36 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



he collected ami anaiifrod wlion eighly-lliree years old. It was 

 also published in iianiplilct form, and a cop}- was presented by him 

 to the library of the Horticultural Society. 



But we must bring this brief memoir to a close, for if we were 

 to pursue the subject and chronicle all Mr. "Wilder's labors (or the 

 advancement of agricultuie and horticulture, all the manifesta- 

 tions of confidence reposed in him in public and private relations, 

 and all the honors bestowed upon him we should not have a page 

 for other matter. 



As might have been foreseen, Mr, Wilder died in the harness. 

 Until within a short time no man enjoyed life more than he or 

 clung to it more strongly, but after the death of his wife in No- 

 vember, 1885, he desired to depart and be with her. On Saturday 

 the 4tb of December, 1886, he attended the meeting of the Hor- 

 ticultural Society and afterwards presided at the dinner of the 

 Agricultural Club. He was somewhat fatigued and during the 

 next week a cold causing rheumatism confined him to his bed for 

 a day or two. After this he improved, and on the morning of 

 Wednesday, the 15th, the librarian of the New J'ngland Historic 

 Genealogical Society called and talked with him about the annual 

 address which Mr. Wilder was to deliver before that society the 

 next month, and which he had already' finished. The next morn- 

 ing he felt still better, rising at his usual hour and taking break- 

 fast with the family. He transacted a little business with his son 

 Edward, signed a letter, and talked cheerfully with the physician 

 when he came. The doctor inquired in regard to his rheumatism 

 and Mr. Wilder replied that it was all gone, then pressed his hand 

 to his heart and in an instant was dead. 



" Thus with no fiery, throbbing pain, 



No cold gradations of decay, 

 Death broke at once the vital chain, 



And freed his soul the nearest way." 



The funeral was at the Second Congregational Church in Dor- 

 chester, on Sunday, the 19th of December, at 2 o'clock. Until 

 within the last two or three years Mr. Wilder had been a regular 

 attendant at this church, and in 1883 he presided at the seventy- 

 fifth anniversary of its organization and delivered an address. 

 For twenty-five years he was Cliairman of its Hoard of Assessors, 

 and for nearly half a century presided over meetings of various 



