imprinted by conversation; the tincture of company sinks deeper than the outside; and possibly, if a true estimate were made of the morality and religions of the world, we should find, that the far greater part of mankind received even those opinions and ceremonies they would die for, rather from the fashions of their countries, and the constant practice of those about them, than from any conviction of their reasons. I mention this only to let you see of what moment I think company is to your son in all the parts of his life, and, therefore, how much that one part is to be weighed and provided for, it being of greater force to work upon him than all you can do besides.

such proportions, that he was satisfied to open its treasures to the public in his lifetime.

In 1855, Dr. Green placed his large miscellaneous library of about five thousand volumes, in the rooms of the Worcester Lyceum and Library Association, to be used as a consulting and reference library for a term of not less than five years. As this period was about to expire, Dr. Green in November, 1859, made known to the Directors of the Lyceum and to the mayor of the city, his desire to endow a public library, by the donation of these volumes with additions, to the city of Worcester, "in trust for the free use of the citizens and public forever as a library of consultation and reference." The directors and members of the Lyceum and Association entered heartily into his views, and signified to the mayor their desire to transfer to the city their library as the foundation of a circulating library, "provided suitable arrangements and appropriations are made for its reception."

On the 5th of December, 1859, the mayor communicated to the City Council the wishes of Dr. Green, and the Worcester Lyceum and Library Association, whereon resolutions were passed-recognizing "the importance of the subject and the magnitude of the proposed gifts," and authorizing the Committee on Education to consider and report the action necessary in the premises.

On the 27th of December, 1859, Dr. Green executed a deed of gift to the city of Worcester in its corporate capacity, by which the library owned by him and in possession of the "Worcester Lyceum and Library Association" was granted and conveyed for the free use of the citizens and the public forever, on condition "that the management of the Library, the custody of the books, and the regulations under which they may be used shall be vested in a Board of twelve Directors, two of whom shall be chosen annually, and shall hold their offices six years each," and also on condition that the city shall pay the salary of a competent Librarian to be chosen by the Directors, and shall furnish a suitable library

*The WORCESTER LYCEUM was formed November 4th, 1829, for the mutual instruction and improvement of its members by means of debates, scientific lectures and books. It was one of the earliest permanent organizations under the Lyceum movement of Josiah Holbrook, commenced in 1826. The first President, was the Rev. Jonathan Going, who presided in the meeting at Columbian Hall, Boston in 1830, out of which originated the American Institute of Instruction.

The Young Men's Library Association was instituted in August, 1852, into which was ab sorbed the "Young Men's Christian Association," formed about the same time, and in 1855, the Young Men's Rhetorical Society, formed in 1849. In 1854, a Natural History Department was organized, to which was transferred the "Worcester Natural History Society in possession of the American Antiquarian Society. In 1855, the Lyceum and Association were united, and by act of the Legislature incorporated under the name of the "Worcester Lyceum and Library Association."