s., March 18, 1886. Archbishop Richard Chenevix French,
corresponding member, born in Dublin, Ireland, Sept. 7, 1807, died March
27, 1886. John Bostwick Morean, corresponding member, born in New York
City, Oct. 12, 1812, died in same city, March 10, 1886. John Gerrish
Webster, life member, born in Portsmouth, N.H., April 8, 1811, died in
Boston, Feb. 7, 1886. Francis Minot Weld, life member and benefactor,
born in Boston, April 27, 1815, died in Jamaica Plain, Feb. 4, 1886.

* * * * *

April 7.--Terrible disaster to a Fitchburg Railroad train near
Bardwell's Ferry, on the State road. Ten persons were killed and
twenty-two injured.

* * * * *

April 13.--Regular meeting of the Bostonian Society. The following life
members were admitted: Charles Francis Adams, Jr., Thomas Mack, William
Minot, Jr., Jonathan A. Lane, Clarence J. Blake, M.D., Amos A. Lawrence,
Nahum Chapin, William Caleb Loring, J. A. Woolson. The essay was by
Alexander S. Porter, on "Real Estate Values in Boston During the Present
Century." The highest priced land which the essayist had heard of in
Boston is the estate bought by H. D. Parker at the corner of Tremont and
School streets, 1,984 square feet, for $200,000, or about $100 per foot.
The cheapest he had heard of was that of Harrison Gray Otis, on the west
slope of Beacon Hill, he having obtained it by squatter sovereignty. In
closing he said that real estate has proved to be a safe investment in
Boston, and many wealthy families have gained a large share of their
wealth simply by the rise of real-estate values.

* * * * *

April 13.--At an adjourned meeting of the people of Lexington who are
interested in the formation of an historical society, an organization
was effected by the choice of the following-named officers: president
Hon. A. E. Scott; vice-presidents, M. H. Merriam, W. A. Tower, Miss K.
Whitman, Miss M. E. Hudson; treasurer, L. A. Saville; recording
secretary, A. E. Locke; corresponding secretary, Rev. E. G. Porter;
historian, Rev. C. A. Staples; custodian, Dr. R. M. Lawrence.

April 13.--Celebration of the incorporation of the new town of Hopedale.
At sunset a salute of eighty-six guns was fired by Battery B, of
Worcester, Hopedale being the eighty-sixth town incorporated in
Massachusetts during this century. Joy bells were then rung for one
hour. Then followed an illumination with firewo