THE RETROSPECT OF THE YEAR. 133 



strong argument in favor of Bacon, making the point that 

 it was natural to suppose that the man who wrote Shakes- 

 peare's plays would have a very large correspondence , 

 but it was a fact that no letter had ever been found 

 addressed to William Shakespeare, nor any scrap of paper, 

 save a signature or two, bearing his handwriting. Dr. 

 Merriam also made some remarks in support of Mr. Chase's 

 position. 



April 23, 1898. — An adjourned meeting of the 

 Board of Directors was held at the Institute rooms to- 

 day. The committee, to whom was referred the matter 

 of a memorial service to the memory of Mr. T. F. Hunt, 

 reported that they were considering the setting apart of a 

 room in the building to contain the books given by Mr. 

 Hunt, and to be known as the "Hunt Room," and suggested 

 the autumn as a suitable time for the dedicatory services. 

 Mr. Morse suggested that a tablet to the memory of Mr. 

 Hunt be placed in the room. 



The committee on nominations reported that, owing to 

 the serious illness of the Secretary, it was not deemed 

 advisable to consider any nomination to fill the position. 

 That Miss Alice G. Waters be nominated Librarian to fill 

 the vacancy caused by the death of Librarian Charles S. 

 Osgood. The finance committee was proposed to be the 

 same as last year. The nominating committee was given 

 further time at its request. 



Monday Evening, April 25, 1898. — The last lecture 

 of the free course was given in Academy Hall this even- 

 ing by John Woodbury, Esq., of Boston, Secretary of the 

 Massachusetts Park Commission. His subject was " The 

 Metropolitan Park System." In introducing the speaker 

 President Rantoul said that he was a lineal descendant of 



ESSEX IXST. BULLETIN, VOL. XXX 9* 



