88 



what the second crop of grass is to the farmer, — possibly 

 that had nothing whatever to do with it. 



Among the works in the department of fine art there 

 wtte several paintings done by Mrs. Colby, of Wakefield, 

 which were exhibited ; but of course with the under- 

 standing that they could receive no award, as that is 

 granted only to work done in Essex County. They were, 

 however, far superior to any tiling else in the exhibition, 

 both in execution and in design, and therefore they per- 

 formed a most worthy mission as an example to those who 

 have not yet attained the same skill; a mission which 

 will be most appreciated by, and most useful to those who 

 possess the greatest artistic talent. She will have her 

 reward, though the committee were unable to assign one 

 to her. 



Of course this made the ordeal through which the rest 

 of the pictures must pass for judgment the more trying, 

 although they were to be judged from a different stand- 

 point, because most of the exhibitors had had compara- 

 tively little experience, and fewer advantages, and they 

 needed all the more encouragement for that very reason. 

 Perhaps it was a mistake not to have granted an award to 

 a verv ambitious painting of " Manchester-by-the-Sea ;' 

 a sort of bird's eye view, taken probably from nature, 

 which showed much painstaking work, without good 

 artistic qualities in execution, woolly clouds, etc.; per- 

 haps the effect might not have been so bad if it had been 

 hung at the end of the gallery, where a proper distance 

 might have "lent enchantment to the view." It may 

 have some topographical value when that shore shall be- 

 come thickly populated ; like a picture of the city of 

 Baltimore when it was composed of only thirty-two 

 houses, which is now preserved in the Historical rooms of 

 that city. 



Some very good specimens of inlaid work were shown, 

 the best of which this year was executed by a woman ; 

 proving that skill in the use of the knife is not limited to 



