[Voltaire closed a famous argument by claiming that a ship of war and the grand opera were proofs enough of civilization's and France's progress, in his day.] A lesser proof than old Voltaire's, yet greater,Proof of this present time, and thee, thy broad expanse, America,To my plain Northern hut, in outside clouds and snow,Brought safely for a thousand miles o'er land and tide,Some three days since on their own soil live-sprouting,Now here their sweetness through my room unfolding,A bunch of orange buds by mail from Florida.