18 TRANSACTIONS 



time to the cultivation of Science, Literature and Art. 

 It is a noble gift, and though sensible of the honor, and 

 the privilege incidentally conferred on me by this occa- 

 sion, I can only regret that the lot has not fallen upon one 

 possessing the gift of eloquence to properly express the 

 Institute's high appreciation of your generosity. Every 

 year will increase the realization of the debt due to the 

 Brothers Vassar who planned, and to you, Sir, who with 

 munificent generosity carried out that plan after the 

 brother, to whose memory it is now dedicated, and 

 whose presence among us during life was always and 

 everywhere sunshine, had* been removed by death. 



He has gone to his reward leaving you to finish what 

 was so well begun, not only in this beautiful structure, 

 which we trust will remain for generations to come, but 

 also to carry out those other beneficent designs for the 

 comfort of aged men, and for the election of a hospital 

 which shall for all time minister to the relief of those 

 physical sufferings which flesh is heir to. 



It only remains for me in the name of Vassar Brothers 

 Institute, and I am sure I may also include all others 

 now present, to thank you again for this beautiful edifice 

 in which Science, Literature and Art shall be cultivated, 

 as we trust, without a shadow to mar their moral beauty. 



Prof. T. J. Backus, President of the Institute, in ex- 

 pressing the thanks of the Society, said : Two brothers 

 of English parentage, the younger now past three score 

 years of age, were born in Poughkeepsie. Under the 

 stress of poverty they were reared to manhood. As men 

 they were honest, industrious, thrifty and sagacious. 

 Their industry, thrift and sagacity brought large wealth 

 to each of them. When the elder had counted his three 

 score years, those brothers began devising plans for 

 making their riches useful. They were men who re- 

 tained the enthusiasm of youth. Their sympathy with 

 the aspirations of youth was quick and strong. They 

 wished to give from their wealth to advance the educa- 

 tion of the aspiring. During the busiest years of their 

 lives the interests of these brothers had been inseparable. 

 They were fresh from those activities and they were 

 desirous to contribute something to advance the intel- 

 lectual and social life of the active men in this commu- 

 nity. They were looking towards the setting sun, were 



