THE ANNIVERSARY DINNER OF THE SOCIETY. 



For several years after the formation of the Society the anni- 

 versary was celebrated by a public address and a dinner of the 

 members of the Society and invited guests. The only Annual 

 Exliibition was held in connection with the dinner, the fruits and 

 bouquets being placed upon the table, and the dining-hall being 

 decorated with the plants, festoons and bouquets contributed, until 

 1834, when the first display similar to our present Annual Exhi- 

 bitions was held in Faneuil Hall. In 1842, 1845, and 1848 

 "•Triennial Festivals," to which ladies were invited, were held, 

 which were probably unsurpassed by any similar festivals ever 

 held in Boston. Since 1848 the only anniversary dinner has been 

 that of the Committee of Arrangements with a few invited guests, 

 at the expense of the Society, on the day after the Annual Exhi- 

 bition. 



The past year it was thought advisable to change this plan and 

 to provide a dinner to which all members of the Society, with 

 ladies, should be admitted on an equal footing, and which was ac- 

 cordingly given in the Upper Hall at the close of the Annual 

 Exhibition on Saturday, September 25th, being the first time that 

 the Society has ever met in a social gathering under its own roof. 

 No attempt was made to rival the Triennial Festivals of former 

 days, the occasion being rather a modest family gathering, but 

 invitations were sent to all the more prominent benefactors of the 

 Society, or their representatives. Other invited guests were His 

 Excellency Governor Gaston, Rev. James Freeman Clarke, Pro- 

 fessor Asa Gray, and Judge John P. Putnam, of the Superior 

 Court. The platform in the rear of the guests' table was covered 

 with tropical plants, and the Germania Band was stationed in the 

 gallery. At four o'clock about four hundred ladies and gentlemen 

 sat down to dinner. 



After an hour's feast President Parkman called the company to 

 order, and said that he was happy to meet the members of the 

 Society on this social occasion. The Massachusetts Horticultural 



