; ;: :\'t : .;!':: Ht, ,■■ ir % ; j ||§| |*#|^if |^ :s;;g; INTRODUCTION Previous to the year 1800 ; the Legislature of Massachusetts held its sessions in the building at the head of State street, where the Post Office is now located. This present building was commenced in 1795; on land formerly belonging to Governor Hancock; on Beacon Hill; and fronting the Common. The corner stone was drawn to the place by fifteen white horses; — fifteen being then the number of States in the Union, — and laid with Mason- ic honors, by Samuel Adams; at that time Governor of Massa- chusetts. The dome is fifty feet in diameter and thirty in height. The ascent to the dome is by a winding staircase of one hun- dred and sixty-eight steps. In the lower story is a fine Statue of Washington; by Chan- try, a celebrated En- glish sculptor. Over the door of the front entrance, is the gilt eagle that formerly decorated the top of Beacon-Hill Monument, which occupied the ground that the State House now occupies. Near the back door are four large slabs also taken from this monument, bearing | the following inscriptions : INSCRIPTIONS ON THE OLD MONUMENT ON BEACON HILL. “To commemorate that train of events which led to the American Revolution, and finally secured Liberty and Indepen- dence to the United States, this column is erected, by the volun- tary contribution of the citizens of Boston, MDCCXC. “ Stamp Act passed, 1765 — 'Repealed, 1766. Board of Customs established, 1767. British troops fired upon the inhabitants of Boston, March 5, 1770. Tea Act passed, 1773. Tea destroyed in Boston, Dec. 16. Port of Boston shut and guarded, June 1, 1774. General Congress at Philadelphia, Sept. 4. Provincial Congress at Concord, Oct. 11. Battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775. Battle of Bunker’s Hill, June 17. Washington took com- mand of the Army, July 2. Boston evacuated, March 17, 1776. Independence declared by Congress, July 4, 1776 — Hancock, President. Capture of Hessians at Trenton, Dec. 26. Capture of Hessians at Bennington, Aug. 16, 1777. Capture of British Army at Saratoga, Oct. 17, 1777. Alliance with France, Feb. 6, 1778. Confederation of United States formed, July 9. Constitu- tion of Massachusetts formed, 1780 — Bowdoin, President of the Convention. Capture of the British Army at York, Oct. 19, 1781. Preliminaries of Peace, Nov. 30, 1782. Definitive Treaty of Peace, Sept. 10, 1783. Federal Constitution formed, Sept. 17, 1787, and ratified by the United States, 1787 to 1790. New Congress assembled at New York, April 16, 1789. Washington inaugurated President, April 30. Public Debts funded, Aug. 4, 1790. “ Americans ! while from this eminence, scenes of luxuriant fertility, of flourishing commerce, and the abodes of social hap- $ piness meet your view, forget not those, who, by their exertions, w H have secured to you these blessings.” M trnmm® - 5 NORTH WINDOW. west churc h — Lynde street. [$ee page 7.] On the left, is Cambridgeport, with Old Cambridge in the distance. To the right of Cambridgeport, is East Cambridge, with its extensive Glass Works, which can be distinguished by their tall chimneys. Directly in the range of the Glass Works, is the McLean Hospital, for the Insane. To the right of the Hospital, (in the distance,) stand the ruins of the Ursuline Con- vent, on Mount Benedict. This Convent was wantonly demol- & • ished by a mob, in the month of August, 1834. Let the eye cross w> 6 the water, (which is a part of Charles River,) directly east of the f Glass Works, to where stands the Massachusetts State Prison, which is a cluster of granite buildings, situated in Charlestown. The principal objects in this town, to interest a stranger, are Bunker Hill Monument, and the Navy Yard. The former was bowdoin-sq,uare church — Bowdoin Square. [ See page 7.] begun in 1824, (the corner-stone being laid by LaFayette,) and, after encountering numerous obstacles, was completed in 1842 3 it is two hundred and twenty feet high, and stands upon the battle-field of the first important conflict of the Revolution 5 strangers visiting this neighborhood, should not fail of paying a visit to this consecrated ground. The Navy Yard is to the right 7 of the Monument, and can be easily distinguished by its Ship Houses, under which stand some of the largest ships of the American Navy. This Naval Depot is worthy of especial notice, and cannot fail to repay a visit. Its stupendous specimens of naval architecture 5 its massive Dry Dock, (where ships of the largest class can be repaired,) with its Steam Pumps attached 3 together with the Park of Artillery, Rope Walk, &c., are truly worthy of inspection. In the back ground of the Navy Yard, is the town of Chelsea ; and to the right of that, in the distance, is Lynn. [See East Window.] In Boston, on the left, the most prominent object which strikes the eye, is a large granite building, which is the Massachusetts General Hospital. The church to the right of that, fronting the spectator, is the u West Church, 7; (better known as Dr. LowelPs,) on-Lynde street. The two large buildings seen directly over Dr. LowelPs Church, are the Ware- houses and Depot connected with the Boston and Lowell Rail- road. Nearer the spectator, to the right of Dr. LowelPs, is seen the spires of u Grace Church/ 7 one of the most beautiful churches in Boston 5 directly in front of Grace Church, in Bowdoin street, is seen the Bowdoin-street Church, where Dr. Beecher formerly preached 5 to the right of that, is the Bowdoin-square Baptist Church. In the rear of the latter, is seen the National Theatre. On the extreme right, the church with a high steeple, is 11 Christ Church/ 7 in Salem street. This church contains a set of chime- bells, the music of which is truly delightful 5 it is situated near to “ Copp 7 s Hill/ 7 celebrated in the history of Boston. On this hill can be found the tomb of the famous Increase and Cotton Mather. The bridges, &c., are, beginning on the left, Charles-river Bridge, leading to Cambridgeport 5 Cragie’s Bridge, to East Cambridge 5 Boston and Lowell Railroad} and the Warren and Charlestown Bridges 5 the two latter are owned by the State, and at present ( 1843 ) are subject to a toll. EAST WINDOW. old south church — Corner Washington and Milk streets. [ See page 9. ] From this window, we have the Harbor, with its Forts, Islands, Wharves, and Shipping. The island in front, is known by the name of East Boston, formerly Williams’ Island. The large brick building, is the Sugar Refinery, which is a very extensive con- cern, employing about one hundred men, who, by the assistance of steam, are enabled to make four thousand loaves of sugar daily. To the left of the Sugar House, stands a large hotel, called L the Maverick House. To the right of the Sugar House, is the ( \ Depot of the Eastern Railroad 5 and still further to the right of J §#H> — - — — — 9 J that, is the Cunard Wharf, where the British line of Steam Packets are moored. The first island, on the right, is Governor's Island, on which is Fort Warren 5 to the right of that, is Fort Indepen- dence, on Castle Island. [See South Window.] In Boston we have, a little left of a front view, Faneuil Hall, and directly be- tween that and the water, is Faneuil-Hall Market. These two buildings are worthy of a special visit ; the former from its asso- ciation with the Revolution, being the “ Cradle of Liberty," and likewise the armorys of the different military companies in the City; and the latter for its neatness and regularity, in every particular. The building nearer the spectator, to the right of the Market, with a gilded dome, is the City Hall. To the left of City Hall, is the Court House, which is a beautiful granite build- ing. This building is so capacious, that at times eight Courts are all in session, without interfering with one another. The new Custom House is seen directly over the Court House; it is located on India street, between Long and Central wharves ; it is built of Quincy granite, and is said to be the most beautiful and substantial building in the country. The Church, nearest the spectator, is the “Old South," at the corner of Milk and Washing- ton streets. During the Revolution the pews of this church were taken out and used for fuel by the British soldiers, and the build- ing itself converted into a riding school for the dragoons belong- ing to Burgoyne's army. To the right of City Hall, nearer the spectator, is the Tremont House, and directly in front of that, is the Tremont Theatre ; a little to the right of the Theatre, is the Boston Museum, which is richly worth a day's time to visit, being stored with rare and valuable Paintings, Sculpture, specimens of Natural History, and objects of curiosity from all parts of the world ; and is allowed by all who have visited it, and who have had opportunities for judging, to be the most splendid and taste- fully arranged establishment of the kind to be found in any country. 10 SOUTH WINDOW. F E d e r A l-s treet churc h — Federal street. [ See page 12.] The view from this window is most beautiful, On the left we have the Bay in all its beauty. Castle Island and Fort Indepen- dence can be seen, directly over the spire of a church, (Federal- street Church,) with its granite walls not yet completed. To the right, on a long island, (Thompson's Island,) is the Farm School, belonging to the City, where any person can place their boys at school, and have them labor upon a farm during a certain mmm 11 number of hours in a day. A melancholy acciddnt happened to \ this establishment in the Spring of 184 2, caused by the upsetting of a boat, by which twenty-three boys and two men were drowned. Directly in front of this Island, in South Boston, stand the City Prisons, being the Houses of Correction, Reformation, Industry, &c. To the right,, on a hill, is the Blind Asylum. Thomas H. trinity c h u r c H-— Summer street. [$ee page 13.] Perkins, Esq., some years since gave to this institution an elegant estate in Pearl street, which was afterwards exchanged for this more airy and commodious establishment, which is situated on one of the hills, that was fortified by order of Washington, dur- . 1 ing the occupation of Boston by the British 3 the eminence is \ 5 now known by the name of Mount Washington, and the Asylum | 12 was formerly known as the Mount-Washington House. The breast-works upon the hills are still remaining. In the back- ground is Quincy, the residence of the venerable John Q. Adams. The town to the right, is Dorchester, and to the right of Dorches- ter, is Roxbury. The Boston and Providence Railroad, and the Boston and Worcester Railroad, cross each other in the open hollis-street churc h — Hollis street. [ See page 13. ] marsh on the right ; the Providence Railroad runs directly from the spectator. In Boston, the church on the extreme left, is Fed- eral-street Church, where the late Rev. Dr. Channing formerly preached. The church close to the spectator, is Park-street < Church ; and, to the right of that, on the same street, is the 1 Masonic Temple, which is the rough granite building. To the \ — 13 S left of Park-street Church, is seen “Trinity Church/ 7 which is a rough granite edifice, built in the massive Gothic style. A little to the right of Trinity, is Rev. Mr. Young's Church, (where the late President Kirkland formerly preached,) on Church Green, in the same street 5 to the right of that, is Chauncey-place Church, which belongs to the oldest religious society in Boston. Directly over a red brick turret, (Essex-street Church,) is to be seen the Depot of the Boston and Worcester and Western Rail- road 3 this is easily seen by its extensive roof. The large brick building to the north of the Depot, is the United States Hotel, which is the largest in the City. The church to the right of Essex-street Church, is the Rev. Mr. Pierpont's Church, in Hollis street. The Common, directly beneath the spectator's eye, contains about fifty acres. To the further right-hand corner, is the Depot of the Boston and Providence Railroad, 14 WEST WINDOW. charles-street churc h — Charles street. The bridge in front, is called the Western Avenue. Previous to the building of the bridge, which is entirely solid, all the low lands to the south of it were overflowed by tide, with as much water as there is now on the north side. A great many houses are now built upon the land so reclaimed. The buildings on^the left of the further end of the Avenue, are known by the name of the City Mills. The building directly in front, in Boston, with a glass dome, is the Conservatory belonging to the Public Garden, and is w'orthy a visit. The w r ater in front, is Charles River. Cambridgeport is on the right. The church in front, is J the Charles-street Baptist Church, wfliere the Rev. Dr. Sharp l preaches. U n