no 



4th, That two years' notice by either party may terminate 

 this agreement. 



The remainder of the evening was occupied by Dr. H. 

 Wheatland, in giving a cursory sketch of the Social and Philo- 

 sophical Libraries, -which, in 1810, were purchased by the 

 Salem Athenaeum and formed the nucleus of their valuable 

 and highly interesting collection of books in the arts, sciences 

 and literature. In thus doing, a descriptive account of our an- 

 cient town a century since was given, — when Salem was a small 

 provincial place, its principal trade being in the fisheries and 

 with some of the West India Islands ; the population somewhat 

 sparse, yet contained many highly intelligent and influential 

 persons. Allusion was made to a social evening club, which at 

 that time existed, and which continued for many years after- 

 wards ; it was instituted for improvement in Literature and 

 Philosophy, and enrolled among its members representatives of 

 the several professions and occupations of its inhabitants. 

 Among them may be mentioned Hon. Benjamin Lynde and 

 Hon. Nathaniel Ropes, Judges of the Superior Court ; Hon. 

 Andrew Oliver, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas : 

 William Pynchon, Esq, an eminent lawyer ; Rev. William 

 McGilchrist and Rev. Thomas Barnard ; Stephen Higginson, 

 Esq., a merchant of distinction; Hon. Wm. Browne, Judge of 

 the Superior Court, and afterwards Governor of Bermuda : 

 Col. Benjamin Pickman ; Dr. E. A. Holyoke, who was then a 

 young physician, but lived past a century, and exerted a great 

 influence in moulding the institutions of this town and State, 

 and others. These gentlemen possessed literary attainments of 

 a high order, and though ardently attached to their country, 

 took different views of its interests, during the Revolutionary 

 era, which soon commenced — some leaving in consequence of a 

 want of sympathy with the dominant party became loyalist 

 refugees — others, embracing opposite views, became warm 

 supporters of the cause, and took a prominent part in securing 

 the independence of these United States. 



The subject was probably suggested and discussed, at some 



