IMPROVING OUR SOCIETY. 121 



impkoydto our society. 



ESSEX. 

 An Essay, by Feancis H. Applbton, of West Peabody. 



As this is a subject for which many county societies offer 

 special premiums, as an essay, I have written the following, 

 hoping it will be well received. 



Many members of our society appear to be perfectly satisfied 

 with the present system which governs the annual shows and 

 the awarding of premiums ; and, on the other hand, there are 

 many members who wish to see the society continually making 

 more improvement year by year. It could only be a selfish 

 motive that would prevent the former from encouraging the 

 wish of the latter ; and where the object of any society should 

 be to advance the welfare of the community, as is the case with 

 this society, all selfish motives should be banished. 



Again, it is fair to assume that all members of the society 

 wish to see it as successful as possible in whatever it under- 

 takes ; and as we all know that everything is capable of im- 

 provement, we must admit that our society must come under 

 this head. I speak in this way, because, as we must all know 

 too well, there are some among us who obstinately close their 

 ears to the voice of improvement, and who believe in " letting 

 well enough alone," as they say. But should this motto ever 

 be adopted, no advances would be made, and a state of stagna- 

 tion would be the consequence, which could only result in decay 

 and loss of influence. Our good old society is far from this 

 state, but is capable of much improvement. All possible im- 

 provement cannot be made at once, but must be done step by 

 step, and the longer the steps, the more shall be accomplished. 



I am going to suggest some improvements that occur to me, 

 and give my reasons for so doing, in the hope that they will be 

 adopted, and that others will do likewise and suggest such im- 

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