341 



December 2, 1863. 

 The President in the chair. 



Mr. T. T. Bouve remarked, that, before we proceeded to 

 business, it seemed to him meet that we should express in some 

 way our appreciation of the loss which this Society and the 

 community generally have suffered in the death of our 

 friend and associate, Mr. Francis Alger. 



"Public-spirited," continued Mr. Bouve, "he always felt a 

 strong interest in all institutions designed for the welfere of 

 the people, and often gave of his means for their endow- 

 ment. Especially was he interested in the promulgation of 

 knowledge relating to his favorite branch of science, — that 

 of Mineralogy. To further this, he was always ready to give 

 specimens ; and often liberally invited parties interested to 

 select from his duplicates whatever might be of service to 

 them. Many are indebted to him for such favors. 



" Sad, indeed, is it to me, Mr. President, when 1 look back 

 upon my early endeavors to find sympathy in the study that 

 interested me, and reflect that two of the only three persons 

 I could then find to aid me in my inquiries, and to hold out 

 to me the hand of fellowship in my pursuit (Dr. Martin Gay 

 and Mr. Francis Alger), are numbered with the dead. The 

 other I refer to is my friend Dr. C. T. Jackson. 



" It is but a few days since that Mr. Alger suggested to me 

 his intention to send some of his large beryls and other min- 

 erals to adorn our grounds outside the building ; and such ' 

 was his interest in the Society, that I cannot but think that 

 his large collection of minerals would have come into our 

 possession, at a not distant day, if his sudden departure had 

 not prevented the fruition of his wishes." 



Dr. A. A. Gould referred to the communications presented 

 to the Society by Mr. Alger, which were always fully and sci- 

 entifically done, yet presented with great modesty, and all 

 suggestions received with deference. 



On motion of Mr. Bouve, Dr. Charles T. Jackson was re- 

 quested to prepare suitable resolutions, and present them at 

 a future meeting. 



