112 FIELD DAY AT TOPSFIELD ; JUNE 18, 1884. 



Thirty-three years ago he deposited with the society the 

 only collection it then possessed ; now it has one of the 

 finest collections owned by any society. 



He spoke of the lack of knowledge of natural history 

 and of neighborhood history, urging that those studies be 

 taken up in our public schools. He also spoke of the 

 progress which had been made in arriving at conclusions, 

 formerly by theory which was ofteu at fault, now by sci- 

 ence which rarely errs. 



Rev. FiELDER Israel spoke of the work and influence 

 of the society, and of the elevating and refining influence 

 of the study of nature, at the same time making appro- 

 priate reference to the valuable Services of the President, 

 and to the pleasure which Deacon Fowler, the only sur- 

 vivor of those men present at the meeting of fifty years 

 ago, must experience in being with us here to-day. He 

 also alluded to the prospective influence of the society, and 

 closed by ofiering the following vote which was adopted : 



Voted, That the cordial thanks of the Essex Institute 

 are due to Col. T. W. Peirce for his very generous hos- 

 pitality in opening his house and the grounds of his fine 

 estate for the gathering of to-day, and for the abundant 

 and refreshing supplies furnished at lunch. 



Also to the gentlemen having in charge the Town Hall 

 for the gratuitous use of said hall for this meeting. 



