A special meeting of the American Irish Historical Society was held in Room 124, Hotel Raleigh, Washington, D. C., this day at 1.30 p. m., President-General Quinlan in the chair. On motion of Mr. Donovan of New York, it was voted to revise the constitution and by-laws of the Society, and the President-General was instructed to appoint a committee of five to do this work, they to report to the Executive Council. On motion of Mr. T. Vincent Butler of New York, the thanks of the Society were tendered to the President-General and the Secretary-General for their efficient services in preparing for “the grandest meeting the Society has ever held.” Mr. Butler, in support of his motion, made interesting remarks concerning our fellow-member, President Roosevelt. The President-General later announced that he had appointed the following gentlemen members of the Committee to Revise the Constitution and By-Laws: Messrs. Michael J. Jordan, Patrick J. McCarthy, Joseph T. Ryan, John E. O’Brien and Thomas Z. Lee. Short addresses were made by the President-General and several other members on subjects connected with the welfare of the Society, after which the meeting adjourned. THOMAS ZANSLAUR LEE, _Secretary-General_. =Historical Notes and Papers.= THE CIVIC VALUE OF MEMORIALS. BY MISS MARY A. GREENE OF PROVIDENCE, R. I. HONORARY STATE REGENT FOR RHODE ISLAND, NATIONAL SOCIETY DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, GREAT-GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER OF THOMAS HUGHES, CAPTAIN IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION AND MAJOR IN THE WAR OF 1812 AND AN ORIGINAL MEMBER OF THE RHODE ISLAND SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI—A MAN OF IRISH PARENTAGE. Who that visits Italy can fail to be inspired by the ruins of the Forum and the palaces of the Cæsars on the Palatine? The Italian Government has done wisely in making its work of excavation a work also of restoration by replacing as far as possible the statues and monuments of ancient time in their original positions, and in entrusting visitors to the care of guides educated for their duties by a university course in the history and archæology of the Eternal City. Such a guide, after a whole day spent in enthusiastic descriptions of the temples, public buildings, rostra and tombs of the Forum, was asked, “How happens it that you are so very enthusiastic over all this, when it is your duty to make this round day after day?” Never will the hearer forget his reply as, drawing himself up to his full height, he exclaimed with the proudest, loftiest accent, “_I am a Roman_.” “The grandeur that was Rome” was the spirit of her citizens, their expression in the life of their city, of their high ideals. When these ideals failed to inspire, Rome fell.