22 BULLETIN OF THE ESSEX INSTITUTE. 



History Class, read an interesting paper on some of the 

 early colonial magistrates, speaking principally of William 

 Hathorne, Emanuel Downing, John Humphrey and 

 George Downing, the latter being the second graduate in 

 the first class of Harvard College. 



Miss Helen D. Lander then read a paper prepared by 

 Mrs. Henry Wardwell, on Salem Village. These papers 

 were well written and of great interest and were discussed 

 by the President and some other members. 



Monday Evening, Jan. 25, 1897. — Hon. Thomas J. 

 Gargan, of Boston, lectured in Plummer Hall on the 

 "Boston Subway." He spoke of the great need of some 

 way of relieving the crowd in the narrow streets of Bos- 

 ton. He gave an account of some European subways, 

 showing the Boston one to be much larger and more con- 

 venient than any abroad. With lantern slides he exhib- 

 ited views of the plans and mode of its construction and 

 probable working when completed, and the condition the 

 Boston streets will be in at that time, especially Tremont 

 and Boylston streets. 



Monday Evening, Feb. 1, 1897. — Regular meeting 

 in the Library room. Mr. John Robinson gave an inter- 

 esting and instructive talk on "Mushrooms, Edible and 

 Non-edible." He exhibited many specimens, with illus- 

 trations on the blackboard. Rules were given, so far as 

 it is possible to give rules, for the gathering of mush- 

 rooms. The extremely nutritious character of some 

 kinds, and the difference between those excellent fungi 

 and the poisonous toad-stool were noted. Some canned 

 and some dried specitnens of Italian and other kinds were 

 exhibited, which emitted a peculiar odor. 



The subject was discussed by the President, Professor 

 Morse, Dr. Merriam and others. 



