indication of reprints by a sign." A careful study of the characters which are as follows: [* X H §] does not thus far help to solve the mystery. They may indicate where the titles or books are to be found. It is barely possible that some of our earlier members may be able to throw light upon this dark subject.

Members and correspondents who have not found the title-page and index to Proceedings, volume two, new series, are informed that it is stitched to the last number of that volume. This would seem to be the safer way of distributing them, though with volumes one and three they were sent separately to avoid delaying the circulation of the Proceedings. A labor-saving plea is entered for more care in stating the dates of birth and death in all obituary or biographical notices. Librarians are well aware of the frequent omission of these all-important facts from notices otherwise full and accurate. An examination of the photographs of members-so far as we possess them-will show how attractive as well as biographically useful our treasurer intends to make them.

Among the works of national interest in the preparation of which we have continued to assist is Sabin's valuable Dictionary of Books relating to America, now in the editorial charge of Mr. Wilberforce Eames. It is important that this work upon which Mr. Joseph Sabin labored so industriously and for so many years, and the first of whose ninety numbers was issued as early as January, 1867, should not fail of completion for lack of bibliographical or pecuniary aid. Its more than nine thousand pages have been of great advantage to us as well as to the scholars who have frequented the library. Mr. Eames's separately printed pamphlet on the various editions of the Bay Psalm Book-which he has forwarded to the library-shows how carefully he has sought for light on the hidden things of bibliography. The reprinting of other similar lists from the body of the work is much to be desired. Such a list

for instance as that of the Mather publications would easily lead in fulness and accuracy all others yet prepared.

The list of American societies and institutions to which our Proceedings are sent having been carefully revised, it is suggested that the same course should be taken with that of our foreign corresponding societies. It is important that as complete sets as possible of our publications should be found in the leading library centres of Europe. As but six complete sets of the Transactions remain, the reprinting of Volume Two should be a subject for early consideration.

It is fortunate that we have upon our Council scholars who not only know the value of rare books but those also who have served as directors of free public libraries, and thus know the difference between the library of reference and that for circulation. That our library of American history may be more freely used by members and all others who will appreciate its privileges and obey its rules is, I am sure, the wish of all who have its increase and safety most at heart. We may well recall Prof. Winsor's words in his first report as librarian of Harvard University, when he said: "I try never to forget that the prime purpose of a book is to be much read: though it is equally true that we are under obligations to posterity to preserve books whose loss may be irreparable, and that the present generation cannot always decide correctly which books are the most precious." The connection of Mr. Winsor's thoughts and their application to our own library are alike clear and suggestive, and in closing this report I can do no better than to adopt them as my own.

Respectfully submitted.

EDMUND M. BARTON,

Librarian.

Donors and Donations.

FROM MEMBERS.

ALDRICH, Hon. P. EMORY, Worcester.-His argument before the Committee of Education of the Massachusetts Legislature in favor of a grant to the Worcester Free Institute; and "Reports of Massachusetts Controverted Elections, 1853-1885."

BARTON, Mr. EDMUND M., Worcester.-Nineteen photographs; and "St. John's Echo," as issued.

BARTON, WILLIAM S., Esq., Worcester.-A Cabinet photograph of himself. BRINTON, DANIEL G., M.D., Philadelphia, Pa.-Four of his brochures, viz.: "Notes on the Mangue, an Extinct Dialect formerly spoken in Nicaragua "; "Study of the Nahuatl Language"; "Polysynthesis and Incorporation as Characteristics of American Linguistics," and "Iconographic Encyclopædia, Anthropology and Ethnology."

BUTLER, JAMES D., LL.D., Madison, Wis.-His "French Fort at Prairie du Chien, and Tay-cho-pe-rah-The Four Lake Country."

CAMPBELL, Hon. JAMES V., Detroit, Mich.-Jefferys's American Atlas, fol., London, 1776; and the Semi-Centennial Number of the Detroit Free Press. CHANNING, EDWARD, Ph. D., Cambridge.- His "Narragansett Planters." CLARKE, ROBERT, Esq., Cincinnati, O.-The Marshall Family; Force's "Observations on the Letters of Amerigo Vespucci; " The Sixteenth Reunion of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland; and two historical pamphlets. COLTON, Mr. REUBEN, Worcester.-Six Volumes of Early Newspapers; and Thirty Numbers of Magazines.

DAVIS, Mr. ANDREW MCF., Cambridge.-Thirty-four books and two hundred and seventeen pamphlets, including four of his own publications. DAVIS, Hon. EDWARD L., Worcester. - Two books; and thirty-one pamphlets.

DAVIS, Hon. HORACE, San Francisco, Cal. - His "American Constitution The Relations of the Three Departments as adjusted by a Century"; and two pamphlets.

DEVENS, Gen. CHARLES, Worcester. - Twelve War Maps, chiefly of Virginia.

GILMAN, DANIEL C., LL.D., Baltimore, Md.-His paper on "The Benefit which Society derives from Universities"; and his annual report for 1885 as President of Johns Hopkins University.

GREEN, Hon. SAMUEL A., Boston.-His Boundary Lines of Old Groton"; his Groton Historical Series, Nos. IX. and X.; the American Journal of Numismatics, as issued; forty-eight books; and one hundred and sixteen pamphlets.

GUILD, REUBEN A., LL.D., Providence, R. I. - The Catalogue of Brown University, 1885-6.

HALE, Rev. EDWARD E., D.D., Boston.-Twelve Numbers of the Atlantic Monthly.

HIGGINSON, Col. THOMAS W., Cambridge. His "Larger History of the United States of America to the close of President Jackson's Administration."

HOAR, Hon. GEORGE F., Worcester.-" Celebration of the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Incorporation of Concord, Mass.," including the oration by Mr. Hoar; a Memorial of Senator Anthony, containing Senator Hoar's address; Poore's Descriptive Catalogue of U. S. Government Publications; the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, as issued; and one hundred and fifteen pamphlets.

HUNNEWELL, Mr. JAMES F., Charlestown. - His "The Imperial Island, England's Chronicle in Stone."

HUNTINGTON, Rev. WILLIAM R., D.D., New York.-His Sermon Commemorative of Thomas Butler Coddington; and the Year Book of Grace Church, New York, 1885-6.

JONES, Hon. CHARLES C., Jr., Augusta, Ga. - His Tribute to Gen. Robert Toombs.

MERRIMAN, Rev. DANIEL, D.D., Worcester.-His Central Church, old and new, 1820-1885; "In Memoriam William Hutchinson," containing Dr. Merriman's Tribute; six books; two hundred and thirty-nine miscellaneous pamphlets; The Nation, 1869-1874; five hundred and five numbers of magazines; and one map.

NELSON, Hon. THOMAS L., Worcester.-Ten books; and ninety-one pamphlets, of an historical character.

NOURSE, Hon. HENRY S., Lancaster.-Annual Report of the Lancaster Town Library, 1886.

PAINE, NATHANIEL, Esq., Worcester.--Webb's Account of "The Library of Nathaniel Paine"; Manuscript Map of Worcester Centre, by Mr. Paine; three books; two hundred and twenty-three pamphlets; eighty-three numbers of magazines; and five files of newspapers.

PARKMAN, FRANCIS, LL.D., Boston.-His "Some of the Reasons Against Woman Suffrage."

PEET, Rev. STEPHEN D., Clinton, Wis.-His American Antiquarian and Oriental Journal, as issued.

PERRY, Right Rev. WM. STEVENS, D.D., Davenport, Ia.-The Iowa Churchman, as issued, containing many articles by Bishop Perry.

POOLE. WILLIAM F., LL.D., Chicago, Ill.- The Dial, as issued, containing articles and reviews by Dr. Poole.

PUTNAM, Prof. FREDERICK W., Cambridge.-His remarks on "Jadeite Ornaments from Central America"; the Twentieth Annual Report of the Massachusetts Commissioners on Inland Fisheries.

SALISBURY, STEPHEN, Esq., Worcester.-A Memorial of Stephen Salisbury, of Worcester, Mass., containing Mr. Salisbury's Introduction; thirty books; two hundred and eighty numbers of magazines; and two hundred and fourteen pamphlets.