116 



We shall endeavor to manifest our full appreciation of the tnist 

 given us, by faithfully carrying out the objects aud views which you 

 have so clearly set forth. 



In performing these duties, we trust that we may have the benefit 

 of your counsel and advice. And we earnestly hope that you may long 

 live to witness your good work, and that you may see accomplished 

 all that you desire and intend by founding so beneficent a Trust. 

 With great regard, we remain, 



Your obedient servants, 

 (Signed) FRANCIS PEABODY, 



ASA GRAY, 

 WM. C. ENDICOTT, 

 GEO. PEABODY RUSSELL, 

 OTHNIEL C. MARSH, 

 HENRY WHEATLAND, 

 ABNER C. GOODELL, Jr. 

 JAMES R. NICHOLS, 

 HENRY C. PERKINS. 



r. W. Putnam, Superintendent of the Museum, introduced the fol- 

 lowing Resolution : — 



Besolved, — That the Institute has learned with feelings of grati- 

 tude and pleasure the fact of the munificent donation of $140,000 by 

 George Peabody, Esq., for "the promotion, among the inhabitants of 

 the County of Essex, of the study and knowledge of the Natural and 

 Physical Sciences, and of their api^lication to the Useful Arts;" and 

 while, as citizens of this county, the members of the Institute are 

 justly proud that this donation comes from a native of the county, they 

 are most deeply sensible of the honor conferred upon their body by its 

 being selected as the Institution with which the Trustees of this fund 

 are to cooperate in securing the objects of the donor. 



Dr. George B. Loring, in seconding the Resolution, spoke sub- 

 stantially as follows : — 



Mr. President, — I have been unable, owing to the pressure of busi- 

 ness, and the multiplicity of my avocations, to attend the meetings of 

 the Institute this winter, according to my usual custom. I was not 

 aware, when I found leisure to be present this evening, that I should 

 find here so pleasant an occasion ; and I congratulate myself that I have 

 been so fortunate as to be one of the first listeuers to the announce- 

 ment of Mr. Peabody's generous donation to this Association. 



I have always been impressed with the thought, Mr. President, 

 that great men are the impersonation and embodiment of the spirit of 

 the times in which they were born, and of the peculiar genius of the 

 locality which they could claim as their country and their home. Hu- 

 man greatness consists especially in this ; and be he statesman or war- 

 rior or poet or philosopher or benefactor, the great and representative 

 man is he who is guided and developed by this law. You find in Shak- 

 speare all that is grand and profound in the English drama ; you find 



