30 BANQUET TO THE 



Such was the generation of Boston merchants under 

 whose tutelage Mr. Wilder came, in the commence- 

 ment of his business career; and during the whole 

 of it he has not only sustained the honorable renown 

 w^hich they had earned and have transmitted, but he 

 has so kept pace with every new fact in knowledge, 

 and so applied what he has gained in other pursuits 

 than that of trade, as greatly to beautify life to others, 

 and to secure for himself a distinction which is at 

 once unique and conspicuous. Agriculture brings 

 the products of her bountiful harvests as a testimony 

 of his services to her; Horticulture, her beautiful 

 trophies to be woven into a garland for his birthday 

 anniversary; and Pomology, her luscious fruits as fit 

 symbols of a life ripening into its maturity, yet pre- 

 serving its flavor and richness. There is hardly 

 a public enterprise of the last three generations, 

 scarcely a pursuit in life, or an institution of patriot- 

 ism, discipline, or charity, that does not bear the sig- 

 net of his touch and feel the vigor of his co-operation. 

 Why, Sir, it may be said, almost with literal truth, 

 that the trees which this great arborist has planted 

 and cultivated and loved are not more numerous 

 than the evidences of his handiwork in all the useful 

 and beneficent departments of life ; and all the flow- 

 ers that shall grow to the end of time ought to 

 bear fragrance to his memory. 



