27 



any preceding anniversary of our Society. With the exception of a fe^ 

 pieces of Broadcloth, not a yard of domestic g-oods, of any descrip- 

 tion, were presented either for premium or exhibition. To what cause 

 to impute this unpleasant deficiency your Committee is totally at a loss. 

 We are aware that disting^uished individuals in the community have en- 

 tertained sentiments unfriendly to domestic manufactures. They have 

 viewed in every rising establishment a hot-bed of vice, corrupting, by its 

 baneful influence, our moral atmosphere, and to be shunned like the box: 

 of Pandora ; and we cannot but apprehend that our manufacturing; 

 brethren have imputed to our Society the same mistaken views in rela- 

 tion to their interest and usefulness. We assure them, however, that ii 

 such apprehensions do exist, they are totally unfounded. The Society 

 is deeply impressed with the importance of this branch of industry, anct 

 have identified with it the best interests of the community. Our valua-» 

 ble water privileges are among the essential resources of the County — - 

 important alike to the Agriculturist and the Mechanic. Heaven haa 

 given them to us as a mean of retaining our population, increasing oun 

 wealth, and multiplying our comforts ; and a neglect to avail ourselveai 

 of their proffered aid would be an ungrateful return for its bounteouei 

 gifts. If our Manufacturers have been influenced on the present occasion 

 by an apprehension that we were regardless of their prosperity, we en- 

 treat them to discard the illiberal prejudice, and at our future exhibition^ 

 do justice to themselves and our County. 



After examining the Broadcloths exhibited on this occasion, your Comr 

 mittee have awarded to Messrs. Howard & Slater, of Oxford, for a Super- 

 fine Blue, cold pressed, the premium of $15. 



Mr. Anderton, of Leicester, offered to our attention two pieces of Blact 

 Cloth, but little if at all inferior to the cloths of Messrs. Howard & Sla- 

 ter ; but having been manufactured without the County, could not come 

 in competition as respects the premium. 



Mr. John Roberts, of Millbury, presented two specimens deserving oui? 

 particular notice and high commendation.- 



As respects Household Manufactures, your Committee are highly grat- 

 ified that they are justified in giving you a more favourable report. The 

 specimens of female industry and ing-enuity to which our attention have 

 been directed are numerous and valuable, manifesting a wonderful im- 

 provement in the manufacture of our domestic fabrics. At the early ex- 

 hibitions of this Society, a large portion of the articles offered for premium 

 "Were ordinary in their appearance and otlier essential qualities. On the 

 present occasion not a smgle article of ordinary character has engaged 

 our attention. The interest manifested by the Ladies in the success of 

 our exertions entitles them to our highest praise. 



With a very sincere desire to do justice to our fair competitors, we 

 have awarded to Mrs. Sally Flagg, of Worcester, for tlie beet Carpeting, 

 4-4 wide, the first premium, of $15. 



To Mrs. Eunice Goodell, of VVest-Boylston, for the best Carpeting-, 

 3-4 wide, $10. 



Mrs. Thomas Chamberlain, of Worcester, presented a specimen very 

 similar to the one offered by Mrs. Flagg, and your Committee would 

 probably have found it difficult to determine their relative claims to the 

 first premium, had not the one exhibited by Mrs. Chamberlain been de- 

 ficient in length — that circumstance relieved the Committee from any 

 embarrassment. 



To Miss Sophia Merriam, of Osford, for the best Woollen Cloth, the 

 first premium, of $8. 



To Mr. Lovett Peters, of Westborough, the second premium, of $5. 



