128 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



when Humboldt was eighty-three years of age. It had been loaned to the committee for 

 the occasion by the artist. The chairman, calling attention to it, stated that an order had 

 been given to the artist to execute an exact copy. This would be unveiled, and if it was 

 found in every respect satisfactory, he, the chairman, would take great pleasure in pre- 

 senting it on this centennial anniversary to the Boston Society of Natural History. The 

 covering was removed and the resemblance was found to be so perfect as to call forth 

 spontaneous applause. A letter from the artist was read giving an account of his personal 

 observation of Humboldt when he was engaged upon his portrait. Accompanying it was 

 an autograph note of Humboldt, which was also presented to the Boston Society of Natural 

 History by the chairman. In behalf of the Society, Dr. Charles T. Jackson, Vice-Presi- 

 ident, accepted the portrait and autograph with expressio n of thanks. He stated that 

 Humboldt himself had declared that the original by Wight was the best ever painted of 

 him. 



Dr. Jackson then gave some pleasant reminiscences of Humboldt, whom he had often 

 met in Paris at Cuvier's lectures in 1833. He also made some interesting remarks upon 

 his works and character. 



The chairman then called upon his Honor the Mayor, who, in responding briefly, said 

 that the City Government, being desirous of expressing its respect for the memory of Alex- 

 ander Von Humboldt, had passed resolutions and had made a generous appropriation. In 

 behalf of both branches, he invited all present to partake of a collation prepared for them 

 in the hall below. The company accepted the invitation and proceeded to the place 

 assigned, where they enjoyed an excellent supper, during which at intervals the Ger- 

 mania band added their enlivening music to the entertainment. 



After refreshment at the tables, a poem upon Humboldt, prepared for the occasion by Oli- 

 ver Wendell Holmes, and another by Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, were read. During the even- 

 ing, several communications from distinguished persons unable to be present, were pre- 

 sented, one from the Hon. Theo. S. Fay, one from Prof William B. Rogers, one from 

 the Rev. Noah Porter and one from John G. Whittier. The address by Agassiz, with a 

 full account of the proceedings at the evening meeting, may be found in pamphlet form 

 published by the Society. 



In October, Dr. C. F. Folsom resigned his position as Curator of Comparative Anatomy 

 and Mammals. 



At a meeting of the Council, held Nov. 17th, it was voted that the net proceeds of 

 the celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of the birth of Humboldt, together with 

 the money received from the sale of Prof Agassiz's address previous to Jan. 1, 1870, and 

 the money subscribed at the solicitation of the Society's Committee, be given to the 

 Trustees of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College, in trust, for the 

 establishment of an endowment under the title of the " Humboldt Scholarship," the 

 income of which should be solely apphed, under the direction of the Faculty, toward the 

 maintenance of one or more young and needy persons engaged in study at said Museum. 

 The reception of the money, amounting to $7,040.66, was gratefully acknowledged by 

 the Trustees of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, under the conditions expressed in 

 the vote of the Council. 



