to its erection, by the admonitions of Miss D. Dix, of Boston, whose generous philanthropy has done so much for suffering humanity. There were those who thought her officious, misinformed as to the facts she stated, and disposed to meddle with that which did not concern her. I know there were such. But even those will now cheerfully acknowledge, that she was actuated by good motives; and that she did the town a service, for which she ought ever to be held in grateful remembrance. Noble soul! that looks around and sees how many tears of suffering she has dried up, and how many pangs of distress she has alleviated. Her own reflections are a heavenly reward. May her shadow never be less.

There is no town in the Commonwealth where the unfortunate poor are regarded with more sympathy and kindness. Every rational movement for their benefit has always met a cheerful approval by the town. Care is taken to secure the services of intelligent and humane overseers, and the establishment entire is a model worthy of imitation.

A careful analysis of the concerns of this department for fifty years last past, will show, that at least three fourths of all those who have received relief at the almshouse, have been brought to this necessity by reason of intemperance, notwithstanding the unremitted efforts of the town to stay the devastations of this debasing vice,—this inexhaustible fountain of suffering and of crime. May God grant a safe deliverance from it, even though it should involve the total annihilation of all that intox· icates.

TEMPERANCE.

In the efforts that have been made to advance the cause of temperance, for the last forty years, Danvers has taken no mean position. During all this period, many of her best citizens have been actively coöperating with the best friends of the cause.

As early as 1812, Samuel Holten, Benjamin Wadsworth, Edward Southwick, Fitch Poole, Caleb Oakes, and others, were pioneers in this enterprise. They dared to say, even then, when it was almost the universal practice to "take a little for the stomach's sake and often infirmities," that "the use of

intoxicating liquors, as a beverage, was an evil, and only evil continually." It is glorious to find these experienced, upright, and keen observers of human nature, putting forth the doctrine that total abstinence, from everything that intoxicates, is "the only sure guide," the only principle that can be depended upon. What the zealous friends of law (Massachusetts law, may I say?) have recently discovered, they seem to have known by instinct. They preached temperance, and they practised what they preached. Without which, on any subject, preaching is a tinkling cymbal,”—an "empty show."

Danvers was the first town that took action, in its corporate capacity, against licensing the retail of intoxicating liquors. The motion, (to my certain knowledge,) was drafted in pencil, at the Village Church, and presented at the annual meeting, 1835, by S. P. Fowler, Esq. To the credit of the town, its authorities have constantly adhered to the faith then promulgated. Not so with all the authorities in towns around,—and hence has flowed misery and crime. Since 1835, there has annually been appointed a committee, to watch the progress of the cause, and to advance its success. What Maine now is to other states, Danvers has been to other towns, a beacon light on the eminence of Temperance. May its effulgence be strengthened, until the path of duty shall be, as illuminated by the noonday sun.

Attention to business has ever been a prominent trait in the character of the people of Danvers. For many years, the cultivation of the land was their chief employment. Throughout the early records, they are spoken of as the farmers, in contrast with those engaged in commercial pursuits, for which Salem has been eminent from the beginning. Among the farmers best known, will be found the names of Putnam, Preston, Proctor, Felton, and King. Their fields have exhibited samples of cultivation that will compare with any in the Commonwealth. They have stirred their soil deep, and aimed to understand the reason for so doing. The town affords every variety of soil,

from very strong to very shallow. The lands require much labor, and unremitted attention to the application of invigorating substances. As the population has increased, their labors have been concentrated; and it would not be difficult to point out those who raise as much, and live as well, from the products of ten acres, as did those before them from the products of one hundred acres. I forbear to dilate. The story of their farming has often been told, and can be better told elsewhere.

TANNING.

About one hundred years ago, friend Joseph Southwick commenced the business of tanning, in a few tubs or half hogsheads. This business has since so expanded, that it now occupies as many thousand vats. It is the staple business of the place. For many years, it was carried on chiefly by Messrs. Southwick, Shove, Wallis, Sutton, Poole, and a few others, who made fortunes in attending to it. The hide and leather business, in all its modifications, has probably done more to advance the wealth and resources of the town, than any other; especially when the manufactures, of which leather is the principal component part, are taken into view. The annual amount of these manufactures is estimated at not less than $2,000,000.*

EARTHEN WARE.

A class of coarse ware, known as Danvers crockery, has been coeval with the existence of the town. Forty years since, it was made much more extensively than of late. It is now thrown out of use by articles of more strength and beauty, procured at less expense from abroad,-though for many purposes, it still finds favor with those accustomed to its use. The clay on the margin of Waters River has been found particularly well adapted to this manufacture.

The Osborns ånd Southwicks have done more at this work than any families within my knowledge. William Osborn, the first of the name, was spoken of as a potter. His descendants,

* See Appendix, for statistics of this business.