"But as our friends, what inexpressible happiness
have we experienced in their disinterested love
and cordial affection! We have lived together not
as fellow students and members of the same
college, but as brothers and children of the same
family; not as superiors and inferiors, but rather
as equals and companions. The only thing which
hath given them the preeminence is their superior
knowledge in those arts and sciences which are
here cultivated, and their greater skill and prudence
in the management of such important affairs as
those which concern the good order and regularity
of this Society. Under the prudent conduct of
these our once worthy patrons, but now parting
friends, things have been so wisely regulated, as
that while we have been entertained with all the
pleasures of familiar conversation, we have been
no less profited by our improvements in useful
knowledge and literature."

Hale's direct address to the parting members is
as follows:

"Kind and generous Sirs, it is with the greatest
reluctance that we are now all obliged to bid adieu
to you, our dearest friends. Fain would we ask
you longer to tarry--but it is otherwise determined,
' and we must comply. Accept then our
sincerest thanks, as some poor return for your

[[19]]

p018 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p019w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p020

v?