At a meeting of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, held Saturday, Aug. 7,1852, the following preamble and resolutions reported by a committee chosen at a previous meeting, were unanimously passed, and placed on the records of the Society:

The Massachusetts Horticultural Society have been startled and pained by the intelligence of the sudden death of their co-laborer and friend, A. J. Downing, of Newburgh, N. Y. - a passenger in the ill-fated steamer Henry Clay.

Eminent alike as a Horticulturist, a Landscape Gardener, and an Architect, Mr. Downing has, in each character, made his mark upon the age. Where the grateful gardener plucks the rich fruit from the laden bough, there is his name known. Where taste has turned the unsightly pasture into a lovely lawn, and adorned it with gems of the garden and the green wood, there are his labors felt.

The humble cot he has made a picture of beauty, and the elegant mansion, reared by his genius, fills and satisfies the most nicely critical eye.

But he has gone! In a moment, as it were, and without warning, he has been called to pass the gloomy vale of death, and now rests - "Where rivers of pleasure flow over bright plains And the noon-tide of glory eternally rejgns".

In view of this unexpected and terrible stroke, by which this Society is deprived of one of its members, and the cause of Horticulture of an eminent and earnest advocate, Your committee respectfully submit the following Resolves:

Resolved, That the members of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society greatly deplore the loss of their associate, who has done so much to advance and extend a taste for the kindred arts of Agriculture, Horticulture, Landscape Gardening, and Architecture.

Resolved, That in the death of the late Mr. Downing,Horticulture and Pomological Science have sustained a severe loss: distinguished alike for bis private worth and public usefulness, and devoted to the pursuits of Horticulture, Land, scape Gardening, and all that pertains to the advancement of our Rural Humes, his memory will be cherished, and his decease sincerely la- ' mented.

Resolved, That we tender the sympathies of the Society to the family, in their afflcting'bereavement, and that the Corresponding Secre-tarv be directed to communicate the above resolutions to his bereaved family.

Further Resolved, That the Hon Marshall P. Wilder be solicited to deliver an Eulogy on the Life and Character- of the late A.J. Down ing, Esq., at such time and place as the Society may hereafter designate. For the Committee.

Sam'l Walker, Chairman.