down on the Cape or up among the hills of Berkshire, may not be a Prescott, a Motley or a Bancroft, but, in his smaller sphere, he is performing a service no less valuable than that of the historian of nations.  In many of these local histories are to be found events of highly-romantic interest, while some of them have been the starting point of real romances stronger than fiction.  But their chief value is in their faithful portrayal of the lives of those earlier generations whose relations with our lives are so well worthy of study.  That there is at present a much more general interest in this kind of history than there was fifty, or even twenty years ago, is evident; and as the towns of this State successively arrive at their important anniversaries, the written history of Massachusetts will grow more and more complete.

The annual meeting of the Massachusetts Historical Society took place in the society’s room, April 9, the Honorable Robert C. Winthrop in the chair.

It was greatly regretted that Mr. Winthrop felt compelled to decline serving as President for a longer term, and a tribute to his distinguished services in this office was offered in the remarks of Mr. Saltonstall.  Mr. Winthrop’s reply was most appropriate; and in it he spoke of the distinguished men who had honored the membership of the society within the term of his presidency extending over the last forty-five years.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:  President,
Rev. G.E.  Ellis, D.D.; Vice Presidents, Charles Deane, LL.D., Francis
Parkman, LL.D.; Recording Secretary, Rev. Edward J. Young, A.M.;
Corresponding Secretary, Justin Winsor, A.B.; Treasurer, Charles E.
Smith, Esq.; Librarian, Honorable Samuel A. Green, M.D.; Cabinet-keeper,
Fitch Edward Oliver, M.D.; Executive Committee of the Council, William
W. Greenough, A.B., Honorable Samuel C. Cobb, Abbott Lawrence, A.M.,
Abner C. Goodell, A.M., Honorable Mellen Chamberlain, I.L.B.

The one hundred and tenth anniversary of the battle of Lexington was fittingly observed in that town on the 19th of April.  The citizens, with many visitors, united in celebrating that memorable event, the very thought of which must ever stir the soul of every patriotic American.  At the exercises in the evening at the Lexington Town Hall, Governor Robinson delivered a brief oration.  The closing words are as follows: 

“The story of eloquence is breathed in the associations of the spot.  You feel the inspirations that come out of the place and you know full well in your heart the depth of the lesson it teaches.  Now, has it failed in these recent years?  When the call came again to the men of Lexington to stand for the welfare of the Union there were no laggards.  So shall it be that the people reading the story of the past will bring up all to that standard which was set so high.  Slavery of the human form may not now be tolerated.  Despotism may not triumph.  The