TRANSACTIONS OF THE SOCIETY. Ill 



In that " central flowery land," this is the case at all festivals ; flowers 

 there adorn the table and meet the eye in every direction, on all festal oc- 

 casions. But they are not there accompanied by what we here enjoy. 

 Here alone, — here and in Christian lands, — woman enchants and beautifies 

 with her presence the festive scene. "Woman, — our equal, — shall I not say 

 our moral superior. It is only here, that such a scene can gladden the hu- 

 man eye. I regard this exhibition as a striking proof of the point which 

 education and intellectual refinement have reached in our country ; that 

 we have got beyond mere utility, and, ceasing to inquire how far it is in- 

 compatible with beauty, have found that the beautiful is of itself useful. 

 We have learned to admire art, to appreciate painting and sculpture, and 

 to look upon fruits and flowers as models of delicacy and beauty. And 

 although it is said that Massachusetts produces nothing but the ice of her 

 lakes and the granite of her hills, yet we know that she also produces 

 men, — free-hearted, high-minded, noble-purposed men and women, — the 

 fairest and best. They are also the beautiful growth of our land. It is 

 here that we have the best proof of the intellectual and moral elevation to 

 which our favored State has ascended. And I trust that hereafter men, — 

 natives of our soil, born, bred, living here, enjoying the bracing air, the 

 high qualities, the strength of character, the high privileges, and more 

 than all, the high principles and aspirations after all good things which we 

 so highly prize, — may ever be, as now, the indigenous product of the soil 

 of Massachusetts. 



The Chair then gave the following sentiments, of a kindred nature to 

 each other : — 



The Ladies, — The blossoms of loveliness ! Our "lasting treasures," 

 our amaranthine flowers ! 



"Woman, — The earliest gatherer of fruits. By picking the first apple, 

 she caused the first pair to fall. 



The Ladies and Flowers, — Ministering angels to man. 



An ode, written expressly for the occasion by R. H. Bacon, Esq., was 

 then sung : — 



Once more, while Autumn's sober smile 



Shines out o'er hill and valley. 

 And, high the golden sheaves to pile, 



A-field the farmers rally, — 

 We come, a kindred joy to share, 



With fruits and flowers laden, 

 Cheered by the voice of matrons fair 

 And many an arch-eyed maiden. 



Dame Nature, with a woman's art. 



Exchanging her.attire, is, 

 Her forest green will soon be seen 



To lake the hues of Iris. 



