FIRST ANNUAL BANQUET. 137 



ing his life and my feeling of honor and respect for him since his death. 

 The people of St. Louis will hold in perpetual remembrance his kind and 

 wise thoughtf uluess for their good. The provision which he has made 

 not only for their health and amusement, but also for their instruction 

 through the Botanical Garden, will always commend the name of Henry 

 Shaw to their gratitude. But there is no action of his out of the long 

 list of good deeds which stand to his credit, that has appealed so 

 strongly to my sense of obligation as his provision for a perpetual profes- 

 sorsliip of botany in connection with the chief educational institution of 

 St. Louis. By this provision a connecting link is, as it were, made be- 

 tween the University and the Botanical Garden in such a way as to make 

 the entire gi;tt of the garden and professorship in its practical efEects an 

 endowment to the University. 



In the centre of a vast agricultural region, here is an institution for 

 laboratory work of the highest scientific and economical value in the 

 study of plant life. 



It is safe to predict that the future will see a large representation 

 of specialists resorting to St. Louis to pursue the studies necessary for 

 the promotion of agricultural industry. 



I am very sincerely yours, 



W. T. Harris, 

 Commissioner. 



Smithsonian Institution, \ 



United States National Museum, > 



Washington, April 26, 1890. * 



Dear Sir: The invitation of the Trustees of the Missouri Botanical 

 Garden to join them in honoring the memory of its Founder is one which 

 no scientific man would willingly decline. 



For those who, like myself, cannot he jireBent in propria persona, on 

 account of their particular situation in space and time, will unanimously 

 request to be regarded as present in the spirit and with the spirit which 

 must animate all lovers of science on such an occasion. It would be 

 superfluous, nay almost impertinent, for me to offer a personal opinion 

 as to the services, past, present and to come, of Mr. Shaw, where so 

 many who have had the privilege of knowing him are able to speak, 

 but it may not be ungracious in me, as one who did not personally know 

 him, to add my humble testimony to the regard and appreciation which 

 his noble benefactions excite in minds which appreciate the wise gener- 

 osity which saw its fullest opportunity in promoting the increase and 

 diflEusion of knowledge among men. 



I am very sincerely yours, 



Wm. H, Dall. 



St. Louis, May 9th, 1890. 

 My Dear Sir: Your kind Invitation in behalf of the Trustees of the 

 Botanical Garden to the Annual Banquet is received. I thank them for 



