180 BRIEF REMARKS. 



sori'ow, or sin entered into our world. (Cheers.) However, gentlemen, 

 we know that those drawbacks and disfigurements abound near the pur- 

 suit and profession of a gardener as they do to every other calling or 

 occupation. And tliis brings me especially to the claims which such a 

 charity as this puts fortli for your support. I learn, gentlemen, that 

 the Gardeners' Benevolent Institution is adapted to afford relief to aged 

 and infirm gardeners above 60 years of age, and their widows, in all 

 parts of the United Kingdom ; that it has now 34 pensioners upon its 

 funds, 11 women and 23 men, whose claims have all borne the strictest 

 investigation, and who have been reduced in their old age to penury 

 and destitution ; and I find that the average ages of these parties are 

 74 years for tiie women, and 76 years for tlie men. I am further told 

 that it will appear by one of your rules, tliat this society, besides pro- 

 viding pecuniary relief for the distressed and broken down, in the shape 

 of charity, partakes also of the nature of a friendly society, and encou- 

 rages contributions from gardeners, by promising whicli, while in the 

 heydity of their vigour and prime, they acquire a right of preference 

 and a title to the enjoyment of your bounty in the event of darker days 

 coming across them. (Applause.) I find that during the few years 

 (eight I believe) that the society has been in operation, it has contri- 

 buted relief to tlie amount of 2,280/. (Hear, hear.) But does the relief 

 it is enabled to give meet all the claims made upon it ? By no means. 

 I regret to have to add, that, though this much has been done, yet at 

 this time your Committee, out of twenty eligible candidates for your 

 bounty, can only elect two of them this year. (Hear, hear.) I have now 

 to invite your considerate attention on behalf of these broken-down 

 veterans in a pursuit so honourable, so respectable, and so useful. You 

 will not forget — I am sure those who exercise tiie same craft will not 

 forget — you will not forget, you who, by the favour of your Creator, 

 are in easy circumstances, and in an affluent position, that all the enjoj'^- 

 ment you derive from what is beautiful to the sight and fragrant to the 

 smell in the rich and varied products of your gardens — you will not 

 forget that the life and pursuit of a gardener is a laborious one, and 

 subject to much competition ; subject to many reverses ; subject to the 

 change of taste, and the caprice of fashion, and trying and unhealthy 

 to .some constitutions ; expo.sed to unhealthiness in .some situations, and 

 often bending the stout back and stiflTening the active limbs of those 

 who minister to your luxury, your comfort, and your pleasure. (Hear, 

 hear.) These are claims which you will not, I am sure, forget. You 

 will remember that in the brightest foliage, and in the most gorgeous 

 colours, there often lurks the most mischievous poison, and that even 

 the fairest rose is never without its thorn — (hear, hear) — above all, 

 you Mill remember tliat amid all that is bright and beautiful in nature, 

 there is still no blossom of plant or shrub or tree that blows with such 

 unfading colours — there is no scent of earth so fraught with undying 

 fragrance — as the bloom of good and charitable works, and the sweet- 

 smelling savour of that pity which feels for the Mants and relieves the 

 distresses of our friends and our brothers. (Loud applause.) Gentle- 

 men, I feel that a cause like this is safe in your hands, and I have only 

 to recommend, with all good-will and all the fervour it deserves, the 



