APPENDIX, 



THE HOWE PLACE. 



A few years ago Dr. Howe bought the old home- 

 stead in Paxton with the intention of eventually 

 giving it to the town. This bequest was practically 

 accomplished on the Fourth of July succeeding his 

 death. In making the presentation to the citizens 

 assembled for the purpose, there was read the follow- 

 ing paper, notes evidently intended for the occasion, 

 found in a fragmentary condition in Dr. Howe's desk : 



MR. CHAIRMAN, AND FELLOW-CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF 

 PAXTON : 



By and through the purposes of Divine Provi- 

 dence, and the fortuitous circumstances of human 

 affairs, we have met on this, our country's natal day, 

 to exchange greetings ; and if you be half as glad to 

 see me as I am to confront you, there is for the pre- 

 sent an amplitude of joy on the lawn of this rural 

 mansion. 



The occasion of this convocation of Paxtonians 

 centers in the fact that a great great grandfather of 

 mine, on the Howe side, bought this landed estnto 

 from a subject of King George the Third, and took a 

 deed from an agent of the Crown of Great Britain, 



(319) 



