Massachusetts Hortiadtural Society. 469 



But let me hasten to relieve you, ladies and gentlemen, from the too 

 sombre, if not too sentimental, train of remark into which I have been be- 

 trayed. My reverend friends who have preceded me, will have already re- 

 garded me as poaching on their premises. Let me add but a single oiher 

 idea, as the subject of the sentiment which I shall offer in conclusion. 



We are accustomed to designate certain arts as the Fine Arts, and I would 

 be the last to disparage their claim to this distinguished title. They furnish 

 to our halls of state and to the mansions of the wealthy, paintings and 

 sculpture which cannot be too highly prized. But horticulture, in its most 

 comprehensive sense, is emphatically the Fine Art of common life. It is 

 eminently a Republican Fine Art. It distributes its productions with equal 

 hand to the rich and the poor. Its implements may be wielded by every 

 arm, and its results appreciated by every eye. It decorates the dwelling of 

 the humblest laborer with undoubted originals, by the oldest masters, and 

 places within his daily view fruit pieces such as Van Huysum never painted, 

 and landscapes such as Poussin could only copy. Let me say, then, 



Horticulture: Its best Exhibitions are in the village garden and the cottage window : and its 

 best Festivals in the humble homes which it adorns, and in the humble hearts which it refines 

 and elevates. 



A song was then sung by Mr. T. H. Barker, written expressly for the 

 occasion by Epes Sargent, Esq. 

 The President then gave : — 



The Mlas^achusetts Horticultural Society — Her strides in the advancement of horticultural 

 pursuits have been so rapid, that it must be attributed to her having started with a good Dear- 

 born. 



Gen. Dearborn, the first President of the Society, responded to this sen- 

 timent in an eloquent speech which, we regret, we have not room to give 

 entire. After alluding to the progress of gardening in the early ages, he 

 concluded as follows : — 



In this country, as has been said by several gentlemen this evening, it is 

 a new science and anew art ; for, theoretically understood, it was but little 

 practised ; and we are indebted, not only to the writings, but to the exam- 

 ple of some individuals whose names I see inscribed upon these walls. To 

 Lowell, Gov. Gore, and Preble, and Gushing— to our wealthy, enterpris- 

 ing merchants, and most influential citizens — to the President of this Soci- 

 ety — the Mannings of Salem — Mr. Hovey, Mr. Buel, of New York, now 

 deceased — the venerable gentleman upon my right, the author of one of the 

 most useful agricultural and horticultural works in this country — to these 

 individuals we are indebted, for having done more than it is in my power to 

 relate, to give an impetus to all branches of tillage. 



Among the specimens exhibited upon the tables of this society, I have 

 seen, with wonder and admi^^tion, products from the storm-blasted island 

 of Nahant, from a gentleman entitled to the name of " Ice king," whose 

 commercial enterprise and scientific attainments have been brought to bear 

 upon every branch of human industry, upon the land and upon the water ; 

 he has enabled the people upon the burning tropics to put the crystal waters 

 of New England to their parched lips. Nothing has escaped his attention 

 worthy of his consideration. It is such individuals as I have named, worthy 

 VOL. XIV. NO. X. 40 



