PROCEEDINGS OF THE RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 1884-85. A meeting of the Society was held January 22, 1884, at which Mr. William E. Foster read a paper on the "Rhode Island Town Governments of the 17th Century." It was an historical great value, exhibiting the results of original research. paper of At a meeting held February 5, Professor John L. Lincoln, LL. D., read a paper on the "Emperor Marcus Aurelius." The reading of the paper was followed by an interesting discussion of the subject by Thomas Vernon, Esq., Rev. Dr. J. G. Vose, and President Gammell. At the next meeting, which was held February 19, John Erastus Lester, Esq., addressed the Society on the subject of "Christian Hill," giving a vivid picture of that part of Providence in the earlier years of its settlement, and illustrating his subject by pertinent historical facts. The next meeting was held March 4, when Mr. William S. Liscomb read a scholarly and valuable paper on the "Destruction of works of ancient Art." At a meeting of the Society held March 18, Rev. William Elliott Griffis, of Schenectady, N. Y., read a paper on "Commodore Calbraith Perry." A vote of thanks to Mr. Griffis was passed by the Society for his interesting sketch of the Life and services of one of the illustrious sons of Rhode Island. A quarterly meeting was held April 1, the President in the chair. The Hon. Latimer W. Ballou, of Woonsocket, and William Dehon King, Esq., of Newport, were elected resident members. Dr. Parsons reported in behalf of the Library Committee that by exchange of duplicates acquired at the Cooke sale many valuable works had been added to the Library. Professor Lincoln, from the Committee on Publications, called attention to the fact, that some of the Society's papers were now ready to be published, and to constitute together the Seventh Volume of the Society's Collections. After remarks by Judge Stiness and others upon the importance of proceeding to the publication of this volume, a subscription paper was drawn up, and about one half of the sum requisite for the printing was subscribed by members present. The remainder of the evening was occupied by Dr. Parsons with remarks upon epitaphs, elegies and other literature belonging to the first century of New England history. At a meeting held April 15, 1885, Mr. William A. Mowry read a paper entitled "The Supreme moment in the History of North America,"-the object of which was to illustrate the decisive historical influence, upon civilization on this continent, of the Battle on the Plains of Abraham in Quebec in 1763. It was a very interesting and instructive paper. The second quarterly meeting of the year was held July 1, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Two communications were laid before the Society by the Secretary, touching a valuable collection of literature pertaining to the late Civil War; these communication were, by vote, referred to the Library Committee, with authority to act in the matter in behalf of the Society. Two recent gifts to the Society, were reported by the Secretary. The first was Hadden's Journal and Orderly Books, 1776-1778, presented by Gen. Horatio Rogers. The second was the Deed of the Pawtuxet Lands, a document presented by William V. Daboll, Esq. This deed bears date of April 25, 1683, and is signed by William Carpenter of Pawtuxet, and is witnessed by |
