98 TRANSACTIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 



past with which you will be favored, in the remarks of others. I cannot 

 conclude, however, without alluding to the grace and elegance bestowed 

 on our feast by Woma7i ; to her, who 



" Still is fairest found, where all is fair." 



Ladies, we welcome you, with all our hearts. Without the light of your 

 countenances, and the smiles of your approbation, our emulation and en- 

 terprise would languish and decline ; and we rejoice with gratitude in the 

 beautiful and glorious results that have flowed from your efibrts in the cul- 

 tivation of the mental fruits ; in training intellectual plants for honor and 

 usefulness here, and for a habitation in the celestial fields, where may you 

 be rewarded with a crown of never fading flowers, — a harvest of immortal 

 fruit. Ladies and Gentlemen, I propose for your consideration, as a sen- 

 timent, — 



Cultivation, Manual, Mental, and Moral, — The three great sources 

 of wealth, fame, and happiness. 



The President then announced the following sentiment : — 



New England, — The home of the Pilgrims, the birthplace of Liberty ; 

 her rude soil, cultivated by hard hands, now teems with the choicest 

 products of every clime. 



The Governor of the Commonwealth, — From the rough and rocky soil 

 of the Berkshire Hills, he appears to have learned the art of raising a large 

 crop of esteem in every county in the State. 



In ihe absence of Governor Briggs, John G. Palfrey, Esq., the Secretary 

 of the Commonwealth, was called upon to respond to the latter sentiment, 

 and spoke as follows : — 



Mr. President, and Ladies and Gentlemen, — I learn more and more every 

 day, how imprudently I have acted in taking upon me the humble oflice 

 which has been the occasion of this call upon me. This is not the first 

 time I have suSered in this way. You pay your respects to your Gov- 

 ernor, who is rearing quietly, as you so justly say, his crop of esteem in all 

 parts of the State, and, in his absence, you call upon one humble individ- 

 ual, as his representative, to face an audience, which it would require more 

 boldness than he claims as an attribute of his, to meet. 



Mr. President, time was, when Massachusetts had a Governor who was 

 on the spot, and accustomed to respond for himself to any call that might 

 be made upon him. Thank God, he is among us again this evening! 

 (Great cheering.) Thank Heaven, that he is here safe and sound to receive 

 our hearty welcome, and to respond to us in those eloquent tones to which 

 this hall has so often resounded ! 



Mr. President, I have seen the time when I was hard pushed for matter 

 for a discourse, and I was glad of a good text. And you have this eve- 

 ning given me a good text in the sentiment which you have offered in com- 



