36 BANQUET TO THE 



rience. To minister to the delight of the eye, or to 

 the pleasure of a healthy and refined appetite, is an 

 object worthy of any man's attainment ; and so thou- 

 sands may bless the thoughtful care of that public 

 benefactor whose wealth, acquired in an honorable 

 mercantile career, has been devoted to such wonderful 

 improvements in the fruits and flowers of our land. 



Mr. President, and Gentlemen, I have the honor to 

 represent here the State which claims with pride to 

 be the birthplace of our honored friend. The people 

 of New Hampshire to-night greet Marshall P. Wilder 

 on the eighty-fifth anniversary of his birth, and they 

 hope and pray that his life may be spared yet many 

 years to bless those who have so many reasons to 

 bless him. And I know they are proud to have 

 given so good and so great a man to Massachusetts. 



New Hampshire once had a distinguished son 

 whom she delighted to honor as a great man at home, 

 but it was said that when he was called to spread 

 himself over the whole land he was rather thin ; but 

 here is one who, if I may so speak, has spread him- 

 self not only over our States and Territories, but over 

 lands across the sea, a genial and gentle ruler, and 

 yet with no diminution of his substantial presence, 

 or in all that is glorious and lovable. God still con- 

 tinue to bless Marshall P. Wilder, until glorified 

 above ! 



