Let me congratulate you upon this happy attempt to 

 reunite the science and art of Gardening with its sister arts 

 of Architecture, Sculpture and Painting; for they are 

 each regulated by the same principles and pervaded by the 

 same feelings. In the best days of art they were united, 

 and if, by misapplication of these principles, they have 

 been separated, how important and gratifying that they are 

 henceforth to be brought together. Not only shall this 

 building be a record of progress in architectural art, but 

 that greater progress of a refined and intelligent commu- 

 nity, and the truest testimonial of that liberality which has 

 grown with our material wealth, until it has become a 

 pleasure, as it should be a duty, to contribute to every 

 enterprise which has for its object a higher civilization. 



Tn eligibihty of site, — in the accessibility of location, — in 

 the style of architecture, — in the proportions of these halls, 

 — in the ample space of each, — in the convenience of the 

 Society's rooms, — in the lesser details of accommodation 

 of members and exhibitors, as well as in the arrangement of 

 the whole for other uses when not needed by the Society, — 

 all is believed to be highly satisfactory ; and when w^e add, 

 that financially it has proved more favorable than was an- 

 ticipated, should we not feel grateful ! Having shared, to 

 some extent, in your labors and responsibihties in the 

 erection of the building, I am glad to congratulate you 

 upon what has been done in so short a period of time. 

 Not without some anxiety was the work undertaken, at a 

 period when few had the courage to proceed in any similar 



