89 



interest; the lovers of the picturesque to the neighboring emineuces, 

 to enjoy the beautiful scenery and extensive views, whilst those of a 

 more practical turn visited the Iron "Works, which employ about two 

 hundred workmen ; and some of the other manufacturing establish- 

 ments. Many of the leading ■citizens furnished carriages, boats, and 

 their personal services in adding interest to the occasion. At 1 

 o'clock the entire party assembled for the collation, and found that 

 the townspeople had added liberally to the refreshments which the 

 visitors had brought. 



The meeting for the literary exercises of the occasion, was organ- 

 ized at 2 P. M. The records of the last meeting were read, and the 

 donations and correspondence were announced by the respective 

 officers. 



The President gave a brief resume of these social gatherings under 

 the auspices of the Institute, and stated that the first Field Meeting 

 was held in Danvers, in June, 1849 ; since that time there had been 

 meetings held in forty-six difterent places in thirty of the thirty-four 

 towns or cities of Essex county ; and two outside the limits besides 

 the present meeting. 



Naturalist's Eield Clubs have existed for several years in England, 

 and no season passes withov;t adding to the already numerous list. 

 Some embrace among their objects "antiquities," in others these de- 

 partments are kept distinct, and are pursued under separate organiza- 

 tions. The general plan is the same in all, though in the modification 

 of the details there is some diversity. The enquiry, "chj bono," may 

 be best answered in the words of some of their most zealous pro- 

 moters. 



Sir William Jardine, Bart., President of the Dumfriesshire and Gallo- 

 way Natural History and Antiquarian Society, thus states the object 

 of the society : — "To secure a more frequent interchange of thought 

 and opinion among those who cultivate natural history and antiqui- 

 ties : to elicit and diffuse a taste for such studies, where it is un- 

 formed; and to aflbrd means and opportunities for promoting it." 

 The Rev. Leonard Jenyns, President of the Bath Natural History 

 and Antiquarian Field Club says: — "There are two especial objects 

 which a club such as ours has, or ought to have in view; one is the 

 thorough investigation of the neighborhood in which it carries on its 

 researches, as regards its natural history and antiquities ; the other, 

 the bringing together men of the same pursuits, with the addition of 

 those who, without following up any particular branch of science 

 themselves, may yet enjoy the society of those who do, or Avho may 

 like to join the club for the sake of the excursions, the health and 

 exercise they afford, and the pleasure of rambling over new ground." 

 Leo Grindon, Esq., Secretary of the Manchester Field Naturalist's 



Essex Inst. Bulletin. 12 



