The Pioneer Society

A regular meeting of the Washtenaw Couuty I 'ïoneer Society was held at the Court House in üs city, Monday laat, August 3d. ' The President bemg absent, Vioe-President j [ark occupied the chair. Tlie minutes of the previous meeting were ead and approved. On motion of John Geddes, the election of meers iu the organization under the State law . as postponed to an adjourned meeting to be 1 ïeld on the first Monday of September next. j The cominittee previously appointed to take ie preliininary steps for the incorporation of the i ociety reported verbally, and was instructed to make further report at the next meeting. On motion of E. D. Lay, of Ypsilanti, L. ' )avis read an able paper prepared by Mis ' .ark Norris, of Ypsilanti, being a biographical ' ketch of Bey. J. M. Weed, first pastor of the esbyterian Church at Ypsilanti. Horace Carpenter, of this city, read an . ting paper, sketching the early history of the 'ownship of Pittsfield. , C. A. Chapin, of Ann Aibor, read an aining paper from Miss Lizzie Farrand, being a ographical sketch of Bethuel Farrand, the first 'udge of Probate in the county. J. J. Parshall, of Ann Arbor read a letter ' rom B. O. Williams, of Owosso, uponthe origin ] nd meaning of the uame of Washtenaw. On motion, the Society decided to omit the mual picnic, and adjourned to meet for the , ection of officers on the first Monday of ( ember next, at 10 oVlock, A. M. We " swung around the circle" on Wednesay, - that is visited Sharon, going via Ypsilanti nd Saline to Manchester. The occasion of our nusual holiday excursión was an invitation to ttend the Harvest Festival, held in the beautiul grove on the farm of David Gr. Bose, about our miles from Manchester. On our arrival we ound the stalwart sons.and fair daughters of haron - ranging all the way from babyhood to ld age - assembled in goodly numbers, and the ables being spread for " a f east of fat things." After the feast had been disposed of came the ïevitable speaking of all such occasions, and which too oíten is permitted or made to interere with free social enjoyment. This time, ïowever, the chosen speakers were brief and heir remarks in season. The first address was y E. P. Allen, Esq., of Ypsilanti, a nativo of haron, who after speaking of the broad and eautiful and productiva farms of Sharon, of ïer cultured and liberal farmers, and of the ountiful crops just gathered in, discussed in a ensible way some of the topics of special m;erest to farmers and gave some good advice. The Bev. W. C. Way, followed, and humorusly portrayed the difference between " the old and new," the circumstances and conditions and habits and achievements of the farmer of he olden time and to-day. He thought he didn't care to be the old-time farmer, but could endure to be a Sharon farmer of to-day with all his modern improvemeuts. Aiter Mr. Way's address the other gentlemen nained in tho bill, " Messrs. Others," were successively called for by the master of ceremonies, "Unole Andrew," but all were "too full for utterance " and failed to respond. They wisely thought two set addresses enough. We should say that the Manchester Band was on the grounds and discoursed cheering music, and that between the addresses referred to, Mr. Crafts rendered very effectually " The Sword of Bunker HUI." The promise of rain made the gathering smaller than had been expected or thau is usual for a Sharon Farmers' Festival, but the occasion was full of eujoyment and the farmers of other towns may well follow the example of those of Sharon. In the July number of the Michigan Teacher, Prof. Morris, of the University, had an article calling the attentiou of teachers and students to a ' New Treatise on the French Verbs," by Mons. Hennequin, Instructor in French in the university. He says, " The book is designed as a substitute for that portion of any and all French grammars which is concerned with the learning of the verbs. It is to be recommeuded because it greatly simplifies aiid systematizes the acquisition of all the French verbs." This book is being introduced into schools engaged in preparing students for the Univeríity, and covers the precise points on which examination is required. Mons. Hennequin is a nephew of the late Prof. Fasquelle, and acquired both his French and English education iu France.