RECOLLECTIONS TO 1890. 77 



pagne." "We know the value of crystal ware but not 

 of wine. So you see that we have acted wisely, is it 

 not ? Besides, when wine is drunk there is nothing 

 left but empty bottles, useless ; but the glasses may be 

 used " ad libitum ;" " when you have something to 

 put in." Anyhow, these glasses might be used for 

 the future generations of orchids' clubs, who could 

 drink your health when you will be gone to Heaven, 

 where we sincerely hope you will go when you will 

 leave us, unless you should prefer to go whither you 

 may meet your* nightmare Mr. Linden who swindled 

 you "on that" line bifurcated line you said,. in 1877. 



Here ends nearly our Orchid club frolics sub- 

 scientific evolutions. Some of us had tried to keep up 

 the "Sfacredfirt" but our combustible was exhausted, 

 and our last neophyte, proselyte who had the "stimu- 

 lant " had given up his office where he kept the holy 

 matches to light the sacred fire, which burned his fin- 

 gers, then later our " Spectdbile " had also departed (sud- 

 denly) ; then another member, Capt. of a steamboat on 

 I W as going to say the " Styx ! " that river " Lethe " 

 makes me forget every thing ! I meant the Hudson 

 river, so we hardly had a quorum left. So that since 

 we have been living on our former reputation. Yet 

 we have a few remainders of our laurels. " Sic transit 

 gloria Mundi." " Thus fades the glory of the world." 



