Sensible of the honor conferred by the constituted authorities of the city, in committing to us the trust confided to our hands, it will be the effort of myself and colleagues to for the protection and advancement of the employ every power given to us, great work now in our charge. Long may that work endure to illustrate the wisdom of its founders a monument of the enterprise and perseverance of our people and the source of health, safety, and happiness for successive ages

The ladies and gentlemen of the Sacred Music Society then took their stations on the platform, and sang the following ode, printed copies of which had been liberally distributed at the expense of the Corporation during the day :

THE CROTON ODE. Written at the request of the Corporation of the City of New York, by GEORGE P. MORRIS, and sung in front of the Park Fountain, by the Members of the New York Sacred Music Society, on the completion of the Croton Aqueduct.

CELEBRATED OCTOBER XIV, MDCCCXLII.

Gushing from this living fountain, Music pours a falling strain, As the Goddess of the Mountain Comes with all her sparkling train. From her grotto-springs advancing, Glittering in her feathery spray, Woodland fays beside her dancing, She pursues her winding way.

Gently o'er the ripling water, In her coral-shallop bright, Glides the rock-king's dove-eyed daughter, Deck'd in robes of virgin white. Nymphs and Naiads, sweetly smiling, Urge her back with pearly hand, Merrily the sylph beguiling From the nooks of fairy land.