1898.] ANNUAL REUNION. 173 



BiGELOw's Park, and Historical Society Park. — 



All on the banks of Old Lonj? Pond, 

 Now modernized to Lake Quinsifj;aniond. 



The Old Heart's inland sea of pleasure and beauty, a breath- 

 ing spot of the rare air of vitality, a free bath where dirty 

 humanity can cleanse its outward form, and as "Cleanliness is 

 next to Godliness," help to purify the soul within. God, when 

 He made it by pouring the waters from the hollow of his hand 

 to cover the land, gave it in fee simple to all his children for all 

 time, share and share alike ; and later Gershom Rice when he 

 built his log hut in the little hamlet in the wilderness, caught 

 fish there and obtained a preemption title which has come down 

 to his descendants following, and it is today as free as the air 

 above it — free to all hearts that love it. 



University Park. — Where Dr. Hall teaches the science of 

 beauty from the open book of Nature, and where Dr. Hodge 

 cultivates the toads. He has published a full history of the 

 toad in a one-fourth ounce vial edition, of which he kindly gave 

 a volume to teach me and other numskulls that the toad is the 

 progenitor of the tadpole, the pollywog, the bullfrog, and I don't 

 know but of the sea-serpent, the hippopotamus, the crocodile, 

 and all the amphibious tribe. Well, science is mighty and we 

 can swallow much at its dictation, like as the toad swallows the 

 worms and the grubs, working benefactors of horticulture and 

 agriculture. Long may he live to preach and to practice, until 

 mounted on the hobby-horse of science he shall ride into the 

 kingdom, where the toads come not, nor the naughty boys save 

 through regeneration. 



This Society is no more a mere garden for the cultivation of 

 fruits, flowers and grain for ornamental prize shows, but it is a 

 power in the land — the school of science to study out the won- 

 der-working of the power divine and teach them to all mankind. 

 It has been a great factor in cultivating the taste of the beautiful 

 to adorn the homes that makes this Old Heart of our hearts so 

 very beautiful. The fruits, flowers and the golden grain are 

 the Christmas gifts the Santa Claus of God's love brings to all 

 his children. Here and there and everywhere are those with 

 stockings crowded full, and here and there are those whose 

 stockings have holes in their toes and cannot hold their share of 

 its blessings. But all over the world generous Mrs. Taylor's 

 cry, "Divide! Divide!" and all are warmed and clothed and 

 fed and housed, even to the quaint, sharp newsboy tribe. The 

 cry, " Oh, my, didn't I get two plates of turkey and two pieces 

 of mince pie ! Whoop 'er up for Mrs. Taylor. She's no snip 

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