Essex County, Massachusetts - Chapter 10, 1888

Societies, Etc

The Literary and Scientific Societies.* - A history of the literature of Salem, giving an account of those who have individually devoted themselves to this pursuit or collectively in the organization of the various institutions of learning, for the encouragement of which a beneficent public .spirit has existed from the beginning, and has worthily exerted itself as exigencies called it forth, would form an interesting and important chapter in the history of Salem.

Sufficient space has not been allowed to do justice to the subject in this communication. It will be fully treated elsewhere. A few incidents that have

As preliminary to the notice of these institutions of learning, a brief allusion to some of the agencies leading ultimately to their present condition may not be deemed inappropriate.

The first great transaction in the settlement of the town was the organization of the church, a step marked by profound wisdom as well as ardent piety. Francis Higginson, " the father and pattern of the New England clergy," as he is justly called, prepared a document, which, while it formed an admirable manual of Christian faith and duty, embodied the principles of improvement and progress, and recognized the importance of a right education of children.

His brave compeer, Gov. Endicott, heartily cooperated with him, and subsequently took a provident care for the education of poor children at the expense of the town.

Salem has been blessed above most other towns in the wisdom, learning, piety and energy of the leading men among the early settlers or their immediate descendants. At the opeuiog of the Grammar School arrived Eev. Johu Fiske, a learned scholar and divine qualified for the work. Roger Williams, afterwards the founder of Rhode Island, and Hugh Peters, who proved himself an able statesman and powerful friend of the whole colony, as well as a popular preacher and an energetic benefactor of Salem.

Peters's effective influence gave an impulse to industry and enterprise in every direction. Then we had the Brownes, whose charities, through successive generations, flowed freely in aid of education, learning, religion and the poor. William Browne was here with Fiske and Peters, to catch the love of learning from the one and the spirit of commerce from the other, and for more than half a century was considered a liberal and successful promoter of learning. He came over with his wife, in 1635, residing in Salem till his death, in 1688. William Browne, whose name appears among the early members of the Social Library, was a descendant in the fifth generation. Emanuel Downing came to Salem in 1636, where he lived in great esteem, after representing the town in the General Court. His wife, Lucia, was a sister of Gov. John Winthrop. His son George was then a lad of some fifteen summers, preparing under the tuition of Rev. John Fiske to enter the college, where he graduated in the first class, that of 1642. The son went to England, entered Cromwell's service and became highly distinguished.

Major William Hathorne came over in the "Arbella," with Winthrop, as stated by Savage, and came to Salem in 1636. Salem tendered him grants of land. From that time his name appears in the records as holding important positions, as commissioner, Speaker of the House of Representatives, counsel in cases before the courts, judge on the bench, etc. Johnson, in his " Wonder-working Providence," thus says of him : " Yet through the Lord's mercy we still retaine, among our Democracy, the Godly Captaine, William Hathorn, whom the Lord hath imbued with a quick apprehension, strong memory and Rhetorick, volubility of speech, which hath caused the peojjle to make use of him often in Publick Service, especially when they have to do with any foreign government." He died in 1681.

His son John seems to have inherited many of his prominent traits of character, and to have succeeded to all his public honors. He died in 1717. The name appears, thus far, to have been as prominent in the civil history of that period, as it has been in the elegant literature of the preseat, in a descendant of the sixth generation, Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Other contemporary families of the colonial and provincial periods might be named of equal or superior distinction in the history of Salem, actuated by a like public spirit and not less zealous in promoting the higher interests of the town as well as its commercial prosperity, as Pickman, Orne, Curwen, Higginson, Cabot, Pynchon, Oliver, Lynde, Turner, English and others.

The Salem Athenaeum was incorporated in March, 1810. Its conception was suggested undoubtedly by the Boston Athena?um, organized some three years earlier. The charters of the two institutions are in many respects similar, the leading objects of both being the promotion of literature, the arts and sciences. The founders of the Salem Athenteum were actuated by high motives, and laid a broad basis for future o})erations, commencing at first with a library, and trusting to the future for the further extension of their views and plans. To this end they purchased the Social and Philosophical Libraries.

The Social Library. - This reminds us of the Social Evening Club, composed of the leading spirits of the town, which flourished during the middle of the last century, and was wont to hold its meetings weekly at the Tavern House of 3Irs. Pratt, to discuss the topics of the day, especially those of a literary or scientific character. The following are understood to have been members : Benjamin Lynde and Nathaniel Ropes, both of the bench of the Superior Court of the Province, the former, as well as his father, its chief justice ; William Browne, judge of the Superior Court, afterwards Governor of Bermuda; Andrew Oliver, judge of the Common Pleas; Rev. Thomas Barnard, of the First Church ; Dr. E. A. Holyoke, a young physician ; Stephen Higginson, Benjamin Pickman and Timothy Orne, merchants ; William Pynchon, an eminent lawyer, and others. A taste for literature and knowledge, and a zeal in the prosecution of scientific studies, were thus imparted to this community, of which the imprints can be distinctly traced through our subsequent history. The first movement in this direction was the meeting of gentlemen, many of whom were members of this chib, at the Pratt Tavern on Monday evening, March 31, 1760, for the purpose of "founding a handsome library of valuable books apprehending the same may be of very considerable use and benefit under proper regulations." A subscription was opened, funds obtained, and Rev. Jeremiah Condy, a Baptist minister of Boston, being about to visit England, was employed to purchase the books. On their arrival a meeting of the subscribers was held. May 20, 1701, of which Benjamin Pickman was moderator and Nathan Goodale clerk. The Social Library was thus put in operation The books imported, with those given by members or otherwise procured, amounted to 415 volumes. The society was incorporated in 1797. It may be regarded as the pioneer of all the institutions established in this place for the promotion of intellectual culture.

The Philosophical Library. - This also calls to remembrance some of the scenes in the Revolutionary period ; the Cabots' privateer-ship " Pilgrim ; '' its bold and stalwart commander, Hugh Hill ; his daring exploits; the capture of a schooner in the English channel, having on board the library of Dr. Richard Kirwan, a distinguished chemist; the bringing of these books into the neighboring port of Beverly; the purchase of the same by several scientific men of Salem and its vicinity, of whom may be mentioned Rev. Manasseh Cutler, of the Hamlet Church in Ipswich, now Hamilton, Rev. Joseph Wilhird of Beverly, afterwards president of Harvard College, Dr. Joshua Fisher of Beverly, Dr. E. A. Holyoke, Dr. Joseph Orne, Rev. Thomas Barnard and Rev. J(din Prince, all of Salem. They made it the foundation of the Philosophical Library in 1781. To show Dr. Bowditch's estimate of the value and character of these books, this extract from his will is inserted :

Hem, "It is well-known that the valuable Scientific library of the celebrated Dr. Richard Kirwan, was during tlio Revolutionary war, captured in the British Channel, on its way to Ireland, bj' a Beverly Privateer, and that by the liberal and enlightened views of the owners of the vessel, the library thus captured was sold at a very low rate, and in this manner was laid the foundatiou, upon which has since been successfully established the Phtlosuphical Library so called and the present Salem Athena?uni. Thus, in early life, I found near nic a l)etter collection of Philosophical and Scientific books than could be found in any other part of the United States nearer than Philadelphia, and by the kindness of its proprietors I was permitted freely to take tlie books from that library and to consult and study them at pleasure. This inestimable advantage has made me deeply a debtor to the Salem Athensifum, and I do, therefore, give to that Institution the sum of one thousand dollars, the income thereof to be forever applied to the promotion of its objects and the extension of its usefulness."

Athenaeum. - The rooms of the Athenieum in Central Building, Market (now Central) Street, were opened to the proprietors on Wednesday, July 11, 1810, with a goodly collection of books upon the shelves, duly arranged and properly classified.

In April, 1815, the library was removed to rooms in Essex Place ; in 1825 to rooms over the Salem Bank ; in 1841 to Lawrence Place, and in April, 1857, to

The present number of volumes is about twentyone thousand. These have been obtained principally by moneys arising from the sale of shares and annual assessments and subscriptions, although many valuable works have been received as donations from the friends of the institution.

The number of shares is one hundred. Each share entitles the proprietor to take from the library four 1 looks at one time. Books which have been in the library one year can be retained four weeks; if less than that time, two weeks ; recent periodicals, in numbers, one week. Persons not 2^foprietors, approved by the trustees, may have all the privileges of proprietors in the use of books for one year, on the payment of one dollar in addition to the annual assessment, which is determined at the annual meeting. The assessment lor several years i^ast has been five dollars.

Officers of the Salem Alhenimm for the yenr 1887-8. - Edmund B. Willson, president; Henry Wheatland, clerk; Richard C. Manning, treasurer ; William C. Endicott, Jr., Richard C. Manning, George P. Messervey, William Northey, CharU-s S. Osgood, George A. Perkins, Frederick P. Richardson, Henry Wheatland, Edmund B. Willson, trustees ; Alice H. Osborne, librarian ; Annie E. Snell, asssistant librarian.

Plummer Hall. - On the 13th May, 1854, at her residence in Salem, " died Miss Caroline Plummer," leaving bequests to the city of Salem for the founding of a Farm School of Reform " for boys in the city of Salem ; " to Harvard College for the foundation of a Professorship of Christian Morals, and to the Salem Athenteum the sura of thirty thousand dollars "for the purchasing of a piece of land, in some central and convenient spot in the city of Salem, and for building thereon a safe and elegant building of brick or stone, to be employed for the purpose of depositing the books belonging to said corporation, with liberty also to have the rooms thereof used for meetings of any scientific or literary institution, or for the deposit of any works of art or natural productions." Thus, by the noble bequests of this lady, an impetus has been given to the cause of literature, science, philanthropy and noble living, which will ever make her name respected, honored and beloved, not alone in the city of Salem or within the walls of Harvard, but wherever learning and liberality shall find a home.

The location selected is upon one of the leading thoroughfares of the city and near its centre, with agreeable and attractive surroundings, and about which cluster many associations of exceeding interest to the student in history, the scholar, the scientist and the general public.

The building is in the form of a parallelogram, ninety-seven feet three inches long by fifty-three wide. The exterior walls are faced with pressed brick, and are forty-five feet in height above the under-pinning, which is four feet six inthes high and is of brown sandstone. The steps, doorway, window-dressings, balcony, belts, &c., are also of the same stone. The style of the building is Romanesque. On the first floor were arranged the scientific and historical collections of the Institute; on the second floor the libraries of the Athenteum and of the Institute. The shelving in the library-rooms having been completed and the books placed upon the shelves, though not finally arranged, the building was accepted at a meeting of the proprietors, held on Monday, September 21, 1857, and dedicated on Tuesday, the sixth of October following. The order of exercises was as follows :

The following letter from the historian Prescott, received among others in response to invitations to attend the dedication, will be read with interest :

Dear Sir : I, last evening, had the pleasure of receiving the invitation of the committee to attend the dedication of Plummer Hall. Unfortunately, being absent from town, it did not reach me till too late to profit by it. I beg you will present my acknowledgments to the committee tor the honor they have done me. I need not assure them that I take a sincere interest in the ceremonies of the day, for I am attached to Salem by the reminiscences of many happy hours passed there in boyhood ; and I have a particular interest in the spot which is to be covered with the new edifice, from its having been that on which I first saw the light iny.self. It is a pleasant thought to me, that through the enlightened liberality of my deceased friend Miss Plummer, it is now to be consecrated to so noble a purpose.

The Essex Institute. - The Essex Institute was formed by the union of the Essex Historical Society and the Essex County Natural History Society, and was organized, under an act of incorporation granted by the Legislature of Massachusetts in February of 1848, on the 1st of March following. lU

The Essex Historical Society. - At the suggestion of Hon. John Glen King and George A. Ward, Esq., several gentlemen, many of whom were active in the organization of the Salem Athenaeum, eleven years before, assembled on the 21st of Ajjril, 1821, Hon. Joseph Story presiding, and formed themselves into an association under the name of the Essex Historical Society, the leading object of which was the collection and preservation of all authentic materials illustrating the civil history of the county of Essex, and in furtherance thereof they invited the cooperation of other kindred societies. An act of incorporation was obtained from the Legislature, June 27, 1821. The first corporate meeting was held on Wednesday, June 27, 1821, due notice having been given of the call at which the act was accepted and the society organized by the adoption of rules and regulations and the election of officers to serve until the annual meeting fixed on the 6th of September, in commemoration of the landing of Governor John Endicott on that day (0. S.), 1628.

The venerable Dr. E. A. Holyoke, who always took the most lively interest in whatever concerned American literature and science, was elected the first president. It is quite remarkable that in each stage in the progress of institutions of this character in Salem, a leading 25art was taken by one man. Dr. Holyoke; he signed the call for the meeting at the tavern of Mrs. Pratt in 1760, and was an original subscriber to the funds then raised to establish the Social Library; he was one of the purchasers of Dr. Kirwan's books, thus co-operating in founding the Philosophical Library ; he was the first president of the Salem Athenaeum, ' and the first president of the Essex Historical Society. The zeal and ability of the members and their friends, in a short time, gathered together a good collection of portraits and antique relics, illustrative of the early history of the county and the nucleus of a library containing files of several newspapers, pamphlets, documents, etc. These were first deposited in Essex Place, on Essex Street, facing Central ; then in the room over the Salem Bank, where Downing Block now stands, afterwards in Lawrence Place, at the corner of Washington and Front Streets, until the union which formed the Institute.

On the 6th of September, 1825, the day of the annual meeting, Hon. Leverett Saltonstall delivered a public address, which was well received, before the society, in the First Church. On Thursday, the 18th of September (N. S.), 1828, the members of the society, with their invited guests, met to commemorate the two hundredth anniverstiry of the landing of Endicott. The orator of the day was the Hon. Joseph Story, one of the justices of the United States Supreme Court, an original member and the vice-president of the society. The president of the society. Dr. Holyoke, the centennial anniversary of whose birth was appropriately observed by the medical profession of Boston and Salem on the thirteenth of the month preceding, presided. The secretary was the Hon. Joseph G. Waters, secretary of the society for the twenty-one years preceding the union, in 1848. He will be long remembered for his deep interest in our literary and scientific institutions and for his versatile gifts and extensive knowledge of English literature and history. The society had on its roll of membershij) at that time many men of wide distinction. Probably no society in the United States could claim a greater number of influential men in the various walks of life. The eloquent address of Hon. Mr. Story at the North Church ; the intellectual and social banquet at Hamilton Hall ; these, and other interesting incidents connected therewith, rendered the occasion one long to be remembered in the annals of the society.

Officers Of The Essex Historical Society

The Essex County Natural History Society. - A communication was printed in the Salem Gazette for Tuesday, February 1, 1831, under the signature of Ebah, suggesting the feasibility of organizing a Society of Natural History ; other communications occasionally appeared, but the various suggestions did not begin to take a tangible form until December,

1833, when, on the evening of Saturday, the 14th, a meeting of those friendly to the subject was held, which resulted, after several adjournments, in the organization of the Essex County Natural History Society, Dr. Andrew Nichols, of Danvers, president; William Oakes, Esq., of Ipswich and Rev. Gardner B. J'erry, of Bradford, vice-presidents ; John M. Ives, Esq., of Salem, secretary and treasurer; Rev. John Lewis Russell, of Salem, cabinet keeper and librarian ; William Oakes, Esq., of Ipswich, John Clarke Lee, of Salem, Charles Grafton Page, of Salem, Thomas Spencer, Esq., of Salem, curators.

Upon the organization of the society the attention of its members was mainly devoted to horticulture ; its rooms were opened occasionally during every season with greater or less frequency, as circumstances would permit, for exhibitions of fruits and flowers. The first exhibition took place on Tuesday, July 11, important features of the society. For several years exhibitions were held weekly during the summer months, with an annual show in September, and increased in interest with each successive season. Several nurseries were established, the demand for fruit trees, ornamental trees and shrubs increased, and Salem, for some years became, as it were, a centre for horticultural operations. The exhibitions at the Metro])olis were largely indebted to the Salem gardens for their requisite proportion of fruits and flowers.

This city and its vicinity had a goodly array of enthusiastic and successful cultivators of the choicest gifts of Flora and Pomona; among them the name of Robert Manning stands as a pioneer in the cultivation of fruit, especially of the pear. The garden of Mr. J. Fisk Allen exhibited, for several seasons, a fine display of that gorgeous lily, " Victoria Regia," and his excellent treatise on that flower, with illustrations, finds a place in every well stored library. Salem was also noted for the great variety of grapes and other fruits grown under glass. The gardens and grounds of the Messrs. Putnam, Lee, Cabot, Emmerton, Upton, Ives, Bertram, Hoflnian, Derby, Phippen, Ropes, Oliver, Glover, Bosson, Gardner and others, may be mentioned in this connection.

The Journal of the Essex County Natural History Society, comprising one volume in three numbers, issued in 183G, 1838 and 1841, was published by the society.

During the autumn of 1847 the Historical and the Natural History Societies held several meetings to effect a union. A joint committee was appointed to draft a plan to serve as a basis of organization. The plan ofl'ered by the committee was acce[)ted by the two societies at a meeting held January 14, 1848. An act of incorporation was obtained in February of that year, and upon its accei)tance, on the 1st of March following, the Essex Institute was organized.

The organization of the two societies being on an entirely diflierent basis, generous concessions were called for from both parties to bring about the desired results.

The Historical Society always had a small membership. Members were elected by ballot, and an entrance fee was required. There was no regular assessment, though occasionally one was levied ; the rooms were never opened to the public at stated times, though persons could obtain access by calling upon the librarian or some oflicer, who was always courteous and ready to grant such a favor.

come a member by signing the constitution and paying the small annual assessment. The rooms were always central and accessible, and were frequently opened for horticultural and other exhibitions, the aim being to make them attractive and thereby to awaken an interest in the objects of the society. The collections increased in value and importance, the membership was enlarged, and consequently more means were available to .extend its operations.

The Institute, in organizing in 1848, took up with vigor the work of its two component members, as well as new undertakings of its own. If the Essex Historical Society had busied itself with collecting and perpetuating the history of the county, the Institute, with its new blood, hoped not without reasou to push this important portion to still greater results. If the Natural History Society had been successful in its delightful exhibits of fruits and ilowers, so did the Institute at the outset perpetuate this excellent example and call to its aid a new class of generous contributors. Moreover, it began at once, by means of tield meetings and other popular and original appliances to make science, local tradition and history, literature and the arts, so far as it could with its modicum of means and membership, a part of the daily diet of the people.

The several departments of the Museum were arranged on the first floor, and were well represented; in several of the classes of the animal kingdom the collections were inferior to but one or two others in the country. Those in some classes were arranged and identified, and catalogues commenced. In consequence of a liberal use of its rich supply of duplicates, the Institute became the recipient of large and valuable collections from scientific institutions and individuals, both in this and foreign couutries.

These various scientific collections, containing some one hundred and forty thousand sjiecimens are now deposited at East India Marine Hall, in the custody of the trustees of the Peabody Academy of Science, according to terms of agreement signed May 29, 1867, by the contracting parties.

The Peabody Museum was, after thorough re-arrangement, dedicated to the public on Wednesday afternoon, August 18, 1869, the first day of the meeting, in Salem, of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

All contributions of specimens in natural history which have since been received by the institute, either by donations or otherwise, have been likewise deposited with the trustees above named, at East India Marine Hall.

The collections of antique relics, paintings, portraits, engravings, etc., are placed in the halls of the institute, and are of great historic value, and will be alluded to in another place.

The agreement by which the institute has occupied Plummer Hall, jointly with the Athenaeum for thirty years, was cancelled from the end of April by the governing board of the two institutions, February 25, 1887, and at the same time another agreement was adopted to go into effect on the 30th of April, 1887, by which the institute retains the use of the first floor and the basement for the deposit of a portion of its library and collections, and the hall to be used for lectures and meetings, horticultural and art exhibitions, and for other purposes not inconsistent with the provisions of Miss Plummer's will. Each society, as heretofore, maj^ freely consult the books of the other.

Library. - The library of the institute contains about fifty thousand bound volumes, and some one hundred and fifty thousand pamphlets. In the early stages of the growth of a great library, its energies are mainly absorbed in mere accumulation. At a later stage, and when exchanges are established and a law of growth confirmed, while accretions are not less rapid, more attention can be given to extending its usefulness and acquainting others with the value and character of its treasures. The institute library has now reached this stage. It is for the first time able to display its quality and richness in the new building purchased March 12, 1886, and since suitably fitted for the purposes intended. Among the valuable features which, on being catalogued, it will be found to contain, are, -

A very complete collection of the legislative and official publications of Massachusetts from early dates, as well as those of several other States of New England and of the Union at large.

A large and daily increasing collection of the works of the authors of Essex County, both native and resident, already counting about six hundred volumes. Full files of newspapers possessing to the antiquary, the historical student and the conveyancer, a value hardly to be exaggerated.

Some eight thousand volumes of English, Greek and Latin classics, also historical and other works, selected for the private library of the donor, the late Judge Daniel A. White, first president of the Essex Institute. A collection of some three hundred Bibles and parts of Bibles of curious antiquity, including one, doubtless the oldest book in Essex County, dated before the discovery of America, in the year 1486, a well preserved copy brought from a Carmelite Monastery in Bavaria, and presented to the institute October 2, 1858, by Rev. J. M. Hoppin, then of Salem, now a professor in Yale College. Part of the library of the late Francis Peabody, the third president of the institute, containing some three thousand volumes, principally, architectural, horticultural and scientific. Also the libraries of the late Augustus Story, comprising about fifteen hundred volumes of literary and historical books - and that of the late William Sutton,

The China Library, containing nearly seven hundred volumes, an unique collection of publications relating to that country and her people ; the Library of the Art Department, numbering upwards of five hundred volumes, together with many periodicals in its various branches, to which additions are being constantly made, and a small Musical Library.

A large portion of the books are arranged in the new building, - the Historical in the western section of the second floor ; the Literary in the eastern section and the Essex County books in the central. On the third floor are the Theological, in the western section ; Scientific, in the eastern ; the Directories, Horticultural and Educational Books, in the central.

The national, state and city Documents, those relating to Finance and Trade, bound volumes of Newspapers and Pamphlets, are retained in Plummer Hall. The large room is furnished with settees and chairs, and is used for lectures, concerts, meetings and exhibitions of Art, Horticulture, etc.

Meetings of the Institute. - Regular meetings are held on the first and third Monday evenings of each month ; field meetings, during the summer months, at such times and places as may be appointed by a special committee.

The Institute was organized in the spring of 1848. It at once introduced a system of field meetings, unique and interesting, as well as useful to those who have attended them. These meetings gather from one to three hundred or more persons; four or five of them are held in each season. Railroads, local authorities, church committees, educational, scientific and literary organizations, have uniformly united their efforts to make attendance easy and agreeable. The first of these gatherings was held at Danvers, June 12, 1849, and, with the interval of three summers, in 1853-4-5, they have since been uninterrupted. One hundred and thirty-five field meetings have been held in ninety-six difterent jjlaces in thirty-three of the towns and cities of the county of Essex, and twelve meetings in twelve towns or cities beyond the county limits. Members of the Institute and all others are invited on equal terms. A spot is selected for its scientific and historical interest, and with some regard to its facilities for transportation, shelter and refreshment. Physicists and antiquarians, especially local students of science, tradition and history, are sought out. The party attending provides itself with a basket luncheon, and is usually transported at half fare. Reaching its destination, it is often welcomed by a local committee, deposits its baskets and extra clothing, and, in self-appointed sections, follows the lead of its specialists in botany, geology, entomology, local history or antiquity, to various points of interest in the neighborhood. Coming together at noon in the village church, the school-house, the town hall, or some inviting grove, a meeting is held, after the baskets are emptied, and the results of the previous rambles are exhibited, compared, analyzed and discussed.

In yet another way has the effort been successful to make science and sociability tributary to each other. For several seasons, beginning May 1, 1866, and for several evenings during each season, meetings were held, which might be described as microscope shows. From twenty-five to fifty instruments of every variety of make, were brought together in Hamilton Hall, where the friends of the Institute, to the number of two hundred, passed most agreeable evenings in examining the specimens shown, in listening to the comments of experts and specialists, and in general social relaxation. The occasions owed much of their success to the interest and labor of the late wellknown microscopist, Edwin Bicknell.

Lectures. - During the past fifteen or twenty years, regular courses of lectures have been delivered annually in the winter months, with perhaps a few exceptions ; and before this occasionally as opportunities offered. These embrace a wide range of topics in science and literature. In addition to the above, courses of lectures or single lectures have been given by those who were or are now active members of the institute.

Commemorations. - The fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the Essex Historical Society was observed on the 21st of April, 1871 . The address was by

A. C. Goodell, Jr., Esq.; an excellent choir, under the direction of General H. K. Oliver, sang an original hymn, written for the occasion by Rev. Jones Very ; after which remarks were made by Rev. George D. Wildes, of New York City ; General H. K. Oliver and J. Wingate Thornton, of Boston ; and Dr. George

The seventy-fifth anniversary of the organization of the Essex Institute, on the 5th of March, 1873, vvas commemorated by a banquet in the rooms of the Institute, with addresses by the President, His Excellency Governor William B.Washburn, Mayor William Cogswell of Salem, Hon. George B. Loring, president of the Massachusetts Senate, Hon. John E. Sanford, speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, of New England Historico-Genealogical Society, Prof. O. C. Marsh, of Yale, and others.

The centennial of the Destruction of the Tea in Boston Harbor, December 16, 1773, was noticed at a special meeting on that evening by an address from James Kimball, Esq., Avhose grandfather, William Russell, was one of the actors on that occasion.

The first centennial of the meeting in Salem, October 5, 1774, of that memorable body which formally and finally resolved itself into a Provincial Congress and established in Massachusetts " a government of the people, by the peojile & for the peo- pie," was commemorated by aii address from A. C. Goodell, Jr., Esq. ; a fine double quartette, under tbe direction of Mr. M. Fenollosa, sang some patriotic pieces.

The directors of the institute, in compliance with several official circulars and personal letters from the chief of the Historical Department of the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia, made an exhibit of specimens illustrative of the History of Essex County. Portraits of Governors Endicott, Leverett and Bradstreet, of Sir Richard Saltonstall, Rev. Dr. Manasseh Cutler and Colonel Timothy Pickering and about one hundred articles of historical interest, also an album containing one hundred and twenty photographs illustrating our city, were contributed. These remained during the exhibition.

The commemoration of the two hundred and iiftieth anniversary of the landing of John P^ndicott at Salem, September 6, 1628, was conducted by the Essex Institute, September 18, 1878. The forenoon exercises, in Mechanic's Hall, consisted of an organ voluntary by Mr. B. J. Lang, reading of Scripture and prayer by Rev. R. C. Mills, hymn by Rev. Jones Very, poem by Rev. C. T. Brooks, ode by Rev. S. P. Hill, oration by Hon. W. C. Endicott; Mrs. Hemans' hymn, "The Breaking Waves Dashed High,'' sung by Mrs. J. H. West; poem, by W. W. Story, read by Prof. J. W. Churchill ; the one hundredth Psalm sung by a chorus.

The guests then proceeded to Hamilton Hall, where an elegant lunch was served by Cassell. The divine blessing was invoked by Rev. R. C. Mills, D.D. The president opened the afternoon speaking, and was followed by Rev. E. C. Bolles, toast master. Governor

A. H. Rice, Mayor H. K. Oliver, Hon. R. C. Winthrop. President of Massachusetts Historical Society, Hon. M. P. Wilder, President of the New England Historico-Genealogical Society, Dean Stanley, of Westminster Abbey, Hon. W. C. Endicott, Hon. L. Saltonstall, Prof. B. Peirce, Hon. G. B. Loring, Rev. F. Israel, Joseph H. Choate, Es(j., of New York,

The two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the arrival of .John Winthrop at Salem, with the charter and records of the Massachusetts Bay Company, occurring on the 22d of June, 1880, the first field meeting of the season was held on that day, at the Pavilion on Salem Neck, and the occasion was devoted to a commemoration of this important event. At 1 p.m. lunch was served in the dining hall ; at 2.30 o'clock the afternoon session was held in the great hall below.

The president introduced Robert S. Rantoul, Esq., who then delivered an historical and eloquent address. Rev. De Witt S. Clarke, read a poem written for the occasion by IVIiss Lucy Larcom, who was present, and was followed by Colonel Thomas Wentworth Higginson, of the Governor's staft", a lineal descendant of Rev. Francis Higginson. Hon. George Washington Warren, president of Bunker Hill Monument Association ; Hon. George B. Loring, M.C., Mayor H. K. Oliver, and Seth Low, Esq., of Brooklyn, N. Y.; selections from the correspondence were read by Rev. E. S. Atwood, and a communication from E. Stanley AVaters, Esq., by Rev. George H. Hosmer, giving a reminiscence of his predecessor in the pulpit of the East Church, Rev. William Bentley, D.D., whose birthday this gathering also commemorated, he having been born in Boston June 22, 1769. The proceedings at these commemorations were fully reported and are in print.

The Publications of the Institute. - " Proceedings and Communications," 6 vols., 8vo., 1848-68, These volumes contain a large number of descriptions and figures of new species, especially of corals, insects and polyzoa, and many valuable papers in natural history. The first three volumes also contain many important historical papers. In addition to the papers on special subjects, the volumes contain the proceedings of the meetings of the institute, the records of the additions to the library and the museum, and many important verbal communications made at the meetings, etc.

"Bulletin," 17 vols., 8vo, issued quarterly; a continuation of the " Proceedings of the Essex Institute," containing an account of the regular and field meetings of the society and papers of scientific value.

"Historical Collections," 23 vols., Svo, issued quarterly, contain extracts from the records of courts, parishes, churches and towns in this county; abstracts of wills, deeds and journals; records of births, baptisms, marriages and deaths, and inscriptions on tombstones ; also papers of historical, genealogical and biographical interest. In these volumes will be found memoirs of the following persons: of Daniel A. White, by George' W. Briggs ; of George A. Ward, Daniel P. King and Francis Peabody, by Hon. Charles W. Upham ; of Asahel Huntington, by Hon. Otis P. Lord ; of Henry C. Perkins, by Rev. Samuel J. Spalding, of Newburyport ; of James Upton, by Rev. Robert C. Mills; of Augustus Story, by Rev. Charles T. Brooks, of Newport. R. I. ; of Benjamin Peirce, James Kimball, Charles Davis and James O. Safford, by Robert S. Rantoul ; of John Bertram, by Rev. E. S. Atwood ; of John Lewis Russell, John C. Lee and Charles T. Brooks, by Rev. E. B. Willson ; of Gen. John Glover, by William P. Upham ; of Jones Very, by William P. Andrews; of Oliver Carlton, by L. Saltonstall; also genealogies of the families of Gould, Chipman, Browne, Pope, Fiske, Ropes, Hutchinson, Becket, Higginson, Webb, Gedney, Clarke, Silsbee, Fabens, Newhall, Perkins and Townsend.

The institute exchanges publications with fifty socities in Germany, fourteen in France, eight in Switzerland, five in Belgium, four each in Sweden, Russia,

Italy and Norway, three each in Austria and Denmark, two each in Spain, Australia, South America and Java, one each in Portugal, China, Tasmania, Mexico, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, four in Canada, sixteen in Great Britain (besides receiving the government surveys of India and the United Kingdom), and with twenty-seven miscellaneous, forty scientific and thirty-three historical societies in the United States of America.

Ari Exhibitions - In February, 1875, the proposal of the Misses Mary E. and Abby O. Williams, of Salem, to deposit temporarily their valuable collection of paintings, many of which were copied by them from acknowledged masters during a residence of several years in Rome, and had earned the praise of Ruskin, was gratefully accepted.

The collection was received on Thursday, March 4th, and it had been found expedient, with so fine a basis, to arrange an art exhibition, and to solicit other contributions. The exhibition was opened Thursday, March 11th, and continued to Friday evening, March IDth. From the day that notice was given, pictures of all kinds were sent in with the greatest liberality, and some three or four hundred of them were hung upon the walls of the exhibition-room.

The second exhibition opened on Tuesday, November 9, 1875, and closed Wednesday, the 17th. The eastern ante-room was occupied with a display of bronzes, i)orcelain and pottery ; this was the first ceramic exhibition in Salem.

Manuscripts. - The collection of manuscripts is large and valuable, consisting of original (charters, commissions, account-books, records and papers of extinct local organizations, such as old stage and insurance companies, orderly-books in our several wars, court papers, correspondence, journals, almanacs with written notes ; also a large number of log-books containing records of voyages made at the period of our city's commercial prominence.

The day books of Dr. H A. Holyoke contain an accurate record of his professional practice; they comprise one hundred and twenty-three volumes of ninety pages each. The first entry was July (5, 1749, the last February 16th, 1829.

Membership. - The members of the institute number about three hundred and fifty. Resident membership is secured by election and the payment of an annual assessment of three dollars, and this entitles the member to admittance to all horticultural, antiquarian and art shows during the year, to the use of the books of the library to the extent of four volumes at a time and to consultatiou, free of cost, of the books of the Salem Athenaeum, whose shareholders enjoy the reciprocal right of consulting free the books of the Essex Institute. Life membership of the institute is obtained by paying at one time the sum of fifty dollars.

The Lihrarij. - It began with a few shelves of books, miscellaneous and unselected in a small back room. There are now some five or six thousand volumes. The increase in the size of the library, and the greatly increased use of it, have made necessary a migration from room to room, until it has reached its third station, where it has fair accommodations in the room which is the last added to the suite occupied by the Fraternity.

This library has been gathered by gift wholly. It is the only free public library in Salem. Its large number of readers show an active circulation. The number of books lost is very small comparing favorably with all known similar institutions in this respect.

Its Beading- Rooju is supplied with the Salem papers by the favor of the publishers, and from some of their offices come besides many of their most desirable exchanges, several daily and weekly newspapers, pictorial weeklies, religious, scientific and literary periodicals.

In 1875 the Fraternity became incorporated under the statutes of IVIassachusetts, that it might hold and administer larger funds, and that its permanence and efficiency might be the better assured.

Its Funds. In 1873, Dudley P. Rogers of this city bequeathed the income of fifteen thousand dollars to the Fraternity with something moi-e at the death of certain favorite animals. Miss Harriet A, Deland died June 29, 1876, leaving by will five thousand dollars. Martha G. Wheatland died June, 1885, leaving two thousand to the Fraternity. With the income accruing from these funds and subscriptions from its friends collected annually, and small sums occasionally from other sources, the Fraternity, with the gratuitous assistance of several ladies and gentlemen, is enabled to do some good work in the promotion of the objects of its organization.

East India Marine Society. - Soon after the termination of the Revolutionary War, the merchants of Salem directed their attention to the opening of new avenues of trade, especially with the countries beyond the- Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn with which this country hud previously nu commercial relations.

Elias Hasket Derby was the pioneer in this direction. His ships were the first to visit any of these ports, and to him, in a great degree, may be attributed the establjishment of the East India trade in Salem. Other vessels soon followed, and gradually an extensive business was developed, which created great activity in the various industries of this place, especially those connected with the building, rigging and fitting for sea of vessels of various kinds. The young men of Salem and its vicinity, on leaving the school, the academy, and the college actuated by the prevailing spirit of the period, for the most part entered upon a commercial career, and found employment in the counting-room, on shipboard, or with some of the commercial agencies established in these distant ports to facilitate the conducting of their business operations. The influence of these surroundings greatly modified public sentiment, and the outcome was the organization of an institution, having in view, the assisting its unfortunate members or their families, in improving themselves in the knowledge of navigation and of the various trades in which they were engaged, and incidentally in collecting a museum which should represent the peculiarities of the strange people, and strange places visited by its members in their long and distant voyages.

During the summer and early autumn of 1799, the first suggestion of such an institution was made by a few shipmasters who were standing under the lea of a store on the end of Union Wharf, where they were in the habit of congregating, during the intervals between their voyages. An agreement was drawn up and signed by .Jonathan Lambert, Jona. Ingersoll, Jacob Crowninshield, John Gibaut, Nathaniel Silsbee and others to form an association consisting of such shipmasters only, as have had a register from Salem, and who had navigated those seas at or beyond the Cape of Good Hope, to be called the East India Marine Society, or by any other name which may hereafter be determined. And they also further agree that the first meeting to carry into effect the above purposes shall be held at Capt. Webb's tavern, on the 18th of September (Wednesday evening), 1799.

The meeting was held, and a committee was appointed to prepare the articles and to report at the meeting to be held on Monday, October 14, 1799.

At the adjourned meeting the articles were read separately and adopted. Officers chosen as follows : Benjamin Hodges, president; Ichabod Nichols, Jonathan Lambert, Benjamin Carpenter, committee of observation ; Jonathan Hodges, secretary ; Jacob Crowninshield, treasurer.

Rev. William Bentley of the East Parish, many of whose parishioners followed the sea and were interested in or members of the new society writes in his journal :

" Tuesdiij, October 22, 1711!), Captain Canies from Sumatra sliowed me various specimens of shells, a large oyster-shell, a petrified mushroom cup and stem, two specimens of boxes in gold, with the pen work extremely nice and open (lowers, the work is of uncommonly thin plates of gold, hy the IMalays.

"It is proposed by the new marine society, called the East India Marine Society, to make a cabinet. This society has been lately thought of. Captain Gibaut tirst mentioned the plan to me this summer, and desired nie to give him some plan of articles or a sketch. The first friends of the institutiun met and chose a committee to compare or digest articles from the sketches given to them. Last Wfek 1 was informed that in the i)recediug week the members met and signed the articles proposed liy the committee and had chosen officers. (See above.)

" TItursdai/, yoveiiihei- 7, 17711, Sir. Carnes has presented his curiosities to the new-formed East India JIarine Society and they are providing a museum and cabinet. The above were the tirst specimens given to the Society.

" Xoeember 0, 17'.l'.i, Kooms were obtained in the Stearns' building on the north east corner of Essex and Court, now Washington, Streets for their meetings and a place for the deposit of books, charts, etc., and in .July of the following year glass cases were provided to arrange therein the specimens that had been accumulated."

This may be considered one of the earliest museums in this country, and it has had a world-wide fume. There was at that time a museum iu Boston which commenced with an exhibition of a few wax figures at the American Coff'ee-house, on State Street, Mr. Daniel Bowen the proprietor. In 1795 he moved his collections to a hall in Bromfield Street, when it took the name of the Columbian Museum; it was destroyed by fire January 3, 1803. ^Other collections were formed but hail not a continuous history, nor were any of these earlier museums established for scientific purposes.

1st. To assist the widows and children of deceased members who may need the same from the income of the funds of the society, which were obtained from the fees of admissions and the annual assessments ; also from donations and bequests.

2d. To collect such facts and observations as tend to the improvement and security of navigation. For this purpose every member bound to sea was authorized to receive a blank journal, in which he is to insert all things worthy of notice which occur during his voyage, particularly his observations on the variation of the compass, bearings and distances of capes and headlands, of the latitude and longitude of the ports, islands, rocks and shoals ; and upon his return to deposit the same with the society. These journals are afterwards bound in volumes under the direction of the inspector, with a table of contents or index. Ninety of these journals, prior to 1831, of voyages made to various parts of the world, and in several in- stances to places rarely visited, have already been deposited ; recourse has often been had to them to correct the latitudes and longitudes of our ships, also for historical purposes.

Many of the journals are beautiful examples of neatness and fine penmanship, and are embellished, here and there, with diagrams, maps, drawings of coasts and even with sketches of native craft. The society was in constant communication with the United States Government and the scientific records made by its members have received more than ordinary mention by well-known authors of works on meteorology. The endorsement of the society was ever considered a guarantee of the highest character. Commodore Maury in compiling his well-known wind charts continually used the society's journals, and Captains Charles M. Endicottand James D. Gillis, members of the society, prepared charts of Sumatra which are spoken of in the report of the cruise of the United States frigate " Potomac," which vessel was sent out in 1831 for the ]iurpose of performing this in connection with other work, as " more ably performed (by these gentlemen) than it could have been with our limited material." (See Hist. Sketch of Salem, p. 154.)

To the library of which these journals formed the nucleus, were added by purchase and gift " books of history, of voyages & travels and of navigation; among them are several rare valuable editions of the celebrated voyages of Perouse, Cook & Vancouver."

With " the same view the President and committee have authority to purchase books of similar character as they may deem useful to the society." This was more applicable in the palmy days of the India trade in Salem than at the present time; since then other institutions have been organized, whose objects are mainly to take care that this and allied classes of books are accessible to scholars as well as to the general reader.

3d, To form a museum of natural and artificial curiosities, particularly such as are to be found beyond the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn. This has been obtained, to a considerable extent, by the valuable donations of the members as well as of others friendly to the institution. The fame of this Museum was, at first, in a great measure, due to public interest as a collection of curiosities, and not on account of its scientific value ; yet the originators of this work devised for themselves methods and plans, based upon the orderly ways of transacting business at that time, which are very commendable. They instructed the members whenever their voyages should take them among uncivilized people to collect the utensils, weapons and dresses of such people; also accounts of native customs were often noted in their journals or communications by letter to the society ; collections of shells, birds, mammals,, etc., also specimens of the flora and of the geology were contributed.

The scientific man of to-day finds among these fruits of their labor much valuable and interesting material to aid him in his researches and investigations, especially in the science of anthropology. They builded better than they knew.

The Annual Festivals of the Society in November were very attractive and interesting to the public in the early years of its history. The society formerly paraded through the streets, the officers usually dressed in Eastern costume, with battle axes, spears and other warlike weapons; there was also a palanquin, in which reclined a boy apparelled in most gorgeous habiliments, borne by persons in the East Indian dress, attended with fan and hookah bearers and every other accompaniment of an East Indian equipage.

The exercises of the day closed with a l)anquet with toasts, sentiments, etc. These have now passed away, and the annual gathering is not marked by any outward display. We copy from the press of that day a rep<n-t of the meetings in 1804 and 1805.

On Wednesday last was the annual meeting of the East India Marine Society. On this occasion is the choice of their officers, and an elegant dinner is provided. Before dinner the members proceeded from their hall under an escort of the cadet company and attended with an excellent band of music. As their cabinet displays the richest collection of Eastern curiosities, and furnishes the principal dresses and ornaments, as well as martial instruments and inventions of the oriental nations, a proper exhibition was made for the gratification of the luimerous citizens assembled to view the procession. The whole scene provoked curiosity, and indulged it, while good taste and dignity of manners justified it. Capt. Benjamin Hodges has continued to receive the annual invitation to be their president, while all the members have generously contributed to afford such communications and such articles as have enriched their records and their collections. The Museum is decorated with instructive historical i^aintings, at the expense of the society. The celebrated navigators appear on its walls. Rich specimens in the whole extent of Natural History are already obtained, and no country is forgotten which has afibrded anything to the antiquarian, the historian, or the friend of commerce.'

On Wednesday last The East India Marine Society had their annual meeting, with ihe festive scenes in which they recall their former friendships, recount their services and urge their common zeal for the promotion of the end of their society. Theii success has been worthy of their great attempts, and their exertions have been such as have been unprecedented in our country. Their museum, happy in its arrangements and elegant in its display of its riches, - with the many subjects it embraces - the great variety with which it is enriched, does honor to their taste, their inquiries and their diligence. It was a great diminution of their pleasure to be deprived of the company of their president, Capt. B. Hodges, who was unable to attend. Captain Carpenter, the vicepresident, presided on the occasion with dignity.

The military parade was by the Light Infantry, under Captain Saunders, and the procession was admired as a just display of the eastern manners. The whole scene was powerful in convincing us of the personal merit of the members, of the benefits from their institution, and of the zeal with which they have promoted its best reputation.^

November 2, 1803, the society voted to take the room in the second story of the building then being erected for the accommodation of the Salem Bank and the Salem Insurance Company on the first floor, on the eastern portion of the land now occupied by the Downing Block - dimension of the same forty feet by fifty-four. On the 7th of March, 1804, a committee was appointed to remove the collections and to arrange the same in the new hall.

July 8, 1817, - Voted to accept the invitation from the committee of arrangements to join the procession this day, - reception of James Monroe, President of the United States. Also voted that the president of the society be requested to wait on the President of the United States of America, and in the name of the society to invite him to visit the museum with his suite, and also to wait on the Governor of the commonwealth with a similar invitation, - and at such time as they shall appoint for the purpose, the officers of the society to attend them to the hall.

July 5, 1820, Voted that the president and committee be authorized to procure printed copies of the catalogue^ now preparing, to furnish each member (or the family of each member deceased) with a copy and to present the same in the name of the society to such gentlemen of the town and its vicinity as the president and committee may think proper.

Voted, That the president and committee be authorized to engage Dr. Seth Bass to superintend the museum under their direction and for such compensation as they may judge reasonable.

January 7, 1824. - Voted, That the subject of enlarging the hall or procuring another hall be submitted to a committee. May 19, 1824, the committee reported that a new building may be erected that will accommodate the society in the most convenient manner and they subjoin for their consideration the following proposal, to be offered for subscription immediately : -

- The first printed catalogue of objects in the museum, journals, list of members, etc., while the collections were in the Salem Bank Building. This gave 22G9 members. In 1825 the museum moved to the East India Marine Hall, and by the impetus thus given the collections were rapidly augmented, so that iu 1831, when the second edition was printed, besides having some entailment, gave 4299 members for the museum.

"A lot of land may be had near the present hall, of a proper size for erecting the contemplated building, and that it may be completed in the course of the next jear, proposals for erecting a building of about 45 by y5 feet for E. I. M. S. and other purposes, by an association to be incorporated for the purpose under the name of the East India Marine Hall Corporation ; one hundred and fifty shares at 8100 each ; the society to take as many shares as they may deem proper, the remainder to members of the society or other parties."

Twenty-sixth Anniversary - -Dedication of the New Hall, Friday, October 14, 1825. - Celebration by a public procession and dinner, on the occasion of taking possession of the h^ll which they have lately erected and fitted up in splendid manner for their accommodation. This hall, over one hundred feet in length and forty in breadth, is as chaste and beautiful a specimen of architecture as our country can exhibit, and filled as it is by the rare and curious productions of nature and art from the four quarters of the globe, forms a cabinet unrivalled in this and excelled perhaps by ievi in any country.

On this occasion the society was honored by the company of the President of the United States and many other distinguished guests, amongst whom were Mr. Justice Story, of the United States Supreme Court; Hon. Benjamin W. Crowninshield, member of Congress for this district; Hon. Josiah Quincy, Mayor of Boston ; Hon. Mr. Hill, of the Executive Council ; Hon. Timothy Pickering, President Kirkland, of Harvard University, and a large number of merchants, professional men and others.

The society, with its guests, moved in procession at two o'clock from Hamilton Hall, under the direction of Eichard S. Rogers and Jonathan P. Saunders, Esqrs., and, escorted by a fine band of music, proceeded through some of the principal streets to their new hall on Essex Street. The occasion drew together a vast concourse of citizens, who testified by repeated cheers and greetings their happiness at beholding the Chief Magistrate.

The dinner was served in a style of magnificence. The religious services were performed by Rev. Dr. Kirkland and Rev. Mr. Cornelius. Hon. Stephen White, President of the Society, presided at the tables. The President of the United States appeared in good health and spirits. The toasts were announced by John W. Treadwell, Esq., the Corresponding Secretary.

December 31, 1866. - The report of Mr. John B. Silsbee, respecting the arrangements for the transference of its building and collections to the Essex Institute, or Mr. Peabody or his trustees, was read and accepted.

Too much praise cannot be given to the thoughtful originators and promoters of this institution, which, after flourishing for three-quarters of a century, transfers to younger hands the care and continuance of its scientific and other collections, reserving for itself the administration of its noble charities, which will continue as long as the institution exists.

The Peabody Academy of Science. - With the decline of Salem's foreign commerce the East India Marine Society found it more and more difficult to obtain means for conducting the museum which it had maintained with increasing success since 1799. Few new membei's joined the society, and the proceeds of its invested fund* and membership assessments were all required for the charitable objects of the organization. The museum, therefore, became a burden, and serious thoughts were entertained of selling the collections.

At about the same time the Essex Institute had accumulated a large and valuable collection of objects relating to natural history, the care of which, with the limited means then at its disposal for this purpose, threatened to seriously embarrass the society and disperse the band of scientists who had collected and were working under the auspices of that institution.

In 1866, through the instrumentality of Mr. Francis Peabody, at the time president of the Essex Institute, the existing condition of affairs with these institutions was brought to the attention of Mr. George Peabody, of London. After a very careful consideration of the matter, both on the part of Mr. Peabody and those interested in the institutions here, a general understanding was arrived at, and on February 26, 1867, Mr. George Peabody generously placed in the hands of several gentlemen the sum of one hundred and forty thousand dollars, " for the promotion of science and useful knowledge in Essex County," to be expended in a manner indicated by a letter of trust and as understood between himself and the trustees named, and who, on Saturday, March 2, 1867, organized as the "Trustees of the Peabody Academy of Science," with Mr. Francis Peabody as president. The East India Marine Hall property was purchased and the large exhibition-room was refitted for museum purposes with a special portion of the fund, according to the request of the donor. The museum of the East India Marine Society and the natural history and ethnological collections of the Essex Institute were then placed in the hands of the academy trustees as permanent deposits. These were arranged in East India Marine Hall, which was dedicated August 19, 1869, and opened to the public, the act of incorporation, approved April 13, 1868, having passed both branches of the Legislature.

Thus, through the instructions of the founder, the work of the institution was clearly indicated, and, although the funds were given for the benefit of the citizens of the county, the directions as to the purchase of the East India Marine Hall property and the agreements with the societies depositing their collections definitely located the institution in Salem, where its work must be conducted.

It has been the effort of the trustees to carry out Mr. Peabody's wishes by managing the affairs of the institution on as broad a plan as the income from the funds will permit. The museum, to which very large additions have been made by the trustees since 1867, through exchange, purchase and by gift, is arranged as an easy object-lesson in natural history. All the specimens in the cases are labelled clearly, larger cards and signs being placed to indicate the groups of the animals or minerals and the divisions of the ethnological collections. By this means the difficult problem of a catalogue for the use of visitors is avoided. This system is with the trustees a necessity, as the visitors to the museum number upwards of forty thousand annually, and are, with very few exceptions, persons without any scientific training whatever, and, in order that the museum shall be of any benefit to them and furnish them with instruction, the arrangement of the collections must at once be made simple and attractive. The office of the academy is ever open to any one who may desire to make inquiries as to the nature of any rock, animal or plant, or, in fact, anything coming under the general head of science. All such inquiries are answered as far as possible, and, at least, the inquirer is directed where he may gain the information he seeks. In 1876 a summer school of biology was established by the trustees, which was conducted for six seasons, and only discontinued when it was found that very few persons from Essex County cared to avail themselves of its instruction, nearly all the students coming from the Western States. During the continuance of the school, lectures were given and laboratory work conducted by well-known specialists in all branches of natural history. In addition to this work, special students have been received at the academy and classes in various branches of natural history are from time to time conducted, and, since the completion of the addition to the building and the opening of Academy Hall, public lectures have been given by men of acknowledged scientific attainments at such hours and at a rate of admission so low as to come within the reach of all. Of scientific memoirs the academy has published two volumes, chiefly of original researches by the officers of the academy, and, in addition, nineteen annual reports, several of which include scientific papers, have been issued. By a system of exchange, a large library of the publications of similar institutions, both of this country and abroad, has been brought together.

The officers of the academy at the present time are : Trustees, - William C. Endicott, President ; Henry Wheatland, Vice-President ; Abner C. Goodell, Jr., Secretary ; all of Salem ; James R. Nichols of Haverhill, George Peabody Russell of England, S. Endicott Peabody of Salem, George Cogswell of Bradford, John Robinson of Salem, Treasurer. The last three named have been chosen to fill vacancies caused by the deaths of Mr. Francis Peabody and Dr. Henry C. Perkins and the resignation of Prof. Asa Gray.

The first director under the trustees was Professor Frederick Ward Putnam, now of Cambridge, who was followed in 1876 by Dr. Alpheus S. Packard, Professor in Brown University, and, in 1880, by the present director. Prof. Edward S. Morse.

The museum and assistants there employed are in charge of the Treasurer, Mr. Robinson. The museum is open free to the public every week day from 9 to 5 o'clock, and, pending the completion of the new exhibition room in the addition to the main building, as at present arranged in East India Marine Hall, it contains, on the western side of the main floor, an educational collection illustrating the orders of the animal kingdom, arranged in their proper sequence, from the lowest forms to the highest. This collection was chiefly derived from the Essex Institute in the year 1867.

On the eastern side are arranged the Ethnological collections, principally received from the East India Marine Society, which are subdivided according to races or countries. This collection ranks among the very highest in importance in America. It is especially rich in South Sea Island implements, cloths, models, idols, domestic utensils, etc., and Chinese, Japanese, and East Indian life-size models of native characters, besides the boats, clothing, utensils, implements of war and of domestic use from these countries, and from Africa, Arabia, and North and South America. The collection from Japan is very fine, having been formed by the director during his last visit to that country. A collection from Korea and another illustrating the Indian Tribes of North America, have just been added to the museum.

The gallery is devoted to the Natural History and Archseology of Essex County. Nearly all of the species of the flora and fauna are represented by preserved specimens; the collection of birds and that of native woods being especially fine. The academy has, also, the best local collection of prehistoric implements and utensils of stone, bone and clay to be found in Essex County.

Academy Hall, previously referred to, is on the lower floor of the fire-proof addition to the East India Marine Hall building. It has a pleasant audienceroom with a seating capacity for three hundred and fifty persons, and is well ventilated and tastefully decorated. The hall was arranged primarily for the use of the academy, but, having a separate public entrance, it is rented for such other jjurposes as are deemed suitable by the trustees.

The Salem Lyceum was founded in the month of January, 1830, " for the purpose of mutual instruction and rational entertainment by means of lectures, &c." The persons engaged in this formation were among the principal gentlemen of the town. The first meeting was lield at the house of Colonel Francis

Peabody, on January 4, 1830 ; a meeting was subsequently held in Town Hall, where a committee was appointed " to prejsare a constitution and submit the same for inspection to the citizens of Salem,"

On the evening of January 18, 1830, a meeting was held at the Essex House, and a formal organization was effected by the choice of Daniel A. White, president; Stephen C. Phillips, vice-president; Charles W. Upham, corresponding Secretary ; Stephen P. Webb, recording secretary ; Francis Peabody, treasurer, and a board of ten managers which included the names of Rufus Choate, Leverett Saltonstall and Caleb Foote.

In the original plan a series of public debates was contemplated, but this intention was never carried out. A course of lectures was, however, started at once, and in the first course all but four were delivered by gentlemen of Salem. The lectures were first given in the Methodist meeting house on Sewall Street, and afterwards in the Universalist meetinghouse. But during the summer of 1830 plans were adopted for the construction of the present Lyceum Hall, which was built and ready for occupancy in January, 1831, at a cost of $3036, the land upon which it was erected costing seven hundred and fifty dollars.

For over half a century an annual course of lectures has been delivered before the Salem Lyceum, and during a portion of that time the demand for tickets has so far exceeded the seating capacity of the hall that a duplicate course has been given - gentlemen's tickets at the outset were sold for one dollar, and ladies' tickets for seventy-five cents ; but it was not considered proper for ladies to purchase tickets unless "introduced" by a gentleman, and the tickets issued to them ran as follows: "Admit to the Salem Lyceum which fifty years have brought about, ladies not only purchase tickets on equal terms with gentlemen, but appear upon the platform as lecturers, without question or comment.

Nearly a thousand lectures have been delivered before the Lyceum, and it is doubtful if any other institution in the country could present such a distinguished list. Judge Daniel A. White delivered the first lecture, his subject being " Advantages of Knowledge," and the list of lecturers includes such names as Daniel Webster, Rufus Choate. Edward Everett, John Quincy Adams, Caleb Cushing, Charles Sumner, Henry Wilson, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Wendell Phillips, Louis Agassiz, George Bancroft, Charles Francis Adams, Horace Mann, Jared Sparks and Robert C. Winthrop. Among the Salem lecturers were Judge Daniel A. White, Francis Peabody, Rufus Choate, Thomas Spencer, Stephen C. Phillips, Henry Colman, Henry K. Oliver, Charles W. Upham, Leverett Saltonstall, Joshua H. Ward, Caleb Foote and George B. Loring. Ralph Waldo Emerson lectured in thirty-two different courses.

The Lyceum can no longer offer such attractions to its patrons. The public taste has changed, and demands amusement rather than instruction in such a form. The purely literary lecture as a source of general entertainment is almost a thing of the past. The small cost of the cheap editions of the books of the present day which enables an author to address a larger audience at le-s inconvenience to himself, may have something to do with this change. Whether this be so or not the interest in the Lyceum lectures has not been maintained of late years, and the time may not be far distant when it will be deemed advisable to bring the aftairs of this old time institution to a, close.

The board of ofiicers at present consists of President, George B. Loring ; Secretary, Charles S. Osgood ; Treasurer, Gilbert L. Streetcr. Trustees, George Peabody and Caleb Foote, and a board of eight managers.

Salem Fraternity. - On the 7th of February, 1869, Mr. Alfred Stone, of Providence, formerly a resident of Salem, by invitation addressed a meeting at the East Church, explaining the working of the Providence Union. The next evening a few persons came together in the parlor of Benjamin H. Silsbee, Esq., to confer upon the matter further. Other meetings followed at the same place, and resulted in the formation of the Salem Fraternity, under a constitution which states the purpose of the organization to be "to provide evening instruction and amusement" for such of our population as "being confined to their work during the day need recreation at the close of their labors."

The experiment fairly began on the 21st of April, 1869, on which evening the western range of rooms on the second floor of Downing's Block, 175 Essex Street, was opened for the purpose from front to rear. The place was well chosen ; central, accessible, attractive in its principal rooms, while the thoroughfare of the Essex Street promenaders led directly past its door. The rooms were designated as amusement, reading, school and work-rooms.

A year and a half after its opening a winter course of lectures was started. On Saturday evenings the games and amusement were suspended, and their room was taken for this object. Gen. H. K. Oliver gave the first lecture on Saturday evening, October 22, 1870, subject " Good Manners." These lectures were continued on successive Saturday evenings for several years with great success, interspersed with familiar talks upon different mechanical trades and various industries by practical workers in them.

The Young Men's Union was organized in 1855, and was for many years a flourishing institution. It maintained a reading-room, and each season a course of lectures and entertainments was given under its

Salem Charitable Mechanic Association. - Organized October 1, 1817; incorporated June 4, 1822; consists of regular apprenticed mechanics and of manufacturers, citizens of the city of Salem and vicinity. Its object is to extend the means of usefulness bj'' encouraging the ingenious, by assisting the necessitous, and by promoting mutual good offices with each other.

A donation of books from Mr. Oliver Parsons, in April, 1820, laid the foundation of the library belonging to this institution. A committee was then appointed to solicit contributions, and in July of that year the number of volumes amounted to three hundred. In January, 1821, Mr. Benjamin Pickman presented a complete set of Rees' Cyclopaedia. From this time the library has annually increased by donations and special appropriations, and at present numbers five thousand one hundred and twenty-five volumes. It is deposited in the middle eastern room under the Mechanic Hall, and is opened on Saturday evenings for the deliveiy of books. This institution early adopted the plan of having popular lectures on literature and science delivered to the members and their families. The firot lecture was delivered by Dr. George Choate on Thursday evening, January 24, 1828, in Franklin Hall. These lectures were continued weekly, usually on Thursday evenings, during the winter season, for about thirty-eight years. They have since been delivered in their rooms, Derby Square, then Washington Hall, Lyceum Hall and Mechanic's Hall.

This association was instrumental in the building of Mechanics' Hall, in 1839. A stock company was incorporated for this purpose, in which the association invested a portion of its funds, the remainder of the stock being taken by the Salem Lyceum and the members and friends of the association. In 1870 it was enlarged and entirely remodelled, in its present condition.

In September, 1849, its first meeting was held in the above-named building. It was very successful and creditable to the Board of Managers and all who were interested in its success.

The first exhibition under the auspices of the government of the association was held at the Mechanic's Hall, Salem, commencing on Monday September 24, 1849. A good representation of the products of our varied industries was arranged upon the tables making a very creditable api^earance. Forty-four medals and fifty-two diplomas were awarded by the judges.

Odd Fellowship.^ - The exact date of the origin of Odd Fellowship in Massachusetts is not known. The first lodge, self-instituted and without a charter, held its sessions in Boston. No records of its early meetings were preserved. On the 26th of March,

1820, it was organized by the choice of officers, the adoption of a name, and of laws for its government, and the commencement of a record of its proceedings. It was instituted under the name of Massachusetts Lodge, No. 1. On the 11th of March, 1823, Siloam Lodge, No. 2, was instituted. On the 28th of March, Massachusetts Lodge wrote to the Grand Lodge of Maryland, recognizing it as the Grand Lodge of the order in the United States, and asking for a charter to be granted to it as the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. The request was granted, and the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was duly organized June 9, 1823.

The growth of the order in Massachusetts was not rapid, and after a few years it became nearly extinct. Prior to 1832 seven lodges had been instituted, all of which had at that time ceased to exist, Merrimac Lodge, No. 7, being the last to give up. The Grand Lodge of the State died with the subordinate lodges. In 1883 Merrimac Lodge was revived, and was placed under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United States. On the 22d of June, 1841, Massachusetts Lodge, No. 1, was reorganized. By request of these two lodges, the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was reinstated December 23, 1841. From this time the growth of the order was encouraging. Within two years the number of lodges increased to twenty-five. Between 1850 and 1860 there was a period of declension in the prosperity of the order in Massachusetts. Since 1860 the order has rapidly grown in numbers and influence, until it has come to be recognized as the leading beneficial order in the commonwealth. The present number of lodges is one hundred and ninety-one; the number of members, according to the last report, August, 1887, is thirty-four thousand six hundred and sixty-tv/o.

The organization of the order includes the Grand Lodge, the Subordinate Lodges, the Grand Encampment, Subordinate Encampments, Cantons of Patriarchs Militant, and Lodges of the Daughters of Rebekah.

At the close of the year 1844, it numbered one hundred and thirty-four members, and January 1, 1849, five years and two months from its organization, it numbered three hundred and fifty-seven members. The whole number of members from its formation to the present time is nine hundred and twentyfive ; of these one hundred and thirty-seven have died. The present number is three hundred and eightyseven. A large number of members have withdrawn from Essex Lodge to aid in establishing other lodges. It furnished three of the five charter members of Atlantic Lodge, four of the five for Ocean Lodge, and four of the five for Holton Lodge. For the organization of Fraternity Lodge, it gave forty-three members ; for Bass River Lodge, thirty-one ; for Magnolia Lodge, twenty-seven ; for Danvers Lodge, eleven. Essex Lodge has furnished in part the membership of some fifteen lodges.

Since its organization the lodge has paid in weekly benefits to the sick, $26,580.87 ; in funeral benefits, $5826.10; in other charities, $3366.39; total, $35,- 773.36. This amount does not include frequent private subscriptions not entered on the lodge books.

The lodge has a trust fund of over $15,000, which is at present under the charge of three trustees, Rufus B. Giftbrd, Daniel B. Hagar and Charles H. Kezar.

The membership of the lodge has included men of every profession and almost every occupation ; many of whom have held prominent positions in city and State and in the high ranks of Odd Fellowship. One of its members, Levi F. Warren, has been Grand Master of the Grand Lodge* of Massachusetts, and one, Rufus B. Gifford, has been Grand Patriarch of the Grand Encampment of Massachusetts, and Grand Representative to the Sovereign Lodge of the United States.

C. Briggs, Samuel B. Buttrick, Amory Holbrook, Jonathan F. Worcester, Israel D. Shepard, John G. Willis, Joseph Farnham, Franklin Grant, Benjamin S. Boardman, Charles E. Symonds, Charles B. Luscomb, John W. Moulton and E. B. Phillips; the last named has been secretary since 1858.

Fraternity Lodge, No. 118, was instituted November 13, 1847, at Lynde Hall. The charter under which the lodge exists is signed by Rev. Dr. E. H. Chapin, at that time Grand Mifster of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Of the Board of Grand Officers that instituted the lodge, Judge W. E. Palmenter, now chief-justice of the Municipal Court of Suffolk County, is the only survivor.

order: Messrs. Kimball, Low, Whittemore, Lefavour and Russell having been at the head of Essex Lodge, of Salem, and many others having held other positions in that lodge.

The lodge inaugurated an entirely new arrangement of the system of dues and benefits. The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts endorsed and especially commended the system of Fraternity Lodge, and it has been substantially adopted by all Odd-Fellows' Lodges in the country.

Of the twenty-nine original members, nine are now living (July 1, 1887), and in active membership, having held continuous membership more than forty years ; all the other charter members are dead.

The secretaries, in regular order, have been Jonathan F. Worcester, Richard Gardner, I. D. Shepard, Daniel T. Smith, William Archer, Jr., H. E. Meloney, Joseph J. Rider. T. H. Lefavour, N. A. Horton, William M. Plill, Josei^h L. Lougee, C. H. Ingalls, J. P. Tilton, C. B. Fowler, J. W. Averell, J. A. Hill, A. J. Lowd.

The treasurers have been T. H. Lefavour, I. D. Shepard, A. B. Keith, James A. Wallis, George R. Buffum, T. M. Dix, Joseph Farnum, Joseph L. Lougee.

The present number of members is three hundred and twenty; fifty-nine members have died. The lodge has paid for relief of members, $12,544.67; for burial of the dead, $2640 ; for other charitable purposes, $2376. The lodge has remaining a large fund for relief.

An examination of the list of members of this lodge, in its forty years of history, shows that its members have been among the most prominent citizens of Salem. Two have filled the position of mayor of the city, thirteen have served as aldermen, five have served, as president of the Common Council, sixtj'^-four as members of the Common Council, and others in many prominent public positions in State, county and municipal affairs.

In the order itself the members of this lodge have been highly honored. Nathaniel A. Very has served as Grand Patriarch of the Grand Encampment of Massachusetts, and William M. Hill has served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts; and other members have filled many important positions in the Grand Encampment and the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.

Naumkeag Encampment, No. 13, /. 0. 0. F. - The Naumkeag Encampment was organized June 26, 1845. Its members are connected with various subordinate lodges including Essex, Fraternity, Holton, Bass River, Agawam, Ocean, Hoekomoco, Asylum, Me., and Boston. The large majority of the members belong to Essex and Fi-aternity Lodges. The present number of members is three hundred, and fifteen. Fifty-three of its members have died.

The present officers are: C. P., William A. Saunders; H. P., C. C. Rhoades; S. W., Andrew J. Wilson; J. W., Edward N. Reed; Secretary, E. B. Phillips; Treasurer, J. Archer Hill. The trustees of its fund are Samuel A. Potter, Aaron C. Young and James Buxton.

The Chief Patriarchs, in the order of their service, have been: William Archer, Jr., Samuel B. Foster, Franklin Grant, John C. Howard, Walter S. Harris, James Kimball, Jonathan Perley, Jr., Jeffbrd M. Decker, Stephen Whitmore, Joseph Farnum, Jr., John White, Robert P. Clough, James H. Conway, Edward C. Webster, Alva A. Evans, E. B. Phillips, Isaac Young, Simeon Flint, Andrew H. Lord, Rufus

Salem Encampment, No. 11, I. 0. 0. F. - The Salem Encampment was organized January 1, 1884, with fifty-eight charter members. Since that time fiftye:ght members have been initiated, making the total number one hundred and sixteen. Of these, one has died and one has been dropped, leaving the present number one hundred and fourteen.

The Chief Patriarchs, in the order of service, have been: William E. Mead, George Millett, John M. Raymond, Otis Burnhara, I. G. Taylor, W. P. Poussland, W. H. Dayton, E. M. Carpenter.

Union Lodge, Daughters of Rebekah, No. 11, /. 0. 0. F. - Union Lodge of the Daughters of Rebekah was instituted April 12, 1870. Sixty-nine charter members were present at its first meeting, mostly from Essex Lodge.

The present officers are, N. G., Amos J. Vincent ; V. G., Eliza A. Ingalls; Recording Secretary, E. B. Phillips; Permanent Secretary, Lulu H. Graham; Treasurer, Lydia A. Tyler.

Patriarchs Militant, I. 0. 0. F. - Canton Unity, No. 5, Patriarchs Militant, I. O. O. F., was instituted January 6, 1883, as Unity Uniformed Degree Camp, No. 5, with twenty-seven charter members. The officers installed were. Commander, George H. Blinn ; Vice-Commander, Walter J. Norris ; Officer of the Guard, William O. Arnold ; Secretary, John Wilson ; Treasurer, Samuel A. Potter. Among the charter members were Nathaniel A. Very, Past Grand Representative, and William M. Hill, then Mayor of Salem.

The camp grew in a short time to one hundred and thirty-five members, taking its membership from Salem, Beverly, Ipswich, Gloucester, Danvers, Peabody, Marblehead and Lynn.

On the 12th of February, 1886, Unity Camp was merged into a canton, taking the name Grand Canton Unity, No. 5, P. M., I. O. O. F. It consisted of three component cantons, numbered 13, 14 and 15. The officers of the new organization were :

The canton made a creditable appearance in the parade on the 22d of September, 1886, given in honor of the Sovereign Grand Lodge, at Boston, It turned out the largest number of any canton in the line.

No. 15. Captain, John E. Graham, of Salem ; Lieutenant, John O. Buxton, of Peabody ; Ensign, Joseph C. Shepherd, of Gloucester; Clerk, John Wilson; Accountant, Henry C. Millett. Cantons pay no benefits, its objects being social.

Odd Fellows' Burial- Ground. - A joint committee consisting of Brothers Walter H. Harris, Alvah A. Evans and Nathaniel M. Jackman, of Essex Lodge, and Brothers G. C. Fernald, William M. Hill and Nathaniel A. Very, of Fraternity Lodge, purchased eight lots in what was then known as the Orne Street Cemetery, since called Green Lawn Cemetery. The price paid was $218.40, each lodge paying one-half that amount.

This purchase was made in August, 1868. In 1871 the sum of two hundred dollars was expended in grading these lots into one large lot, and putting it into a good condition. A monument was erected upon the lot in 1884, at the cost of eleven hundred and twenty-five dollars. The fund for the erection of this monument was donated by Naumkeag Encampment, the same being a part of the proceeds of a fair held by that encampment.

The monument is of granite and consists of a base and sub-base of hammered stone, a square stone upon whose several faces are the memorial inscriptions, an octagonal stone embellished with emblems of the Order, a polished column, around which is twined a vine of leaves, and upon its summit a polished globe. It is four feet five inches square at the base, and is thirteen feet high.

Up to the present time, there have been fifteen interments in the lot ; five bodies have been removed to other lots, leaving at present ten graves, four of which represent an entire family - father, mother and two children ; one is that of a brother of a lodge in a distant part of the State ; the remainder are those of brothers belonging to the Salem Lodges.