8 Boston Society of Natural History 



an "angel" appeared on the scene. On a tablet in the vestibule of 

 our Museum may be found the following inscription: 



TO 



AMBROSE S. COURTIS 



MERCHANT OF BOSTON 



WHOSE GENEROUS BEQUEST IN 1838 WAS 



FOR TWENTY-FIVE YEARS ITS CHIEF SUPPORT 



THE BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAE HISTORY 



ON THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FOUNDATION 



GRATEFULLY INSCRIBES THIS TABLET 



In his will he commended his bequest in the following terms: 

 "Finally, I request the recipients of the above bequeathed prop- 

 erty to realize that no inconsiderable portion thereof has been 

 gathered as the fruits of a laborious vocation, exercised through 

 anxious days and sleepless nights; that it is given to them, in trust, 

 nevertheless, to be expended so as to inure to the greatest advance- 

 ment of sound education in the departments as above specified, 

 and the public good. I request that its investment may be safely 

 guarded; that its expenditure may be subject to the strictest 

 economy; yet that it may be appropriated liberally where the ob- 

 jects aimed at justify an open hand, and cannot be afforded the 

 cause of education and the public good at less expense." 



Those who are familiar with the history of the Society will agree 

 that the spirit of the touching request of its first great benefactor 

 has governed the financial policy of the succeeding Trustees of the 

 Societv's funds. 



