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FIELD MEETING AT TOPSFIELD, THURSDAY, 

 JUNE 18, 1874. 



THE second field meeting of the season was held this 

 day. The shower of the early morning induced many to 

 infer that the meeting would e postponed, and for this 

 reason the number in attendance was not so large as 

 usual ; but in that respect only was it inferior to the cus- 

 tomary gatherings on such occasions. An extra train 

 was courteously furnished by the Eastern railroad to take 

 the party to Danvers, at which place a connection was 

 made with the Danvers and Georgetown (under the man- 

 agement of the Boston and Maine) railroad, and upon 

 arrival at Topsfield a cordial welcome was extended by 

 the citizens. Several carriages were in waiting to convey 

 parties to the various points of interest, and guides were 

 in readiness to direct attention to such localities as would 

 be attractive to visitors. The village is situated upon a 

 level plain, entirely surrounded by hills, and the views 

 from any one of them are beautifully picturesque and 

 charming. There are many ancient buildings in the town 

 that were the homes of historical characters, or were the 

 scenes of prominent events of more or less historical 

 importance. Hood's pond is a lovely sheet of water, and 

 its shores attracted considerable attention. Ipswich river, 

 which passes through the town, is a beautiful stream, and 

 upon its waters or borders one small party spent all the 

 time devoted to the rambles. The old Capen House was 

 an object of interest, and its old style of arrangement 

 and finish was examined as a curiosity. Also the old 

 Gould house (now a barn) owned by Frederick Elliott, 

 which is probably more than two hundred years old, 

 older, even, than the one previously named. Its huge 



