West Newbury Lyceum Secretary Book, 1858-1868 : manuscript signed.

Date

1858 December 30-1868 January 30

Creator

One handwritten notebook containing constitution, membership list, and 'lyceum' meeting summaries of the Newbury Literary Society. Meeting summaries consist of society business followed by each session's topic of discussion. These frequently concern moral debate over current events including the death of John Brown, the institution slavery, the actions of the 'Abolition Party', the secession of the southern states, the Emancipation Proclamation, the actions of the 'Abolition Party'. Abstract topics of discussion are also listed, including the risks of pride and ambition versus those of ignorance and superstition, the influence of wealth and education, justifications for deception, the value of monarchy versus republican government, and universal suffrage. Music heard and songs sung at the meetings are also described. No meetings were recorded in 1862 or 1865. Script is in ink or pencil in the hands of various Society secretaries.