THOMAS TRACY BOUVE: MEMORIAL MEETING. 
225 
LETTER OF CHARLES J. SPRAGUE. 
Mr. President,— 
I am unable to be present at this meeting of the Society; but I 
cannot allow it to go by without taking part with its members in a 
demonstration of regret at the death of Thomas Tracy Hoove. 
When he resigned the Presidency of the Society, sixteen years ago, 
it Avas said of him by those who knew him well, that u no man living 
was so thoroughly identified as he with its life and interests, during 
the most eventful period of its history.” His own Historical Sketch 
of the Society—which deserves a more comprehensive title—bears 
witness to the truth of this; for his name appears constantly, for 
forty years, prominent in all matters, financial as well as scientific, 
which have been connected with the Society’s advancement and 
prosperity. For half a century, until physical weakness absolutely 
forbade it, he was devoted in his ceaseless efforts in its behalf. He 
began as a Curator in 1842. 
AVe older members of the Society, who shared, to a certain extent, 
in those efforts and who fully recognized him as a reliable, prudent, 
broad-minded leader among us, can bear personal witness to his vari¬ 
ous, unwearied labors, at a time when circumstances demanded un¬ 
usual good judgment and ability; when our present noble building 
was being planned and erected, and the donations and legacy of Dr 
Walker were being expended in its construction. 
It is not, however, of his business abilities or his scientific attain¬ 
ments that I now care to treat, but of the man,— who was greater 
than his achievements. He was genial, warm-hearted and generous — 
an altruist, in the best sense of the word. His impulses and his acts 
were always in sympathy with the suffering and the oppressed, and 
he was ever prompt and hearty in his assistance to all who needed 
help in intellectual pursuits. He was my intimate friend for half a 
century; and in all that long period of unchanged affection I never 
knew him to utter a word or do a deed which was not characteristic 
of an honorable, true-hearted gentleman. He was impetuous and 
outspoken in the maintenance of his opinions, and faithful to his 
convictions. He was hard to convince; but frank in his acknowl¬ 
edgments when convinced. His ardent, manly nature was intolerant 
of all meanness, deception, weakness, or vice. 
He was a born lover of Nature in all her phases. While his seri¬ 
ous, important studies were those of a geologist, a palaeontologist, 
