xliv REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



her superior in age. Such specimens are worthy to be spoken of and 

 more worthy to be imitated. 



There was also a miniature bureau, the work of Enoch Hazeltine, 

 of New Bedford, eighty-four years old, worthy to be kept as an 

 heirloom. These articles are not mentioned as being superior in 

 every respect, but as evidence in one case of tact which shoujd be 

 cultivated, and in the other, evidence of skill which should be re- 

 spected, though it may be waning. 



Here were two extremes in age; the ages between these filled a 

 large space in the hall with drawings and needlework, which in the 

 absence in the quantity of fruit usually exhibited, was well timed, 

 showing that while deprived in some measure of nature's products, 

 art stood ready to fill the vacuum. Were it hot for our wives and 

 daughters, our exhibitions would be meagre in the sight of men. 



The manufacturers of the city of Fall River were not unmindful 

 to place their plank in the broad bridge of improvement, which 

 will soon be so far completed as to enable the genius of this country 

 to quietly pass over and outstrip its foreign counterpart. On this 

 occasion their poster said, " a million of spindles." These spindles 

 are run mostly by steam-power, which is equalled only by the in- 

 domitable enterprise of the manufacturer. On exhibition were 

 samples of cloth in their various stages, from the raw material to 

 the handsomely finished goods, ready for the market. 



In the floral department was ample evidence of taste for the 

 beautiful, — a taste well worthy of distinctive cultivation. J. M. 

 Godfrey, Esq., of Lakeville, and Dr. Nathan Durfee, of Fall River, 

 were the leading spirits in this part of the exhibition. 



For so meagre an exhibition of fruit, its general scarcity was an 

 ample apology, and yet from the grounds of Dr. Durfee and J. P. 

 Newell, Esq., of Fall River, were specimens of fruit creditable to 

 any cultivator in any year. Suspended in a conspicuous place in 

 the hall, was a glass, cage-like in form, filled with grapes from the 

 grounds of Dr. Durfee, hanging in large clusters, and attracting the 

 attention of every one who desired a taste. If the doctor is guilty 

 of no greater sin than laying such temptation before so great a 

 multitude, we think he must be a most happy man. The tempta- 

 tion was great, but the showcase was secure. Every product of 

 the field and garden was represented by its kind. 



We found bread and butter and honey. Bread is the most im- 

 portant article of diet to be found on the table of any family. The 

 importance of a good article is understood by many, but it is ob- 

 tained, comparatively speaking, by few. To make good bread is 

 an art which should be thoroughly studied. 



