George Bancroft, Washington Irving and J. Hammond Trumbull are conspicuous.

The suggestion of hereafter thus treating our Honorary list as a recognition on our part of what may be considered supreme accomplishment in the historical field, is now submitted for consideration. The Council hope it may be discussed. Formal action is not necessary; but should no adverse sentiment be developed, the Council will consider that the suggestion commends itself to the judgment of the Society, and that the vacancies now existing in the roll, or which may hereafter occur in it, will be filled on the basis proposed. In so doing, however, it would be necessary somewhat to deviate from the practice heretofore pursued under our By-laws. Hereafter, whenever a vacancy occurs in the Honorary list, which it is proposed to fill, it would seem altogether becoming, in view of the significance of the action then about to be taken, that, before a name is presented from the Council, the Society at large should be consulted and some consensus of opinion reached. Even if names which will bear discussion are not numerous, the field is wide, and the question presented would always be interesting. I am, therefore, directed by the Council to give informal notice that, should no adverse sentiment now develop, those present at the May meeting will be invited to express their judgments as to who in the broad field of historical expression, European and American, would be the most suitable person to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the Bishop of London. The Council will then take the matter under advisement, and, at the June meeting, report a name to be passed upon by the Society at large in October.

Rev. MORTON DEXTER communicated the memoir of the late Rev. Edward G. Porter, which he had been appointed to prepare for publication in the Proceedings.

A new serial of the Proceedings, comprising the record of the February Meeting, was ready for delivery at this meeting.

After the adjournment the members, with invited guests, were entertained at luncheon in the Ellis Hall by the President.

MEMOIR

OF

REV. EDWARD GRIFFIN PORTER.

BY MORTON DEXTER.

MR. PORTER was a descendant, in the eighth generation, from John Porter, who came from England to the young settlement at Windsor, Connecticut, in 1637. John Porter at that time must have reached middle life, because only three of his twelve children were born in this country. That he was a man of ability and high character, and probably already known favorably to some members of the Windsor community, is indicated by his election to public offices of trust, even during his first year of residence. That he also had considerable property, at least in later life, is evident from his bequests. He died in 1648.

From his second son, Samuel-through Hezekiah, James, James, James, and Daniel in successive generations - sprang Royal Loomis Porter, Edward's father. Although down to his own father's time the family had lived chiefly in the Connecticut valley, Royal was born in Williamstown, Massachusetts, on February 24, 1802. He graduated at Williams College in 1823, and in 1825 became a journalist in Boston. Here, on July 5 of that year, he started "The American Traveller," which was successful from the outset. In connection with it he also established a bi-monthly publication, "The Stage Register," a precursor of the modern railway guide-books. In 1845 these two publications were united in the "Boston Daily Traveller," which appeared daily, semi-weekly, and weekly. But Mr. Porter had died of consumption on June 13, 1844, at Charleston, South Carolina. He was a man of fine character, exceptional energy and skill in his profession, large benevolence and extensive influence. From him undoubtedly his son Edward inherited many of the amiable qualities which so endeared both to their friends.