42 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 1882.] 



considering the distance ; at least from their excellence. If he 

 was fortunate in the accomplished Florist and Gardener who so 

 skilfully fulfilled his wishes, and supplemented them by his 

 individual conceptions ; none the less should be his own credit 

 for just appreciation. 



His liberality was unstinted, if discriminating. When the 

 Senior Salisbury, — our life-long benefactor, — felt that the re- 

 newed efforts for wider usefulness, put forth by this Society, 

 were, to some extent, hampered by Debt ; and proffered a most 

 munificent sum as his individual contribution towards its extin- 

 guishment ; the response of John C. Whitin was cordial and 

 substantial. Where he recognized desert, lie needed no impor- 

 tunity. Perhaps he might reproach himself that he had not 

 been quick enough to anticipate the need, in advajice of solicita- 

 tion. 



The modern Pharisee may cant unctuously about schools and 

 colleges and churches ; — the abstract blessing of a simple 

 existence in New England. This strong man had merely the 

 Common Schools, in his youth ; and his practical religion came 

 to a mind naturally devout. He lived his life. Can more be 

 said, in his praise ? 



Is the land, wherein the fortunes of these men were cast, the 

 better for their having lived in it ? If so, — who shall say that, 

 had their energies and talents been otherwise directed, it would 

 have enured more to their private advantage and that of their 

 race ! Who shall decide that this, or that, man, was blind to the 

 bent of his genius ? Had he looked with the eyes of his critics, 

 might he not, instead of blazing out a path, have fallen into a 

 rut! 



If they caused two blades of grass to grow where was but 

 one before ; if they made a wilderness blossom as the rose ; if 

 Bolton, or Worcester ; Whitins, or Shrewsbury ; are happier and 

 fairer because these men spent, and were spent, among their 

 immediate civic, or woodland, scenes ; what higher eulogy shall 

 be theirs ? What nobler epitaph could be inscribed, than tliat 

 they were public benefactors in life ; and that the communities 

 which mourn their loss find none to supply their place ? 



