274 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 



tion, and of a character particularly demanding- such places of recreation, 

 with an unlimited extent of land at her disposal costing scarcely anything, 

 and with an investment in her manufacturing establishments of ten or 

 eleven millions of dollars — has not a public square so large as a pocket- 

 handkerchief. This omission has always impressed me with painful sur- 

 prise. Knowing, as I do, the high character of the gentlemen who 

 founded and built this flourishing city, now grown to manhood almost in a 

 day, I can ascribe such an omission only to a want of consideration, and 

 to the fact that the population has already extended far beyond any calcu- 

 lations which they could, with sobriety, have formed at its commencement. 

 It is not too late to supply this omission, which interest as well as philan- 

 thropy most strongly dictates. 



Cleanliness, fresh air, and pure water, and the opportunity and the 

 means of relaxation and innocent recreation, are almost as essential to mo- 

 rals as to health. No one can doubt, in this respect, their direct and ben- 

 eficial influence. The rich can take care of themselves, and can flee the 

 sources of pestilence, and go after health and recreation where they are to 

 be found. Not so with the poorer and humbler classes in society, to whose 

 labor and service the rich owe all their wealth and many of their pleasures. 

 Whoever goes into the low places in crowded cities, into the subterranean 

 abodes where these wretched beings congregate like rabbits in a warren, 

 or, rather, like swine in their styes, and enters into the melancholy sta- 

 tistics of mortality, in such cases will learn some measure of the suffering 

 which is here endured. In London, and other places of a similar charac- 

 ter, the presence of the police and the ofRcersof the peace, always in such 

 places in strong force, will remind him that there is a connection not to be 

 overlooked between condition and character, between destitution and 

 crime, between outward filth and impurity of mind, neglect of person and 

 neglect of morals. The most crowded parts of London are the most vic- 

 ious parts ; and a new should not neglect the experience of an old country. 

 A city without public squares and public gardens should provide them, 

 and on a most liberal scale. In a pecuniary point of view, as rendering a 

 residence in the city the more desirable, and so increasing the value of es- 

 tates in it, I have no doubt that it would yield ample advantages and pro- 

 fits. But health and morals are not to be measured by any pecuniary 

 standard ; and where wholesome water, and fresh air, and light, and sun- 

 shine, and cleanliness are concerned, no expense and cost are to be consid- 

 ered as exorbitant. To talk about the value of land in such cases, and to 

 place this in competition with health, comfort, and morals, is equally 

 short-sighted and inhuman. 



MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



Art. I. Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 



Saturday, June 1, 1844. — Exhibited. Flowers: — From Hovey & Co. a 

 variety of fine roses, among which were Tea, Devoniensis, Leonie Char- 

 mante. Calliope, Caroline, Philadelphia, &c. ; Bengal, Marjolin. Tri- 

 umphant, Cramoisie Superieure, Augustin Hersant, Theresa Stravius, 

 Eugene Perolle, General Soyz, &c. : Bourbon, Hermosa and Marshall 



