40 GARDINER GREENE HUBBARD 



President Bell : A familiar face has departed from among us, 

 and the place left vacant we cannot fill. The President of the 

 National Geographic Society, the Honorable Gardiner Greene 

 Hubbard, died December 11, at his home, Twin Oaks. He him- 

 self arranged for this meeting to commemorate the tenth anni- 

 versary of the founding of the National Geographic Society, and 

 it has seemed peculiarly appropriate to the Board of Managers 

 that it should be made also a memorial meeting to himself. 



On behalf of the National Geographic Society, I desire to extend 

 a very cordial welcome to the representatives of other scientific 

 societies wh'o are present with us on this occasion, and to the 

 many personal friends of Mr Hubbard who have honored us with 

 their presence. 



Of the many letters of regret that have been received from gen- 

 tlemen unable to attend, I will read but one. This letter is from 

 the Executive Mansion, dated January 21, 1898. It is as follows : 



" My Dear Sir: I beg leave to acknowledge the courteous invitation to 

 attend the memorial meeting in honor of the late Gai'diner G. Hubbard, 

 to be held under the auspices of the National Geographic Society, at the 

 First Congregational Church this evening. 



" The President wishes me to express his sincere regret at his inability 

 to be present at this meeting, as he would have been very glad to join 

 with Mr Hubbard's friends in paying tribute to his high character and 

 the commanding influence of his noble life. 



(Signed) John Addison Pouter, 



Secretary to the President." 



A large number of telegrams have also been received, but I 

 shall read only the following cablegram from the Honorable 

 Andrew D. White, Ambassador to Germany, who sends this 

 message : 



" I unite in very affectionate tribute to Mr Hubbard, a faithful friend, 

 patriotic citizen, devoted public servant, and true man. 



(Signed) Andrew D. White." 



It will not be my place to speak to this assemblage of the in- 

 terest and the work of Mr Hubbard in connection with the Na- 

 tional Geographic Society, as that will be done by one far more 

 competent, Gen. A. W. Greely. Mr Hubbard's heart has for 

 many years been especially devoted to the Geographic Society. 

 His last thoughts were of this Society and of this meeting, the 

 tenth anniversary of its foundation. So peculiarly wrapt up in 

 this Society was he that his famil}' entrusted his remains to its 



