72 



in the right direction. It is searching and reaching prac- 

 tical knowledge at every step, gathering with both gentle 

 and strong hands the truths which belong especially to 

 the present moment, as well as what was in the past and 

 which must be in the great future. Your cooperators 

 chosen from the gentler sex will prove beyond question, 

 a tower of streno-th in aidino; and sustainin<>; the o^euius and 

 integrity of your present success, as well as in perpetu- 

 ating your future usefulness and glory. With the most 

 hearty thanks for your invitation to be present to-night 

 and the best wishes for your future prosperity, 1 will close 

 with the following sentiment : — 



The Scientist and Mechanic : May the former ever be as ready to 

 loan the Umbrella of his Specialty to his lay-friends in a storm, as the 

 latter is to make and present new ones, when the old siiall have beeu 

 worn out. 



Able speeches were also made l)y the Hon. John E. 

 Sanford, speaker of the Massachusetts House of Repre- 

 sentatives, and by Rev. E. C. Bolles of 8alem, of which 

 unfortunately no reports could be obtained. 



SELECTIONS FROM LETTERS RECEIVED. 



WouCESTER, Feb. 26, 1S73. 

 My Dear Sir : 



In behalf of the American Antiquarian Society and personally, I 

 have the honor to thank the officers of the Essex Institute for the in- 

 vitation to unite with them in celebrating the 25th anniversary of the 

 oryaiiizatiou of the Institute on the 5th of March next. But I rej^ret 

 to say that I cannot have the pleasure of attending. Yet I offer the 

 cordial congratuhitions of the American Antiquarian Society that the 

 Essex Institute, always respected as a leader in scientiMc inquiry, is 

 now more rapidly growing in strength and usefulness. 

 Very respectfully yours, 



STEPHEN SALISBUUV. 

 President of American Antiquarian Society 

 Du. IIenuy Wheatland, for the committee of the Essex Institute. 



