MR. hovey's address. 83 



/VDDEESSES. 



At the regular meeting of the Society, held on Saturday, January 5, 

 18G7, the retiring President, Charles M. IIovey, made the following 

 valedictory address: — 



Gentlemen: — 



Another year has been added to our existence, as a society, and we 

 are now assembled, at this season of fresh hopes and renewed endeavors, 

 to discharge the duties M^hich devolve upon us, and inaugurate the gov- 

 ernment for the present year. Our labors have been crowned with 

 success, and we gather together once more to participate in mutual con- 

 gratulations upon our prosperity and condition. 



Everything combines to render this occasion one of more than ordi- 

 nary interest. It is the period when the newly elected oflicers enter 

 upon their official duties. It is the period when the appropriate Com- 

 mittee report the financial state of the Society, — its receipts and 

 expenditures, — and give us the valuation of our property. It is the time 

 when we are to listen to the suggestions of the President, and pass upon 

 important appropriations for the year. But even the new administration 

 which is to be inaugurated — the valuable reports to be presented — or 

 any other business would give it the interest which characterizes the 

 jjresent occasion. No, gentlemen, these are the expected and interesting 

 details of the January meeting, wiiich make you acquainted with the 

 progress of the Society in its onward march to a more elevated position. 

 The deep interest which attaches to this assemblage is, that the official 

 ties which have bound us together for four long, eventful, anxious years, 

 are now to be severed, and the pleasant business associations, though 

 often burdened with responsibilities and labors, in the erection of the 

 new Hall, are now and forever to be broken off. This event would be 

 viewed with sadness were it not that it is only officially that these ties 

 are to be sundered ; for released from the duties and cares of office, with 

 more leisure at my command, it will be a source of the highest gratifi- 

 cation to become once more a working member, "and bring the same aid 

 — the same zeal — the same enthusiasm — and the same earnest aspirations 

 — to the support of the Society, which have been exerted in its behalf for 

 more than thirty years. 



