Half Century in Salem

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. Seventeen years ago I wrote a paper, with the title of Old Salem, which I read one evening to the members of the Ladies' Social Club in Boston. Subsequently I was asked to repeat it in small parties, at which sundry venerable gentlemen joined the young and middle-aged of my audience, to listen to the story of departed days. A few years later I gave it under the same title to a paper published for the benefit of a Salem fair, but it was in many respects altered, as trivial personalities in a private parlor would be impertinent liberties in print.<br><br>With sundry changes and additions, I have at last done what has been so long deferred, and I offer my little book for the amusement of friends who may not be averse to refreshing their memories with harmless gossip. But now a question of propriety arises that is not quite easy to meet.