BERKSHIRE SOCIETY. 117 



Most fit and proper is it, that household industry should be en- 

 couraged by full opportunity for the exhibition of its products, and 

 by liberal premiums. It is the industry of our beloved wives, and 

 mothers, and sisters, and daughters. They, whose virtues have 

 secured our highest respect and our best aifections, come up with 

 us to our annual Fairs, to bear witness with us to the usefulness, 

 the honor, the dignity of labor. The women of Berkshire have not 

 only given to all our annual exhibitions the charm of their 

 presence, but have brought with them the evidences of their 

 useful and elegant employments. 



Most fit and pleasant it is that an association which seeks to 

 promote the common interest and happiness should encourage 

 the industry of home. Blessed is that influence which increases, 

 in any degree, the comfort and contentment of the homes 

 of New England, which adds to their restraining power to in- 

 duce our people to live by, and die by, the altars of their child- 

 hood. Broader lands, richer harvests, more abundant leisure, 

 may attend the enterprise of the emigrant, and probably will ; 

 but probably, also, disease will be more familiar with his family 

 circle, death will knock sooner at his door, and the opportunity 

 of giving a New England education to his children, "fast by 

 the oracles of God," will be lost. Honor and blessing to every 

 influence which binds the sons and daughters of Berkshire to 

 the homes of their youth ! 



In perfect sincerity, the Committee can express great gratifi- 

 cation at the exhibitions of household manufactures the present 

 year. The number of articles was unusually large. This has 

 increased the difficulty of discriminating correctly in awarding 

 the premiums. The number of objects is too great, and the 

 time is too limited, for any Committee to do entire justice in their 

 decisions. They must act hastily and promptly, and with as 

 much correctness as they can. For such an exhibition as we 

 have had this year, the amount and number of premiums oftered 

 are too small. We are well aware that this results from the 

 limited funds of the Society. But these funds may, and must, 

 be increased. Any member of this Society, who has looked at 

 the household manufactures the present year, and at the inade- 

 quate premiums given to them, will be fully convinced upon 



