History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 67

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1538

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 67

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3d. To form a museum of natural and artificial curiosities, particularly such as are to be found be- yond the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn. This has been obtained, to a considerable extent, hy the valuable donations of the members as well as of others friendly to the institution. The fame of this Museum was, at first, in a great measure, due to pub- lic interest as a collection of curiosities, and 'not on account of its scientific value ; yet the originators of this work devised for themselves methods and plans, based upon the orderly ways of transacting business at that time, which are very commendable. They instructed the members whenever their voyages should take them among uncivilized people to collect the utensils, weapons and dresses of such people; also accounts of native customs were often noted in their journals or communications by letter to the so- ciety ; collections of shells, birds, mammals, etc., also specimens of the flora and of the geology were con- tributed.

The scientific man of to-day finds among these fruits of their labor much valuable and interesting material to aid him in his researches and investiga- tions, especially in the science of anthropology. They builded better than they knew.

The Annual Festivals of the Society in November were very attractive and interesting to the public in the early years of its history. The society formerly paraded through the streets, the officers usually dressed in Eastern costume, with battle axes, spears and other warlike weapons; there was also a palan- quin, in which reclined a boy apparelled in most gorgeous habiliments, borne by persons in the East Indian dress, attended with fan and hookah bearers and every other accompaniment of an East Indian equipage.

The exercises of the day closed with a bangnet with toasts, sentiments, etc. These have now passed away, and the annual gathering is not marked by any outward display. We copy from the press of that day a report of the meetings in 1804 and 1805.

On Wednesday last was the annual meeting of the EAST INDIA MARINE SOCIETY, On this occasion is the choice of their officers, and an elegant dinner is provided. Before dinner the members proceeded from their hall under an escort of the cadet company ' and attended with an excellent band of music. As their cabinet displays the richest collection of East- ern curiosities, and furnishes the principal dresses and ornaments, as well as martial instruments and inventions of the oriental nations, a proper exhibi- tion was made for the gratification of the numerous citizens assembled to view the procession. The whole scene provoked curiosity, and indulged it, while good taste and dignity of manners justified it. Capt. Benjamin Hodges has continued to receive the annual invitation to be their president, while all the members have generously contributed to afford such communications and such articles as have enriched their records and their collections. The Museum is decorated with instructive historical paintings, at the expense of the society. The celebrated navigators ap- pear on its walls. Rich specimens in the whole cx- tent of Natural History are already obtained, and no country is forgotten which has afforded anything to the antiquarian, the historian, or the friend of con- merce. 1

On Wednesday last THE EAST INDIA MARINE SOCIETY had their annual meeting, with the festive scenes in which they recall their former friendships, recount their services and urge their common zeal for the promotion of the end of their society. Theil success has been worthy of their great attempts, and their exertions have been such as have been unpre- cedented in our country. Their museum, happy in its arrangements and elegant in its display of its rich- es,-with the many subjects it embraces-the great

1 Salem Register, Monday, November 12, 1804.

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variety with which it is enriched, does honor to their taste, their inquiries and their diligence. It was a great diminution of their pleasure to be deprived of the company of their president, Capt. B. Hodges, who was unable to attend. Captain Carpenter, the vice- president, presided on the occasion with dignity.

The military parade was by the Light Infantry, under Captain Saunders, and the procession was ad- mired as a just display of the eastern manners. The whole scene was powerful in convincing us of the personal merit of the members, of the benefits from their institution, and of the zeal with which they have promoted its best reputation.1

November 2, 1803, the society voted to take the room in the second story of the building then being erected for the accommodation of the Salem Bank and the Salem Insurance Company on the first floor, on the eastern portion of the land now occupied by the Downing Block-dimension of the same forty feet by fifty-four. On the 7th of March, 1804, a com- mittee was appointed to remove the collections and to arrange the same in the new hall.

July 8, 1817,-Voted to accept the invitation from the committee of arrangements to join the procession this day,-reception of James Monroe, President of the United States. Also voted that the president of the society be requested to wait on the President of the United States of America, and in the name of the society to invite him to visit the museum with his suite, and also to wait on the Governor of the com- monwealth with a similar invitation,-and at such time as they shall appoint for the purpose, the officers of the society to attend them to the hall.

July 5, 1820, Voted that the president and commit- tee be authorized to procure printed copies of the catalogue 2 now preparing, to furnish each member (or the family of each member deceased) with a copy and to present the same in the name of the society to such gentlemen of the town and its vicinity as the president and committee may think proper.

Voted, That the president and committee be au- thorized to engage Dr. Seth Bass to superintend the museum under their direction and for such compen- sation as they may judge reasonable.

January 7, 1824 .- Voted, That the subject of en- larging the hall or procuring another hall be submit- ted to a committee. May 19, 1824, the committee re- ported that a new building may be erected that will accommodate the society in the most convenient man- ner and they subjoin for their consideration the fol- lowing proposal, to be offered for subscription imme- diately :-

" A lot of land may be had near the present hall, of a proper size for erecting the contemplated building, and that it may be completed in the course of the next year, proposals for erecting a building of about 45 by 95 feet for E. I. M. S. and other purposes, by an association to be incor- porated for the purpose under the name of the East India Marine Hall Corporation ; one hundred and fifty shares at $100 each ; the society to take as many shares as they may deem proper, the remainder to mem- bers of the society or other parties."

Twenty-sixth Anniversary-Dedication of the New Hall, Friday, October 14, 1825 .- Celebration by a public procession and dinner, on the occasion of taking possession of the hall which they have lately erected and fitted up in splendid manner for their accommodation. This hall, over one hundred feet in length and forty in breadth, is as chaste and beautiful a specimen of architecture as our country can exhibit, and filled as it is by the rare and curious productions of nature and art from the four quarters of the globe, forms a cabinet unrivalled in this and excelled per- haps by few in any country.

On this occasion the society was honored by the company of the President of the United States and many other distinguished guests, amongst whom were Mr. Justice Story, of the United States Supreme Court; Hon. Benjamin W. Crowninshield, member of Congress for this district; Hon. Josiah Quincy, Mayor of Boston; Hon. Mr. Hill, of the Executive Council ; Hon. Timothy Pickering, President Kirk- land, of Harvard University, and a large number of merchants, professional men and others.

The society, with its guests, moved in procession at two o'clock from Hamilton Hall, under the direction of Richard S. Rogers and Jonathan P. Saunders; Esqrs., and, escorted by a fine band of music, pro- ceeded through some of the principal streets to their new hall on Essex Street. The occasion drew together a vast concourse of citizens, who testified by repeated cheers and greetings their happiness at beholding the Chief Magistrate.

The dinner was served in a style of magnificence. The religious services were performed by Rev. Dr. Kirkland and Rev. Mr. Cornelius. Hon. Stephen White, President of the Society, presided at the tables. The President of the United States appeared in good health and spirits. The toasts were announced by John W. Treadwell, Esq., the Corresponding Sec- retary.

December 31, 1866 .- The report of Mr. John B. Silsbee, respecting the arrangements for the transfer- ence of its building and collections to the Essex In- stitute, or Mr. Peabody or his trustees, was read and accepted.

Too much praise cannot be given to the thoughtful originators and promoters of this institution, which, after flourishing for three-quarters of a century, trans- fers to younger hands the care and continuance of its scientific and other collections, reserving for itself the administration of its noble charities, which will con- tinue as long as the institution exists.

Superintendents of Museum, Seth Bass, M.D., Mal-

1 Salem Register, Monday, November 11, 1805.

" The first printed catalogue of objects in the museum, journals, list of members, etc., while the collections were in the Salem Bank Building. This gave 2269 members. In 1825 the museum moved to the East India Marine Hall, and by the impetus thus given the collections were rapidly angmented, so that in 1831, when the second edition was printed, be- sides having some entailment, gave 4299 members for the museum.

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thus A. Ward, M.D., George Osborne, M.D., Charles G. Page, MI.D., Henry Wheatland, M.D., George D. l'hippen.

THE PEABODY ACADEMY OF SCIENCE .- With the decline of Salem's foreign commerce the East India Marine Society found it more and more difficult to obtain means for conducting the museum which it had maintained with increasing success since 1799. Few new members joined the society, and the pro- ceeds of its invested funds and membership assess- ments were all required for the charitable objects of the organization. The museum, therefore, became a hurden, and serious thoughts were entertained of sell- ing the collections.

At about the same time the Essex Institute had ac- cumulated a large and valuable collection of objects relating to natural history, the care of which, with the limited means then at its disposal for this purpose, threatened to seriously embarrass the society and dis- perse the band of scientists who had collected and were working under the auspices of that institution.

In 1866, through the instrumentality of Mr. Fran- cis Peabody, at the time president of the Essex Insti- tute, the existing condition of affairs with these insti- tutions was brought to the attention of Mr. George Peabody, of London. After a very careful considera- tion of the matter, both on the part of Mr. Peabody and those interested in the institutions here, a general understanding was arrived at, and on February 26, 1867, Mr. George Peabody generously placed in the hands of several gentlemen the sum of one hundred and forty thousand dollars, "for the promotion of science and nseful knowledge in Essex County," to be expended in a manner indicated by a letter of trust and as understood between himself and the trustees named, and who, on Saturday, March 2, 1867, or- ganized as the "Trustees of the Peabody Academy of Science," with Mr. Francis Peabody as president. The East India Marine Hall property was purchased and the large exhibition-room was refitted for museum purposes with a special portion of the fund, according to the request of the donor. The museum of the East India Marine Society and the natural history and eth- nological collections of the Essex Institute were then placed in the hands of the academy trustees as per- manent deposits. These were arranged in East India Marine Hall, which was dedicated August 19, 1869, and opened to the public, the act of incorporation, ap- proved April 13, 1868, having passed both branches of the Legislature.

Thus, through the instructions of the founder, the work of the institution was clearly indicated, and, although the funds were given for the benefit of the citizens of the county, the directions as to the pur- chase of the East India Marine Hall property and the agreements with the societies depositing their col- lections definitely located the institution in Salem, where its work must be conducted.

It has been the effort of the trustees to carry out Mr. Peabody's wishes by managing the affairs of the institution on as broad a plan as the income from the funds will permit. The musenm, to which very large additions have been made by the trustees since 1867, through exchange, purchase and by gift, is arranged as an easy object-lesson in natural history. All the specimens in the cases are labelled clearly, larger cards and signs being placed to indicate the groups of the animals or minerals and the divisions of the eth- nological collections. By this means the difficult problem of a catalogue for the use of visitors is avoided. This system is with the trustees a necessity, as the visitors to the museum number upwards of forty thousand annually, and are, with very few exceptions, persons without any scientific training whatever, and, in order that the museum shall be of any benefit to them and furnish them with instruction, the arrange- ment of the collections must at once be made simple and attractive. The office of the academy is ever open to any one who may desire to make inquiries as to the nature of any rock, animal or plant, or, in fact, anything coming under the general head of science. All such inquiries are answered as far as possible, and, at least, the inquirer is directed where he may gain the information he seeks. In 1876 a summer school of biology was established by the trustees, which was conducted for six seasons, and only discontinued when it was found that very few persons from Essex County cared to avail themselves of its instruction, nearly all the students coming from the Western States. Dur- ing the continuance of the school, lectures were given and laboratory work conducted by well-known special- ists in all branches of natural history. In addition to this work, special students have been received at the academy and classes in various branches of natu- ral history are from time to time conducted, and, since the completion of the addition to the building and the opening of Academy Hall, public lectures have been given by men of acknowledged scientific attainments at such hours and at a rate of admission so low as to come within the reach of all. Of scien- tific memoirs the academy has published two volumes, chiefly of original researches by the officers of the academy, and, in addition, nineteen annual reports, several of which include scientific papers, have been issued. By a system of exchange, a large library of the publications of similar institutions, both of this country and abroad, has been brought together.

The officers of the academy at the present time are : Trustees,-William C. Endicott, President ; Henry Wheatland, Vice-President; Abner C. Goodell, Jr., Secretary ; all of Salem ; James R. Nichols of Haver- hill, George Peabody Russell of England, S. Endicott Peabody of Salem, George Cogswell of Bradford, John Robinson of Salem, Treasurer. The last three named have been chosen to fill vacancies caused by the deaths of Mr. Francis Peabody and Dr. Henry C. Perkins and the resignation of Prof. Asa Gray.

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The first director under the trustees was Professor Frederick Ward Putnam, now of Cambridge, who was followed in 1876 by Dr. Alpheus S. Packard, Professor iu Brown University, and, in 1880, by the present di- rector, Prof. Edward S. Morse.

The museum and assistants there employed are in charge of the Treasurer, Mr. Robinson. The museum is open free to the public every week day from 9 to 5 o'clock, and, pending the completion of the new ex- hibition room in the addition to the main building, as at present arranged in East India Marine Hall, it con- tains, on the western side of the main floor, an educa- tional collectiou illustrating the orders of the animal kingdom, arranged in their proper sequence, from the lowest forms to the highest. This collection was chiefly derived from the Essex Institute in the year 1867.

On the eastern side are arranged the Ethnological collections, principally received from the East India Marine Society, which are subdivided according to races or countries. This collection ranks among the very highest in importance in America. It is especially rich in South Sea Island implements, cloths, models, idols, domestic utensils, etc., and Chinese, Japanese, and. East Indian life-size models of native characters, besides the boats, clothing, utensils, imple- ments of war and of domestic use from these coun- tries, and from Africa, Arabia, and North and South America. The collection from Japan is very fine, having been formed by the director during his last visit to that country. A collection from Korea and another illustrating the Indian Tribes of North America, have just been added to the museum.

The gallery is devoted to the Natural History and Archæology of Essex County. Nearly all of the spe- cies of the flora and fauna are represented by pre- served specimens ; the collection of birds and that of native woods being especially fine. The academy has, also, the best local collection of prehistoric implements and utensils of stone, hone and clay to he found in Essex County.

An educational collection of minerals has recently been arranged in the central gallery case.

Academy Hall, previously referred to, is on the lower floor of the fire-proof addition to the East India Marine Hall building. It has a pleasant audience- room with a seating capacity for three hundred and fifty persons, and is well ventilated and tastefully decorated. The hall was arranged primarily for the use of the academy, but, having a separate public entrance, it is rented for such other purposes as are deemed suitable by the trustees.

Peabody, on January 4, 1830 ; a meeting was subse- quently held in Town Hall, where a committee was appointed " to prepare a constitutiou and submit the same for inspection to the citizens of Salem."

On the evening of January 18, 1830, a meeting was held at the Essex House, and a formal organiza- tion was effected by the choice of Daniel A. White, president; Stephen C. Phillips, vice-president ; Charles W. Upham, corresponding Secretary ; Stephen P. Webb, recording secretary ; Francis Peabody, treasurer, and a board of ten managers which in- cluded the names of Rufus Choate, Leverett Salton- stall and Caleb Foote.

In the original plan a series of public debates was contemplated, but this intention was never carried out. A course of lectures was, however, started at once, and in the first course all but four were de- livered by gentlemen of Salem. The lectures were first given in the Methodist meeting house on Sewall Street, and afterwards in the Universalist meeting- house. But during the summer of 1830 plans were adopted for the construction of the present Lyceum Hall, which was built and ready for occupancy in January, 1831, at a cost of $3036, the land upon which it was erected costing seven hundred and fifty dollars.

For over half a century an annual course of lectures has been delivered before the Salem Lyceum, and during a portion of that time the demand for tickets has so farexceeded the seating capacity of the hall that a duplicate course has been given-gentlemen's tickets at the outset were sold for one dollar, and ladies' tickets for seventy-five cents; but it was not consid- ered proper for ladies to purchase tickets unless "in- troduced " by a gentleman, and the tickets issued to them ran as follows : "Admit to the Salem Lyceum a Lady introduced by -. " In the changes which fifty years have brought ahont, ladies not only purchase tickets on equal terms with gentlemen, but appear upon the platform as lecturers, without ques- tion or comment.

Nearly a thousand lectures have been delivered be- fore the Lyceum, and it is doubtful if any other in- stitution iu the country could present such a distin- guished list. Judge Daniel A. White delivered the first lecture, his subject being " Advantages of Know]- edge," and the list of lecturers includes such names as Daniel Webster, Rufus Choate, Edward Everett, John Quincy Adams, Caleb Cushing, Charles Sumner, Henry Wilson, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Oliver Wen- dell Holmes, Wendell Phillips, Louis Agassiz, George Bancroft, Charles Francis Adams, Horace Mann, Jared Sparks and Robert C. Winthrop. Among the Salem lecturers were Judge Daniel A. White, Francis Peabody, Rufus Choate, Thomas Spencer, Stephen C. Phillips, Henry Colman, Henry K. Oliver, Charles W. Upham, Leverett Saltonstall, Joshua H. Ward, Caleb Foote and George B. Loring. Ralph Waldo

THE SALEM LYCEUM was founded in the month of January, 1830, " for the purpose of mutual instruction and rational entertainment by means of lectures, &c." The persons engaged in this formation were among the principal gentlemen of the town. The first meeting was held at the house of Colonel Francis Emerson lectured in thirty-two different courses.

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His first lecture was given in 1835, and his last in 1870.

The Lyceum can no longer offer such attractions to its patrons. The public taste has changed, and de- mands amusement rather than instruction in such a form. The purely literary lecture as a source of general entertainment is almost a thing of the past. The small cost of the cheap editions of the books of the present day which enables an author to address a larger audience at less inconvenience to himself, may have something to do with this change. Whether this be so or not the interest in the Lyceum lectures has not been maintained of late years, and the time may not be far distant when it will be deemed ad- visable to bring the affairs of this old time institution to a close.

The board of officers at present consists of President, George B. Loring; Secretary, Charles S. Osgood ; Treasurer, Gilbert L. Streeter. Trustees, George Peabody and Caleb Foote, and a board of eight man- agers.

SALEM FRATERNITY .- On the 7th of February, 1869, Mr. Alfred Stone, of Providence, formerly a resident of Salem, by invitation addressed a meeting at the East Church, explaining the working of the Providence Union. The next evening a few persons came together in the parlor of Benjamin H. Silsbee, Esq., to confer upon the matter further. Other meet- ings followed at the same place, and resulted in the formation of the Salem Fraternity, under a constitu- tion which states the purpose of the organization to be " to provide evening instruction and amusement " for such of our population as "being confined to their work during the day need recreation at the close of their labors."

The experiment fairly began on the 21st of April, 1869, on which evening the western range of rooms on the second floor of Downing's Block, 175 Essex Street, was opened for the purpose from front to rear. The place was well chosen ; central, accessible, attractive in its principal rooms, while the thorough- fare of the Essex Street promenaders led directly past its door. The rooms were designated as amusement, reading, school and work-rooms.

A year and a half after its opening a winter course of lectures was started. On Saturday evenings the games and amusement were suspended, and their room was taken for this object. Gen. H. K. Oliver gave the first lecture on Saturday evening, October 22, 1870, subject "Good Manners." These lectures were continued on successive Saturday evenings for several years with great success, interspersed with familiar talks upon different mechanical trades and various industries by practical workers in them.

THE YOUNG MEN'S UNION was organized in 1855, and was for many years a flourishing institution. It maintained a reading-room, and each season a course of lectures and entertainments was given under its

auspices, but, failing to maintain its membership, it was dissolved some four or five years ago.

SALEM CHARITABLE MECHANIC ASSOCIATION .- Organized October 1, 1817; incorporated June 4, 1822; consists of regular apprenticed mechanics and of manufacturers, citizens of the city of Salem and vicinity. Its object is to extend the means of use- fulness by encouraging the ingenious, by assisting the necessitous, and by promoting mutual good offices with each other.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 67

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1 Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1538

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1538