according to different inclinations or taste, we have 

 assembled on the second anniversary under auspicious 

 and interesting circumstances. 



It was during the year of 1833 that some unusual 

 attention to the pursuit of Natural Science seemed to 

 agitate the minds of several of our citizens. Aided by 

 the kind suggestions and assistance of others in our 

 neighborhood, who were well known as decided friends 

 to our cause, a train of circumstances was laid, which 

 resulted in the organization of the present Society, 

 just before the clcse of that year, on the eighteenth 

 day of December. 



On the sixteenth day of April, 1834, the Society 

 held a meeting in Topsfield, at which was a conside- 

 rable attendance of the friends of Natural History, 

 from the vicinity. Several plates of Audubon's mag- 

 nificent work on the Birds of America, were exhibited, 

 besides many prepared specimens. The season, the 

 weather, the day were auspicious. It seemed as if 

 Nature herself was smiling on our prospects, and in- 

 viting us to her study and acquaintance. The fields 

 and meadows had assumed a livery of beauty, the 

 feathered choristers of heaven were filling the air with 

 harmony the early vernal and delicate flowers of the 

 lovely Hepatica, and pure Sanguinaria, were blooming 

 under our feet, or assisted to adorn our tables, and 

 add to our delight. 



By the liberality of one of our Vice Presidents* the 

 Society was generously presented with a loan of all 

 the then published engravings, of our American Orni- 

 thologist,f for public exhibition, to aid its funds. 



* William Oakes, Ipswich. t J. J. Audubon. 



