FINANCE committee's REPORT. 73 



The usual custom, of leaving the prizes of the present 3"ear to be jDaid 

 during the succeeding one, has this 3'ear been departed from, as also the 

 payment of the coal bill, and some others, as more properly bringing the 

 work of the year within itself. This fact, together with the payment of 

 last year's salary of Treasurer, the insurance on building, a considerable 

 aiuoimt paid for addition and alterations to building and furniture, and 

 other exi^enditures, which are not liable again soon to occur, may ac- 

 count for the apparently small amount in which the floating debt has 

 been reduced. These expenditures nevertheless reduce the indebtedness 

 of the Society, and leave the income of another year to be more freely 

 applied to that jDurpose. 



It will be seen by the figures that the income arising from the Halls is 

 very considerable, and it is believed that the amount may be iDermanent- 

 ly increased. The Stores remain rented as at the date of last Report. 

 In the capacity of Superintendent, your Treasurer has, with the concur- 

 rence of the Finance Committee, made such imjirovements and additions 

 to the fittings of our Halls as render them the most desirable rooms of 

 their class in the city, and assurances are such as warrant the belief that 

 our building will sustain our highest expectations of income, and at the 

 same time increase in favor with the better portion of our community, 

 as its facilities are better known. The rooms devoted to the use of our 

 members are open, during ordinary business hours, for reading and for 

 social intercourse. A cordial invitation is extended to all to make this a 

 place of resort and free use of the library. This last privilege will be 

 much f\icilitated by a very full and complete catalogue recently prepared 

 of our books. In closing this report, your Treasurer asks your kind for- 

 bearance Avith any apparent short comings. Undertaking as he did, at 

 a time of unusual activit}'- in the work of the Society, the untried position 

 of Treasurer and Superintendent combined, inexperience could only be 

 atoned for by an earnest desire and an honest purpose in the Society's 

 behalf. To the full and hearty support of the Finance Committee, and 

 the Society generally, belongs the credit of whatever success may have 

 crowned these eflbrts. 



Respectfully submitted, 



E. ^y. BUSWELL, Treasurer. 

 Boston, January 12, 1867. 



