HON. MARSHALL P. WILDER. 21 



The Boston Club, consisting of about twenty members, 

 entered the dining-hall, and, through their President, John 

 L. Stevenson, Esq., presented tlie congratulations of the 

 Club to Colonel Wilder in the following words : — 



The members of the Boston Club, dining in an 

 adjacent room, could not permit this rare occasion 

 to pass without calling in a body to testify by their 

 presence their appreciation of the noble qualities of 

 head and heart, which have so long added lustre to 

 your honored name. 



Accept, dear Sir, our sincere congratulations that 

 at the age of fourscore years and five, in good health 

 and vigor, you sit at this festal board, surrounded 

 by honored and honoring friends, who have gathered 

 here to felicitate you on this your natal day. 



And that your silvered head may gladden our 

 sight, while the golden love of your heart finds ex- 

 pression in the eloquent words of your lips on many 

 happy returns of this delightful occasion, is our heart- 

 felt wish. 



Colonel Wilder responded as follows : — 



Gentlemen, — You take me by surprise; but I 

 assure you that I am most grateful for this mark of 

 respect and desire for my future happiness. Your 



