JMas'sachuselts Horticultural Society. 385 



Horticulture — The purest of all pleasures, and the greatest refreshment of 

 the spirits of man. 



The next toast was — 



The Clergy — They scatter broadcast that good seed which shall laring forth 

 thirty, sixty, and an hundred fold. 



The Rev. Mr. Wiiislovv replied to this sentiment, and gave — 



Paradise regained. — No more in danger of being lost by the presence of 

 her Eve, since the "fruit of the tree" that is "good for food and pleasant to 

 the eyes," is no longer forbidden. 



Several of the clergy being present, the President called upon 

 them for sentiments. 



The Rev. Mr. Pierpont made a {ew pertinent remarks, and con- 

 cluded with the following sentiment — 



The Gardener— The co-worker with the Creator of all that is beautiful and 

 good. 



By Rev. Mr. Croswell — 



The Waters of Massachusetts — 



"Though with those streams they no resemblance hold. 

 Whose foam is amber, and whose gravel gold, 

 Wouldst thou their genuine guiltless wealth explore, 

 Search not their bottom, but survey their shore." 



The next sentiment was as follows: — 



Louisiana — Her sons know how to defend as well as cultivate her soil. 

 Her products have proved her bulwarks, as they have her support. 



The Hon. Mr. Conrad, Senator from Louisiana, made a brief re- 

 ply, and gave — 



The State of Blassachusetts—Al-ways the first in the arts of peace, and nev- 

 er behind any i') war. 



Maine and Massachusetts — Sister States, whose valuable interests in the 

 Disputed Boundary have been so happily secured by their intelligent commis- 

 sioners. 



The Hon. Abbott Lawrence replied. He alluded to the manner 

 in which the question had been adjusted, through the labors and ex- 

 ertions of Mr. Webster. He concluded as follows: — 



"Sir, I will not consume more of your time, but pass from this sub- 

 ject to the agreeable occasion which has l)rought us together. I have 

 seen it observed somewhere, that there is a great amount of sound 

 morals in a flower. I subscribe to the remark. We cannot be un- 

 inindful of the increased taste for the cultivation of flowers among us 

 in the last five and twenty years, especially since the formation of 

 this Society fifteen years ago, and with it a corresponding improve- 

 ment in the public morals. I am one of those persons who believe 

 that mankind has improved — is improving, morally and physically — 

 and by constant vigilance will continue to improve; — and to you, Mr. 

 President and to your coadjutors, we are deeply indebted for the rap- 

 id improvements that have been made in horticulture and floriculture. 



"VVhen I see a hard laboring man carrying under his arm (which I 

 often do,) a potted flower or plant instead of a bottle, 1 feel a convic- 

 tion that that man has a virtuous and happy home. 



VOL. VIII. — NO. X. 49 



