92 THE RETROSPECT OF THE YEAR. 



Monday, Jan. 15, 1894. — Regulär meeting in library 

 room. Voted, that the secretary be authorized to fill in 

 and sign the blank frora the Lexington Historical Society 

 in reference to Fast Day, viz. : — to abolish the same and 

 petition the Legislative to make the 19th of April, a legal 

 holiday ; also voted to authorize the Secretary to send 

 thanks to every one who loaned articles for the Insti tute's 

 exhibit at the World's Fair in Chicago. 



Rev. Mr. Willson read a paper written by Mrs. Grace 

 A. Oliver, on "Literature for Children," which was of an 

 important and interesting character, and was subsequently 

 printed in füll in the columns of the Salem Observer. This 

 paper was discussed by several of the members who were 

 present. 



Monday, Jan. 22, 1894. Col. Henry Stone, of South 

 Boston, lectured in Plummer Hall; subject, "General 

 Grant." The lectui'er said : — There are no more stirring 

 or thrilling examples before the American public to-day 

 than the four great generals of the late war : Grant, Sher- 

 man, Sheridan and Thomas. I knew them all, personally 

 and well. Of the last three I have already spoken to you ; 

 and I now would speak concerning the first and greatest 

 of them all — General Ulysses S. Grant. I knew bim well, 

 and can speak of him from my heart." Colonel Stone 

 then proceeded to trace the history of the great General 

 from boyhood, up through early manhood ; his wonderful 

 war successes and his political and social career. 



Monday, Jan. 29, 1894. — Miss Catharine IL Spence, 

 of South Australia, lectured this evening in Plummer Hall 

 on"Reformed Representation." The lecturer began by 

 saying that although Australia was a small country, and 

 was first settled as a penal Station for British convicts, it 



