DESCRIPTION OF THE HALL. 157 



Between the pilasters were windows with a sunk panel 

 over each. Back of the store, lighted from Chapman 

 Place, was the Library Room, used also for the meetings 

 of the Society, and committees. This room was at first 

 entered directly from Chapman Place, and from a pas- 

 sage way in the rear ; but in 1849 a door was cut con- 

 necting it with the store, which was found much more 

 convenient. In the rear passage way referred to was a 

 door opening from Chapman Place, and at the opposite 

 end stairs to the hall above. This was ninety feet in 

 length, thirty-one in width, and twenty-five in height. 

 It was decorated with Corinthian pilasters, with stylo- 

 bate and entablature, to correspond to the front. The 

 rear was semicircular in form, having on the right a 

 door to the stairs leading to the room below, and on the 

 left one opening into a closet for the exhibition ware. 

 Between these doors was a stand with receding stages 

 for pot plants. On each side of this stand was a 

 pedestal, one being surmounted by a statue of Hebe, 

 and the other by a statue of a Dancing Girl. Two long 

 tables for fruit extended lengthwise of the hall, with 

 another on the western side against the wall ; while 

 against the eastern side and the northern end were 

 stands for cut flowers. Two circular flower stands also 

 stood near the northern end. The first public ex- 

 hibition in the new hall was held on Saturday, May 

 31, 1845. 



A short time before the dedication of the hall, John 

 J. Low addressed a note to the president, of which the 

 following is a part : " Feeling an interest in our excel- 

 lent institution, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, 

 and also a desire to add to the appearance of our beauti- 

 ful hall, I have caused to be placed there a clock, which 



