* *

March 10.--An explosion on the tug-boat "John Markee," in Boston Harbor,
instantly killed the entire crew, consisting of five men.

* * * * *

March 12.--At a special meeting of both branches of the Cambridge City
Council, a special committee was appointed on the part of the city
government to confer with the committee on the part of the citizens
relative to a suitable observance of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the
departure for the seat of war of Co. C, Third Regiment of Infantry, of
Cambridge. This was the first volunteer company organized for the war of
the rebellion in the city. Ex-Mayors Montague, Saunders, and Harding,
ex-Aldermen Thurston and Chapman, and Mr. J. W. Merrill, made short
addresses, urging the necessity of making the 17th of April a day of
local pride for Cambridge. The following committee on the part of the
citizens was chosen: ex-Mayors Bradford, Harding, Montague, and
Saunders, ex-Alderman F. L. Chapman and D. H. Thurston, and Messrs.
George H. Howard, J. C. Wellington, and L. B. Porter. On the part of
the City Council there were chosen Mayor Russell, Aldermen Hincks and
Lindsay, and Councilmen Kemp, Ivers, Coveney, and President Corcoran.

* * * * *

March 15.--At a meeting of the committee having in charge the
preparations for the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the
incorporation of the city of Lowell, the following programme was agreed
on, for April 1: In the morning, singing by public-school children, and
address by C. C. Chase, former principal of the High School. In the
afternoon, prayer by the Rev. Owen Street; address by Mayor Abbott;
oration by the Hon. F. T. Greenhalge; in the evening, addresses by
ex-mayors.

* * * * *

March 15.--The regular monthly meeting of the Methodist Historical
Society was one of unusual interest. Rev. Hebron Vincent, of Edgartown,
occupied the chair, and Rev. C. L. Goodell, of Providence, presented and
read an interesting sketch of the rise and progress of Methodism in
Rhode Island, bringing out particularly the history of the Chestnut
Street Church, of which he is the present pastor, and whose
semi-centennial was recently observed. Rev. Dr. Chadbourne, of
Charlestown, found in the files of the _Columbian Sentinel_ for 1806 the
following: "On Thursday morning Mrs. Maria Odiorne, aged 29, wife of Mr.
George Odiorne, eldest daughter o