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WORCESTEE 
 
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 18 5 0. 
 
 WORCESTER: 
 PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY HENRY J. HOWLAND, 
 
 199 Main Street. 
 

 O* Entered according to the act of Congress, in tlie year 1850, by Henry 
 3. Howland, in the Clerk's ofiSce of the District Court of Massachusetts. 
 
HISTOEICAL SKETCH. * 
 
 On the 15tli of May, 1667, Capt. Daniel Gookin, 
 Capt. Edward Johnson, Mr. Samuel Andrew, and An- 
 drew Belchar, senior, were empowered by the General 
 Court, as a Committee, "to take an exact view" of the 
 territory now composing the city of Worcester, "as soon as 
 conveniently they can, to make true report whether the 
 place be capable to make a village, and what number of 
 families, they conceive, may be there accommodated. 
 And if they find it fit for a plantation, then to offer some 
 meet expedient how the same may be settled and improved 
 for the public good." 
 
 The result of their investigations may be seen in the 
 following extracts from their report, presented Oct. 20, 
 1668: • 
 
 "We have, according to the Court's order, bearing 
 date 15th May, 1667, viewed the place therein mention- 
 ed, and find it to be about twelve miles westward from 
 Marlborough, near the road to Springfield, and that it 
 contains a tract of very good chestnut tree land ; a large 
 quantity : but the meadow we find not so much ; because 
 a very considerable quantity of meadow and upland, 
 
 * We are indebted to Lincoln's History of Worcester, for nearly the entire 
 material of the following sketch, most of which is in the language of that 
 able and interesting work, — copied by the polite permission of Hon. John W- 
 Lincoln. 
 
4 HISTORICAL SKETCH. 
 
 about five thousand acres, is laid out unto particular per- 
 sons, and confirmed by this Court, as we are informed, 
 which fails within this tract of land ; . . . . but, all this 
 notwithstanding, we conceive there may be enough mead- 
 ow for a small plantation, or town, of about thirty fami- 
 lies : and if those farms be annexed to it, it may supply 
 about sixty families. Therefore, we conceive it expe- 
 dient, that the honored Court will be pleased to reserve it 
 for a town, being conveniently situated, and well watered 
 with ponds and brooks, and lying near midway between 
 Boston and Springfield, about one day's journey from 
 either : and, for the settling thereof we do offer unto the 
 Court that which follows, viz : 
 
 That there be a meet proportion of land granted and 
 laid out for a town, in the best form the place will bear, 
 about the contents of ei^^ht miles square : 
 
 That a prudent and able Committee be appointed and 
 empowered to lay it out ; to admit inhabitants, and order 
 the affairs of the place, in forming the town, granting lots, 
 and directing and ordering ail matters of a prudential na- 
 ture, until the place be settled with a sufficient number of 
 inhabitants and persons of discretion, able to order the 
 affiiirs thereof, in the judgment of the Court : 
 
 That due care be taken by the said Committee, that a 
 good minister of God's word be placed there, as soon as 
 may bo : that such people as may be there planted may 
 not live like lambs in a large place." 
 
 This report was approved and accepted, its recom- 
 mendations confii-med, and Capt. Daniel Gookin, Capt. 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCH. 
 
 Thomas Prentice, Mr. Daniel Henchman, and Lt. Rich- 
 ard Beers, appointed to carry them into execution. 
 
 At the distance of more than a century and a half, 
 when we see the hills and valleys of the ' very good chest- 
 nut tree lancV explored by the Committee, thickly dotted 
 with the homes of the husbandman and the villages of tlie 
 manufacturer, traversed by canal and railway, and sup- 
 porting a dense population, their estimate of the capacity 
 of the tract, eight miles square, to mauitaia thirty or sixty 
 families, furnishes strong contrast between their humble 
 anticipations and our overflowing prosperity. 
 
 In 1673 or '74, the first settlement was commenced, 
 a tract of land eight miles square having been purchased 
 of the Indians, for ' twelve pounds lawful money of New 
 England.' During King Philip's War, in 1675, the town 
 was deserted, and afterwards burnt by the Indians. In 
 1684, the second settlement was commenced, and the 
 name of Worcester adopted ; but after a few years the 
 danger from the Indians caused a second abandonment. 
 
 In 1713 the third and permanent settlement was com- 
 menced by Jonas Eice and his family, whose residence 
 was on Sagatabscot hill, near the present residence of Mr. 
 L. D. Ward, on Winthrop street. 
 
 The fii'st male child born in Worcester, Nov. 7, 
 1714, was Adonijah, son of Jonas Rice. On arriving to 
 manhood, year after year, his name is entered on the rolls 
 of the provincial troops during the French wars : after 
 each summer campaign was finished, he returned to his 
 home, and the quiet of domestic and agricultural life. 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCH. 
 
 The second settler appears from the records to have 
 been Gershom Rice, who came in 1715, to join his 
 "brother Jonas, the hardy pioneer of population maintain- 
 ing his post for nearly two years unsupported by assist- 
 ance and uncheered by associates. 
 
 The first female born in Worcester was a child of 
 Thomas Haggat, whose house was near Adams square. 
 
 A path along Summer street went to the first burial 
 place, situated north of the junction of Thomas street. 
 A beautiful grove of oaks waved over the graves of the 
 forefathers of the hamlet, emblems of the sturdy charac- 
 ters and hardy virtues of those whose narrow beds they 
 shaded. In the recollection of many living inhabitants, 
 little piles of stone and mouldering heaps of turf marked 
 the last homes of the early settlers. The hillocks and 
 the trees have disappeared in the progress of improve- 
 ment, and the cemetery is no longer distinguishable from 
 the green spots unhallowed by the rest of the dead. * 
 
 The house of Gershom Rice was the place where 
 meetings for religious worship were first held. A build- 
 ing was soon erected for devotional exercises on Green 
 street, north of the union of Franklin street, where the 
 inhabitants assembled on the Sabbath, until a more spa- 
 cious meeting house was reared, in 1719, on the site of 
 the old south church. 
 
 There were in Worcester in 1718, if the evidence of 
 the proprietary records is to be credited, fifty-eight dwell- 
 
 * This spot is enclosed within the play ground of the Brick School House, 
 on Thomas and Summer streets. 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCH. 7 
 
 ing houses. Tradition says tliey were humble edifices, 
 principally of logs, one story high, with ample stone 
 chimneys. Some were furnished with windows of dia- 
 mond glass, where the resources of the proprietor afforded 
 means for procuring such luxury ; the light was admitted 
 in many, through the dim transparency of oiled paper. 
 It is hardly necessary to add, that all have long since 
 sunk in decay, or been removed to give place to the more 
 splendid habitations of modern times. 
 
 Worcester, probably, contained at this period, about 
 two hundred souls. 
 
 In 1722 the town was incorporated. On the 28th of 
 September of that year the inhabitants convened in their 
 first town meeting, when Jonas Rice was chosen Town 
 Clerk, Nathaniel Moore, Nathaniel Jones, Benjamin 
 Flagg, Jonas Rice, and John Grray, Selectmen; Daniel 
 Heywood, Treasurer. 
 
 The act erecting the County of "Worcester, passed 
 April 2, 1731, to take effect from the 10th of July fol- 
 lowing. . . . The location of the shire town of the new 
 county occasioned much debate and diversity of opinion. 
 For many years, Sutton, Lancaster, Mendon, and Brook- 
 field, stood higher in rank, graduated on population and 
 valuation, than Worcester. The central position of the 
 latter town, gave it advantage over its competitors for the 
 
 honor of becoming the capital The first Court of 
 
 Probate was held in the meetmg house, July 13, 1731, 
 and the Common Pleas and Greneral Sessions of the 
 Peace 10th of August following, by the Hon. John 
 
b HISTORICAL SKETCH. 
 
 Chandler, tlien of Woodstock, Chief Justice of both tri- 
 bunals. A sermon was preached on the occasion by the 
 Rev. John Prentice of Lancaster. The Superior Court 
 of Judicature was held on the 22d of September. . . . 
 One term of the Superior Court was held annually in 
 October. The Inferior Court had its sittings in May, 
 August, November and February. The General Sessions 
 of the Peace was composed of all the justices within the 
 county, who commonly attended and decided the matters 
 presented for adjudication by vote.* 
 
 When public festivals were few, and anniversaries un- 
 frequent, the terms of court were the great holidays of 
 the county ; and its population assembled in Worcester, 
 as on a general exchange, for the transaction of business, 
 or pursuit of amusement in the rude sports of the period. 
 The judicial proceedings, now forsaken, except by par- 
 ties, witnesses and officers, were generally attended by a 
 multitude who thronged the streets. Wrestling, fighting, 
 and horse-racing were common exercises. The stocks, pil- 
 lory, and whipping-post crowned the summit of Court 
 hill, then sloping with steep declivity to the highway, and 
 partially covered with bushes. Frequent exhibitions of 
 discipline attracted crowds of spectators. 
 
 In 1812 President Dwight gave the following descrip- 
 tion, which has not yet ceased to be correct: "The 
 
 * Gen. Ruggles, the Chief Justice, in stern derision of the constitution of 
 this Court, on one occasion, reprimanded a dog who had taken his seat) be- 
 side his master, for appearing on the bench before he had been qvialifled as a 
 Justice of the Peacej and directed him to go and be sworn before he caxne to 
 rote there. 
 
EDUCATION. y 
 
 houses are generally well built ; frequently handsome ; 
 and very rarely small, old or unrepaired. Few towns in 
 New England exhibit so uniform an appearance of neat- 
 ness and taste, or contain so great a proportion of good 
 buildings, and so small a proportion of those which ai'e 
 indifferent, as Yforcester." 
 
 March 18, 1848, the citizens of Worcester, by a vote 
 of 1026 to 487, accepted the city charter, which was 
 granted by the Legislature of the State, February 29, 
 of the same year. 
 
 EDUCATION. 
 
 Among the earliest acts of the founders of Worcester, 
 was the establishment of Common Schools. By vote of 
 the town, April 4, 1726, Mr. Jonas Rice, the first settler, 
 was appointed the first School Teacher. In 1731, five 
 School districts were formed, and the Selectmen mstruct- 
 ed "to procure a suitable number of school dames, not 
 exceeding five, for tbe teaching of small children to read, 
 to be placed in the several parts, as may be most conve- 
 nient, and these gentlewomen to be paid such sum, by the 
 bead, as they may agree." The terror of the law, in Sep- 
 tember following, produced a vote, "to maintain a free 
 school for a year, and to be a moving school into the sev- 
 eral quarters." In August, 1732, Mr. Richard Rogers 
 was eno;ao;ed as teacher, and continued in that relation 
 about eight years. 
 
 In 1740, after long deliberation, the first scbool house 
 
10 
 
 EDUCATION. 
 
 Ask Street School House. 
 
 was erected, "between the Com-t house and bridge, be- 
 low the fulling mill," or near the middle of the present 
 way in front of Mrs. Salisbury's residence. It was 24 
 by 16 feet, with 7 feet posts, and was in use till after the 
 close of the revolution. 
 
 In 1800 ten school houses were built in the several 
 districts, at a cost of from $202 to $270 each, some of 
 which are still in use. 
 
 Among the masters who have been employed here were 
 some who have been since highly distinguished in the va- 
 rious walks of life. One of them was John Adams, the 
 second president of the United States. 
 
 There are at the present time, twenty permanent schools 
 in the Centre District, which are kept the year round, 
 
EDUCATION. 11 
 
 with the exception of about seven weeks vacation, and 
 are open to all the inhabitants of the district. Nine are 
 Infant Schools, six Primary, three Grammar, one for Col- 
 ored children, and the Classical and English High School. 
 The latter is open for the children of the whole city, as 
 soon as they are qualified for admission, and is designed 
 to be fully equal to the best Academies in the country. 
 In addition to these, during the winter months a school is 
 supported for apprentices, and three evening schools, free 
 for all, whether childi-en or adults, who wish to learn, and 
 cannot attend the other schools. 
 
 Around the centre are thirteen other Districts, in each 
 of which Summer and Winter schools are taught from six 
 to eight or nine months in the year, according to the num- 
 bers and the wants of the scholars. It is expected that a 
 system oi permanent schools for all the districts will soon 
 be established. 
 
 The appropriation for support of schools for the current 
 year was S18,000, besides some $12,000 for building new 
 school houses, being more than one third of the whole 
 tax on the inhabitants of the city. 
 
 Grreat unprovement has been made within a few years 
 in the planning and erection of school houses, and the Ash 
 St. School house, represented at the head of this article, 
 is decidedly superior to any previously built in this city. 
 It is of brick, 50 by 58 feet, three stories high, and con- 
 tains in the lower story a sink room, play room, ward 
 room and committee room; on the second floor are two 
 Infant School rooms, each accommodating one hundred 
 
12 
 
 EDUCATION. 
 
 AVorct&ter Acidtuiy 
 
 scholars, witli spacious recitation rooms adjoining. The 
 third floor is appropriated for a primary school room, with 
 two recitation rooms, and will comfortably seat one hun- 
 dred and sixty scholars. The cupola commands a delight- 
 ful prospect of the city and country, and will be found 
 well worthy of a visit by parents and others when visiting 
 the schools. This house was completed and dedicated in 
 the Spring of 1850, and cost about $11,000. 
 
 A new house is now being built on the Thomas street 
 lot, designed to seat about two hundred primary and two 
 hundred grammar scholars, of both sexes, with all the 
 necessary recitation rooms, &c. When finished this will 
 be a handsome and convenient building, creditable alike 
 to the architect, Mr. E. Boyden, and to the city. 
 
 There are several private schools, of various grades, 
 which are tolerably well supported. 
 
EDUCATION. 13 
 
 Besides the foregoing, several public institutions of 
 learning of a high order are located in Worcester. 
 
 The Worcester Academy, incorporated in 1834, has 
 since been in successfal operation. It is situated on a 
 beautiful eminence three fourths of a mile west of the 
 city hall, and ranks high among the best Academies in 
 the State. Charles C. Burnett, A. M. is principal, Jos. 
 C. Wightman, assistant, and Mr. E. C. Bailey, steward. 
 It is designed for males only, and the number of students 
 during the year ending Aug. 7, 1850, was 176. The ex- 
 penses are from S22 to S27 per term of eleven weeks. 
 
 Oread Institute. 
 
 The Oread Institute, established in 1849, affords 
 young ladies every requisite facility for acquiring a thor- 
 ough moral, scientific, classical, and ornamental education. 
 Expenses are from $30 to $34 for 11 weeks. It is lo- 
 cated a short distance from the Worcester Academy, on 
 
14 
 
 EDUCATION. 
 
 the opposite side of Main street. Eli Thayer, A. M. Is 
 principal ; Miss F. H. Clark, governess and teacher of 
 English branches; Miss Cornelia Brigham, assistant; 
 Miss R. S. Capron, teacher of music ; Mr. H. "Woodward, 
 teacher of drawing and painting; Mons. Mailly, (a native 
 of France,) teacher of French. 
 
 College of the Holy Cross. 
 
 The Catholic College of the Holy Cross, found- 
 ed and placed by the late Bishop Fenwick under the 
 care of the Fathers of the Society of Jesus, is beautifully 
 situated on the Northern slope of Pakachoag hill, about a 
 mile south of the village, on a farm of 96 acres. ' The 
 plan of education is designed to prepare young men for 
 an ecclesiastical, professional, or commercial state of life ; 
 and accordingly embraces three distinct courses of study.' 
 ' The religious and moral instruction of all is attended to 
 with watchful and tender care. Besides the usual course 
 of catechetical instruction, public lectures are delivered 
 on the principles, doctrines and ceremonies of the Catho- 
 
EDUCATION. 
 
 15 
 
 lie Cliurch.' Expenses $150 per year. Yaeation from 
 the last week in July to Sept. 15. Age of admission, 
 from 8 to 14 years. It is intended exclusively for Catho- 
 lies. Rev. John Early, S. J. is President, assisted by a 
 full and able board of professors and officers. 
 
 Worcester Medical Institution. 
 
 The Worcester Medical Institution was incorporat- 
 ed by the Mass. Legislature in 1850. The College build- 
 ing is now being erected on a fine location at the corner 
 of Providence street and Union avenue. Calvin Newton 
 is President; E. M. Parritt, Secretary; and Wm. John- 
 son, Treasurer. 
 
16 CHURCHES. 
 
 FACULTY. 
 C. NEWTON, M. D., Professor of General and Special Pathology. 
 
 , M D , Professor of Theory and Practice. 
 
 E. M. PARRITT, M. D., Professor of Chemi^'try and Med. Jurisprudence. 
 WALTER BURNHAM, M. D., Professor of Surgefy and Obstetrics. 
 E. H. STOCKWELL, M. D , Professor of Anatomy and Physiology. 
 JOSEPH BROWN, M. D., Professor of Materia Mclica and Botany. 
 
 The course of study required by this Institution is in- 
 tended to occupy three full years ; and candidates for the 
 regular degi-ee of M. D. must have attended two full 
 courses of Medical Lectures in some established Medical 
 College, one of which must have been in this Institution. 
 They must present satisfactory testimonials of good moral 
 character ; must have a competent literary education ; and 
 must well sustain an examination in the various branches 
 of medical study, as contained in the course of lectures, 
 and in the text-books recommended, or equivalents. 
 
 The next course of Lectures will commence on the first 
 Thursday in March, and contmue sixteen weeks. The 
 fee for a full course is S60 in advance, with a matricula- 
 tion fee of S3. 
 
 CHUECHES. 
 
 The first Meeting House erected in Worcester was of 
 logs, near the present junction of Green and Franklin 
 streets. In 1719 a house for public worship was com- 
 menced on the spot now occupied by the Old South, on 
 the Common ; which was succeeded by the present edi- 
 fice in 1763. This is occupied by the first Congregation- 
 al Church and Society, which has always adhered to the 
 
CHURCHES. 17 
 
 faitli of the Pilgrim fathers. Kev. Geo. P. Smith is the 
 present pastor. 
 
 A company of Scotch emigrants settled in Worcester 
 in 1719, and among them was soon organized a Presby- 
 terian Church. Their pastor, Rev. Edward Fitzgerald, 
 came with them from Londonderry, in Ireland, and 
 preached for a few months, but was obliged to remove for 
 want of proper support, — the town exercising the privilege 
 it then possessed of taxing their members for the support 
 of the minister of the first chui'ch. This was not the only 
 wrong done them. " They commenced the erection of a 
 meeting house on the west side of the Boston road, north 
 of the house of Frederic W. Paine, Esq. The timbers 
 had been raised and the building was in the progress of 
 construction, when the inhabitants gathered tumultuously 
 by night, and demolished the structure. Persons of con- 
 sideration and respectability aided in the riotous work of 
 violence, and the defenceless foreigners were compelled 
 to submit to the wrong." 
 
 Many of them soon left the town and joined their breth- 
 ren in other places, while some remained, whose descend- 
 ants have been among our most respected inhabitants. 
 
 The second church was formed in 1785, of persons dif- 
 ferino; in their rehojious faith from the first church. Rev. 
 Aaron Bancroft, D. D. was pastor more than fifty years; 
 and was succeeded by Rev. Alonzo Hill, sometime his 
 colleague, who still sustains the relation of pastor. The 
 place of worship of this, the first Unitarian Society in Wor- 
 cester, having been destroyed by fire in 1849, a new and 
 1* 
 
18 CHURCHES. 
 
 elegant edifice is now in process of construction on the 
 same spot, on Main street, just south of the Court house. 
 
 The first Baptist Church, was organized in 1812. It 
 owed its formation to the persevering efforts of Dea. James 
 Wilson, for many years postmaster of Worcester. Its 
 meeting house, built in 1836 on the spot where the first 
 had been destroyed by fire, is located on a beautiful emi- 
 nence east of and fronting on the common. Rev. Samuel 
 B. Swaim has been pastor since 1839. 
 
 The Calvinist Society was organized in 1822, and in 
 the following year, their meeting house was erected by 
 the liberality of Hon. Daniel Waldo. Kev. Seth Sweetr 
 ser has been then* pastor since 1838. 
 
 The Roman Catholic Society (St. John's Church) was 
 commenced in 1834. Their present house of worship 
 on Temple street was erected in 1846. Rev. M. W. 
 Gibson is pastor; Rev. J. Boyce, associate. 
 
 The First Methodist Episcopal Society was commenced 
 in the winter of 1834. Their first meeting house, on 
 Exchange street, was destroyed by fire, after which that 
 on Park street, now occupied by them, was erected. 
 Rev. Nelson E. Cobleigh is their pastor. 
 
 The Protestant Episcopal Church in Worcester (All 
 Saints Church) was commenced in 1835, though not per^ 
 manently established till some years later. Their house 
 of worship on Pearl street, was opened in 1846. Pastor^ 
 Rev. Nathaniel T. Bent. 
 
 The Union Church was formed and their meeting house 
 opened for public worship in 1836.^ The house is om 
 
OHURCHES. 19 
 
 Front street, facing the Common. Rev. Elam Smalley, 
 D. D. is pastor, since 1838. 
 
 The Pleasant Street Baptist Church was formed by 
 amicable division from the First Baptist in 1841, and 
 their convenient meeting house completed in 1844. Rev. 
 Charles K. Colver became pastor April 14, 1850. 
 
 The Universalist Society was formed in 1841, and pub- 
 lic worship commenced in their meeting house, corner of 
 Main and Foster streets, in 1843. Rev. 0. H. Tillotson 
 is pastor. 
 
 The Church of the Unity was organized in 1845, and 
 their place of worship opened for that purpose in 1846, 
 when Rev. Edward E. Hale, their pastor, was ordained. 
 
 The Laurel Street Methodist Church was formed in 
 1846, and their meeting house was opened for the wor- 
 ship of God in 1848. Rev. F. A. Griswold is their mmis- 
 ter. 
 
 The Salem Street Church was formed in 1847. Their 
 large and elegant meeting house, fronting westerly on the 
 common, was dedicated in 1849, when Rev. Geo. ijush- 
 nell was ordained as pastor. 
 
 There has been a regular meeting of Friends in Wor- 
 cester, on the Sabbath, and on Thursday mornings, for 
 many years. In 1848, a lot was obtained at the corner 
 of Oxford and Chatham streets, and a convenient meet- 
 ing house erected for their accommodation. 
 
 In addition to the above, public worship is regularly 
 observed at the State Lunatic Hospital, where Rev. Geo. 
 Allen is chaplain; at the County House ; at Warren Hall, 
 
20 PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 
 
 by the believers in tlie Second Advent, Rev. Geo. Need- 
 ham, pastor ; and by one or two Societies of colored per- 
 sons. Religious and pastoral services for the poor and 
 neglected, are performed by Rev. F. LeBaron, and by 
 Dea. Brigham, ministers at large. 
 
 PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 
 
 The City Hall, standing near the northwest corner of 
 the Common, is mostly used for city pui'poses. In the 
 basement are four cells for the detention of prisoners j^re- 
 vious to their examination before the Police Court, and 
 sometimes used to shelter a homeless wanderer from ex- 
 posure in the streets ; an engine house ; and two stores, at 
 present used as provision stores. It has been proposed to 
 raise the building and change this whole floor into a mark- 
 et, with some ten or twelve stalls. On the next floor are 
 the rooms of both branches of the City Council, offices 
 for the City Treasurer, Marsha] and Messenger, and the 
 Police Court Room. Above these is the large hall, 50 
 by 100 feet, capable of seating 1200 persons. If the 
 change above named should be made , this hall will doubt- 
 less be much improved, and an additional place of en- 
 trance and exit provided at the east ond of the building. 
 
 The other buildings belonging to the city are some 24 
 school houses, scattered over the city, three engine hous- 
 es, and the buildings on the City Farm. This farm, sit- 
 uated on Lincoln and Boylston streets, contains 204 acres, 
 besides 42 acres of woodland. 
 

22 PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 
 
 The new County Court House, was completed in 1845, 
 at a cost of not far from 8100,000. This is a fire proof 
 building, and contains on the lower floor convenient 
 rooms for all the County officers, and for the preservation 
 of the public records. On the second floor is a large 
 Court room, with the needful library and consultation 
 rooms. 
 
 Brick Court House. 
 
 Just north of this is the Brick Court House, (repre- 
 sented in our engraving as it appeared in 1830, with 
 small buildings on each side, which have long since been 
 removed.) This is now chiefly used for the sessions of 
 the Criminal Courts, and of the County Commissioners. 
 The office of the Sheriff is in this buildins:. 
 
PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 
 
 23: 
 
 At the comer of Summer and Central streets is the 
 County Jail and House of Correction. It contains 
 43 cells, for the separate conjinement of prisoners, and is 
 provided with workshops for the employment of all who 
 are committed for correction, 
 and a dwelHng for the keeper 
 with his family and assistants. 
 Mr. Rufus Carter is keeper. 
 
 Immediately south of this 
 establishment, is that noble 
 charity, the State Lunatic 
 Hospital, a front view of 
 which is seen in our engrav- 
 ing. The central building 
 was erected in 1831, but was ^ 
 soon found too strait for the ^ 
 reception of suitable subjects. | 
 It has consequently been re- ^ 
 peatedly enlarged, until it is I 
 capable of accommodating r 
 450 Insane patients, with their 
 Superintendent, physicians 
 and numerous attendants. 
 The present number of pa- 
 tients is 234 males and 229 
 females. A large proportion 
 of recent cases of insanity 
 have been cured here, while a 
 comfortable asylum is provid- 
 
24 
 
 PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 
 
 ed for tlie hopelessly insane who are dependent on the 
 public for support. Dr. Geo. Chandler is Superintend- 
 ent, John R. Lee, M. D. and Merrick Bemis, Assistant 
 Physicians; Rev. George Allen, Chaplain ; Thomas Hill, 
 Steward ; Miss Elizabeth A. Reed, Matron ; and Samuel 
 Jennison, Esq.. Treasurer. 
 
 Aiitii|uarian iiall. 
 
 Antiquarian Hall may be considered a public build- 
 ing, though managed by a Corporation. It is located at 
 the corner of Summer and Belmont streets, and is 104 
 feet long and two stories high. It is mostly filled with 
 the extensive and valuable Library and Cabinet of the 
 American Antiquarian Society. The library is peculiarly 
 rich m series of American newspapers, and other works 
 illustrative of American History. ' The institution has 
 been managed on the most liberal plan ; its collections 
 have been kept open to the public freely, and have been 
 
THE COMMON. ' 25 
 
 mucli frequented by strangers and scholars.' Samuel F. 
 Haven, Esq. is Librarian. 
 
 The Orphan's Home may perhaps as well be referred 
 to here as in any other place. It is managed by the Chil- 
 drens' Friend Society, and is located on Pine street, in a 
 comfortable house, the use of which is generously given 
 for the purpose by Hon. John W. Lincoln. The object 
 of the Society is to " rescue from evil and misery such 
 children as are deprived of the care of their natural pa- 
 rents," and place them in the care of families where they 
 may be so trained as to become vii-tuous and useful mem- 
 bers of the community. The " Home " is therefore de- 
 signed only as a temporary home, where they may be 
 properly cared for, imtil suitable permanent homes can be 
 provided. The average number of children at the Home, 
 has been about 20. Mrs. J. M. Miles is Superintendent; 
 Miss White, Matron. 
 
 THE COMMON. 
 
 When Worcester was fii'st laid out for settlement, a lot 
 of twenty acres was set apart as "a training place and 
 school house lot." This was reduced by subsequent en- 
 croachments, till in 1734, when a survey and plan of the 
 ground was made by a Committee of the Proprietors, and 
 entered in the book of the Proprietors' Records, page 
 201, it was found to contain only 11 acres and 140 rods, 
 including the burial ground in the centre, and the roads 
 across it. Portions have since been granted to individ- 
 2 
 
26 BURIAL GROUNDS. 
 
 uals by the town, chiefly for a mere nominal consideration, 
 sometimes for nothing, until there remain only about eight 
 out of the original twenty. 
 
 Within a few years, the Common has been greatly 
 improved, its remains enclosed with a substantial fence, 
 shade trees planted and walks laid out, until it bids fair 
 to become an ornament to the city. The principal draw- 
 backs at this time are the railroad track ; the school house 
 and out houses, which it is believed will not long remain 
 there ; and the grossly neglected burial ground. This 
 ought to be immediately put in decent order, and the 
 grave stones righted up and properly protected, or as some 
 have proposed, the remains should be removed to some 
 suitable place, where these relics of our most respected 
 predecessors may be suffered to rest in peace. 
 
 The city government have in contemj^lation the pro- 
 curement of other lots, to be laid out as public grounds, 
 and it is to be hoped that all well-directed efforts to that 
 end may be successful. 
 
 BURIAL GROUNDS. 
 
 The most ancient place of burial of the white settlers of 
 Worcester, was at the corner of Summer and Thomas 
 streets, within the enclosure of the school house. Miss 
 Rachel Kellough, who died Dec. 15, 1717, is supposed 
 to have been the first person buried there. After the re- 
 mains of twenty-eight other persons had been interred 
 there, the burying ground on the Common was opened, 
 
BUSINESS. 27 
 
 and was the only one in use till 1795. In Lincoln's 
 History of Worcester it is stated that this spot was open- 
 ed for burials "in 1730, when Ephraim Roper, acciden- 
 tally killed in hunting, was interred there." In the 
 same year, John Young, an Irishman, aged 107 years, 
 was buried in this spot, where his grave stone may still be 
 seen. The Mechanic street burying ground was provided 
 in 1795 ; that on Old Pine street in 1828 ; and that on 
 Raccoon Plain in 1835. The Catholics have a burial 
 place on Pleasant street, and another near Sutton lane. 
 
 In 1836 Hon. Daniel Waldo made a donation of 9 acres 
 of land bordering on Grove street, to be laid out as a Rural 
 Cemetery. An act of incorporation was procured, under 
 which a Company was formed, the lands beautifully laid 
 out, and the lots offered for sale. Most of the orig- 
 inal lots have been purchased by our citizens, and many 
 of them handsomely ornamented by their owners. The 
 Cemetery has been twice enlarged by the purchase of ad- 
 joining lands, and now contains about thirty acres. It is 
 one of the most frequented as well as pleasant places of 
 public resort within the city. 
 
 BUSINESS. 
 
 The principal business is Mechanical, including of 
 course the manufacture of an almost infinite variety of ar- 
 ticles for different and distant markets as well as for home 
 consumption. It would be difficult to give any thing like 
 an accurate account of the various branches carried on 
 
ii5 BUSINESS. 
 
 here, or of their comparative extent and importance. 
 Woolen, Paper, and otlier Macliinery, Macliinists' Tools, 
 Iron and Brass Wire, various Woolen Goods, Boots and 
 Shoes, &c. &c. have long been successfully manufactured 
 here, and sent to all parts of the country. The Worcester 
 Plows and other Agricultural Implements have for years 
 been known as among the best, if not the very best in the 
 world. Then there are Musical Instruments, Castings of 
 all kinds, Fire Arms, Copying Presses, Screw Wrenches, 
 Hammers, Augers, Knives and Chisels, Binders' Shears, 
 Picture Frames, Porte Monnaies, Fancy Boxes, Fancy 
 Cards, and almost innumerable other articles, for ornament 
 or use, manufactured here, and standing among the best 
 of their kinds in all the markets of the country. 
 
 Hon. Mr. Boutwell in his recent Cattle Show Address, 
 spoke of Worcester, as combining more advantages for 
 successful business than most other places in the State. 
 Among these he mentioned the facts that capital and skill 
 are for the most part united in the same persons ; the va- 
 riety of employments, which prevent any entire overthrow 
 of business in years of depression ; and the fact that the 
 capital of the town is resident in the town. 
 
 Next in importance come the Farmers ; though it is 
 not necessary to say much about them, as their fields and 
 their orchards, their cattle and their barns, all speak for 
 them. A large portion of our older inhabitants, as their 
 fathers in many cases were before them, are farmers, and 
 there is no class more independent, or better situated for 
 comfortable livmg. With a ready cash market for all 
 
BUSINESS. 
 
 29 
 
 Central Exchange. 
 
 their surplus produce at their doors, they would be sadly 
 unjust to themselves if they were not industrious and 
 thriving. 
 
 So large a class of producers of course attract traders 
 in sufficient numbers and variety, who are always ready, 
 for a consideration, to supply their wants, whether for the 
 necessaries, the comforts, or the luxuries of life. And 
 the easy and rapid communication with other parts of the 
 country enables them to compete successfully with even 
 the " Merchant princes" of Boston and New York, both 
 in variety and price ; so that the man who has earned his 
 money in Worcester has no need to go abroad to spend it 
 judiciously. 
 
30 COMMUNICATION. 
 
 Within the last fifteen years there has been a gradual 
 but great improvement in the appearance and conveni- 
 ences of our Stores and other places of business. We are 
 unable to speak of them in detail, but present above an 
 engraving representing the Central Exchange, occupied 
 by the Post Office, Institution for Savings, Worcester 
 Bank, and numerous offices. On the next page is repre- 
 sented another building, not the most elegant in the city, 
 but veiy central, and the site where no small amount of 
 business is transacted. It is midway between the Post 
 Office and the principal Railroad Depot. By looking 
 close, the reader will observe the sign of the publisher 
 and printer of this little work on a retired pai-t. The 
 other signs will speak for themselves. 
 
 COMMUNICATION. 
 
 Worcester is well called the " Heart of the Common- 
 wealth," and the most constant communication with all 
 the extremities, from Cape Cod to Berkshire, is perfectly 
 kept up by the great system of Railroads centering here, 
 which so well represent the arteries and veins of the ani- 
 mal system. Six railroads center here, connecting in 
 every direction with others, making this the starting point, 
 apparently, for every part of the country. 
 
 The Boston and Worcester Railroad, 44 miles long, 
 was completed and opened for travel in 1835. Seven 
 passenger trains passing over the road each way daily, 
 give all needed connection with the capital or head, and 
 
32 COMMUNICATION. 
 
 througli that to the arms on either side, over the various 
 railroads that meet at Boston. 
 
 The great Western Railroad leaves the above near 
 Washington square, and passing over a distance of 156 
 miles to Albany, connects the other extremity of the State 
 with the heart and head. Foui* passenger trains each 
 day, enable passengers to choose their time for visiting 
 Springfield, Albany, Hartford, New York, or anywhere 
 else in those directions ; while the immense freight trains 
 complete the exchange between the manufactures of the 
 Bay State and the Provisions of the great West. 
 
 The Norwich and Worcester Railroad forms a direct 
 connexion with Norwich and New York, by Steamboat 
 over Long Island Sound. Four trains a day leave for 
 Norwich, one of them, at evening-, for New York. 
 
 The Providence and Worcester Railroad is laid 
 through the valley of the Blackstone to Providence. Three 
 trains each day leave Worcester for the latter city. 
 
 The Worcester and Nashua Railroad, runs to Nashua, 
 N. H. and by its connections with other roads opens a di- 
 rect communication between the Northern parts of Massa- 
 chusetts, and New Hampshire, and Vermont, and Wor- 
 cester, Providence, New York, and the West. Three 
 trains pass over the road in each direction daily. 
 
 The Fitchhurg and Worcester Railroad leaves Fitch- 
 burg and passes through Leominster and Sterling, whence 
 its cars pass over the Worcester and Nashua Railroad to 
 Worcester. The cars leave Worcester three times daily 
 in company with the trains for Nashua. 
 
PUBLIC HOUSES. 
 
 33 
 
 Stages complete the communication between Worcester 
 and the neighboring towns, leaving twice a day for Mill- 
 bury, Grafton, Leicester, North Oxford, Rutland, Barre, 
 Holden, Shrewsbury, and perhaps other places. 
 
 PUBLIC HOUSES. 
 
 American Temperance House. 
 
 The American Temperance House, at the corner of 
 Main and Foster streets, kept by Tucker & Bonney, 
 stands at the head of the public houses of Worcester. 
 Besides this the Worcester House, Elm, near Main, by 
 Truesdell & Norris, the Temperance Exchange, by P. 
 W. Wait, at the corner of Main and Market streets; 
 the Central Hotel by Clifford & Swan, corner of Main 
 and Exchange streets ; and the Nashua House, on Lincoln 
 
34 FIRE DEPARTMENT. VARIOUS NOTICES. 
 
 street, are good houses, where travellers and their horses 
 will find comfortable accommodations. There are, also, 
 several other houses, kept as hotels. 
 
 FIRE DEPAETMENT. 
 
 Few places are better provided with the means of ex- 
 tinguishing fires than Worcester. A well organized Fire 
 Department exists here, amply supplied with good appara- 
 tus. Three powerful Engines are located in the Centre, 
 and one at New Worcester. The Hook and Ladder appara- 
 tus is at present located in the school house on the Com- 
 mon. There are besides, several Hose companies, and 
 one or two Social Fire Societies. But our best agent, 
 subject of course to the management of the "department," 
 is the Bell Pond Aqueduct. This was "completed" in 
 1845, at a cost of about S24,000. The pipes have since 
 been extended in many of the principal streets, to not far 
 from twice the original length. The head of the Reser- 
 voir at the outlet is 183 feet above the Aqueduct in Thomas 
 street, and 100 feet higher than the corner of Ehn and 
 Chestnut streets. The supply of water has been found 
 ample for the extinguishment of fires, and for all calls 
 thus far for domestic and mechanical purposes. 
 
 VARIOUS NOTICES. 
 
 There are five Banks doing business in Worcester, 
 viz : the Worcester, Central, Quinsigamond, Citizens, 
 and Mechanics Banks, having, together, a capital of 
 
VARIOUS NOTICES. 35 
 
 $650,000. There are also, four Mutual Fire Insur- 
 ance Companies; — the Worcester County Mutual, the 
 Manufacturers, the Farmers and Mechanics, and the Peo- 
 ples. The State Mutual Life Assurance Company, 
 and the Mechanics Life and Health Lisurance Compa- 
 ny. Also, agencies for other Insurance Companies of 
 various kinds. 
 
 The Worcester County Institution for Savings is lo- 
 cated here, in the Central Exchange, and is a secure 
 place of deposit, where those who wish to place their small 
 savings on interest can do so, with the assurance that both 
 principal and interest will be forthcoming when wanted. 
 Amount of deposits, SI, 124, 000. 
 
 The Worcester County Mechanics Association pro- 
 vides a course of popular Lectures once a week during 
 the Winter months, at a cheap rate. It has also a valua- 
 ble library of some 700 volumes, accessible to the mem- 
 bers and their families through the year. This association 
 has held two fairs which has been entirely successful ; and 
 they will probaljly be hereafter held annually. 
 
 The Worcester Lyceum also furnishes a weekly course 
 of Lectures in the Winter, and the use of their well se- 
 lected library of about one thousand volumes through the 
 year to all who purchase tickets. 
 
 There is still needed here a Public Library and Read- 
 ing Room, which shall be accessible every evening through 
 the year to our young men, and others who may wish to 
 resort to it, either free or at such a low rate as to place it 
 within the reach of all. Something of the kind has been 
 
36 
 
 WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES. 
 
 proposed, and the capitalists of Worcester cannot make 
 an investment in a small way that will pay a better inter- 
 est, in the immediate and future prosperity of the place, 
 than to put such an institution in operation at once. 
 
 The Worcester County Agricultural Society holds an 
 annual Cattle Show in Worcester, which is improved as 
 the grand County Holiday, when all who can, make it a 
 point to be in Worcester, not only to see the show of ani- 
 mals, in itself worthy of the visit, but to meet their friends 
 and fellow citizens from all parts of the County. The 
 exhibition of the handiwork of the wives and daughters of 
 the farmers, renders the occasion also attractive to them. 
 
 The Worcester County Horticultural Society holds 
 several exhibitions of fruits and flowers and vegetables, 
 each year ; and every year they are becoming more com- 
 plete and attractive, and of course more beneficial to the 
 community. 
 
 WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES * 
 
 A stranger in Worcester, who has but a short time in 
 which to take a view of the town, may choose one of three 
 or four eminences wliich will give him a birds-eye view of 
 its position and arrangement, and of most of its public 
 buildings, in a short walk. 
 
 A walk through Chestnut Street gives such a view, 
 including every important public building in the city. 
 
 * We are indebted for the following article to the kindness of several gen- 
 tlemen, whose good taste will need no voucher, other than to follow them in 
 any or all of the excursions here laid down. 
 
WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES. 37 
 
 Union Hill, which may be ascended by Providence 
 street or Vernon street, gives a view, probably, of most 
 buildings in the village. A large lithograph, poorly 
 drawn, from this point, was published some years ago. 
 Here is the site of the Medical College ; [see page 15.] 
 Wachusett may be seen in the distance. 
 
 Mt. Vernon Square, east of Lincoln street gives the 
 most picturesque view of the town. 
 
 Should the stranger be desirous of obtaining a wider 
 prospect, at the same time with a bird's eye view of the 
 city, he will find a pleasant occupation for an afternoon 
 in a stroll over Ckandler Hill. This hill, so called 
 from the family of that name, highly distinguished in our 
 ante-revolutionary annals, lies to the northeast of the cen- 
 tre of the city. Starting from the City Hall, he should 
 take Main street to Thomas, pass through Thomas and 
 Prospect, and from the upper extremity of the latter he 
 will see the summit of the hill rising above him, to be 
 attained without difficulty. There he will see the great- 
 er part of the city stretched out before him, the northern, 
 western, and south-eastern portions, however, being hid- 
 den by the hills. The large building, so conspicuous be- 
 neath him, is the Hospital, [see page 23,] and this is the 
 only point from which an adequate idea can be obtained 
 of its immense size. On the eastern side he will see, im- 
 mediately below him. Bell Pond, the natural reservoir, 
 whose water has been introduced into the city, [see p. 34,] 
 — and in the east he will see the ridge beyond Quinsiga- 
 mond Pond, with Shrewsbury crowning its summit to the 
 
88 WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES. 
 
 northeast, and Grafton clotting its sides to the southeast. 
 To the north rises Millstone Hill, between which and 
 Chandler Hill is Belmont street, the old Boston turnpike, 
 by which we may return to the city. 
 
 The summit of Chandler Hill is 748.37 feet above tide 
 water. The level of the Boston Railroad at its terminus 
 in this city is 470.38 feet above the tide at Boston. 
 
 Mount Pakachoag, called Mount St. James by the 
 Jesuit gentlemen who now own a site upon it, commands 
 another fine view. The spot is interesting, as affording a 
 visit to the only Catholic college in New England, [see 
 page 14] and as the site of the first settlement in the 
 town. This was the settlement of "praying Indians," 
 converts of the devoted John Eliot. These were Nip- 
 mucks. Their settlement is described thus by Gookin, 
 in his Historical Account of the Indians. " This village 
 lyeth about three miles south from the new road that lead- 
 eth from Boston to Connecticut ; about eighteen miles, 
 west southerly, from Marlborough ; and from Boston 
 about forty-four miles. It consists of about twenty fami- 
 lies, and hath about one hundred souls therein. This 
 town is seated upon a fertile hill, and is denominated 
 from a delicate spring of water that is there." They 
 were visited by the Apostle Eliot, and Gookin, his "su- 
 perintendent" of Indians, m 1674. This settlement prob- 
 ably extended into Auburn. 
 
 Pakachoag Hill is worth farther examination than a 
 simple visit to the college. And those persons wishing 
 to see as much as possible in a short time cannot do bet- 
 
WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES. 39 
 
 ter than to take the drive to Pakachoag. This name is 
 given not only to the hill, but to a small but very beauti- 
 ful pond about two and a half miles from Worcester. 
 The stranger will take the road leading to the College 
 of the Holy Cross ; leavmg this on his left hand, passing 
 along Southbridge street, at the foot of the hill. At the 
 distance of little more than a mile, we leave this road, 
 which is the Auburn road, and take the first left hand 
 road after College street, not so much travelled. A drive 
 of half a mile brings us to the top of a steep hill, where 
 a beautful view of Pakachoag pond and the surrounding 
 country presents itself. This drive is a short and pleas- 
 ant one, and by continuing farther on a few rods, taking a 
 left hand road, those fond of exercise will find their wants 
 satisfied, on their way home, — passing through the Up- 
 land street of our map. An easier return is by College 
 street. 
 
 The Hermitage. One of the most beautiful and re- 
 tired spots around Worcester is " the Hermitage," a tiny 
 pond lying among the woods at the foot of the west side 
 of Millstone Hill. To one who loves quiet beauty with- 
 out grandeur or extent of scenery, we could recommend 
 it above all other places as a delightful walk. Should he 
 accept our recommendation, he will take Lincoln street 
 and following it about half a mile he will reach a slight 
 rock cut on the edge of a grove, and as soon as he has 
 passed through this cut he will see a "pair of bars" on 
 the upper or right hand side of the road. Passing through 
 these he will enter a road in the grove of oaks. Having 
 
40 WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES. 
 
 mounted to the brow of the hill by a slight divergence 
 from his road towards the right to the edge of the wood, 
 he will obtain a fine view of the city, except its extreme 
 southeastern and western portions; and from no other 
 point does the stranger so well realize how it is nestled 
 down among the hills. The College of the Holy Cross 
 rises in relief on the surface of Pakachoag to the south, 
 and on the southeast Chandler hill cuts off his view. To 
 the southwest are seen the Worcester Academy, and near 
 by it the Oread Institute, with its towers and battlements. 
 Mount Vernon Square, spoken of above [page 37], is 
 just below him. 
 
 Resuming his road and following it to the east, keeping 
 to the left at the first fork, and the right at the second, 
 after a pleasant walk through the woods, he will suddenly 
 see beneath him through trees " the hermitage ;" and de- 
 scending to its level, and looking up the little sheet of 
 water from its lower end, he cannot but be charmed by 
 its beauty. The Hermit has never been seen by visitors 
 in the memory of the oldest inhabitant. He always re- 
 tires on the slightest sound of approaching footsteps. 
 From this spot our pedestrian may return : following the 
 brook down, passing Mr. Hathaway's machine brick works, 
 he will come to where it is crossed by Catherine street, 
 and turning to the right, crossing the hill, will find him- 
 self on Lincoln street again. 
 
 Still another fine view of the town and surrounding 
 scenery from another point of view, easily visited in walk- 
 ing, is to be had from the high hill to the west of the 
 
WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES. 41 
 
 Court house. It may be readied by Highland street, 
 Salisbury street, or the Jo Bill road. The last is the 
 most retired and pleasantest route. Taking this at its 
 junction with Salisbury street, whoever follows it about 
 three quarters of a mile over three smaller hills, will find 
 himself at the termination of the lane. This lane posses- 
 ses great interest to the lover of local history, it being 
 part of the old County road, and on the side hill, 
 near its western end are still to be seen relics of the ear- 
 liest settlers of Worcester. On the left side as we de- 
 scend, immediately adjacent to the fence, are two old cel- 
 lars now filled with a growth of trees and brush, and across 
 the road, in the hollow, are the springs from which these 
 I pioneers drank, and an old apple-tree, the sole living me- 
 morial of their labors. From the end of the lane, the 
 summit of the hill is in plain sight ahead, and a little to 
 the right, to be reached by crossing the fields and woods 
 on its sides, as no regular road leads to its highest point. 
 This once reached, a fine prospect opens to repay one for 
 i climbing the hill. The northern and western parts of 
 I the city are seen to the east, and the spires from the cen- 
 I tre rise from behind the hill. The sheet of water to the 
 north is North Pond, that immediately below is Salisbu- 
 1 ry's Pond, and away to the northwest Wachusett rises in 
 I. the distance, and perhaps on a clear day Monadnock too 
 may be seen farther to the north. 
 
 , Our correspondents have suggested to us, among pleas- 
 ant routes which may perhaps be too fatiguing for most 
 3 
 
42 WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES. 
 
 pedestrians, and too little travelled for easy driving 
 througli, two or three horsehach rides through sequestered 
 lanes. Such are 
 
 To Millstone Hill. For a short horseback ride we 
 
 could recommend that over Mill stone hill, as by far the 
 
 finest any where to be had round Worcester. The road 
 
 is rather difficult to follow, but its beauties will amply re_ 
 
 pay any trouble in finding it. We take Belmont street 
 
 from Lincoln square, and mounting the hill, pass by Bell 
 
 Pond. Just opposite its eastern extremity a road branches 
 
 off on the left hand into the woods. [See map.] This we 
 
 follow. It is merely a rough cart road leading to the 
 
 quarries, which presently we ai'rive at ; — where either by 
 
 inquiry or by due investigation we find a path leading 
 
 around their upper edge, between them and the woods. 
 
 From this there is a very fine prospect, beautifully varied 
 
 by the contrast of the nearer and more distant portions of 
 
 the landscape. The water to the northwest is North Pond, 
 
 and still fiirther off Wachusott and Monadnock mountains 
 
 are plainly to be seen. Just beliind the main quarry the 
 
 road turns a right angle, and strikes to the east for a short 
 
 distance. This we shall follow, keeping to the main road, 
 
 which, however, even at that, is a mere cart path through 
 
 the woods. Having turned corners without number, at 
 
 the next fork take the right, and after this the way is plain 
 
 enough by keeping to the main track ; and at about a mile 
 
 from the quarry we shall come out upon a clearing partly 
 
 overgrown with brash wood, lying on the right hand. 
 
 From this place is the most lovely view to be had any- 
 
WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES. 43' 
 
 where around Worcester, or we should not lead the travel- 
 ler thi'ough such a tortuous path to find it. Below him 
 lies Quinsigamond Pond, over which the eye sweeps for a 
 distance of several miles. The floating bridge is in 
 plain sight. At the lower extremity the narrow valley 
 widens and the lake is here dotted with wooded islets. 
 Beyond the pond rises a ridge of hills whose northern ex- 
 tremity is capped by Shrewsbury village, whose spires rise 
 in relief against the 6ky. Farther to the south, by the 
 floating bridge, the turnpike mounts the hills, and there is 
 the solitary spire of South Slu-ewsbuiy. Still farther to 
 the southeast on the western slope of the ridge, are Grraf- 
 ton and Hopkinton. The lower end of the pond is sur- 
 rounded by a range of hills forming a vast ampitheatre. 
 The latter part of the afternoon is the pleasantest time 
 for this trip. And now, having shown the way to the 
 loveliest view in Worcester, we leave the traveller to 
 retui-n by the way he came, or, should he prefer variety, 
 to pick his way through woods and pastures to the poor 
 house, on Lincoln Street, thence by Plantation, Belmont, 
 and Pine streets home. 
 
 Another pleasant horse-back ride of an hour or two, is 
 to be had by the following route. Take Lincoln street to 
 Green's lane, then follow the lane up over the hill. Af- 
 ter passing through the woods, the road runs along on the 
 edge of the hill, giving a fine view of the hills to the north- 
 west of Worcester, above all of which Asnybumskit rises 
 pre-eminent almost due west. Following the lane which 
 again turns to the right, the horseman will come in sight 
 
44 WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES. 
 
 of Millstone Hill and the quarries, from which he is separ- 
 ated by the valley of Bear brook. Still keeping to the 
 road down the hill till it turns again to the left, he will 
 cross the brook. If on foot, one way follows the stream 
 down to the Hermitage of which we have already spoken, 
 and which is but a few rods distant, or, following a path 
 which is easily to be seen opening out of the woods, he 
 will ascend Millstone Hill to the neighborhood of the quar- 
 ry. Here at the first fork the right will lead him down 
 the hill again into Belmont street, or the left will lead in 
 a very short distance to the regular quarry road, in sight 
 of the quarry. Here again the right will bring him into 
 Belmont street, near Bell Pond — but when so near, he 
 should by all means take a survey of the quarries, and 
 mounting to their upper edge, will have the fine view 
 from that spot of which we have already spoken. Should 
 he so do, he can easily retrace his steps, and return by 
 the route already mentioned. 
 
 " The Boulevards." It is not impossible, in a single 
 excursion, to combine several of the different ' hill-top 
 views of the village and the scenery behind it, which we 
 have thus described. Tne suggestion was repeatedly 
 made a few years since, that a fine public avenue might be 
 laid out on the sides of the hills around the town, which 
 should, at once, open beautiful situations for buildings, 
 give regularity to the plan of the exterior of the city, 
 and make a public promenade or mall, of continually 
 increasing beauty. It is not, perhaps, too late for such 
 a plan to be adopted. 
 
WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES. 45 
 
 Many of the cities of Europe are surrounded thus, by 
 fine ranges of trees, shading a beautiful walk or drive. 
 These are, in most instances, the relics of old fortifications 
 which encircled those towns. In Paris, the celebrated 
 Boulevards mark the line of one of the old walls of the 
 city, though long since hemmed in by its progress. 
 
 It is, indeed, to be regretted, if, because Worcester 
 needs now no "training field," and never needed any 
 fortifications, she should have no public grounds or walks. 
 And, perhaps, as a large central park is now impossible, 
 a fine mall surrounding the town, open to a liberal width, 
 and shaded with trees, with the buildings on its inner side 
 so arranged that the views should not be internipted, — 
 may yet be accepted as an agreeable substitute. 
 
 Such a mall or avenue would be nearly oval, — sur- 
 rounding the whole of the thickly settled parts of the 
 town, and looking down on them from the sides of the 
 hills, — the two foci of its ellipse being Lincoln square and 
 the junction of the Main street with Southbridge street. 
 
 An adventurous footman, who will take a walk of four 
 or five miles, may follow nearly the course marked out 
 for it, if he will obey the following directions. 
 
 Start from the Hospital Grove northward. Follow 
 Wilmot and East streets to Belmont. Here you have the 
 Chandler Hill view described above. Cross to Catherine 
 street and Mt. Vernon Square into Lincoln street. Fol- 
 low Lincohi street till you have turned the hill top, when 
 a fine northern view opens to you. Without a road, cross 
 westward to the new streets on Fairmount, north of the 
 
46 WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES. 
 
 Cemetery. Quigley road will then bring you to the im- 
 mediate neighborhood of the Jo Bill road view described 
 above. After enjoying it, cross the valley and Highland 
 street, in a southerly direction, and keep high enough on 
 Newton's Hill to take its fine eastern prospect. Descend- 
 ing it on its northern side, you may cross Pleasant street 
 to King street, which will lead you upon Goat Hill, now 
 inhabited by Oreads.* [See page 13.] Here is another 
 fine series of views. Cross, then, the Main street, and 
 by Mr. Ripley's avenue pass to Southbridge street. You 
 have, on the way, a fine southern prospect. From 
 Southbridge street the map will direct you to the western 
 side of Union Hill, [see page 37,] and thence crossing 
 Grafton street to the Bloomingdale road, you have the 
 last point of view. Pine meadow now only separates 
 you from your starting point. 
 
 A slight study of the map will show how nearly this 
 route may be followed by existmg roads. The line we 
 have pointed out should be attempted by a good walker, 
 after the crops are all in, in the fall, or before they are 
 planted in the spring. 
 
 We proceed to indicate longer rides, all which are 
 practicable to carriages, as our "horseback rides" are not. 
 
 Leicester, Mulberry Grove and Tatnick. Follow 
 Main street to New Worcester. Keep on Leicester street, 
 four miles beyond New Worcester ; you are constantly as- 
 cending, and a fine series of views opens from the road 
 
 * Hinc atque hiac glomerantur Oreades. 
 
WALKS, RIDES AND DEIVES. 47 
 
 on your left and behind you. You pass Cherry Valley, 
 a manufacturing village, mostly devoted to woolen manu- 
 factures. About six miles from Worcester you are at the 
 foot of Leicester Hill. The village with its academy, the 
 most noted and oldest literary institution in the county, is 
 before you at the top of the steep ascent. So considera- 
 ble is the ascent from Worcester to Leicester, that an old 
 proverb says it is seven miles from Worcester to Leicester, 
 but only six miles back again. 
 
 Unless you have time to visit the thriving village of 
 Leicester, take your right at the foot of the hill, and a 
 pretty sequestered road will lead you through Mulberry 
 Grove, the seat formerly of a Quaker School of some ce- 
 lebrity, and of a pretty Friends' Meeting House. Com- 
 ing on higher land, you open on a fine series of distant 
 views, — and still tui'ning to the right, obedient to faithful 
 guide-boards, you strike Bailey street, the old road be- 
 tween Leicester and Worcester. This will lead you by 
 Pleasant street through Tatnick or Tataesset home. 
 
 Tatnick was the seat of some Indian settlements, and 
 retains its name. 
 
 By a shorter road than the above, — take at Cherry 
 Valley, a road at right angles on your right. It is the 
 Fowler street of our map, and gives a fine series of views 
 as it crosses the high hills of the west of the town. 
 
 This cluster of hills, of whose highest point, Asny- 
 bumskit, fui'ther notice is given on another page, gives to 
 Worcester topogTaphically, its boast of being the heart of 
 the Commonwealth. From the sides of these hills, in 
 
48 WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES. 
 
 your immediate vicinity on this ride, waters flow into the 
 Connecticut, the French River, the Blackstone and the 
 Merrimack ; — the four principal rivers of Massachusetts. 
 
 To explora the South and East parts of the town, you 
 may drive round the greater part of Quinsigamond Pond. 
 This is the largest sheet of water in the old " Bay Colo- 
 ny." It is considered to be seven miles in length, and 
 is established therefore as the " Seven Mile Mirror" of 
 the town. ' It makes the eastern boundary of the to-wnship. 
 
 For this purpose, — follow Grafton street to Harrington 
 street. Turn into Harrington street, where you will pass 
 the pretty cottage of Hon. Isaac Davis. This street 
 ])rings you into Shrewsbury. Keep every left hand turn- 
 ing. About five miles from Grafton street, you come up- 
 on the old Boston turnpike. Turn to the left upon 
 this, — and you will rapidly descend to the pond, which 
 you cross on the floating bridge. This brings you to the 
 Belmont street of our map, and you may enter the vil- 
 lage at your pleasure. 
 
 Prospect Hill, Oxford. A fine point of view is 
 gained, worthy the pretty ride it requires, by following 
 Southbridge street by Auburn (formerly Wai-d) to Pros- 
 pect Hill, in Oxford, eight miles on the direct road 
 from Worcester. You must leave your carriage to ascend 
 the hill on your right. It is in parts quite precipitous, in 
 fact. It commands an unequalled view of the country 
 northward, and of the city of Worcester, nestled in its 
 valley, — which is most open in this direction. 
 
 Auburn is not 
 
WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES. 49 
 
 "The loveliest village of the plain," 
 
 but a pretty village on a hill. It was formerly called 
 Ward, in honor of General Ward, the fii'st commander of 
 the Continental Anny. General Ward's claims to com- 
 mand were waived by the men of New England in Con- 
 gress, in favor of George Washington's. It is no dishonor 
 to any man to be ranked second to Washington ; and 
 Gen. Ward was named first in the list of officers under 
 his command. 
 
 It is to be regretted that his name is lost from a town 
 in the immediate neighborhood of his birthplace, which 
 was Shrewsbury. The change was made, however, from 
 no want of respect to him, it is said ; but because letters 
 meant for Ward were sometimes sent to the more flourish- 
 ing town of Wm^e. 
 
 Another route, specially to be followed when the great 
 laurel, kalmia latifolia, is in bloom, follows along Granite 
 street by the South Ledge Quarries, to Millbury street, 
 and by that street home. These quarries, of a white fel- 
 spaltric granite, frequently used in building here, are sur- 
 rounded by wild woodland. 
 
 On the public roads, easily travelled, and easily found, 
 the stranger will find an endless variety of fine prospects, 
 or woodland scenery. 
 
 Some of the best views in the north of Worcester are 
 gamed by passing around North Pond, through Ararat 
 street. The whole route may be seen upon the map. 
 
 Ride to Shrewsbury. One of the pleasantest and 
 most vai'ied rides in the neighborhood of Worcester is the 
 4 
 
50 WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES. 
 
 ride to Shrewsbury and back, going by way of Oak Hill 
 and the floating bridge, and returning by the old Boston 
 road ; in all, about eleven miles. Starting from the City 
 Hall, we pass through Front street, turning to the right 
 in Washington square, through Grafton street, to the en- 
 trance of the Bloomingdale road. Here we ascend Oak 
 Hill, and, passing along this road, obtain a fair view of 
 the southern portion of the city and the surrounding hills. 
 Thence turning to the left by Plantation street, we cross 
 the railroad on a lofty stone arch ; and from this point are 
 distinctly seen Shrewsbury, to the northeast, and Grafton, 
 to the southeast, on the ridge, east of the valley of the 
 pond. Turning to the right soon after, we follow Bel- 
 mont street to the bridge, and here a scene awaits us 
 which we cannot but stop and admire. The pond stretch- 
 es for miles on either side of us, like a great river, its 
 steep banks thickly wooded throughout almost their whole 
 extent. Crossing the pond, we take the second left, 
 where the guideboard awaits us to point out the road 
 to Shrewsbury, and mounting the long hill, charmed at 
 almost every step by some new feature in the wide pros- 
 pect, we reach the town. Here, taking the left by direc- 
 tion of guideboard, we commence our return. On the 
 brow of the hill just out of the village is one of the finest 
 views to be had in the vicinity of Worcester. A broad 
 valley, stretching away to the north, suddenly bursts up- 
 on us, closed, apparently, at its upper extremity, by Wa- 
 chusett. On a clear day, Monadnock may be seen to the 
 east of Wachusett, like a dun yet sharply defined cloud. 
 
WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES. 51 
 
 easily to be distinguished by its length and its precipitous 
 descent on the west. Other mountains of New Hamp- 
 shire are sometimes plainly seen from this spot. De^ 
 scending the hill and keeping to the main road, we again 
 cross the pond, this time near its upper extremity. Con- 
 tinuing our course we enter the city by Lincoln street, 
 and from the brow of the hill, just before we enter it, it 
 shows to better advantage than from any of the other great 
 avenues leading to it. 
 
 A SHORT DRIVE, interestinoj to the mineraloo-ist, is the 
 Four Mile Square, so called. Pass through Lincoln 
 street, to Burncoat street, to Millbrook Street, to West 
 Boylston street, to Grove street, which will bring you 
 home, — -the distance passed being about four miles. Grove 
 street passes the entrance to the Cemetery. [See p. 27.] 
 
 On your way you may explore the " Old Silver Mine," 
 so called, because wrought for silver bj the mistaken enr 
 terprise of a century ago. 
 
 In 1754, a vein of metal which was supposed to be 
 .silver, was discovered near the head of the valley, about 
 a mile north of the town. A company for exploring the 
 spot was formed by some of the most substantial inhabi- 
 tants. Furnaces and smelting houses were erected, and 
 a cunning German employed as Superintendent. Under 
 his direction, a shaft was sunk 80 feet perpendicularly, 
 and a horizontal gallery extended about as far through 
 the rock, which was t-Q be intersected by another shaft, 
 eommenced about six rods north of the first openiag. 
 Among the masses, which within a few jears laid around 
 
52 WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES. 
 
 the scene of operation, were specimens of tlie ores con- 
 taining a minute portion of silver, specks of copper and 
 lead, much iron, and an extraordinary quantity of arsenic. 
 When struck against steel, a profusion of vivid sparks are 
 thrown out, and the strong and peculiarly disagreeable 
 odor of the latter mineral emitted. On the application of 
 heat, this perfume increases to an overpowering extent. 
 The company expended great sums in blasting the rock, 
 raising its fragments, and erecting buildings and machin- 
 ery. While the pile of stones increased, the money of 
 the partners diminished. The furnaces in full blast, pro- 
 duced nothing but suffocating vapors, curling over the 
 flames in those beautiful coronets of smoke which still at- 
 tend the attempt to melt the ore. The shrewd foreigner, 
 in whose promises the associates seem to have placed that 
 confidence which honest men often repose on the declara- 
 tions of knaves, became satisfied that the crisis was aj> 
 preaching when it would be ascertained that the funds 
 were exhausted, and that stone and iron could not be 
 transmuted to gold. Some papers which exist, indicate, 
 that he pretended to knowledge in the occult sciences as 
 well as skill in the art of deception. However this may 
 be, he assured the company, that the great enemy of man 
 had been busy in defeating their exertions, making his 
 presence redolent in the perfumes of sulphur and arsenic. 
 He obtained the sum of SI 00 and made a journey to Phila- 
 delphia, to consult with a person experienced in mines 
 and their daemons, for the purpose or exorcising the un- 
 savory spuit of the crucible. He departed with a ban-el 
 
WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES. 53 
 
 full of the productions of the mine, but never returned to 
 state the results of his conference. The proprietors aban- 
 doned the work, when they were waked by the reality of 
 the loss from the dream of fortune, and afterwards destroy- 
 ed the records of their credulity. 
 
 The spot is easily found. Follow the Nashua Railroad 
 north, on foot, from its crossing of Mill brook street, till 
 you pass the two mile post. The deserted shaft is 
 about twenty rods to the northeast of this spot, It is 
 readily found, as a pile of slate stones still lie where they 
 were thrown out by the miners, on a slight eminence in 
 the meadow. Good specimens of sulphuret of Lead, ar- 
 senical sulphuret of Iron and carbonate of Iron may be 
 found here. 
 
 A pretty route for a short drive or ride takes you to 
 New Worcester by Main street. Take the right after 
 crossing Tatnick or Kettle Brook, and pass through Mill 
 street to Tatnick, whence the route home either through 
 Pleasant street, or Flagg and Salisbury streets, opens a 
 series of pretty views. Or you may leave Leicester street 
 just beyond the Worcester Academy [see p. 12], pass 
 through May street, and return as above. 
 
 To MiLLBURY AND BACK. MiUbury, the first consid- 
 erable village on Blackstone River, is the largest manu- 
 facturing place in the neighborhood of Worcester. The 
 Providence Raih'oad from Worcester passes through the 
 village. There are three other roads between the two 
 towns, — so that the drive to MUlbury and back, may be 
 
54 WALKS, RIBEg AND DRIVES. 
 
 varied between going and returning. Green street and 
 Millbury street give the shortest and best road. Drive 
 out from Worcester by this road. The bridge which you 
 pass at the end of Green Street crosses the lower end of 
 the basin of the Old Blackstone Canal. This work, be^ 
 gun and carried on with great energy, is now abandoned, 
 between Worcester and the S'tate line. It connected 
 Worcester with Providence. You will observe traces of 
 its banks, in several places between Worcester and Mill- 
 bury ; — the lock at the outlet of the Basin is still com- 
 plete. It was a canal of the smallest class, and found very 
 unprofitable to its projectors. But the water-power crea- 
 ted upon Blackstone Kiver, by the dams built for it, has 
 built up a series of manufacturmg towns, of great wealth 
 and prosperity. 
 
 " The Red Mills, "^ (one of which is white,) at the end 
 of Green Street, are the first factories which you will no- 
 tice on this road. They are owned by Messrs. Wm. B. 
 Fox and Son. Satinets are manufactured here, — this be- 
 ing one of the earliest places where that manufacture was 
 attempted. 
 
 About a mile lower down, where the road bends to the 
 left, — you observe the junction of the two streams. Mill 
 Brook and Kettle Brook, which form the Blackstone 
 River. This river receives its name from the Rev. John 
 Blackstone, well known as the first settler of Boston. 
 He was driven from England, he said, by the Lords 
 Bishop, — and afterwards from Boston, because he disliked 
 the Lords Brethren. He took up his last residence on 
 
WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES. 55 
 
 tbe banks of this stream in Pawtucket, — where Study 
 Hill still preserves his memory. He lived there forty 
 years, and died in 1675. 
 
 The road follows Blackstone River to Quinsigamond 
 Village, where are extensive Iron Rolling Mills. The 
 curiosity of the process is such as to reward examination. 
 Here, if he have any taste for such matters, the visitor 
 cannot fail to be interested in the wire-drawing operations 
 of the sons of Vulcan, who day and night ply their ardu- 
 ous toils. At night, especially, the fiery serpents of heated 
 wire, coiling round upon the floor of the building, pre- 
 sent a remarkable spectacle. The whole process of wire- 
 making may be seen in a brief space of time, The iron, 
 passing to the furnace in the shape of immense" pigs," 
 or in bundles of " scraps," is changed from roller to 
 roller, where by the ponderous machinery it is speedily 
 reduced to the various sizes of wire. Wu'e of the best 
 class, such as is used in telegraph lines, is manufactured 
 here largely. The gentlemanly attention of the ^^roprie- 
 tor and his assistants, add greatly to the interest of the 
 visit. 
 
 Millbury is four or five miles farther. The water pow- 
 er is excellent, — and the beauty of the rocky falls not 
 wholly destroyed by the dams and buildings. The visiter 
 may return by Grranite street, — a hard road, but a pic- 
 turesque one, — and examine the South Ledge, or taking 
 the right hand road at the old tavern, pass over Millbury 
 Avenue, — which will afford him a fine view of Dorety 
 Pond with its floating island ; and upon the height of land 
 
66 WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES. 
 
 between Worcester and Millbury, a beautiful panoramio 
 view of the surrounding country may be seen without 
 leaving the carriage. 
 
 A longer ride will lead through Millbury to Wilkinson- 
 ville, a pretty village on the Blackstone in Sutton, and 
 along the banks of the river through other smaller manu- 
 facturing villages to Grafton Centre, — thence on the ex- 
 cellent county road to New England Village, where are 
 located extensive cotton mills, and over Grafton street to 
 Worcester. There is a shorter route from Millbury to 
 Grafton, and a still shorter one to New England Village. 
 On the return route over Grafton street, fine views are 
 obtained of "Lake Quinsigamond." 
 
 West Boylston, about seven miles from Worcester, 
 by the street which bears its name, — is a thriving manu- 
 facturing town. It is situated in a beautiful valley. 
 E-eturn through "Old Boylston," Boylston street, and 
 Lincoln street, and you will enjoy a fine series of views. 
 
 The oldest Ride in Worcester. Plantation street 
 OR Love Lane. The first settlers from Boston to Con- 
 necticut valley, passed South of this town, by the Nip- 
 muck Road, through Grafton. Not long before 1674, 
 " the country road " was laid out, which led more directr 
 ly from Marlborough to Springfield. It entered Worces- 
 ter, at the North of Quinsigamond Pond, — and is the Lin- 
 coln street of our map from that point, for a few rods, as 
 far as Plantation street. Here however it turned west of 
 the present Lincoln street, — it passed west of the present 
 
WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES. 57 
 
 Main street — and excepting a part of the Jo Bill Koad, 
 spoken of above, [p. 41] is wholly discontinued now, be- 
 tween the Town's Poor-farm and New Worcester. It 
 was simply a "wood road" practicable for pedestrians 
 and horsemen only. By this way, years before the per- 
 manent settlement of Worcester, parties passed to and fro 
 from the sea-shore to the valley of the Connecticut, or the 
 post at Brookfield. Here may be placed the ninth Can- 
 to of Southey's Oliver Newman where he describes that 
 very " joui-ney through the Forest." 
 
 " They are on their way, and they have entered now, 
 The forest-that from earliest time hath stood 
 Ey human culture unsubdued." 
 
 The name " Plantation street " is given in memory of 
 the first highway — which took the place of this " Country 
 Koad" in those early days of the "plantation;" — soon 
 after the arrival of Jonas Bice, the first settler in 1713. 
 
 Pass out through Grafton street to Plantation street. 
 Formerly it crossed what is now a cultivated meadow at 
 your right and came into the Cambridge street of our map. 
 Turn into it at the left, the ascent opens a view of the vil- 
 lage. Cross the turnpike and you come into that part of 
 it kno\\Ti as Love Lane. 
 
 Love Lane will bring you to the original country road ; 
 — at the very spot (if you please to think such the origin 
 of its name), of the journey spoken of above, where 
 
 "First the Virgin thought 
 How large a dower of love and faithfulness 
 Her gentle spirit could have brought 
 
58 
 
 WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES. 
 
 A kindred heart to bless. 
 
 Herself then first she understood, 
 With what capacities endued; 
 
 Then first hy undeserved respect 
 Roused to a consciousnsss of self respect 
 
 Felt she was not more willing to be won 
 Than worthy to be wooed." 
 
 On the right of Love Lane or Plantation street is Wig'- 
 wam Hill, a distinctly marked hill on the borders of the 
 Pond. It was formerly a home of Indians, and hence re- 
 ceived its name. But the present interest of Love Lane 
 is of a more practical kind. 
 
 Look to the west as you ride, and you will see the open 
 shaft of the Anthracite Goal Mine. This anthracite, is, 
 strictly speaking, the only Anthracite yet found in Ameri- 
 ca. It is, that is, nearer the European coal which first 
 received that name, than the coal of Pennsylvania or 
 Rhode Island. The mine is not worked for Coal, — but 
 some black lead is taken from it, for making paint, and 
 British Lustre for stoves. 
 
 Returning by Lincoln street, you pass on the right a 
 yellow building shaded by elms. This is the town's poor 
 house. 
 
 Lincoln street, from the poor house into town was the 
 " Lancaster way " of the plantation, ending in those days, 
 where the " Central Exchange " [See p. 29] now stands. 
 This was not then, as now, Bank and Post Office, but 
 Deacon "Daniel Heywood's Garrison House." 
 
 Plantation street and the Lancaster way were the two 
 streets of the infant town. 
 
WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES, 59 
 
 Trusting that the stranger may sometimes use our 
 guide in longer excursions in the County ; — we add to 
 these hints du-ections for reaching Happy Valley, Asny- 
 bumskit, Purgatory and Wachusett. 
 
 Happy Valley. For those wishing rather a long 
 drive, Happy Valley should by all means be selected. 
 It is the name given to a little valley surrounded by 
 hills which until within a year or two were beautifully 
 wooded. Tlie drive to Happy Valley is delightful. Pass- 
 ing down Lincoln and Burncoat streets, at the distance 
 of four miles we cross the Nashua Railroad, Three miles 
 beyond this crossing, we leave the main road and follow 
 the trail at our right hand. After re-crossing the railroad, a 
 few rods from the turning, at a little distance we leave the 
 road and take a wood path at our left hand. A drive 
 of half a mile brings us to the Valley. To say nothing of 
 the valley, the drive itself will well repay any one for an 
 afternoon. Our first "turn-off" from the main road is 
 about seven miles from Worcester, and half a mile from 
 West Boylston. The valley is about eight miles from 
 Worcester. 
 
 AsNYBUMSKiT. This is the name given to the highest 
 point of land near Worcester, except Wachusett. Pass- 
 ing down Pleasant street on the road to Tatnick, continue 
 on the main Paxton road until within half a mile of Pax- 
 ton village. On the right hand we see a small red house 
 near "Arnold's mill," so called. Taking a cart path 
 which turns off from the main road by this house, we con- 
 tinue through the fields for half a mile, when we arrive at 
 
WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES. 61 
 
 a form lioiise on an elevated site. Here we leave our 
 carriage. A walk of a few minutes brings us to the sum- 
 mit of Asnybumskit. The view from this hill is eS:ten- 
 sive, but the beauty of the landseape near at hand is its 
 greatest attraction. By some the view from this hill is 
 considered superior in some respects to Wachusett. The 
 distance from Worcester is about seven miles. The sum- 
 mit is 1407.42 feet above the tide. 
 
 Purgatory. This paradise is in Sutton, about twelve 
 miles from Worcester. Take the direct road to Sutton, 
 pass tlu'ough the village, and inquhe the way. For a 
 description of Purgatory, and its charms, as they appear- 
 ed sixty years ago. We copy from Peter Whitney's Old 
 History of Worcester County, page 97. 
 
 " In the southeasterly part of the town is a cavern in 
 the earth or rocks, commonly called Purgatory. The 
 rocks on each side of the chasm evidently appear to have 
 been rent asunder. People may enter some rods under 
 the ground or rocks, and there are cracks down which 
 they drop pebbles, and after these strike the sides alter- 
 nately several times, they are heard to fall into the wa- 
 ter ; and a brook issues out at the bottom of the hill. 
 
 "It may be acceptable to give a more particular des- 
 cription of this place, called Purgatory. 
 
 "It is the side of a hill, which consists of vast ledges 
 of rocks : where the natural descent begins, a chasm has 
 been formed of perhaps thirty, and in some places, forty 
 feet in width, in these ledges, by some violent concussion, 
 which left this body of stones of all shapes and sizes, to 
 
62 WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES. 
 
 fall in : above, it is all open to the heavens ; and the 
 ledges, on either side, are from five to ten, and so on to 
 twenty, and even forty feet in height. This chasm is, 
 perhaps, near eighty rods in length ; and the descent is 
 gradual, and not very diifieuH. Where the greatest depth 
 is, water issues from crevices in the rocks, and hangs in 
 icicles, and even in solid bodies of ice, not only in May, 
 as I have seen, but in June, although the descent is to 
 the south. Some small caverns were formed by the fall- 
 ing of these rocks, through which persons have descen- 
 ded, and come out several rods below. This is a most 
 stupendous place, and fills the mind of the beholder with 
 most exalted ideas of the infinite power of the great Cre- 
 ator of all things, * 'who removeth the mountains, and they 
 know not ; who shaketh the earth of its place, and the 
 pillars thereof tremble." After all, no description given 
 of this place, by another, will enable persons to form just 
 and adequate conceptions of it." 
 
 A returned Californian assures us that the pla^e is best 
 described by calling it a canon : and that it gives a dis- 
 tinct idea of the canons of the west of America. 
 
 This place is much visited in summer, by strangers and 
 by residents. For those wishing to pass a day pleasant- 
 ly, we know of no place better than Purgatory. 
 
 Wachusett. This mountain, situated in Princeton, 
 about sixteen miles from Worcester, attracts a great many 
 during the summer season, and a stranger having a leis- 
 ure day is recommended to go to Princeton. About two 
 sailes from the mountain we .stop at the hotel kept by 
 
WALKS, RIDES AND DRIVES. 
 
 63 
 
 Kstant View of W^achusett. 
 
 Jolin Brooks, Esq., wMcli is an excellent house. It is 
 advisable to start from Worcester before breakfast. After 
 breakfast we can push on for the mountain, the ascent of 
 which from the road requires about thirty minutes. 
 
 The prospect from this mountain of a clear summer's 
 day is delightful. 
 
 On the one hand, Boston harbor is visible, distant about 
 fifty eight miles. On the other, the Monadnock is seen 
 raisins: its bald and broken summit to the clouds, while 
 
 o 
 
 the distant Hoosack and Green mountains fade away in 
 the distance, and mingle with the blue horizon. The nu- 
 merous and beautiful villages scattered intermediately in 
 all directions, give a charm to the scene, hardly sui-passed 
 by the far-famed Holyoke. .Somewhat of the ai-tificial 
 richness of that prospect is wanting here, yet this is 
 amply compensated for by the greater extent of view. 
 
64 
 
 STATISTICSi 
 
 At the foot of the mountain, on the easterly side, is 
 a small sheet of water, which, seen from the summit as it 
 reflects the rays of the morning sun, presents a scene, for 
 richness and beauty on a limited scale, rarely surpassed. 
 The summit of Wachusett is 2018.12 feet above the tide. 
 
 The views around Princeton are delightful, — one es- 
 pecially, round the mountain. Mountain, forest, field, 
 and meadow succeed each other in the picture, in many 
 and pleasing varieties. 
 
 The road to Princeton passes out of Worcester, by the 
 Cemetery through Grove and West Boylston streets. 
 
 GROWTH OF WOECESTER 
 
 Years. 
 
 Population. 
 
 Deaths. 
 
 Polls. 
 
 Valuation. 
 
 Tax. 
 
 1763 
 
 1,478 
 
 
 
 
 
 1776 
 
 1,925 
 
 76 
 
 
 
 
 1790 
 
 2,095 
 
 22 
 
 486 
 
 
 
 1800 
 
 2,411 
 
 
 530 
 
 296,542 
 
 3,017 
 
 1810 
 
 2,577 
 
 39 
 
 518 
 
 1,476,383 
 
 3,213 
 
 1820 
 
 2,962 
 
 39 
 
 626 
 
 2,015,750 
 
 4,715 
 
 1825 
 
 3,650 
 
 43 
 
 881 
 
 2,437,550 
 
 6,215 
 
 1830 
 
 4,172 
 
 68 
 
 1018 
 
 2,747,800 
 
 8,073 
 
 1835 
 
 6,624 
 
 105 
 
 1570 
 
 3,667,250 
 
 15,980 
 
 1840 
 
 7,497 
 
 159 
 
 1799 
 
 4,288,950 
 
 21,194 
 
 1845 
 
 11,556 
 
 227 
 
 3150 
 
 6,004,050 
 
 34,121 
 
 1850 
 
 17,000 
 
 
 4783 
 
 11,082,501 
 
 83,645 
 

 
 
 
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