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olden times, and was the usual appendage to the large 

 lire-places, around which cluster so many pleasing associ- 

 ations. These annual sheets being sewed together and 

 thus preserved with scrupulous care, in a continuous 

 series, formed a diary of the domestic circle. On the 

 margin of the pages, or on the inserted leaves, were 

 frequently noted the principal events of the family, some- 

 times of the neighborhood, and occasionally those of a 

 more general interest. 



The small number of these old memorials that have 

 escaped from the ravages of time, are considered very 

 valuable by the antiquary and the student of local his- 

 tory. From these time-worn and dingy leaves many im- 

 portant facts may be gleaned, or at least a careful perusal 

 will not be time misspent. 



Mr. Stickney commenced some thirty years since to 

 preserve almanacs, and has been very successful in his 

 efforts in this direction. His collection is very extensive, 

 and several of the series are perfect and in good condi- 

 tion. From the abundant resources at his command, he 

 has been enabled to prepare a series of valuable and 

 interesting articles on almanacs and their authors. Four 

 numbers have been printed in Vol. VIII of the "Historical 

 Collections of the Institute ;" others are in preparation. 



1. Nathaniel Low, 1762 to 1827, inclusive (none 

 printed in 1766), sixty-four numbers. Mr. Low, the 

 eldest child of Nathaniel and Sarah Low, was born in 

 Ipswich, Dec. 23, 1740 (O. S.). He was a physician, 

 and settled at Berwick, Me., continuing there the publi- 

 cation of the almanacs which he had commenced at Ips- 

 wich, in 1762. These almanacs may be considered one 

 of the most important series ever published in New Eng- 

 land, both on account of the period in which they were 

 issued, that of the Revolution, and for the number of 



