384 Festival of the 



noivhere be a more perfect and tasteful exhibition of horticultural products 

 than we have witnessed in this city the present week. Let this good work 

 speed. May this useful and good work go on prospering and to prosper. 

 And as we live in a country which produces a race of hard working men, 

 and the most useful fruits of the earth, so let us show every year that it is 

 not less productive of beautiful flowers — as it certainly is not of graceful 

 hands to wreath and entwine them. [Applause.] 



An original song, written by the Hon. George Lunt, was then sung. 



The Mayor of the City of Boston — The first specimen of a native seedling, watched 

 with great care and giving promise each day of having come from good stock. 



His Honor Thomas A. Davis said in reply : 



Had I the physical ability to address this meeting, under the existing cir- 

 cumstances I should not attempt it. But I will give you as a sentiment — 



The MassacMisetts Horticultural Society — A most excellent institution, if we may 

 judge from lis fruits. 



Faneuil Hall — The birthplace, cradle, and home of the liberties of our country. Lib- 

 erty loves to greet here, in her palace, Nature's Noblemen. 



Harvard University — The flower-bed of the State — the garden that produces plants 

 whose bloom is perennial. 



Music — " Fair Harvard.'''' 



The Hon. Josiah Quincy replied, — 



Having been told by the chairman that this being a sentiment in honor 

 of Harvard University, it was expected that he should respond to it, he 

 should do it most willingly ; although he was no longer ofBcially connected 

 with that institution, and now claimed only the enviable distinction which 

 he had enjoyed for two days, of being a citizen of Boston. He had come, 

 however, to that meeting with no purpose of speaking, but with the sole in- 

 tention to enjoy. He had attended the exhibition, and while there had ex- 

 hausted every superlative of honor in the English language, in expressing 

 his gratification and delight. In the Horticultural Hall he had witnessed 

 the wonders wrought by the florist's hand ; — he had there seen what man 

 could do, by labor and taste, to enlarge, beautify and multiply the bounties 

 of nature ; — he had seen how art and wisely employed capital were permit- 

 ted by Heaven to improve its own gifts ; — and had felt how impossible it 

 was by language to express the beauty of fruits and flowers, which nature 

 and art had combined to improve. Nor could he refrain from reflecting that 

 all, all was the work of loell-directed industry. Under the influence of 

 which thought he asked leave to propose, as a sentiment — 



The Blessings of well-directed Industry — " The source of every gentle art, and all 

 the soft civilities of life." 



A quartett, written for the occasion by Thomas Power, Esq., was then 

 sung. 



Tlie Ladies — Lilies and Roses in themselves, and always pinks of perfection 5 to gen- 

 tlemen their heart's ease — may they never be lack-a-daisy. 



