278 



On motion of the Secretaiy the thanks of the Institute 

 were tendered to the Citizens of Rockport for their kind 

 attentions ; also to the Proprietors of the CniversaUst Church 

 for the use of their commodious building to hold this 

 meeting. Adjourned. 



Thursday, August 20, 1868. 



The Field Meeting, on Salem Neck, this day, attracted 

 the largest audience ever assembled on an occasion of this 

 kind, numbering, it is estimated, not far from two thousand 

 people. The forenoon was devoted by the guests from oth- 

 er towns to an examination of the Library and Museum of 

 the Institute and the Library of the Athenaeum in Plummer 

 Hall ; the rare collection of the East India Marine Society, 

 which was kindly opened by the Association for the gratifica- 

 tion of the strangers ; the Court Houses, and other objects of 

 curiosity. A small party, interested in antiquarian studies, 

 visited, undei' the genial guidance of Mr. Vice-President 

 Goodell, various places of historical note, including the for- 

 mer residences of some of our ancient worthies, the remnant 

 of the old First Church, Gallows Hill, and other points mem- 

 orable for their historical associations or for the relics which 

 they contain. 



At noon vehicles were provided for the transportation of 

 the company to Hospital Point, which soon presented a spec- 

 tacle of extraodinary interest and picturesqueness ; at this 

 place the refreshments were provided in pic-nic style ; and 

 the meeting was held at 2.30 P.M. in a spacious tent erected 

 for the occasion. 



The President Asahel Huntington presided and welcomed 

 the company in the most cordial manner. He gave a sum- 

 mary of the objects of the Institute and of the Field Meetings, 

 and happily styled the association the Grand Inquest of the 

 County — not in relation to crime and misdemeanors,but in re- 



