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��NEW HAMPSHIRE ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
��made almost daily. Contributions are frequently received from remote parts of the State, and from New Hampshire men living in other States, of whose existence the managers were before unaware, and people often address the Society, de- scribing articles, curious and time-hon- ored, which they wish to have preserved by the Society.
The Antiquarian department proper of the Society's collections embraces pieces of rare old furniture, table, culi- nary and kitchen implements, agricultur- al and mechanical tools and contrivances of ancient make, articles of costume and personal ornament of "ye olden tyme," Indian relics and implements, the arms, accoutrements and uniforms used in the old wars, coins of every kind, and depre- ciated paper currency, and family heir- looms that have become venerable and precious by age. The Society does not undervalue that peculiar interest which attaches to whatever has been owned or used by persons or families of historic re- nown. But its primary purpose and de- sign is to collect, arrange and exhibit whatever will best illustrate the methods, implements and products of the indus- trial life of our ancestors, without re- gard to the social standing of the origi- nal or subsequent owners. In other words, to group together in our collec- tion whatever seems likely to afford in- terest or assistance in the study of com- parative archaeology. To this was added a department of Natural History, includ- ing geology and mineralogy; and a His- torical department, embracing the collec- tion of books, pamphlets, newspapers and manuscripts. Of this latter division of the Society's work, and of the scope and method of its procedure in the pros- ecution of it, an account will be given in the next number of this magazine.
Altogether, the success of the enter- prise has far exceeded the most sanguine expectations of its founders. Aid and contributions have come from most un- expected sources, and an interest mani- fested in its work, that demonstrates more clearly than any hypothesis, the ex- istence of that public want which the in- stitution was intended to meet. The number of visitors has been upwards of
��500 annually, since the collection was opened. The Society occupies four rooms, with a floor area of 918 square feet, and with 863 linear feet of shelf- room, and these are already so crowded as to demand an enlargement of accom- modations at once. The Society hopes to be able to secure or erect a building suited to its wants, at no very distant day. The necessity is clearly seen by the members, and its accomplishment will be undertaken as soon as a reason- able expectation of success will war- rant it.
The past year has been one of unusual firuitfulness to the Society, particularly its library; owing to the receiptof books, pamphlets and manuscripts from the li- brary of the late Hon. Horace Chase, who was an honorary member, and took a deep interest in the Society's affairs; and from the estates of several other deceased friends of the Society. By a statement of the Treasurer,made on the 4th of July, 1877, the additions made since the lGth of July, 1876. were: Books 738; Pam- phlets 3038; Manuscripts 306; Pictures 81 ; Newspapers in files or volumes 3110; Maps 12; Autographs 82 ; Natural History 70; Geology 190; Antiquities 184; Indian Implements 34; Coins and Currency 428 ; Military 11 ; Foreign 38 ; Total 8352.
The whole number of articles in the Society's collections at the present time, (July 5, 1877,) is as follows : Books 3195 ; Pamphlets 6700; Newspapers 10.087; Manuscripts 1932; Autographs 613; Pic- tures 588 ; Natural History 2199 ; Geol- ogy 1439; Antiquities and Relics 782; Indian Implements 258; Coins and Cur- rency 1413 ; Military 172 ; Foreign 395 ; Total 29,773.
The regular meetings of the Society are on the third Tuesday each, in Janu- ary, April, July and October. The an- nual meeting has thus far been the regu- lar meeting in July, but will probably hereafter be in October. The Society is very democratic in its spirit, and invites correspondence and co-operation from persons interested, everywhere; and es- pecially from natives and residents of New Hampshire.
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