48 



On invitation, General Josiah Ne-v\hal], of Lynnfteld, spoke 

 of his interest in the study of Natural History — of his love 

 for plants in particular, to which his avocations in the field and 

 on the farm would lead him, independent of his inclinations — 

 of the tendency of such studies in educating the mind and the 

 heart, and wished the future prosperity of the Essex Institute, 

 whose present meeting had afforded him so much satisfaction. 



Mr. Jacob Batchelder, in the course of his remarks, alluded 

 to the duty assigned him at a previous meeting of investigating, 

 with others, the various topics concerning Electricity, suggest- 

 ed by the great number of thunder-showers during the last 

 summer; and announced his plans to enter upon the duty thus 

 committed to him, and to report at earliest convenience. 



Mr. Geo. D. Phippen spoke at some length on his favorite 

 topic, of his taste for native flowers, and pleasure in experiment- 

 ing on their cultivation, with the instances of his success, and 

 was listened to with attention and interest. 



The chair concluded the meeting by allusions to the incidents 

 of the day ; and after a general desultory discussion on several 

 topics the Institute adjourned, after passing unanimously a hearty 

 vote of thanks to Rev. Mr. Chute and his family, for their hos- 

 pitable and delightful welcome. 



Friday, November 14, 1856. 



An adjourned quarterly meeting of the 12th of November 

 was held this evening, at half past seven o'clock. George D. 

 Phippen in the chair. 



Records of preceding meeting read. 



Letters were read from Pennsylvania Historical Society, 

 Solomon Peck of Boston, C. B. Richardson of Boston, Samuel 

 Tufts of Swampscott. 



Donations announced, since the meeting of the 15th of Oc- 

 tober : To the Library — from Henry E. Joscelyn, Henry 

 M. Brooks, James Kimball, John L. Sibley of Harvard Uni- 

 versity, Miss M. Dalrymple, Jonathan Perley, jr. , Solomon 



