9 



the Society, from its small beginning in State Street, up to 

 that period when the old hall in School Street was erected, 

 since which time its history is more familiar; but I should 

 be recreant to duty did I not, standing on these solid foun- 

 dations, refer to one who did more than all others to place 

 the society in its present flourishing condition, and enable 

 it now to undertake the building of an edifice of such 

 magnitude and architectural beauty. Need I say I refer to 

 the late General Dearboen ? Without detracting in the 

 least from the labors of a band of intelhgent and distin- 

 guished men, who were pioneers in the enterprise, it is not 

 too much to say that to him are we indebted for that 

 "sacred garden of the dead," Mount Auburn Cemetery, 

 and the consequent results from his plan of an experi- 

 mental garden. His enlarged knowledge, liberal views, 

 accomplished mind, practical skill, and elevated character, 

 alone carried the project through. His pen was never idle 

 in gathering facts and writing reports to show the under- 

 taking a safe one, and the objects to be attained worthy 

 the consideration of the whole community. By the happy 

 combination of an experimental garden and cemetery, hor- 

 ticulture was to be recognized as an art and science, and 

 the dead removed to secluded and shady groves, away from 

 the busy marts of crowded cities ; and though a combina- 

 tion of circumstances changed a part of his favorite 

 scheme, it is undoubtedly owing to its failure that we are 

 indebted for the means to erect this Temple, no less calcu- 

 lated "to foster and extend a taste for the pleasant, useful. 



