Sunday, when they were children. The hearty applause given at the close indicated the enjoyment of the "Old Boys." The Chairman then introduced the Rev. Philip S. Moxom, D. D., who said: Your President is quite right when he says that I wish I was a member of this Association, but I could not be a Boston school boy of fifty years ago if I tried, and alas! I cannot be a Hall boy! He then invited attention to the subject he had chosen for his remarks "Compensations for growing old,” — which he presented under four heads: first, the privilege of giving advice; secondly, of remembering; thirdly, sympathy; and lastly, the pleasures of retirement from the bustle of life. In his lengthy address he mingled wit, humor and pathos, and held the close attention of his auditors to the end. Doubtless this brief reference will recall pleasant reminiscences to many readers of these pages. After brief but appropriate remarks by Col. L. B. Marsh, H. B. Metcalf, J. S. Damrell, and L. L. Willcutt, Mr. L. Foster Morse, as "the latest new member," responded to the call of the Chairman, as follows: Mr. President, I have waited for thirteen years to be old enough to join this organization, and this is the first dinner I have had an opportunity to attend; but it is so late, I only wish to say that I believe in this organization for two reasons: first, that I believe it is to be permanent; second, that no person can join it without he attended the schools in the city of Boston fifty years ago. Those boys that attended school in Boston fifty years ago are the most loyal of our citizens, and the influence that this Association will have, no man here can tell. It should and will grow. I have in my mind fifteen or twenty who cannot come in until next year. To meet with you here and tell of our boyhood makes me think of that song, Backward, turn backward, O Time in thy flight, and we enjoy it as we dwell on the old times; and I recall that poem of our friend Dr. Holmes, reminding us that There are no times like the old times, — they shall never be forgot! There is no place like the old place, — keep green the dear old spot! The company then sang "Auld lang syne," and the meeting adjourned. 88 FIFTEENTH REUNION. THE annual meeting was held at Young's Hotel, Nov. 14, 1894, President Benjamin B. Converse in The officers elected for 1894-95 were: the chair. CURTIS GUILD, President. JONATHAN A. LANE, Vice-President. Directors: - Charles Whittier, Charles C. Kurtz, William G. Brooks, Robert B. Williams, Samuel N. Brown, Greenleaf C. George, Charles A. Hewins, Horace Dodd, Ezekiel R. Jones. The company then proceeded to the dining hall, and was called to order by the President; a blessing was asked by Mr. Baldwin; three verses of "Memories" were sung, and the dinner served. At its conclusion, the President opened the exercises by modest congratulatory remarks, and called especial attention to the recently published book entitled "Schools and Old School Boys of Old Boston,"a history, from 1636 to 1844, of the various schools and the buildings in which the succession of Mas ters had exercised their pedagogic functions; also biographical sketches, with portraits of many of the schoolboys of Boston. He stated the number of members on the register to be 360, and the average age 76 years. Of the living, 50 were over 80 years; 155 between 70 and 80; 65 between 65 and 70. The oldest member was Joseph D. Jones, a pupil of the Mayhew School, now present, nearly 97 years of age. The first speaker introduced was Curtis Guild, the President-elect. He compared the education of fifty years ago with that of to-day; although the system of instruction has as a whole been much enlarged and improved in later years, that given in the simple ground studies in the old days was excellent and substantial. He quoted the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a shining example of American progress in scientific instruction. He then read the following lines, written by himself for the occasion : More rhymes? And you say length of years you can trace By the laughter that widens the breadth of the face? To cudgel his brain and amuse you again. And, boys, were you thinking the sport would be fine, To seek for new spangles within the old mine? Do you think that the stream will ne'er fail in its course, But always rush on in full vigor and force? Vain the thought! Slow and feeble the wave rolls along, Again, as the boys of old Boston we meet, And the laughter of boyhood shall brighten each face. Let us tell our old stories of school days once more, So, comrades of years, here's a toast for all time; Ex-President William H. Baldwin spoke feelingly of the members who had passed on since our last meeting, and read a brief sketch of our late comrade, Benjamin S. Codman. He then said that the organization should be recruited year by year from the new men who become eligible, which is our anchor of hope for continued existence. Other speakers were Charles H. Allen, Edward H. Dunn, Franklin A. Hall, S. S. Blanchard, H. B. Metcalf, Jonathan A. Lane, R. J. Monks, and B. B. Whittemore. The names of 124 members and guests were recorded as being in attendance. The exercises closed by singing one verse of the Association song. |