32 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1883. 



ever told of the preter-nataral experience of that forlorn ghost^ 

 who, applied, after death, for admission within the Pearly Gates. 

 St. Peter knew him not and " sent him over " — as they term it 

 at the Police Court. There also he was not wanted : a political 

 convention was in session, and every cot was occupied. Yet, 

 perplexed by his remonstrances ; and perceiving their force ; 

 Lucifer at last relented. " Our rules are copied from those of 

 the Medes and Persians," said he, " and are inflexible ! but I will 

 do what I can. Take this roll of brimstone, and start a little 

 hell of your own !" 



We are not " literary "; we are not " benevolent "; nor " sci- 

 entific "; noY devotional ; nor even " agricultural "! Still, could 

 we but become beneficiaries of infernal magnanimity; obtaining 

 some of that sulphur — at; least, its flowers ; we might possibly 

 secure our Grapes from mildew, for ultimate valuation as pro- 

 ducts of the garden or orchard ; even if we did not save our cor- 

 porate bacon from the assessors.* 



As I have heretofore reminded you, — the Statutes relating to 

 " Houses of Religious Worship " enact that 



" portions of such houses appropriated for purposes other than re- 

 ligious worship, shall be taxed at the value thereof to the owners of 

 the houses." 



What was tlie amount taxed upon the " Church Vestry " of 

 Wholesale Salvation, in Pleasant Street, A. D. 1883, in which 

 was advertised, for successive evenings, the " very best of Turkey 

 Suppers, 35 cts.!" " Each evening the Pied Piper of Hamlin, 

 and his Army of Rats ! in a series of Illustrated Tableaux." 

 Wherein also the elect are informed that, — " At a great expense, 

 Madame Le Blache has been engaged to introduce her famous 

 Gallery of Beauty." " Admission 10, and 15 cents. Supper 

 from 6 to 8." ^ 



We cross the Street to Puritan Chapel, " crowded to its 

 utmost capacity " as the report has it, by an audience that list- 

 ened to " The Deacon's Story," sandwiched as it were between a 

 vocal solo, — " What will you do. Love ?" and the Poet-Laureate'& 

 idealization of the Adulteress ! 



* See Appendix " B " for Statement, in detail, of Property (Real and Per- 

 sonal) exempted. e- '^- ^- 



