127 



Mr. HAYDN BROWN of West Newbury said the influ- 

 ence of Dummer Academy is felt for miles around in the 

 manners of the people. The past of the Academy was 

 secure, but he doubted of the future. The days of pri- 

 vate institutions were past, now that the state provides 

 high schools of the same grade. He thought there were 

 but few academies self-sustaining. 



He then changed his subject and spoke of the insects 

 that devour his crops. He thought that at least a quarter 

 part of our crops of almost every kind was eaten up by 

 these pests, and he suggested that the members of the 

 Institute, and especially its naturalists, should turn their 

 attention towards the discovery of some mode for the 

 extermination of the insect pests. 



The PRESIDENT said that it would facilitate Mr. Brown's 

 crusade on noxious insects if local museums were estab- 

 lished, and children become interested in collecting speci- 

 mens, and studying the habits of the various plants and 

 animals that are continually met with. 



AMOS NOTES, Esq., of Newburyport, considered the 

 fact referred to by Mr. Brown, that academies were de- 

 clining, was a sign of progress. We had outgrown them 

 and they could not and should not compete with state 

 schools. 



Rev. Dr. SAMUEL J. SPALDING of Newburyport, spoke 

 of the Byfield Academy, which grew out of Dummer, and 

 which sent out many eminent teachers, whose influence 

 still pervade the schools of the country. He thought 

 that private institutions were not in their decadence. 

 Athens had no schools, but the responsibility of educa- 

 tion was thrown on individuals, and what sages she pro- 



