civ PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAT, HORTICULTURAT, SOCIETY. 



be here to see it, but I am thankful to be here to-night, and that I 

 am able to speak on behalf of the directors in thanking the Society for 

 welcoming so many of our friends. When the last International Exhi- 

 bition was held in this country it was a very small one compared with 

 this. In Mr. Fowler's name, and in the names of the directors 

 generally, I thank you for having so warmly received the toast. 

 I can assure you it has given us great pleasure to do the work the 

 Exhibition has involved. If we merit your approbation, and if you 

 return to your homes feeling that you have enjoyed your visit and 

 learnt something horticulturally, we are amply repaid for all we have 

 done. 



Sir Teevob Laweence, Bart., proposed" Our guests from abroad." 

 He said: "Your Highness, my Lords and Gentlemen,— This toast 

 which I have to propose to you is, I think, one which will appeal to 

 us all. The Eoyal Horticultural Society feels bound, and not only 

 bound, but' delighted, to give a most cordial welcome to our visitors 

 from all parts of the world. I have had the pleasure of shaking hands 

 with people from almost every country and clime, at all events of the 

 Western habitable globe. Some of them I knew, many of them I did 

 not know; but to one and all of them I wish tO' express my warmest 

 tribute of thanks for having honoured our old Society by coming here 

 to-night, and from my heart I can say that we are all very glad indeed 

 to see them, and are only too pleased if they have found anything to 

 admire in the great Exhibition. We hope they will carry back tO' 

 their own country not only memories of BritisTi horticulture, but 

 also of the very cordial welcome which the Eoyal Horticultural Society 

 has given them. I remember perfectly v/ell the International Exhibi- 

 tion of 1866. I remember much further than that. I remember 

 coming up from the country as a boy from school to go to the Eoyal 

 Horticultural Society's shows at Chiswick— shows which in those day§ 

 were the finest things to be seen, as I believe our present E.H.S. 

 fortnightly shows are the finest things of their sort to be seen now. 

 The Eoyal Horticultural Society has passed through a great many 

 vicissitudes. It has had its good days and it has had its bad days, 

 as I fancy all such societies experience. But now in its old age 

 — nearly 110 — the Society has again won its way tO' prosperity — a 

 prosperity which, I think, is reflected in the fact that the directors 

 of the present International Exhibition have been able to get together 

 a show which has been described by our visitors as almost the climax 

 of horticulture. Our present prosperity is considered by some to be 

 almost phenomenal. But I would remind you that if that be so our 

 responsibilities have increased pari passu. Those who were at the 

 International luncheon at Chelsea on Wednesday heard Mr. Eunciman 

 say that his Department had established a branch of horticulture. 

 That, I think, is a matter for great congratulation. At the same time 

 I am a little afraid Mr. Eunciman may be looking to our Society to 

 find the real sinews of war. However, we will not anticipate any 

 depressing features of the scheme he dimly foreshadowed, and are 



