BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 105 



ative to the provisions of that instrument, and to take such action as might be necessary 

 to see that the purposes of Dr. Walker were carried into effect. 



The Treasurer, Mr. Bouve, who was also one of the executors, read a statement of some 

 of the provisions of the will, and gave some account of the property, by which it ap- 

 peared that the whole amount probably exceeded $1,250,000. Of this, $10,000 was be- 

 queathed to the Redwood Library, $26,500 in various sums to friends, and there were an- 

 nuities to be paid out of the estate amounting to $1,280 during the lives of certain indi- 

 viduals mentioned. To his family was left $200,000, and to the Boston Society of Natural 

 History, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Amherst College and Tufts College, 

 the remainder of his estate in equal proportions. 



It was also provided that if his children, to whom the $200,000 was left, die childless, 

 then this amount also should be divided between the residuary legatees. 



It was also stated by Mr. Bouve that Mr. Wheeler, one of the executors, and a friend of 

 the heirs, had asked in their behalf that the four residuary legatees would consent to the 

 further payment to them of $300,000 from the estate without conditions. He gave reasons 

 why he thought this request had better be promptly complied with, and wished action 

 taken upon the proposition whether the Society, as one of the four residuary legatees, 

 would consent to such payment. If this were done, and the others concurred in it, each 

 would soon receive from $175,000 to $180,000, with a fair prospect that this would at some 

 time be increased to $200,000, whereas if it were not done, the whole sum might be lost 

 in litigation, or much lessened after years of strife, of which there was imminent danger. 



Following this statement by Mr. Bouve, a motion was made that he be authorized to 

 act for the Society with full powers. Upon his suggestion, however, that it would be bet- 

 ter to have parties selected for the purpose who were not also executors of the will, Dr. 

 Gould and Prof. Rogers were appointed, and authorized by an unanimous vote to make 

 such settlement on behalf of the Society with the executors and the heirs-at-law of the 

 late Dr. William J. Walker, as they should see proper. 



The annual meeting of the Society was held on May 3d. The report of the retiring 

 Treasurer, Mr. Bouve, who declined re-election, was in substance as follows : 



That as Treasurer of the general account of the Society, he had on hand at the be- 

 ginning of the year, $4,118.19 



And that he had received since, including amount borrowed of the Courtis fund and 



return of amounts loaned, ; 115,432.32 



$119,550.51 

 And that he had paid on account of new building and furniture . . $12,527.12 



Journal and Proceedings, 129.04 



General expenses, 3,014.38 



Cabinet, 838.32 



Library, 71.89 



Temporary loans, 62,010.00 



Investments of Walker fund, 41,105.00 



Interest, 251.81 



-$119,947.56 

 Showing a balance due him of $397.05 



