TFIE RETROSPECT OF THE YEAR. 



Hall was apparently (juite satisfactory to the audiences, 

 which were aenerally nmch larger than in previous years. 

 The lectures have been hy Prof. T. C. Mendcnhall, of 

 Worcester, Richard Ilodgdon of Boston, Dr. George A. 

 Dorsey, of Cambridge, Howard Walker, of Boston, (la- 

 nialiel Bradford, of Boston, Goorgo S. Hale, of Boston, 

 Gharles Carleton Coffin, of Boston, Rev. Dr. Pulhnan, of 

 Lynn, Miss Lucia T. Ames, of Boston. 



There have been twenty-three regular meetings of the 

 Society held this year ; a larger num])er, I think, than has 

 ever l)een held in any year previous. The evening meet- 

 ings in the Library room have been well attended. Papers 

 have been read by the following ])crsons : Herl)ert E. 

 Valentine, of Somervillc, Jolni Rol)inson, Prof. E. 8. 

 Morse, John H. Sears, Hon. R. vS. Rantoul, Frank Cous- 

 ins, Mrs. H. W. Edwards, Mrs. E. A. Kilham, of Bev- 

 erly, Miss Helen D. Lander for Miss Lucy Perry, Mrs. 

 R. C. Manning, Miss Mary S. Cleveland, Miss Abljy L. 

 Read, Miss Irene Weir, of Boston, and three i^ajjers by 

 the Secretary. 



These papers were discussed by various members of the 

 Society. There is a great interest taken in these meet- 

 ings, which is very encouraging to those who planned 

 them. The only drawl)ack seems to be that some of our 

 members, who would gladly take i)art, have engagements 

 elsewhere on Monday evenings. But it might be the same 

 if we had the meetings upon any other evening. 



Our regular meetings, in accordance with the by-laws, 

 occ ur on the first and third Monday in every month. They 

 have been held this season in tiie evening, from the first 

 Monday in December until the first Monday in May. Dur- 

 ing the summer months they are usually held on Monday 

 mornings, for business only, and notice is given in the 

 newspai)('i-s of the city on Frid;iy and Saturday previous. 

 I mention this here because members sometimes say they 



