Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-10-22

bound, III unbound, and 1855 pamphlets, also
sundrv maps, Autographs, &c The greatest
numbers were from Hon. John D. Baldwin, Ed
ward W. Lincoln, ESQ.,, Hon. Emory Wash.
burn, Mrs. J. H. Gerald, and Hon. Isaac Davis.
Stephen Salisbury, Jr., Esq, in addition TO his
gift of fiftv-one pamphlets, has fitted up con
venient cabinet for aboriginal relics, a branch
of archaeology in which he takes particular in
ferest. The report alndes specially TO the work
of Hon. Richard rockingham, mentioned in the
report of the council, 20 a full copy OF "Ihe
Spectator" Nos. to S53 inclusive, dates from
March 1, iii, TO Auril is, 1712, presented by
Professor Edward E. Salisbury OF Yale college,
and specimens of bank notes issued nv the Cen
trail bank of Worcester from 1880 TO 1864, hand
Somely framed and glazed, and presented By
the officers of the bank. When the present
building was erected, in 1858, il was considered
that ample room had been secured; it was
suggested that the lower room might accommo-
date the public library of the city, but that col
lection now fills a large building of ITSELF while
the acquisitions of the society already over
crowd the present building. The gift of $4,000
aud tract OF land IN the rear of the present
structure, by the president of the society, have
solved what might have been a vexing prob
lem. The donation has increased to S1O,600,
and the expansion of the building is only Ques.
ton of time and endui ance. There are in the
newspaper room S66 parcels, practically ready
for binding, and nearly an equal number oil
growing yearly more valuable, and by the wise
foresight of its founders this society NAV be said
10 have led the way in the practice of their pres
erYatiOn. The importance of a continued gen.
eral collection aud preservation of the leading
papers Of all sects and parties as materials for
future history, and that plans ior future extern
sion OF the building include arrangements suited
to such collection, discussing at length the
importance and value of such a collection, were
also suggested in the report.
The different reports were accepted, and re-
ferred to the committee on publication, on
motion of Charles DeaDe, Ii. D.. of Cambridge
DR.. Edward Jarvis of Boston, in few brel
remarks, commended the interest taken by the
society in the collection of newspapers. He also
spoke of quite full collection of foreign postage
stamps, which he has gathered, and which he
would be pleased to present TO the society. Mr.
Nathaniel Paine of this city, and DR.. S. A
Green of Boston, also made remarks on the
latter subject.
The value of DIR. John G. Palfrey's History Of
New England, recently published, also received
considerable attention. Hon. B. F. Thomas
Ii. D., of Boston, stated that although the
work was of great value, it had been published
by the author at his own expense.
The meeting here proceeded to the election OIL
officers for the ensuing year. Col. E. B. Stod
dard and Hon. P. c. Bacon were appointed tc
collect the ballot for president, which resulted
in the unanimous reelection of Hon. Stepher
Salisbury of this city.
A committee, consisting of Mr.. Deane, Hon
F. H. Dewey and Rev. R. C. Waterston, D. D..
nF cd fo
manning officers. In accordance with their
report, the list was elected as follows;
Vice Presideuts-Hon. BENZ +. Thomas, LII. D
of Boston, and james Lenox, Esq, of New York.
Hon sburt Boston samns aayep
Esq, Worcester; Rev Edw. Hale, Boston; 10
seph Sargent, NJ. d. Worcester; Charles Deane
IL IL D.. Cambridge; Rev; Seth sweetser, D. D.
town; don Henry Chaplin, Worcester; j. Ham
mond Trumbull, Hartford.
Secretary of Foreign Correspondence-Hon Chas
Sumner, Ii. D., Boston.
Secretary of Domestic orresp0ndence-Hon En-
DRY Washburn, LII. D., Cambridge.
Recording Secretary-Col. John D. Washburn
Worcester.
Treasurer-Nathaniel Paine, ESQ.
Committee of Publieation-Samuel f. Haven
Esq, Worcester; Rev. Edward E. Hale, Boston
Charles Deane, Ii. D., Cambridge.
Auditors-Hon Isaac DAVIS, Ii. D., Worcester
Hon. Ebenezer Torrey, Fitchburg
After the election of officers, notes from Rev
Henry NJ. Dexter, D. D., and Hon. Robert C
Winthrop, expressing regret at their absence
were read by the president, and Mr.. Benson
LOSING, the historian, was elected a member oil
the society.
The president called attention to the fact
stated by Hon. George F. Hoar at the last an
nual meeting, that the inscription to the memo
ry of John Smith in st Sepulchre's church III
London, was already nearly obliterated, and tc
the action of the society.
The proposition, which was stated by Mr.
Haven, is to place memorial tablet in the wall
of the church to perpetuate the memory of John
Smith. The expense will not be great, and Ii
has been suggested that it be betrayed by con.
tributions from the members OF the society in.
stead of taking the amount from the funds of
the society.
On motion of Col. J. D. WaShburn the presi.
dent was aut horized to give quit-claim deed OF
society on Summer street, which has for long
time been open to public travel, on such terms
as he should see 1T.
The president, Hon. Stephen Salisbury, here
read the following Interesting paper:
THE STAR sPANGLED BANNER AND NATIONAL
SONGS.
As slight cloak of propriety, if not
of dignity for a subject, that may be consid.
cred of little importance, to which | will in
vite the attention of the society for a few
minutes, will offer a familiar quotati N from
Andrew Fletcher of SultoWn, which is of some
Elpfphpr n haS Uiv
hold on the memory of modern times. He
writes: knew very wise man who believed
that If man were permitted 10 make all the
ballads, he need not care who should make the
laws of nation" If this should be thought
to be exaggerauon, it will not be doubted that
national songs, in some degree, form and ndi-
cate the character of people, and are there
fore worthy of historical notice. | am not
aware that there is more important proof OF
this power of music than is found in the in
fiuence of the song entitled "The Star Spangled
Banner" during the struggles for the life of our
nation in the last twelve years. In the efforts
and sufferings OF the camp, the battlefield and
the prison, and in the discouragements and
sacrifices of those who upheld the national arm
at home, the untiring repetition OF their in
spring strains, and the marching on" of a
more humble and more energetic chorus kept up
the strength and enthusiasm Of confident hope.
Thus the "Star Spangled Banner" has become
favorlte oil our people II is well known that
it was written by Thomas Scott Kew, young
lawyer of Baltimore, in September, 1874, and il
was begun on board of snip OF the British
feet lying near Fort McHenry, to which he had
gone 10 negotiate an exchange of prisoners.
To prevent his giving intelligence to his
countrymen of the intention to make a
combined attack by sea aud land on Baltimore
he was detained as prisoner of war. There he
anXiously watched the flag of his country float
ing over the fort through the day, and in the
darkness Ofthe night caught occasional gimpses
Oft, in the explosion OF the shells and rockets
by which 1t was assaied, and when morning
dawned, he saw with thrilling delight that the
beautiful ensign still waved over its brave de.
lenders This scene. and the emotions that it
excited, he has painted and expressed in this
pathetic and inspiring song. The origin of the
appropriate tune, that gives strength and deep.
er feeling TO the words, is not so well known.
Every one can readily say, that the tune is tax.
en- from the old English song entitled, "ro An
acreon in heaven" But have enqured in
vain Of the most learned bellies lettres scholars
and musicians that know or could approach
for the author of the words or the music or the
date of either. The song, as printed in "The
Universal Songster," published in London from
1925 to 1884, has the name of Ralph 1omlinson
as the author. Multiplied enquiries and re.
search in all biographies and indexes that can
consult, have not discovered the name, yet the
song has grace, beauty, and wit, and is enriched
with happy classical ornaments, and IL seems &c
be thing that could not be disowned or forgot
ten II existed to be the model of the song by
Robert Treat Paine, Jr., called adams and Lib
erty," at the period when Thomas Moore was
first known as a poet, and 1t is almost worthy
OF his pen, bat il has never been attributed &c
him. 1t is commonly called an old English