REPORT OF THE SECRETARY AND LIBRARIAN. 373 



time, as oi)portiuiity offers, the \'ery necessaiT task of revising 

 and correcting tliis list ; wliicli coustitntes a ver}' important por- 

 tion of tlie Society's records. From the necessity of Ids situation, 

 liaving need to communicate, as occasion may require, with indi- 

 vidual members, he finds that all changes of residence and dis- 

 continuance of membership by death or otherwise, are matters to 

 which his attention ought to be given. 



Heretofore, as far as possible — but without especially devoting 

 time to it, and under urgent call at all times for other needed work, — 

 he has prosecuted inquiries on all convenient occasions ; and sup- 

 plied the revisions ascertained to be needed. Recently this work 

 has engaged his attention more especially, as a matter of growing 

 urgency. 



It had long been suspected that the List of Members stood in 

 need of revision, but on systematically undertaking it, the need 

 was found much greater than had been previously supposed. Its 

 necessity may be judged of from the fact that there are now on 

 the list the names of about fifty members, who, when last heard 

 from, were residents of Boston, but whose names are not now to 

 be found in the Boston Directory. On the other hand, the 

 Directory contains the names of as many more, who when last 

 heard from were not residents of this city ; raising the question 

 whether such members have removed to Boston, but not deciding 

 it, since there may have been two persons of the same name. A 

 request is every year printed, at the head of the list of members, 

 for i>rompt information in regard to cliange of residence or any 

 inaccuracies ; but this request is seldom heeded. The present 

 Treasurer, as well as his predecessor, has kei)t careful watch over 

 the list of members, Imt notwithstanding all these efforts it is 

 found that a large nuui])er of changes have l»een made, which 

 have not come to the knowledge of either the Treasurer or the 

 Secretary. 



Inasmuch as the facts in question are often difficult to ascertain 

 decisiveh', and since experience has shown that, even under the 

 strongest probabilities, it is hazardous to change the record until 

 direct and positive evidence is secured from those having a per- 

 sonal knowledge, the Secretary particularly invites the co6[)eration 

 of members in this work. Almost every one might furnisli more 

 or less aid in collecting the required information, and in view of 



