LXFI 



Rev. 0. C. Beaman, of Salem, thought the Essex Insti- 

 tute could not fail to be greatly cheered by such language 

 as that of the Newburyport people to-day. The historical 

 side of our society well deserves encouragement. We are 

 at work to preserve a worthy past by gathering and 

 securing every relic of historic value. 



Rev. Mr. Spalding, said that Essex North was rich in 

 archeological wealth. Its history was both valuable and 

 available. Felt, in his annals, had made some statements 

 as to John Barnard, a celebrated teacher of the early 

 times ; but recent researches have corrected him in this 

 matter and identified parties very differently. 



Rev. John N. Sykes, of Newburyport, was glad to see 

 the activity of the young men who took part in the opera- 

 tions of the Institute. The benefit of such employment 

 in youth must be great. They would form habits of 

 observation, which in after life would be of the greatest 

 advantage. 



C. M. Tracy, of Lynn, gave some explanation of the 

 plants gathered by the explorers, alluding in particular to 

 the asters, goldenrods and other autumnal flowers, and dis- 

 cussing somewhat the relations of the oaks and hickories.' 

 He also spoke of his visit to the garden of Dr. E. G. 

 Kelley, in which were noticed, among the many interest- 

 ing objects there found, the beautiful and finely grown 

 hedges of hemlock, spruce and other evergreens also one 

 of weigelia, this last in the time of flowering must have 

 presented a splendid appearance. 



Dr. Perkins said every one ought to study Natural 

 History. It was the greatest source of comfort amid 

 pain, sorrow and affliction, that he had ever known. 

 When the botanical specimens were just now brought 

 forward, they seemed to him like old friends. He remem- 

 bered that forty years ago, he left Cambridge with a class- 

 mate and botanized from thence to Newburyport, losing 

 the way in the ardor of the pursuit. 



