1890.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 319 



Neither should he be in haste to retire from business. If 

 he has secured a competence, let him indeed relieve himself 

 of a portion of his care and hard labor, as years advance, 

 affording himself and his family increased ease and comfort, 

 and seek opportunities for improving the condition of the 

 community in which he dwells. If he has become rich, it 

 will now be comparatively easy to add to his millions, and 

 there are plenty of opportunities to do good with his 

 surplus. It need not be to him so dangerous an element as 

 politicians would have us believe it is in our country's 

 affairs. But generally the man who has passed the meridian 

 line of life in active business, will be happier and live 

 longer if he continues to have some regular occupation, 

 than were he to spend his time in luxurious idleness. 



These considerations in regard to " the principal business 

 of one's life," crude and incoherent though they may be, are 

 submitted wifh the hope that at least one little seed from 

 among a mass of chaff may find its way into a congenial 

 soil, and ultimately yield its appropriate fruit ; and, if so, I 

 shall be content. 



And now, gentlemen, as the term of my connection with 

 this Board is closing, I hope I may be pardoned for 

 indulging in a few personal reflections suggested by the 

 situation. I well remember, when I first sat in this hall, 

 six years ago, the profound respect with which I regarded 

 the venerable senior members of this Board then present. 

 Among these were "Wilder, Grinnell, Lane, Moore, Nichols, 

 Slade. And I also remember one other gentleman, less 

 venerable in years, but greatly beloved by us all, and a dear 

 personal friend of my own, who, only a few days ago, was 

 actively engaged in alleviating the pains and healing the 

 ailments of humanity, — Dr. Lynde. I have thus directly 

 alluded to seven distinguished members of this Board at the 

 time referred to. We can rejoice, to-day, that one of these, 

 having obtained mercy, continues to this time, and has the 

 privilege of exchanging the fickleness of our Northern 

 climate for the genial warmth of the sunny South, under 

 the influence of which we hope he will be so recuperated in 

 health and vitality as to continue yet many years the 

 honored father of this Board. But where arc the six? 



