47 



drawing and backing a load of stone weighing three thousand 

 pounds. There were six entries, principally two horse teams, 

 and their task was performed in a highly satisfactory manner. 



At two o'clock, a match game of base ball took place on the 

 grounds, between the Chemung Club, of Stoughton, and the 

 Mechanics Club, of East Weymouth, which resulted in the 

 victory of the Chemung Club, by a score of 37, to 22 for the 

 Mechanics. 



On Friday morning the first exercise was the exhibition of 

 horses on the track, which was witnessed by a very large con- 

 course of visitors, the fine span, owned by Mr. Wm. B. Coffin, 

 of Dorchester, attracting much attention. At twelve o'clock, 

 M., a procession was formed on the grounds, under the direction 

 of Col. John W. Thomas, sheriff of the county and chief mar- 

 shal of the day, assisted by his aids, Messrs. Thos. Decatur, of 

 West Roxbury, and Hiram Gay and John R. Gay, of Stough- 

 ton. Preceded by the Bates Cornet Band, of Dedham, which 

 furnished excellent music during the day, the procession 

 marched to the upper hall, where, after a blessing had been 

 invoked by Rev. Theron Brown, of Canton, the company par- 

 took of an excellent collation, which had been prepared by 

 Mr. George E. Morse, of Dedham, under the direction of the 

 Committee of Arrangements. After an agreeable time spent in 

 satisfying the inner man, the President made a brief prelimi- 

 nary address. After thanking an overruling Providence for the 

 preservation of his life, and permitting him to again appear as 

 their presiding officer, he at once adverted to the business of 

 the Society, stating that during the past year it had been 

 enabled to pay off its debts ; that the mortgage had been dis- 

 charged, and the Society was now clear of debt. After pass- 

 ing a beautiful eulogy upon agriculture and the men engaged 

 in it, he took his seat, and after music from the band, intro- 

 duced Charles L. Flint, Esq., Secretary of the State Board of 

 Agriculture, who delivered the Annual Address, which may be 

 found on pages 5-19. 



The Address, which was one of the best ever delivered before 

 the Society, was listened to with undivided attention by the 

 large audience, and at the close was loudly applauded. 



The following original hymn, written for the occasion 

 by Rev. Tlieron Brown, of Canton, was then sung by the audi- 



