chief value is in their faithful portrayal of the lives of those
earlier generations whose relations with our lives are so well worthy of
study. That there is at present a much more general interest in this
kind of history than there was fifty, or even twenty years ago, is
evident; and as the towns of this State successively arrive at their
important anniversaries, the written history of Massachusetts will grow
more and more complete.

The annual meeting of the Massachusetts Historical Society took place in
the society's room, April 9, the Honorable Robert C. Winthrop in the
chair.

It was greatly regretted that Mr. Winthrop felt compelled to decline
serving as President for a longer term, and a tribute to his
distinguished services in this office was offered in the remarks of Mr.
Saltonstall. Mr. Winthrop's reply was most appropriate; and in it he
spoke of the distinguished men who had honored the membership of the
society within the term of his presidency extending over the last
forty-five years.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President,
Rev. G.E. Ellis, D.D.; Vice Presidents, Charles Deane, LL.D., Francis
Parkman, LL.D.; Recording Secretary, Rev. Edward J. Young, A.M.;
Corresponding Secretary, Justin Winsor, A.B.; Treasurer, Charles E.
Smith, Esq.; Librarian, Honorable Samuel A. Green, M.D.; Cabinet-keeper,
Fitch Edward Oliver, M.D.; Executive Committee of the Council, William
W. Greenough, A.B., Honorable Samuel C. Cobb, Abbott Lawrence, A.M.,
Abner C. Goodell, A.M., Honorable Mellen Chamberlain, I.L.B.

The one hundred and tenth anniversary of the battle of Lexington was
fittingly observed in that town on the 19th of April. The citizens, with
many visitors, united in celebrating that memorable event, the very
thought of which must ever stir the soul of every patriotic American. At
the exercises in the evening at the Lexington Town Hall, Governor
Robinson delivered a brief oration. The closing words are as follows:

"The story of eloquence is breathed in the associations of the spot. You
feel the inspirations that come out of the place and you know full well
in your heart the depth of the lesson it teaches. Now, has it failed in
these recent years? When the call came again to the men of Lexington to
stand for the welfare of the Union there were no laggards. So shall it
be that the people reading the story of the past will bring up all to
that standard which was set so high. Slavery