36 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1871. 



considering him a failure, but lie was glad to know that a gentleman 

 living at the other end of the State, thought ditierently, a reply which 

 was received with applause. He took issue with Mr. Haven in regard 

 to the standing of the Worcester of to-day and that of 1840, and 

 spoke spiritedly of its growth and development, in all the elements of 

 power and greatness, forty years ago. What business man of that 

 day could manage the Boston and Albany Railroad like Mr. Waldo 

 Lincoln, or take charge with success of an institution like Mr. Cromp- 

 ton's shop or Mr. Moen's. As to professions, he did not undertake 

 to judge of others, but in his own, he did not believe the man could 

 have been found in Worcester forty years ago, or could be found else- 

 where in Massachusetts to-day, who in that highest form of intellect- 

 ual capacity — the power of persuading intelligent minds by cogent 

 and persuasive argument, could surpass Mr. Aldrich ; or for exhaust- 

 less and profound legal learning was the equal of Mr. Bacon. He 

 would be amused to have the Worcester bar of forty years ago put 

 together their intellects on one side of a complicated equity cause, 

 with Mr. T. L. Nelson on the other, and see where they would prob- 

 ably land. But, he said, it has been always thus ; even in the days of 

 Homer, the men of the past were greater than those of the present : — 



"A ponderous stone bold Hector heaved to throw, 



Pointed above and rough and gross below ; 



Not two strong men the enormous weight could raise, 



Such men that live in these degenerate days; 



Yet this, as easy as the swain could bear 



The snowy fleece, he tossed and shook in air. " 



Hon. Henry Chapin made a characteristic speech, and read a 

 poem, which he said he found while moving his house ; it was a moving 

 poem. 



Mr. Stephen S. Foster spoke again briefly in support of Mr. 

 Hoar's estimate of Worcester, and of his individual opinion that 

 Tatnuck is the model centre of this model city. 



Mayor Earle followed in reply to a sentiment touching his official 

 position. 



Remarks complimentary to Edward W. Lincoln, Esq., Secretary 

 from 1861 to 1871, brought out Dr. Francis, the present Secretary, 

 with a note from Mr. Lincoln in which that gentleman explained the 

 cause of his absence to be chills and fever, a visitation of which did not 



