THE RETROSPECT OF THE YEAR. 83 



year, several ladies connected with the Institute contem- 

 plate the formation of a class for the study of our local 

 history. It is well known that many of our people have 

 a good knowledge of English, Grecian, Roman or French 

 history, but have little or no knowledge of the history of 

 our own country and city, never having given much at- 

 tention to this subject. 



The following members have died during the year : 

 Stephen M. Allen, of Boston ; George F. Brown, James 

 B. Curvven, James Dugan, Willard Goldthvvaite, Wm. 

 H. Simonds, William A. Lander, Oliver Thayer, of Sa- 

 lem ; Charles P. Thompson, of Gloucester ; also Francis 

 Parkman (an honorary member). 



There has recently been quite a revival in membership. 

 Since the last annual meeting we have added 91 naines to 

 our list of active members, making the whole number 394. 



We ought to have 1000 members, and it is hoped every 

 friend of the society will consider it not only a duty but a 

 privilege to help us in the work of increasing our numbers. 

 Professor Morse has spoken of the great number of mem- 

 bers, of some of the scientific and literary societies in 

 European cities, some of them numbering from 5,000 to 

 10,000 members, with a very much larger assessment than 

 we have. Those societies are consequently enabled to do 

 a very important work. It is true they are located in 

 places of a larger population than ours but the population 

 of the County of Essex, of which we are the centre, is 

 large enough to furnish us with a greatly increased mem- 

 bership, to say the least. 



I repeat what I have said before, that no society like 

 ours can long be in a flourishing condition, without the 

 encouragement of the young. We want more young men 

 and young women to join us and become interested in the 

 work of the society, and we believe a large number will 



