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crowded with teachers, past and present members of the Boston School Committee, and other school men. The widow of the lamented dead and a large circle of intimate friends occupied seats reserved for them. Prayer was offered by Granville B. Putnam of the Franklin School. Mr. Seaver, on taking the chair, spoke as follows:

ADDRESS OF HON. EDWIN P. SEAVER.

Ladies and Gentlemen :

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We have met to-day, that we may testify our respect for the memory of one, the record of whose life-work fills a large place in the educational history of Boston, - John Dudley Philbrick. If one were to begin with the benefits of a mere physical or material kind for which the cause of education is indebted to Mr. Philbrick, there would be much to say of the convenient, cheerful, often beautiful schoolhouses, which adorn all parts of our city; but it is enough now to remember that the crowning glory of them all, this palatial building in which we are now assembled, is due more to his efforts than to those of any other one man. And yet benefits of this kind are among the least of his claims to remembrance. The visitor to St. Paul's Cathedral, in London, is reminded, by the inscription he reads over the tomb of Sir Christopher Wren, that if he would behold the great architect's monument he must look about him. But he who may hereafter look for Mr. Philbrick's monument will find it not in marble tablet or granite shaft that may mark his grave near

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his country home, nor even in the palatial schoolhouses raised during his long administration, all around us, but in the common school system itself of the city of Boston, and in the vast influence which, through that system, he has exerted upon schools and scholars throughout this land.

The three characteristics of Mr. Philbrick which have impressed me most were his sound, practical wisdom, his steadfastness or courage in defence of his opinions, and his ardent professional enthusiasm. In his earlier years he was a reformer, and these characteristics made him successful. Later in life his position was more conservative; not, however, because he had surrendered his cherished convictions, or abated his enthusiasm, but rather because the later advances in educational methods were not fully trusted by him.

But others will speak of his character more fully than I have a right to speak now. It is for me to introduce to you speakers who have known him long and loved him well. Let me add but one word more. We say we have assembled to do honor to Mr. Philbrick's memory. How shall we truly do that? If all wish to honor his memory sincerely,-in the manner in whichhe would most approve, we shall carry some of the inspiration of this hour into our daily duties, and dedicate ourselves anew to all that is high and noble in the great work which he loved so well.

The Superintendent then introduced the speakers whose addresses form the first three chapters of this

volume, and at the close of the speaking read the following letter from R. Kuki, the Japanese Minister to the United States:

LETTER OF THE JAPANESE MINISTER.

Gentlemen:

WASHINGTON, D. C., Nov. 3d, 1886.

Although unavoidably prevented, to my

great regret, from being with you in person, I desire most sincerely to join with you in doing honor to the memory of that very distinguished man, the late John D. Philbrick, whose benevolent labors have been productive of so much good, not only in the United States of America, but all over the world. I first had the

pleasure of being associated with him in 1878, at the Universal Exposition at Paris, where both of us were appointed "Membres de Juries" on the subject of education. I found him to be a gentleman who won universal respect, not only as a savant, but also on account of his attractive manners. I was one of many who became warmly attached to him, and derived great benefit from my intercourse with him, particularly in our conversations on topics connected with education. I shall never cease to cherish, with the most profound respect, the memory of our friendship and of his thorough knowledge and excellent judgment, as well as his eminently admirable character. With the assurance of my sincere sympathy with you on this occasion, believe me to remain,

With great respect,

Yours faithfully,

R. KUKI,

His Imperial Japanese Majesty's

Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.

MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS.

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