Hon. Marsliall P. Wilder, Ph.D.
��43
��societies with which Mr. Wilder is con- nected were also represented, as the Massachusetts Society for the Promo- tion of Agriculture, the New England Agricultural Society, the New England Life Insurance Company, the Hamilton Bank, the Home Savings Bank, the Grand Lodge of Masons, and the Second Church of Dorchester. Letters were received from the Honorable Rob- ert C. Winthrop, president of the Mas- sachusetts Historical Society, his Excel- lency Benjamin F. Butler, governor, and the Honorables John D. Long, William Claflin, and Thomas Talbot, ex-gov- ernors of the State, Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, the Honorable Dr. George B. Loring, United States Comrnissioner of Agriculture, and the Honorable Francis W. Bird, president of the Bird Club. The addresses and letters are to be printed in full. A few extracts follow :
Dr. Holmes referred to Mr. Wilder as : " The venerable and venerated friend who has outlived the fruits of fourscore seasons, and is still ripening as if his life were all summer."
Mr. Winthrop wrote : " No other man has done so much for our fields and gardens and orchards. He has distinguished himself in many other lines of life, and his relations to the Legislature of Massachusetts and to the Historic Genealogical Society will not soon be forgotten. But liis name will have its most enduring and most enviable association with the flowers and fruits for whose culture he was fore- most in striving, both by precept and example. He deserves a grateful re- membrance as long as a fine pear is relished or a brilliant bouquet admired."
Governor Rice said : " There is
hardly a public enterprise of the last
three generations, scarcely a pursuit in
ife, or an institution of patriotism, dis-
��cipline, or charity, that does not bear the signet of his touch and feel the vigor of his co-operation. Why, sir, it may be said, almost with literal truths that the trees which this great arborist has planted and cultivated and loved are not more numerous than the evi- dences of his handiwork in all the useful and beneficent departments of life ; and all the flowers that shall grow to the end of time ought to bear fragrance to hi& memory."
Mayor Palmer said : " Time would fail me to recount his great and honor- able services to society and the State, ft must suffice to say that no name of this century is written more imperish- ably in the affection and esteem of Boston and Massachusetts than the name of him, our honored guest."
Dr. Loring wrote : " It is with pride and satisfaction that the business asso- ciations of the city of Boston can point to him as a representative of that mer- cantile integrity which gives that city its distinguished position among the great commercial centres of the world."
Governor Banks said ; " I can scarcely enumerate, much less analyze, the nu- merous and important social and na- tional enterpr?ses which make the char- acter and career of our distinguished guest illustrious."
Governor Chamberlain said : " We rejoice in this honored old age, — this youth, rounded, beautified, and sweet- ened into supreme manhood ; and we rejoice also that it shall remain for after t-Jnes an example and inspiration for all who would live true lives, and win the honor that comes here and hereafter to noble character."
President Greenough thus spoke : — " The line of buildings which to-day at Amherst graces one of the fairest land- scapes in New England, and the sound
�� �
