It is also unfortunate that Dr. Van Dyke, the author of "Veery, and Other Bird Songs," is not with us to-night. I should like to quote from his "Veery." With true poetic rhetoric he has written about the Veery, apparently not knowing that it was the song of the Bob-o-link which he really heard. It is really too bad that this combination of a poet and a clergyman, a professor and a troutangler, is not with us to-night. By his letter I judge that he also thinks he is a farmer; for he has ventured to allude in one of the sentences of his letter to his residence among the cauliflowNow all of us who have been there where he is now residing well know that what he mistook for a field of cauliflowers was nothing but a patch of turnips, and flat turnips, too. However, his sentences have a bucolic ring about them, and suggest neither a professor's lecture on literature nor a sermon. He might have delivered a sermon on this occasion. After hearing some of his sermons, I may frankly admit I still believe in Christianity.

ers.

But, seriously speaking, it is a pleasure to know we shall hear his voice in the year to come, if the noise of his gavel does not deafen us when he tries to preserve order at the various meetings of the Holland Society.

In handing over to my illustrious successor this gavel, time-worn, stained-well, stained with the perspiration of presiding officers of all kinds of societies (for I understand the gavel belongs to Delmonico), I shed a tear of regret at the loss of that sovereignty which you have kindly granted to me for so long a time. Still, it is a consolation to know that this gavel will be wielded by a mighty hand during the year to come. I have no doubt

that Dr. Van Dyke will smash many a table with his vain efforts to drown your applause at his wit and eloquence.

Since we last met at the election of this Society, the virtues and qualities of our ancestors have been exhibited again on another field, by men who have the same blood in their veins which we have, in a way to startle the world. Without entering at all upon a discussion of the merits of the sad war in South Africa, where a great empire is writing with bloody fingers over the graves of men, - and women, too, who have died in the trenches, in defence of their convictions, "For the sake of British civilization," I may say in your presence that the pluck and valor of the Dutch, as exhibited on many a hard fought field in Africa, have made them the heroes of the opening of the twentieth century.

Brothers of the Society, to be honored by the descendants of the men of New Netherland as you have honored me deserves more than passing thanks. But my vocabulary of gratitude is not great enough to permit me to give you a proper expression of my feelings. All I can do in closing is to thank you from my heart for the pleasant favors and sweet honors you have bestowed upon me. It is a delightful duty to transfer them to one whose brilliant intellectual gifts will shed new lustre upon the name of our Society.

On the motion of Judge Augustus Van Wyck the following resolution was unanimously adopted:

"Resolved, That the hearty thanks of The Holland Society of New York are hereby expressed to the Honorable Tunis G. Bergen, for his wise, able, and faithful administration of the

office of President of the Society during the past year, which has developed its usefulness and prosperity in a marked degree, and greatly promoted the spirit of fraternity among its members.

The dignity, courtesy, and eloquence which have characterized his functions in the meetings of this Society, and when representing it at the gatherings of sister organizations, have won our admiration, and secured for him the affection and esteem of our membership.

Mr. Charles E. Lydecker offered the following resolution which, after discussion, was referred to the Board of Trustees:

"Resolved, That it is the sense of this Society that with a yearly income of $4106.50, the expenditure of over $1500 per annum for the social entertainment of the members at annual and special meetings and dinners, is a larger proportion of the income than should be devoted to such purposes, and that the funds of this Society be more closely restricted to the acquirement of more permanent monuments of Dutch association and kinship than such expenditures yield."

Mr. Louis B. Van Gaasbeek, on behalf of the Committee appointed at the last meeting in reference to other meetings for literary and social purposes, asked that the Committee be allowed to report next year, which was granted.

Adjourned. After which a collation was served.

THEODORE M. BANTA.
Secretary.

ROBERT GOELET, who was elected a member of the Society, April 6, 1886, was born at his father's house, 5 State Street, in this city, on September 29, 1841, and died, April 27, 1899, on board his yacht Mayflower, while she was at anchor off Cowes, England. He was named for his father, who was a brother and partner of Peter Goelet. His mother was a daughter of Jonathan Ogden, of the old family of that name. Peter and the elder Robert Goelet throughout their lives continued the policy of their father in investing in New York real estate, and at the time the subject of this sketch attained his majority his family owned one of the largest and most valuable estates in New York. His father and uncle were largely instrumental in founding the Chemical Bank.

Inheriting an inclination and rare capacity for business, Robert Goelet devoted a large part of his time and his energies to the care and development of the extensive property interests left to him. and his younger brother Ogden by his father and uncle. Ogden Goelet died abroad about two years ago. Robert studied under private tutors in his youth and was graduated from Columbia College

in 1860. He subsequently studied law and was admitted to the bar, but his legal knowledge was only made use of in the care of his large estate. Mr.

Goelet was regarded as an uncommonly sagacious business man. He was clear-headed and keen-witted, and his judgment in financial and real-estate matters invariably commanded the respect of other business men.

A loyal New Yorker, Robert Goelet took particular pride in promoting the growth and development of the city with which his family had been so long identified. He was a man of progressive ideas, and throughout his business career pursued a policy of improving his properties in a manner which would beautify the city.

He is credited by business associates with having displayed uncommon discernment and foresight in the management of his real estate. Even when his brother Ogden was living, Robert was the guiding influence in the management of the large estates which they had inherited. Friends of the family say that the policy pursued by Robert Goelet will doubtless be continued for some time to come in the administration of his affairs. No immediate division of his extensive estate, the value of which is variously estimated at from $25,000,000 to $40,000,000, is anticipated.

In 1879 Mr. Goelet married Henrietta Louise, daughter of George Henry Warren, Sr., a lawyer of this city. Two children blessed this unionRobert Walton Goelet and Beatrix Goelet, both of whom are living. Miss Beatrix unconsciously attained an interesting fame as a child through the medium of Sargent's portrait of her with her parrot. Robert Goelet's city residence was at 591 Fifth Avenue. He also owned and maintained handsome establishments in Newport and at Tuxedo.

He was exceedingly public-spirited, and wherever he had any interests he was foremost in all