THE RETROSPECT OF THE YEAR. 



165 



distributed among the common people. The burden of 

 the waste of funds of a city does not fall mainly upon 

 capitalists, but on the daily wage earners, in the shape 

 of higher prices for shelter, food, etc. 



Under certain conditions a high tax rate may be the 

 truest economy, as when it is accompanied with wise out- 

 lays. The lecturer spoke of foreign models, notably 

 among the best was Berlin, where it is considered an 

 honor to be a member of the city government. 



Monday, March 21, 1892. Col. Henry Stone of South 

 Boston, lectured on the "Life and Character of General 

 Sherman." The lecturer said, no man of recent times 

 has received so much unmeasured praise as General 

 Sherman. He then proceeded to give in detail an inter- 

 esting sketch of the General's eventful life, whose most 

 marked characteristics he said were his mental and physi- 

 cal activity. He was a tremendous worker, and his mind 

 was always alert, vigorous, inquisitive and energetic. 

 Wherever he went he was a leader. His writings are full 

 of pungent sayings, and he was master of the pen, if not 

 always of the sword. He was overflowing with loyalty 

 and devotion to his country, and some of his letters, es- 

 pecially that to the Governor of Louisiana, resigning his 

 place there, deserve to be written in letters of gold. 



Monday, March 28, 1892. Rev. E. O. Dyer of South 

 Braintree, lectured on "Coligny and the Huguenots." 

 He gave a sketch of Coligny's life, of his birth, training, 

 military advancement, imprisonment and acceptance of 

 the "reformed faith," and also of his attempt to plant a 

 colony of French Protestants in Florida ; his successes, 

 the massacre of St. Bartholomew, his murder, and the 

 estimate of his worth were all alluded to, the speaker 



