THE FIRST HALF CENTURY OF THE INSTITUTE. 



21 



daily burthen and a daily incentive, — I speak for them 

 and all of them when I say that no effort of theirs will be 

 lacking to make the future worthy of the past. 



The President then read two letters dated at Rome, the 

 first, as he said, to show the feeling entertained for us by 

 the Sculptor Story just before his death, as evinced by the 

 deposit, for perpetual preservation in the Institute, of a 

 cradle in which he and his distinguished father, Judge 

 Story, were rocked in infancy. This w T as as follows : 



The 



5tovy Cradle 



Palazzo Barijerini. 

 My dear Mr. Kantoul and 



Gentlemen of the Essex Institute: 



I have just received your most kiud and flattering letter of Nov. 19, 

 and I beg to express my -warm thanks for the cordial terms with 

 which yon accept my little gift of tin' 

 old cradle. 



It comforts my heart to hear that my 

 Father's memory is so warmly cherished 

 in Salem. He always had a deep feeling 

 for the town and, as I well remember, 

 quitted it with great regret and only be- 

 cause he deemed it his duty to do so in 

 order to secure for Harvard University 

 the Donation of Mr. Dane — as Mr. Dane 

 had made it a condition of his gift that 

 my Father should accept the Professor- 

 ship of Law and go to Cambridge to 

 reside. 



For myself, Dear old Salem has my 

 stron irafl'ections. It was my birthplace — 

 the days of my boyhood were spent there 

 — and I retain for it only the most 



affectionate associations and memories. Often in my dreaming and 

 musing hours I go back to it, and long again to see the streets and to 

 renew the old and vivid recollections which still are fresh and living 

 in my mind The boyish memories last forever, and have a charm 

 unsurpassed by those of a later age. 



I wish my little gift were more worthy of your acceptance, and 

 small as it is, I am, I confess, deeply pleased tliat you have so kindly 



