414 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



ANNUAL ADDRESS. 



DELIVERED BY EEV. G. P. TINDALL. 



It is a principle of Holy Writ, applicable alike to all interests and 

 all industries, to improve the talents one has, whether the number be 

 ten, or five, or one. 



It is one of the most obvious of facts that different localities on the 

 earth afford different resources of wealth, and varied opportunities 

 for profitable industry. As yet no other locality has become a rival 

 of Eastern Asia for the profitable cultivation of the tea plant. Vir- 

 gil's wise words are as applicable to-day as when he wrote them, 

 30 B. C: "Before we cleave an unknown plain with the plowshare, 

 let it be our care previously to learn the winds and various character 

 of the climate, the ways of culture practiced by our forefathers, and 

 the tillage and habits of the soil, what each country is apt to produce, 

 and what to refuse. Here grain, there grapes more happily grow; 

 nurseries of trees elsewhere, and herbs spontaneous bloom. Do not 

 you see how Imolus sends saffron odors, India ivory, the soft 

 Sakaeans their frankincense? These laws and eternal conditions nature 

 from the beginning imposed, on certain places^ 



The trend of the mountains of Europe being from east to west, the 

 colder winds from the north are kept back from the famous southern 

 peninsulas of that continent, while they lie fully open to the warm 

 air of tropical Africa, and again have their atmosphere pleasantly 

 moistened and modified by the grandest of seas, the great Mediter- 

 ranean. Hence Greece, Italy, and Spain have been famous, during 

 long ages, for the delicacy, sweetness, and flavor of their fruits. 

 Nature gave to Southern Europe these talents, which an enlightened 

 people early learned to improve. 



By a most happy fortune that favored land did not remain unsung. 

 Publeier Virgilius Maro set forth in immortal verse the beauties and 

 resources of that goodly land. Possessed of a genius to see beauty, 

 grandeur, and elegance wherever displayed, fully in love w«ith his 

 country, and alive with the truest appreciation of all her resources 

 and attractive features, and thoroughly conversant with all her 

 industries, he drew the faithful picture which his countrymen never 

 ceased to admire, and which is as pleasing to-day as when it was 

 written. Were he living on this coast he would be just the poet for 

 this occasion, for he sang of " What makes the harvests joyous, under 

 what sign it is proper to turn the earth, and join the vine to the 

 elms." And with eminent fitness for sunny Italy as well as with 

 characteristic piety, he lifts his eyes to heaven, exclaiming: "Ye 

 brightest lights of the world that trace the year, gliding along the 

 sky, your bounteous gifts I sing." 



The time to plow, and his idea of good tillage, are thus expressed: 

 "In early Spring, when melted snow glides down from the hoary 

 hills, and the crumbling globe unbinds itself by the zephyr, then let 



