18 



CITY LIBRARY ASSOCIATION 



Two mahogany cabinets have also been added, together with an 

 onyx stand, an inlaid table, and two cloisonne enamel mandarin hat 

 stands. The collection of rare and beautiful books has been consid- 

 erably increased. Some small silver ornaments of very delicate Chinese 

 workmanship were presented to Mr. Smith for the collection by Mr. 

 Y. Y. Chang of the National Southwestern University of Kiang-Su, 

 China. A silver medal commemorating the opening of the Hampden 

 County Memorial Bridge was presented to Mr. Smith by Mr. George 

 A. Bausman, and Mr. Frederic M. Jones gave two of the bronze medals 

 together with the official programme of the dedication. 



At the inauguration of the City Government on January first of 

 this year, a testimonial in the form of an illuminated parchment was 

 presented to Mr. and Mrs. Smith by His Honor, the Mayor, and the 

 City Council of Springfield. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith were much 

 gratified with this evidence of the appreciation and good will of the city, 

 so thoughtfully expressed. 



The addition to the museum building so long contemplated by the 

 City Library Association was commenced about a year ago, but owing 

 to delays in obtaining some of the necessary materials has but just 

 been finished. We are pleased to be able to hold our annual meeting 

 in it today, but our pleasure is heavily overshadowed by the absence 

 of Mr. George Walter Vincent Smith to whom Springfield is indebted 

 for the truly wonderful collection housed in this building. It seems 

 hard that he could not stay to finish the work he had planned, for while 

 his life had been prolonged beyond the usual time, he never, for a 

 moment, lost his interest and enthusiasm for the great cause which 

 dominated his life and for which he spent not only a large fortune but 

 gave just as freely of his time and strength. No man ever devoted 

 himself more thoroughly to a pubKc cause; only five days before his 

 death he was here planning for the future of the museum and looking 

 forward to the time when he could arrange in these rooms the many 

 treasures still remaining at his house. To give to others a part of the 

 joy and pleasure which he experienced was his constant endeavor for 

 the past fifty years, and to that end he labored and denied himself 

 many personal luxuries. How well he accomplished his object the 

 museum testifies. 



At this, the first annual meeting at which we are not sustained by 

 his presence, it is but fitting that 1 should express the great personal 

 sorrow felt by the entire staff of the museum at the loss of one who by 

 his constant appreciation and inteUigent, heart-felt interest inspired 

 to a pecuHar extent the respect and loyalty of his employees. That 

 Mrs. Smith, so closely in accord with him, will carry out his plans is 

 the one bright spot to us who have so long been associated with him. 



Respectfully submitted, 



ELEANOR A. WADE, Curator. 



