148 



one of extreme hazard, and of imperative necessity to 

 the public service. The mill was blown up once with a 

 loss of three lives. The state bore half the expense of 

 rebuilding, and promised to do the same again in case of 

 further accident. 



Mr. Johnson read another short sketch, concerning the 

 Acadian refugees (from whose history Loiigfellow drew 

 the incidents of Evangeline) , thirteen of whom were for 

 some time in Andover under the care of Mr. Stephen 

 Abbot's grandfather. The interesting powder-horn in 

 his possession was afterwards sent to them as a memento 

 of his kindness. 



Mr. Goldsmith, of Andover, principal of the Punchard 

 High School, described the various flowers found during 

 the morning, and spoke of the general objects of the 

 meeting. He proposed that a portion of Indian Kidge be 

 reserved forever as a Public Park, and that the trees and 

 natural growth be carefully preserved and guarded against 

 the woodman's axe. 



Mr. J. H. Emerton, of Salem, described several 

 insects brought to the table. 



Rev. Selah Merrill, of Andover, spoke of his unique 

 collection of antiques brought by him from Syria, and 

 gave an account of the slab of cuneiform inscriptions in 

 the Theological Library. 



Mr. G. W. W. Dove, of Andover, gave an account of 

 the flax mills under his charge, and described the process 

 of cultivatino^ and the manufacture of flax and a brief 

 historical sketch of the introduction of the manufacture 

 in Andover. 



