Exhibit 24
CONFIRMING STATEMENT

This Statement confirms that the undersigned, Wendell J. Knox,
has authorized and designated each of Charles F. Cronin,
J. Kendall Huber and Walter H. Stowell, acting singly, to
execute and file on the undersigned's behalf, individually
and in the undersigned's capacity as a trustee for various
family trusts, all Forms 3, 4 and 5 (including any amendments
thereto) that the undersigned may be required to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission as a result of the
undersigned's ownership of or transactions in securities of
The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc..  The authority of
Charles F. Cronin, J. Kendall Huber and Walter H. Stowell under
this Statement shall continue until the undersigned is no longer
required to file Forms 3, 4 and 5 with regard to the
undersigned's ownership of or transactions in the securities
of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., unless earlier revoked in
writing.  The undersigned acknowledges that Charles F. Cronin,
J. Kendall Huber and Walter H. Stowell are not assuming any
of the undersigned's responsibilities to comply with Section 16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

/s/ Wendell J. Knox
Dated: February 7, 2006