xxxvi APPENDIX. 



profited us. No reflecting, unbiased mind can ponder the scenes through 

 which we have passed, without gathering some ideas that will be useful 

 to him. 



Not only have there been trials of skill and trials of strength exhib- 

 ited, but man's inventive genius has been brought to the test. It is 

 impossible for a man of inquiring mind to have viewed all that has 

 passed before him without in some way being profited, — without adding 

 something to the amount of his knowledge, however great that knowledge 

 may have been. 



These are occasions on which comparisons are made, and with a small 

 degree, even, of emulation, a man will imbibe some new idea that will 

 occupy his mind during his leisure moments. 



From thence arise the good fruits of these exhibitions, and he is a 

 dolt who will not partake of them. 



Thomas W. Ward. 



MARTHA'S VINEYARD. 



The tenth annual exhibition of the Martha's Vineyard Agricultural 

 Society was held on the 15th, 16th and 17th of October last. It was 

 my privilege, as a substitute for my friend Sewall, to land upon this 

 island of the sea on the morning of the 15th. 



Although limited in territory, this island possesses many interesting 

 features which claim our consideration. Its inhabitants have long been 

 reputed for their hospitable and generous character. They have here- 

 tofore derived most of their income from the treasures of the ocean. 

 They have been more accustomed to ploughing the sea than the land. 

 Deprived, in a great measure, of intercourse with the surrounding coun- 

 try, they find, when at home, a community within themselves. Here is 

 the true secret why this society, with its limited resources, has pros- 

 pered to such an extent. It is a family concern ; each one seems desir- 

 ous to add something to make the occasion instructive and interesting ; 

 no one has the fear that their offering, however small, will be over- 

 looked, or that they would have occasion to say. It is no use for me to 

 contribute, so long as some more favored one will claim the merit. One 

 of the most interesting and encouraging features in this exhibition was 

 the great number of contributors and variety of contributions. The 

 ladies were there in their every-day costume, not as carpers and idle 

 spectators, but anxious to show us their bread and butter, paintings and 

 drawings, preserves, pickles and wine, fruits and floAvers, and more 

 especially their wonderful skill in domestic manufacture and fancy 

 articles, slippers, shawls and tidies, mats and rugs, quilts and cushions, 



