Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-10-23

The regular annual meeting OF the American
Antiquarian society was held, Saturday, in this
city, at Antiquarian hall The meeting was
called to ORDER at II A. NJ, by Hon. Stephen
Salisbury, the president.
Rev. E. Z. Hale, of Boston, read the report of
the council. After some statements relative to
the condition and work of the society, and q no.
tcc Of the death of Commodore Blake, who was
one of its members, he proceeded TO his chief
topic, the discovery CT the Pacific ocean,
Columbus having no knowledge or thought of
such an ocean, supposed he had reached eastern
Asia. Marco Polo saw the western shore of this
ocean. On this side, the first European who
saw it was Balboa. II was never seen by Cortez
to whom some have attributed the discovery
There was much exploration before its vast ex-
tent was made known. 1t is only since the be-
ginning ofthe last century, that the longitudcs
of North America and eastern Asia have been
crowded back sufficiently to show that it spreads
over 100 degrees, from east TO west nearly half
the circumference of the globe. The history of
discovery on the Pacific and its shores, is one of
the most tempting topics for the historian He
rave some account of these explorations in
GLIDING the expedition of Lewis and Clark. The
last vail has been removed by our knowledge
Of Japan. He remarked that the. voyage of
Magellan made the world acquainted with the
great extent of the Pacific, He spoke of the
South Sea Company" and of what its history
might have been lift had discovered the gold of
California He gave an interesting account of
the early maps of the American coast, and of
coUjccturaI drawings of lines of the coast in
imitation OF what was supposed to be the east
ern coast line OF Asia. Mr.. Hale'S paper was
very suggestive; but we can give only very lean
and imperfect account of it,
The Librarians report was read by S. +. Ha-
ven, Esq and gave the following account of
additions to the library, since the last meeting:
$50 books, pip pamphlets 100 volumes of I'M
bound newspapers, l6 maps, manuscripts, 2
photographs, 4 medals and various broadsidcS,
circulars and cards. The purchases have been
II volumes, pamphlets, and 90 volumes of
newspapers; the gains by exchange have been
SO books and 81 pamphlets.
Mr. Haven spoke of the importance of pre-
serving periodical literature, which contains so
much important material for history. The val
ne of odd volumes and odd numbers of old pc
rlodlcals is very great, for, in the right hands,
they can be used TO complete sets in the libra
Iles' III TINS connection there were some excel
lent suggestions on the subject of literary eX
changes. The value of ephemeral and periodi-
cal literature was also discussed, and the impOr-
lance OF care IN its preservation urged. 1t has
recently been found eXpedent to purchase for
the library large collection of documents re-
lation to the religious denomination called
Second Adventlsts, which, originating in 1S43
now numbers 800 preachers and from 10000 TO
2OO,OOO members, and their history, which at
the outset was but a tri1e, begins TO be valua-
BILE. This is an Illustration of the Importance
of ephemeral literature.
The report described several old magazines
which contain matters of permanent value: and
III this connection Mr.. George Richards, author
of an epic poem, published in the "Alassachu-
sets Magazine" 1888 and 1892, was mentioned
as a man who, although of considerable note in
his time, has dropped out OF sight, except as his
poem is preserved in the magazine; and some
account of his life and writings was given Mr.
Haven expressed regret that the ante-revolu-
tonary magazines and papers were not more
Dumerously preserved, and urged members of
the society TO improve every opportunity to Sc
cure and preserve such as still exist, and make
the collection of the present day complete.
The treasurer's report was read by Nathaniel
Paine, Esq, as follows