Mr. hunts Address. 267 



REVIEWS. 



Art. I. An Address delivered before the Massachusetts Hor- 

 ticultural Society, on the dedication of Horticultural Hall, 

 May 15, 1845. By George Lunt. Pamphlet, 8vo. pp. 

 26. Boston. 1845. 



The dedication of a Horticultural Hall, is a new era in 

 the progress of Horticulture in this country. If we mistake 

 not it is the first building of any extent ever erected by any 

 similar association. The London Horticultural Society, 

 thougVi possessing an extensive tract of ground occupied as 

 a garden, has never yet been the owner of a building erected 

 under the same circumstances as that of the Massachusetts 

 Horticultural Society. We may therefore congratulate the 

 Society on the completion of a new and appropriate Hall, 

 where its weekly displays of flowers and fruit can be made 

 in such a manner as will do credit to the fine productions of 

 the numerous exhibiters. 



The address of Mr. Lunt was peculiarly appropriate to the 

 occasion. In glowing words he portrayed the universal influ- 

 ence of natural beauty upon the soul, — and in language still 

 more eloquent, he recited the treasures which the Floweret 

 world ever had in store for the mind seeking communion with 

 it. The address is so replete with beautiful sentiments, that 

 we scarcely know where to make an extract from it ; but as 

 our space is limited, we cull the following poetical tribute to 

 Flora :— 



" Consider, then, the mother of the seasons in some of her infinite mani- 

 festations. You wander into the fresh fields and gather the flowers of 

 spring. In crystal vases, resting, it may be, upon sculptured marble, you 

 cherish these frail children of the sun and showers. You renew them be- 

 fore they wither, and gaze with exquisite delight upon their delicate text- 

 ure and the manifold perfection of their hues. They appeal forever to your 

 inmost heart, as silent mementos of all things sweet, and beautiful, and 

 pure. They are eloquent of perpetual suggestions to the answering soul. 

 They fill your mind more than all that lives upon the canvass of the might- 

 iest master. The least and meanest of them all more satisfies your imag- 

 ination than the choicest statue wrought by the divinest hand. To your 



VOL. XI. — NO. VII. 33 



