The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-09

1Ge

OF this number Professor Packard before his
death was the sole survivor. In 1S46 there were
~ members elected, swelling the list to 1885, and
OF this number, l think there remains but two
names against which the fatal must not be placed
-CaloS Sawtell of New York, and his who now
addresses you. 1t is a remarkable fact to which
have heretofore alluded that the aver ge life of the
years.
From the time of Professor Packard's election in
1928 up to the day of his decease a period of 56
ydars he was an active interested and useful mem
Der. He became librarian and cabinet keeper in
1885 as the successor OF Henry w. Longfelow;
and by annual reflections he continued to hold and
discharge the responsible duties of that position
until 1881, when the library removed to
Portland, at which time he declined reelection.
While the death of this good man, this Christian
gentleman, always courteous, so deli, ately re-
spectful of the feelings of Others without losing his
own self-Iespect calls forth the sympathy OF the
whole community, we who have enjoyed the priv
lege OF so ultimate ascot alton in fraternaI re-
latlons, are oppressed with deeper sorrow.
He lives in our memory. We recall the incidents
OF the meeting held in this hall ON the 25th of De-
GENDER; 1882. in eommemoration of his 84th birth
day. The proceedings of that meeting are fresh in
our recollection. The graceful manner in which he
received the congratulations of his friends the
erect figure, the undimmed eve, the elastic step
with which he came forward, and the delicate TASTE
OF ms classic response to our greetings made
enaced from the memory of those that Witnessed it,
Duringth The last year of his life be tiled the import
ant position OF acting president of BowdGin College,
Three days before his death he performed the ard
nous duties of president at Commencement He
pieslueu during all the commencement exercises
ana the comforting of the degrees and he closed the
service by a prayer, so appropriate deVout and
touching, 1t almost seemed inspiration. He then
presided at the Commencement dinner. And when
the hour for post prandial speeches arrived in a
most graceful and happy manner, he introduced
the different speakers who were called npon for
remarks: The Governor, MIR. Hale of Bostoo. MIR.
Blaine, MIR. Frye snd others. In the evening with
out apparent fatigue, he and khs graceful partner
gave presidential reception at their residence AT
which the members of the college boards the stu
dents and strangers were most Hospitality received
In the full possession of his mental and bodily
powers and in the enjoyment of the affections Of
the hosts of students he had taught and of the
community in which he lived he passed without
sickness or debility, at bound, from this 10 a
brighter life.
Ihave the honor to present for your considera-
ton the memorial from the pen of Judge Barfows
RESOLUTIONS ON THE LATE DIR. PACKARD,
In view of the recent death of their senior men,
ber the Maine Historical Society," desiring to place
upon their records some token of the love and es
TEEN in which they held him. and OF their sense of
MS worth and their loss adopt the following minute
ALI heus Spring Packard, eldest son of Rev. DIR.
Hezeklah Packard was born in Chelmsford, Mass
december 3D. 1898; entered Bowdoin College from
W1scasset, whittier his father had removed and
graduated in regular course with the class of 1916;
became connected with the college as instructor
IN 1919, and SO remained exercising various func.
lions throughout his long and useful ife which
closed on Sunday, July 3, 1884, while he was the
acting president OF the Institution to the service of
which that life was mainly devoted for sxty-ive
years. He became member of our society in 1928
andifor forty-ye years prior to 1881 he served asst