SECOND ANNUAL BANQUET. 43 
explore the interrelations of plant and insect, would increase 
the resources and happiness of mankind. The prevention 
of animal and vegetable disease would save this country tens 
of millions every year by the preservation of its cattle, 
fruits, and cereals. The complete attainment of these 
objects is perhaps impossible, but it is confidently believed 
that the Shaw School of Botany will do its full share in 
their particular accomplishment. 
But its founder did not limit investigation to purely 
utilitarian researches. His purposes were broader. He 
sought to cultivate, by study in the School and observation 
in the Garden, an intelligent appreciation of the loveliness 
and wondrous mechanism of flowers. He believed that 
communion with the fairest offspring of nature and an 
enlightened perception of the infinitely varied charms of 
floral form, tint, and fragrance would uplift the soul to 
loftier contemplations, and inspire a thoughtful reverence 
for Him who provided all this beauty for human enjoy- 
ment. 
The School which Mr. Shaw founded will make St. Louis 
one of the great centers of botanical research, and largely 
increase the usefulness of Washington University. Every 
friend of liberal learning will be deeply grateful for the 
endowment of so important a department of the University. 
It is for these great services in behalf of a higher civi- 
lization that we to-night honor the memory of Henry Shaw. 
But neither the benefits of his generosity, nor the obligations 
of public gratitude will be confined to the present genera- 
tion. Distant ages, equally sharing his bounty, will bless 
the benefactor who provided for them such beautiful 
pleasure-grounds for refined enjoyment, and such ample 
facilities for scientific study. 
Mr. Shaw built his own monument. His benefactions 
are memorials as enduring as our civilization. Marble and 
bronze will crumble, but an organized and well endowed 
beneficence is immortal. Surviving the ever-changing 
recipients of its benefits, it finds a fit emblem of its 
