In 1877, he escorted President Hayes to Harvard University to receive the degree of Doctor of Laws, an honor which had been conferred upon himself the previous year; and in 1878 he also escorted Lord Dufferin, governor-general of Canada, to the university, on an occasion made memorable by the visit of that distinguished statesman.

During his whole administration, Governor Rice took a deep interest in the cause of education in the State, as president of the board of education, and in visiting schools and colleges for personal inspection.  He also carefully watched over the several State institutions for correction, for reform, and for lunacy and charity, encouraging, as opportunity offered, both officers and inmates, and, at the same time, unsparing in merited criticism of negligence and unfaithfulness.

In a word, Governor Rice’s administration of State affairs justly ranks among the administrations that have been the most useful and honorable to the Commonwealth.

In 1881, Mr. Rice was elected honorary chancellor of Union University, his alma mater, and at the commencement anniversary of that year he delivered an elaborate oration on The Reciprocal Relations of Education and Enterprise, which was received with the highest favor by the numerous statesmen and scholars who honored the occasion by their presence, and was afterwards published and widely circulated.

Mr. Rice is still actively engaged in business, and still maintains an undiminished interest in the affairs of public and social life.

* * * * *

THE OLD STORES AND THE POST-OFFICE OF GROTON.

By the Hon. Samuel Abbott Green, M.D.

Tradition has preserved little or nothing in regard to the earliest trading stores of Groton.  It is probable, however, that they were kept in dwelling-houses, by the occupants, who sold articles in common use for the convenience of the neighborhood, and at the same time pursued their regular vocations.

Jonas Cutler was keeping a shop on the site of Mr. Gerrish’s store, before the Revolution; and the following notice, signed by him, appears in The Massachusetts Gazette (Boston), November 28, 1768:—­

  A theft.

Whereas on the 19th or 20th Night of November Instant, the Shop of the Subscriber was broke open in Groton, and from thence was stollen a large Sum of Cash, viz. four Half Johannes, two Guineas, Two Half Ditto, One Pistole mill’d, nine Crowns, a Considerable Number of Dollars, with a considerable Quantity of small Silver & Copper, together with one Bever Hat, about fifteen Yards of Holland, eleven Bandannas, blue Ground with white, twelve red ditto with white, Part of a Piece of Silk Romails, 1 Pair black Worsted Hose, 1 strip’d Cap, 8 or 10 black barcelona Handkerchiefs, Part of a Piece of red silver’d Ribband, blue & white do,