Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 473 



The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society : 'With a more genial climate, a richer soil, and two 

 years mar'' groivlh than ourselves, it naturally casts a shadow upon us. We are willing to repose 

 in its shade if we may sometimes partake of its substance. 



Morton McMichael, Esq , delegate from the Society, responded in a hu- 

 morous vein of remark, for which we have not room only for the closing 

 portion. 



In these tumultuary times, Mr. President, when abroad, thrones totter 

 and royalties run, and the spirit of progress, madly leaping across the chasm 

 of centuries, seeks to drag the palpable present into the indistinct future: 

 and, at home, we are in the very tempest and storm of a Presidential contest 

 — a violent triangular tornado, not to speak of earthquakes in New York, 

 and gold-mines in California — you, gentlemen horticulturists, can shut your- 

 selves up in your gardens, shutting out tlie world with its bustle and tur- 

 moil, and shutting in contentment and peace — careless, amid your dahlias, 

 and japonicas, whether Prussia circumvents Austria, or, as is most likely to 

 be the case, each cheats the other. The French anarchy has fallen, but you, 

 Mr. President, have raised a new variety of pear ; and what is the extinction 

 of an effete and exploded dynasty to the production of a delicious fruit? 

 Charles Albert beats Radetsky : of how little importance is that, compared 

 to the fact that Mr. Hovey takes the first premium for flowers ; or, if Ra- 

 detsky beats Charles Albert, it affords less interest than to know that Mr. 

 French's fruits carry off the prize from all competitors. After all, sir. Hor- 

 ticulture — which may be regarded as Philosophy, teaching by roses and ap- 

 ples — is the only true pursuit; and (crqne qualerque heati — thrice and four 

 times blessed are they, who, under its genial influences, are tranquil in the 

 midst of excitements, and can afford to smile when money is two per cent, a 

 month. 



But, sir, it is time this prattle should cease ; and now let me say in sober 

 seriousness, what in me, who am but a lay-member, not entitled to any 

 share of the praise, it may not be unbecoming to say, that the Pennsylva- 

 nia Horticultural Society is an institution of which, in Philadelphia, we are 

 justly proud. Composed as it is, for the most part, of men eminent for 

 character, liberality, learning and knowledge — knowledge not alone of the 

 science, or, if you so please to call it, the art, which they are associated to 

 promote, but also of all kindred and dependent sciences ; and of women, 

 whose daily lives are not less beautiful than the gentle flowers they nurture, 

 it has exercised a wide-spread and beneficial influence. It has refined the 

 public taste, while, at the same time, it has ministered largely to the public 

 enjoym.ent. By diffusing a love for the graceful pursuits to which it invites, 

 it has heightened the charm of social intercourse ; and by bringing together 

 various classes, which would otherwise be separated, and giving to them a 

 common object, it has strengthened the bonds which hold the coinmunity 

 together. The effects which this society has produced, are seen in all parts 

 of our flourishing city. Every nook has its grass-plot or its flower-bed; 

 and in the dim suburbs, peeping through broken window-panes, may be seen 

 evidences of the healthful and happy spirit it has called into existence. In 

 its more utilitarian aspects, it is not less worthy of commendation. Since 

 40* 



