BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 127 



by his explorations on this continent, it seemed particularly appropriate that a Society like 

 this should do honor to his memory. He further remarked that there was one among the 

 members, preeminent in science, who had been his pupQ and his personal friend, Louis 

 Agassiz, who was specially qualified to speak upon such an occasion. That to hear him 

 menof science and letters from every part of the country would gladly assemble to listen 

 and to respond. 



Although the matter had not been apparently thought of by any of the members, all 

 present heartily concurred in the sentiments expressed by Mr. Waterston, recognizing that 

 in the Society thus paying a tribute of respectful homage to one of the noblest of men, 

 it could not but do itself great honor. The proposal therefore met with a hearty response, 

 and the following resolution, offered by Mr. Waterston, was unanimously adopted : 



^^ Resolved, That it is highly desirable that the Boston Society of Natural History should 

 hold a public celebration of the centennial anniversary of the birth of Alexander Von 

 Humboldt, and that a committee of five be appointed to consider the whole subject and 

 empowered to make all arrangements." The President appointed on this committee the 

 Rev. Robert C. Waterston, Dr. Samuel Kneeland and Mr. Samuel H. Scudder. To these 

 were subsequently added the President, Jeffries Wyman, His Honor the Mayor, N. B. 

 Shurtleff, and Col. T. W. Higginson. 



It is due to Mr. Waterston to state' that a large part of the work attendant upon 

 the celebration was done by him. That it might be a thorough success and redound 

 to the credit of the Society and the community, he gave up his whole time to it, remain- 

 ing in the city during the hot summer months, and exerting himself to the utmost that 

 nothing might be left undone that would add to the interest of the occasion. He not only 

 arranged for the meeting at which the address was to be delivered, but for a reception in 

 the evening, at which distinguished men should be invited to speak, and he induced the 

 City Government to take part in it and to provide an entertainment at the expense of the 

 City. 



The celebration which followed on the 14th of September was in every respect a success, 

 far exceeding the anticipations of all who had favored it. Probably nowhere throughout 

 the civilized world was the day more appropriately observed. The address by Agassiz was 

 worthy of the man and the occasion. It was delivered at the Music HaU before an 

 audience which filled every available place in it. Delegates from the leading literary 

 and scientific societies of New England and jepresentatives from the colleges of Yale, 

 Bowdoin, Brown, Dartmouth and Harvard were present, as were likewise His Excellency 

 the Governor of the Conunonwealth, His Honor the Mayor of the City and members of 

 both branches of the City Government. President Wyman presided at the meeting. 



The evening reception was at Horticultural Hall. A large and distinguished audience 

 attended it, including invited guests from hterary and scientific societies, members of the 

 City Government, and many gentlemen interested in the cause of education from every 

 part of the country. Interesting mementos of Humboldt, including several portraits of 

 him, were placed upon the platform and about the hall. The Rev. Mr. Waterston pre- 

 sided, and after welcoming the delegates from the different societies present and mak- 

 ing some appropriate remarks, introduced successively the Rev. Frederick H. Hedge, Mr. 

 Ralph Waldo Emerson and Prof E. J. Young, all of whom made interesting addresses. 

 Among the portraits exhibited, was one by Mr. Wight, painted at Berlin in 1852 from life. 



