Hon. HAMILTON B. STAPLES, LL.D., read a paper on La Salle, concluding by presenting to the Society a crayon copy of the bronze memorial recently erected to him in the Cathedral of Rouen. Mr. JUSTIN WINSOR spoke of the attempt recently made to produce a likeness of La Salle which should pass as genuine. Among the embellishments in the English edition of Hennepin, 1699, is a small group of persons one of whom is intended to represent La Salle at the moment of his assassination. The whole picture and scene are, of course, imaginary. La Salle's face as there shown is about the size of a pea. Pierre Margry, then director of the archives of the Marine and Colonies at Paris, who has made large collections of MSS. and published several volumes relating to the discoveries of La Salle, enlarged this miniature face by a camera, or some such method, into a size to fit one of his octavo volumes, and palmed it off as a veritable portrait of La Salle.

ANDREW MCF. DAVIS, Esq., presented without reading, a paper on "The site of the first College building at Cambridge."

Prof. HENRY W. HAYNES read a paper on the “Alabama Stone."

Prof. FREDERICK W. PUTNAM spoke briefly on the interesting work now being carried on by him in the explorations of the mound builders' work, which the lateness of the hour prevented him from dwelling upon at the present time.

All the papers and discussions of the day were referred to the Committee of Publication, and the meeting was then dissolved.

JOHN D. WASHBURN,
Recording Secretary.

REPORT OF THE COUNCIL.

IF it is a subject of regret that the accessions to the library for the past six months as appears by the report of the Librarian are somewhat below the average of such accessions for the last few years, the result of chance, an ample consolation is to be found in a visible and marked increase in its use, the result of design. The small reduction in number of accessions is easily accounted for by the accident of the absence of two or three members who make it one of their objects in life to increase the value and number of our collections. The increased use is explained by the simple fact, which ought to be recognized by all our members and promulgated on every proper occasion, that here are to be found many almost invaluable aids to original investigation, primal springs of historical knowledge; that here most useful aid is given to all inquirers by the intelligent and faithful custodians of the library; that our collections are made easily accessible to visitors, even to those not members of the society; that the physical conditions which make work in a library comfortable, agreeable and safe, here abound— cheerful light, genial warmth, undisturbed quiet and seclusion. Few scholars who visit our treasures for the first time, fail to be in equal measure impressed and surprised by their originality and fulness. Our distinguished associate who has recently passed by his own desire from the chair of the President to that of the Second Vice-President, familiar as he has been for years with the general character and extent of our collections, found himself surprised at the sources of original information which opened themselves to him when he was employed in the preparation of his great

oration on the settlement of the Northwest Territory. These treasures must not be left to rust unburnished, but made to shine in use; and if the question were to be put to the judgment of those most familiar with them, it might well be answered that increase of use would be productive of more good in the world and to the public of whom institutions like ours must be held to be the trustees for very important purposes, than mere increase of average accessions. And yet too often, the estimate of the prosperity of libraries is based almost exclusively on this last.

The opportunity afforded by the different classes of collections in our library may well be illustrated by mention of a single one, to which, it is believed, the attention of the society has never been directed in any Council report. Probably in few places in the world is there so large a collection of reports and pamphlets on the subject of Insanity. The fulness and richness of this body of material is largely due to the zeal and thoughtfulness of Dr. Pliny Earle, for many years the distinguished head of the State Lunatic Hospital at Northampton, to whom the writer of this report was under infinite obligation during a term of ten years as trustee of two others of the Lunatic Hospitals of Massachusetts. In these days of original and daring investigation into the causes-moral, intellectual and physical-of mental alienation, when men of genius are spending whole lives in the study of the spinal cord alone, when the microscope is searching into the most secret recesses of the chamber of the mind and is almost as it were on the eve of establishing the connection of the visible with the invisible, it is of infinite value to have at hand and conveniently arranged for consultation, so great a body of statistics and statements of results both relative and absolute, bearing on the subject of insanity in all its recognized forms and varieties.

It is highly desirable that the fulness of the collections of a society like this should be generally known; hardly less so its deficiencies. The Librarian's report makes one or

two valuable suggestions on this general subject. For example, assume that we have a collection of authorities on any particular subject which is almost perfect; the nearer perfection is approached, the more vital and pressing the necessity of reaching it, even if the material necessary to complete it be among the more insignificant in inherent importance and value. Some other society has this, thinks little of it because it is so insignificant, would gladly give it to us in exchange for something which, valuable to it on the same grounds, is comparatively unimportant to us. This idea is not simply that of the ordinary system of exchange, but a modification or amplification of it, and some further suggestions upon this subject may be made by the Librarian in his report.

It is still true, as urged by the present writer in a former report, that our collections, almost if not quite without exception, are wanting in absolute completeness. But progress has been made, perhaps stimulated in some direction by what was then said, and it is in the power of our members to add greatly to this completeness, by gifts of books or pamphlets which may be needed, or by pecuniary additions to the book-buying fund; such additions to be devoted, if desired, to specific purchases.

The reports of the Librarian and of the Treasurer, which form a part of the report of the Council, show that the affairs of the Society, both intellectual and financial, are in good condition. The Society always wants money, wants a great deal of money, and could use it for the very best and most useful of purposes. It is however better at the present time to hold what we have with thankful spirit, and be satisfied that it is honestly and intelligently kept or disbursed, and that we are able to accomplish so much with resources so moderate. It would be desirable to incur a reasonable expenditure by fitting up more shelf-room in the lower hall, as the steady increase in the volume of our collections makes more available space necessary. There is no

not room for him in this place. He went to Boston, as you know, and became there a very successful physician. Dr. Sargent remained in Worcester, and it is because my relations and connections did little to help him while he was struggling for position in the town, that I have felt especially appreciative of the kindly and generous spirit which he has shown in his intercourse with me.

Hon. P. EMORY ALDRICH said:

In addition to what has been already said by other members of the Council, in just eulogy of our late associate, Dr. Sargent, permit me to speak very briefly of his conduct and character in another and quasi public relation, where his rare intelligence, conscientiousness and absolute loyalty to truth were conspicuous. During my practice at the Bar, I had occasion to call Dr. Sargent many times, as a medical witness and expert, and heard him testify often when called by others. And from him, as such witness, courts and jurors were sure to hear an impartial and luminous statement of the facts as he had observed and understood them; and if beyond a mere statement of facts, his opinion as a medical expert was called for, that opinion was invariably given with caution, and with no apparent desire to support either side of the controversy, beyond its just merits. His opinions, as a scientific witness, were never for sale, they could not be bought. He never took the witness stand as a partisan, or in the spirit of advocacy. When called upon

to act as a witness in a case demanding superior knowledge and skill, he first investigated the facts of the case, with a thoroughness I seldom ever saw practised by any other member of his profession; and having done that, he frankly stated his opinions of the case, whether favorable or unfavorable to the party choosing to call him. He encouraged no false hopes, nor set up any fanciful theories, unsustained by facts, upon which it might be possible to win a cause. He never forgot his duty to science whose precious treas