78 THE MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY 



won upon the same vessel, when he was its commander. It 

 seems to have been the practice to extend an invitation to 

 the commander of any naval vessel in the port of Boston, 

 at the time, whether of the American or other nationali- 

 ties. In 1827 Capt. Basil Hall of the British navy, and 

 General Ccffin of the British army were present. Doubt- 

 less the list might be much extended had any record been 

 kept. The British consul was an occasional or frequent 

 guest, and, that no other consuls appear to have been, is 

 probably attributable to difference of language, whereby 

 the convivial wit and oratory had a lesser attraction for 

 them. That these abounded there is ample evidence ; but 

 everything was done in the New England fashion. It is 

 recorded of one of the dinners that Rev. John Foster, D. 

 D., of Brighton, asked the blessing before the banquet, and 

 Rev. John Pierce, D. D., of Brookline, offered thanks at its 

 close. This was, no doubt, in conformity with the usual or- 

 der of proceeding. 



It may be remarked that, while, as respects the dignity 

 of these occasions, the presence of leading citizens and 

 intelligent agriculturalists of distant places is testimony, 

 in its proper degree, it is significant also as showing that 

 the reputation of the society's exhibitions was wide- 

 spread ; and a reasonable implication would be that the 

 society's influence for much or for little was co-extensive. 

 These visitors were in a sense envoys self-appointed, 

 indeed, some of them, or perhaps unconscious of having 

 any such function. But when they returned home they 

 made report among their neighbors as to what the men 

 of bright wits and long purses in Massachusetts were do- 

 ing to promote agriculture, what stage of advancement 

 in the art the exhibition gave proof of, and what skill and 

 what methods were requisite for success in holding such 

 exhibitions. And it cannot be doubted that, in instances, 

 the instruction thus conveyed was promo tive of agricul- 

 ture in those far countries. 



