USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Proceedings at the dedication of the building for the Public library of the city of Boston. January 1, 1858 > Part 1
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ATRIBUS
S
T DE
SICUT
NOBIS
CIVITATIS
BOSTONIA 678
CONDITA A.D. £1630.
$
isuse
+
litter
Bowman
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·
64
नसुप
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PROCEEDINGS
AT THE
DEDICATION OF THE BUILDING
FOR THE
PUBLIC LIBRARY
OF THE CITY OF BOSTON.
JANUARY 1, 1858.
US
SIT DEUS
P
SICUT
DEUS NOBIS.
CTVITATIS
1822
BOSTONIA CONDITA A.D. 1630.
REGIMINE
DO
BOSTON: PREPARED AND PRINTED BY AUTHORITY OF THE CITY COUNCIL. MDCCCLVIII.
1858
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BOSTON : GEO. C. RAND & AVERY, PRINTERS TO THE CITY.
:
PREFACE.
THE account of the ceremonies attending the dedication of the Public Library Building, contained in the following pages, has been prepared in compliance with an order of the City Council, approved by the Mayor on the fourth day of January, 1858.
In the preparation of the body of the work and in superintending the passage of the whole through the press, the Committee, to whom the duty was assigned, are happy to acknowledge their indebtedness for valuable assistance to our fellow citizen, Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, M.D., who promptly and cordially acceded to their request that he would render such aid as his multiplied engagements might permit. His deserved reputation as an editor, especially his complete success in the preparation, for the City Council, of the "Franklin Statue Memorial," his unwearied atten- tion to the interests of the Public Library, and to the details of its management, and the invaluable services ren- dered by him from its commencement, both as a Trustee
-
4
PREFACE.
and a Commissioner, seemed eminently to qualify him for the trust.
Although the character and design of this publication are' not such as to admit of a detailed history of the Public Library, yet it is hoped that the historical account offered in the appendix will be sufficient for the purpose of giving an intelligible outline of the steps by which that institution has been brought to its present flourishing condition.
The engravings, which exhibit the various views of the building, are by Mr. John Andrew, from drawings by Mr. Hammatt Billings. The plans and sections are from the original working plans, reduced to a proper size for printing, by the architect.
J. A. P. MAY, 1858.
1
CONTENTS.
DEDICATION OF THE LIBRARY BUILDING,
11
ARRANGEMENTS,
13
Preliminary Proceedings, .
13
Order for the Ceremonies of Dedication,
13
Appointment of Committee of Arrangements,
14
Proceedings of Committee of Arrangements, .
15
Sub-committee for conference with Commissioners,
15
Proceedings of Commissioners,
15
Letter from the Mayor, 17
Communication from the Commissioners,
17
Sub-committees of Committee of Arrangements,
18
Letter of Alderman Hatch to Capt. Bradlee, .
19
Response of Capt. Bradlee,
20
Letter from Capt. Rogers tendering escort,
20
Reply of Col. Frost,
21
Letter from the Trustees, 22
Proceedings of Trustees,
23
Report of Committee of Arrangements, .
24
Letter of Invitation, .
26
Advertisement of Committee of Arrangements,.
27
Order of Procession, .
28
6
CONTENTS.
Route of Procession, 31
Order of Exercises, 31
Marshals,
32
Order to close the streets, .
33
Special arrangements at City Hall,
34
CEREMONIES,
39
Formation of Procession,
39
Movement of Procession,
40
Voluntary by the Band at the building, 40
Position of the company,
41
Announcement of the City Government by Col. Frost, . 42
Mr. Winthrop's Address on delivering the keys to the Mayor, 43
Mayor Rice's Address on receiving the keys, . 69
Hymn, .
79
Prayer of Dedication by Rev. Dr. Stow, 80
Anthem,
84
Presentation of the keys by the Mayor to the Trustees, 85
Address of Reception by Mr. Everett, . 87
Doxology,
104
Benediction by Rev. Mr. Fuller, . 104
Termination of the Ceremonies, 105
Inspection of the Building,
105
Collation given to the Choir, . 106
Entertainment by Mayor Rice,
106
Reunion of Committee of Arrangements,
. 106
Gift by the Marshals,
107
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FINAL PROCEEDINGS, 111
Resolutions of Thanks, 111
Order for printing proceedings, 112
Sub-committee for publishing proceedings,
. 113
·
1
CONTENTS. 7
APPENDIX, . . 117
Facts relating to the establishment of the Library, and the erection of the Building, . . 117
The Library Estate, .
163
Description of the Building,
Exterior,
. 163
Interior - Basement, .
. 164
First Story, 165
Intermediate Story, 167
Principal Story, .
. 167
Shelves,
168
The Towers, . 170
Expenditures on account of the Land, .
170
Expenditures on account of the Building,
171
Replies to Invitations, . 172
Commissioners on the Ercction of the Building 174
Architect of the Building, 174
Contractors, . 174
Trustees of the Library for the year 1857, 175
Condition of the Library, . 175
Library Funds, 176
Contributors of Books, etc., . 177
General Index,
187
Index of Names, .
. 191
. 160
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ARRANGEMENTS.
1
DEDICATION
OF THE
PUBLIC LIBRARY BUILDING
IN BOSTON.
ON the first day of January, 1858, the Building for the PUBLIC LIBRARY OF THE CITY OF BOSTON was dedi- cated, in presence of a crowded assemblage of persons, by the city authorities, aided by the Commissioners who had been intrusted with its erection, and the Trustees to whom belonged the management of the institution. The weather was remarkably fine for the season of the year, and the occasion passed off most ~ agreeably to those who were partakers in, or witnesses of, the highly interesting ceremonies. The arrange- ments were most admirably made, and were carried out with extraordinary precision and punctuality ; which added much to the success of the whole affair, and gave great satisfaction to all persons concerned in the undertaking.
(11)
12
DEDICATION OF THE LIBRARY BUILDING.
Two years and a few months only had elapsed since, on the seventeenth day of September, 1855, the corner stone of the building had been laid with appro- priate exercises; and, perhaps, never in the history of the city have the portals of any of its edifices been opened to the public with more joy, or with greater promise of future usefulness and prospects of real bene- fit to the whole community, than in this instance; for, with a liberality unsurpassed by that of any of the other large cities of America, Boston, on the new year's day, gave to her citizens one of the most pre- cious gifts within her power of bestowal -a noble building for the most free library in the world.
It is the object of the following pages to give a succinct account of the proceedings which took place on this joyous event.
1
-
ARRANGEMENTS.
PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS.
THE Commissioners on the erection of a building for the Public Library having expressed in their sixth report, presented to the City Council on the thirtieth day of April, 1857, their hope to have every thing in sufficient forwardness to allow of the surrender of the keys to the city authorities on the seventeenth of September next ensuing, at a meeting of the Com- mon Council held on the evening of the same day, OLIVER STEVENS, Esq., the President, in the chair, JOSEPH A. POND, Esq., one of the gentlemen who represented that branch of the government in the Board of Com- missioners, offered the following order :-
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CITY OF BOSTON.
In Common Council, April 30, 1857.
ORDERED, That a joint Special Committee, to con- sist of five members of this Board and such as the Board of Aldermen may join, be appointed to confer
(13)
14
DEDICATION OF THE LIBRARY BUILDING.
with his Honor the Mayor and the Commissioners on the erection of the Public Library Building, with full power to make arrangements for the reception of the building, and also for all such ceremonies as may be appropriate for the dedication on the seventeenth day of September next, or on such other day as may be substituted therefor.
The order was passed, and sent to the Board of Aldermen for concurrence; and
Messrs. JOSEPH A. POND, JOSEPH SMITH, WILLIAM PARKMAN, FREDERICK L. WASHBURN, and FREEMAN M. JOSSELYN, JR.,
were appointed the committee.
At a regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen held on the afternoon of the fourth of May, the Chairman, PELHAM BONNEY, Esq., presiding, the action of the Common Council in reference to the above order was concurred in, and
Aldermen OLIVER FROST, JOSEPH M. WIGHTMAN, and SAMUEL HATCH,
were joined to the Committee. On the ensuing day the order received the approval of his Honor, ALEX- ANDER H. RICE, the Mayor.
15
ARRANGEMENTS.
Subsequently, at a meeting of the Common Coun- cil, held on the fourteenth day of May, 1857, the President in the chair, the Committee was enlarged by the addition of two members of the Common Council,
Messrs. JACOB A. DRESSER, and JOSIAH B. RICHARDSON ;
which fact was communicated to the Board of Alder- men on the eighteenth day of the same month, and the action of the Common Council was concurred in.
The Committee of Arrangements held their first meeting at City Hall, on Monday, the twenty-ninth day of June following; and, after having fully dis- cussed various plans and propositions for celebrating the completion of the Public Library Building, ap- pointed a sub-committee, consisting of Messrs. FROST, WIGHTMAN and POND, to confer with the Commissioners and with his Honor the Mayor, and report to the Committee the day for the dedication, and a program of the ceremonies deemed most appropriate.
In the Board of Commissioners, at a meeting held on the first day of July, 1857, the order of the City Council appointing a Committee of Arrangements having been read, and the desire of the Committee for a conference with the Board being known, it was thereupon
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16
DEDICATION OF THE LIBRARY BUILDING.
ORDERED, That the President, Hon. ROBERT C. WIN- THROP, with Dr. NATHANIEL B. SHURTLEFF and SAMUEL G. WARD, Esq., be appointed a committee with full powers to confer with the Joint Special Committee appointed by the City Council to make arrangements for the reception and dedication of the Library Building.
The architect of the building, CHARLES K. KIRBY, Esq., having acquainted the Board with the fact that it would be impossible to complete it before the seven- teenth of September, the day proposed for its dedica- tion, the idea of giving up the keys on that day was abandoned. But, in a report submitted to the City Council by the Board, on the seventh of October fol- lowing, the Commissioners stated that they had the assurance of the architect that the building would be completed before the close of the year. This being ascertained to be the case beyond any doubt, the President of the Board of Commissioners announced the fact to his Honor the Mayor on the tenth of the ensuing December, in a communication which was transmitted with the following letter to the City Council, for consideration and such action as might be deemed proper.
The letter of his Honor the Mayor was presented to the Board of Aldermen, at a special session of that body held on Thursday, the seventeenth day of Decem- ber, Alderman BONNEY presiding.
17
ARRANGEMENTS.
MAYOR'S OFFICE. BOSTON, DECEMBER 16, 1857.
To the Honorable City Council.
I have the honor herewith to transmit a commu- . nication from the President of the Board of Commis- sioners for the Erection of a Building for the Public Library, apprising the City Government of the com- ' pletion of that building, and I await the action of the City Council thereon.
.
Very respectfully,
ALEXANDER H. RICE, Mayor.
The communication from the Commissioners, re- ferred to by his Honor the Mayor in his letter, was as follows.
1 PEMBERTON SQUARE, 10 DEC., 1857. HIS HONOR, A. H. RICE, Mayor of Boston.
MY DEAR SIR :- In my last communication to the City Council, in behalf of the Commissioners for Build- ing the Public Library, I expressed the confident belief, which was entertained by the Board, that we should be able to complete our work within the present year.
I am happy now to be able to say that the build- ing will be in readiness for surrender to the city on the first day of January next, and I have the honor,
3
18
DEDICATION OF THE LIBRARY BUILDING.
in the name of the Commissioners, to invite the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council to visit the building at such hour on that day as may be most convenient to themselves, with such guests as they may think fit to bring with them, in order that the work may be inspected and the keys delivered up in due form.
I am, Dear Sir,
With great respect and regard,
Very faithfully, your obedient servant,
ROBERT C. WINTHROP, President of the Board.
The communication from the Mayor and the accom- panying letter were referred to the Special Committee of the City Council, who had the subject of dedication under consideration.
The Committee of Arrangements commenced at once making active preparations for the dedication of the building in a suitable and becoming manner ; and, in order to facilitate matters in particular arrange- ments, appointed from their own number the following
SUB-COMMITTEES.
ON ORDER OF EXERCISES : - Messrs. Frost, Pond and Dresser.
ON INVITATIONS :- Messrs. Frost, Parkman and Smith. ON MUSIC: - Messrs. Wightman, Richardson and Dres- ser. 1
.
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19
ARRANGEMENTS.
ON MARSHALS : - Messrs. Hatch, Smith and Pond.
ON CHAPLAINS :- Messrs. Wightman, Dresser and Park- man.
ON SEATS AND PLATFORMS : - Messrs. Hatch, Washburn and Richardson.
ON DECORATIONS : - Messrs. Hatch, Josselyn and Rich- ardson.
ON ENTERTAINMENT : - Messrs. Hatch, Pond and Park- man.
The various matters of detail were referred to the several sub-committees above named, and the duties devolving on each were actively commenced.
An invitation to officiate as Chief Marshal on the occasion was tendered, in the accompanying letter, to Captain J. PUTNAM BRADLEE.
CITY HALL, BOSTON, DEC. 18, 1857.
DEAR SIR: - The Committee of Arrangements for the dedication of the Public Library Building have unanimously selected you as the Chief Marshal upon that occasion. It gives me pleasure to be the organ of communication, and to request your acceptance of that trust.
The sub-committee .on marshals are now in session at the City Hall, and, if agreeable to yourself, would
20
DEDICATION OF THE LIBRARY BUILDING. ¥
be happy to meet you for the purpose of completing the necessary arrangements.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
SAMUEL HATCH, Chairman of the Sub-Committee.
To the above invitation Captain BRADLEE promptly responded in person, and, after a short consultation with the sub-committee, announced his acceptance of the appointment, and commenced immediately making the necessary preparations.
With his accustomed gallantry, Captain CHARLES O. ROGERS, of the Boston Light Infantry, tendered the services of the corps under his command, to perform escort. His letter was as follows.
BOSTON, DECEMBER 19, 1857.
GENTLEMEN :- Understanding that the Committee of the City Government having in charge the arrange- ments for the dedication of the new building for the Public Library propose to have a procession on the occasion, I embrace the earliest opportunity to tender the services of the Boston Light Infantry as an escort. The corps remember with gratitude the kindness and encouragement extended to them by the present City Government, and will esteem it an honor and a privi- lege to aid in the ceremonies intended to celebrate
1
·
1
21
ARRANGEMENTS.
the completion, during its administration of the affairs of the City, of one of Boston's noblest monuments - the Public Library.
In behalf of the Boston Light Infantry, I have the honor to be,
Your obedient servant,
CHARLES O. ROGERS, Captain B. L. I. To Joint Special Committee, &c.
The services so opportunely offered were grate- fully accepted by the committee, and thanks presented therefor; and Col. FROST, Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements, signified the same by replying in . the following words.
CITY HALL, BOSTON, DEC. 22, 1857.
CAPT. CHARLES O. ROGERS,
Commander Boston Light Infantry.
SIR :- In behalf of the Committee of Arrange- ments for the dedication of the Public Library Build- ing, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your courteous note of the 19th instant, tendering the services of the gallant corps under your command for the performance of escort duty on the first of January next. In reply thereto, I am directed by the Com- mittee to say that, while they had not contemplated a military escort to the procession, yet they very
22
DEDICATION OF THE LIBRARY BUILDING.
gratefully accept the same in the cordial and recip- rocal spirit of kindness which has dictated your gen- erous offer.
If anything could add to the pleasure of the Com- mittee in being enabled to avail themselves of your services on the approaching occasion, it is the recol- lection of the high standard of military discipline and soldierly bearing of your command, witnessed on for- mer occasions by the City Council.
You will please report, with your command, pre- cisely at three and a half o'clock, on the afternoon of the day above named, at the City Hall, School street, to J. Putnam Bradlee, Esq., Chief Marshal.
The Boston Brigade Band will be placed under your orders by the Committee.
Yours, very respectfully,
OLIVER FROST, Chairman.
The Committee communicated, through their chair- man, to Hon. EDWARD EVERETT, President of the Board of Trustees of the Public Library, a certified copy of the proceedings of the City Council in relation to the dedication of the building; to which he replied as follows.
BOSTON, 24 DEC., 1857.
DEAR SIR :- I have received your letter relative to the dedication of the Public Library, and transmit-
23
ARRANGEMENTS.
ing a certified copy of the proceedings of the City Council on that subject.
I lost no time in laying these papers before the Trustees, and I enclose herewith a copy of the votes passed by them on the occasion.
I beg leave to state, for the information of the Committee, that the Trustees will not fail to be in attendance on the City Council on the 1st of January next, in pursuance of the arrangements for the dedi- cation of the Public Library.
I remain, dear sir, very respectfully yours, '
EDWARD EVERETT.
Oliver Frost, Esq.
The action taken by the Trustees is given in the following orders, passed at a regular stated meeting of the Board.
CITY OF BOSTON.
In Board of Trustees of the Public Library, Dec. 21, 1857.
ORDERED, That the President be requested to notify the Chairman of the Joint Standing Committee of the City Council on the reception of the Library Building, that the Trustees will cheerfully cooperate with the Committee in any arrangement they may make for the reception and dedication of the Library Building.
ORDERED, That the President be requested, in behalf of the Trustees, to receive from his Honor the Mayor
24
· DEDICATION OF THE LIBRARY BUILDING.
C
the keys of the new Library Building, in accordance with the program proposed by the Committee of Ar- rangements.
Attest :
EDWARD CAPEN, Secretary.
Alderman FROST, Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements, to whom the letter of Mayor RICE, together with the communication of the Commis- sioners, was referred on the seventeenth day of De- cember, submitted the following report at a meeting of the Board of Aldermen, held on the twenty-eighth day of the same month.
CITY OF BOSTON.
In Board of Aldermen, Dec. 28, 1857.
The Special Committee, to which was referred the communication of his Honor the Mayor, of the six- teenth instant, enclosing a letter from the Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, President of the Board of Commissioners for building the Public Library, informing the City Council, in behalf of the Commissioners, that the build- ing will be in readiness for surrender to the City on the first day of January next, and inviting, the Mayor, Aldermen and Common Council to visit the building at such hour on that day as may be most convenient to themselves, with such guests as they may think fit to bring with them, in order that the work may be
25
ARRANGEMENTS.
inspected and the keys delivered up in due form, ask leave respectfully to report,
That the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, with the Trustees of the Public Library, and other guests, will meet the Commissioners at the Library Building on the first day of January next, at four o'clock, P.M., precisely, and await the pleasure of the Commissioners in relation to the order of exercises on that interesting event.
For the Committee,
OLIVER FROST, Chairman.
The above report was read, accepted, and sent down for concurrence; and at a meeting of the Com- mon Council held on the thirty-first of December, the action of the Board of Aldermen was con- curred in.
The arrangements having been thus far accom- plished, an order of exercises was submitted to the committee, and referred to the appropriate sub-com- mittee and finally adopted. The following letter of invitation was sent to such a number of persons as could be admitted comfortably within the principal hall of the new library building, and accompanying it were cards of admission to the various parts of the hall.
4
26
DEDICATION OF THE LIBRARY BUILDING.
. CITY OF BOSTON : DEDICATION OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
SIR :- The ceremonies of dedication of the Public Library will take place in the new library hall, in Boylston street, on Friday, Jan. 1, 1858, at 4 o'clock, P. M.
You are respectfully invited to be present on the occasion, and to join the procession of the City Gov- ernment and their invited guests, at the City Hall, at 3 P.M., on that day.
OLIVER FROST, JOSEPH M. WIGHTMAN,
SAMUEL HATCHI, JOSEPH A. POND, JOSEPH SMITH, WILLIAM PARKMAN,
FREDERICK L. WASHBURN,
FREEMAN M. JOSSELYN, JR.,
JACOB A. DRESSER, JOSIAH B. RICHARDSON, Committee of Arrangements.
The whole number of tickets issued were three thousand, half of which were to gentlemen, and half to ladies; and it is believed that very nearly all were used. In order to prevent confusion in seating the company, the tickets to the various parts of the hall were printed on cards of different colors.
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ARRANGEMENTS. 27
The following announcement was promulgated by the Committee of Arrangements and the Chief Mar- shal a few days before the ceremonies took place.
CITY OF BOSTON : CEREMONIES ON THE OCCASION OF THIE DEDICATION OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY BUILDING, BOYL- STON STREET, JANUARY 1, 1858.
COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
ALDERMEN.
OLIVER FROST, JOSEPH M. WIGHTMAN,
SAMUEL HATCH.
COMMON COUNCIL.
JOSEPHI A. POND,
FREDERICK L. WASHBURN,
JOSEPH SMITH, FREEMAN M. JOSSELYN, JR.,
WILLIAM PARKMAN,
JACOB A. DRESSER,
JOSIAH B. RICHARDSON.
COMMISSIONERS ON THE ERECTION OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY BUILDING.
ROBERT C. WINTHROP, President,
SAMUEL G. WARD,
PELHAM BONNEY,
NATHANIEL B. SHURTLEFF, JOSEPH A. POND,
EDWARD EVERETT, WILLIAM PARKMAN.
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
EDWARD EVERETT, President,
GEORGE TICKNOR,
WILLIAM W. GREENOUGH,
JOHN P. BIGELOW, OLIVER FROST,
NATHANIEL B. SHURTLEFF,
FREDERICK L. WASHBURN.
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28
DEDICATION OF THE LIBRARY BUILDING.
DEDICATION OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY BUILDING.
The Commissioners on the erection of the building for the Public Library having fulfilled their trust, and being prepared to surrender the same to the City Government, the public ceremonies of Dedication will take place at the Library Building, on Boylston street, on Friday, January 1st, 1858.
The City Authorities and invited guests will assemble at three o'clock, P. M., at City Hall, School street. At three and a half o'clock a procession will be formed, and proceed, under escort of the Boston Light Infantry, who have volunteered their services upon the occasion, to the Library Building, where the Commissioners will be in waiting, when appropriate exercises will take place.
ORDER OF PROCESSION.
The procession will move in the following order :
MILITARY ESCORT.
Company A, Boston Light Infantry, Captain Charles O. Rogers, with the Boston Brigade Band.
AID.
Chief Marshal. AID.
Flagg's Cornet Band.
Chief of Police.
Committee of Arrangements.
AID. His Honor, the Mayor. AID.
Trustees of the Public Library.
Chaplains.
Chairman and Members of the Board of Aldermen.
President and Members of the Common Council.
City Clerk and Clerk of the Common Council. Messenger and Assistant Messenger to the City Council. City Solicitor, Treasurer, Auditor, and City Engineer. Benefactors and Contributors to the Public Library.
29
ARRANGEMENTS.
Librarian and Assistants. The Architect, Contractors, and Master Mechanics, employed in the erection of the Library Building. AID. His Honor, the Mayor elect. AID.
Members elect of the Board of Aldermen .. Members elect of the Common Council. Past Mayors of Boston. Past Chairmen of the Board of Aldermen. Past Presidents of the Common Council. Past Commissioners of the Library Building. Past Trustees of the Library. School Committee. Superintendent of the Public Schools.
Instructors of the Public Schools. Sheriff of Suffolk.
AID. His Excellency, the Governor of Massachusetts AID. and Staff, and Adjutant General. -
His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, and Executive Council. Secretary, Treasurer, and Auditor of the Commonwealth. Sergeant at Arms.
His Excellency the Governor elect, and His Honor the Lieutenant Governor elect.
Members elcct from Suffolk of the Massachusetts Legislature for 1858. President and Fellows of Harvard College. Faculty and Librarian of Harvard College. Secretary of the Board of Education. Attorney General. Judges and other Officers of the Supreme Judicial Court, the Superior Court, the Court of Common Pleas, Probate and Police Courts.
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