40 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1867. 



The conviction of your Secretary, formed and strengthened by seven years 

 of official experience, is, that the present Hall will very speedily prove, if it is not 

 already, unsuitable for the purposes of the Society. In addition to the reasons 

 tlrged in his report of 1866, the advancing price of Real Estate, in all acces- 

 sible portions of the City, would seem to render some decisive action alike 

 proper and timely. If it is the deliberate policy of the Society to hold Real 

 Property as the most eligible investment of their funds, it would appear that 

 the period has arrived when it must be determined whether to remain in the 

 present location ; and, if so, how long such continuance will be possible. 

 Whether, all the while, the price of land upon Main street and to the 

 ■westward, will not be constantly increasing : — an increment that could it be 

 made to enure to the benefit of the Society, might possibly weigh heavily in favor 

 of a change of situation. One estate, at least, has come upon the mttrket 

 since this Report was commenced, which unites all requirements and would 

 fulfil every need. In the construction of a building thereon, taste could preside 

 at its foundation and convenience dictate its every arrangement. Fashion — 

 which so long and persistently upheld Brinley Hall, and which still reverts 

 with regret to its acoustic advantages and symmetrical proportions, would hail 

 with rapture the dedication of a substitute for existing ill-arranged, inadequate, 

 and unattractive structures. The value of the Hall, or Halls, strictly so 

 termed, in our building, to ourselves or to our tenants, must depend largely, if 

 not wholly, upon their popularity as places of resort. That popularity is influ- 

 enced, and, to a great degree, controlled, by considerations of accessibility, 

 adaptation to purposes of amusement or recreation ; and, if last, not least, 

 beauty. Fashion is seldom capricious in these exactions. When once she has 

 obtained them all, she continues faithful in her attachment. Washburn 

 Hall, despite the influence of a powerful Association, was never popular. The 

 doors of the Theatre may, at any moment, be closed forever upon the Graces : 

 the Muses be denied access to its auditorium. It remains for this Society to 

 decide whether a want does not exist in the community, which a prudent fore- 

 cast of its own best interests should lead the Corporation to supply ? To 

 determine if the opportunity of others will not be found in our omission ? If 

 there is not a " tide in the affairs " of Societies, as well as of individuals, which, 

 once suffered to ebb is lost forever ? 



For these reasons, in connection with those adduced in his last Report, 

 which are most strongly re-afiirmed and again commended to your notice ; 

 not less than for others that it is not deemed consistent with your interests to 

 state thus publicly ; your Secretary renewedly solicits your serious attention to 

 the subject of a suitable and permanent location for HoriicuUiiral Hall. 



All which is respectfully submitted : 



EDWARD W. LINCOLN, 



Secretary and Librarian. 

 Horticultural Hall, 

 Worcester, Mass., Nov. 6th, A. D. 1867. 



