THE RETROSPECT OF THE YEAR. 93 



had taught the whole world many valuable lessons in re- 

 form. It was in that country that the "Australian bal- 

 lot" System originated. 



She spoke of the plan of distributing poor children 

 among families of industrious people to be brought up, 

 instead of placing them in institutions. She claimed that 

 this System did away with crime and panperism to a large 

 extent. All the railroads and telegraphs in her country 

 were under control of the government, by which the peo- 

 ple vvere benefited with low rates, the same as the pos- 

 tal service here. 



The Speaker explained a System of voting by which the 

 majority and minority were both represented, and said 

 this System would do away with the present political ma- 

 chines and rings. 



Monday, Feh. 12,1894.—Rqv.X. P. Putnam, D.D., 

 ofConcord, lectured in Plummer Hall ; subject, "Recol- 

 lections of noted persons, at home and abroad." The long 

 array of distinguished men he had known, eminent in 

 civic, military, scientific and social life, for the past fifty 

 years, attested the extensive acquaintance of the Speaker. 

 Hegave many characteristic anecdotesof Webster, Choate, 

 Garrison, Philli[)s, Sumner and others of similar eloquence 

 and power. When he spoke of Lincoln, Grant, Adams, 

 Garfield and a f'ew others, and particularly of the acts, 

 which made them great, the enthusiasm ot the Speaker 

 was imparted to the listeners. In describing bis visit to 

 Rome, he spoke of William W. Story, Harriet Hosmer, 

 Joseph Ropes and others he saw there, and allnded to a 

 cherished art specimen given to him by Mr. Ropes at the 

 time. (Mr. Ropes was in the audience, and at the close 

 of the lecture, advanced to the rostrum, wherecordial greet- 

 ings were exchanged between Doctor Putnam and him- 



