130 



spoke of his particular regard for Whittier, because he had 

 been a farmer. 



J. Q. A. Evans, of Salisbury, also spoke ofWhittier's interest 

 in agriculture, and mentioned the fact that he was once corres- 

 ponding secretary of the Amesbury and Salisbury Agricultural 

 Association. He also spoke of the poet's earnestness of pur- 

 pose. 



C. J. Peabody, of Topsfield, related one or two instances 

 illustrating the familiarity of the children of that town with the 

 poet's works. And Mr. Kimball, of Bradford, took occasion 

 to announce that Whittier's birthplace was in Haverhill, and not 

 in Amesbury, as seemed to be the common impression. 



The following message to the Poet was unanimously adopted : 



J. G. Whittier — 



Dear Friend: The farmers of Essex County send greeting, 

 their most hearty congratulation upon the health of body and 

 mental vigor with which you have reached and passed your 

 eighty-first birthday. 



We also congratulate you that in the good providence of our 

 Heavenly Father you have been preserved to see the time when 

 your poems are read and prized by every nation on the globe ; 

 and we your neighbors and friends, rejoice with you, as we con- 

 template the marvellous power of your words upon all classes of 

 our fellowmen, both in peace and war, and we beg to assure you 

 that in no places are your poems read with more interest and 

 pleasure, or your works of tenderest love cherished with a 

 purer admiration, than in the homes of the farmers of your 

 native county of Essex. 



They also express the hope that your life ma} 7 long be pre- 

 served to shed its hallowed influence upon the world. 



The above message to the Poet, elicited the following reply : 



Oak Knoll, Dan vers, 

 12mo. 30, 1888. . 

 David W. Low, Esq., Secretary Essex County Agricultural 

 Society : 



Dear Friend: Thy letter conveying the congratulations and 

 kind wishes of the Essex County Agricultural Society, at its 

 meeting on the 28th inst., I have received with no common sat- 

 isfaction. No birthday has ever given me more pleasure. My 

 ancestors since 1640, have been farmers in Essex County. I 

 was early initiated into the mysteries of farming as it was prac- 

 ticed seventy years ago ; and worked faithfully on the old 



