In the early part of 1876, on occasion of the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia, Mr. Babson prepared and published a short historical account of "The Fisheries of Gloucester, from the first Catch by the English in 1623, to the Centennial Year 1876." This is a very interesting and valuable monograph, embodying much information not to be found elsewhere; and though it was written merely to meet a temporary demand, it everywhere shows a thorough familiarity with the subject, and habits of wide and careful research. The style is clear, simple, and direct; and the pamphlet well merits republication in a more attractive form, and with the omission of some matters not directly connected with its main subject. It must always remain the highest authority on the history of the Gloucester fisheries.

To the "Standard History of Essex County," published in 1878, he contributed the chapters on Gloucester and Rockport. These contain a very good account of the topography of the two places and a condensed summary of their history, based not only on his own earlier labors, but embodying also the results of continued research. They are not a mere abridgment of his larger work, but bring the narrative down to a period about twenty years later, and are sufficiently full for the wants of the general reader. It is matter for regret, however, that they were very carelessly printed, and it does not seem possible that the proof-sheets could have been seen by the writer.

Mr. Babson's interest was not confined to education and historical investigations. He was not infrequently called on to preside at public meetings; and at the dedication of the Collins Schoolhouse in 1864, and at the dedication of the Sawyer Free Library building in 1884, he delivered addresses, both of which were printed. He was also for several years President of the Cape Ann Horticultural Society, for some years one of the Trustees of the Essex Agricultural Society, and a member of the Essex Institute and of the New England Historic, Genealogical Society.

He was twice married. By his first wife, Mary Coffin Rogers, daughter of Timothy and Clarissa [Coffin] Rogers, to whom he was married June 17, 1832, and who died Dec. 5, 1842, he had a son and a daughter who died young, and two sons who survive. His second wife, to whom he was married

June 14, 1851, was Ann, daughter of Alphonso and Lucy [Stratton] Mason. By her he had one son, who also survives. His own death was the result of a paralytic attack in January, 1886, from which he only partially recovered.

Mr. Babson was a fine example of the character developed by the Anglo-Saxon race under the modifying influence of American institutions and American modes of life. He had a sturdy conscientiousness which always held him true to his principles and convictions. He never thrust himself forward as an aspirant for office, or to promote personal or partisan ends; but he was in the best sense of the term a public-spirited citizen, and never shunned the trusts which the public confidence imposed on him. He was patient and persevering in research, not hasty in his judgments, calm and moderate in the expression of his opinions, and the master of a clear and vigorous style. His intellectual growth and development were almost wholly the fruit of self-culture; but they furnish impressive illustrations of the native energy of the race from which he was derived, and of the wise use of every opportunity for self-education and unobtrusive public service. As a citizen his worth was attested during his life by many years of various and disinterested labors in behalf of the growing community, and at his death by concurrent votes of the two branches of the City Government, giving expression to the sense of public loss. In his domestic and social relations he left only pleasant and gracious memories.

DECEMBER MEETING, 1886.

THE meeting of the Society was held on Thursday, the 9th instant, and Dr. GEORGE E. ELLIS presided.

The Recording Secretary read his account of the last meeting.

The Librarian made his monthly report.

The Corresponding Secretary mentioned that Senator Hoar and Professor Johnston had accepted membership.

The PRESIDENT then said:

It was rather with feelings of relief than of regret, that we heard, on the twenty-first of the last month, of the release from life of our honored associate Charles Francis Adams, for fortyfive years a member of this Society, and for twelve years one of our Vice-Presidents. A brain overtaxed in the very highest tasks of public service in the crisis of our national struggle had prostrated his intellectual powers through the last five years. He was indeed one of the most honored and lingering of the veterans of our civil strife. No minister in the cabinet, no general in the field, performed a more exacting or a more effective service in leading on to triumph our imperilled cause. The exalted tributes of gratitude and veneration called forth from our whole country by his death, with the historical references and reminders accompanying them, have made the occasion in many respects like one of the centennial observances of great events in the century of our national life. The three generations of Adams span that whole term of years with unblemished virtues of character and the loftiest services of patriotism. For nearly a score of years the three were in life together. Those of us who were present at the severely simple services of the funeral, in the ancestral parish church in Quincy, had before us impressive memorials such as no parade of observance could have furnished. Grandsire and sire seemed to have part in the obsequies of the form lying in hushed repose. The monumental tablets and the busts of the

two Presidents welcomed the bearer of their name and honors to their higher fellowship.

It will be for those who, with appreciation and fidelity, discharge the work of biography for Mr. Adams to apply the balances of estimate and criticism to his political career, his party relations, and his official services in his own country. Only one single abating qualification has found utterance in the fulness of the tributes to his rigidly elevated character called forth by his death; but this one qualification of full-hearted and admiring eulogiums has been so repeated and emphasized as to demand a passing notice. We are told that his bearing and demeanor, his close reserve, his personal elevation and dignity, his lack of the genial and winning attractiveness of word and manner, always helpful, but sometimes exercised where nobler qualities are wanting, or, to express the whole deficiency as popularly defined, his lack of "personal magnetism"greatly limited the range and measure of his public appreciation. Those who were so affected by his bearing are free to avow it. Others, who were not repelled by it, will recognize its protective and neutralizing power against some of the less manly and honorable wiles of political life. There are two poles of magnetism," and the repelling pole is often as needful and as serviceable as the attracting pole.

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But this is to be said, and said with strength of word and thought, the personal qualities of bearing and demeanor, of reserve and dignity, of calm self-command and of iron firmness, which may have limited one form of popularity for him here, were the foremost and the most effective qualities to meet the severe demands of the anxious crisis in our public affairs at the time of his diplomatic mission to England. As we pass through our minds the names of politicians and statesmen of that date who might have been sent on that mission, there is a seeming accord in the judgment, of course fortified by the trial and the result, that only such a man as Mr. Adams, in ability, aptitude, attainments, discretion, and temperament, in fact, only he himself answered to the needs of his country. His inherited ancestral traits and all of us seated here well know what they were, and it is pleasing to us to add, still are -had in two previous generations found occasions for their exercise near the Court of St. James. If nobility takes its significance from ancestral dignities and adds weight to official

position, we were well represented among peers. He went on that high errand weighed by the burden of its tremendous responsibilities. He felt it as it tasked all the full and rich resources of his knowledge, statesmanship, and patriotism. He felt it religiously, for a sentiment of the profoundest reverence was also in his inheritance and his character. He asked of the minister of the First Church in Boston, where he worshipped, that in the parting Sunday service there might be used the devout hymn of Dr. Johnson, a favorite invocation with him, used also at his funeral,

"O Thou whose power o'er moving worlds presides!"

We recall the irritations and provocations of the hostility and duplicity of some of the governing powers of England — as they seemed, at that time, to be waiting for and ready to welcome the humiliation of our country-only that we may deepen our sense of obligation to him who so ably and grandly met the responsibilities of the crisis, through impediments, slights, and supercilious recognitions. To circumvent the plottings and stratagems of the most insidious foes of his country, and to hold a vacillating and double-minded foreign government to its treaty covenants, engaged his keen watchfulness alike upon shipyard and harbor and upon informal official intercourse with rival diplomats. All was conditioned upon his penetration, his self-command, his reserve of feeling, his discretion of utterance, and his conscience of simple duty in himself and in those with whom he had to deal. His diplomatic correspondence is the legacy which carries with it his pure and grateful memorial.

We have noticed, in the comments on his character and mission in some English journals, expressions of regret for some incidents in his treatment. Indeed, the word remorse is used in one of those papers. So let it stand. It is a good word when there is occasion for its use. But let our closing word of him be that of homage and esteem for an upright and gifted man, intrusted with a vast responsibility and found equal to it.

The Hon. E. R. HOAR, being called upon, spoke as follows:

I do not know that I can add anything to the impressive tribute which you, Mr. President, have rendered to the char