ORDER OF EXERCISES 



AT THE 



ON THE OCCASION OF THE 



FOURTEENTH ANNIVERSARY 

 OF THE 



jS[ORFOLK AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, 



Friday, September 26, 1862. 



At 12 o'clock a procession was formed on the grounds, under 

 the direction of Col. John W. Thomas, Chief Marshal of the day, 

 assisted by Messrs. Alden Bartlett and Andrew J. Norris, of 

 Dedham, as Aids, which, preceded by Gilmore's Full Band, 

 marched to the upper hall, where plates had been laid for six 

 hundred guests, by James Butcher, of Boston. 



The large company of ladies and gentlemen being seated, the 

 Rev. Dr. Thompson, of Jamaica Plain, implored the blessing of 

 heaven in a short, fervent and appropriate prayer. The dinner 

 having been disposed of, the President, Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, 

 made the opening remarks, substantially as follows : — 



This is the fourteenth year of our Association. Most sincerely do I con- 

 gratulate you upon the return of another anniversary — upon the pleasant 

 circumstances under which we are assembled — upon the presence of our 

 distinguished guests, and upon the interest manifested in the various depart- 

 ments of our Exhibition. 



The present occasion is eminently one for great gratitude. How thank- 

 ful should we be, that far remote from the din of battle, we are once more 

 permitted to assemble for the promotion of that peaceful art, which, in the 

 future as in the past, must constitute the great interest, the great employ- 

 ment of man. Never before have we met under circumstances so well cal- 

 culated to impress us with the quietude, comfort and salutary influences of 

 rural life. We are constrained to contrast our fruitful fields and abundant 

 crops with devastated lands, drenched in blood, and our peaceful homes 

 with the tumults and horrors of war. 



