enterprise ; but what, two years ago, was a vague concep- 

 tion, is to-day a reality. If your committee have failed in 

 the attempt to render this building as perfect as possible, 

 or to provide everything that the space and means of the 

 Society would allow, it must be attributed to error of judg- 

 ment, and not to gratify any personal views or to wilful 

 design. How well it is adapted to our greatest wants 

 another week will enable you to decide. "Welcome, then, 

 once more, to this hall, which you have already adorned 

 with some of the lovely treasures of your ceaseless care, 



" Flowerets of a thousand hues," 



whose sweet companionship has been the solace of your 

 summer hours, whose buds and blossoms you have formed 

 in various shapes of graceful beauty, 



" as by a master hand, disposing well 

 The gay diversities of leaf and flower," 



to offer here upon the altar of Flora. If we have not been 

 more lavish in ornament to render it more symbolical of its 

 purpose, it is because we desired you to see it " unadorned 

 and plain," that the brilhant display you have in store the 

 coming week may appear in stronger contrast. 



So much has been said on a previous occasion, in refer- 

 ence to the condition and prospects of the Society, that it 

 will be unnecessary to repeat it at this time. But a hasty 

 glance at its early history, — a brief notice of its gradual 

 progress from small beginnings to its present standing, — 



