that, with our own exertions, 
 and with such foreign aid as we may procure, we shall be 
 able to make the publication still more valuable." 
 
 In obtaining an act of incorporation, in soliciting sub- 
 scriptions, and in organizing the first movements of the 
 Athenseum, Mr. Shaw's labors were eificient and unremit- 
 ted. From the moment its operations commenced, he de- 
 voted himself to the success and enlargement of the insti- 
 tution. His interest and zeal are well developed in the fol- 
 lowing letter to Mr. Buckminster, written after the act of 
 incorporation was obtained. 
 
 " Boston, 13 May, 1807. 
 
 " Dear Buckminster, — From the pamphlets which 
 
 I send to you with this, of which you have several for distri- 
 bution as you think proper, you will see that the Trustees of 
 the Anthology Reading-room and Library have obtained an 
 act of incorporation by the name of ' The Proprietors of the 
 Boston Athenaeum.' I doubt very much whether there ever 
 has been an institution in this country, which has made such 
 rapid advances as ours ; and I can now congratulate you on
 
 WILLIAM SMITH SHAW. 37 
 
 the prospect of lia^ang a library in this town, — which you al- 
 ways seemed to believe was only a delusion of my idle brain, 
 — on a liberal plan, highly honorable to the munificence of 
 our citizens, and which will assist and facihtate the research- 
 es of the learned and gratify the curiosity of strangers. This, 
 with me, I can assure you, is no ordinary subject of con- 
 gratulation. Depend upon it, that the establishment of the 
 Athenaeum, the rooms of which are to be always accessible 
 at all hours of the day, is one of the greatest strides to- 
 ward intellectual advancement that this country has ever 
 witnessed. We have every reason to believe that the hun- 
 dred and fifty shares will be taken up, which, at three hun- 
 dred dollars a share, will give us forty-five thousand dollars. 
 We already have fifty shares subscribed for, and there are 
 about thirty gentlemen beside, who have promised to sub- 
 scribe. We shall not trouble ourselves for life-subscribers 
 till the permanent shares are taken up, which I undertake 
 to say will be the case in the course of three weeks at 
 least, and perhaps in less time. 
 
 " You did very right to send us the Oxford Review, 
 though I do not think much of the numbers I have read. 
 As our funds are very much increased, we can now afford 
 to take all the Enghsh literary magazines of any eminence, 
 and you are at liberty to add any to the list you please. 
 What merit has the Panorama, a new pubhcation I see ad- 
 vertised ? We are perfectly satisfied with the arrange- 
 ments made in London with Jenner, for the periodical pub- 
 lications. They come out as regularly as we could expect to 
 receive them from London ; but we wish that there might be 
 some arrangement in Liverpool, so that no vessel should sail 
 for Boston without some papers for us. Could you not make 
 some agreement with the Athenaeum, Lyceum, or Union 
 Society, to send out some papers, different from those we al- 
 ready have, at half-price ? You must not send us out any
 
 38 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 books on credit. Remember me, with all possible affection, 
 to dear Thacher. In great haste, dear Buckminster, yours, 
 
 W. S. Shaw." 
 
 Although Mr. Shaw had diligently pursued the study of 
 the law, yet, after his admission to the bar, the strong bias 
 of his mind was towards the advancement of general lit- 
 erature ; and his friends, who continually perceived this, 
 were desirous that his predilection should not be constrained, 
 and that some situation might be offered him better adapted 
 for its indulgence. It was, therefore, with much gratifica- 
 tion that they received notice, in 1806, of his appointment 
 to the office of Clerk of the District Court of Massachusetts, 
 by the Hon. John Davis, the District Judge. He was 
 thus called from the general practice of the law, and from 
 solving the anxious problem of success or failure in the 
 competition for professional honors and emoluments, and 
 acquired leisure to devote himself to the advancement of 
 the Athenseum, which gradually became the almost exclu- 
 sive object of his thoughts, and not so much a desire as a 
 passion. His pecuniary means now also enabled him to 
 pursue his taste for collecting curious and rare books, pam- 
 phlets, medals, and coins, all of which he deposited in the 
 Library, or among the archives of the institution, with little 
 regard to preserve the evidence of his right to property in 
 these collections ; so completely did he identify his own 
 interests Avith its success. 
 
 The progress of the institution, and his unabated and un- 
 tiring exertions in its behalf, are also displayed in a letter 
 addressed to Sterling Goodenow, of Albany, in April, 1810, 
 of which the following copy remains among the papers of 
 Mr. Shaw. 
 
 " My Dear Sir, — I have much to regret that a ses-
 
 WILLIAM SMITH SHAW. 39 
 
 sion of the District Court of Salem has prevented me from 
 receiving and answering your very acceptable and polite let- 
 ter of the 12th of March, till this date. In answer to your 
 very flattermg inquiries about the Athengeum, I would state 
 that we have published nothing since 1807, and the officers 
 of the institution remain the same as at that time. In 
 about three weeks we shall have our Catalogue through the 
 press, (one hundred and fifty pages of which are now already 
 published,) which, when finished, I shall avail myself of the 
 first opportunity to transmit to you. 
 
 " It is with no small satisfaction that I proceed to inform 
 you of the wonderful pi-ogress of this dear institution, the 
 advantages of which, in a town like Boston, excite all my 
 wishes and call forth all my exertions ; and its evident utility 
 is calculated, I flatter myself, to interest the friends of lit- 
 erature throughout the United States. In July last we re- 
 moved from the place in Scollay's Buildings, where I have 
 often had the pleasure to meet you, to a house in Tremont 
 Street, near the Stone Chapel, which we purchased for 
 nine thousand dollars ; the house was formerly occupied by 
 R. G. Amory, but was inhabited when you were in Boston 
 by Doyle & Bowen, w4iose Museum is in a brick building 
 down the yard. This house, which is large and capacious, 
 we have prepared in such a manner as to accommodate 
 the subscribers and proprietors for the present very accep- 
 tably ; but our library increases so fast that we begin seri- 
 ously to reflect on the necessity of a splendid and perma- 
 nent building. We have now a library of more than seven 
 thousand volumes, and are expecting from England by the 
 first arrival books to the amount of twenty-five hundred 
 dollars. These books are the property of the institution. 
 In addition to which, we have, deposited, a most wonderful 
 collection of books belonging to John Quincy Adams, 
 amounting nearly to six thousand volumes, which he left
 
 40 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 with US when he embarked for Petersburg, — so that the 
 books now m the institution amount to nearly thirteen thou- 
 sand volumes, which, I presume, make one of the first libra- 
 ries in the United States. 
 
 " On the class of books relative to this country, — on their 
 immense value in a literary institution in the metropolis of 
 New England, I have often had the pleasure to converse 
 with you. When you see our Catalogue, you will find that 
 we have a considerable collection, but that it is very far 
 from being complete. It is a favorite object of mine to 
 collect as many of the laws, the journals, the state papers, 
 the maps, reports of cases decided in courts of justice, and 
 the newspapers published in each State, as is practicable. 
 The immense advantages of such a collection must be obvi- 
 ous to you. I have a thousand thanks to oifer you for the 
 kind interest you are pleased to take in the Athenaeum, 
 and particularly for your exertions in aiding us in this 
 branch of the institution. Any journals of your legislature, 
 any state papers, any pamphlets, &c. &c., that you may 
 procure for us, will, I assure you, be most gratefully re- 
 ceived and acknowledged by the Trustees and Proprietors, 
 and most particularly by myself. The volumes of Journals 
 which your friend, the Clerk, has been good enough to offer 
 the Athenaeum, I shall consider as a very valuable acqui- 
 sition, and wish you to offer in the name of the institution 
 our most grateful acknowledgments. 
 
 " Files of old newspapers are in this country most valuable 
 historical documents. We have some complete files printed 
 in Boston as early as 1727, but for three years only. We 
 then go down to years 1760, from which time to the present 
 period we have them complete. Is it possible to procure 
 a set of the ' Balance,' which I consider an immensely able 
 and well-edited paper ? Could not Mr. Crosswell, if he 
 were to be made acquainted with the institution, be persuad-
 
 WILLIAM SMITH SHAW. 41 
 
 ed to present a set ? Is it possible to procure an old edi- 
 tion of the Laws of New York ? We have a curious copy 
 of the Laws of Massachusetts, pubhshed in 1660, at Cam- 
 bridge, with the following title : — ' The Book of the General 
 Lawes and Libertyes concerning the Inhabitants of the 
 Massachuset, collected out of the Records of the General 
 Court,' &c., and I feel a great inclination to procure as 
 early an edition of the laws of the different States in the 
 Union, where such have been published. Electioneering 
 pamphlets are also worthy of being collected and preserved 
 in a public library. By the way, what book has Mr. 
 Piatt, your candidate for Governor, written ? Can you pro- 
 cure it for me ? The Journals of the Legislature, after all, 
 are the most important object of collection. If you will be 
 so obliging as to make some considerable exertion to collect 
 as many of them for me as you can, you will do me and the 
 institution a great favor." 
 
 From that time until just before his death, he occupied 
 the office of Librarian and general superintendent, and ful- 
 filled all the duties incident to it without compensation or 
 reward. On the contrary, having acquired a property, by 
 his office of Clerk of the District Court, more than ade- 
 quate to his personal wants, he, with a characteristic indif- 
 ference to pecuniary considerations when brought into 
 competition with his master-passion, so connected his pri- 
 vate property with that of the Athenaeum, by the purchase 
 of books, medals, and coins, that at his death it was quite 
 impossible satisfactorily to discriminate the one from the 
 other. His executor, brother-in-law, and legal represen- 
 tative, the Rev. Joseph B. Felt, found that the amount 
 of his just demands against the Athenaeum exceeded ten 
 thousand dollars ; it being capable of proof, that, in 
 /
 
 42 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 the pui'chase of books, coins, and medals, he had expend- 
 ed and vested in the Athenaeum more than six thou- 
 sand dollars of his own property, and that he had riglits in 
 other portions of the property of the institution, and, above 
 all, in that large and most valuable collection of tracts, of 
 ■which he had always retained the proprietorship, — all which 
 could not be estimated at less than four thousand dollars. 
 Under these circumstances, Mr. Felt, feeling satisfied that 
 it was the intention of Mr. Shaw to appropriate this por- 
 tion of his property for the benefit of the Athenaeum, and 
 being desirous to carry into effect his relative's inten- 
 tions, voluntarily and most liberally executed a release of 
 the whole claim, and thereby constituted Mr. Shaw a bene- 
 factor to the institution of that amount. 
 
 The intensity with which Mr. Shaw devoted himself to 
 the interests of the Athenaeum, and the universally known 
 personal and pecuniary aid he thus extended to it during 
 seventeen or eighteen years of his life, obtained for him 
 the sobriquet of ' AthemTeum Shaw,' by which he was fre- 
 quently and familiarly designated. 
 
 Mr. Shaw did not aspire to the fame of a writer, nor to 
 the name of a man of letters ; yet his talents, though un- 
 pretending, were far from being of a common order. His 
 taste in the fine arts was discriminating. To excite in 
 his countrymen an interest and affection for them was his 
 ceaseless, untiring endeavour. His knowledge of the 
 relative value of books, coins, and medals, was accurate 
 and extensive. His reading on these subjects was vari- 
 ous ; and, as his memory was retentive, he was well fitted 
 to be the guide of others in antiquarian and historical re- 
 searches. As a friend and adviser, he was eagerly sought 
 by those engaged in such pursuits. His learning and 
 worth were seen and appreciated by his associates and
 
 WILLIAM SMITH SHAW. 43 
 
 contemporaries. Early in life, he was chosen a member 
 of various literary societies ; in 1806, of the Massachu- 
 setts Historical Society ; in 1810, of the American Acade- 
 my of Arts and Sciences ; in 1813, of the American An- 
 tiquarian Society ; in the same year, of the New York 
 Historical Society ; and, in 1815, of the Linngean Society, 
 of which he was also Vice-President. 
 
 To almost every public institution of science, literature, 
 and charity, he was not only a liberal contributor, but readily 
 took upon himself the irksome and thankless office of so- 
 licitor in their aid, or for their enlargement. His liberality 
 was not, however, restricted to the gratification of his taste 
 or of his peculiar intellectual propensity ; he had a heart 
 ahve, and a hand prepared and willing, to assist any useful 
 or charitable object. To his moi-e immediate relatives and 
 friends, who, at any time required his aid, " his donations," 
 to use the language of one of them, " were jjrincely, consid- 
 ering the proportion of his means to the claims on them." 
 Whether public or private, whether in the patronage of litera- 
 ture, or under the impulse of charity, his acts were without 
 display or any desire of notoriety. His delicacy on this 
 point was extreme and characteristic. Of its nature and 
 direction, a remarkable evidence exists, which, as indicative 
 of his known practice on other occasions, ought not to be 
 omitted here. 
 
 In the year 1819, that distinguished scholar, the late 
 John Pickering, published in the North American Review 
 a translation of Professor Wyttenbach's " Observations on 
 the Importance of Greek Literature and the best Mode of 
 Studying the Classics." This work was subsequently re- 
 published, with an appropriate preface by the translator ; 
 and, as the eulogist of Mr. Pickering asserts, " was printed 
 at the expense of that kind-hearted patron of letters, and
 
 44 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 zealous agent in founding the Boston Athenaeum, the late 
 iWilUam S. Shaw, who deserves a grateful remembrance in 
 this metropolis." * 
 
 The latter years of Mr. Shaw's life were oppressed by 
 sickness, the result of his constitutional infirmities, which 
 sometimes wholly separated him from the institution 
 which had been the favorite, and almost the exclusive, 
 object of his Hfe. He died in Boston, on the 26th of 
 April, 1826, in the forty-eighth year of his age; after a 
 life of labor and usefulness, devoted to the advancement 
 of letters ; entithng him to the character of a faithful 
 friend, a most worthy citizen, and a zealous and disinter- 
 ested public benefactor. 
 
 *See the "Eulogy on John Pickering, LL. D., President of the American 
 Academy of Arts and Sciences, delivered before the Academy, October 28, 
 1846, by Daniel Appleton White."
 
 PETEE OXENBKIDGE THACHER 
 
 SAMUEL COOPER THACHER. 
 
 These early and active members of the Anthology So- 
 ciety were brothers. Their ancestor, Thomas Thacher, 
 emigrated to New England in 1635, and became pastor of 
 the Old South Church, in Boston, in 1670. Many of his 
 descendants were distinguished in colonial times, both in 
 church and state. One of them, Oxenbridge Thacher, a 
 lawyer, highly respected for his learning and moral worth, 
 held the first rank in his profession in Boston. In pohtical 
 life he was active, and his influence extensive. He was, in 
 1761, joint counsel with James Otis, for the Boston and Sa- 
 lem merchants, in opposition to "writs of assistance." Re- 
 ferring to the efiects of their arguments on this occasion, 
 the late President John Adams asserted, that " then and 
 there was the first scene of the first act of opposition to the 
 arbitrary claims of Great Britain. Then and there the child 
 Independence was born. In fifteen years, i. e. 1776, he 
 grew up to manhood, and declared himself free." * 
 
 * See Tudor's " Life of Otis," pp. 57-61. Also " Niles's Register," Vol. 
 XIV. p. 17.
 
 46 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 Peter Thacher, his son, the father of the subjects of 
 this notice, was pastor of the Church in Brattle Street, in 
 Boston, and was distinguished among his contemporaries 
 for his oratorical powers, and for the fluency and pathos 
 of his devotional exercises. The urbanity of his manners, 
 united with his professional zeal, rendered him one of the 
 most popular clergymen of the period. Peter Oxenbridge 
 Thacher, liis eldest son, was born in Maiden, Massachusetts, in 
 December, 1776, was graduated at Harvard University in 
 1796, and was admitted to the Suffolk bar in 1803. Hav- 
 ing successfully practised his profession until 1823, he ac- 
 cepted the appointment of Judge of the Municipal Court 
 of the City of Boston, which he held until his death, in 
 1843. He sustained a respectable rank in his profession, 
 and was highly esteemed both as a man and as a lawyer. His 
 integrity and exactness in business were the foundation of 
 very general confidence, both with his clients and the public. 
 During the twenty years he presided over the judicial in- 
 terests of the City of Boston, he was distinguished for un- 
 compromising firmness and independence. In the difficult 
 and often critical exercise of the powers intrusted to him, 
 he upheld the dignity of his office, and maintained the 
 cause of justice with a fearless and discriminating spirit. 
 A volume of Reports of cases adjudged by him has been 
 published since his death from a manuscript copy, carefully 
 prepared by him for publication in his Hfetime, and consti- 
 tutes an imperishable monument of his discretion, sound 
 judgment, and laborious fidelity. 
 
 Samuel Cooper Thacher, his younger brother, was born 
 in Boston, on the 14th of December, 1785, and, having 
 been prepared for College at the Latin Grammar School 
 of his native town, was admitted to Harvard University in 
 1800, where he was graduated in 1804, with its highest 
 honors. He immediately commenced his theological stud-
 
 PETER 0. THACHER AND SAMUEL C. THACHER. 47 
 
 ies under the direction of William EUery Channing, and 
 an intimate and confidential friendship was formed between 
 them, which subsisted through his life. 
 
 He was, as has been already stated, one of the first mem- 
 bers of the Anthology Society, and at their first meeting was 
 appointed " Editor " of the Monthly Anthology ; a designa- 
 tion, wliich, at his special motion, Avas subsequently changed 
 for that of " Superintending Committee," Mr. Thacher 
 having found that the character of " Editor " had exposed 
 him to a responsibility he was im willing to assume. With 
 this modification, he held and executed that office until 
 June, 1806, when he sailed for England, at the request of 
 the friends of the Rev. Joseph Stevens Buckminster, whose 
 critical state of health rendered highly important a compan- 
 ion, like Thacher, ready to administer relief, or procure as- 
 sistance, in every exigency. 
 
 The travellers met in London, and soon commenced their 
 tour on the Continent. They remained abroad until Au- 
 gust, 1807, and, embarking together from Liverpool, ar- 
 rived at Boston in September. 
 
 In 1808, Mr. Thacher accepted the office of Librarian 
 of Harvard University. While in this office he engaged 
 in the theological discussions of the period, availing himself 
 of the Monthly Anthology as the medium of communicat- 
 ing his views to the public. It was a warfare uncongenial 
 to his temperament, which was remarkably mild and averse 
 to the spirit of controversy, but he felt it to be his duty to 
 enter upon the defence of what he regarded as the great 
 principles of truth and freedom. 
 
 He entered, about this time, upon the duties of the pul- 
 pit, and the impression he made on the public by the just- 
 ness of his sentiments, the warmth of his devotion, and the 
 gracefulness of his delivery, was deep and general. 
 
 On the removal of the Rev. Dr. Kirkland, from the New
 
 48 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 South Church, in Boston, to the Presidency of Harvard 
 University, Mr. Thacher accepted a 'call from that society, 
 and was ordained in May, 1811. " He realized," says his 
 biographer, " the highest conception of a good pastor ; giv- 
 ing himself to reading, to exhortation, to instruction ; gen- 
 tle unto all men ; and an example to the believers, in conver- 
 sation, in spirit, in faith, in purity." 
 
 His physical constitution did not, however, prove equal 
 to the duties he had undertaken. In the course of a year 
 declining health caused a temporary suspension of his of- 
 ficial labors, during which he was called to lament, with 
 other friends of science and religion, the loss both had sus- 
 tained by the early death of Joseph Stevens Buckminster. 
 The hfe and character of tliis beloved companion and 
 friend he delineated with great fehcity of language, justice, 
 and truth, in a Memoir prefixed to a volume of Mr. Buck- 
 minster's Discourses, published in 1814. 
 
 Mr. Thacher was not destined long to survive him. In 
 the autumn of 1815, the tendency of his constitution to 
 pulmonary disease became critical and alarming. By the 
 advice of his physicians, he sought relief in a voyage to 
 England, afterwards to the Cape of Good Hope, and finally 
 in a residence at MouHns, the chief town of the department 
 of the AUier, in France, where his life terminated on the 
 2d of January, 1818. 
 
 The combination of high powers of mind with the most 
 amiable quahties of the heart, which rendered Samuel 
 Cooper Tliacher uncommonly dear, and his loss generally 
 regretted by his contemporaries, has been well portrayed by 
 the late Dr. Greenwood. One of the most eloquent and 
 touching memoirs in our language, from his pen, is prefixed 
 to a volume of Mr, Thacher's Sermons, published in 1824; 
 which will well reward those who can take an interest in 
 perusing the fife of a gifted man and exemplary Christian, 
 illustrated by one of kindred worth, feeUng, and genius.
 
 JOSEPH STEVENS BUCKMINSTER 
 
 Joseph Stevens Buckminster was the son of the Rev. 
 Dr. Joseph Buckminster of Portsmouth, New Hampshu-e ; a 
 clergyman distinguished for intellectual power, and for those 
 qualities of mind and heart which render a pastor useful 
 and beloved. He married Sarah Stevens, the daughter of 
 the Rev. Dr. Stevens, of Kitterj, whom her contempora- 
 ries represent as possessing, in a high degree, the virtues 
 which dignify and adorn the female character. Their son 
 was born on the 26th of Maj, 1784, and discovered, even 
 in childhood, uncommon mental precociousness, which his 
 father directed and restrained with singular judgment and 
 fidelity. At four years old his love of books and desire 
 of knowledge were extraordinary, and gave promise of dis- 
 positions and powers which his manhood did not disappoint. 
 At that age he began the study of the Latin Grammar, 
 and, at his earnest sohcitation, he was permitted by his 
 father to be introduced to the first elements of Greek. 
 The earliest developements of his mind evidenced great 
 strength of the pious afiections. Between the age of five 
 and seven years he was accustomed, in the absence of his 
 father, to assemble the domestics of the family, and, with 
 great earnestness and solemnity, to read to them a sermon, 
 repeat the Lord's Prayer, and sing a hymn ; to which they 
 g
 
 60 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 always listened with attention. He received, until ten 
 years of age, the rudiments of his education at the Gram- 
 mar School in Portsmouth, and was then transferred to 
 Phillips Exeter Academy, where, at the age of twelve, he 
 was prepared for College. He was, however, restrained 
 from ofiFering liimself for admission until the succeeding 
 year, when he entered the Sophomore Class in Harvard Uni- 
 versity, in 1797. His whole collegiate course was emi- 
 nently distinguished for moral principle and uncommon 
 genius, united to unremitting industry. He was graduated 
 in 1800, with high honors ; the oration, which he delivered 
 on the occasion, being marked alike for solidity of thought, 
 brilliancy of imagination, and grace of delivery. 
 
 Having spent about two years as assistant instructor in 
 Phillips Exeter Academy, he became for one year instruc- 
 tor in a private family. While thus employed, he also went 
 over with great care and judgment an extensive field of 
 theological study. On appearing as a candidate for the 
 ministry, he was immediately called, at the age of twenty, 
 to the charge of the Church in Brattle Street, Boston ; and 
 was ordained on the oOth of January, 1805. His connec- 
 tion with that church was of the most satisfactory and in- 
 teresting character. The eloquence and genius displayed 
 in his public discourses were unrivalled ; and, although he 
 was exemplary in fulfilling his pastoral duties, yet he found 
 leisure to attend to the interests of literature, as well as the 
 duties of charity and of the pulpit. The style of his preach- 
 ing was neither exclusive nor dogmatical. He made it the 
 chief object of his discourses to render religion of practical 
 efficiency in guiding the conduct of life. Towards philolo- 
 gy the bent of his mind was forcible, with a particular ref- 
 erence to enlarging and facilitating the means of under- 
 standing the sacred Scriptures ; and in consequence the 
 President and Fellows of Harvard College elected him, in
 
 JOSEPH STEVENS BUCKMINSTEK. 51 
 
 1811, to the office of Lecturer on Biblical Criticism in 
 that institution. A plan of a Course of Lectures on this 
 subject was sketched by him, but its completion was pre- 
 vented by his premature death. 
 
 Of the Anthology Society he was one of the earliest and 
 most zealous members, and to the periodical work they con- 
 ducted a frequent contributor. In all the measures leading 
 to the establishment of the Boston Athenseum, and for the 
 promotion of its interests after its incorporation, his in- 
 fluence was earnest, assiduous, and efficient. He was the 
 dear and intimate friend of William Smith Shaw, and zeal- 
 ously seconded his views and exertions in the establishment 
 of that institution. 
 
 In the years 1806 and 1807 Mr. Buckminster was ab- 
 sent from the United States, visiting England and the Con- 
 tinent for the benefit of his health. The correspondence 
 between him and his friend Shaw graphically exhibits the 
 zeal with which they both pursued the advancement of 
 the interests of the Athenaeum, and their strong affection 
 for each other and for their associates. In June, 1806, 
 Mr. Buckminster writes from London to this friend : 
 " England, with all her learning, luxury, and arts, has 
 not yet furnished me with any pleasure equivalent to 
 that which I rehnquished, when I broke away from the 
 circle of the beloved acquaintance in Boston, who were 
 bound to me by all the enthusiasm of literature, by the 
 habits of daily intimacy, by similarity of pursuits and of 
 age, and by the still finer ties of that holy affection in which 
 Cicero has written that golden treatise on Friendship, and, I 
 believe I may also add, by the bonds of Christian charity 
 and love." In a passage of this letter, which has already 
 been inserted in this work, * he expresses his earnest solici- 
 tude for the literary progress of his country. 
 
 * See History of Athenseum, page 10.
 
 52 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 The taste and judgment with which he executed his or- 
 ders to purchase books for the Boston Athenseum, as also his 
 spirit of economy, and regard for utility, in his purchases, 
 are strongly delineated in his letters. " I have," he writes 
 in one of them, dated the 3d of April, 1807, " exceeded 
 by more than £ 30 sterhng my commission and your bill of 
 exchange. If you disapprove the purchases, you are wel- 
 come to return them to me when I reach America." The 
 principles, on which he sought to promote the interests of the 
 Athen?eum, and which guided his influence, form a frequent 
 topic of his letters. " I send out," he writes, " about a 
 dozen works, because they are new ; it should be an im- 
 portant object in your establishment to take almost all the 
 new publications 
 
 " I am in great doubt about applying to any societies 
 here for an exchange of publications, for, alas ! what have 
 we to exchange with them ? The Bath, Manchester, Dub- 
 lin, etc., Society papers are extremely valuable, but I think 
 our funds are not sufficient to procure them. We must, at 
 least for some time, think of popularity ; and I know of no 
 method so likely to procure it as to keep our rooms furnish- 
 ed with abundance of magazines, pamphlets, and neiv booJcs. 
 This, I am satisfied, should be our primary object ; and our 
 second, to lay slowly and secretly the foundation of a 
 permanent library of works difficult to be procured in 
 America." 
 
 In June, 1807, the purpose of erecting an edifice out of 
 the first subscriptions for the Athenaeum was one of the 
 avowed and among the most cherished objects of the sub- 
 scribers. In that month, Buckminster wrote to Shaw from 
 Europe : "Do not build a new edifice unless you can raise 
 money enough to erect an elegant, classical building, en- 
 tirely of stone, or with a stone fa§ade." The judgment 
 with which he criticizes many of the principal works, and
 
 JOSEPH STEVENS BUCKMINSTER. 63 
 
 ■which appears in the reasons he adduces for the purchase of 
 some and the rejection of others, is highly praiseworthy, and 
 shows both his acquaintance with those works, and the heart- 
 felt interest by which he was actuated in respect to the 
 Athenaeum. 
 
 Mr. Buckminster's absence in Europe, continued for a 
 year, checked, in a slight degree, that constitutional ten- 
 dency to epilepsy which had excited the anxiety of his 
 friends. But, on recommencing his official duties, his mala- 
 dy returned, and on the 9th of June, 1812, terminated fa- 
 tally, when he had just completed his twenty-eighth year. 
 The fond hopes of his friends, and the ardent anticipations of 
 his long-continued usefulness, entertained by his congregation 
 and the public, were suddenly blasted. To use the beautiful 
 and appropriate language of one of his biographers, " He 
 fell in the bright morning of his virtues, his fame, and his 
 usefulness, ' purpureus veluti cum flos succisus aratro.' " * 
 
 * This notice was prepared for the press, in connection with the History of 
 
 the AthensRum, two years since ; the printing of which, after having been at that 
 time commenced, was unavoidably postponed by circumstances for which the 
 writer is not responsible. During this interval, " Memoirs of the Rev. Joseph 
 Buckminster and Rev. Joseph Stevens Buckminster, by Eliza Buckminster 
 Lee," have been issued from the press. This touching tribute of duty and affec- 
 tion, which elucidates the virtues and talents of those eminent men with ap- 
 propriate feeling and beauty of illustration, deserves to be read entire; and, 
 as it has not, therefore, been deemed just to extract detached parts of that 
 interesting work, this sketch has been published as originally prepared.
 
 WILLIAM TUDOR. 
 
 The family of Tudor is of Welsh origin. John Tu- 
 dor, the first of the name in Boston, came to America, with 
 his mother, while yet a child. Being educated with great 
 strictness, he acquired habits of economy, and accumulated 
 what, in those days, was regarded as affluence ; and he was 
 highly esteemed by his contemporaries. His son, William 
 Tudor, was graduated at Harvard College, in 1769, and, 
 after pursuing his professional studies in the office of John 
 Adams, commenced the practice of the law in Boston 
 during that period of political agitation which preceded the 
 American Revolution. On the occurrence of hostilities, he 
 entered the American army, and was appointed Judge Ad- 
 vocate, an office which he held two years ; when, quitting 
 the service, he resumed the practice of the law, and mar- 
 ried Delia Jarvis, a lady of taste and refinement congenial 
 with his own. 
 
 Wilham Tudor, their son, the subject of this biographical 
 notice, was bom in Boston on the 28th of January, 1779, 
 was educated at Phillips Academy in Andover, and gradu- 
 ated at Harvard College in 1796. Being destined for 
 mercantile life, he entered the counting-room of John Cod- 
 man, one of the most eminent and successful merchants of
 
 WILLIAM TUDOR. 55 
 
 Boston, where he continued, wmning the affection and con- 
 fidence of his employer, until he was deemed qualified for 
 duties involving higher responsibility. 
 
 The trustworthiness of his character was early establish- 
 ed, and, notwithstanding successive disappointments in his 
 mercantile enterprises, he never forfeited it. The firmness 
 of his principle may be readily traced to the excellence of 
 his early domestic education ; which had also an unques- 
 tionable influence in instilling into his mind a love for litera- 
 ry pursuits, not easily associated with those of gain, and 
 with projects for mercantile advancement. 
 
 His parents were intellectual in their tastes, and social 
 and refined in their habits. That distant and reserved 
 demeanour, partaking occasionally of severity, by which the 
 intercourse of parents and children were, in the early times 
 of New England, characterized, was inconsistent with their 
 feelings and principles. In the spirit of companionship, 
 rather than of authority, they treated their children with a 
 tenderness bordering on indulgence ; and cultivated in 
 them a sense of duty and of social and moral obligation by 
 the beauty and force of their own example, more than by 
 formal precept. In religious opmion they were Episcopa- 
 lians, of that division which has since obtained the name 
 of High Church, and their views on tliis subject were 
 cheerful, charitable, and free from all bigotry and in- 
 tolerance. The quahties of the mind and heart of their 
 son were such as these happy domestic influences were 
 adapted to produce. They united purity of motive with 
 elevation of sentiment, and rendered him, in after life, 
 an object of affectionate regard in every circle in which 
 he was cast. At school, at College, in the counting- 
 room, and in the legislative hall, he was ahke the object 
 of esteem ; to which also his gentlemanly demeanour and 
 amiable temperament, ever welling out in language and 
 acts of kindness, largely contributed.
 
 66 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 No sooner had young Tudor attained the age of man- 
 hood, and before he had completed ' the years of his mer- 
 cantile education, he was selected by Mr. Codman, and 
 sent to Paris as his confidential agent, on a matter of 
 great interest and deUcacy ; and, although in this mission 
 his exertions were not successful, it was not attributable 
 to any want of assiduity or attention, and he continued to 
 retain the confidence of his employer. 
 
 He resided, at this period, nearly a year in Europe, 
 chiefly in Paris ; and, his associations being, as far as possi- 
 ble, with men of Hterary taste and education, his disposi- 
 tion toward letters was strengthened, and the turn of his 
 thoughts gradually became directed to subjects of general 
 social interest and progress, which, if not adapted to im- 
 pede, were certainly not suited to promote, mercantile en- 
 deavours and hopes of success. 
 
 These, however, he did not abandon ; but on his return 
 to America, having induced his father to advance a small 
 capital, he sailed for Leghorn, and thus brought himself 
 again into the vicinity of scenes adapted to foster that 
 love of science and of letters, in which Ins soul began to 
 ^^ be absorbed. 
 
 Although the particular project, in which this voyage origi- 
 nated, also failed, yet he gratified and improved his taste by 
 a year's residence in Italy, and subsequently found means, 
 while engaged in other mercantile enterprises, to enlarge his 
 sphere of information by visiting France, Germany, Hol- 
 land, and England ; and his letters to his American corre- 
 spondents, and his journals, gave permanency to the impres- 
 sions he received while abroad. He returned to Amer- 
 ica with his love of letters confirmed by his European tour. 
 The idea of forming a literary club, which was then con- 
 templated by some of his friends and associates, was 
 in harmony with his feelings and views ; and he entered
 
 WILLIAM TUDOR. 57 
 
 with spirit into the project, and became one of the earliest 
 and most efficient members of the Anthology Society, by 
 donations to their library, by communicating his European 
 letters, and by other contributions to their periodical publi- 
 cation. 
 
 Mr. Tudor was, however, soon separated from his litera- 
 ry associates by accepting a commercial agency for the 
 West Indies. In the year 1805, his brother, Frederic 
 Tudor, formed the plan of establishing a new branch of com- 
 merce by the transportation of ice to tropical cUmates. 
 The project was unprecedented, and, when suggested, was 
 encountered with doubt and even ridicule by the pubUc 
 and his own family. But, undaunted by opposition, Fred- 
 eric Tudor persevered. He planned and furnished the 
 outfit for a voyage to the West Indies, and took upon him- 
 self the expense and risk of an attempt to secure a 
 monopoly of the trade, necessary to justify the expendi- 
 ture requisite for erecting ice-houses in several places of 
 deposit. William Tudor, as his agent, having James 
 Savage for his associate, embarked, in prosecution of this 
 design, for the West Indies, in November, 1805, and em- 
 ployed seven months in visiting several of the islands. In 
 reference to his conduct in this negotiation, Mr. Savage 
 states, " that his large acquaintance with mankind and 
 dignified address served him essentially." Although only 
 partial success attended these first efforts, his zeal and 
 fidelity in his endeavours were highly satisfactory to his 
 employer. Frederic Tudor, though disappointed as to 
 that general cooperation, which he had anticipated from 
 the different governors of the West Indies, adhered to 
 his purpose, in the steady prosecution of which he finally 
 triumphed over all obstacles. He established the traffic, 
 
 acquired in it great affluence for himself, and created for 
 k
 
 68 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 his country an important branch of commerce, of -which 
 he was unquestionably the author and founder. 
 
 On his return from the West Indies, WilUam Tudor re- 
 joined the Anthology Club, was chosen a member of the 
 Massachusetts Legislature for the town of Boston, and, at 
 the request of its authorities, deUvered an oration, on the 
 4th of July, 1809. He also prepared an address to be spok- 
 en before the Phi Beta Kappa Society at Harvard College in 
 1810, which was pubUshed, although its dehvery was pre- 
 vented by his departure for Europe. In the summer of this 
 year, he was employed by Stephen Higginson, junior, an 
 eminent Boston merchant, as his agent, in an attempt to 
 force large quantities of Enghsh manufactures into the Conti- 
 nent of Europe, in despite of the hostile decrees of Bonaparte 
 against the rights of neutrals. The soldier and sove- 
 reign was, however, too vigilant and powerful. The de- 
 feat of the enterprise, although it occasioned great loss to 
 the principal, imphcated Mr. Tudor in no blame. With 
 characteristic spirit, he immediately engaged with Samuel 
 Williams, then American consul in London, and with some 
 other Americans, in an attempt to estabhsh at Birming- 
 ham the manufacture of cut nails. This project was also un- 
 successful, and Mr. Tudor returned to the United States to 
 devote liis thoughts to pursuits more kindred to his genius. 
 
 General Uterature and the political relations of his coun- 
 try now became the exclusive objects of his attention. To 
 open a field for their successful pursuit he formed, in 1814, 
 the design of establishing the " North American Review," 
 which still continues a noble monument of his industry and 
 intellectual power. The prospectus, issued in December, 
 1814, is said to have been from his pen, and combines with 
 comprehensiveness and terseness all the circumstances 
 which rendered such a publication desirable and useful. 
 
 In May, 1815, this pubhcation made its first appearance
 
 WILLIAM TUDOR. 69 
 
 from the press. Mr. Tudor took upon himself, avo-wedly, 
 the character of editor, and sustained the work -with httle 
 external aid. Of the first four volumes, three fourths are 
 known to be wholly from his pen. 
 
 Notwithstanding the occupation incident to this under- 
 taking, he found leisure, in the course of the year 1818, to 
 write, and in 1819 issued from the press a volume of " Let- 
 ters on the Eastern States " ; a work characteristic of the 
 author's pecuharities of mind and modes of thought. 
 
 In 1823, Mr. Tudor published the " Life of James Otis," 
 in which he embraces, not only the leading events of this pa- 
 triot's career, but also notices, with graphic delineations, the 
 characters of some of the most distingmshed political actors 
 of that period. On this account the work has an exten- 
 sive interest, and may well be regarded as a history of 
 the times. 
 
 In the same year, Mr. Tudor conceived the design of 
 erecting on Bunker Hill a monument, in commemoration of 
 the great conflict of the 17th of June, 1775, which, from 
 the spirit and temper it inspired, contributed, more per- 
 haps than any other event, to the Independence of the 
 United States. The following circumstances first suggest- 
 ed the idea to his mind. It came to his knowledge acci- 
 dentally, that a part of that hill was to be sold ; and he as- 
 certained, on inquiry, that the residue embraced the spot on 
 which the American redoubt had been raised, and where 
 Warren fell, and that this might probably then be purchased. 
 Being destitute himself of pecuniary means sufficient to jus- 
 tify his engaging personally in the project, he immediately 
 applied to individuals, whose resources were adequate to 
 the object, and whose spirit he knew was capable of appre- 
 ciating the opportunity and its importance. 
 
 Dr. John Collins Warren, Thomas Handasyd Perkins, 
 Daniel Webster, William SuUivan, Theodore Lyman, junior,
 
 60 BIOGKAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 and William Swett, to whom he first communicated his 
 purpose, expressed cordially their approbation of it. The 
 letter Mr. Tudor addressed to Dr. Warren on the subject 
 has been kindly communicated by him for this publication. 
 The letter is without other date than " Sunday, 1823," 
 and was written in the early part of that year. After 
 dwelling upon the difficulties of efiecting the purchase (the 
 site of the battle being owned by several proprietors), and 
 the best mode of surmounting them, Mr. Tudor pro- 
 ceeds : — 
 
 " I feel reluctant to engage you, by any persuasion of 
 mine, to run the risk of making the purchase of the lot, 
 now for sale ; and I think it would be inexpedient for me to 
 go over the preliminary grounds with the other gentlemen. 
 It was a sudden impulse on hearing of this sale, arising, 
 however, from many previous reveries and wishes on the 
 subject, which led me to speak upon it ; for I had made a 
 vow, that, until I was able myself to subscribe to a public 
 object, I would never solicit any others, — and that, in 
 my powerless situation, there was something ridiculous in 
 attempting to imtronize the public, — this by way of paren- 
 thesis. 
 
 " The gentlemen I spoke with, Perkins, Webster, Lyman, 
 and Swett, seemed to enter into it readily enough, which 
 leads me to think that my ideas were not wholly extrava- 
 gant. No one has so large an interest in the matter as 
 yourself, and your volunteering in the outset would, I think, 
 have a good effect on a fcAV such as I have mentioned, 
 though it would not be expedient to mention it to the world 
 at large ; and therefore, if the purchase should be made, it 
 would be best to keep names out of sight at first. 
 
 " This seems to me to be a subject on which public feel- 
 ing might be very considerably excited, sufficiently so as to
 
 WILLIAM TUDOR. 61 
 
 secure the purpose in view ; and I think there are many 
 motives of expediency for attempting this excitement. I 
 can only say that I will cheerfully labor to carry the design 
 into effect ; and, as my idea would be to make the monu- 
 ment grow from universal contribution, I could in this case 
 contribute the same mite, by way of subscription, which is 
 all I think that would be wanted in the business, if the 
 feeling of the State could be roused. I should like to see 
 the noblest column in the world on that hill, supporting a 
 colossal statue of your immortal relative ; but as to the 
 probability you must judge for yourself, and in any event 
 not accuse me of leading you into a scrape. I am yours 
 truly, W. Tudor." 
 
 Immediately upon the receipt of this letter, Dr. Warren 
 authorized the purchase of the site. A meeting of the 
 gentlemen above named, with Wilham Prescott and others, 
 was called, and the first organized arrangements were made, 
 which terminated in the construction of the monument now 
 standing on Bunker Hill. In the subsequent measures for 
 effecting that object, Mr. Tudor was precluded from parti- 
 cipating, having received the appointment of Consul for the 
 United States at Lima and the ports of Peru, and em- 
 barked for his destination in November of the same year 
 (1823) ; after which departure he never returned to the 
 United States. His zeal and promptitude in the undertak- 
 ing, and the patriotic spirit he manifested, entitle him to be 
 commemorated as one of the earUest efficient authors of 
 its success. 
 
 Mr. Tudor, during his residence on the Pacific coast of 
 South America, was a witness of the convulsions, which 
 preceded the separation of those colonies from the domin- 
 ion of Spain ; and his appointment as American Consul was 
 recognized by the first republican government formed after
 
 62 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 the expulsion of the Spanish dynasty. The circumstances 
 of the period, during the violent agitations attendant on 
 the successive changes of government, and the alternate 
 predominance and subjection of rival factions, rendered his 
 position singularly critical. His judgment and discretion 
 were equal to the emergency. His manners were concilia- 
 tory, and his spirit wisely attempered to the times. Main- 
 taining the rights of his own country, he was just to those 
 of the respective parties, as they rose to power and fell 
 from it. With the leaders of the patriotic party he acquir- 
 ed popularity, and ultimately inspired them with such confi- 
 dence, that they constituted him their organ of communi- 
 cation with the government of the United States, soliciting 
 its influence in mediating a reconciliation between the Re- 
 publics of Colombia and Peru, then engaged in actual hos- 
 tilities. 
 
 At the same period, on the Atlantic coast of South 
 America, the war between the Brazilian government and 
 the Republic of Buenos Ayres had led to insults and dep- 
 redation upon American commerce, which demanded from 
 the government of the United States an efficient interposi- 
 tion of its authority. The qualifications of Mr. Tudor for 
 this service were conspicuous and acknowledged ; and, in the 
 summer of 1827, he received the appointment of Charge 
 d'Afiaires of the United States at Rio Janeiro. His 
 health did not, however, allow him to repair to his new sta- 
 tion until the summer of 1828. In this place he soon ac- 
 quired the same consideration and influence, by which his 
 mission to Peru had been distinguished. Contrary to all ex- 
 pectation he negotiated with the government of the country, 
 at Rio Janeiro, an arrangement of indemnity for spohations 
 on American commerce, on principles so approved and satis- 
 factory, that it received, by a unanimous vote, the concur- 
 rence of the Senate of the United States. 
 
 While resident at Rio Janeiro, Mr. Tudor wrote and
 
 WILLIAM TUDOR. 63 
 
 transmitted to Boston, for publication, a ^york of imagina- 
 tion, entitled "Gebel Teir " ; the name of a mountain on the 
 east bank of the Nile, on which, according to an Arabian 
 legend, the birds from all the countries of the world annu- 
 ally assemble for the purpose of council and debate. On 
 this legend Mr. Tudor constructed an allegory, -which he 
 made the medium of communicating, by way of report to 
 this imaginary assembly of birds, his views and opinions 
 concerning the state and policy of the United States and 
 of the leading European nations. In this form, he obtain- 
 ed the power of giving a freedom and pointedness to his 
 animadversions, which would have been in any other mode 
 unattainable. 
 
 This work was Mr. Tudor's last pubhcation, and his trea- 
 ty with the Court of Rio Janeiro was the last of the public 
 services he was permitted to render his country. On the 
 9th of March, 1830, he died of a fever incident to the 
 climate, and, on the 12th of the same month, his obsequies 
 were attended by the chief officers of the Court of Rio 
 Janeiro, by all the public functionaries there resident, by 
 the English and French commanders of the ships of 
 those nations, then in the harbour, and by all the resi- 
 dent Americans. The qualities of the gentleman and the 
 man of business, of the scholar and the man of the 
 world, were so manifestly and so happily blended in 
 William Tudor, that both in public conduct and private 
 intercourse his character created universal respect and 
 confidence. 
 
 Mr. Tudor has left many manuscripts of public interest, 
 containing curious and important information concerning 
 the countries in which he resided, some of them nearly pre- 
 pared for the press. His official correspondence, which is 
 highly interesting and useful, is also preserved ; and it 
 is hoped that, at some not far distant day, what remains 
 of his writings will be put into the possession of the pubhc.
 
 JOHN THORNTON KIRKLAND. 
 
 Although the space Dr. Kirkland filled among his con- 
 temporaries was large, and the influence he exerted was im- 
 portant, little can be added to what has already been written 
 and published concerning him. The prominent features of 
 his life have been traced, and his virtues commemorated, in 
 discourses devoted to the illustration of his character.* Cir- 
 cumstances do not, therefore, permit or require that this notice 
 should be extended beyond that period of his life, in which 
 he became instrumental, as a member of the Anthology 
 Society, in laying the foundation of the Boston Athenteum. 
 And it will be chiefly drawn from the writer's personal 
 knowledge and recollections. Kirkland Avas his companion in 
 boyhood, at Phillips Academy in Andover, and at times pass- 
 ed parts of vacations, by his invitation, at the residence of 
 his mother in Boston. At College, though they were in differ- 
 ent classes, their intimacy was never wholly suspended ; and 
 in 1794, on Kirkland's settlement in Boston, the writer imme- 
 diately selected him as his pastor ; a i-elation, which was sus- 
 tained for fourteen or fifteen years, until Kirkland was trans- 
 ferred to the Presidency at Cambridge. Through the whole 
 
 * See the Discourses of the Rev. Drs. Palfrey, Parkman, and Young.
 
 JOHN THORNTON KIRKLAND. 65 
 
 period of his subsequent life their friendship was never in- 
 termitted, nor their intimacy, so far as their different posi- 
 tions in society allowed. 
 
 John Thornton Kirkland, the son of Samuel Kirkland, 
 one of the earliest and the most assiduous and successful of 
 the English missionaries to the Indians inhabiting the Unit- 
 ed States, was born on the 17th of August, 1770, at a 
 place now called Little Falls, in the State of New York. 
 The residence of his father's family was soon removed to 
 Stockbridge, in Massachusetts, where the qualities of his 
 mind and heart were nourished and developed under the 
 care of an intellectual and exemplary mother, until, in 
 the month of March, 1784, in his fourteenth year, he was 
 admitted a member of Phillips Academy, in Andover. At 
 his first appearance in the Academy, Kirkland was accom- 
 panied by his father, a circumstance which made a strong 
 impression on the imagination of the writer of this notice, 
 and of his schoolfellows. The dangers and enterprise, inci- 
 dent at that day to the hfe of an Indian missionary, as- 
 sociated with the character of the elder Kirkland the idea 
 of fearlessness and somewhat of a chivalrous spirit, which 
 his aspect and general bearing was, in a degree, adapted 
 to impress. The circumstance that young Kirkland was 
 born among the Indians, and, as the boys apprehended, also 
 educated among them, rendered him a more than common 
 object of general attention and regard. This feeling, in. 
 stead of being diminished, was strengthened by a knowl- 
 edge of the fact, that he was about to owe his education 
 to the liberality of Samuel Phillips, junior ; a man who, in 
 active usefulness, in exemplary influence on the literary, 
 moral, and religious state of society, in general respect, 
 and in public honors, Avas in that day, probably, second to 
 no individual in Massachusetts. The interest thus created 
 was supported and enlarged by the general tenor of Kirk-
 
 66 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 land's conduct. In the school he was distinguished neither 
 for assiduity nor neglect. The principle of emulation was 
 not offensively developed in him. And on this account, 
 though, in oreneral, he satisfied his instructors, he excited 
 neither the envy nor the jealousy of his schoolfellows. 
 With the former he soon began to be regarded as a favor- 
 ite ; for his recitations were, for the most part, thorough, 
 and in turning Latin or Greek into English he was exact, 
 and sometimes, in diction, elegant. With the latter his 
 success with his instructors rather increased than dimin- 
 ished his popularity ; for they could not fail to perceive 
 that it Avas the consequence, rather than the object, of his 
 studies, — the result of a happy facility of talent, and not of 
 any extraordinary ambitious exertions. Sagacity and tact 
 were the characteristics of the boy, as they were after- 
 wards of the man. 
 
 He had been bred roughly and hardily in the wilderness 
 or in its vicinity ; his frame was robust, his temperament 
 kind, and his manners conciliatory. He entered readily 
 into the feelings and interests of his schoolfellows, and was 
 not restrained from uniting in their views or projects by 
 the known dependence of his position, or any peculiar fear 
 of giving oflfence to those by whose favor or good opinion 
 his future prospects in life might be affected. Eliphalet 
 Pearson, afterwards Professor of Hebrew and other Oi'iental 
 Languages in Harvard College, was then Preceptor, or 
 head master, of the Academy. He was critical, exact, and 
 severe in his animadversions on the conduct of the scholars 
 and in supporting the discipline of the seminary. To a 
 thorough acquaintance with the classics, he added an un- 
 bounded estimate of their importance, which he never 
 failed to inculcate and enforce, according to the ancient 
 severe discipline approved at that day in all schools and 
 academies. Kirkland, though he did not satisfy him by
 
 JOHN THORXTOX KIRKLAND. 67 
 
 the continuity of his application, yet, by the fulness and 
 readiness of his mind, escaped from any severity of censure, 
 and gradually became a favorite and the subject of pane- 
 gyric ; a result not displeasing to his schoolfellows, as it was 
 obtained without any sacrifices to authority. He left the 
 Academy in April, 1786, with the reputation of high at- 
 tainments as a scholar, with the esteem of his instructors, 
 and the affection of his comrades. 
 
 Kirkland and the writer of this memoir entered Harvard 
 College within three months of each other, the former be- 
 coming a member of the Sophomore, and the latter of the 
 Freshman class. Notwithstanding this circumstance their 
 acquaintance was never discontinued, and his course and 
 conduct were subjects of the writer's knowledge and ob- 
 servation. Kirkland was propelled by the same internal 
 force and swayed by the same natural impulses in the 
 College, as in the Academy. He was faithful to his stud- 
 ies, and took a high rank as a scholar ; but he affected 
 neither the air nor the precision of a hard student. He 
 loved society, and was not indisposed to the amusements 
 and enjoyments of social intercourse. He became popular 
 and was courted by the most intellectual and ambitious 
 members of his class, and consequently, for a short period, 
 incurred loss of time, and expense somewhat beyond that 
 which his pecuniary resources justified. His regret on 
 this account, as committed by himself to paper, and pub- 
 lished by his biographers in language of his own, is ex- 
 pressed with a depth of sorrow which the nature of his 
 aberrations scarcely justified ; for it was never suggested 
 that they were in any respect vicious or immoral, nor was 
 he ever subjected to any severe college censure or disci- 
 pline. He left the institution with an untarnished reputa- 
 tion, and with an enviable college distinction, implying that 
 he stood the second in his class.
 
 68 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 After passing a year as assistant teacher at the Acade- 
 my in Andover, he commenced the study of theology, re- 
 ceived the appointment of Tutor at Harvard College, and 
 continued prosecuting his studies while engaged in that 
 employment, until his settlement at the New South Church 
 in Boston, in February, 1794. He had, in this connection, 
 an arduous position, which it would have been difficult for 
 a man of ordinary attainments to acquire or main- 
 tain. His predecessor in that desk Avas Oliver Everett, 
 a man greatly beloved by his congregation. Everett's 
 discourses had been distinguished for an intellectual power, 
 which made it more difficult for his successor to satisfy the 
 taste which had been thus cultivated and gratified. Kirk- 
 land soon gave evidence, however, that he was equal to the 
 task he had undertaken. With a mind rich in thought, 
 with a refined taste, a judgment critical and discriminating, 
 skilful in the selection of his topics, and felicitous in their 
 illustration, he became soon distinguished among the 
 preachers of the metropolis, and gradually enlarged his 
 congregation by collecting around him men, of whom 
 many were among the highest intellects and most influ- 
 ential characters of the period. Of these it will be suf- 
 cient here to mention Theophilus Parsons, George Cabot, 
 Thomas Handasyd Perkins, and William Prescott. The 
 approbation and applause of a class of men, of whom these 
 names may he considered as exponents, openly expressed 
 by their joining his congregation, gave a sanction to his 
 success, and evidenced that his popularity was not transient 
 or shadowy, but permanent and substantial. 
 
 There was in Kirkland's manners a natural suavity and 
 outflowing of kindness, which opened a way to the heart, 
 and rendered his private society interesting, and his public 
 discourses effective, independently of their intrinsic beauty 
 and power. His characteristic benevolence and ready
 
 JOHN THORNTON KIRKLAND. 69 
 
 sympathy for the wants and sufferings of others had ren- 
 dered him dear as a pastor, and were regarded, by those 
 who knew him, as eminently quahfying him for a station 
 of more extensive usefulness as a superintendent and guide 
 of the young. When therefore, in the autumn of 1804, 
 Joseph Willard, the President of Harvard College, died, 
 a strong demonstration was made among the friends of the 
 institution in favor of introducing him into the vacant 
 chair. To this his known liberal religious views and catho- 
 lic spirit furnished an exciting motive. In the Corporation, 
 his election was pressed with great warmth by some of its 
 members, and was opposed by others with a like spirit. The 
 struggle resulted first in the choice of Fisher Ames, who 
 declined, and finally in the election of Samuel Webber, 
 who held the ofiice four years. At his death, in 1810, 
 the exertions of Kirkland's friends in the Corporation were 
 revived, and they terminated in his election to the Presi- 
 dency. Public and private munificence succeeded to this 
 event; and the prospects of Harvard University were 
 greatly improved and extended by measures and influences, 
 of which the history is already in the possession of the 
 public. 
 
 It was about the time when the first struggle in favor 
 of Kirkland for the Presidency was pending, that the 
 Anthology Society was formed. All its original members, 
 except Gardiner and Emerson, were his juniors in age, and 
 the latter was of the same colleo;e standinor. Some of 
 them were his intimate friends, others his literary and pro- 
 fessional companions ; and, considering the small number of 
 those who, in this vicinity, at that period took a direct 
 interest in the advancement of literature, it is remark- 
 able that Kii'kland was not among the first associates. 
 But a knowledge of the character and traits of his mind 
 and temperament probably prevented his being at first
 
 70 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 invited to join a society, formed to engage in a work, to 
 which they intended to devote much intellectual labor, im- 
 plying an expense of time and the incurring of responsibili- 
 ty. To the great fulness of his mind and great eifectiveness 
 in its action, Kirkland united an inherent disinclination to 
 intellectual exertion. He required the stimulus of events, 
 or of duty, to induce him to engage in the task of compo- 
 sition, Avhich was always toilsome to him, and the more so 
 from a delicacy of taste, amounting at times to fastidious- 
 ness, resulting in painful revision and laborious correction 
 under the influence of a judgment difficult to be satisfied. 
 A knowledge of his temperament in this respect made him 
 reluctant to engage in any work of supererogation ; and 
 his friends were unwilling to place reliance upon any assist- 
 ance from him in their undertaking, unless under terms 
 distinctly expressed and previously made the subject of 
 agreement. This state of opinion is shadowed forth, in 
 the records of the Anthology Society, by which it appears, 
 that desirable as his aid was thought to be by the asso- 
 ciates, he was not admitted without dehberation, nor was it 
 finally effected but by a vote, passed, probably, jocosely, 
 declaring that it was on condition that he should give an 
 explicit promise, that he would, in his turn, write certain 
 articles Avhich were special objects of interest in the Socie- 
 ty, and review such books as should be assigned to him. 
 Their records accordingly show, that important portions of 
 their labor were immediately devolved upon him. The 
 Memoir, which was designed to promote the first subscrip- 
 tion, after the act of incorporation had been obtained, was 
 claimed from him, and was executed by his pen. His char- 
 acter and popularity had unquestionably a happy influence in 
 obtaining the charter of the Athenaeum, and in effecting the 
 subscription which laid the foundation of its future prosper- 
 ity ; and, notwithstanding that he was not an original mem-
 
 JOHN THORNTON KIRKLAND. 71 
 
 ber of the Anthology Club, nor an important contributor to 
 the funds or the library of the Athenaeum, he is entitled, 
 by his valuable services, to be regarded as one of its foun- 
 ders.* 
 
 * Extracts from the Records of the Anthology Society: — 
 " September 18, 1806. Rev. Dr. Kirkland was put on the nomination list for 
 consideration as a future member of the Society." 
 
 " October 16, 1806. Mr. Shaw moved that the Rev. Dr. Kirkland be admit- 
 ted a member of the Society. The Secretary [Mr. Walter] seconded the mo- 
 tion, on condition that Dr. Kirkland first be requested to give an explicit prom- 
 ise that he would write ' The Remarker ' and ' Silva/ in his turn, and review 
 such books as might be assigned to him. He was accordingly admitted on 
 this condition, and the Secretary and Mr. Shaw were appointed a committee 
 to wait on Dr. Kirkland and inform him of such election." 
 
 October 23, Dr. Kirkland was added to the reading-room committee ; and, 
 October 30, he was chosen one of the five trustees, to whom the library and 
 the whole property of the Society were to be transferred.
 
 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 
 
 The judicious and timely donation to the Boston Ath- 
 enaeum hj John Bromfield during his hfetime, and his 
 endowment of the public with the chief part of his large 
 property, by devoting it in his last will to the most impor- 
 tant and interesting objects of charity and usefulness, ren- 
 der a memoir of his life peculiarly just and proper. 
 
 He was the last representative in America of the male 
 line of a family distinguished, for more than a century 
 among the citizens of Boston, for integrity and benevolence. 
 It had its origin in Wales, where, in the reign of Edward 
 the Second, it had extensive possessions. WilHam Bromfield 
 removed to England, was appointed by Queen Elizabeth 
 Lieutenant of the Ordnance in the Tower, and purchased 
 a great estate in the vicinity of London. His descendant, 
 Edward Bromfield, was born at Haywood House, the seat 
 of the family, in the New Forest, Hampshire, in 1648, and 
 emigrated to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1675, where he be- 
 came a merchant, eminent for activity, judgment, and in- 
 tegrity. His mansion-house stood in the street which now 
 bears his name, on the site of the present Bromfield House, 
 then " surrounded by fields and shady groves." He mar- 
 ried Mary, the daughter of the Rev. Samuel Danforth, of 
 i
 
 74 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 
 
 Roxbury, and grandclaugliter of the Rev. John Wilson, of 
 Boston. Their son, Edward Bromfield, born in 1696, mar- 
 ried Elizabeth Coney in 1722, became a merchant of char- 
 acter and influence, and died in 1756. The youngest of the 
 sons of his numerous family was John Bromfield, the father 
 of the subject of this Memoir. He married Ann Roberts, 
 the youngest daughter of Robert Roberts, "who emigrated 
 to this country from Wales, and became a much respected 
 inhabitant of Newburyport. The character of Mr. Roberts 
 "was marked by " uncommon decision and energy " ; he "was 
 " stern, self-sustained, thinking for himself, "with a never- 
 "wavering resolution to do "what he deemed right, irrespective 
 of the opinions and practice of others" ; and the same spirit 
 was so strikingly developed in his grandson, that it was said 
 of him that the same Cambrian blood flowed in his veins as 
 did in those of his maternal grandfather. Having been 
 educated at one of the English universities, he bestowed 
 on his daughter great advantages of education, of which she 
 had the disposition and power to avail herself. 
 
 The current of her husband's affairs became troubled, and 
 at last seriously embarrassed, by circumstances of which the 
 war of the revolution was one of the causes. Their son, John 
 Bromfield, the subject of this Memoir, was born in New- 
 buryport, April 11th, 1779. His early years were passed 
 with his brothers and sisters, under the pressure of misfor- 
 tunes involving the necessity of great pecuniary restraint, 
 and with no refuge or support except in the elevated spirit 
 of their mother, who was, in all respects, entitled to the 
 epithet of " admirable." Beloved by all, by her children 
 she was little less than adored. Such were the impressions 
 made deeply on the mind of the writer of this Memoir, 
 during many years of intimate friendship with this lady ; 
 whose virtues and character are accurately portrayed in 
 the following touching tribute from her surviving daughter.
 
 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 75 
 
 " In all the more trying exigencies of her life, her con- 
 duct was noble and magnanimous ; nor was it less so, while 
 pursuing the even tenor of her daily life-long course, un- 
 noticed and unknown. Retired from the world, and need- 
 ing not its stimulus of praise or applause, she was never 
 happier than when surrounded by her nursery flock, to 
 whose early training she devoted her almost undivided at- 
 tention ; and for this she was eminently qualified. Her 
 own home school-education, under the supervision of her 
 father, was the best that could be obtained. Her intelh- 
 gent and highly cultivated mind, good judgment, modesty, 
 sweetness of temper, together with a dignity of manners, 
 commanding, yet strictly feminine, formed a charm that 
 bound her children to her irresistibly, her life being to 
 them a liviiig commentary upon the truth and grandeur of 
 what were to them her oracular teachings." 
 
 Mr. Bromfield, after receiving his early education from 
 his mother, became, in 1792, a pupil of Dummer Academy, 
 in Byfield, where his habits were so studious and his schol- 
 arship was so satisfactory, that his friends were advised to 
 send him to the University ; the means for which were 
 kindly proffered by his father's sisters. With that decision 
 and firm spirit of independence, which subsequently mark- 
 ed his character, he refused with grateful acknowledgments 
 this kind offer, saying that he was resolved to make his own 
 way to fortune, as a merchant ; and accordingly at the age 
 of fourteen he entered the counting-house of Messrs. Lar- 
 kin & Hurd, of Charlestown, and afterwards, during the pe- 
 riod of his apprenticeship, that of Messrs. Soley & Stearns. 
 The failure of this house, just as he became of age, was 
 the first cloud upon his prospects as a man of business ; but 
 with characteristic kindness he assumed, as far as Avas 
 in his power, the settlement of their concerns, and devoted 
 himself to their service, without reward, or the hope of it.
 
 76 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 
 
 Mr. Bromfield thus entered upon life without patronage, and 
 without prospects, other than such as his own talents and 
 enterprise might open for him. The times were difficult. 
 Several months elapsed, and every attempt to obtain mer- 
 cantile employment failed. His desire of activity, and his 
 earnest anxiety to begin the work which might lead him to 
 independence, became at last insupportable, when he said 
 to his sister, " I have made up my mind, I will no longer 
 remain idle. I have spoken to a master-carpenter ; I have 
 made arrangements with him to teach me his trade ; and, 
 if for three weeks I continue unable to find mercantile em- 
 ployment, I will change my profession and become a 
 mechanic." With those who knew the firmness of his 
 character, it was unquestionable that he would have kept 
 his resolution. Happily an opening occurred within the 
 prescribed period, and he was enabled to enter the path he 
 had prepared himself to pursue. 
 
 The confidence, which his conduct in relation to the con- 
 cerns of Messrs. Soley & Stearns had created, as well as his 
 known talents and urbanity of manners, soon opened to him 
 opportunities for employment ; but in whose service, or for 
 what objects, is not at this day to be ascertained. By 
 letters from him, preserved in the family, it is known that 
 on the 16th March, 1806, he was at Rotterdam, as factor, or 
 accent, for some mercantile house, and that success had not at- 
 tended the enterprise, of which he had the superintendence. 
 " I have been pursued," he writes to his mother at that 
 date, " by the most untoward and sinister events. Forty 
 days on my passage to Nantes, — fifty-three days embar- 
 goed, — I could not arrive in Holland until the first of 
 March. Fortune has pursued me, undeviatingly, with ill 
 luck ; I cannot charge her with inconstancy. Existence is 
 not worth possessing unaccompanied by independence of 
 mind."
 
 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 77 
 
 It appears that in April, 1808, he was again in Europe, 
 in like service, with a similar result. On the 18th of that 
 month, he wrote to his mother from London ; " Mj fears of 
 a bad voyage are completely realized. I have been obliged 
 to land my cargo, and make a ruinous voyage for the gen- 
 tlemen who were good enough to give me employ. My 
 own loss will be total, of all that I have earned during my 
 past life. The decrees of France and England are ruinous 
 to American commerce ; which is a whip-top, scourged by 
 both parties. Though a neutral, it is attacked by all the 
 belligerents." In the spring o'f 1809, he was intrusted 
 with large funds by Mr. Theodore Lyman, senior, upon an 
 agreement to remain in Canton for a year, as his factor ; 
 and for this purpose he was associated, as supercargo, with 
 WiUiam Sturgis, Avho was appointed to the command of the 
 ship Atahualpa, owned by Mr. Lyman, with joint control of 
 the destined funds. At the request of the writer of this 
 Memoir, Mr. Sturgis has favored him with the subjoined 
 letter, conveying his impressions of the character of Mr. 
 Bromfield. 
 
 " Hon. Josiah Quincy, — My Dear Sir : When you 
 asked for reminiscences of our late friend, Mr. Bromfield, 
 I readily promised to give them, and was gratified at hav- 
 ing an opportunity to express and record the high estima- 
 tion in which I have long held him. But, when I sat down 
 to perform this promise, I found that I had undertaken a 
 task not easily executed, and became conscious of my ina- 
 bility to convey to those not acquainted with Mr. Bromfield 
 the impressions of his character and qualities, that are in- 
 delibly stamped on my own mind. He was one who can be 
 appreciated only by those who knew him intimately ; and of 
 such the number is small, for he was by no means lavish of 
 his confidence, and, though courteous to all, was intimate 
 with few.
 
 78 MEMOIR OF JOHN EROMFIELD. 
 
 " Mj own acquaintance witli him began under the follow- 
 ing circumstances. In the spring of 1809 I was in com- 
 mand of the ship Atahualpa, belonging to the late Mr. The- 
 odore Lyman, senior, preparing for a voyage to China. 
 When nearly ready, Mr. Lyman decided to add another 
 hundred thousand dollars to the large funds already pro- 
 vided, which sum might be left at Canton for investment 
 out of the regular business season, in the expectation that 
 it could be then done on the most favorable terms. This 
 arrangement made it necessary that some one should be 
 associated with me, who could remain a year at Canton ; and 
 Mr. Bromfield, who had previously been in the service of 
 Mr. Lyman, was selected. We met for the first time only 
 the day before sailing, and were wholly ignorant of each 
 other's views, habits, and tastes. 
 
 " The relation in which we were placed, does not always 
 tend to harmony and mutual good feelings. On shore we 
 were upon a footing of equality ; but at sea I was vested 
 with exclusive and almost despotic power, to which he, 
 in common with all on board, was bound to submit. In 
 two voyages previously made to Europe, he had unfortu- 
 nately been associated with ship-masters, whose narrow 
 prejudices made them foolishly jealous of their authority, 
 and disposed to regard as interference with it any inqui- 
 ries or comments (however natural and unobjectionable they 
 might be) made by the supercargo, relative to occurrences 
 and passing events on ship-board. This induced Mr. 
 Bromfield to practise extreme caution at the outset of our 
 voyage ; and he afterwards declared, that for the first week 
 he scarcely knew whether the fore-topsail was set or furled, 
 for, when walking the deck, he avoided raising his eyes above 
 the direct line of vision lest he should be suspected of prying 
 into matters that did not concern him, as had happened to 
 him on previous occasions. We soon, however, came to a full
 
 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 79 
 
 understanding ; and I doubt if two individuals ever did, or 
 could, make a four months' passage together more harmoni- 
 ously and pleasantly. He was full of information on a great 
 variety of subjects, and there was a dry humor and a piquan- 
 cy in his unreserved colloquial intercourse that were per- 
 fectly fascinating ; and I have never known a man whom I 
 should prefer as a companion through the usual tediousness 
 of a long passage at sea. There was even then, at times, a 
 slight reserve and peculiarity in his manner, which became 
 somewhat more apparent in after life ; but these I was care- 
 ful never to notice, and left him altogether free to act him- 
 self in every respect, so that our pleasant intercourse was 
 never for a moment interrupted. 
 
 " His habits on ship-board were very regular. He usu- 
 ally appeared on deck an hour before breakfast time, and, 
 after a formal exchange of morning salutations, would walk 
 rapidly fore and aft the weather side of the main deck for 
 some ten minutes, then join me on the quarter deck and 
 break forth in his usual style, with remarks that never failed 
 to interest and delight me. After breakfast he would occupy 
 himself with his books while I w-as engaged in the usual 
 avocations of a ship-master, which in my case were not very 
 onerous; for, soon after getting to sea, I became satisfied that 
 I was particularly fortunate in having selected a first officer 
 (Mr. Daniel C. Bacon, then a very young man, scarcely more 
 than twenty years of age, now one of our most estimable and 
 successful merchants), so devoted to his duties and compe- 
 tent to perform them, that I might safely intrust all details 
 to his care and management. This left me at leisure to pass 
 much time in social intercourse with Mr. Bromfield ; and hav- 
 ing the mild climate and fine weather which the voyager 
 usually finds on a passage to China in the regular season, 
 every thing went on so smoothly and pleasantly, that when 
 we anchored in Macao roads, on the evening of the 21st of
 
 80 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 
 
 August, we could scarcely forbear regretting that our pas- 
 sage was so nearly finished. 
 
 " The next morning a very unlooked-for change came over 
 us. At an early hour I despatched my first officer, Mr. 
 Bacon, with a boat's crew for Macao, about seven miles dis- 
 tant, to procure a pilot for Canton river. Soon after, a fleet 
 of armed vessels, apparently Chinese men-of-war, were dis- 
 covered a few miles distant, standing directly for us. On the 
 outward passage we had passed through the Straits of Banca, 
 and near the spot where a brother of Mr. Bromfield had 
 been attacked and cut off by Malays some years before. 
 The fate of his brother very naturally led him to regard with 
 more than usual suspicion and apprehension every native 
 armed vessel ; but I thought that he sometimes manifested 
 these feelings in a greater degree than the occasion seemed 
 to warrant, and did not always regard them so much, per- 
 haps, as I ought to have done. 
 
 " When the Chinese vessels were within a mile or two of 
 us, Mr. Bromfield came on deck, and I pointed them out to 
 him, remarking, inconsiderately, " If those fellows should 
 chance to be Ladrones (pirates), and knew that we have 
 three hundred thousand Spanish dollars on board, they 
 would be tempted to pay us attention in a way that might 
 not be agreeable this warm morning." I instantly per- 
 ceived that the suggestion alarmed him ; and though I did 
 not at the moment participate in the alarm, yet, regardful 
 of his feelings, I promptly took measures for defence and 
 escape, that ultimately saved us ; but, had they been delay- 
 ed till my own apprehensions were awakened, it might very 
 likely have been too late, and our destruction inevitable. 
 Had those who witnessed the whole transaction been dis- 
 posed at first to ascribe Mr. Bromfield's alarm to timidity, 
 the cool self-possession and firm intrepidity, with which he 
 aided in defence of the ship when the danger became immi-
 
 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 81 
 
 nent and an attack was actually made, would have fully 
 satisfied them, that he was by no means deficient in person- 
 al courage, but was actuated solely by a prudent desire to 
 avoid danger when nothing but disaster could result from 
 useless exposure. 
 
 " Associated as we were in transactions at Canton, I could 
 judge from personal observation of his capacity as a prac- 
 tical ' business man ' ; and such was the opinion I then 
 formed, confirmed by the experience of after years, of 
 his talents, qualifications, and sound judgment, that I 
 could not select a man whom I should have preferred as 
 an agent for the management of commercial business in 
 any quarter of the globe. I left him at Canton, where he 
 remained a year ; and this voyage laid the foundation of the 
 fortune he subsequently acquired, which was slowly but 
 surely accumulated by persevering industry in the safest 
 manner ; for I doubt if he ever engaged in a transaction 
 that the most fastidious prudence would have pronounced 
 hazardous. He never commenced an adventure without a 
 careful estimate of probabiHties, or closed one without look- 
 ing thoroughly into details and results. He often remarked, 
 that ' many men are ruined by omitting to make figures.' 
 
 " His knowledge of commerce was extensive and accurate, 
 and whatever he undertook to do was sure to be done in 
 the very best manner. He frequently commented upon the 
 loose and careless manner in which business is done in this 
 country, and contrasted it with the European practice. 
 ' Plere,' said he, in his familiar way, ' if a purchaser is 
 about to buy a cargo of box sugars, he will bore into one 
 box, look at a second, kick a third, and take the lot ; but 
 in Europe they thrust an iron searcher through and through 
 every box, and carefully examine every layer.' He admit- 
 ted that a system of credit is indispensable in this country, 
 but denounced in no measured terms the extent to which 
 
 k
 
 82 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMPIELD. 
 
 we have carried it, as a fruitful source of commercial em- 
 barrassments and financial convulsions. To this dangerous 
 extension and indiscriminate granting of credit he mainly 
 ascribed the failure of three fourths of those who engage 
 in trade and commerce. 
 
 " As his property increased, a portion of it was invested 
 in various manufacturing companies ; and, had some of 
 his views in relation to this great branch of industry 
 been adopted and carried out, the interest of those en- 
 gaged in it would have been greatly promoted. He 
 asserted that the manufacturers themselves were their 
 own worst enemies, and maintained that all the injury 
 they sustained from the unwise and vacillating policy of 
 government, and the hostility of ' free trade ' advocates, 
 was trifling compared with the injury they inflicted upon 
 themselves by premature and almost reckless increase of 
 producing power. ' Why, my friend,' he would say to 
 me, ' we manufacturers may clamor for protection, and 
 rail at the government for its hostihty to the manufactur- 
 ing interest till we make ourselves hoarse, and it will do 
 no good. The truth is, government has little power in this 
 matter for weal or woe, and can only aggravate or mitigate, 
 in a degree, the evils we bring upon ourselves hy competing 
 with ourselves. It is not the government, it is Messieurs 
 A, and B, and C, and D,' (enumerating those who usually 
 take the lead in getting up new manufacturing establish- 
 ments), ' with their associates, who do the mischief by keep- 
 ing production too far ahead of consumption ; and, if the 
 rapid growth of this country chance to bring demand up 
 with supply, these gentlemen seem to strain every nerve to 
 give supply the lead again, as if they dreaded that our oc- 
 casional periods of prosperity would last too long. It is the 
 eagerness to sell water-power, and find employment for their 
 machine-shops, that prostrates the manufacturing business ;
 
 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 83 
 
 and we can only hope, that, as all these concerns are princi- 
 pally owned by the same individuals, they will by and by dis- 
 cover, that, where one dollar is gained by getting up new 
 establishments, five are often lost by the consequent depres- 
 sion in price of the productions of those already in opera- 
 tion.' He was not alone in these views. 
 
 " Mr. Bromfield was familiar with matters of finance and 
 currency. He perceived the adaptation of a mixed currency 
 to the business and wants of this country, but was never free 
 from apprehension that the paper element would predomi- 
 nate, and the country be flooded with irredeemable paper. 
 He was proud of the financial position maintained by New 
 England during the war with Great Britain from 1812 to 
 1815, at a time when all south and west of her borders 
 failed to fulfil their engagements and suffered dishonor ; 
 but he was sadly troubled and deeply mortified at the 
 course taken in 1837, when, in a time of profound peace and 
 apparent prosperity, all the moneyed institutions in the 
 country suspended payment, not (as they alleged) for 
 want of means, but because they chose to consider it for 
 the public good that they should violate their engagements 
 and refuse to pay their debts. He deplored the circum- 
 stance as a national calamity, and seemed to feel it little 
 less than a stain upon every solvent man's personal honor. 
 ' It is not,' said he, ' so much the immediate effect that I 
 deprecate, but I dread the consequences hereafter. If in- 
 dividuals who have once violated faith can never be relied 
 upon afterwards, how can you expect that soulless corpora- 
 tions, if once permitted to disregard all laws with impunity, 
 will refrain from doing so again whenever their interest can 
 be thereby promoted. Corporations,' he added, ' are 
 convenient and useful, but there is no safety in them unless 
 regulated by stringent laws, and these laws strictly en- 
 forced.' 
 
 " When discussing ' usury laws,' Mr. Bromfield admit-
 
 84 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 
 
 ted the necessity of establishing by law a uniform rate of 
 interest to govern all cases in which no rate was stipulated ; 
 but he scouted the idea, that legislation could practically 
 restrict the price to be paid for the use of money to a uni- 
 form rate at all times and under all circumstances. ' The 
 value of the use of money,' he said, ' like the price of 
 commodities, is governed by the great law of supply and 
 demand ; and this cannot be controlled by legislation. Usu- 
 ry laws, as they are called, are doubtless designed to pro- 
 tect borrowers and debtors. Do they eflfect this ? Let us 
 look at the practical working of them. We must assume 
 that the borrower will always be disposed to obtain money 
 at the lowest rate of interest. If he cannot obtain it at 
 six per cent., it must be because it will command more. 
 Then, if his prospects or necessities induce a wilhngness, or 
 compel him, to pay more, the law steps in and forbids its 
 being lent to him, directly, at a higher rate. How then is 
 the borrower or debtor situated ? He must have money ; 
 — he cannot borrow it at six per cent. ; — the law forbids a 
 direct loan to him at a higher rate, and he is compelled 
 either to raise it by a sacrifice of property, or obtain it on 
 loan in an indirect way, which every one knows is invaria- 
 bly attended with additional expense, that must be borne by 
 the unfortunate borrower. If no other use could be made 
 of money in times of scarcity but to lend it, the owner 
 might be driven to let it go at six per cent, by the prohibi- 
 tion to take more ; but at such times the current value of 
 the use of money may be realized in many other ways than 
 by lending it. In fact, it may be legally/ lent at any rate 
 of interest agreed upon, provided it be indirectly done. If 
 these views are correct,' he added, ' it is evident that usu- 
 ry laws put no effectual restriction upon lenders, but are 
 onerous and injurious to borrowers ; and this is confirmed by 
 the fact that applications to the legislature for the repeal or 
 modification of such laws come usually from borrowers, for
 
 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 85 
 
 lenders are little incommoded by them.' As a question of 
 morals, Mr. Bromfield did not recognize a difference be- 
 tween getting the current rate for the use of money and 
 getting the market price for a bushel of potatoes or a bar- 
 rel of flour ; and, though habitual respect for the laws de- 
 terred him from violating them, yet he did not scruple to 
 take the current rate for the use of money in a legal man- 
 ner. 
 
 " Mr. Bromfield read much and thought more. The ten- 
 dency of his mind was to investigation, but not speculation. 
 He deemed it a waste of time, however, to investigate sub- 
 jects upon which even an approximation to certainty could 
 not be reached, and which promised no compensating results 
 for labor thus bestowed. ' There are,' said he, ' enough 
 practical and useful matters to be looked into to occupy the 
 longest life.' He bowed to no authority in matters that 
 admitted of difference of opinion, but chose to examine and 
 collate the views of others, and then to form his own. I have 
 never known one less disposed to adopt opinions, however 
 high the source whence they emanated, without passing 
 them through the alembic of his own mind. He often, 
 therefore, rejected those prevalent at the moment, and was 
 seldom carried away by the current of popular feehng. 
 He was, if I may be allowed the expression, thoroughly 
 anti-humbug, and regarded most of the exciting topics 
 of the day with philosophic calmness, or with a feeling 
 bordering upon disgust. You, Sir, can readily call to 
 mind the excited state of political feeling in 1808 and 
 1809, upon questions of embargo, non-intercourse, &c., 
 and will, I think, agree with me, that though too much 
 bitterness is mingled with pohtics at the present time, yet 
 this bitterness is mild compared with the rancor and hatred 
 of political partisans in former days. Now ultra Whigs 
 and violent Locofocos occasionally meet, in sweet commun- 
 ion, on ' free soil ' ; — then Federalists and Democrats only
 
 86 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 
 
 came together quietly in the burying-ground, and even 
 there with reluctance. It was scarcely to be expected, that 
 Mr. Bromfield and myself should escape participation in 
 feelings that pervaded the community at the time we left the 
 United States ; but, once beyond the reach of the exciting 
 influences that surrounded us at home, things soon began 
 to assume a diiferent aspect ; and, ere the passage was half 
 over, we could discuss matters more impartially, and smile 
 at the delusion that led to an undue appreciation of events 
 ephemeral in their character, and temporary in their conse- 
 quences. ' Ah ! ' Mr. Bromfield would exclaim, ' if those 
 who take but a one-sided view of aifairs at home could 
 only look at them as we do, from the latitude of forty, 
 South, how differently they would appear ! ' 
 
 " And in after years, when at any time undue excitement 
 was got up upon any subject, — when poUticians (self-styled 
 patriots) were clamoring for the election of some favorite 
 individual, or the adoption of some particular measure, as 
 indispensable to the salvation of the country, he would 
 touch me upon the arm with ' Ah, my friend, if people 
 could only view these matters from forty, South, would n't 
 they wonder at their own delusion and folly ? ' His opin- 
 ions, being dehberately and carefully formed, were adhered 
 to somewhat tenaciously ; but, though well prepared to de- 
 fend them, he generally shunned controversy, and it was 
 only with intimate friends that he would wilhngly engage 
 in dispute. Whenever he did so, his manner was invaria- 
 bly courteous and considerate. He was a firm believer in 
 the great truths of Christianity, and in its adaptation to the 
 condition and wants of humanity, but had no sectarian pre- 
 judices, and scarcely a preference. He attached little im- 
 portance to forms, and was willing that every man should 
 worship after his own fashion. He held that man was ac- 
 countable to God alone for his behef, and to society only
 
 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 87 
 
 for his actions. I have more than once heard him quote 
 approvingly the sentiment of the poet : — 
 
 ' For modes of faith let zealous bigots fight ; 
 His can't be wrong, whose life is in the right.' 
 
 With these liberal views he could, of course, tolerate the 
 great diversity of opinion on such subjects ; and he extended 
 this spirit even to -what he deemed ill-judged or useless ef- 
 forts to proselytize. He was willing that Jews should chng 
 to the faith of their fathers and remain Jews, and equally 
 wilhng that \'isionary enthusiasts should associate for their 
 conversion. He concurred heartily in the sentiment of 
 Lord Bacon, that the great object of life, and the highest 
 duty of man, are the ' multiplication of human enjoyments 
 and the mitigation of human sufferings.' 
 
 " Mr. Bromfield never married. It was a subject seldom 
 touched upon by his friends, as they knew it rather an- 
 noyed him. Occasionally, however, it would be brought 
 up ; and, when questioned as to his motive for remaining in 
 a state of ' single blessedness,' he would treat it pleasant- 
 ly, and reply, in substance, that he regarded the other sex 
 too highly to inflict upon any one of them such a husband 
 as he should make. ' No woman,' he would say, ' who 
 has a grain of discretion would consent to bind herself to 
 such a nervous old bachelor as I am, and a woman without 
 discretion would be — not to my taste.' The truth, doubt- 
 less, is, that Mr. Bromfield's characteristic prudence de- 
 terred him from changing his condition untU he had acquir- 
 ed a competency ; and this he did not accomplish till he 
 was so far advanced in life, that the same prudence pre- 
 vented his venturing upon the change at all. He was tem- 
 perate even to abstemiousness ; and solicitude to preserve 
 health led him to try experiments in diet, exercise, and ex- 
 posure, that I fear impaired his constitution and shortened
 
 88 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 
 
 his life. The manner of his death was just what he often 
 expressed a wish that it might be,' — sudden and without 
 suffering. ' I doubt,' said he, ' if I shall be better pre- 
 pared at one time than another ; and therefore, when the 
 " grim tyrant " comes, I hope he will make short work of 
 it.' Were I to sum up his most prominent traits, I should 
 say they were unwavering devotion to whatever he deemed 
 duty ; unwearied industry and unfaltering perseverance in 
 whatever he undertook ; but, above all, unswerving integ- 
 rity and uncompromising self-respect. Pope took a con- 
 tracted view of the glorious works of the Creator, when he 
 wrote the oft-quoted hne, — 
 
 ' An honest man 's the noblest work of God.' 
 
 But honesty, in the broadest sense of the term, though not 
 of itself sufficient to constitute the noblest work of crea- 
 tion, is an indispensable element in every character worthy 
 of respect ; and Mr. Bromfield had this element in perfec- 
 tion. Wiser and more talented men have lived, but an 
 honester man never died. 
 
 " I am, dear Sir, respectfully and faithfully, 
 
 " Your friend and servant, 
 
 "Wm. Sturgis." 
 
 During his residence in Canton, Mr. Bromfield received 
 repeated and valuable consignments of property from Henry 
 Lee, Esq., either on his own account, or from persons for 
 whose confidence he was indebted to Mr. Lee's recommen- 
 dation. His grateful feelings on these occasions were re- 
 peatedly sho-\vn in his letters to his mother and sisters. 
 Thus, in March, 1810, he wrote : — "I am much obliged 
 to Mr. Henry Lee for his attentions. Without the small- 
 est claim on my part to the smallest portion of his time and 
 pains, he has not failed to use both to my advantage." And 
 again, in the following November, " I am deeply indebted
 
 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 89 
 
 to Henrj Lee for unremitting marks of friendship, and for 
 seconding mj interest on every occasion." 
 
 Mr. Lee having been applied to for his reminiscences of 
 Mr. Bromfield, and his views concerning his character, the 
 following graphic dehneation of them was received, of which 
 he has kindly authorized the pubhcation. 
 
 " Boston, April 4, 1830. 
 
 " Hon. Josiah Quincy, — Sir : I am gratified that a me- 
 moir of the late John Bromfield is about to be prepared. 
 He was a man worthy to be held up to praise and imitation 
 for his private virtues, not less than for his pubhc benefac- 
 tions. 
 
 " I can give but little aid in writing the history of his 
 Hfe. Our acquaintance commenced in 1806, and our 
 friendly intercourse has been often interrupted by long in- 
 tervals, during the residence of both of us in Europe and 
 Asia. 
 
 " Nature had bestowed on Mr. Bromfield an extreme sen- 
 sibility. His temperament was ardent, and his family afiec- 
 tions intense. His mother, w^ho was one of the most admi- 
 rable women of her time, was beloved and venerated by all, 
 and by her son with an attachment bordering on devotion. 
 From her precepts and example Mr. Bromfield derived 
 many of the most valued traits of his character ; and the 
 desire to secure an independent provision for her and for 
 his brothers and sisters, whom he also ardently loved, gave 
 probably the first bias of his mind to that determined spirit 
 of independence which formed the groundwork of his ef 
 forts. In his early hfe, and during many years of his 
 manhood, he was tried by adversity ; and from this disci- 
 phne he derived many of his pecuhar habits, and also 
 many of those admirable traits of character for which he 
 
 was distinguished. His life was not eventful. It had 
 I
 
 90 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 
 
 no striking incident to make it particularly interesting. 
 In this respect it was not, perhaps, much distinguished 
 from that of the most of our merchants and seamen, who 
 seek in distant seas the profits of a commerce peculiarly 
 exposed to danger from the lawless character of the na- 
 tions with whom, or, in the vicinity of whom, it is carried 
 on. There is, however, one incident of Mr. Bromfield's 
 hfe, in which he had an opportunity to display his personal 
 courage, presence of mind, and force of character, which 
 was highly applauded at the time, and which ought not to be 
 omitted in any memoir of him. It occurred in the year 
 1809, on board the ship Atahualpa, of which William Stur- 
 gis, Esq., was commander, and on board of Avhich Mr. Brom- 
 field was passenger, and was exhibited in defence of that 
 ship when attacked by pirates in the China seas. You will 
 probably receive from Mr. Sturgis a fuller account of this 
 affair, than any I can give. But, as the successful defence 
 and escape of the ship from imminent peril were chiefly at- 
 tributable to the prowess and skill of Mr. Sturgis, he may 
 possibly feel a deUcacy in dwelling on the facts with so 
 much particularity as they deserve, highly creditable as 
 they were to all concerned. 
 
 " Mr. Bromfield was joint supercargo with Mr. Sturgis, 
 the commander of the ship ; they having intrusted to their 
 management a large amount of specie, then on board. 
 While at anchor in Macao roads, and beyond the protec- 
 tion of its fort, a large fleet was, early one morning, per- 
 ceived, bearing down towards the Atahualpa. The ships, 
 full of people, were some of them of great size, and were 
 disguised as Chinamen ; but in fact they belonged to La- 
 drones, residents of the neighbouring coasts and islands, 
 who make robbery and murder their means of subsistence. 
 They are bold, reckless, and efficient. The Chinese au- 
 thorities acknowledge their inability to restrain their depre-
 
 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 91 
 
 dations. Many foreigners, as well as natives, have fallen 
 victims to that treachery and cruelty, for Avhich the Malay 
 race are proverbial. It is, perhaps, impossible to be at- 
 tacked by a more fierce or savage class of men, or one 
 more qualified to fill the stoutest heart with dread. A 
 brother of Mr. Bromfield had been a few years before as- 
 sassinated by them, in the same seas, under very tragical 
 circumstances ; and the sight of the coming enemy natu- 
 rally excited in his mind sad reminiscences of his brother's 
 fate. Other circumstances, probably, tended to fill his 
 mind with apprehension. The chief ofiicer (Daniel C. Ba- 
 con) of the Atahualpa, with a great part of the ship's 
 crew, was absent, having been sent away that morning, on 
 duty, to Macao ; and what remained of the ship's company 
 were scarcely sufficient at once to manage the ship and 
 defend her. Captain Sturgis was, however, equal to the 
 exigency. Cutting his cables, he at the same time hoisted 
 his sails, in order, if possible, to get within the protection 
 of the fort, and gave battle to the enemy ; and, after a serious 
 engagement, in which some of their balls penetrated to the 
 cabin, and the combustible materials they discharged had 
 wellnigh set the ship on fire, he succeeded in placing her 
 under the protection of the fort at Macao. 
 
 " In this defence, Mr. Bromfield was second only to the 
 commander in courage and activity. He took command of 
 a gun, and responded to the orders of the captain with a 
 self-possession and heroism, which, with the other quahties 
 of his head and heart, endeared him to Mr. Sturgis for ever 
 afterwards. 
 
 " In the early periods of Mr. Bromfield's career, he was 
 chiefly employed as a supercargo in foreign voyages, hav- 
 ing very valuable interests intrusted to his management. 
 The times, however, were those of embargo, non-intercourse, 
 and war ; and the circumstances by which his agency was
 
 92 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 
 
 surrounded were unpropitious. But, althougli much of the 
 property which was committed to him was lost, no shadow 
 of reproach was ever cast either upon his judgment, con- 
 duct, or fideUty ; and he enjoyed to the last the entire 
 confidence of all those who had constituted him their 
 agent. 
 
 "After the restoration of peace, in 1815, Mr. Bromfield 
 employed the small property he had then accumulated in 
 adventures abroad, particularly in Eastern commerce, from 
 whence he drew large profits, in consequence of his thor- 
 ough acquaintance with Oriental customs and trade. 
 When, however, through the increase of competition, this 
 employment of his capital became less profitable, he with- 
 drew it, and subsequently devoted himself to its increase 
 by investments, which the course of the exchange ofiered, 
 and which he made with great prudence, avoiding all risks, 
 and seeking safe rather than extravagant gains. 
 
 " His rules of action were fixed, such as he deemed it 
 the imperious duty of a merchant habitually to observe ; 
 and these he applied to the management as well of his own 
 property as of that intrusted to him. To put any thing 
 important in jeopardy for the sake of great profits, — to 
 engage in hazardous enterprises on borrowed capital, and, 
 for the sake of gain to ourselves, to risk the property of 
 others, — were frequent topics of his reproof and reproba- 
 tion; the delicacy and firmness of his principle in this 
 respect are, in this ' go-ahead community,' so uncommon, 
 that they may well be enumerated as among his ^peculiar- 
 ities.^ His tastes and habits in the latter periods of his life 
 had indeed the aspect of singularity. Though he shunned 
 society, he did not seek solitude. He lived in the retire- 
 ment of his own lodgings, yet at proper seasons was on the 
 exchange, where he attended to his own business, — but 
 troubled himself not at all with that of others. He had
 
 MEMOIR OF JOHX BROMFIELD. 93 
 
 a morbid dislike of notoriety, so that, beyond a very cir- 
 cumscribed circle of old friends and acquaintance, his 
 worth was unknown and unappreciated. This aversion to 
 notoriety led him always to avoid all conversation relative 
 to himself or his own purposes. Being once questioned 
 concerning the engagement with the Ladrones in the China 
 seas, with a design to draw him into an account of it, he 
 kindly and characteristically replied, — ' That affair has 
 been a little exaggerated, and too much praised. I will 
 only say, I am incapable of wishing that even an enemy of 
 mine should be ever placed in so disagreeable a predica- 
 ment.^ 
 
 " Although Mr. Bromfield avoided frequent intercourse 
 even with those towards whom he stood in intimate and 
 friendly relations, yet this did not arise from any disrespect 
 or want of affection for his fellow-men ; still less could it be 
 referred to any mental or moral inaptitude to appreciate 
 the pleasures and advantages of social intercourse, and its 
 elevating and civilizing tendencies. For no one, who en- 
 joyed the pleasure and advantage of his society, could fail 
 to perceive the cordial and respectful spirit in which he 
 sustained his part. His conversation was replete with in- 
 formation, entertaining, and instructive. His mind, natu- 
 rally strong, had been improved by careful cultivation, 
 and his observations indicated great meditation and re- 
 search. His opinions were characterized by originahty 
 and independence ; frequently differing from those gene- 
 rally entertained, and often from those of the persons with 
 whom he conversed ; yet he listened with attention and re- 
 spect to the arguments of those who differed from him, and 
 yielded the same right of independence to the judgment of 
 others, which he claimed for his own. 
 
 " Mr. Bromfield's manners, on the first approach, were 
 somewhat formal, even to his friends and acquaintance, but
 
 94 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. , 
 
 in nothing vrere they austere or repulsive. There was in 
 his demeanour so much of dignity, refinement, and gentle- 
 ness, that even a transient acquaintance could not fail to 
 perceive that he possessed all the qualities which character- 
 ize a gentleman. 
 
 " His systematic avoidance of general society, and of all 
 the amusements which occupy the time and thoughts of most 
 men, and his love of seclusion, were indeed striking pecu- 
 liarities in his character, and were the result, unquestion- 
 ably, of habits which, acquired first from a sense of duty, 
 and being continued for many years by the events of his 
 early life, became at last fixed and inveterate. He was also 
 constitutionally liable to physical infirmities, which subjected 
 him to great self-denial. He was, therefore, temperate from 
 principle, and often abstemious from necessity. The exact 
 fulfilment of his moral and social obligations became, in 
 time, the absorbing principle of his conduct, and guided 
 every action of his life. Economy in expenditure, also, 
 which was commenced at first from necessity and duty, re- 
 sulted ultimately in an unremitting habit. It was the effect 
 neither of selfishness nor of avarice. For, although he scru- 
 pulously avoided all ostentatious charities, he was habitu- 
 ally in the custom of contributing to the wants and the 
 comforts of those, whose necessities came within his knowl- 
 edge. As his wealth increased, his desire to be extensive- 
 ly useful increased with it. Having effected his own in- 
 dependence, and also acquired what he deemed sufiicient 
 for that of the relatives he loved, he extended his views, 
 and embraced within their sphere more general charities, to 
 which he determined, that, either during his life or at his 
 death, they should be appropriated ; his design to accu- 
 mulate being ever associated with the intention to accom- 
 plish some wise and benevolent object. To this end he 
 repressed every temptation to self-indulgence, and sought
 
 MEMOIR OF JOHN EROMFIELD. 95 
 
 every occasion of self-sacrifice. The spirit which actu- 
 ated him is not only strikingly manifested in his munifi- 
 cent bequests to the public, but still more by his private 
 legacies. 
 
 " In conclusion, I cordially respond to the tribute paid 
 to his memory by the Trustees of the Massachusetts Gen- 
 eral Hospital, in their recent Report. ' Notwithstanding 
 the many acts of liberality of Mr. Bromfield, he was not a 
 seeker of notoriety or praise. He was remarkable for in- 
 tegrity, sound judgment, quiet resolution, and public bene- 
 factions. What he behoved to be his duty, he did. He is 
 remembered for his public bounty. But he deserves as 
 much respect for his private virtues. Those who knew him 
 best, esteemed him the most.' 
 
 " I am yours with great respect, 
 
 "Henry Lee." 
 
 To these letters of Mr. Sturgis and Mr. Lee, are here 
 subjoined two others, from Messrs. Augustine Heard and 
 Daniel C. Bacon, gentlemen, like the former, of high mer- 
 cantile standing, and also, like them, universally appreci- 
 ated in this community for the soundness of their judgment, 
 and for their capacity to estimate justly the qualities of mind 
 and heart which constitute character. The concurrent opin- 
 ions of such men, the uniformity of their affection for Mr. 
 Bromfield, and their similar testimony to the elevated prin- 
 ciples and motives by which he guided his life, form a trib- 
 ute to his memory, beyond which nothing can be hoped for 
 or desired. 
 
 " Boston, April 18, 1850. 
 
 " Hon. Josiah Quincy, — Dear Sir : You have ex- 
 pressed a wish that I should communicate to you any thing 
 that may occur to me, that would be useful to you in writing
 
 96 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 
 
 a memoir of our late friend, j\Ir. Bromfield ; and I have a 
 sincere wish to do so, but am doubtfiil if any thing, that I 
 can say, will aid you. 
 
 " My first acquaintance with Mr. Bromfield was in Chi- 
 na, in, I think, 1809, where he was joint supercargo of the 
 Atahualpa with Mr. William Sturgis. He remained after 
 the departure of the ship, as Mr. Lyman's agent in China, 
 where he was considered a model man, not only by his 
 countrymen, but by the Chinese with whom he had deal- 
 ings. In all his transactions he was scrupulously just and 
 accurate, which gave him the entire confidence of all who 
 knew him ; and through life he always sustained the 
 character of a man of sterhng principles, pure mind, and 
 kind dispositions, never for a moment forgetting the claims 
 of those around him. He was constitutionally a gentle- 
 man, and could not, if he would, have been otherwise, — 
 possessing an unusual degree of refinement, combined with 
 great intelligence and sound judgment. His knowledge was 
 always at command, and always at the service of his 
 friends. In speaking upon any subject in which he felt an 
 interest, the ease and flow of his language kept pace with 
 the vigor and rapidity of his thoughts, and his conversation 
 at such times was most interesting. In his habits he was 
 exact and uniform, and to his industry and punctuahty 
 may be attributed his remarkable acquisition of informa- 
 tion on so many topics. He was always careful of his per- 
 sonal expenditures, from a sense that extravagance would 
 not conduce to his happiness ; this, combined with his busi- 
 ness talent, enabled him to exhibit during his lifetime a 
 degree of liberality that few men can bring themselves to do. ' 
 
 " In a conversation that I had with him the day before 
 the attack that carried him from among us, when he was 
 unusually cheerful, he spoke very freely of leaving the 
 world, and of the desirableness of being taken away upon
 
 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 97 
 
 a short summons, and named a number of instances of 
 those whom he had known, who had departed without 
 suffering, or giving trouble to their friends (which was al- 
 ways a consideration with him), and without the painful 
 sense of a gradual wasting of the powers and strength of 
 manhood, which is usually attendant upon protracted ill- 
 ness. This comparatively happy exit, however desirable, he 
 observed, could not be secured ; we must submit to our 
 destiny. Upon this occasion he remarked, quoting some 
 ancient authority, that death, as it was the fate of all the 
 living, should not be considered an evil ; that leaving this 
 world was part of a great plan unnecessary for us to under- 
 stand. 
 
 " Mr. Bromfield's character was not marked by points 
 which served to make him popular with the world ; yet, if it 
 can be said of any one, it may of him, that ' he was a man 
 without guile,' and fuU of excellent qualities. 
 
 " I can hardly suppose that the foregoing will be of any 
 service to you ; yet I shall be glad if it should be so. All 
 Mr. Bromfield's friends must rejoice that a remembrance of 
 him is to come from your hands. 
 
 " I am, dear Sir, very respectfully, 
 
 " Your obedient servant, 
 "Augustine Heard." 
 
 " Boston, March 28, 1850. 
 
 " Hon. Josiah Quincy, — My dear Sir : Your favor 
 under date of the 27th instant, requesting me to give you 
 any reminiscences I may have concerning the late Mr. 
 John Bromfield, or any opinion or facts I possess illustrative 
 of his character, is before me. I am aware that I am to- 
 tally incompetent to do justice to the character of such a 
 man as Mr. Bromfield. I was acquainted with him from 
 1808 to the time of his death, and can truly say I have
 
 98 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 
 
 always had and still retain the greatest respect for him as a 
 high-minded moral man, of the strictest integrity, and one 
 of the most agreeable and pleasant companions, both on 
 board ship and on shore, that it was ever my good fortune 
 to be acquainted with. I made a passage with him in the 
 ship Atahualpa, in 1809, to China. During that voy- 
 age the ship was attacked off Macao, by twenty-two large 
 Ladrone junks, some of them twice the tonnage of the ship ; 
 and it was entirely owing to the courage and good judg- 
 ment of Capt. WiUiam Sturgis, and the great exertions of 
 the others on board at the time, only two thirds of a crew 
 (myself and four men being absent at the time), that saved 
 the ship from capture, and the lives of all on board ; Mr. 
 Bromfield having performed all that lay in his power dur- 
 ing the engagement, with the same unflinching discharge 
 of duty, however arduous, which marked his whole life. 
 Mr. Sturgis's conduct for courage and good judgment in 
 that engagement received the highest praise from all those 
 who saw and were capable of judging of the manner in 
 which the ship was worked, and his great exertions to save 
 the ship and crew from the pirates. 
 
 " I am. Sir, very respectfully, 
 
 " Your obedient servant, 
 
 " Daniel C. Bacon." 
 
 These testimonies from men of highly intelligent and in- 
 dependent minds, to whom different opportunities for obser- 
 vation gave an intimate knowledge of Mr. Bromfield's 
 principles and motives, and the causes of his pecuharities, 
 present a striking delineation of his character. 
 
 The high reputation for ability and integrity he thus at- 
 tained among his immediate associates, and the small capital 
 he acquired during his agency in Canton, laid the founda- 
 tion of his fortune. After his return to the United States
 
 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 99 
 
 he employed himself in the management of his own funds, 
 and in again superintending agencies in foreign countries, 
 intrusted to him by his friends, in which his knowledge of 
 commerce and his known judgment gave great promise of 
 success. Fortune, however, resumed her former unpropitious 
 aspect. " I have been captured," he writes to his sister 
 from Cadiz, in January, 1813, " and detained ten weeks in 
 Gibraltar. The consequence is ruin to the business I had 
 undertaken. I regret that I have never been able to im- 
 part to you a single instance of my success. But it is a 
 melancholy truth, that in the whole course of my hfe I have 
 never arrived at a good market." 
 
 Mr. Bromfield was now about thirty-four years of age, 
 and the want of success attendant on his foreign voyages 
 induced him to place beyond the reach of such vicissitudes 
 that attainment of independence which was the object of his 
 eflforts. 
 
 Fixing his residence in Boston, or its vicinity, he watch- 
 ed, with a practised eye and a skilful foresight, the ebb and 
 flow of the exchange. Sometimes in connection with the 
 house of Bryant & Sturgis, or of Henry Lee, he engaged 
 in adventures abroad, well conceived and carefully in- 
 sured ; at others, he availed himself of the phases of 
 the money market, which he diligently observed and well 
 understood. 
 
 Thus, by the vigilant and careful investment of his small 
 capital, by the rigid practice of economy, in seclusion from 
 general society and from the temptations of vanity and 
 amusement, by deducting scarcely any thing from his ac- 
 quisitions beyond what was necessary to his own subsist- 
 ence, and to that charity to others which he habitually prac- 
 tised, he gradually executed his plan of life, attained inde- 
 pendence for himself, and the power of conferring important 
 benefits on others and on the public. His books show that
 
 100 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 
 
 his kind acts and charitable contributions, though secret, 
 were constant. The bounty of his spirit to his friends and 
 relatives was uninterrupted, discriminating, and most liberal. 
 To the general claims of pauperism he listened dubiously, 
 and often with disregard, being of opinion, that indiscrimi- 
 nate charity was one of the fruitful causes of the state it 
 pretends to reheve. To public solicitations he seldom 
 yielded. Although the care of his property and its gradual 
 accumulation made the chief employment of Mr. Brom- 
 field, his time was not exclusively devoted to affairs of busi- 
 ness. His knowledge of life and acquaintance with the 
 world opened to him never-failing sources of thought and 
 reflection, which were readily placed at the service of all 
 who had recourse to him. In contributing to the instruc- 
 tion of others, his language was easy and eloquent ; and in 
 what he uttered there were ever displayed research, medita- 
 tion, various information, and deep wisdom. Books were to 
 him a constant source of occupation and amusement. In 
 their company, he felt not the want of general society. 
 Self-sustained, and with an ever-pervading sense of his re- 
 sponsibility to Heaven, he valued but little, and courted 
 not at all, the common opinion of mankind. 
 
 As his property increased, his desire of usefulness in- 
 creased with it. The objects to which his acquisitions 
 should ultimately be applied were, probably, never out of 
 his mind. The right of selecting them was maintained and 
 vindicated with a pertinaciousness belonging to that spirit 
 of independence, for which he was distinguished. 
 
 In December, 1845, Mr. Bromfield communicated to the 
 writer of this Memoir the liberal design which occupied his 
 thoughts, in language at once characteristic, and indicative 
 of a fixed purpose. " My property," said he, " has in- 
 creased beyond my hopes and even my desires. I now 
 feel myself at liberty to gratify a prevailing wish of my
 
 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 101 
 
 heart, and to do something permanent and useful for a city, 
 in which a great part of my hfe has been passed. Circum- 
 stances have made it my duty to accumulate. But I see 
 no value in wealth, and have little regard for it, except 
 for its ultimate use ; but in respect to this I feel a sense of 
 great responsibility. Hitherto my view, as to that ulti- 
 mate use, has been limited to the provisions of my last 
 will. But, as my property has increased, I begin to doubt 
 whether an application of a part of it to an earlier object 
 of usefulness be not most wise. By will, a man bestows 
 only what he can no longer keep. It is a fund of gener- 
 osity, formed out of the expectations and rights of relatives 
 and heirs. Nothing can be strictly called a gift, except 
 that which a man executes in his lifetime. For this I am 
 prepared and desirous. But I must be unknown. I have 
 extreme repugnance to notoriety." The conversation then 
 turned upon the amount he proposed to give, and to the ob- 
 jects to which it should be applied. He observed, that he 
 felt justified in giving away fifty thousand dollars, but after 
 great deliberation he had resolved to restrict his gift at 
 present to twenty-five thousand. As to the object of his 
 bounty, the wants of the Boston Athenseum were known to 
 him, and he had concluded to come to its aid. His 
 pleasure in literary pursuits made a chief part of his 
 enjoyment, and probably decided the direction of his 
 liberality. Mr. Bromfield's repugnance to be known as 
 the author of this gift to the Athenaeum was with great 
 difficulty surmounted. But, when it was urged that 
 its origin could not long be concealed in an inquisitive 
 community, — that he might be subjected to inquiries, 
 which his strict regard to veracity would render it impos- 
 sible to evade, — and also that it was as much a man's duty 
 to be true to himself, as to be just to others, he finally ac- 
 ceded ; and reluctantly consented, that if the proposal of
 
 102 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 
 
 his gift and its terms were accepted by the Proprietors 
 of the Athengeum, his name should not be withhekl. 
 
 The friends of Mr. Bromfield were aware, that the pecu- 
 liarities of his life and the delicacy of his sensibility had 
 prevented many of his contemporaries from forming a just 
 estimate of his worth and his generosity ; the publicity thus 
 given to his bounty was, therefore, to them, highly gratify- 
 ing ; and it was apparent that the satisfaction, derived from 
 perceiving that his character and liberal views were ap- 
 preciated and understood, added much to the happiness 
 of the few remaining years of his hfe, and more than com- 
 pensated for the annoyances, arising from the constant ap- 
 plication for charity and patronage, which this public dona- 
 tion immediately occasioned. 
 
 His death, an event which he had accustomed himself to 
 contemplate and be prepared for, was granted him in a 
 manner, for which he had often expressed a hope. On 
 the morning of the 8th day of December, 1849, after 
 an early walk, he returned to his apartment ; and, when 
 called to breakfast, he was found insensible from a stroke 
 of apoplexy. Although he Avas apparently aware of the 
 presence of his sister and her husband, and of other friends, 
 who were immediately summoned to his residence, and who 
 watched over his last hours, distinct consciousness never 
 returned ; and on the following day his life, which he had 
 endeavoured to lead under a sense of being " ever in 
 his great Task-master's eye," was terminated, without 
 gradual decay or protracted suffering. 
 
 His property was found after his death considerably to ex- 
 ceed two hundred thousand dollars, invested with great judg- 
 ment and care, and was distributed by his last will with a 
 wisdom and precision altogether in unison with the princi- 
 ples and habits of his life. Having fulfilled to the utmost 
 the duties of afl&nity, affection, and friendship, he de-
 
 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 103 
 
 voted his remaining ample resources to the service of the 
 pubHc, giving 
 
 To the Massachusetts General Hospital, and to the 
 
 McLean Asylum, in equal shares, . ^ 40,000 
 " " Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, . 10,000 
 " " Boston Female Asylum, . . . 10,000 
 " " Asylum for Indigent Boys, . . . 10,000 
 " " Farm School at Thompson's Island, . 10,000 
 " " Asylum for the Blind, .... 10,000 
 Seamen's Aid Society, . . . 10,000 
 
 Tovm of Newburyport, for its improvement 
 
 and ornament,* 10,000 
 
 li 
 
 $110,000 
 
 By these noble and generous benefactions to the pubhc, 
 Mr. Bromfield erected an enduring memorial to his own 
 virtues, and to a name of which he was the last representa- 
 tive. And this sketch of his life may be appropriately 
 closed in the words of his nearest survi\ang relative : — 
 
 " The distinguishing trait of my brother's character was 
 his quick discernment of the true and the real, apper- 
 taining to our human existence, and his power of separat- 
 ing them with almost equal sagacity from their apparent 
 and nominal value. At no period of his life did he look 
 
 * The following are the provisions of Mr. Bromfield's will in relation to this 
 subject ; — 
 
 '• I order the sum of ten thousand dollars to be invested, at interest, in the 
 Hospital Life Insurance Company, in the city of Boston, so and in such man- 
 ner as that the selectmen or other duly authorized agents of the town of New- 
 buryport, for the time being, may annually receive the interest which shall 
 accrue or become payable for or in respect of said deposit; and I direct, that, 
 by or in behalf of said town, the interest so received shall be annually ex- 
 pended, — one half in keeping the sidewalks in the public streets of said 
 town in good order, and the other half in the planting and preserving trees in 
 said streets, for the embellishing and ornamenting of said streets for the 
 pleasure and comfort of the inhabitants."
 
 104 MEMOIR OF JOHN BROMFIELD. 
 
 forward to being made happy, — hardly to being made hap- 
 pier, — by the attainment of that honorable competency for 
 which he struggled nobly and labored unremittingly. Yet 
 this insight, and superiority to the usual incitement to activ- 
 ity, united with a nervous temperament and a delicate con- 
 stitution, never led him to seek refuge in repose. With 
 systematic, unflinching, personal selfdenial, he strained 
 every nerve, and exerted every faculty, to procure for oth- 
 ers, not merely the means of alleviating the ills of life, but 
 of gratifying every rational indulgence and merited enjoy- 
 ment. One portion especially of his mercantile experience 
 strongly tested the self-reliance, decision, and indomitable 
 courage of his character. The grand basis of rehgious 
 principle laid by his mother, combined with intellectual 
 strength, and power of will, and moral energy, enabled him 
 to sustain himself through a long Hfe, to the accomplish- 
 ment of his plans of usefulness, and the fulfilment of his 
 destiny."
 
 73S> 
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