Springfield City (part 4 of 8)

The scientific literature is indebted to these local writers : Col. James G. Benton, late Commandant of the United- States Arsenal, who contributed the articles on Military Science to "Johnson's New Universal Encyclopaedia," and was the author of numerous other works on military subjects, notably of a " Course of Instruction on Ordnance and Gunnery." Col. A. R. Buffington, the present Commandant of the United-States Arsenal, has contributed largely to the literature of his profession. Capt. David A. Lyle of the United-States Ordnance Department, lately stationed at the LTnited-States Arsenal, the author of many essays, scientific, military, and hygienic. Professor Charles Mayr, a contributor of essays upon scientific subjects. George Dimmock. Doctor of Philosophy by the grace of Leipsic University, wherein he completed the education begun at Harvard College, now the editor of " Psyche." an entomological journal, author of essays on biology, etc. Ethan S. Chapin. of the firm of M. & E. S. Chapin, of the Massasoit House, the writer of " Conservation of Gravity and Heat," etc. Bradley Horsford, a long-time and devoted student of natural history, and an occasional writer upon the favorite subjects of his study. Bennett Allen, a generation ago one of the ablest servants of science. He constructed telescopes of the largest and most perfect lens-power ever made in this country. The extent to which he contributed to the literature of science is not known, but surely he aided effectually to the reading of nature's works on astronomy.

Milton Bradley, of the firm of Milton Bradley & Co., the first manufacturers of kindergarten material in this country, has contributed largely towards the education of children, by the publication of " Paradise of Childhood, a Practical Guide to Kindergartners," and the manufacture of educational aids and apparatus for illustrating the elements of physics in common schools, and by the various instructive games which he has invented and published.

It has not been attempted, - indeed, it would have been impracticable, - to give, in the limits of this chapter, the names of all of Springfield's literati. There are, it is gratifying to believe, many others not mentioned here, who are students, appreciators, and many of them producers, of literature, whose modesty prevents, or whose opportunity has not come for, publicity ; and the frequent contributions of prose and verse of merit and promise which appear in the local papers, over pen-names unidentifiable, or anonymously, give assurance that Springfield, though essentially a commercial community, has a large and increasing class of the lovers of literature.

The Libraries of Springfield are not surpassed in number or value of volumes by those of any other city of its size in the country. The earliest public collection of books of which any record can be found was that of The Springfield Library Company, the catalogue of which, published in 1796, gave about 320 titles. The Franklin Library Association was the next. It was composed of workmen in the United-States Armory. It existed as a separate organization until 1844, when its collection was made over to the Young Men's Institute. The Hampden Mechanics' Association was established in January, 1824. It founded a library called The Apprentices' Library, and maintained for a time a weekly evening school for apprentices, and annual courses of lectures. The catalogue of this library, in 1S34, gives 627 titles. This association continued until 1849, but its library was added to that of the Young Men's Institute in 1845. The Young Men's Institute was founded in 1843, "for the improvement of its members." It established a library and reading-room, held meetings for discussion, and, occasionally, courses of literary and scientific lectures were given under its auspices. The Young Men's Literary Association was organized in 1854. Its objects were similar to those of the Young Men's Institute. It also established a library and reading-room, had its weekly meetings for debate and intellectual culture, and its occasional lecture courses. The libraries of all these various associations were small, aggregating only about 1,500 volumes, and were, it seems, accessible only to their members.

The City Library Association originated in a widely expressed desire for the establishment of an institution that should be of more public benefit than those that have been mentioned, and in 1855 a petition was presented to the City Council asking for the appropriation of two thousand dollars for the establishment of a city library ; but, failing to obtain the aid solicited, the friends of the enterprise set to work to accomplish their purpose by means of a voluntary association, and the help of private subscriptions and contributions. To this end the present association was formed, Nov. 27, 1857. The Young Men's Institute and the Young Men's Literary Association were merged in, and their libraries were turned over to, the new association. Subscriptions of money and donations of books were sought by a committee, and obtained to the amount of about $8,000 and a large number of volumes. The collection was removed to rooms in the City Hall (those now occupied by the city assessors, and rooms adjoining). A museum of ethnology and natural history was founded in 1859, under the auspices of this association, in which were gathered collections of interest and value, especially in the department of zoology. The library grew rapidly, and in 1864 the demand for more ample accommodations was imperative. Hon. George Bliss of Springfield met the need of the association with the offer to donate the land adjoining his residence, and forming a part of his grounds, for the site of a suitable building. The offer was, of course, accepted. John L. King, then president of the association, by request of its directors personally solicited subscriptions for the erection of a building, and in February, 1S64, had obtained $77,000. George Hathorne of New York was accepted as the architect, and Amaziah Mayo as the builder of an edifice; and in the spring of 1871 the present structure was completed, at a cost of $100,000. It was opened to the public in the autumn of 1S71, with a catalogue of 31,400 volumes. The association is now acting under a charter granted in April, 1864; its former charter not allowing it to hold estate sufficient for its purposes. The City Library Building, so-called, stands near the north-east corner of State and Chestnut Streets. It is 100 feet wide upon its State-street front, and 65 feet in depth. It is in the mediaeval Renaissance style. Its exterior is chiefly of brick with Ohio freestone trimmings. The main library-room proper is in the upper story, is domed, and, midway of its height, has a gallery extending completely round its walls, accessible by spiral iron staircases. Below the library-room, one entering from State Street finds, on his right, the museum ; on his left, the reading-room, supplied with a good list of daily and weekly newspapers, magazines, and reviews, and furnished with every convenience and comfort, for the free use of all persons. The reading-room was established in October, 1SS1, by a committee of citizens, who raised $2,300 for the special purpose. The reading-room and the library and museum rooms are adorned by portraits of distinguished men, many of whom have been officers or patrons of the association. At the first landing of the staircase leading to the second or library floor, are clustered, in glass cases, the battle-flags of some of the local regiments of the Rebellion. Among the interesting articles in the museum are the veritable pikes that constituted a part of the armament of the martyr John Brown, who resided and carried on business in Springfield for several years, and was one of the earliest and most practical and energetic of the anti-slavery party, and maintained here, it is said, an important station of the " Underground Railroad," one of the termini of which was in Canada. The library catalogue now shows 49,325 volumes, and more than 5,000 pamphlets. It is rich in every department of literature. In addition to the volumes belonging to the association, the library contains a collection of the public documents of the United States, deposited for reference by the Trustees of the State Library, numbering over 2.000 volumes. This is one of the most complete collections of public documents in the United States. The present officers of the association are: President, Ephraim W. Bond; vice-president, James M. Thompson; clerk and librarian, William Rice; treasurer, James D. S afford ; directors, Charles Merriam, John B. Stebbins, James Kirkham, Horace Smith, Orick H. Greenleaf, George E. Howard, Samuel Bowles, Azariah B. Harris, William Merrick, and, ex-officio, the mayor of the city, the president of the common council, and the chairman of the school committee. A vacancy was made in this board by the decease of Chester W. Chapin during the present year. Rev.

Dr. William Rice has been in charge of the library since the foundation of the association, and its excellences are in a great measure due to his assiduity, taste, and judgment. The library is free to all for use in the rooms, but an annual fee of one dollar is required to entitle one to take books away from the building. It is open on Mondays from 12 M. to 9 p.m., on other days from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The reading-room is open at the same hours, and also on Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m. The museum is open, free, on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1 to 8 p.m.

The Hampden-County Law-Library is in the south-west corner of the second story of the Court House on Elm Street. It was established in 1S60, at the request of the bar, by means of an appropriation made by the county commissioners, and is maintained by the county. It contains over 2,000 volumes, including the valuable set of reports donated from his library by the late Hon. William G. Bates of Westfield.

The Indian-Orchard Library was established in 1859, for the use of the inhabitants of that part of Springfield called Indian Orchard, a manufacturing village. It contains about 1,500 volumes, and has in connection a reading-room supplied with Boston and Springfield daily papers, and with some of the best of the weekly and monthly journals and periodicals. It is maintained wholly by the Indian- Orchard Mills Corporation, but is free to all residents.

The Central Circulating Library is at 115 State Street, and was established in 1867 by Misses Leavitt, Gillespie, and Gilmore, and maintained by them until 1S79, when it passed into the hands of Miss L. A. Gilmore, who is now the owner.

Gill's Circulating Library was established about 1S70, by Jennison & Kendall, - two ladies, - from whom it was purchased by James D. Gill, who now owns and maintains it, in connection with his book and art store, on the corner of Main and Bridge Streets. It contains about 1,500 volumes.

Kendall's Circulating Library is in the store of G. F. Kendall, 473 State Street, on Armory Hill, opposite the Armory grounds. It was commenced about 14 years ago by A. J. Newton, who was succeeded by the present proprietor in April, 1877. It contains about 1,000 volumes.

Private Libraries, ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 in number of volumes, are numerous in Springfield, and among them are several rare and many valuable collections.

The Railroad-Men's Reading-room is on the north side of the Union Depot. It was opened Aug. 19, 18S2, and formally dedicated Oct. 11, 1882. It was established by the International Committee on Reading-rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association, whose railroad work was begun in 1S72, and is rapidly and widely extending. Railroad companies co-operate heartily, and yearly contribute about $50,000 to the work. Similar reading-rooms are established and flourishing in many cities of the North and West. This. at Springfield, was the second one regularly established in New England. Its affairs are managed by an executive committee of railroad-officers, with the assistance of an advisory committee of citizens. The rooms appropriated for this use are : a reading room, where a supply of periodicals, daily, weekly, and monthly, may be found ; a smoking and chess room, isolated 1 iy partitions from the reading-room, a bath-room, and an ample parlor in the story above the other rooms, comfortably and tastefully furnished with carpet, tables, chairs, and lounges, and a piano. The payment of 25 cents a month admits members to all the privileges of the rooms. Addresses and musical entertainments are given monthly. Instruction in penmanship and in mechanical drawing is provided for those desiring it; during the present year, in the former by F. P. Frost of the Boston and Albany Railroad Freight Office, and in the latter by C. E. Alger, civil engineer in employ of the Boston and Albany Railroad. The rooms are open daily; on week-days from 8 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. ; on Sundays, from 3 to 6 p.m. Religious services are held on Sundays from 5.30 to 6.30 p.m. The secretary is Theodore

The Reading-rooms of the Armory-hill Young Men's Christian Association are in the Association's Building on State Street, opposite Winchester Park, and are open afternoons and evenings. They are supplied with newspapers and magazines. The secretary is E. H. Byington.

Literary Clubs having conspicuous social features have long been established here. Among the social house-to-house clubs, the leading one is known simply as "The Club,'' comprising 16 gentlemen, in professional and business life', who meet fortnightly through the winter, usually on Tuesday evenings, and discuss subjects assigned to members at the beginning of the season. The assignee for the evening prepares an essay which forms the basis of the conversation, which is participated in by turn: the host calling on the members to give their views informally in succession. A substantial refreshment is served at the beginning of the evening. This club is the successor and junior of a similar one which existed for many years, in which leading citizens participated. Timothy M. Brown was the originator of the present club, which has been in active life for about 10 years. The club now comprises the following members: H. W. Bosworth' Dr. S. W. Bowles, E. S. Bradford, T. M. Brown, Col. A. R. Bufflngton, W. W. Colburn, G. A. Denison, Clemens Herschel, Judge M. P. Knowlton, Capt. D. A. Lvle, E. C. Rogers, J. L. Shipley, A. J. Smith, Rev. Dr. E. P. Terhune, W. L. Warren, Judge Gideon Wells. The character of the papers read and discussed may be judged from the following list of assignments for the present winter, [883-84: "Organized Philanthropic Effort as a Means of Reform;" " The Principle of Heredity;"' '-Northern

Pacific Railroad ; " " Review of Henry George's ' Progress and Poverty; ' " "The Jury System;" " Immigration: Its Value and Danger to the Republic;" "The Indian Question;" "The Negro in History;" "The Proper Disposition of Convict Labor;" "Modern Italy, politically and socially;" " Gladstone ; " " American Collegiate Education : Should it be reformed ? " "Municipal Government in this Country;'' "Mexico: Its Present and its Future;" "Education in the South: Should National Aid be given it? if so, how?" "Protoplasm and Spontaneous Generation."

The Young Ladies' Literary Club is one of two clubs of some years' standing, and similar character to " The Club," composed exclusively of ladies. It was originated by Mrs. Sallie Bowles Hooker and Mrs. Julia Alexander Phillips in their maiden days, and numbers about 20 members, who meet periodically around the tea-table, and spend the evening discussing assigned topics. Married ladies are not admitted as new members. This club has the honor of having first brought George W. Cable before a Springfield audience.

The Cosmian Club is an association similar to the above, and of nearly equal duration, composed largely of teachers. A series of topics is selected for the winter's work, in regard to which a printed list of questions is issued to the members to guide their reading upon the subject. Miss E. M. Priest is president; Miss Alma S. Brigham, secretary; Miss Ella J. Ross, treasurer; who with Miss E. P. Bigelow and Miss Harriet E. Child constitute the board of managers.

The Springfield Lyceum was organized in 1 88 1. Its special purposes are the acquisition of knowledge of, and practice in, parliamentary law: the cultivation of its members for controversial discussion, in debate, and otherwise, and general culture, particularly in the direction of affairs of local and general public interest and importance. Any person of good character, and in earnest sympathy with its objects, is welcomed to membership. The initiation fee is 50 cents, which, with a monthly assessment of 25 cents, covers all the pecuniary liability of membership. Honorary membership, conferred by election and subject to the payment of one dollar a year, entitles to all privileges of the association, except those of voting and office. The meetings are held on Wednesday evenings, from October to May or June, each year. The exercises include debates, written criticisms, and essays, with occasional lectures. Its officers, consisting of a president, two vicepresidents, a secretary and treasurer, and an executive committee of three. are chosen every two months. Its assembly-room has been, during the present year, the French Chapel in Bill's Block, 358 Main Street.

The Connecticut-Valley Historical Society was organized April 21, 1876, in Springfield. Its formation was an important movement in the interests of historical literature. Its aim is "to procure and preserve what- ever may relate to the natural, civil, military, literary, ecclesiastical, and genealogical history of the country, and especially of the territory included in the Connecticut Valley." Its present officers are: President, Henry Morris; vice-presidents, Augustus L. Soule, Samuel O. Lamb, L. Clark Seelye; clerk and treasurer, William Rice; executive committee, Samuel G. Buckingham, Ephraim W. Bond, William L. Smith, William S. Shurtleff, John W. Harding, Henry S. Lee. The society has now about 100 members. Its annual meeting is held on the first Monday in April; and quarterly meetings are held on the first Mondays of July, October, and January. Members are chosen by ballot, upon recommendation of the executive committee, the affirmatives of two-thirds of a quorum being necessary to an election. The membership-fee is $3. No further payment is required unless a special assessment therefor is made, and no member can be assessed more than $2 in any one year. The payment of $25 frees a member from any further payments. In December, 1881, the society published, under the editorship of William L. Smith, William Rice, and William S. Shurtleff, its first volume, entitled " Papers and Proceedings of the Connecticut-Valley Historical Society;" containing selections from the essays and papers contributed and read at its quarterly meetings, nearly all of which are of historical and literary value. The volume is published at $2. This society has already drawn the attention of scholars and historiographers to fields for further historical harvesting; and it is confidently expected that its purposes will be aided to accomplishment by the research, and the contributions from pens and pockets, of interested co-operators throughout the Connecticut Valley. Its meetings have been held, hitherto, sometimes in the City Library Building, but generally in the vestry-room of the South Congregational Church; but it is hoped that at no distant date, by the liberality of wealthy well-wishers, it may be provided with a suitable building of its own, wherein to hold its meetings and preserve its library and collections.

The Springfield Botanical Society was organized April 20, 1877. It numbers now about 30 members. Meetings are held weekly at the Highschool building on State Street, on Friday afternoons at 4^ o'clock, - except during July and August, when assemblies are held at the houses of its members; and during the winter months, when meetings are temporarily suspended. All persons interested in its objects are welcomed at its meetings. It has an herbarium, which now contains specimens of nearly all the ferns to be found in the vicinity, more than 70 species of marine alga, and numerous flowering-plants, - in all, nearly 1,000 specimens. Papers on botanical subjects are read and discussed at its meetings; and, occasionally, rambles a-field are taken, and exhibitions of its collections, with contributions, are given to the public. Although its members are few, they are en-

The Springfield Science Association was organized in March, 1881, "for the promotion of scientific knowledge among its members." Capt. (then Lieut.) David A. Lyle, of the Ordnance Department of the United-States Army, was chosen its first president. He was succeeded, upon his removal from the city, by Prof. J. H. Pillsbury. F. H. Morgan is chairman of the executive committee ; W. W. Colburn, corresponding secretary; and Oscar B. Ireland, recording secretary. Meetings are held in the Highschool building on State Street, on the second Wednesday of each month, at which original papers upon scientific subjects are read, and discussions had. It also has occasional "field-days ; " and courses of lectures have been, and will continue to be, given under its auspices. It is in flourishing condition, and cannot fail to be of great practical benefit to the community, as well as a means of intellectual culture and social enjoyment to its members.

The Springfield Natural History Society was organized March 17, 18S2. for the purpose of cultivating a taste for the study of nature. At first the membership was mostly made up of graduates and pupils of the High School. After a time others became interested in its work, and it now includes among its members several of the professional men of the city. Meetings are held on the first and third Friday evenings of each month except July and August. At these meetings papers are read on various topics of natural history, specimens which have been collected exhibited, and observations made by the members discussed. It has contributed a large number of specimens to the High-school collection. The second meeting of each month is usually devoted to some branch of microscopical science. The officers for 1884 are. President, J. H. Pillsbury; vicepresidents, Rev. Charles Van Norden, J.J.Walker; corresponding secretary, Miss Louise Knappe ; recording secretary, F. E. Wheeler; curator, C. D. Montague; treasurer, Miss Fanny M.Vilas. Its meetings are held in the lecture-room of the High-school building on State Street.

The Stationary Engineers are represented here by Hampden Lodge No. 3. Their object is to aid the members in gaining further knowledge of their own line of work, and in elevating themselves mentally and socially. At their meetings, held once a week, they exchange views and narrate experiences regarding different kinds of engines and boilers. Their constitution and by-laws make ineligible to membership any person addicted to strong drink, or of immoral character, and forbid any participation in strikes. The chief engineer is Charles H. Mead; the treasurer, George R. Reed: and the recording secretary, J. H. Ford.

A'Ing'S Handbook Of Springfield

instituted May 30, 1840, under a charter from the Massachusetts Medical Society granted to Drs. Joseph H. Flint, William Bridgman, George Hooker, Aaron King, Bela B. Jones, Reuben Champion, John Appleton, and L. W. Humphreys. The officers are : President, Dr. Stephen W. Bowles ; vicepresident, Dr. George S. Stebbins ; secretary, treasurer, and librarian, Dr. George C. McClean. Its meetings are held, usually, in Springfield, - the annual meeting on the last Tuesday of April, and others, from two to four during the year, at appointed times. At these meetings, essays from members, designated to prepare them, are read, and subjects important to the medical profession are discussed, reports of interesting cases made, and general professional fellowship cultivated.

The Hampden- County Agricultural Society was chartered in 1844. Among its projectors and original corporators were Wil- 1 Ham B. Calhoun and Daniel W. Willard of Springfield, and Forbes Kyle of Chester, with many of the leading agriculturists of the county. Its declared objects were the encouragement and improvement of agriculture and the mechanic arts. Its first meeting, under its charter, was held in Springfield, April 9, 1S44. Its first cattle-show and fair was held in Springfield, Oct. 16, 17, 1S44, at which $269 was awarded in premiums. It has since held annual fairs in Springfield, West Springfield, Westfield, Holyoke, and Chicopee. In 1856 sixty acres of land were purchased for the purpose of a fair-ground between the Connecticut-river Railroad and the bank of Connecticut River, adjoining southerly what is called " Plainfield." This purchase was the result of the interest excited by the success of "The Great National Horse- Show," held on Federal Square on "The Hill" in 1856. This was the first of the kind ever held in the United States. George Dwight was chief marshal ; and the equine and human attendance was so remarkable as to leave it in history as not only the first, but one of the best to the present day. The surplus of receipts over expenditures, together with a very considerable sum raised by subscription, was appropriated to the purchase of the abovementioned land, title to which was taken in the name of the society. The area was immediately laid out as a show and racing ground, and named " Hampden Park." It was held by the society until 1878, when it was sold, and passed eventually into the ownership of the present Hampden Park Association, by which it is still held. Some of the most extensive horse and cattle shows and race-meetings ever held in this country have taken place on this ground, under the auspices of its successive owners. Since parting with Hampden Park, the meetings and fairs of the society have been held at various towns in the county. It now has about 1.000 members. During the nearly 40 years of its existence, it has paid about $20,000 in premiums. Its presidents have been successively these : William B. Calhoun, John Mills, Josiah Hooker, Thomas J. Shepard, Francis Brewer, Horace M. Sessions, George Bliss, Chester W. Chapin, Phineas Stedman, William Birnie, Eliphalet Trask, George Dwight, Norman T. Leonard, William Pvnchon, Chauncey L. Buell, and Ethan Brooks. It has a vice- 1. resident from each town in the county. Its secretary is, and has been for the past 25 years, James Newton Bagg of West Springfield. James E. Russell was treasurer for 15 years, when he resigned, and was succeeded by the present incumbent, E. S. Batchelder of Springfield. The life-membership fee is $5.00 for men, $2.50 for women.

The Hampden Harvest Club was organized in 1857, for scientific and social purposes, and the promotion of agricultural interests. It has a membership of 20, divided among an almost equal number of towns in the county. Its meetings are held, in the winter, fortnightly, at houses of members, where supper is provided by the host of the occasion, and intellectual entertainment by the guests, through the reading and discussion of papers of interest to the farming community. At each meeting a chairman is chosen to preside over the next assembly. The secretary is James Newton Bagg, who has served as such since the organization of the club. It has proved of social, intellectual, and material benefit to its members.

The Hampden-County Horticultural Society, organized in January, 1 86 r , has for its object the promotion of, and improvement in, the cultivation of fruits and flowers; and it has been largely successful in its purpose. Its first public exhibition, given in June, 1S61, in Union Hall, netted $196, and aroused very considerable interest among the people of the county. It was followed by others, annually, for several years, with success. Of late the public exhibitions have been less frequent, but the interest of its mem- bers is said to be unabated. Its first board of officers was : President, John B. Stebbins ; vice-presidents, Thomas L. Chapman, George E. Howard, and William L. Smith ; secretary, Clark W. Bryan ; treasurer, James Birnia. The officers chosen at the last annual meeting were: President, John E. Taylor; vice-presidents, Daniel B. Wesson, E. Dickinson, James E. Russell; secretary, Dr. T. L. Chapman; treasurer, Gurdon Bill; and sixteen directors, viz., Messrs. C. L. Covell, I. P. Dickinson, Richard F. Hawkins, Horace Kibbe, Henry S. Hyde, Dexter Snow, Adolphe Mielliez, Mrs. Albert D. Briggs, Mrs. B. F. Warner, Mrs. V. L. Owen, Mrs. George T. Bond, Mrs. George C. Fiske, Mrs. R. F. Hawkins, Mrs. James E. Russell, Mrs. John E. Taylor (since deceased), and Mrs. Charles A. Nichols.

William Steele S Hurtle Ff

ART and artists have naturally made their home in Springfield, as befits a place so beautiful for situation; and within the last ten years the city has earned a reputation for appreciation and patronage of art, and distinctively of American art, which ranks it, probably, above any other place of its size in the country, and, indeed, above most of the minor cities. It supports an annual artists' exhibition of a hundred carefully selected paintings from New-York studios, possesses one of the finest art-gaileries in the United States, has an art association which maintains a school of drawing and painting, and numbers a considerable list of intelligent and liberal buyers. Among the more notable of the artists who have made their home in Springfield, the first to be named is Chester Harding, a portrait-painter of more than national reputation, who resided here for many years, and whose ashes rest in our cemetery, distinguished by a monument of freestone, bearing upon it a palette and a wreath of bay, with the classical inscription, " Ars longa, vita brevisP Mr. Harding, who was a native of Conway in Franklin County, came to Springfield in 1830, in his 39th year, and four years after his return from a prolonged sojourn in England, where- he had won a high professional and social standing, and had painted portraits of the Dukes of Sussex and Norfolk, the Earl of Aberdeen, Samuel Rogers, and other men of rank and note. Mr. Harding was an intimate friend of Daniel Webster, and of George Ashmun of Springfield. Mr. Webster gave him his recipe for his favorite dish, fish-chowder, and ended with, " Have ready good mealy potatoes, beets, drawn butter, and oil, have it all served up hot, and then send for Ashmun and me." Mr. Harding painted the full-length portrait of Webster that now hangs in Faneuil Hall in Boston, and a portrait of Henry Clay for the City Hall in Washington. He made a journey into the backwoods of Kentucky, in order to paint Daniel Boone ; and the original picture, the only likeness for which the great pioneer sat, is now owned in Springfield. He also painted John Randolph of Roanoke, and the brothers Amos and Abbott Lawrence ; and his last portrait was of Gen. W. T. Sherman in 1865, to which he gave the last touches at his home in Springfield in 1866, a few days before his death.

known in his later years as "The Crescent-hill Artist," was a pupil of Chester Harding, and in his prime approached closely the style and coloring of his master. He made several tours as portrait-painter, and on one of these journeys painted at Washington, in 1848, the famous and charming Mrs. Dolly Madison, widow of the third president of the United States, in her old age, and had the honor of her friendship. His portrait of Mrs. Madison became the property of William Seaton of "The National Intelligencer." He made two copies of the Stuart Washington, in Hartford, one of which hangs in the common-council chamber in the City Hall, and the other in the town-hall of Brimfield, his native place, to which he bequeathed it. Mr. Elwell was a clerk in the Treasury Department from 1850 to June, 1854; and overwork at his desk and in his profession brought on a stroke of paralysis in 1855, partially disabling him. Another stroke twelve years later confined him to his house, and to a wheeled chair; but in this crippled condition he took up a new line of work, and until his death executed the most delicate miniature landscapes. He was fitly described as "a personality of rich and gracious type, and an influence of the sweetest and most enduring kind, - that of a spirit maintaining itself clear and true against great odds, and giving a lesson to the impatience and triviality of his friends which will not be forgotten." He died in 1881, at the age of 71 ; and his grave in the Springfield Cemetery is marked by a rough granite bowlder, bearing on a palette sculptured on one side his name, and the dates of birth and death.

Among other artists temporarily connected with Springfield, is Willis Seaver Adams, who has made the city more than any other place his home for the past 16 years. He has studied at the Royal Academy, Antwerp, at Munich, and Venice. His last return to Springfield was in 1881, when he was immediately recognized as an artist of remarkable genius. Two of his paintings, " Morning in Venice," and " Night in Venice," were accepted for the exhibition of the National Academy in 18S2; and one, "Spring in Bavaria," was in the exhibition of the Society of American Artists of that season. He was teacher of the local Art-association classes for a short time, and is now in Rome. Joseph O. Eaton, a New-York artist of note, spent parts of two or three summers here, painting portraits ; among them those of the late Chief-Justice Chapman for the Hampden-County bar (now in the County Court-house), of the noted advocate E. B. Gillett, and the late railroad-presidents Chester W. Chapin and Daniel L. Harris. T. W. Wood, vice-president of the National Academy, and president of the American Water-color Society, has likewise painted portraits in this city, during his summer vacations ; including that of the late Samuel Bowles for the City Library, and its replica for "The Springfield Republican," also of Rev. Drs. Samuel G. Buckingham and William Rice. Several artists now have stu- dios in the city. Miss Irene E. Parmelee, portrait and figure painter, studied with Professor Weir at the Yale Art School, and in Paris with R. T. Fleury, Lefebvre, and Cot. Edmund E. Case, landscape-painter, was a pupil at the Academy in New York, painted in J. O. Eaton's studio, and in Paris under Bouguereau and R. T. Fleury. He has exhibited in the Academy at New York. George N. Bowers, portraits and landscapes, studied at the Art Students' League in New York, and with Bonnat and Ferrier in Paris : he is established as a teacher of drawing and painting. R. L. de Lisser, pupil of the Munich school, is the present teacher of the Art-association's classes, having his studio in their rooms. R. G. Shurtleff, though not a professional artist, paints landscapes with rare beauty and a refined skill. George Harrington has lately set up a studio, and is becoming known as a painter of nature.

Gill's Art-Store and Galleries are among the famous sights in Springfield; and it is an unquestioned fact, that James D. Gill has made his store a true art-centre, and led the public taste by feeding it with the best art of the country. He began business in art-books, stationery, and other things, in the winter of 1871, in Goodrich Block, having then a partner. Gradually increasing the variety and quality of his art-stock, he gained a reputation, not confined to the local public, as an intelligent and enterprising dealer. In the winter of 1877 Col. James Fairman of New York showed a number of his paintings in an exhibition-room fitted up for the occasion ; and the next winter Mr. Gill added a larger room adjoining, and gave his first annual exhibition of paintings selected from the studios of New-York artists. G. W. V. Smith, a connoisseur well known in New York, assisted the enterprise, and himself selected the paintings, - fifty-six in number. - and devoted his invaluable services to make the display a success. The catalogue comprised an excellent representation of American art, including a large and important work by Frederick E. Church, the first celebrated American landscapist. Thirty-six of the paintings were sold. The next year Mr. Gill had removed his business to the block on the corner of Main and Bridge Streets, built expressly for him by Hinsdale Smith, and containing two artgalleries on the second floor, extending to the height of two stories, which. for their liberal wall-space, excellent light, and tasteful decoration, are not excelled by any others in New England, and will bear comparison with those in New York. His second annual exhibition, selected by Mr. Smith and Mr. Gill, was opened in these galleries Feb. 1, 1879; anc^ tne success, both in popular attendance and in sales of pictures, was repeated, and, indeed, exceeded. The result was, that in two years the people of Springfield, before almost unknown as patrons of the fine arts, had taken the first rank among the smaller cities ; and they have maintained that position ever since. Many of the best works of the leading painters of New York have been first seen on Mr. Gill's walls, and many of these have remained in Springfield. Among the large works shown as central attractions for the public on these occasions, have been " The Pioneer's Home," by F. E. Church ; "In the Autumn Wood," by James M. Hart; Walter Shirlaw's famous " Sheep-shearing in the Bavarian Highlands;" Edgar M. Ward's "Tobacco Field, Old Virginny; " " La Cigale," by F. A. Bridgman ; and one of George

King'S Ha N D Boo K Of Springfield

Inness's greatest landscapes, - the three last mentioned, before their appearance in the National Academy. Among works from these sales, owned in the city, may be mentioned J. G. Brown's " Pull for the Shore " (a doublebank crew of Grand-Manan fishermen); Wordsworth Thompson's "The Great Review at Philadelphia, Aug. 24, 1777 ; " A. F. Bellows's " Old Stratford, Conn. ; " " Reminiscence of Vermont," and " Early Autumn,"' by A. H. Wyant; " Scituate Cliffs," by A. T. Bricher; R. S. Gifford's "Dartmouth Moors ; " S. R. Gifford's " The Coming Storm, Lake George ; " " The Beach at Flushing, Holland," by M. F. H. de Haas; "Winter Gloaming," by T. L. Smith; Winslow Homer's "By the Seaside," and "Peach Blossoms;" "Up the Hill," by James D. Smillie; "The Jungfrau," by H. A. Ferguson; "The Camp-Fire," and -- At the Day's End," by Gilbert Gaul; and works of Bierstadt, James and William Hart, McEntee, Casilear, Nicoll, Arthur Parton, David Johnson, H. P. Smith, Ouartley, Bristol, T. W. Wood, W. S. Macy, Shattuck, Hubbard, Van Elten, Guy, Whittredge, and others. Of the six exhibitions already held, the summary is as follows: 1878, fiftysix pictures shown, thirty-six sold, average price $271 ; 1879, seventy-nine shown, thirty-five sold, average $292; 1880, seventy-nine shown, forty sold, average $361.25: 1881, eighty-five shown, thirty-nine sold, average $267: 1882, ninety-two shown, thirty sold, average $323 ; 1S83, ninety-seven shown, thirty-six sold, average $298. Total, two hundred and sixteen paintings, sold for $65,270. Meanwhile Mr. Gill's galleries are always hung with engravings, photographs, and paintifigs, and occasionally occupied by special exhibitions, so that they are always contributive to the cultivation of the popular taste for art. His seventh exhibition is to occur in February. 1884.

The Springfield Art- Association was established in 1879. Here, as in other portions of the country, there had been a wonderful increase of interest in art and in art-education, owing to the stimulus of the exhibitions at the Philadelphia Centennial, and our rapid national growth in prosperity and intelligence. - an interest that in Springfield, as in many other places, was speedily followed by the discovery that opportunities for artstudy were extremely limited. When the association was started, there was already adopted the teaching of mechanical drawing as an adjunct to the city high-school, and this has been made very useful and excellent under the skilled tuition of Charles A. Emery; but there was no other teaching in art. no cast-drawing, and scarcely a chance for more than amateur work. The association was formed in public meeting, and was incorporated in 1879, with Elisha Morgan as its first president. At the first meeting after its incorporation, E. C. Gardner, the noted literary as well as practical architect, delivered a fine address concerning the objects of the society. His plan was the inclusion of all students and workers in the various arts of design, whether for pleasure, self-culture, or serious professional purpose ; lectures relating to art, in general or for specific branches ; the gathering of an art-library, the holding of social re-unions from time to time, with papers read, or exhibitions given, to increase the interest; clubs or classes developing in distinct branches of art, industrial or decorative. These and many other things were included in the plan of the projectors of the art-association. During its existence the association has lacked the necessary popular support ; and its continuance has depended upon a few who have liberally bestowed their labor, their influence, and their money, to keep it going. Several artists have been employed as its instructors ; and the teaching has been nearly all the time of a very good order, and sometimes quite as good, within its limits, as could be obtained in New York or Boston. The association is now officered as follows : President, Elisha Morgan; vice-presidents, P. P. Kellogg, W. W. Colburn, Charles Bill; treasurer, W. F. Ferry; clerk, Louis C. Hyde; directors, Avery J. Smith, Milton Bradley, James D. Gill, W. F. Adams, E. C. Gardner, Chauncey L. Covell, Mrs. C. O. Chapin, Mrs. J. S. Hurlbut, Mrs. E. Morgan, Mrs. H. S. Hyde, Mrs. A. J. Smith, Miss Isabel P. Newell. The instructor is R. L. De Lisser, a pupil of the Munich school, who received in 1874 the bronze medal of the Munich Academy. The classes include one for elementary teaching, beginning with the flat if necessary, and including geometrical work, as on cubes, spheres, pyramids, etc. ; an intermediate class, beginning with casts of leaves, fruit, etc., and ending with the blocked head; an antique class, on casts of the human head, first on features, and then to busts and full figures ; a life and painting class, to do still life, and draw and paint from the living draped model. There are also evening classes. The art association, in the winter of 1S83, held its first annual exhibition of oilpaintings, - excellent in the quality of works displayed, and successful in popular appreciation. The works shown were by many artists having national and even European reputations. The association has now about two hundred members, and it seems to be in a fair way to a prosperity where it may be able to accomplish the high purposes which its unrivalled opportunity opens to its efforts. The association occupies comfortable and welladapted quarters in the Evangelist Building, on the north side of State Street, at the corner of Dwight Street.

Music, like literature, science, and art, has been given considerable attention here for a place the size of Springfield. Professional concerts, operas, and musical entertainments are of frequent occurrence ; and their early history is given in a later chapter on "The Sociability of the City." The amateur organizations have produced works that are of the highest grade, and have performed them in a manner that would be creditable to the

The Orpheus Club is a society devoted to the study and singing of male part-songs. It was organized in 1874, on the plan of having an active membership of singing-members who attend to the business management of the club, and an associate membership of subscribers who, for $10 a season, receive five tickets, besides the membership-ticket, to each of the four concerts annually given. No tickets to single concerts are sold. Beginning in one of the smaller halls, with a male chorus of 16, the growth of the club compelled it to go to the Gilmore Opera House, and then to the City Hall, to accommodate its audiences, which of late years have numbered 1,200 or more, while the singers have been from 30 to 36. Louis Coenen was the club's conductor and musical director up to 1879, since which time the office has been filled by G. W. Sumner of Boston. Albert Holt held the presidency, and Henry F. Trask the secretaryship, from 1874 until 1883, when the former resigned, and the latter was elected to fill the vacancy. The other officers were, at the start, James D. Safford, vice-president; William H. King, treasurer; and Oscar B. Ireland (the present secretary), librarian. The vice-president is now Francis D. Foot ; the treasurer is James C. Ingersoll ; and the librarian, Henry G. Chapin. Rehearsals take place every Tuesday evening from October to May. The club's programmes have been made up from the best published male choruses and part-songs ; and the club's work has been supplemented by professional assistance, sometimes supplied by leading soprano or alto singers of the country, and sometimes by noted instrumental performers. Its work has been such as to give it a very high rank among shrrilar clubs of the smaller cities, and to entitle it to respectful consideration, even in comparison with leading clubs of New York and Boston, with whom courtesies are exchanged.

The Handel Chorus is a musical society numbering from 100 to 125 ladies and gentlemen, carefully selected and cultured singers, for the study and public performance of the best oratorios and other classical concert music. It is a continuation of the Conservatory Chorus organized in 1874, which subsequently took the name of Beethoven Society, but which in 1881, with some modifications of its constitution, adopted its present title. Its president is Thomas Chubbuck, a city organist and choir-director; and the musical conductor is F. Zuchtmann of the Springfield Conservatory of Music, and professor of music in Amherst College, - both of whom have officially served since 1874. The board of managers are: President Chubbuck, E. Porter Dyer, jun., C. C. Burnett, E. L. Janes, and K. A. Dearden. This society has steadily maintained a high musical reputation by its public performances of such grand oratorios as Handel's " Messiah,'" Haydn's "Creation," Mendelssohn's "Elijah," Costa's "Eli" and " Naaman," and other noted works of the great composers, in conjunction with the best solo and orchestral talent of the country. The Handel Chorus of Springfield, and the Choral Union of Holyoke, have been the nucleus of the societies comprising the "Connecticut Valley Musical Association," which has held several annual musical festivals, each of three days' continuance, at which celebrated oratorios and orchestral symphonies, with choice miscellaneous concerts, are given before uniformly large audiences and with gratifying success.

The Orchestral Club was organized on May 15, 1875, by n'ne professional and amateur musicians, with George H. Goodwin as president (who is still in office), Albert H. Kirkham as secretary and treasurer, and Louis Coenen as musical director. Considerable music was bought, and convenient rooms were fitted up. In the summer of 1876 the club gave three concerts a week ; and the following autumn and winter a series of six concerts were given in the City Hall, which, although financially a failure, were musically a success. In the autumn of 1877 Mr. Kirkham withdrew ; and his successor was H. J. Butler, who was also chosen the business-agent. In the autumn of 1878 other withdrawals took place which unfavorably affected the club. At this time Southland's Orchestra, which had become popular, was also unfortunate in having two of its best musicians taken sick, - E. B. Phelps and W. R. Jocelyn. In preference to getting new men for each club, a consolidation was made in October, of both ; the name " The Orchestral Club" being retained. In April, 1879, Mr. Butler accepted a call to the Park Theatre in Boston, where he still performs as contra-bass. He is also a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. O. L. Southland was then appointed secretary and treasurer, and has since continued as such. During the autumn of 1880 and the spring of 1881, the club gave nineteen concerts on Saturday afternoons, which proved to be successful in everyway. On July 1, 1881, Mr. Coenen resigned; and the present musical director, R. F. Rollins, was elected in his place. The club has clone much to raise the standard of instrumental music, and to train persons for professional work. Among those who have gone from this club, besides Mr. Butler, are W. T. Herrick (cornet), now at the Boston Park Theatre; J. Sheridan (clarinet), at the Boston Museum; and George C. Felker (flute), now in Boston. The club's business agent is G. H. Southland; and the headquarters are in Room 24, Barnes' Block, No. 396 Main Street.

The Springfield Tonic Sol Fa Association was organized in April, 1S83, and takes its name from an English method of teaching vocal music, which has been used by Messrs. Seward, Batcheller, and Charmbury in conducting institutes, singing-classes, and musical instruction in public schools in Springfield and its vicinity. This method postpones the reading of music from the staff until the pupil has become familiar with intervals and scales. The recognition of tones precedes the recognition of the signs of tones. Three regular meetings are to be held each year, in October, January, and April. Professor Thomas Charmbury, teacher of music in the West-Springfield public schools, is director of the Choral Union, formed by members of the society. Rev. Julius B. Robinson is president of the association, and Miss A. A. Pease secretary.

Zuchtmann's Conservatory of Music is conducted by one of the leading local instructors in vocal music and the culture of the voice, - Frederick Zuchtmann, a German, who received instruction of Walder, Trueutzer, Zollner, and Schneider. In 1850 he arrived in Boston, where he received pupils, and was organist for several churches. In 1873 ne came to Springfield, and opened a music-school at 345 Main Street. Three assistants are now employed. For seven years Mr. Zuchtmann has been leader of the glee-club in Amherst College, a position which he resigned the past season in order to accept the supervision of music instruction in the public schools of this city. He is an enthusiastic conductor of choral societies, and has produced here several creditable oratorios.

Little's Brass Band is named for its originator and leader, E. H. Little, a native of Springfield, 111. He came here a dozen years ago, and in 1881 organized a sextet of brass instruments. This was the nucleus of the present band of twenty pieces, which can, when occasion requires, be increased to twenty-six pieces. For three years the band has furnished the music for the roller-skating rink. Its services are in greater demand than those of any other brass band the city ever had ; and, with its red-and-gold uniforms, it makes an attractive appearance.

Coenen's Orchestra, a new organization, has become known and appreciated through its series of weekly concerts of high order given during the winter of 1883-84. The orchestra numbers ten pieces, half the performers being non-residents. Louis Coenen, the leader, was born and received his early education in Rotterdam, Holland, and also his musical education partly of Vieuxtemps at Brussels. He came to Boston in 1858, and to this city in 1865. He is a hard worker, always active, and accomplishing more than ordinary men. As a violinist, he is a fine performer, and a thorough teacher. Most of his pupils, however, are students of the piano and organ. For eight years he led the Orpheus Club, and has been organist and choirmaster at the Church of the Sacred Heart since the organization of the parish. As a composer, he is but little known; although he has written works for orchestra, piano, and organ. Springfield probably owes more to him than to any other person for untiring efforts to raise the standard of musical taste in the city.

Christian And Kindred Associations

ALMOST the first step the settlers of Springfield took was to prepare to provide themselves with a house of worship: and this acknowledgment of a Supreme Being, with all that it implies in the matter of churches, charities, and general philanthropy, has ever since been conspicuously paramount among the successive generations.

Although the predominant denomination is still the old Orthodox, - now oftentimes designated Congregational Trinitarian, - there have sprung up, and developed into thriving bodies, a variety of denominations; so that, while for a long time the town was an Orthodox settlement, it is now almost metropolitan in its religious character. That active temperament which has characterized the people's movements in all their local enterprises is perceptible in the development of the local churches. Here we have an average of almost one congregation to each thousand of population, and of one denomination to each three thousand. The sabbath day, although observed far differently from what it was in early Puritan days, is nevertheless as rigidly observed here as it is in any New-England city of its size. The growth of the city, too, can almost be indicated by the increase in the number of its religious organizations. And it is proposed in this chapter briefly to outline the history of all the existing churches or societies, arranging the outlines in the chronological order of the formation of the societies. This arrangement gives some idea of the religious development in the community, and also indicates the period of introduction of foreign elements, and, furthermore, how the people, becoming active in mind, seek changes in their spiritual as well as in their temporal affairs.

There are now 32 organizations, which may be classified into denominations as follows : ten Congregational Trinitarian, including three chapels or missions; four Methodist Episcopal; five Roman Catholic, including two French churches; five Baptist, including one colored people's, and two missions; and one each of the Protestant Episcopal, Unitarian, Universalist, Swedenborgian, Second Advent, French Mission, Zion's (colored) Methodist, and German Union. Among the local architectural structures worthy of note, the churches stand out prominently to the credit of the city. A view of Springfield from the Arsenal-tower, the Storrs lot, or elsewhere, is always bountifully sprinkled with graceful church-spires ; while a closer observation of the exteriors, and a visit to the interiors, will make evident the fact, that the people endeavor to have their houses of worship somewhat characteristic of their own homes and their noteworthy places of business.

The First Church, or, as it is known legally, " The First Church of Christ," and at times " The First Parish Church," dates its history with the settlement of the town, when the settlers agreed in writing on May 14, 1636, to provide themselves with a minister of the gospel. According to Dr. Holland, it was the fourteenth church organized in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay. It was some months after this, probably in 1637, that George Moxon became the first minister of Springfield. In 1645 the first meeting-house was built, about where the large elm stands, near the south-east corner of Court Square. It was 40 feet long and 25 feet wide, faced south, and had two large windows on each side, and a smaller one at each end. with a large door on the southerly side and two smaller ones. It had a shingled roof, - a rare thing at that time, - and two turrets, one for the bell, the other for the watch-tower. This church narrowly escaped destruction by Indians in 1675, and was succeeded in 1677 by the second house of worship ; a more commodious structure than its predecessor, and situated a little farther west, almost within the limits of the present Court Square. After 75 years service, this gave way, in 1752, to the next (or third) meeting-house. This in turn surpassed the two former structures. It was 60 feet long by 46 wide, and 26 feet high between joints, and stood directlv east of the present edifice, with a main entrance on the east side, and a second entrance through the tower. In 1S19 the present (or fourth) church was built west of Court Square, on the north side of Elm Street. It is 90 feet long and 72 feet wide. Its cost, beyond what could be realized from the old meeting-house, was not to exceed 515,000, which was to be raised by disposing of 300 shares at $50 each. About 1826 the people began to weary of carrying to church their foot-stoves, and of trying "to grin and bear the cold.'' They accordingly voted to put in a furnace, and also " to put in frames of doors covered with flannel, and with hinges on one side, to be hung inside of the doors leading into the body of the house." In 1S42 action was taken toward building a vestry or parish-house. Ten years later, came some of those interior alterations which make the difference between the old and modern styles of churches. First gas, with gas-fixtures, was introduced. In 1854 the old-fashioned high pulpit made its first descent, and some years later made its second. In 1862 cushions were put in. In 1.864 general alterations were made. In 1867 a new chapel was voted for, but was not fully consummated until 1872, when, from plans by E. C. Gardner, the present brick chapel just west of the church was built, chiefly on land bought of Dr. Jefferson's church for $8,000. In 1881 still further alterations were made : the organ-loft was transferred from front to back, the old lowered pulpit replaced by the present desk, the grand organ and the handsome brass chandelier put in, and the Holly steam-heating apparatus introduced.

A strange custom seems to have prevailed, from the time of the building of the first church to the present one, of periodically assigning seats to the congregation, " higher or lower," at the discretion of the committee appointed for the purpose. In January, 1665, an order of the selectmen is recorded, in which it appears that " Hee or shee that shall not take his or her seate ordered ym fro tyme to tyme, but shall in ye days or tymes of Gods Publike worship Goe into & abide in any other seate, appointed for some other. Such disorderly person or persons for ye first offence shall forfeit three shillings four pence to ye towne's treasury." It was also ordered that the seat called the guard seat should be for smaller boys to sit in, " that they may be more in sight of ye congregation." Up to 1751 great care was taken to seat the men and women in separate seats. Such have been the only four places of worship in nearly 250 years ; and a glance at the record of the eight successive settled ministers, until the present, shows that the average service was over 30 years. Mr. Moxon was pastor until 1652, when he withdrew. Then followed seven years during which the church was unable to secure the services of a settled minister for any length of time, and the services were often conducted by laymen. In July, [659, 1'elati.ih Glover preached his first sermon, and received ordination June [8, 1661, as the second minister of Springfield, and remained as such until his death, .Match

29, 1692. It was in 1675, during his pastorate, that the town was almost wholly destroyed by hostile Indians. The next pastor, Daniel Brewer, a graduate of Harvard in 1687, was ordained May 16, 1694, and served 40 years, until his death on Nov. 5, 1733.

Three important events during his ministry were the formation of a new parish, on the west side of the river, in 1696; the subsequent separation of the first parish from the town government; and later, in 1703, the separation of the church and parish of Longmeadow. His successor was Robert Breck, _________ a graduate of Harvard in 1730, at the age of 17. His ordination took place Jan. 26, 1736; and he, like his two predecessors, remained in office "unto death," being in the forty-ninth year of his service when he died, April 23, 1784. During this time 331 persons were admitted to full communion. The next pastor, Bezaleel Howard, was also a Harvard graduate in 1 78 1. He was ordained April 27, 1785, and preached until 1803, when by reason of ill health he retired from active service, but continued nominally as the pastor until the ordination of Samuel Osgood, Jan. 25, 1809, who held office until Nov. 15, 1854. There is probably good reason for the remarkably long service of the settled pastors, when it is considered how much effort was put forth to get satisfactory persons. For instance, Mr. Osgood was the thirty-seventh who preached on trial between the pastorate of himself and his predecessor. Among the thirty-seven was one who had been urgently called, and who accepted ; but there was one point to which he steadfastly adhered, while the society with equal firmness resisted. He insisted on the society paying him lawful interest on any arrearages of salary that might not be paid at the designated times of payment ; and, as the society declined to allow this, he decided not to come.

Mr. Osgood was a graduate of Dartmouth in 1805, and received the degree of D.D. from Princeton in 1827. At the time of his settlement many churches and ministers were drifting away from Trinitarian Orthodoxy to Unitarian views, but Dr. Osgood held firmly to the old Orthodox standards. In June, 1815, a number of his parishioners more liberally inclined withdrew from the church, and petitioned the Legislature for an Act of incorporation as the Second Society of the First Parish of Springfield, claiming they could no longer profit by Dr. Osgood's ministry. This was granted Feb. 15, 1819, and was the origin of the present Church of the Unity. Dr. Osgood was succeeded Nov. 15, 1854, by Henry M. Parsons, a graduate of Yale, who remained for 16 years, resigning in 1870 to take charge of the Columbus-avenue Union Church in Boston, which he left later for a church in Buffalo, and still later for a church in Toronto. He, like his successor, went away from Springfield very much against wishes of the parishioners, who were well pleased with both of these ministers. His successor was E. A. Reed, who, although not a graduate of a college, was a successful young preacher in New-York State. He was ordained June 14, 1871, and remained till July n, 1878, when he accepted a call to the Dutch Reformed Church in New-York City. After some months endeavors to find a satisfactory pastor, a call was extended to Edward P. Terhune, D.D., who now officiates, and with his talented wife (Marion Harland) gives great satisfaction to the parishioners. He is a graduate of Rutgers College, and was for a long time settled in Newark, N.J. Just previous to his settlement in Springfield he had been spending several years in Europe in recreation and study.

Music, instrumental and vocal, has long been a part of the divine service; and the old records show where provision was made for "drum call" and a '-bass-viol." They also show that in 1S10 only $15 was provided for singing, while now a generous expenditure is made for a choir and organist. In 1S48 it was voted to build an organ if subscriptions amounting to $1,500 could be raised for that purpose. This was done : and th.e first organ was put in in 1S49, which lasted until 1881, when a grand organ, costing $8,000, was put in. It was built by Steere & Turner of Springfield. It has 51 stops, 2,31 1 pipes, 9 pedal movements, and an infinite variety of combinations. It is probably the largest and finest organ in the city.

First Methodist-Episcopal Church. - The date of the earliest Methodist church organization is not definitely known According to Rev. Dr. William Rice, Bishop Asbury visited Springfield as early as 1 791 ; and he was followed by other Methodist itinerants, among whom were George Pickering, Thomas Cooper, Nicholas Snethan, and George Roberts, men distinguished among the Methodist ministers of that day. A society was formed, and services were regularly held at the houses of a Mr. Sikes and of Deacon John Ashley. This society, however, soon dwindled, owing to death and removals ; and, from 1801 to 1S15, only occasional services were held by local preachers living in the vicinity. In 181 5 the society was re-organized under the ministry of William Marsh, and the first Methodist church gained a permanent foothold in Springfield, although the society was connected at first with the Tolland (Conn.) Circuit. In 1819 it became a separate church, and Daniel Dorchester was appointed its pastor. During this period the meetings were held alternately at the " Water-shops," and on the "Hill." At the Water-shops, they were held in the old schoolhouse which stood near the corner of Hancock and Central Streets, until it was closed against them by vote of the district ; and then, sometimes in private houses, and sometimes in a grove. On the " Hill," the services were held in the Armory Chapel. Occasional services were also held in the old Courthouse. In 1820, under the ministry of Moses Fifield, the chapel since known as Asbury Chapel was built at the Water-shops. This chapel was 28 feet by 36, a plain structure, unpainted in the interior, costing about $300. In this year, throughout Massachusetts, there were only 15 Methodist churches. In accordance with the usages of the Methodist-Episcopal Church, which limits the term of its pastorates, Mr. Fifield was followed by T. C. Pierce, and Mr. Pierce by John W. Hardy. In 1823, during the ministry of Mr. Hardy, a new and much larger church-building was erected on Union Street, to which the society was transferred, although preaching services were held in Asbury Chapel occasionally from 1823 to 1S32. In 1832 regular services were resumed in Asbury Chapel, in connection with the church on Union Street ; two ministers being appointed, although the church organization was one. In 1835 the church was divided, and a pastor was appointed to each. The ministers at Asbury Chapel from 1835 to 1844 were: Ebenezer Blake, H. H. White, J. D. Bridge, W. H. Richards, E. Potter, J. Flemming, and E. A. Manning. In 1844 a new church was organized (now Trinity Church), and a new church edifice erected on Pynchon Street ; and the membership of Asbury Chapel was transferred to this new organization. About 1856 preaching was resumed at Asbury Chapel : and the pulpit was supplied by M. Raymond, D.D., principal of the Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham.

Florence-street Methodist Church. - In i860 the society whose history has been briefly traced in the above introductory sketch was constituted once more a separate church, and Samuel Jackson became its pastor. This church, therefore, is regarded as the legitimate successor of the first Methodist church in Springfield. Mr. Jackson was followed by John C. Smith, Plinv Wood, and N. Fellows. During the pastorate of Mr. Fellows, a new church was built on Florence Street, at a cost of $25,000; and .then the name of the society was changed to the Florence-street Methodist Church. The new church was dedicated in November, 1866, Bishop M. Simpson preaching the dedication sermon. Mr. Fellows was followed in the pastorate by Samuel Roy and Charles D. Hills. During the ministry of Mr. Hills the church edifice was thoroughly remodelled and improved, and a new and convenient chapel was erected. Mr. Hills was succeeded by F. K. Stratton, \Y. C. High, Joseph Scott, and E. P. King. The present pastor is V. M. Simons. The membership in the church is now 192. There is a sabbath school connected with the society, with 28 teachers and 272 scholars, and about 500 volumes in the library. The Florence-street Church has been largely indebted to the liberality of Horace Smith in the erection both of its church and its chapel. Mr. Smith also gave the largest subscription to the Trinity Methodist Church, and has contributed generously for the erection of other churches in the city.

The First Baptist Church was started early in this century, in the Water-shops District, where there had been for some time a few believers cherishing Baptist views. These met occasionally for prayer and mutual instruction, and were strengthened by visits of some evangelist or missionary. Their number increased; and May 13, 181 1, they were organized into a church with 19 members. Remote from the centre, without means, without social status, in its weakness and poverty, it struggled on for ten years without a pastor, or a settled place of worship, holding its meetings in private houses or in schoolhouses, and only occasionally supplied with preaching. Yet it grew stronger, and received 17 members by baptism, and 12 by letters from other churches. In 1821 it bought a lot near the Upper Watershops, and built a meeting-house 26 by 36 feet. Then, with a membership of 50 in 1822, it ordained Allen Hough as its first pastor. Ever since that time it has had an almost constant growth, with occasional times of apathy and retrogression. In Mr. Putnam's six-years service, the church prospered so greatly, that its humble sanctuary, which had become too strait for its numbers, was sold, and a more commodious one erected on the corner of Maple and Mulberry Streets, which was used by the society until, through the enterprise and energy of Mr. Clark, who became pastor in 1846, it was sold, and a more eligible site selected in the very heart of the rapidly increasing population; and in September, 1847, the present house on Main Street, corner of Harrison Avenue, was completed at a cost of about $18,000. Estimated by the pecuniary ability of the church at that time, such an achievement forcibly demonstrated the large faith and liberality of its prominent actors. As an instance of this spirit, it maybe mentioned, that one member (then quite unknown to the world, but who has since become prominent for his large-hearted benevolence, and his liberal gifts to enterprises for intellectual and spiritual progress) gave nearly one-half of all his possessions to aid in the completion of the house. When George B. Ide became pastor, the prospects of the church were dark and discouraging. Want of unanimity in the settlement and the dismissal of the last pastor had caused divisions and alienations. The society was heavily in debt, and the great depression in business had discouraged the members, and crippled their means ; and many of its stanchest supporters were compelled from the latter cause to seek homes in the West. By Dr. Ide's conciliating and judicious management, old divisions were healed, the scattered congregation was again gathered, and the church once more filled. During the first five or six years of his ministry, although more than ioo heads of families were dismissed to join churches in Chicago and elsewhere, union and harmony were restored, the church edifice thoroughly repaired and remodelled, a new organ put in at a cost of $2,000, and a debt of over $8,000 paid off. Many seasons of awakening marked his ministry. In that of 1858. 136. and in that of 1864, nearly 200, were baptized. An event which has hardly a parallel in local church history occurred during the revival of 181.4. when, in September, 121 of the church-members, 23 teachers, and over 250 members of its sabbath school, were dismissed to form the State-street Baptist Church; and $12,000 was given them by those who remained with the mother church, to help build the new church. Dr. Ide died suddenly, April 1 6, 1872, after 20 years devoted service. His successor was George E. Merrill, who served nearly four and a half years. During Dr. Anable's ministry, in 1878, extensive alterations were made in the church edifice. The whole building was raised six feet from its foundation; the floor of the lecture-room brought to a level with Main Street; the front portico and stone steps were taken away, and their place filled with a solid wall, through which, on a level with the sidewalk, large folding-doors open into a vestibule, where two flights of stairs lead to the audience-room ; and, from the vestibule, folding-doors open directly into the lecture-room, or chapel, and committee-rooms, which were fitted up for lectures, social meetings, and sabbath school. The audience-room was repaired and frescoed, and a new baptistery, pulpit, and chandelier added. Since Lester L. Potter of West Newton commenced as pastor in December, 1882, the congregation, which had become much reduced and scattered, has been gathered together again, and largely increased. Its total membership is 1,871. Of these, 19 were original members ; 870 were received by baptism, and 982 by letter, experience, etc. ; 281 have died; 971 have been dismissed to other churches ; 157 names have been dropped as unknown ; and 54 have been excluded. The present membership is 408. The pastors from the beginning have been: -

Name

Christ Church (Episcopal). - The earliest Episcopal services in Springfield were held in 181 7, by Rev. Titus Strong, rector of St. James's Church at Greenfield, in the United-States Armory buildings, in an upper room which had been granted by the Government to Col. Roswell Lee, the superintendent, for use as a chapel. The smallness of the beginning may be best realized, perhaps, when we consider that there was but one building for religious worship in the town at this time, and that there were but four families belonging to the Episcopal Church. Indeed, services were held but occasionally for the four years following ; the organization of a parish not being attempted until 1821, when the Rev. Edward Rutledge became rector, and wardens and vestry were duly elected. This settled condition was broken up, however, by the resignation of Mr. Rutledge at the close of a year's ministry, during which confirmation had been administered for the first time to five persons. Then ensued a period of sixteen years, from 1S22 to 1838, when it seemed as if the devoted labors of past years on the part of the struggling few had been in vain. But at last, after sundry efforts, regular services were resumed in 1838, the parish re-organized, and incorporated under the original name of Christ Church.

As the first courageous inception of the church in 1S17 ought ever to be associated with the names of Rev. Titus Strong and Col. Roswell Lee, so this permanent revival must always be traced to the strong personality and piety of Rev. Henry W. Lee, son of Col. Lee, who now became rector, and whose hand has left its impress upon the parish for all time. After holding services in the Town Hall, upon State Street, for a year and a half, the then new church-building on State Street was consecrated on April 1, 1S40; it having been completed at a cost of $6,500. Henceforward the parish grew rapidly; and during Mr. Lee's rectorship of nine years, 144 were baptized, 97 buried, 84 confirmed, and the 20 communicants increased to 190. In 1847 he was called to St. Luke's, Rochester, N.Y., and finally became Bishop of Iowa; but, large as his life-work was, he nowhere left more lasting results of his labor and character than here. Christ Church since 1847 has been constant in its growth. The rectors and their period of ministry have been as follows : Rev. Henry W. Adams, 1848-49; Rt. Rev. A. N. Littlejohn, D.D., now Bishop of Long Island, 1850-51 ; Rev. William S. Child, D.D., 1S51-59; Rev. George H. McKnight, D.D., 1859-69; Rt. Rev. Alexander Burgess, D.D., now Bishop of Ouincy, 1869-78. The present rector, John Cotton Brooks, entered upon his duties in the parish, in December, 1878. The church now has 530 communicants, and Sunday schools with a regular attendance of upwards of 200 children. The choir consists of 10 men and 25 boys. In 1851 the first church-building was enlarged to meet the wants of the congregation, at an expense of $8,000; and in 1874 the corner-stone of a new stone church was laid on Chestnut, near State Street; and on the 1 st of May, 1876, the building was completed, with the exception of the tower, at a cost of $65,000. It will seat 900 persons. Upon the same lot stands the rectory, and it is proposed to erect a parish building for the various needs of the congregation.

The Church of the Unity, on State Street, above Maple, is the house of worship of the Third Congregational Society, the Unitarians of Springfield. This society was formed by about 117 members of the first parish, who sought an administration of their religious affairs different from, and more liberal than, that they enjoyed at the hands of the then minister of that parish, and who were incorporated as the Second Congregational Society in the First Parish, Feb. 15, 1819; in the following year the name was changed to the Third Congregational Society as above given. It is noticeable that distinctively Unitarian doctrines were not avowed by the seceders at the time of the division in the church, but were adopted by many of the members of the new society during the early part of the ministry of their first pastor, William B. O. Peabody. The church first occupied by the society was a wooden building at the corner of State and Willow Streets, built for and presented to the society by Jonathan Dwight; this was used from Jan- uarv, 1S20, to February, 1869; it has since been destroyed by fire. The plate deposited in its corner-stone, May 20, 1819, was transferred to the cornerstone of the present edifice just 48 years afterward : and the new building was dedicated on the 17th of February, 1869. It is of Longmeadow freestone, and was built according to the plans of H. H. Richardson, the Boston architect, who was also the architect of Trinity (Episcopal) Church in Boston. Its beauty of form and of decoration are almost universally admired, and have attracted much attention from travellers, as well as from those to whom they are more familiar. The names of Col. James M. Thompson, chairman of the building committee, the Rev. Charles A. Humphreys, who served as one of its most active members, and the late Chester W. Chapin, a member of the committee, and a generous contributor to the funds, are worthy of special mention in this connection. The ministers of the society have been William B. O. Peabody, Oct. 12, 1820, to May 28, 1847; George F. Simmons, Feb. 9, 1848, to Oct. 12, 1851 ; Francis Tiffany. Dec. 30, 1852, to Jan. 1, 1S64; Charles A. Humphreys, Nov. 29, 1865, to Jan. 24, 1872; A. D. Mayo, Nov. 1, 1872, to April 1, 1880; E. B. Payne, since December, 18S0. A bust of the first pastor stands in a niche in the south wall of the church.

State-street Methodist-Episcopal Church. - This church is the successor of the Union-street Methodist Church, which was established (as has been elsewhere noted in the history of the First Methodist Church) in 1823, under the ministry of J. W. Hardy. Mr. Hardy was followed in the pastorate by D. Dorchester, Daniel Webb, Timothy Merritt, Orange Scott, T. C. Pierce, H. H. White, and B. Otheman, - all of them ministers of ability, and several of them afterwards distinguished in the history of their denomination. From 1832 to 1835 the Union-street Church and the Asbury-Chapel Church were united in one organization, but with two ministers, one of them being pastor and the other assistant pastor. In 1835 the final separation occurred between these two societies. The pastors of the Union-street Church subsequent to that date were A. D. Merrill, William Livesey, J. Rice, C. K. True, M. Staples, D. Wise, R. S. Rust, A. D. Merrill, W. R. Clark, G. Landon, J. W. Mowry, F. A. Griswolcl, M. Dwight, C. P. Bragden, J. M. Bailey, O. S. Howe, A. O. Hamilton, Daniel Steele, Isaac Cushman, Nelson Stutson, J. Scott, J. H. Mansfield, J. C. Smith, and R. R. Meredith. In 1 87 1, during the ministry of Mr. Mansfield, an effort was begun for the erection of a new church, which was completed and dedicated in 1873, during the ministry of R. R. Meredith. The building, which is situated on State Street, is beautiful and convenient, and its interior arrangements arc admirable. Its seating capacity is 1,000, and its cost was >7o,ooo. The dedication sermon was preached by Bishop Wiley. On removing to the new church, the name of the society was changed to the State-street Methodist

St. Paul's Church (Universalist), on the corner of Chestnut and Bridge Streets, is a plain brick structure, with commodious auditorium and vestry, and convenient parlor and kitchen. The building was erected, and is owned, by the First Universalist Society. This organization dates back to 1827, when Edmund Allen, Alexander Stocking, Dudley Brown, Israel Phillips, jun., Etham A. Clary, and Moses Y. Beach, were incorporated as a religious society by the name of the First Independent Universalist Society in Springfield, with all the privileges, powers, and immunities to which other religious societies in this Commonwealth are entitled. The society were authorized to hold property with an annual income not exceeding $5,000, and " to raise funds for the purpose of supporting a Universalist minister, provided the annual income thereof should not exceed $800." The charter was approved Feb. 13, 1827, by Governor Levi Lincoln. The society thus formed worshipped, at first, in a chapel on the Armory grounds, in the office building, called Government Chapel, and subsequently in Beacon Hall, in Gunn's Block, at the corner of State and Walnut Streets. About 1840 the society acquired new strength by the adhesion of men like Eliphalet Trask and T. W. Wason, and a meeting-house was erected on the corner of Main and Stockbridge Streets in 1844. The property was held upon shares: and at one time, to prevent dissension by Spiritualists, Gov. Trask bought in all the shares, and carried the property himself. The subsequent rise in real estate, however, relieved him from loss ; but the church had the use of the premises rent free. In 1S69 the present edifice was erected. The church was organized by Rev. J. J. Twiss, Feb. 25, 1855. The church and congregation numbers each about 300. There is a prosperous Sunday school under the auspices of the church. The early records of the society have been lost. Among the pastors of the church have been the following clergymen : Lucius R. Paige, D.D., Charles Spear (" the prisoner's friend"), D. J. Mandell, A. A. Folsom, R. P. Ambler, J. W. Ford, J. J. Twiss, Josiah Marvin, H. R. Nye, Oscar F. Safford, A. H. Sweetser, George W. Perry, and Joseph K. Mason, the present incumbent, who is now serving his fourth year.

Olivet Church (Congregational) was organized when Springfield township, including Chicopee and Chicopee Falls, comprised the whole territory from Longmeadow to South Hadley, - from the Connecticut River on the west, to Wilbraham on the east. At that time the " First Church of Christ " was on Court Square, the Second at Old Chicopee, and the Third (now the

Unitarian) at the corner of State and Willow Streets ; and it was believed a church was needed " in the Armor}- village on the Hill," for it was a long distance for those living on the Hill to go to the existing places of worship. Accordingly the Fourth Congregational Church was organized on Jan. 8, 1833, securing its first place of worship in the Conference House, - a brick building that stood near the corner of High Street and Woodworth Avenue ; and on April 26 following, an ecclesiastical society was formed, with Charles Wood as moderator, and Robert G. H. Huntington as clerk. Its first church edifice was erected on State Street, in 1834. In 1854 that was remodelled, enlarged, and dedicated Feb. 22, 1855. In 1878 a new vestry, for sabbath-school and social purposes, was completed, utilizing all the space under the audienceroom. Funds have been raised, and plans are now under consideration, for the enlargement of the vestry on the east side of the church, to accommodate the increasing numbers of the sabbath school.

organization, was 'the preaching of the gospel in the community, and to promote a revival and missionary spirit.' That has been accomplished in good degree. The church has been blessed with revivals. The missionary spirit has been cherished. Benevolence has increased." The Ladies' Benevolent Society has been very active and successful in missionary work, and in aiding the ecclesiastical society. Rev. George H. Gould was ordained an evangelist in this church, Nov. 13, 1862; and Rev. Charles W. Kilbon was ordained a missionary in the service of the A. B. C. F. M., April 10, 1873. The sabbath school is only two weeks younger than the church. It began with four teachers and twelve scholars, - Charles Wood being the first superintendent. It now numbers 340, with average attendance 225, under the superintendence of John B. Chapman. During the last 15 years alone, the average of benevolent contributions for each year has been in round numbers $1,000, or $15,000 nearly, without reckoning what has been raised for the support of worship, enlargement of vestry, and necessary repairs. The whole number connected with this church from its organization to the present has been 995, and the number of members now on the catalogue is 348. Of the original 19 members, only four survive, - Mrs. Persis Burnham and Mrs. Ruth Kilbon, members of Olivet Church ; Robert G. H. Huntington of Rochester, N.Y. ; and Miss Eunice Morgan of East Longmeadow, Mass.

The South Congregational Church, corner of Maple and High Streets. This church and parish were organized in 1S42. It was an offshoot from the First Church, and was required by the growth of the town, when the railroads began to enter it. Among those first interested in its organization were Rev. Sandford Lawton, Chief-Justice Chapman, William Stowe (editor, and for a number of years clerk of the Massachusetts House of Representatives), G. and C. Merriam (the publishers of Webster's Dictionary), H. and J. Brewer (the old firm of druggists), Philip Wilcox, Henry Adams, Elijah Bliss, and a few others ; to whose help there soon came such men as Thomas Bond, Daniel Bontecou, Edward Morris, Samuel Reynolds, Daniel L. Harris the civil engineer and railroad manager ; and the success of the enterprise was determined. Noah Porter, jun., was the first pastor, from 1843 to 1S47, when he was called to the professorship of mental and moral philosophy in Yale College, of which he is now the president. His successor was the present pastor, Samuel G. Buckingham, D.D., who was installed June 16, 1847, and who, during his 36 years' pastorate of this society, has fairly earned his reputation of being one of the most dearly beloved men in the Commonwealth. The church, which was organized with 40 members, now has a membership of 422. Eli H. Patch, George H. Deane, Emery Meekins, and J. Stuart Kirkham are its present deacons. Services were first held in the little old court-house on Sanford Street. The first house of worship was erected on Bliss Street, and, with the chapel, cost less than $10,000. The present church edifice, completed in 1874, with its new and more desirable location, cost about $145,000, and is regarded, in point of durability, convenience, and beauty, as a rare specimen of church architecture. The two large windows, with their mosaic glass, the unique and effective organfront, the great amount of wood and stone carving, and the convenience of the chapel arrangements, are worthy of examination.

Trinity Methodist-Episcopal Church. - The Trinity Methodist Church occupies a fine brick edifice on the north side of Bridge Street, east of Main Street. This church was organized in 1844, and numbered at that time about forty members, principally from the Union-street Methodist Church. The small membership of the old Asbury-chapel society also transferred their relation temporarily to the new organization. The early services of the new society were held in the grand-jury room of the court-house, and in the Worthington-street grove. Its first church was erected on the north side of Pynchon Street, a short distance west of the Haynes Hotel, where it still stands. This building was finished and dedicated in March, 1845, when the dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. S. Olin, president of the Wesleyan University. The first pastor was Jefferson Haskell, who was followed by G. Landon, M. Trafton, I. A. Savage, J. D. Bridge, and F. H. Newhall. During the pastorate of Mr. Newhall, the church was enlarged and very much improved. He was followed by J. Hascall, the first pastor, who was returned to this church for a second term. Mr. Hascall was succeeded by M. Trafton, who was also returned for the second time ; and he was followed by N. Stutson, J. S. Barrows, A. McKeown, W. R. Clark, and C. D. Hills. In 1869, during the ministry of Mr. Hills, - the old church having again become too small, and unsuited to the demands of the society, - the present handsome church edifice was erected on Bridge Street, and the name of the society was changed to the Trinity Methodist-Epi-scopal Church. The church is in the Romanesque style of architecture, 122 feet long and 74 feet wide, with a tower and spire 185 feet high. Its cost, including land, was $73,000. The pastors here have been C. D. Hills, J. O. Peck, D.D., Merritt Hulburd, S. F. Upham, D.D., and F. J. Wagner. Their pastor now is Frederick Woods. There is a Sunday school connected with the society, with 38 teachers and 377 scholars, and a library of about 1,000 volumes. The church-membership, in 1883, was 447.

The Sanford-street Congregational Church (colored) was the outgrowth of an independent church known as the Zion's Methodist, which was for several years aided by liberal contributions from both Congregationalists and Methodists. It is a fact of some historic interest, that the famous John Brown, subsequently called " Ossawatomie Brown," while residing in Springfield as a wool-merchant, from 1846 to 1849, was a frequent attendant at this church. By an almost unanimous vote, on the 23d of February. 1864, it was re-organized as a Congregational church. The articles of faith presented by the church were approved, and the recognition of the Congregational churches was given by Rev. E. B. Clark of the First Church in Chicopee. The council then ordained and installed William W. Mallory of New- Haven, Conn., as the pastor. The introductory exercises were conducted by Rev. H. M. Parsons ; Rev. J. W. Harding of Longmeadow offered the ordaining prayer ; Rev. Dr. E. Davis gave the charge to the pastor; Rev. S. G. Buckingham, of the South Church of this city, gave the right hand of fellowship ; the charge to the people was by Rev. Roswell Foster. The longest pastorates have been those of W. W. Mallory, Samuel Harrison, and John H. Docher. The church has an aid society, and the ladies have a missionary society auxiliary to the Woman's Board. The present membership of the church is about 50. Their house of worship is owned free from debt.

St. Michael's Cathedral is the outgrowth of meetings held in 1846 by the Roman Catholics of the town. For a few months they used Military Hall for their services ; and early in 1847 they bought the then unoccupied Baptist church building, at the corner of Maple and Mulberry Streets, moving it down to Union Street, a few rods east from Main Street, where they christened it St. Benedict's. G. T. Riorden was the first pastor, and the society numbered 800. His successor was J. J. Doherty, who was succeeded by M. Blenkinsop. He, in turn, was soon displaced, in 1857, by M. P. Gallagher, whose pastorate of 12 years was a period of marked prosperity in the parish. The society trebled its numbers in a few years, and the handsome St. Michael's Church on State Street was built and consecrated. Father Gallagher thoroughly enjoyed his untiring work for the parish, although he did not live to see the church of his building made the seat of a diocese. He died June 1, 1869, beloved by his people, and respected by the whole city, and was buried beside the main entrance to the cathedral. Thomas O'Sullivan succeeded him; and at his death, Sept. 14, 1870, the parish passed into the temporary charge of Fathers Haley of Chicopee and McDonald of Boston, until Sept. 25, 1S70, when P. T. O'Reilly was consecrated first bishop of the newly created diocese of Springfield. The first settled pastor of St. Michael's, under the new regime, was J. J. McDermott. His successor was C. E. Burke, who was ordained at Troy, May 25. 1872. After ten years he was transferred to North Adams ; and William H. Goggin, who has been connected with the parish for several years, succeeded him. Father Goggin's assistants are G. H. Dolan and William Power.

The cathedral building, completed in i860, and consecrated in 1867, is on State Street, at the corner of Elliott Street. It is of brick, with stone trimmings. Its length is 175 feet, and its width is 105 feet at the transepts, and the height of its spire is 190 feet above the street. The interior is elaborately and costly finished. On the ceiling are four large circles frescoed with scenes representing the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, - 1. The

Espousal: 2. The Annunciation; 3. The Nativity; and, 4. The Flight into Egypt, - and two large panels, one over each transept gallery, represent our Lord blessing little children, and the expulsion of rebellious angels from heaven. The high altar is of pure marble; the tabernacle is a fine piece of workmanship ; and in the panels back of the main altar are five oil paintings, - "The Agony in the Garden," "Carrying the Cross," "The Crucifixion.*' "The Resurrection," and "The Ascension." The altar of the Blessed Virgin Mary is richly carved, and above it is a statue of the Virgin ; and in a canopy above are represented Virtue, Humility, Charity, and Mercy; and above all is a large painting of the Holy Family. The other altar is similar, and is dedicated to St. Joseph, a statue of whom is above it, and over which is a fresco of Christ healing the ruler's daughter. The semicircular ceiling over the organ has a picture of David playing the harp. The organ was built by E. & G. G. Hook (now Hook & Hastings), the celebrated churchorgan builders of Boston. The church contains 380 pews, with seats for about 2,000 persons. In a niche on the outside of the tower is a life-size statue of St. Michael, a spear in hand, and the dragon at his feet.