Excerpt from An Address Delivered Before the New England Historic-Genealogical Society: At Its Annual Meeting, January 1, 1862

The fire, with well dried logs supplied, 3 Went roaring up the chimney wide l England was merry England, when Old Christmas brought his sports again. T'was Christmas broached the mightiest ale, T'was Christmas told the merriest tale A Christmas gambol oft would cheer A poor man's heart through half the year. - Scott.

In accordance then with the good old custom of the New Year's gifts and good wishes, I would fain offer to my brethren of this Society, some thoughts which, although they may present nothing new, and perhaps may appear to some to involve a re-traversing of ground already familiar to all, will yet, I trust, be accepted with a kindly spirit, as an evidence of the deep interest I feel in the progress and success of this Society. Our title naturally suggest-s the course of my remarks, nor may it be altogether unprofitable to examine (much as may have been spoken and written on the subject) what is comprehended in the terms History and Genealogy - what are the higher uses of these sciences, and their relations to each other, and consequently what are the duties to be discharged, and the claims upon general support put forth by a Society, whose especial object it is, to promote the study of these sciences. And, although it may be contrary to the more usual order, which descends from genera to species, or from the whole to its parts, I will, with your permission, glance first at Biography and Genealogy, which are the twin hand maids and helpers of their elder and more stately sister, History.

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