39 



and untiring industry in carrying out the wishes of the Executive 

 Committee, have done much to advance the prosperity of the Museum. 



We lay here to-day the Corner Stone of an edifice which shall he 

 dedicated forever to the study and the culture of Natural History. 

 These massive foundations already securely laid give promise of the 

 most solid permanence in the superstructure. The wise forethought 

 of the Park Commission, in reserving for the future use of the Museum 

 the remainder of Manhattan Square, has provided amply for its con- 

 tinued growth. 



The presence on this occasion of the President of the United States, 

 who has kindly consented to assist us in these ceremonies, assures us 

 of that public interest which is necessary to sustain the undertaking. 



The cheering words of the Governor will doubtless lend the coun- 

 tenance of the State to support this institution which has been founded 

 by its bounty, and finally, the Trustees, in pledging once more their 

 own efforts for its success, would bespeak for it that popular favor 

 without which it must surely languish and decay. 



The Hon. H. Gr. Stebbhsts, President of the Depart- 

 ment of Parks, spoke as follows : 



When the arrangements for the celebration of the ceremony which 

 has brought us here to-day were made, the duty was assigned to the 

 Hon. Salem H. Wales, then President of the Park Commission, to 

 represent the Department on this important occasion. He has since 

 then resigned his office as Commissioner and gone abroad. It devolves 

 upon me to perform the duty which he had expected to fulfill. 



As he had prepared an Address for this occasion I shall take the 

 liberty of reading it, and of expressing my sincere regret that he is not 

 here to carry out the programme we had agreed upon. Mr. Wales, 

 in that case, would have said- — 



The Legislature of the State of New York, at its session of 1864, 

 placed Manhattan Square, a piece of property belonging to the City, 

 situate between 77th and 81st streets and 8th and 9th avenues, con- 

 sisting of about 19 acres, under the control and management of the 

 Commissioners of the Central Park ; and it was made the duty of the 

 Board to enclose, lay out, grade, regulate, drain and improve the 

 same ; and by subsequent enactment in 1868 the Board was authorized 



