HINGHAM SOCIETY. xlUi 



HINGHAM. 



Your delegate was unable to visit Hingham till the second day 

 of the fair. That day, Sept. 27, was all that could be desired for 

 such an occasion. 



The exhibition was highl}^ creditable in aU respects, — in what 

 was there, and in what was not there. 



There was some good stock, sheep, and swine ; and the numer- 

 ous flocks of ducks convinced one that he was near plenty of 

 water. The poultry" and pigeons were of good stock, and in large 

 varictj^ of good specimens. 



The care with which the ducks were provided for was worthy of 

 praise ; for each little flock had its pool or cistern sunk in the 

 gi'ound, where it could " dabble in the mud," and be happy. But, 

 passing along to the poultr}', we found one long line of cages, into 

 which the hot sun was pouring his rays, while the poor fowls were 

 panting for breath. Thc}* were suffering, while those in the shade 

 seemed full of enjoj'ment. When the dumb animals are adding 

 to our enjo3'ment, let us see that the}^ have their share, or at least 

 that thcj" do not suffer for want of a little thought on our part. 



The hall was well fiUed with products of field and garden, and 

 various articles of handicraft, showing that the inhabitants of this 

 interesting old town are thorough Yankees. There was wooden- 

 ware turned out with magic swiftness by the improved machinery 

 of our times ; and by the side of it were stout hand-made pails 

 and jjiggins, made by the careful hand of one of those prudent, 

 unchanging workmen who can make a silver quarter go as far 

 in living as another man can a gold dollar, and who beheves that 

 one of his hoops fastened with wooden pegs is better than any 

 of the new-fangled machine-tilings when fastened with brass and 

 iron. And that others partly agree with him was shown from 

 the fact that almost, if not quite, every one of his articles was 

 marked " sold." There was another pail that made one's eyes 

 ache to behold, and fingers ache in S3'mpathy for the man who 

 joined its thousand of pieces together. It takes its place with the 

 quilts of thousands of pieces, and other articles, that consume an 

 immense amount of time in theu" manufacture, and, when finished, 

 are not valuable for use, or as works of art. The}- are simply 

 curious. I never can see such exhibitions of patience, labor, and 

 skill, without wishing that they were better directed. 



The schools were well represented b}' drawings, the work of the 

 pupils; and there was a "children's department," where the 

 little ones showed their interest in agriculture and horticulture 



