The Treasurer reported an addition to the funds of 

 sixteen hundred and fifty-four dollars and seventy-eight 

 cents (SI, 654. 78), one half of the net proceeds of a fair 

 recently held for the benefit of the Salem Oratorio Society 

 and Essex Institute, by the ladies of Salem, Beverly, Pea- 

 body, and other towns in the vicinity. The fair was held 

 in Mechanic Hall, and was opened for the sale of useful 

 and ornamental articles, on Monday evening, October 31, 

 1870, — and continued through Tuesday and Wednesday, 

 and till 1 P. M. of Thursday. The managers were for- 

 tunate in being the first occupants of the hall since the 

 enlargement and reconstruction. The convenience in its 

 several appointments and the beautiful and appropriate 

 decorations added much to the comfort of the managers 

 and assistants, and to the general interest of the occasion. 

 Five numbers of a paper entitled " To-Day, " were issued, 

 ably edited and finely printed, containing a full account, 

 in detail, of the organization and proceedings, and also 

 many interesting and valuable communications from the 

 pens of some of our literary and scientific writers. 



Several members offered appropriate remarks, and ex- 

 pressed their deep sense of gratitude to those ladies who 

 so generously gave their services on this occasion which 

 was so eminently successful. 



The following resolutions were proposed and unani- 

 mously adopted. 



Resolved, That the sincere and grateful thanks of the 

 Essex Institute be presented to the Board of Management 

 and all others who assisted in the Salem Oratorio and 

 Essex Institute Fair, for the liberal contribution to its 

 funds, reported by the Treasurer this evening. 



Resolved, That the Treasurer be requested to communi- 

 cate a copy of these resolutions to Mrs. E. D. Kimball, 

 the President of the Board. 



