day Dr. Porter was examining Professor Koeppen's library, and there he found a recent German version of the Kalewala, the national epic of Finland. How great was his surprise when he discovered that not only the form and meter of Hiawatha, but many of its most striking incidents were unquestionably derived from the ancient Finnish poem. Becoming interested in the subject Dr. Porter imported the book, and his convictions were strengthened by studying it in its original language. Hiawatha was not a plagiarism - he never said it was-but it was decidedly an imitation of the song of Kalewala. It was this view that Dr. Porter defended in his contribution to the National Intelligencer, November 26, 1855, and in his subsequent elaborate article in the Mercersburg Review. These articles awakened contradiction, but it was contradiction only -the facts could not successfully be impeached. The purpose of the writer was fully accomplished. Hiawatha has taken its proper place in American literature. As Dr. Porter has said: "Its descriptions of nature are found to be wonderfully accurate, even when subjected to the severest scrutiny. The language and rhythm are faultless-raised to the highest pitch of refinement and elegance." But the poet-great as he undoubtedly was-was lacking in originality of invention, and his work has failed to be recognized as the long-expected American epic. The latest of Dr. Porter's articles, which we have seen, appeared in the Reformed Church Review for January, 1901. It was an essay on the "English Versions of the Dies Iræ." Unless I am greatly mistaken, he was engaged in preparing it at the time of our last annual meeting; for in his conversation he anticipated many of its most effective sentences. He referred to the defective rhymes which appear in favorite hymns- and these he regarded as nature regards a vacuum. "The ancient Hebrew," he said, "was not allowed to place a defective victim on the altar of the Lord. *** And so it ought to be here and now. Good Dr. Watts, who wrote a few exfaultless rhymes, nodded like Homer cellent hymns in when he penned 666 A follower of the Lamb, And shall I fear to own His cause (cos), A stanza hardly better than the well-known "Here I raise my Ebenezer ; Hither by thy help I've come, And I hope by thy good pleasure (pleazer) In this way Dr. Porter-with much of his early energy and vivacity-dwelt on the defects as well as on the beauties of our hymnology. It was a theme in which he especially delighted, and to the end it never failed to afford him solace in his sorrows. For thirty-five years (1866-1901) Dr. Porter was professor of Botany and Zoology in Lafayette University, and for seven years- from 1877 to 1884-he was also pastor of the Third Street Reformed Church of Easton. That he was a man of extraordinary energy is evident from the fact that he could simultaneously serve an important congregation and conduct a department in a great literary institution. In years gone by it was on several occasions my privilege to share in Dr. Porter's hospitality. I remember the cheerful household which gathered around him, and especially the intellectual conversation which rendered every moment spent there a season of delight. Mrs. Porter was a woman of eminent talent and extraordinary culture. She was not only able to appreciate the literary labors of her husband, but herself produced works that manifested unusual philosophical and theological ability. Their children were promising, and in their education their parents discovered a constant source of pleasure. But, alas! "Mit des Geschickes Mächten Ist kein ewiger Bund zu flechten, In the prime of life his children were swept away, and the cloud which subsequently settled on the brilliant mind of his wife was not lifted until the light came streaming through the golden gates. Of all the family six grandchildren alone remain. In Dr. Porter's life the most admirable period embraces its concluding years. With unwavering faith he bore his troubles, and to the last sought no exemption from labor. Until 1897 he was actively engaged in the duties of his important professorship, and was subsequently emeritus professor and curator of botanical collections. When he retired from active duty eminent scholars delivered addresses in his honor. He was President of the Board of Visitors of the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church, and nothing afforded him more pleasure than his annual visit to Lancaster, to preside at commencement. Gradually his strength decayed and on the 27th of April last, while he was writing a letter to a friend, there came a stroke that ended his long and noble life. Dr. Porter was a man of varied talents and he used them all. His chief purpose was to advance the highest interests of his people, and it cannot be doubted that his work was well done. We knew and loved him, and it is with the profoundest reverence that we bring this tribute to his memory. SECRETARY'S REPORT. The annual report of the Secretary, H. M. M. Richards, was then presented. To the Officers and Members of the Pennsylvania-German Society. Gentlemen: It cannot be otherwise than a source of much gratification to us all to know that the past year has been one of continued prosperity to our Society. Our total membership has now reached the respectable total of 411. Of these 53 have been received as new members, including 24 applications passed upon by the Executive Committee at the present meeting. Nine of our number have been called from our midst during the year. We have especial cause for sorrow, at this time, in the loss of our ex-President, Dr. William Henry Egle, one of the founders of the Society and always actively interested in its welfare, as well as in the death of our President, the Rev. Thomas Conrad Porter, D.D., LL.D. Notwithstanding the feebleness of advancing years Dr. Porter at no time failed in his duty to the Pennsylvania-German Society, which was ever dear to him, and one of the last acts of his life was his attendance on the meeting of its Executive Committee. The new annual publication will be in the hands of the members within a comparatively short time. We have had just cause to be proud of the work hitherto done by us in making public the noble deeds of a worthy ancestry, and it will be so much the more gratifying to know that our present volume will fully sustain the reputation gained in the past. At its last annual meeting the attention of the Society was called to the unfortunate condition of numerous old matter. and valuable papers belonging to the commonwealth, and the Executive Committee was instructed to investigate the The whole subject has been carefully considered by them, and has received the earnest attention of a subcommittee appointed for special inquiry, consisting of the Hon. Maurice C. Eby and Luther R. Kelker, Esq., both of Harrisburg. Their report is subjoined hereto, and is now presented to the Society for such action as may be deemed proper. The appointment of an experienced archivist would certainly seem to be most desirable, and, in view of the scattered condition of the papers, would appear to be the remedy needed to prevent further loss and destruction. H. M. M. RICHARDS. The subjoined report of sub-committee mentioned in the Secretary's report, together with report of committee to which it was referred, is as follows: To the Officers and Members of the Executive Board of the Pennsylvania-German Society. Gentlemen: Your committee appointed to ascertain the character and condition of the unpublished Records of the State, beg leave to present the following brief statement, viz. From the fact that documents of like import are to be found in two or more departments and in unclassified condition, it is impossible to place before you a business-like report. The citizens of our commonwealth have but a faint conception of the wealth of unpublished material lying in the attics and basements of the several departments in our capital city. It is the accumulation of over two centuries, upon every variety of subjects, from the registered birth of a child to the recorded history of some of our ablest statesmen. Everything that tends to make the progress of our State, and much relating to the |