PREFACE. 



THE first movement towards the present work was on the 

 7th of January, 1854, when, on motion of Charles M. Hovey, 

 it was voted " that the Committee on Publication be request- 

 ed to consider the propriety of publishing so much of the 

 history and proceedings of the Society as they may deem im- 

 portant for present use and future reference." In January, 

 1859, and also in January, 1860, the subject was again con- 

 sidered; but no action appears to have been taken until 1861. 

 On the 7th of February, of that year, on motion of Edward 

 S. Rand, it was voted " that a committee of six (of which the 

 president shall be chairman) be appointed, who shall be au- 

 thorized to collect and publish, in a form to correspond with 

 the present Transactions of the Society, a complete record of 

 all its proceedings from 1829 to 1862, inclusive, together with 

 such other matter as shall in their judgment be desirable or 

 necessary to complete a full and connected history of the 

 Society from its commencement to the present time, and 

 that the Committee be authorized to employ such assistance 

 in the preparation of the work as they may find necessary." 

 This committee consisted of President Joseph Breck, Edward 

 S. Rand, MarshaU P. Wilder, Charles M. Hovey, Joseph S. 

 Cabot, and Eben Wight. Rev. Luther Farnham was appoint- 



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