6 BULLETIN OF THE ESSEX INSTITUTE. 



tain their value. Now, with our present force and means, 

 it would take perhaps twenty years to render these manu- 

 scripts available. 



Perhaps this is asking too much in these bicycle days, 

 and some may think, we are always begging for some- 

 thing, either donations or money or members. But let 

 such consider the fact that, in the last report of the great 

 British Museum of London, that institution was begging 

 for more room. Indeed all similar institutions are always 

 in want of more room or more money and, with the ex- 

 ception of the Essex Institute, seem to get it. 



The free course of lectures in Plummer Hall the ,past 

 winter has been as popular as ever. The lecturers have 

 been, Gamaliel Bradford, Thomas H. Mullen, Samuel 

 Cabot and Arlo Bates, of Boston, Prof. T. C. Mendenhall 

 of Worcester, Edwin Reed of Cambridge, Edward 

 Atkinson of Brookline, and Hev. D. S. Clark of Salem. 



The Women's Local History Class have continued their 

 meetings weekly since the summer vacation, and are as 

 much interested in their work as ever. Those who desire 

 further information about this class can receive it l^y ap- 

 plication to the Secretary, Miss Helen D. Lander. 



There have been twenty-five regular meetings of the 

 Society, three meetings of Committees and two of Direc- 

 tors, one special meeting, December 28, to take action 

 on the death of Mr. G. D. Phippen, and another, June 

 16, on account of the death of President Willson. 

 A memorial meeting in honor of Mr. Willson was held 

 November 7, in Academy Hall, when an interesting and 

 eloquent address was given by Vice-President Rantoul 

 upon the life and character of the President. Vice-Presi- 

 dent Morse presided at this meeting and made remarks 

 appro[)riate to the occasion. 



The evening meetings of members in the lihrarv room 



