72 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



ADDRESS OF C. M. HOVEY, Esq., 



PRESIDENT OF THE MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

 At the Annual Meeting, Jan. G, 1866. 



Gentlemen of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society: — 



We are gathered once move together, on this opening of the new year, un- 

 der auspices more cheering and results more gratifying than has fallen lo the 

 lot of this Society since its organization. For four years a great war has 

 desolated a large portion of our land. Agriculture, commerce, and the arts, 

 for a time, have been arrested in their progress ; and the energies as well aa 

 the resources of the people have almost solely been devoted to the preserva- 

 tion of our Union. But these four years of doubt, of anxiety, and at times 

 almost of despair, have passed and gone, and a great nation stands before the 

 world disenthralled and free ! Victory has crowned our efforts. Peace again 

 reigns within our borders. The last remnant of a barbarous code has been 

 swept away, by the voice of the people, and henceforth we can glory in the 

 name of American. Even amid the sad memories, which linger over the past, 

 should we not rejoice at these grand results ? and humbly and devoutly 

 acknowledge the wisdom of Him, Avhose protecting hand has safely guided 

 the nation through its perilous course. 



But there are other causes which render this occasion so welcome to us. 

 We are assembled here today in this new and beautiful edifice, the proud 

 memorial of your prosperity ; and as we survey these commodious and pleas- 

 ant rooms, and these large and elegant halls, and contrast them with the for- 

 mer accomodations of the Society, — even with its old hall in School Street, — 

 we feel a glow of satisfaction that so much has been accomplished, and that our 

 labors have been crowned with such a rich reward. It was just six years 

 ago on the 24th of December last, that the Society voted to dispose of their 

 old estate. Truly did our last President say in one of his appropriate ad- 

 dresses, " that we left the spot with feelings of deep regret," for there we had 

 " many pleasant meetings." We knew not whither we should go, or how we 

 could, with our means, soon replace a building so centrally situated and com- 

 bining so many advantages. But we settled quietly down in a quiet place, 

 where, if we remained comparatively unknown, we did not lose all our zeal 

 and enthusiasm in our favorite pursuit. Gradually, however, gaining courage, 

 and cheered by manly hearts, in the gloomiest period of our country's history 

 we resolved once more upon resuming the position we had so long and honor 



