Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 381 



The Hall was beautifully decorated with flowers; at each end wag 

 placed an immense bouquet, composed of dahlias and other flowers, 

 reachina: nearly to the ceilinir; above these were wreaths and fes- 

 toons of flowers. Over the cornice at the end of the hall, at the head 

 of tiie table, was placed a tablet, bearing the inscription — 



"fourteenth anniversary of the MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY." 



Opposite to this, at the other end of the hall, was another, reading 

 thus: — 



"the world WAS SAD THE GARDEN WAS A WILD, 



AND MAN THE HERMIT SIGHED — TILL WOMAN SMILED." 



But if the hull was beautifully decorated, what shall we say of the 

 tables.? of the inunense quantity of fruit under which they literally 

 groaned.'' — The luscious peaches — the blooming nectarines — the de- 

 licious grapes — thi melting pear.s — the apples, plums, melons. Sec— 

 Such a splendid display of fruit was never before seen, except at the 

 Society's exhibition. A larger part of it was contributed by the lib- 

 erality of the members. Interspersed among the fruit, were elegant 

 bouquets, intended for the ladies to take with them at the close of 

 the feast: these added to the brilliancy and elegance of the hall. 



But the crowning scene of the whole was yet to come. The com- 

 pany bei^an to assemble at 5 o'clock, and, in a short time, the adjoin- 

 ing saloon was filled with ladies and gentlemen, mingling in pleasant 

 and agreeal)le conversation upon the novel subject of the introduc- 

 tion of ladies to partake in the festivities of the anniversary. At 6 

 precisely, the doors of the supper room were opened; the invited 

 guests were conducted to their seats, and, in a few moments, the 

 whole company, composed of upwards of two hundred, were com- 

 fortably seated at the tables. The spectacle, at this moment, was of 

 the most magnificent description, realizing even the extravagant 

 imaginations of an eastern tale. The i)rilliancy of the hall, the 

 music from the band, the flowers, the fruits, anti, t'ar above all, the 

 presence of female beauty and grace, tended to complete an ensem- 

 ble, unsurpassed as it was unique in its character. 



During the evening, oriffinal songs, written for the occasion by T, 

 Power and J. H. Vv arland, Esqrs., were sung by Mrs. Andrews and 

 Mr. Barker, and the band played a variety of appropriate music be- 

 tween the sentiments. A blessing was invoked by the Rev. Mr. 

 A'Vinslow, upon the occasion, and after a short period passed in par- 

 taking of the refreshments which were so profusely offered, the Pres- 

 ident rose, and said — 



"Gentlemen of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society: — Another 

 period has in the course of time elapsed, and assembled us together 

 to celebrate the Fourteenth Anniversary of this Society — to exchai)i;e 

 mutual congratulations on the success of our past eflorts, and to 

 crown the year with rejoicing. 



"At our last anniversary, [ had the pleasure of briefly adverting to 

 the flourishing condition of the Society, and to the progress of the 

 science whose object it has l)een to promote. And I am now happy 

 to state that there has been no diminution of the zeal and interest so 

 universally felt in the cause of Horticulture. 



"During the past year there has been a greater accession of 

 members to the Society than in any former one since its discojmec- 



