190 



Special Meeting, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 1874. 



Meeting this evening at 7.30 o'clock. The President 

 in the chair. Records read. 



The Secretary stated that James Steele Mackaye 

 delivered last evening for the benefit of the Institute his 

 lecture on Francois Delsarte. Mr. Mackaye is one of 

 Delsarte's most successful pupils ; and this lecture, the 

 recital of his master's life and a fitting tribute to his mem- 

 ory, was listened to with marked attention and pleasure. 

 Delsarte was born in the north of France, Nov. 11, 1811 ; 

 a descendant of the Delsartos of Italy. His mother was 

 a woman of remarkable refinement and intellectual cul- 

 ture, from whom he inherited his proud spirit, his love of 

 beauty, and his devotion to truth. A very graphic account 

 was given of the bitter struggles of his early days ; the 

 success that attended his first appearance on the stage ; 

 his subsequent brilliant career as a singer and actor, 

 until an impaired voice compelled him to retire at the 

 height of his fame ; and of the subsequent devotion to his 

 studies and the establishment of his "practical school of 

 aesthetics and art" in Paris, which was very celebrated. 

 He died July 20, 1871. 



The Secretary also mentioned that Miss Anna Finkex- 

 stadt, of Newport, had rendered valuable assistance in 

 the Institute course of lectures and concerts at Mechanic 

 Hall on Monday evening, and on his motion it was 



Voted, That the thanks of the Institute be presented 

 to Mr. James Steele Mackaye, and Miss Anna Finken- 

 stadt, for their very acceptable contributions thus rendered 



in the promotion of the objects of the Institute. 



Thomas High, of Marblehead, was elected a resident 



member. 



[To be continued*] 



