52 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND 



was a millionaire, and I was wise for want of money . . 

 He told me, I suppose that wine and you come from 

 the same locality. Yes, sir ! and I am trying to im- 

 prove myself by old age as wine does. It is an old 

 proverb, or aphorism of our ancestors, the " Gaulois " 

 that 



" Good old wine and young women 

 Give you the illusion of going to Heaven." 



Now that I have told you more or less edifying 

 stories no ! stories but histories (authentic) I may have 

 committed some chronological errors or expressed my- 

 self with too much enthusiasm, but all I have said is- 

 truer than what is often termed " Sacred History." 



Just this moment I think of the history of a plant 

 of great intrinsic value, as far as mere money is con- 

 cerned, but also for the gratification it gives, by its 

 frequency in blooming several times through the whole 

 year, Summer and Winter. 



This plant is Yanda tricolor variety and tricolor 

 " Corningina n dedicated by his friends to Mr. Erastus 

 Corning, President of " Albany Orchid Club " Orchid 

 Club ! I have never heard of such an Association ! 

 It may be so, nevertheless it has existed and gloriously 

 for many years and some of its members are still alive 

 and ready to vindicate and praise its doings, collectively y 



