THE FIR8T HALF CENTURY OF THE INSTITUTE. 39 



audience. Still, though I am personally unknown Ho 

 nearly all of you, and to most, indeed, the mere shadow 

 of a name, I cannot, as an Englishman, feel that I am a 

 stranger in New England. 



With some new traits, brought about by change of cli- 

 mate, of association and of political conditions, 1 find here 

 that steady energy of character and devotion to duty, — 

 that love for home, for country and for freedom, — that 

 dignified calm in moments of acute political crisis, — 

 qualities which, I flatter myself, your ancestors brought as 

 their heritage from the old country, and which, I trust, 

 still flourish in their original home. 



We are met together to celebrate the fiftieth anniver- 

 sary of the foundation of the Essex Institute, of whose 

 good work Salem is justly proud, but with regard to 

 which I can add nothing to what has been so eloquently 

 said by previous speakers ; I would only remark that 

 here again I find America vying with Great Britain in all 

 that relates to the advancement of science, of education, of 

 literature and art — of all, in short, that tends to promote 

 civilization in general and the welfare of our people in 

 particular. 



And, it is gratifying that this movement is so strong in 

 Salem, which not only claims the interest of Englishmen 

 as the birthplace of Hawthorne, of Prescott and of other 

 distinguished men and women, but as the mother city of 

 Massachusetts with all her historic associations. 



In England we have a County, not the only one, in 

 which the lasses are noted for their beauty and are called 

 the Lancashire witches. I had read, indeed, of Salem 

 witchcraft, but never came under its influence till to-day, 

 when the presence of her fair citizens, while enhancing 

 greatly the charm of the celebration, has contributed to 

 increase the confusion which a slow-tongued Englishman 

 has felt in venturing to address you. 



