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tions of existing nations, is speedily acclimated and 

 rendered as familiar, as if it were of indigenous 

 growth. There is still another glorious advantage 

 in these institutions, most honorable to the human 

 race ; — in war, as well as in peace, their names be- 

 come the paroles of intercourse between the republics 

 of letters, of science, and of arts, round the globe. 



Having witnessed the happy effects of associations, 

 for the promotion of literature, natural history, 

 physics, agriculture, the mechanic, economical and 

 fine arts, we may confidently anticipate, that the 

 same salutary influence will be experienced, in the 

 operations of horticulture, by the harmonious labors 

 of those numerous societies, which have been found- 

 ed for its encouragement. 



The literature, history, science, art and practice of 

 gardening, open a wide field for study and inquiry, 

 and present exhaustless sources of pleasure, instruc- 

 tion and wealth. Blessed is the man who partici- 

 pates in these enjoyments. They are not too hum- 

 ble for the most exalted, or beyond the reach of hon- 

 est and retiring industry. It is a banquet of reason, 

 at which wisdom and health preside, and where the 

 amphictyons of genius and taste revel, in the unsa- 

 tiating luxuries of nature and intellect. 



The holy scriptures teach us, that the Almighty 

 sanctioned the peerless beauties and refined pleasures 

 of a garden, by planting that of Eden, and consecrat- 

 ing it as a terrestrial paradise, for the progenitors of 

 the human race. The Elysian Fields were the 

 heaven of heathen mythology, and to each part of 

 their prototypes, on earth, was assigned a tutelary 



