THE RETROSPECT OF THE YEAR. 21 



an imaginary walk through the streets of Salem, describ- 

 ing very graphically, the various points of interest. 



Mr. Brooks very kindly repeated, lately, his recent 

 paper upon "Early Localities," followed by some extracts 

 from the paper called " Some Eccentric People." Both of 

 these papers were very enjoyable. 



Last September, the Dan vers Historical Society, through 

 Mr. Hines, sent a most cordial invitation to the class, to at- 

 tend a tield-meeting at Dan vers Centre. Twenty-five per- 

 sons availed themselves of this opportunity to visit the 

 places of historic interest in that town, under such admi- 

 rable guidance. After studying the Ingersoll Boulder, 

 lately ])laced upon the Common and visiting other interest- 

 ing spots, the party adjourned to the Chapel of the First 

 Church, where Mr. William P. Upham gave a most care- 

 fully prepared paper upon the ancient land grants in that 

 vicinity. 



The class numbers at present sixty-four members, and 

 new ones are constantly being added. The largest num- 

 ber of persons at any meeting has been forty-eight, the 

 smallest twelve, with an average attendance of twenty- 

 eight. 



Through the winter the hour for besfinnino; the meetino; 

 was changed to half -past three as the Institute Rooms 

 closed at five o'clock. Since May 1, the original hour of 

 four o'clock has been resumed. 



The question has often been asked to whom is this 

 Local History Class open, and how is membership ol)- 

 tained? The class is open to any member of the Institute 

 or to any person a meni])er of whose family l)clongs to 

 the Institute. 



No formality is required to become a member. Any 

 person fulfilling the above condition, who feels interested 



