Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 393 



The Hon. Mr. Maclay, of New York, responded, concluding as fol- 

 lows : — Who that could call Boston his home would ever exchange it? 

 Were he a citizen of Boston he thought he should feel his frame dilate, as 

 he thought that here the cradle of our infant liberty was rocked, here was 

 the good old city, which, in the day of trial, hesitated at no sacrifice, who, 

 when Joseph was not, and Simeon was not, sent Benjamin also — who for 

 industry, morality, and public spirit, stood preeminent, whose intellectual 

 men had given to the spirit and body of the time so much of its form and 

 pressure. Her liberality, always so remarkable, had been well illustrated 

 by the donation just communicated to them by the President, and by the 

 progress of the Society, which, from feeble beginnings, had risen so speedi- 

 ly to a point at which it seemed to need no aid from any. 



To his mind, the science which it had been established to promote, was 

 one of the most useful and ennobling in the catalogue — it tended directly 

 to elevate the mind from the bounties of Providence to their Giver. 



Perhaps there was no State in the Union possessing greater facilities for 

 Horticulture than Massachusetts, as her population was of a character which 

 would most readily furnish a market for all its products. 



He had been induced to come to this festival by a member of the Society, 

 who described its success in the most glowing terms, but he felt ready to 

 say, like the Queen of Sheba of the wealth of Solomon, that the half had 

 not been told him. 



He begged leave to offer as a sentiment — 



Prosperitij to the Citij of Boston. 



The President then remarked that one of the earliest and most important 

 acts of this institution, was the purchase and consecration of Mount Auburn 

 as a Cemetery — a measure upon which, as had been observed, the fame of 

 this Society may forever rest — but while we record this noble deed, we are 

 called upon by an All-wise Providence, to mourn for the sudden removal of 

 our beloved member — for him, who, in the name of the Society, performed 

 the sacred act of consecration — and in his own beautiful language, declared 

 that " Mount Auburn, in the noblest sense, belongs no longer to the living, 

 but to the dead." He then offered as a sentiment — 



"The Memory of Joseph Story." 



This sentiment was received by the company in appropriate silence, and 

 the Band played Pleyel's Hymn. 



The true idea of a House of Representatives — One good Speaker and many good lis- 

 teners. 



Mr. Walley replied, and gave as a sentiment : — 



Tlie trio of this Festival — Flora, Pomona, and the daughters of Eve ! There is no 

 fair, so fair, as where the beauties of each of these are combined to lend enchantment to 

 the scene. 



The Chair then read the following volunteer toast : — 



Boston Orators — On patriotic and literary occasions. We know of one who has a 

 love of flowers and of fruits, and wait impatiently to hear him tell his story. 

 VOL. XI. — NO. X. 50 



