MEMORIAL OF BENJAMIN 1". CHENEY. 185 



The Secretary stated that the meetiug had been duly notified to 

 the members of the Society, agreeably to the Constitution and 

 By-Laws. 



William H. Spooner, Chairman of the Nominating Committee, 

 reported that that Committee had nominated Frederick S. Davis 

 as a member of the Committee on Flowers in place of Walter H. 

 Cowing, who was unable to serve. 



Agreeably to the Constitution and By-Laws the Chair appointed 

 Samuel Hartwell, James Wheeler, and A. Chandler Manning, a 

 Committee to receive, assort, and count the votes given, and 

 report the number. 



On motion of Mr. Spooner it was voted that the polls remain 

 open for two hours. The polls were opened at twelve minutes 

 past eleven o'clock. 



Benjamin G. Smith, Chairman of the Committee appointed at 

 the last meeting to prepare a memorial of Benjamin P. Cheney, 

 reported the following : 



Benjamin Pierce Cheney was one of New England's noblest 

 sons, and was an honored and respected member and benefactor of 

 the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. He was born in New 

 Hampshire ; the personal friend and admirer of Daniel Webster, 

 he presented to the State of New Hampshire the finest bronze 

 statue of the departed statesman ever executed. He was one of 

 three gentlemen, members of the Massachusetts Horticultural 

 Society, who presented the three beautiful statiies of Flora, 

 Pom®ua, and Ceres which adorn this building. He was a member 

 of the Finance Committee from 1867 to 1880 inclusive. He was 

 one of the most successful business men of our time. His gener- 

 osity without ostentation through his long and successful business 

 life, his fidelity, his urbanity, and the uniform consistency of 

 character for which he was distinguished, have secured for him a 

 high place in the estimation of his fellow citizens. He was 

 upright in business and attached to him his numerous emplo^'ees, 

 many of whom remained with him during his long business life. 

 No better evidence of his honorable course can be given. We 

 who knew him thoroughly can testify to his princelj' gifts 

 unknown to the public ; he never sought but avoided notoriety in 

 dispensing his benefactions ; thousands of dollars at a time were 

 given by him for worthy objects unknown to the world. He 



