Page:Sketches of representative women of New England.djvu/651

496 The tablet bears this inscription:—

The Daughters of the Revolution, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in grateful recognition of patriotic verse and song, commemorate these names: —

William Billings, father of American psalmody.

Oliver Holden, author of "Coronation."

John Howard Payne, who wrote "Home, Sweet Home."

Samuel F. Smith, who wrote "America."

Francis S. Key, author of "The Star-spangled Banner."

George F. Root, who wrote "The Battle Cry of Freedom."

Julia Ward Howe, author of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic."

Mrs. Howe is the only living member of the group. There is a rule forbidding the use of the name of a living person on any memorial erected in the library. But the circumstances were deemed such as to warrant the breaking of the rule once.

The presentation speech was a neat address delivered by Mrs. Adeline F. Fitz, and the gift was accepted by the Rev. Dr. James De Normandie on behalf of the library trustees. The veil was removed by Miss Minnie Scott, great-grand-daughter of William Billings, author of the "Colonists' Rallying Song."

The audience arose en masse and applauded when Mrs. Howe was presented and recited her "Battle Hymn of the Republic."