THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES GIFT OF COMMODORE BYRON MCCANDLESS Y 1 GREAT AND GENERAL COURTE IN COLLONIE TIMES. (JAMES R. NEWHALL.) PUBLISHED BY ISRAEL AUGUSTUS NEWHALL and HOWARD MUDGE NEWHALL. 1897. THE NICHOLS PRESS THOS. P. NICHOLS. LYNN, MASS. Copyright, 7*96, by ISRAEL AUGUSTUS NEWHALL AND HOWARD MUDGE NEWHALL, LYNN, MASS. PRINTRD BY THOS P. NICHOLS. I.VNN, MAM. F 1/7 PREFACE. THE Author of this Book, Judge JAMES ROBINSON NEWHALL, Lynn Historian, died on October 24th, 1893. At the time of his death this book was in plate ready for publication, and arrangements were being made for print- ing and binding. The Author was a practical compositor and printer as well as historian, and he himself set the type from which the plates were cast, completing his work when he was within a few months of eighty-four years of age. This and another work, " The Legacy of an Octo- genarian," to be published later, were arranged and com- pleted after he had passed his eightieth year. On page 206 he speaks of his work as a "labor of love," and this was characteristic of all his writings, as he gave faithfully and unselfishly of his time and labor in the research and arrangement of matters of local historical interest. This work is now published as carrying out the plan and inten- tion of the respected Author, by ISRAEL AUGUSTUS NEWHALL. HOWARD MUDGE NEWHALL. LYNN, MASS., December, 1896. CONTENTS. A AFFECTIONS, unlawfully seeking to win, punishment for, 350. Ancient and Honorable Artillery, 99 to 107. Angel of the woods, 504. Animals. Bears, 39, 189, 199, 274. Foxes, 414, Perfuming, 30, 211. Rats, 210. Swine, 121. Weasels, 21 r. Wolf, 423. ARROW JOHN, the Indian chief serious and diverting points of his character illustrated by incident and anecdote, 26, 66, 167, 187, 217, 232, 266, 267, 270, 273, 495, 500. B Bakery, John Stone's, in Boston humorous and disastrous occur- rences there, 295 to 306. Be.acon Hill, how formed, according to Arrow John, 267. Bilbowes. See Stocks. Board and lodging for members of the Court, 209. Boston school, and something about the schoolmasters, 397 to 411. Bread. The Court admonish John Stone and wife to make bigger, 295. Great prize exhibition of, in Boston, 306. Bucaneers, 226. Christmas. At the Blue Anchor Tavern affecting scenes, 237. Penalty for the observance of, 477. Colony House, 10 to 15, 49. Committees, special, of the Court, and their doings, 70, 184, 299, 412. Contest between a farmer and a tanner, 137. Court, laws and orders of. See Enactments. Courtship, 349 to 365. Crows Arrow John's account of their destruction by the clams. 2JO, Their unmannerly mocking of the psalm-singers, 420. (5) Vl CONTENTS. D Day, good Stephen, the first printer in the Colony, his outfit and his mishaps, 461 to 473. Divorce, instances of, and causes, 380 to 384. Doers and Talkers, legislative, 180, 204, 282. Dress, extravagance in, forbidden, 310 to 341. Drowned girl discovered by Sunnv Wave, 196. E Election day, " the good old 'lection," 100. Eliot, Rev. John, the apostle to the Indians, 197, 198, 199, 235, 419, 483 to 487, 493, 497, 499. Elopement of Zadoc Bread and Amabel Cottleston, 358. Enactments of the Court illustrating the spirit and condition of the people, 40,41, 43, 44, 55, 59, 61, 63, 64, 70, 71, ill, 114, 123, 125, 149, 152, 172, 2O8, 2O9, 221 to 227, 255, 26O, 28o tO 295, 3S. 3 6 39 to 313, 326 to 328, 344 to 347, 350 to 352, 363 to 367, 378 to 385, 391, 425, 429, 458, 471, 472, 476 to 478, 488. F Freemen, their qualifications and duties, 44. Funerals. Of the Spanish youth, at the Blue Anchor, 248. Of the gentle Mary, 250. Of a suicide, 480. Of Sunny Wave, 497. G GENERAL COURT. Its first assembling at Boston, 9. Dr. Chauncey's slander on, 48. Its sycophantic address to Charles II., 149. Their arrangement for the entertainment of members at the Ship Tavern, 221, and the scene at an evening meal, 256. Special committee of, view Mr. Humfrey's wind-mill, 70. Another com- mittee look after the Charles river tides, 184. Another visit Mr. Stone's bakery, 299. Another survey land for Harvard College, 412. See Enactments. Ghostly invasion, "jL. GROUT, HACHALIAH, a shining light biographical sketch, 13410 160. H Harvard College, pet child of the Court, receives due attention, 412. Corporal punishment in, 425, 429, 445. Poor fare of the students, 427. Pranks of students, 452. Condition of, in 1680, 458. Hastv pudding, 33. Huis. Beacon Hill, 267. Copp's Hill, 267. Fort Hill, 154, 267. CONTENTS. Vii UUBBARD, LEVI, a shining light. Biographical sketch, 160 to 179. Humfrey, Dorcas and Sarah, their touching history, 59 to 64. 84 to 9& HUMFREY, JOHN, a shining light Biographical sketch, 51 to 97. Husking party, 441. I J Incontinence in early times, 365, 385. Infant baptism, 476. Insane woman in Boston meeting house, 313. Jewsharp band, 108. K KEAYNE, Capt ROBERT, a shining light. Biographical sketch, 97 to 134. Kerley, Ebenezer, the rhyming member. His eccentricities, 211 to 220. L Letters. Boston school boy to his sister, and her answer, 401 to 405. Sunny Wave to Rev. Mr. Eliot, 484. Lightning, effects of, in Mr. Day's printing office, 464. M Marriage, 365 to 380. Act to prevent unlawful, 366. Marshall, Capt., his jolly doings and magistral lapses, 367 to 380. Mary, the gentle maid of the Blue Anchor Tavern, 231 to 252. N Nippy Curlup, the tailor. Dark and light streaks in his career, 233, 318 to 326. NORTON, ADONIRAM, a shining light Biographical sketch, 179 to 206. O Orders of Court, and laws. See Enactments. Orthography of olden time, 17. P Pic-nics. In Boston Highlands, 194. Near Harvard College, 413. PINION, SIMON. His journal, 15. Journey with Mr. Higginson, to attend the first General Court at Boston, 19. Account of great training of Ancient and Honorable Artillery, 103. Account of a great bread show, in Boston, 306. Account of pic-nic on Har- vard College grounds, 413. Printing office, the first in the Colony, 460. Psalm singing. In Court, 1 72. At pic-nic, interrupted by crows, 420. Vlll CONTENTS. Punishments corporal, in Harvard College, 425, 429, 445 ; various remarkable, 41, 55, 61, 63, 283, 284, 285, 290, 292, 293, 350, 352, 425, 429, 476, 477, 478. See Enactments. R Rats and weasels about the Colony House, 210, 211. Regicides, Gofif and Whalley, appear in Court, 146. Schools, order of Court establishing, 391. Boston school and school- masters, 397 to 412. Sea-serpent, 217. Seaton, Christine. Her fascinating perverseness, 329 to 341. Her mysterious disappearance, and return with Sunny Wave, 488 to 492. Her final disappearance, 503. Ship Tavern, at Boston. Entertainment of members there, 221. De- scription of, and scene at evening meal, 252 to 279. Shop keepers, not to oppress by high prices, 1 14, 345. Smoking, not allowed in court room, 280. Snakes, 23, 210, 450, 456. Spanish youth, affecting story of, 225 to 249. Stocks, 164, 284, 285, 290. Suicide, burial of a, 480. Sumptuary laws, 310 to 346. See Enactments. SUNNY WAVE, the Indian maid her fascinating, heroic, and virtu- ous traits illustrated, 25, 66, 68, 85, no, 167, 187, 191, 194, 195, 198, 233, 234, 235, 244, 252, 308, 338, 359, 361, 418, 483, 484. Her distressing death, 493. Her burial, 498. Swine, Capt Keayne's great law case concerning, 121. T Talkers and Doers, legislative, 180, 204, 282. Taverns. The Blue Anchor, and remarkable scenes that happened there, 223 to 252. Ship Tavern, 221, 252, 279. Tobacco, use of, forbidden, 280 to 282. Trade, principles of, false and true, 116. W Wages of mechanics and laborers, 341 to 346. War ordinances, in. Witch hunting in Boston Pasture, 436. Witchery in printing office, 464. Wolf pit, Mr. Callings falls into one of his own digging, 423. 7 AND rENEI\AL CHAPTER I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. ri ^HE GREAT AND GENERAL COURT first assembled 1 in Boston, in the autumn of 1630 : the Great and General Court the rock and shield of the now blissful and boastful old Bay State, in its colonial infancy, its provincial youth, and its sovereign manhood : the Great and General Court sometimes the scene of heroic struggles for true liberty and God-given rights, and sometimes the scene of sordid strivings and vain bluster. It was a momentous occasion, and drew together, as well it might, all who could attend, from far and near the patriotic, the curious, the idle a few only, of the lame and the timorous shirks remaining behind. And divers Indians, too, from the neighbor- ing tribes, came, imposingly bedecked with paint and feathers, anxious to be present at the first "Big A* (9) IO I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. Talk" as they called it, of the white men. Big Talk, forsooth ! It was one that might well have hidden its diminutive head if compared with the legislative talks of these latter days ; talks which have been growing bigger and bigger till half the year is hardly sufficient for the lingual gyrations. But there were some members of that rough-cast assembly whose renown will be forever green in our annals Brad- street, Dudley, Endicott, Ludlow, Nowell, Piuchon, Saltonstall, Winthrop, among them. The structure in which this Court, pregnant of such mighty interests, principles and promises, was held this legislative body which by its annual re- newals has been continued, with few interruptions, to our day, a beacon-light of political wisdom, though at times assuming rather the appearance of a revolv- ing light was somewhat different, both in itself and its surroundings from the stately edifice that now adorns Beacon' Hill. But as one may be wise, and good, and great, as well in homespun as in purple and fine linen, so wisdom, goodness, and greatness may develop themselves as well under an unceiled roof as under a gilded dome. The centre of a straggling pine grove, a little to the south-west of Copp's Hill was the site of the gro- tesque structure which the patriotic men of Boston had provided for the assembly, looking forward, doubt- less, for remuneration, when the Court should convene. The prim old trees, as if conscious of the dignity of the occasion, had, by the aid of an opportune frost, prepared an aromatic carpet of brown, which a spir- ited wind had occupied the whole preceding night I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. II in spreading all around, so yielding that the most soft-footed gravity might not be discomposed. The day proved to be one of the most lovely of the whole of the blessed Indian-summer, which that year happened to be unusually protracted. A gentle breeze swept down from the south-west and the golden haze added a dreamy charm to the scarlet foliage of the maple, the brown of the oak, and orange of the walnut, which beautifully mingled with the deep green of the pine and hemlock. The scene was indeed sufficiently inspiring to even extort sundry appreciative grunts from the impassive Indians who were loitering about. Of the structure itself a word should be said. It was low, and built of rough-hewn logs. Upon the inside, for some four feet upward, it had a sort of wainscoting of unplaned boards that had been wrought from the huge pines which so lately occupied the site, the good people of Salem, who owned the only big saw in the Colony, having, after a protracted negotia- tion, consented to lend that useful implement for the occasion. There was a small window upon each side, glazed with diminutive panes, so knotty and wavy that when one without looked in, he would see an assembly of giants and dwarfs, some leaning this way and some that, and some on their very heads ; and when one within looked out, he would see trees dancing fantastic jigs, in all sorts of postures, and rocks, water, and clouds, in the oddest jumbles. In short, they distorted every thing viewed through them, to as great an excess as any principle could be distorted by the most derelict legislator. To assist these win- 12 I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. dows in the admission of light, there were irregular openings between the upper layers of logs, covered with transparent animal membrane. The door was of rough plank, with an enormous wooden latch the string of which, a knotty piece of second-hand cod-line, always hung invitingly out and swung gracefully on one hinge of iron and two of uncurried hide. The chimney was built of unshapely stones, picked up in the vicinity, and was so jagged and angular that the poor smoke found it a hard road to travel ; so hard, indeed, that unless an accommodating wind lent its aid, it was accustomed frequently to give over the attempt, and expand in the room, much to the annoy- ance of the members, as evidenced by their red and watery eyes. The interior of the edifice presented an array of oaken benches, sufficiently substantial to bear, without a creak, the dignity of the whole British parliament. And they who sat on those uncomely seats, long before the disappearance of that lowly council-house, had the spirit more than once to defy the power of that august parliament, and the sovereign too. Arranged along the walls were sundry ponderous tables with legs enough to sustain a perpetual and annoying war with the legs of those who sat by them. And over the tables, picturesquely hanging against the wall, at a height that made it necessary to rise for every dip of the pen, were divers quaint-looking inkhorns, some of which had served one term of usefulness on the heads of goats and rams, and some, having extraordi- nary twists and protuberances, were reputed to have once adorned the heads of unicorns and devils, which I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. 13 gentry, the latter especially, were at that period uni- versally believed to abound in our woods ; the Ply- mouth people, too, declaring that they had been much disturbed by them. Eagle quills, as well as goose, were provided in abundance, and long knives hung in the corners, for the convenience of making and mend- ing pens. Near the wall opposite the entrance, was a rude platform, raised on blocks, sufficiently capa- cious for the accommodation of the presiding officer and secretary. The chair of the chief dignitary was a ponderous, fantastically-wrought affair, and was brought over in the May Flower, among the count- less tons of trumpery which that vessel, of miraculous capacity, transported hither. It came into Massachu- setts as the gift of the redoubtable Miles Standish. But the Plymouth people soon made a great rumpus about it, declaring that it was not his to give. An expedition was sent up for its recovery, but was obliged to return without accomplishing the purpose ; and it was kept spiked down till the danger seemed to be over. I believe the last service it performed was the heating of the kitchen oven at the Ship Tavern, for it suddenly lost all favor, by one afternoon, without any premonition, disjointing itself and letting its occupant fall sprawling upon the floor. A vote was immediately passed, giving the wreck to the keeper of the tavern, with whom a number of the members boarded, and into whose capacious oven went all the irregular and crooked sticks. Its ghost, however, has appeared in several antiquarian collections, among the innumerable other May Flower ghosts. The building had a pitch roof and was unceiled 14 I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. above, so that a series of knotty and irregular rafters were visible, among which the industrious wasps and hornets found hospitable niches in which to entrench themselves and rear their useful progeny. Just in the rear of the building, and protecting it from the north winds, arose an enormous boulder, from the summit of which one might scan the blue waters of the Bay, and the wavy woods beyond the river, with here and there a spire of smoke marking the habitation of some settler or the wigwam of some Indian. From beneath the boulder issued a sportive little stream which dashed along over a pebbly bed to a miry expansion below, where the bullfrogs were wont to erect their green heads and gruffly utter their compliments to the squirrels who sported in the branches above, and their suspicions to the hungry snakes who coiled expectant among the rushy tufts. Then upon the little plain that spread out from the western slope were picturesquely arranged sundry flakes which had been erected for the convenience of drying salted cod fish. The sympathies of the Court, at a very early period, went lovingly out toward cod fish, and the hardy piscine adventurers along our shores throve wonderfully under the benefi- cent legislative smiles. And in years long after the odorous old flakes had disappeared, and the place of assembly had been removed to a far-off point, they had the likeness of a cod fish made and hung up in the hall. And so it has hung to this day rather a scaly idol, to be sure, but perhaps one sufficient to bring them within the terms of the injunction not to worship the likeness of any thing in the water. We I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. 1$ talk lightly of a " cod fish aristocracy ; " but the irrev- erence arises from ignorance of history. On a headland near the water's edge, a rudely constructed wind-mill swung its ponderous arms, and always held itself in readiness, under favor of a good breeze, to do its duty in pumping water into the salt-pans, a few of which had been hastily set, to supply the needs of the fishermen. As there may here and there in this volume be a fact or circumstance brought under notice that cannot be found stated on the regular records, it may be well now to remark that I have derived no inconsiderable information touching the doings of the Court, as well as regarding other matters illustrative of those early times, from a journal kept by one Simon Pinion, who seems to have been an attendant on the sessions of the Court for a considerable time. After sleeping quietly for more than two hundred years, in what rubbish-receptacle no one knows, this invaluable col- lection fell into my hands through the agency of a friendly paper-maker, who, during the great scarcity of paper-stock in the early part of the war of the rebel- lion, in answer to a newspaper advertisement, received cart-loads of what the old ladies called " lutter," from cob webbed garrets and dark closets. Of the journal- ist himself I am unable to give much information, for he seems to have had little ambition to become con- spicuous, and consequently his name is seldom met in the public records the common fate of modesty. Yet it is evident that he possessed a genial mind, was intelligent, and a keen observer of passing events. His education appears to have been very fair, and his association with all classes familiar. 1 6 I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. No one who examines the records of the General Court, for many years, as they have come down to us, can for a moment suppose that they contain an ac- count of all the doings. The shrewd old legislators had solid reasons for not having all their proceedings appear in black and white, reasons which sometimes not very remotely touched the connection between their heads and shoulders. And there exist remarka- ble precedents in that direction. Even in the records of the British high court of chancery a significant hiatus may here and there be found. Some of the important results arrived at by our fathers were reached by amazingly short cuts, the trail being care- fully obliterated. I was going to state that Mr. Pinion represented Boston in the Court, for many years ; but do not find his name in any list now at hand. It may, therefore, be that the passages in his journal which led to the supposition, led astray. It is certain, however, that he was much at the Court, but might have been there as a lobby member a kind of attendant so uncom- mon at this day, that a description may be needed ; though on the whole it would hardly be advisable to give one, as it might have some tendency to revive a disreputable custom now so happily obsolete. I can- not think, however, that one gifted with such an open and honest mind as he evidently had, could fill such a position. He certainly could not have been there as a newspaper reporter, for there were no newpapers to report for. Possibly he may have been there as a man of leisure, seeking amusement, for that was about the only place in the broad land, where amusement I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. 1 7 was then to be found. But these surmises are not of much importance ; we have him there, and that is sufficient for our purpose. A charming air of truthfulness pervades Mr. Pin- ion's jottings ; and I feel no temptation to disturb his quaint style and simple language further than to vary the spelling of a word, when, in the shape he put it, it would not be likely to be understood at all ; for I should be very sorry to have my good friend, the reader, every now and then throw down the book, exclaiming, " Confound the unintelligible words " as the readers of Scott's novels, fifty years ago, used to drop their books and " Confound the Scotchisms " though they did not suffer them to lie long ; a differ- ent fate, most likely, from that which would attend this book. And, moreover, the few changes I make cannot be called taking liberties, for he himself, in common with all others at that period, usually spelled the same word in divers ways. Orthography, in short, was then very much a matter of taste, there being no acknowledged standard. It was by no means always ignorance that produced the discord- ance in spelling, though the discordance often turned out to be useful in concealing ignorance. In the matter of abbreviations they went to an amusing extent. Some, for instance, wrote &, vf^ 1 , w th , y*, y m , y n , y, y 4 , for and, which, with, the, them, then, you, that, in all cases ; others spelled the words in full, or ab- breviated indiscriminately. Some seldom abbrevi- ated ; others had a passion for the short-hand style, contracting, apparently, whenever they could find a decent pretense. But all seem to have entertained an 2 1 8 I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. almost childish inclination to show their ingenuity in spelling the same word in as many ways as the sounds of letters would admit. I have seen, in a deposition of some twelve lines, the name of the deponent spelled in five different ways. The y e grew out of the peculiar way of forming the letters in writing the as any one may perceive by closely examining old manuscripts ; though Webster says the y e , as thus used, is a corrupt representation of the Saxon character which was equivalent to our th which seems to me learned error. Some letters were very commonly used inter- changeably, as i and/, u and v. These few remarks on the ancient mode of spelling may be worthy of notice by such readers as have not been accustomed to the perusal of old works, as occasionally, through- out our volume, will appear extracts from early records, so quaint and queer. I find in the journal of Mr. Pinion a very opportune account of the perils and adventures that befel the worthy Mr. Higginson and himself on their way to attend this Court. And I extract it here with much pleasure, as giving a faithful glimpse of the difficulties that attended the performance of their political duties by the men of that day. Those who now glide up to the General Court, in a few hours, from the remotest corners of the State, lolling upon the velvet seats of the rail-road cars many of them, no doubt, enjoying the vivifying fumes, the intellectual repast, and the liquid adornments, to be found in the smoking cars more at ease than if at home in their ostentatious parlors might find it difficult to realize the condition of things at that period. Such cotem- I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. 19 porary details furnish the very best pictures of the times to which they relate. Well, then, Mr. Pinion says : " As y e Gen r all Cote was to assemble att Boston, on y e morrow, and I being on a vissit to Sallem, att M r Higginson his hows, hee sayd to me y l as itt were well to bee at our poste betimes, it might not bee amiss to starte y* day, by w ch meanes wee c d , haply, reach Goodman Bennett his hows by night, lodge there, and bee refresht for y e rest of y e journie, and for y e comeing x r cises. And lest, peradventure, we might need wherew th to stay our stomacks by y e way not haueing faith suffitient to y e findeing of manna in y e wildernesse he sayd wee c d take enow in our wallets for that, and supp at our lodging place. This met my own mind ; and soe, earlie in y e afternoon, w th a well stuffed wallet on my back, and a red kegg w th a few comforting drams therein strapped vpon his, wee sett fourth, purposeing to goe afoote, he deeming it unseemlie to ride y e old bull, on sutch an occation, and both feareing y 1 y e horse w d be but a trouble on soe rough a roade. " Wee had stout oaken staffs to stay our steps and withal to defend against any potent adversarie that might assail vs. And to add wh* we might to our presence, we bedeckt o r selves in our best apparell, well knowing y l manie reckon others by their loocks. M r Higginson wore his brown veluet breeches, and his coat of blew ffrench stuff, his broidered doublet,, his white leggins and his best deer-skin half-bootes. Hee had tasty red ribbins knotted at y e knees, and; vpon his head he wore his famous London hatt, w 11 " 2O I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. brim y* could be brought down over his eares like y e bonnet of a dame, and tied aneath his chinn, or c d be buttoned to y e crown like y e capp of a Dutch admiral y e same hatt y l had soe struck y e fancy of y e Indjan warriors y l they had manie times essayed to steal y e same. " Wee took our way threw y e pine plats, and over y e hills toward y e Sawgust Plantacion. Nickt trees and divers marks made by other trauellers helped to guide vs in y e right way most of y e time, and wee beguiled y e tedjousness by holdeing m ch earnest dis- course on y e great matters that might presently turn vpp for our comfort or distres. He W 1 haue it that y e devill was about to let loose his impes vppon vs for to doe his misscheifs while we were yet but a small peeple and weak ; for, said -he, y e evill beast knoweth passing well when to strike his blows. But, said I, Master Higginson, I feare no sutch doleful happening, for be we not in God his keeping, whose chosen pee- ple we surelie are, worthie pilgrims, well instructed in y e scriptures and y e cattykism, and well grounded in y e holie ordinances and docktrines, haueing godly ministers, too, to watch y e fold ag n st ravening beasts ? And moreouer, sayd I, will not y e God who sent vs hither to plant and keep alive y e trew vine bee w th vs ? Will nott y e great Master take care of his owne ? It doth seem to mee y l sutch misgivings are but doubt- ings of his pow r and prommises. But say what I would, he must needes still hold to great feare of y e devill. "Then againe we held discourse touching some of y e great matters y l might presently com befour vs I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. 21 in y e Co r te, and of our prospects as a peeple. Com vp yonder, Simon, sayd he, poynting w th his staff to a mightie roc by y e wayside, Com vp, and I will show you a goodlie sight Nay, nay, s d I, for wee shall haue climbing enow, befo r wee reach o r journeys end. And moreouer, itt is not wise to keep leaveing y e path ; for wh n one is in y e right way, hee doeth well to pursue it diligently, not turning to right nor left to see new things and we may presently lose o r selves in y e mazes of y e wildernesse. And I did remind him of y e scripture wherein is told of a great tempta- tion on a high mountain. But he would haue it y* we sh d goe vp and being a little heady I was faine to doe as he w d . " Being vp on y e mowntain roc, after m ch paines, he first took off his hatt, and wiped y e sweatt from his face w ch was m ch disfigured w th wartes, amoung w ch ye little streames trickled zigzaging downe. And then, stretching fourth his staff, as did Moses on vew- ing y e promissed land, he s d , Now, Simon, I w d y* y caste y r eye ouer y e lande, and say if it be not a goodlie herryttage. Yonder may be made broade feilds for grain and other products. Y e waters there are stored w th savoury ffish, yea, w th aboundance of goodlie cod ffish. And y e great occean beyond is y e grand highway on w h shipps may ride to vs w th all y e good things of distant landes. What, then, shall hinder vs to be, at sum day, a mightie nation. Here is room enow for more peeple y n y e hosts of Israel could number. Look yonder, too, vpon y e boundless forrest, and consider wh l noble spoyl may there be made ; wh* countless habittacions, yea, and statelie 22 I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. shipps may be built from y e huge and tow r ing trees. Yes, yes, sayd I, but if y* forrest be alreadie giuen ouer for y e habbitacion of dragons and devills who can abide therein to uplift y e ax ? Butt he, not heed- ing what I sayd, grew warmer still, and seizing my hand w th m ch fervour, furth r sayd, Yea, and yea, Si- mon, in generrations yet for to com here will be a great and pow r full nation a land wherein, as y e script 1 " saith, thou shalt eat bread w th out scarceness and shalt not lack anie thing in it. Here will bee gr l marchants and cunning craftsmen ; and holie men and sages shall rise vp. Mark my prophesie, mark it, mark it, Simon, and see if it doth not com to pas. " I do not know, Master Higginson, sayd I, where I may be in generations to com, so y l I can see these great things com to pas. Tru, y e lande is now uery faire to loock vpon w th a pleasant sunn shining above ; but we doe well to considder y l this herrytage came vnder y e gr 1 curse pronounced at y e beginning ; and so y e outrages of storme and tempest must needs fall vpon it, and cold and heat doe their evill work. And, worse than all, as y y r selfe will have it y l evill spiritts doe greatlie abound, must we not fear that that wind will be sown wh r of y e whirlwind will som day be reapt ? Butt is y c land in truth ours, or have y e Indjan salvages yet rights in y e herittage ? " It will be, it will be ours, sayd he, and that pres- entlie, for God hath sent vs hither to occupie. Y e tawnie and devill-nursed barbarians will melt away like y e ice of winter befoar y e winds of spring. And I feel, at this moment that y e morrow hath m ch to doe w th ye g rea t times to com. I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. 2 3 " Now, sayd he, we will sitt down on y e rock, and refresh o r selues somewhat from y e wallett and kegg. And while preparing our meat, a strange whirring or rattling noyse was heard nigh at hand. What is that, what is that, Simon ? sayd M r Higginson, takeing y e kegg from his lipps, and peering about in som fright ; MV^ words were but uttered, wh n a pestiferous serpent w th divers rattles in his tail, glided vp from a crevice, and quicklie quoiled himself w th his head erected, his eyes glistening, and his forked tongue thrusting out at vs in gr' spitefulnes. Mercie on vs, ejaculated M r Higginson, much scared ; mercie on vs ; wh l did I say, just now, ab* devills. And he dropt y e kegg, w ch rolled downe y e hill, spilling all y e pretious liquor. Strike, Simon, strike, he exclaimed, in gr 1 terrour, iumping vp and swinging his armes aloft, strike, and beat downe y e evil beaste, or we o r selues shall both be destroyed. And I, girding myselfe w th a remembranc of y e great temptation, did strike, w th m ch heartines, beating y e life out of y e monster afore he had tyme to spring vpon us. " Well don, Simon, well don, cried M r Higginson, you have shurelie despatched a most pestigeous imp of y e devill. Never parley, never parley, nor prevari- cate w th sutch dam d stragglers from y 6 nether world. But com, we will abide here no longer, not knowing wh l cursed shape y e evill one or som other servant of his, may next put on, to our fright and danger ; nor how soone, nor in wh* shape y e slimy impe befoar vs may arise to his unholie work. Y r blows, Simon, did strike home, but in faith did not y e baptism f m y* keg doe somewh 1 of y e work ? It was a providence y* 24 I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. we borrow* 1 y e sacramental wine keg for our occation, y e presence even of so sacred a vessel being potent. " I am amaz d , Master Higginson, sayd I, at what y utter, and more amaz d at yo r prophanitie. What prophanitie, Simon, sayd he, brisquely, I utter d none ; or if I did, it was but an evil turn of y e tongue w th out assent of y e minde. We are tau 1 , Simon, y* tongues are unrulie members ; and y e best of y m will some- times work awry. Well, well, sayd I, it is ouer now. But I dew surmise y l y e fumes of y e strong liquor, or y e spattering of y e same on y e serpent his head did help to our conquest, for wh n y e keg came down he squirm d handsomlie. " Wee were soon on our way again. And when by our judgm 4 we had com w th in a myle or two of Good- man Bennett his hows, we fell vpon a great store of luscious grapes, and would fain tarry to refresh o r selues in y e use of y e same. But som ill was like to com of this, for, step by step, we wander* 1 from y e path till we were quite lost in y e wildernes. Beating abovt to noe purpos, till nigh y e tyme of sunnsetting, gr' feare began to fall vpon vs, w * 1 surelie did not abate wh n we began to heare divers terrible roareings and bellowings farr off in y e woodes. Wee conjec- tured y l bears and lyons were prowling vp and down, and unicorns and dragons, perhaps. And M r Hig- ginson would haue it y' sum must be devills, as he verrily tho 1 he smelt brimston in y e aire. " Being wearie and sorely perplext wee paused to consider wh l had best be done. But presentlie, on peering forward among y* trees, we discried y 1 w 01 * filled me w th amazem nt and M r Higginson w th alarum. I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. 2$ He declared y l it c d bee nothing but one of y e devills w 1 * he was well persuaded had bin sent by their mast r to obstruct our way. But I reply d y l it seemed to me his head was a very breeding place of monsters ; and that to me, this appearance was more like an angell y n a devill. And so, scanning y e appearance still furth r I was faine to say, If my eyes doe not deceive me, it is a faire Indjan mayd, w th white eagle plumes, w ch betoken high breeding, among y e salvages, as I haue heard M r Endicott say ; and she is begirt w th a braive red sash, and bedeck 1 w th dyvers shining trink- ets s ch as y e forrest mayds do most covet ; surelie, too, she hath a dainty step, and sped athwart y e open- ing as lightsom as a young fawne. And loock even now toward yonder great hemlock, and see how cun- ninglie she peereth vpon vs from behind y e trunck. I warrant y Master Higginson, y* there is flesh and bloud, and dainty, too. " Angell or devill, sayd hee, wee will pursue, and haply it may be vnto vs a meanes of escape from our present bewilderm', tho I have heard of good men being lured to destruction by devills appeareing in y 6 shape of faire women. But night is comeing on apace, and if we doe not finde our way presentlie, we must abide here for y e night. But, Simon, Simon, sayd he, chucking my ribs w th his staff, and leering w th a knowing look vpon me, thou art a great rogue, and m ch beguiled by womankind. But I tell y y e old deludor cometh often in their shape to lure men to destruccion. Beware, beware. " Wee now made what haste we c d toward y 6 tree, crying to hir, y 6 while, not to be afraide ; y' we were B 26 I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. trauellers who w d haue some guide to restore vs to our lost way ; thus crying in y e hope y 1 she might know enow of y e English tongue to understand our callammity and enow of y e wildernesse to lead vs out. But she bounded off w th gr* speed ; and quickening our pace we pursued on and presentlie came vppon a great roc, whence we spied hir, nimbly speeding on, and crying in gr* alarrum, till she fell, panting like a hunted hare, right into y* armes of a brawnie Indjan who had rushed forw d at hir ringing cry. He cacht hir in his armes and loockt fiercely about to see what dang r threaten d , while she lovinglie clung about his neck. It was, in sooth, a touching sight to behold there in y e dark woodes. Then it seemed as if she complain d to him of our pursuit. And there- vppon he gentlie put hir downe and seiz d his knotty clubb and strode fourth w th it uplifted as if he would smite vs to y e earth. " Wee essayed to make hym vnderstand who in truth wee were ; and felt m ch releif wh n wee found y* they both knew somewh 1 of our tongue. Hir terrour soone abated, and shee stood fourth besyde hir father, as comelie a mayd as ev r trod y e wild woodes. In y e parlie wee were certified y l hee was a cheife of m ch peeple somewh 1 to y e northward. Y e moth r of y e little mayd was dead, and he m dl loved hir, his onlie child. Wee had som friendlie talk, and they w d faine haue vs goe to their lodge and eate of their corne cake and dryed ffish, and abide w th y m till morning ; but wee w d not, seeing y e long journie yet befour vs. The Indjan sayd if we w d not tarry w th y m hee W 1 put vs vppon y" shortest way to Goodman Bennett his hous. I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. 2"J And w th great thankfulness wee took him for our guide. While holdeing this discours, y e mayd ran away, and presentlie came back w lh a baskett filled w th sutch noble chesnutts as olde Engl d is a strainger to. Shee sayd shee had gather d y m w th hir owne handes, and we were welcom to y m . And wh n we had made our pocketts heavy w th y m she seem d greiv d y l we w d take no more. Heathen daughf, cryed M r Higginson, m ch roused, and wiping his eyes, thou indeed art not altogether a child of y e devill ; where hast thou bin to pick vp y e seed of grace ? goe w th me to y e white men their home ; goe, learne of their God and y e way to his kingdom. Noe, noe, sayd she, moved even vnto teares, and clinging fast to y e gar- ments of hir fath r , noe, noe, I will not goe, for my moth r be gon to y e Gr l Spirritt, and wh r she hath gon there vfi I goe. " Then y e Indjan bade vs follow hym, if we W 1 not tarry for y e night, and sayd as y e day was so far spent we must move apace or y e darknes w d be vpon vs befour we c d reach y e hous of Goodm n Bennett. So wee started off at good speed. On y e way he W 1 talk m ch of his daughf, whom he sayd y e white peeple ab* his horn called SUNNY WAVE. And in truth wee did think hir a most comelie mayd, and of bright and loveing minde. As we trauelled along, she did sing som wild Indjan songs, w * 1 ecco d off in y e dusky woodes allmost like spirrit songs. W th som of hir strange, and touching tones M r Higginson was m ch oVcom, and say d in a chokeing voyce, O, Simon, Simon, I doe hazard to say y* if this be a child of sathan then sathan hath a child of most wonderful 28 I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. graces. Y n againe shee did putt onn a right merrie mood and by hir odd conceits make us laugh till y e teares came again. And M r Higginson, forgetting himselfe, did clapp his hands right heartilie at hir cunning imitacions of a minister she had once heard preach in Plimouth Collonie, and who had a strange way of snuffing and x r cising his armes. " Our way was rough, and we had aboundance of scratches from y e brambles, and manie dangers from y e pitfalls y l had bin made for to catch y e wolves. And our feet were made soar by y e rough rocks. " Wee reached Goodman Bennett* his hows just as y 6 moone was rising aboue y e trees. Y e Indjans were prest to tarry for rest and refreshm 1 but w d not, and presentlie departed, Sunny Wave being in hir father his armes, shee saying to him y* she w d not be carry d on his back, in y e Indjan fashion, likeing better y e white mann his way. And y e Indjan sayd, as hee went, y l mayhap he sh d be at y e Cote, on y e morrow, * This was undoubtedly Samuel Bennet, who lived in what is now the upper part of Saugus. He afterward accumulated some property, having added to his farming enterprises, the teaming of wood and clearing of land. A cotemporary account says he " yearly yearned vast somes by his teems." He also seems to have done something as a carpenter. He was not, however, above reproach in his moral de- portment, for in 1644 he was presented by the grand jury as "a comon sleeper in time of exercise." I also judge that besides his moral obliquity he was afflicted with a physical irregularity even with strabismus ; for when the Court was petitioned to lend a helping hand in the romantic enterprise of straightening the river, which was exceedingly crooked near where he lived, several witnesses swore that five persons had been made cross-eyed by looking on the stream, and he was named as one of the five. At the time Mr. Higginson and Mr. Pinion made their journey to the Court, Mr. Bennet had been but a few months located where they found him. I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. 29 to hear y e bigg talk of y e white men. Goodwyfe Ben- nett certifyed us y* she knew y e Indjan to be y e cheif call d ARROW JOHN, one of note, and a freind to y e English. Y e Goodwyfe gave vs a heartie welcome, and wh" hir husband, who had bin working in y e feild, returned, sett befour vs a savourie meale of venison, w th som fat bear steak, and other wild meat, also artichokes, and a saus of craunberrys, togeth r w th an aboundanc of a lustious drink, m ch like a small beere, made, as y e dame sayd, of rootes and herbs. M r Ben- nett mostlie occupies in husbandrie, and hath dyvers acores now cleared for y e plow, of w** they alreadie haue one in y e settlem 1 ; and he hath raysed som faire pumpkins and turnips. " Wh n y e meale was ended and we somewh 1 restoH from y e paynes and weariness of y e day, we w* faine lend a hand to our hoste in. y e gath r ing of his pump- kins lest y e threatened frost sh d make spoyl of y m . Y e night was pleasant but chill, and we did heare y e notes of manie whip r wills sounding ab l in y e woods ; likewise y e barking of foxes and roareing of dyvers oth r ravening beastes unicornes and devills againe, as M r Higginson w d haue it. " While busy ab l y e pumpkins, M r Higginson did spy near y e wall and skulking along toward y e pole on w ch som poultrie were aroost, a suspitious little annimal w th a bushy tayl ; and haueing a pumpkin in his hands, and deeming y l noe good was intended for y e fowles he hurled y e fruit at y e prowler w th all his might. Y e aime being faire, y e beaste was knock 4 against y e wall ; but not being m ch hurt, he presently recover* 1 himselfe, and in y e quick tyme of a lightning 3O I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. flash shed vpon M r Higginson a liquor of sutch horrid stink y 1 it seem d as if his very breath w d be foreuer gon. Hee jumped vpon y e wall like one crazed, knocking downe y e loose stones m ch to y e dang r of his limbs, beating his thigh w th his clenc d fist, and crying out at y e top of his voyce, Y e curs d impes of perdicion are surelie now vppon vs ; and what in y e name of heav n will next befal vs. He was in direful agitacion ; and M r Bennett stood aghast at his wild doings and prophane wordes. But I, having heard M r Gedney tell of an annimal found hereabout called a skunk, w** prowleth about poultrie yards, and hath pow r , wh n assayled, to shed fourth a liquor fit, indeed, for a very devill to be baptiz d w th , conjectured y l this was one of y e same. And soe likewise tho 1 M r Bennett. But a terrible tyme wee had of it. Mercie on me, cryed M r Higginson, after a little pause, and againe spring- ing round like one of y e weird immages set on quoils of wire, whe r w th children play ; mercie on me, what shall I doe ? My best apparell is all spoylt ; and O, this curs d smell, I m ch feare it will stick to me these manie dayes if indeed it doth not till my dyeing hour. " Leaveing all we went toward y e hows, but he remained without till Goodm n Bennett bro* forth of his owne apparell suffytient whe r w th to change y e spoyl d garments. They were not, to be shure, soe comelie as y e others, nor soe well fitting, M r Higgin- son being stoute and tall, and Goodm" Bennett, but spare and short. Gaping spaces appear d between y* leather breeches and y e gray leggins, and y e shews were adown at heele. But as nothing better could be had, he must needs be content therew th . Haueing I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. 3! heard it sayd y l cloathes sh d be buryed in y e earth to take away anie bad smel in y e same, wee presentlie digged a grave nigh y e wall, and put them all in. And wh n we return" 3 to y e hows, M r Higginson sayd it seem d like returning from y e funerall of som old freind at w* he was cheif mourner, he haueing bro* y e suit from olde Engl d . Butt y e smel was not all burry d w th y e cloathes ; itt yet remained so strong vpon y e poore man y* wee c d hardlie abide in y 6 room w th him. " After som grave discourse touching y e affaires of y e Collonie w h on y e morrow w d be considered in full Cote, and singing a psalm, we betook o r selues to y e rest we soe m ch needed, our bed being of clean and sweete sedge, sutch as a prince need not dispyse. "While putting off our garments, I sayd to M r Higginson, Surelie, now, aft r y e xperience we haue had, y will owne y l this land, tho faire to look vpon, and a lande of m ch promis, as y sayd, w th sutch ferv r , when we went vppon y e rock, is still a lande where dangers and distresses must needes ov r take men. Yes, yes, Simon, sayd he, of a truth we must owne yt ye whole earth is curs d , and y* temptacions and dangers besett vs, in front and rear, wherev r we goe. Indeed, Simon, godlie men will find y e devill, in some shape, to fight, in every place ; and they must never put their armour off. Was not y e vile rebel even in y e gard n of Eden, where his beguilements bro 1 sutch disasters on vs all ? And tho I doe still holde to this being a braive countrie, a trew land of promis, w h will one day com to be great among y e nations, and whe r in mylk and honey will freelie flow, it cannot 32 I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. escape suffering from y e great curse. But, Simon, I am desperate weary, and would sleep. So we stop* our discourse and layd downe ; and presentlie y e musick began to sounde from his great warty nose as loudlie as it sounded from his lipps befour, in y e use of y e psalm. " About midnight a horrid yell from M r Higginson, w th ye prophane wordes, O y e curs d snake, raysed y e whole hows. And wh n he was awaked and we prest him to tell vs of y e paynes or fright w* made him soe cry out, he sayd it was but a dream, about y e serpent w** I had smitten on our way ; y l he dream d we had arriv d near y e Cote, wh n feeling something, he did look behinde and spy y e vile impe hanging like a vip r from y e lower parte of his garment ; and in great fright he soe cry d out as to arouse y e whole of vs. Bvt he ask d pardon, and sayd he hoped not to disturb vs again. Being thus releived, we presentlie returned to our sleep. But I was again awak d by M r Higginson, who seiz d me W A m ch violence in his armes and kis d me w th great fervour on y 6 forehead, saying, O, my preserv r , thou hast indeed overcome y e evill one. What, what, doth possess y ? cry d I, rousing him ; do y e terrours and weariness of y e day so disturbe y r rest ? O, Simon, Simon, sayd he, I again dream d of y l wicked snake. I was just ent r ing y e Co r te, and there he was quoiled in y path and about to spring vpon me, wh n there flew downe a beauteous bird at sight of w ch y* serpent seem d pow r - less. And y* bird put hir foot vpon y e head of y* serpent and held it fast to y e earth. I gazed in won- der, and my wonder grew, as y e bird, w^ was more I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. 33 beauteous than I can describe, began to utter fourth y e same touching notes w^ y 6 Indjan mayd sang to vs on our way. I could not take my eyes from y e bird ; and straightway it began to change, and change, till y e Indjan girle stood fourth in all hir lively grace, w th hir proud foote vpon y e slimy head. I but sprang forw d to embrace hir, my delivr r , wh n I awoke. Simon, I doe beleive y l to be a good omen. So, do I, Mast r Higginson, sayd I, and som day y may change y r notion ab' women being sutch deludours, and may likewise ask my pardon for makeing my ribbs sore by punches w th y r staff wh n pressing y r doctrine. But I W 1 haue a little more sleep, for y e night is fan- spent, and we indeed need all y e rest we can get. He turn d ouer and was soon snoring braivelie again. I alsoe slept well, not wakeing til y e day had well broken. " Wee were stirring betimes, and y e goodwyfe had a lustcous meale readie, whe r of we partook w th greedi- ness. Haveing seen nothing like it befour, I w d faine haue hir informe me in what manner y e daintie dish was prepar d , and of what substance. She sayd it was what she call d hastie-pudding, y' is, a pudding made in a hastie manner ; and it was made in this wise, as y e Indjan mayd Sunny Wave had taught hir, a few weeks befour, wh n she and hir fath r call d , to beg som food, haveing been oVtaken by night far from their lodge. First, sayd she, a kettle of clean water is put on y e fire and set boyling ; then is mixt, in a gourd, w th cold water, soe m ch Indjan corne meale as will thicken y e boyling wat r to a pudding, v^ being turn d into y e kettle, and keppt boyling a few minnutes, a B* 3 34 I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. little sault being sturred in, it is don. And she sayd it was sometymes eaten w th milk, and sometymes w th sweet maple sapp spread vpon it ; as one might chuse ; children espetially loveing it abov most oth r meat, and growing fat vpon it. Wee tryed it both wayes, and found it right toothsom ; and as it must be both wholsom and cheep, I doubt not y l it will m ch prevail. M r Higginson sayd y i he would like m ch to take som to y e Cote to show y e members were it not for y difficultys of carrying. " Wh n y e meale was ended, and our thankes giuen, we made readie to resume o r way. Y e dame w d haue vs take a store of hir corne cake and dryed bear meat for our refreshm* by y 6 way, and sayd shee was right sorrie shee had nothing whe r w th to replenish our kegg, save onlie hir poor beere w** she was asham d to offer. Y e sorrie plight of M r Higginson called fourth some merriment vpon him, w 011 he took in good parte. In- deed, tho he did make but a diverting figure, in his ill-fitting garm n ts, it was unseemlie to laff, consid r ing y 6 disaster y 4 occationed his being soe bedeck d . Butt he braivelie sayd y* he w d goe to y e Co r te and doe his duty there ev n tho he sh d haue to goe in that unseem- lie plight. " Bidding our hospittable entertayners fairwell, wee betook o r selues to our way, and fetching a compass about y e ceder hills soone came to y e fording place of y* ryv r of Sawgust. Here M r Higginson must needes tarry somewh*, searching among y 6 bushes on y 6 fenny border for herbes sutch as might be used in y c cureing of diseases, he haueing bin apprenticed to a London physicion, when a youth, and thinking I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. 35 y 1 he knew m ch of y e doctor his arte. And tho I did often certifie him, w th som impacience, y 1 we had noe tyme to lose in loyfing, he would haue his owne way, saying y* it was ill in me to call loyfing what might prove of m ch bennefyt in y e discoVing of something potent in y e releif of paynes. And hee gath rd a big bvndle of stems and dirtie rootes, saying y l he would leave y m at som habbittacion on y e roade, to be tak n on his returne. " Fordeing y* ryv r wee did y n dillygentlie pursue our way, and w th out furth r disaster or advenf arrived att Trimountaine, vf h y e Co r te hath this yeare ordered shall hencfourth bee called Bostown, crossing y e ryv r in an Indjan canoe w ch Arrow John had readie there, he saying y 1 he w d help y e white men in y e beginning of y r Talk, and hoped they w d doe nothing against y e comforts and rights of y e Indjans. Wee tarried a space among y e trees, befour comeing into y e cote howse, y* we might recov r somewh 1 from o r weariness. And sitting downe on a rock, wee ate y 6 remainder of y e savoury meat wh r w th Goodwyf Bennett had sup- plied vs, and refresh d o r selues by draughts from y e spring by y e rock. " But presentlie heareing loude calls and a home blown and drum beat, as we surmiz d to advertise all y 1 y e busines was aboute to beginn, we made readie to goe in. Butt as M r Higginson stept ahead I was shock d to see a gaping rent in his clothes, so that parts of his vnder garment were expos d . I hastily inform d him thereof, and he cried out, w'h much concerne, Bless me, bless me. O, Simon, Simon, what on earth shall I doe now. O, that pestigeous 36 I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. chuck ; but I am glad to be certifyed of y* unseemlie appearance ; and it doth remind me of my dream on y e last night. I will tuck it in, w th care, and now and then give attention to y e partes lest it should again appeare and cause merryment vpon me in y e Co r te. Bvt O, Simon, Simon, what a figure I doe make in these coarse, ragged, and ill-fitting garments, to wh l I did in my owne daintie apparrell. Hee moreouer sayd hee feared y* som might be there who, tho olde freinds, w d not care to know him in sutch plight ; bvt goe hee w d , and doe his dutie. Butt hee sayd hee w d see to it, and sit as m ch as possyble in som corner, makeing his voyce heard, if need be, bvt being little scene. Bvt I think he forgot this good resolv, for he soone seem d to take m ch vpon himselfe, in Cote, rising often to propound matters and bobing abovt from place to place. And I was m ch disturb d at tymes to see memb r s wh n they came nigh him hold their noses and snuffle as if som horrible smell was vpon y m , and look abovt to finde wh l it was. And wh n hee mov 4 about, manie noses w d be grasp d . Bvtt more y n all I was alarm d at seeing him so neglect his ragged garment. Divers members, descrying his unseemlie rig, did make merrie ; whereupon w lh m ch warmth he bade y m look some oth r way, and saying y 4 hee w d follow dutie rather than fash" ; and y l it w d better becom some memb r s to haue an eye in y e same direcion. Having now brought our two members through all perils and dangers safely to the Court, it seems un- necessary to extract further from Mr. Pinion. Not I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. 3/ much of really commanding interest or importance occurred in the proceedings of the Court, that day, the time being chiefly occupied in sorting out and dovetailing dry principles and details and arranging what may be styled the exterior appointments. The Court of Assistants had held several terms at Charles- town, before this, and pretty well regulated such mat- ters as required immediate attention. The discussions were conducted in an amicable and liberal spirit, and an earnest desire was manifested to establish affairs on a firm and just basis. And through the enlight- ened and pious endeavors of that assembly, no doubt some of those heaven-culled seeds were sown, which so soon sprang up and have borne blessed fruit even down to this day. It should be mentioned, however, that an evening session was held, at which occurrences took place that go still further to illustrate the perils and dis- turbances to which the legislators of that day were exposed. At this session, matters were not conducted in the dignified and formal manner that had charac- terized the doings of the day. There was rather an interchange of social courtesies and congratulations, with free discussions on affairs in general. In one or two instances the earnestness ran so far into person- ality as to produce a bloody nose ; though on the whole a good measure of decorum prevailed. Re- sorts to violence being happily unknown in legislative bodies in our day, it is well to remind the reader that our assemblies are composed of a select few, eminent for virtue and wisdom, while that first Court was composed of the whole body of freemen, and of course 38 I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. embraced some of the rougher sort, who were more accustomed to argue with their fists than their tongues, and that the fistic weapon is not so much in accord- ance with the taste of this wordy age. But after all, they had a jolly time at this evening session. The Colony House, as it may be called for the provincials had their Province House and we the post-revolutionists have our State House made an attractive appearance when lighted up by numerous pine knots, several bushels of which had been benev- olently furnished by the Indians. It was in truth so attractive as to draw the attention of sundry forest denizens from their ordinary nocturnal pursuits and induce them to inspect, and curiously inquire about the erection. But the difficulties of language pre- vented a satisfactory discussion. Neither the bear, the wolf, the fox; the woodchuck, the whip-poor-will, the owl, nor the little cricket, could at all understand each other. And there was the demure animal that shed his fragrant favors upon Mr. Higginson in so interesting a manner, on the evening of his arrival at Mr. Bennet's he had something to say but could not be understood ; and, moreover, his reputation was not good, for several of the others had before experienced the force of his odorous style of argu- ment. In the course of the evening a gentlemanly owl seated himself on the chimney, and peering down the same with his great round, glassy eyes, uttered one or two of those unearthly hoots which have given him a name among the forest gentry. The assembly was startled, and Mr. Higginson at once declared that I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. 39 they must be the howls of one of the lurking devils of whom he had caught occasional glimpses ever since he left Salem. Great consternation prevailed at this suggestion, though Mr. Pinion and others were for ascribing it to some wild beast. The point was about to be decided by vote, when a courageous indi- vidual slipped out to reconnoitre, and returned with the creature of offence flapping and floundering in his brawny arms. When his birdship's fears had so far subsided that his natural urbanity and docility began to assume control they took him to a tempo- rary perch near the speaker's table, where he remained with his glaring eyes as fixed as those of a sphynx, one of the gravest in the assembly and one of the wisest, too, if silence is a mark of wisdom ; as it certainly is, more surely than babbling. It was getting rather late, when another alarm was occasioned by a strange pushing and scratching at the door. Some of the more fearless insisted that it must be some one who had been out, got frightened, and was now eagerly searching for the latch-string. A member who happened to be near, seized one of the knots then in full blaze, and instantly threw open the door. That knot, perhaps, saved his life ; for a huge bear, erect on his hind legs, and holding on by his left claw to the door-post, presented himself, rais- ing his right paw, either to shake hands, or to draw to him, for an affectionate hug, whoever might be polite enough to answer his call. The torch, however, proved an effectual barrier against any extraordinary familiarity. The others, instantly comprehending the condition of things, and each seizing a flaming knot, 4O I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. rushed toward the intruder and put him to flight. But his flight did not save him, for two or three loaded muskets had been brought by members, for protection on the way, or possibly under an apprehen- sion that such pursuasives might come in play during the debates, and these were grasped by ready hands, and before poor bruin could make them understand that only a friendly call was intended, a leaden mes- messenger or two had reached his vitals. And one profitable result of that evening session was that divers of the members on their return home took a choice joint of bear-meat. The foregoing account, it need not be repeated, relates to the first General Court held in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay. The Court of Assistants had, however, as before mentioned, previously held several sessions, as some matters required immediate atten- tion. And this seems to be the proper place to bring into notice a few of their proceedings, which deserve mention as a sort of foundation stones, indicating something of the intended character of the proposed social and political fabric. The very first act, then, of the very first Court held in the Colony which was the Court of Assistants, held in Charlestown, August 23, 1630 was to deter- mine "howe the ministers should be mayntayned." And it was " ordered, that houses should be built for them with convenient speede, at the publique charge." And on its being " propounded what should be their present mayntenance," it was ordered, " that M r Phil- lips [Rev. George Phillips, who came over in the Ar- I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. 4! bella with Winthrop and others,] should have allowed him 3 hogsheads of meale, I hogsh. of malte, 4 bush- ells of Indean corne, I bushell of oatemeale, halfe an hundred of salt fishe ; for apparell and other provisions, xx^ or els to haue xF- giuen him in money p. ann. to make his owne prouisions if hee chuse it the rather." And " M r Wilson [Rev. John Wilson, who also came over in the Arbella,] should have after xx^- p. ann. till his wife come ouer .... all this to be att the comon charge, those at Mattapan & Salem onely exempted." Thus it will be seen that attention was, in the very first instance, directed to the care of the ministers religious matters taking the lead of all others. The next thing after providing for the ministers was to provide for the doctor. " It was propounded what should be M r Gagers maintenance." This was William Gager, who came over in the fleet with Win- throp, and settled in Charlestovvn. He was a " right godly man and a skillfull chirurgeon." And it was " ordered that hee should haue a house builded him against the next spring ; is to haue a cowe giuen him, & xx^- in money for this yeare, to begin the 2Oth of June, 1630, & after, xxx^- p. ann. All this to be att the comon charge." Mr. Gager, however, died on the 2Oth of the next September, much lamented. A wholesome detestation of medical quackery prevailed, as is abundantly shown by the recorded enactments. Here is an act of the Court of Assistants, March i, 1631 : "Nich: Knopp is fyned v'- for takeing vpon him to cure the scurvey by a water of noe worth nor value, which he solde att a very deare rate, to be imprisoned till hee pay his ffine, or giue securitye for 42 I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. it, or els to bee whipped, & shalbe lyable to any mans accon of whome he hath receaued money for the s d water." Were such punishment awarded now-a-days to medical quackery, probably that branch of the fine arts would not flourish so vigorously. Lawyers appear to have been overlooked in the dis- tribution of favors at this time. They seem always to have been deemed a class either not worthy of public protection, or else able to take care of them- selves. As I intend to indulge in a few remarks touching the legal profession, and the practitioners therein, in another part of this volume, not much need be said here. An honest lawyer is certainly one of the most useful members of a community, though his sphere of duty lies in quite a different direction from that of the minister or physician. All three, however, are in a certain sense doctors the minister practising among diseased souls, the physi- cian among diseased bodies, and the lawyer among diseased estates. So by the combined three, diseases of soul, body, and estate, are provided for. Many affect to look upon the legal profession as a foster- school of all sorts of knavery and quibbling. But it is quite safe to conclude that those who never can believe others to be honest are themselves dishonest. However, the prejudice against lawyers, as a body, is, after all, but skin-deep, for no class, in fact, is treated with greater respect. People are most sensi- tive about the things they deem of the greatest im- portance ; and we should hear no more talk about the knavery of lawyers than about the knavery of ministers or doctors, were it not that with most peo- I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. 43 pie the health of the purse is esteemed above the health of soul or body. If there is an apparent shade of inconsistency in some of these remarks it should not be forgotten that consistency is but a dim jewel and should never be suffered to out-brazen truth. Though lawyers were overlooked by this early Court, a little something was done for the judiciary by way of orders respecting the holding of courts, issuing of processes, and so forth. It was also " or- dered that James Pen should haue 20 nobles p. ann. & a dayes worke of a man att springe, from euery able famyly, to help build his house .... His im- ployment to be as a beadle to attend vpon the Goun r , and alwaies to be ready to execute his comands in publique businesses." So far judicial matters were attended to. And it is not necessary now to spend more time with the Court of Assistants. It is meet, before concluding this, in some sense preliminary chapter, to take one step back, in time, and one stride to the other side of the ocean ; for it was on the I ith of June, 1629, that a " Gen r all Court" for the " Company of the Mattachusetts Bay in New England," was held in London. And this seems to have been the first assembly, under the name of Gen- eral Court, ever convened for deliberation on matters pertaining to this then savage little patch of the Creator's footstool. Between that date and the time of the transfer of the colonial patent and government to America, which was the next year, several other sessions were held in London. Returning from over the water, it is proper further 44 ! HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. to remind the reader that down to the year 1634, the whole body of freemen constituted the General Court. But to become a freeman it was necessary to take what was called the freeman's oath, an oath by which they bound themselves to be faithful subjects of the commonwealth yielding assistance and support thereto by person and estate endeavoring to main- tain all the liberties thereof submitting to its whole- some laws and orders avoiding all plots and evil practices against it giving votes and suffrages in good faith and under a conscientious endeavor to promote the public weal and doing all "without respect to persons or favor of any man " with sundry other provisions, tending to the same end, which the loyal citizens of this day delight to fulfill without the obligations of an oath. There was presently, however, a little hedge erected around this freemanship to keep obnoxious individuals from its privileges such as a requisition for the candidate to be of fair moral character, and a member of some church in good puritanical standing. This hedge was trimmed up a little, in 1664, by a royal order. But the custom of qualifying freemen did not fall into entire disuse before 1689. Those who did not take the oath were called residents. The age at which one was capacitated to take the oath appears in the following order, passed by the Court, March 4, 1645 : "It is ordered that the ffreemans oath shalbe gyven to every man of or above the age of 16 yeares, the clause for eleccon of magistrates onely excepted." Among the chief incidents to the position of freeman, was the right to hold office and vote for rulers. And I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. 45 inasmuch as it is found that many worthy individuals did not take the oath, we are led to the conclusion that people were not then so ravenous for office as they now are ; perhaps because the emoluments were not so tempting or the prospect for successful pecula- tion not so promising. The government was then but an unfledged gosling, and many years were required for it to become the fat goose we now find it, so inviting to the numerous enterprising hands thrust out to pluck a golden feather or two. The whole body of freemen, being members of the General Court, were required to repair to Boston, as the stated terms came round, to attend to their duties, which took an amazingly wide range, embracing, in fact, the electoral, legislative, judicial, and a savor of the executive. But even as early as 1634 it was found quite inconvenient to have all the freemen attend together. The number was now so great that it was difficult to find suitable accommodations. True, in pleasant weather the sessions might be held in the open air, after the manner of the Icelandic councils ; but stormy weather and cold would come, notwith- standing the fixed order of the Court that all the ministers should, for three successive Sundays imme- diately preceding each of the regular sessions, pray for serene skies. Another thing that rendered the assembling of all the freemen inconvenient, was that some, disregard- ing their oaths, and having no respect for themselves or tenderness for the honor of the community of which they were members, would get boosy, and stir up mischief generally, to the great scandal of their con- 46 I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. stituents and evil example to their virtuous Indian neighbors. Others, whose love of fun overbalanced all their other good qualities, without any apparent appreciation of their responsibilities, would go in for a jolly time, by a spontaneous movement, converting the proceedings into a mere mockery ; so that half a session might be spent in a hilarious jumble, such as the dignified legislators of our day would scorn to countenance, even during the expiring moments of a protracted term. Fun is good enough in its place ; but it is apt to get the upper hand of those who give it encouragement ; and your funny legislator is simply a bore and an unfaithful servant of his constituency. It is apparent, after all that may be said in favor of a general representation, that where a few are chosen to represent the many, those few are usually respectable eminent, perhaps as the reader may determine for himself, by looking around among such of his neighbors as have been made representatives. One thing, certainly, is quite evident and that is, that if in representation by the few you do not happen to get the best, you are pretty sure not to get the worst ; whereas, if you have the whole you are sure to have the worst. I know very well, that the greater the number the more difficult it is for wire-pullers to manage their muffled strings. But we need entertain no apprehensions on that .score in this virtuous age when the villanies of wire-pulling are unknown. In 1634, then, the election of Deputies, or Repre- sentatives, by the several settlements, was resorted to. And that year the General Court consisted of the Governor, Deputy Governor, six Assistants or I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. 4/ Counsellors, as the latter were sometimes called, though their sphere of duty took a wider range than that of the Counsellors of later date, embracing con- siderable of the judicial element and twenty-four Representatives. Boston, Cambridge, Charlestown, Dorchester, Lynn, Roxbury, Salem, and Watertown, were each represented by three men, good and true, chosen by their respective freemen ; all of acknow- ledged piety and gravity of character the genuine gravity, arising from a just appreciation of responsibil- ity, and not that now very common kind arising from mere brain-laziness. And what a cozy little General Court that must have been. It may not be untenable to assume that in the history of the General Court of our beloved old Com- monwealth, is embodied a history of the progress of civil liberty and enlightened legislation in this blissful land. The development of some of the most precious of the great principles which elevate the individual as well as aggrandize the collective body, may assuredly be traced, step by step, in the doings of that sturdy assembly. Yet there were many apparently absurd, oppressive, and dangerous enactments in the early days unaccountable lapses and deviations. It is fashionable with many to hold up to ridicule the quaint orders and appointments of the early sessions. But if our modern legislation were always as sensible, direct, and well adapted to the end in view, as was that of the ancients, the disparaging epithets would be more seemly. And it is fashionable with others to give a very bad name to the industrious, economical, 48 I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. and modest bodies that now annually convene in the domed edifice on Beacon hill. Both classes must be left to determine for themselves whether the ancient or modern legislators have the best title to be called honest, able, and patriotic. This, however, may be said that strife for personal aggrandizement and mere party ends, has at times made sad havoc with the noblest principles and most sacred trusts. And, hit where it will, I cannot resist the temptation to here quote a brief compliment paid by the venerable Dr. Chauncey to the Legislature in 1747, a period about midway between the ancient and modern of our legislative history : " If I wanted to initiate and in- struct a person in all kinds of iniquity and double- dealing, I would send him to the General Court." It is not my purpose in this volume to attempt to trace the development of principles so much as to illustrate the condition of things. And I consider myself free to adopt just such a course of remark and style of elucidation as seem best suited to the purpose. It is not improbable that the reader will find, as he proceeds, in singular or even grotesque association some names that he has been accustomed to find associated only with transactions the most dignified and weighty. Some of the old worthies whom he has been wont to behold only in their flow- ing wigs and robes of state, he may s*ee appear in their meaner habiliments. But he will remember that all have their every-day side, which, indeed, is the most natural, and for our purpose may often prove the most useful. John Endicott, for instance, was as much John Endicott in his homespun raiment and I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. 49 with his sunburnt arms loaded with dried cod-fish, as he was in his velvet skull-cap, big wig, broad ruffles, and embroidered gloves if, indeed, he and divers others of the colonial worthies were not indebted to the generosity of the painter for much of the courtly apparel in which they are made to shine on canvas to the awe of little legislators and the admiration of their own posterity. The honest art of photography, that uncorruptible revealer of warty noses and sinister eyes had not been discovered. It would be highly desirable to present the reader with a pictorial illustration of the ancient assembly to which this chapter chiefly relates the first General Court in the Bay Colony all in their ancient costume and ancient surroundings. I fully appreciate the want, and readily promise that in a future edition it shall be supplied should the sale of this prove sufficiently remunerative. A proper reverence for ancestors has always, even among barbarous people, been consid- ered a most valuable trait of character ; and he who has no respect for his ancestry has no claim to the respect of posterity. It is to be lamented that the blessed art of photography, just referred to, had not been discovered when this Court convened, for had it been, we perhaps might now be in possession of the very ghosts of those legislative fathers, marshalled in artistic array upon the sunny side of their shabby little council-house, or ranged on the oaken benches of the interior, with perhaps the Indian chief Arrow John in the back-ground, and the beaming little Sunny Wave by his side ; he looking on in impassive c 4 5O I. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. seriousness, and she radiant with mirthful curiosity. Perhaps, likewise, somewhere in the distance the frowning windmill might appear, with its red cap and broad arms, a terror to all evil-disposed Indians, who imagined it to be some terrible engine of war. And there, too, a pile of the salted cod-fish lying by the picturesque flakes, might, perchance, be seen. Nat- uralists declare that fish diet makes brains ; and by that, possibly, we may account for the fact that our fathers were so liberally endowed in their intellectual head quarters. And by the same token it may be suggested that some of those who are now-a-days elected to seats in our legislative hall, and in their spare moments reverently twist their necks to con- template the piscine image there suspended, would be benefitted by giving heed to this important declara- tion of the naturalists. I do not know what particular effect the salt may have, though it may form a sea- soning and preserving deposit, as we sometimes hear favorable mention of " attic salt." CHAPTER II. SHINING LIGHTS. JOHN HUMFREY. ONE of the most energetic and useful members of the Court in its infant days, was JOHN HUMFREY. All who have had occasion to peruse the Colony Records, or who, indeed, have become in any way acquainted with the early history of Massachusetts, are familiar with his name. He took a lively interest in the establishment of the Colony, and was an original member and treasurer of the Company. Before the government and patent were removed to America, he was chosen Deputy Govern- or ; but the records of the Court of Assistants held on board the Arbella, March 23, 1629, just before she sailed with the company of settlers, state that he, " in regard hee was to stay behinde in England was discharged of his Deputy-shipp & M r Thomas Dudley chosen Deputy in his place." Mr. Humfrey was a native of Dorchester, belonged to a good family, was a lawyer by profession, and possessed a considerable estate. He arrived here early in the summer of 1634, and immediately located on what is now the east side of Nahant street, in (SO 52 II. SHINING LIGHTS. Lynn, a pleasant thoroughfare which leads directly on to the beautiful beach, that remarkable line of com- pact sand, which, like a glittering cable holds Nahant fast-bound to the main land ; a vicinity which has now become a favorite point of attraction to the lover of nature, by its glowing scenery, landscape and ma- rine, and by its curious deposits. And the invigora- ting breezes and renovating waters of that charming locality render it peculiarly grateful to the languishing in health. The Court had made Mr. Humfrey a considerable grant of land in this neighborhood, and here he estab- lished his farm. He brought with him divers valuable presents for the settlers ; among them fifteen heifers, the gift of Richard Andrews, an alderman of London ; one for each of the eight ministers, and the remaining seven for the poor. He likewise brought guns and ammunition for the public defense. Also some cate- chisms. Immediately after his arrival, Mr. Humfrey's ser- vices were required in the General Court. He was called to the responsible and honorable position of Assistant, and continued in office as long as he re- mained in the country. He was a shining light of the Court ; highly efficient, and much esteemed for his affability and respected for his acquirements. Quite large donations were made to him in acknowledgment of his public services. Among the gifts of extensive tracts of land, he received many acres along the shores of Swampscott ; acres which are now of great value as sites for the villas and cottages of the children of fortune who, during the warm season, resort in great JOHN HUMFREY. 53 numbers to that beautiful vicinage which is among the most charming on the whole American coast. He also received a grant of that lovely sheet of water, still known as " Humfrey's Pond," which nestles so quietly among the green hills, some half a dozen miles inland, upon the border of Peabody. These things show that Mr. Humfrey was held in high esti- mation. But he was an ambitious man, and we must believe, destitute of that moral heroism which recoils at no demand of duty, and meets, undismayed, the sterner severities of fortune. A restless desire to lay the foundations of lordly families seems not to have been uncommon among those who emigrated to New England at that period if, indeed, the desire is not a characteristic of the English mind at all times and hence the grants of lands and immunities were much coveted. It is not easy to divest the mind of the belief that Mr. Humfrey started with some such am- bitious yearning ; and when the disasters to his fortune occurred, and the terrible domestic calamities over- took him when all his bright hopes had been extin- guished he was miserable indeed. His lamentations over his ruin were deep and extremely touching ; but the most proud and self-sufficient, under the heavier strokes of adversity, often become softened and sen- timental. That Mr. Humfrey possessed a benevolent heart and generous hand cannot be denied. Nor can we doubt that he had a true parental anxiety for the welfare of his offspring. But yet there is something mysterious connected with his affecting family history. It seems impossible to justify that lack of common 54 H. SHINING LIGHTS. watchfulness over his little ones which under all ordinary circumstances must have detected the villa- nies committed almost beneath his own roof, and continued over many months. Winthrop, indeed, speaks of him as having " much neglected his chil- dren, leaving them among a company of rude serv- ants." And how can we justify his leaving his little daughters as he did when he returned to England deserting them, in fact. Much, no doubt, is to be attributed to the inconsiderate longings of his home- sick wife. But the unreasonable importunities of a homesick or otherwise afflicted wife ought not to have driven him from his stern duties to his children. A man may possess many excellent traits and yet be very far from a perfect character. And while it is quite apparent that Mr. Humfrey has never been duly honored in history for his eminent public ser- vices, for his labors and sacrifices in behalf of the infant Bay Colony, it is also quite apparent that he cannot be pointed to as one worthy of imitation in all respects. Mr. Humfrey was something of a military man. As early as 1635, the year after his arrival, he was appointed by the Court a member of the committee on military affairs, which body consisted of the Gov- ernor and six other first class dignitaries, it being a committee of real importance. In the great Pequot war he took a deep interest, though he was not actively engaged in any campaign ; and there is extant a let- ter of his, to Governor Winthrop, written after some material successes of the colonial soldiery, which indicates such a sense of the rights of the Indians, JOHN HUMFREY. 55 and such a broad spirit of humanity, that we must lament that views like his did not more generally prevail. In 1640 he became a member of what is now the Ancient and Honorable Artillery. And in June, 1641, the Court appointed him sergeant major general, and gave him command of all the militia in the county. It has been remarked that as a member of the Court Mr. Humfrey was highly esteemed ; and very few were more influential ; yet it is found that in J 635, by the Court of Assistants, he was "ffined x s - for his absence from y e Court." This fine, how- ever, was remitted by the General Court, in 1638 a singularly long time, by the way, after it was im- posed though they, in their turn, fined him, during the same year, five shillings, for " absence when the Court was called." These facts show that the Court required that members, whatever their condition or inclinations, should be at the post of duty. Could examples shine retrospectively it might be concluded that the industry and promptness of our legislators had exerted a happy influence. But worse than all, some slanderers have declared that if half the members of the legislature, as it has of late years been composed, would keep away half the time, they would do more to advance the public interest than they could possi- bly do in any other way. Out upon such unsavory vilifiers. I am inclined to think Mr. Humfrey was no great of an orator, as I find Mr. Pinion saying, " lohn Bloud was censur d to stand two houres in y 6 pillowrie for saying in y e presence of sev r l y l hee w d as leave heare $6 II. SHINING LIGHTS. M r Humfree his wind-mill creake, as to heare himselfe speake, itt being y l to his eares a creake was as good as a wheeze." I hope he did not have the asthma added to his other afflictions. If he had, and John Blood intended to twit him of it, he ought to have had his ears nailed to the pillory. But no matter if Mr. Humfrey was not an orator ; he certainly had great influence in the debates. The orators are not usually the most influential members of deliberative assemblies far from it. A clear and simple state- ment, no matter if it is a little halting, backed by good common sense and a comprehensive view of the subject, accomplishes more than all your pyrotechnic oratory ; for the wordy attraction is itself liable to draw the minds of the listeners from the subject to the speaker ; and when he is done, where are they the generality of such as compose our legislatures. If the few glimpses that have been given of the disposition and experiences of Mr. Humfrey be true, the conclusion would follow that he was one who could not have much enjoyed life. Defeated ambition and wounded pride ; the loss of worldly substance and domestic affliction, altogether, must have imposed a grievous burden upon him ; and nothing but a strong Christian faith could have sustained him. Among his disappointments was that of seeing the youthful Vane take precedence of him as governor of the Colony ; and then came the frustration of his hopes of a gov- ernorship in the West Indies. Indeed most of his higher political aspirations seem to have miscarried ; nor in his great business projects does he seem to have been more successful. He certainly would have JOHN HUMFREY. 57 been justly entitled to be called an unfortunate man, even had a kind providence not required him to drink so deeply of the cup of domestic affliction. Mr. Humfrey's wife was Lady Susan, the second daughter of the Earl of Lincoln, and was, I am in- clined to think, not of the highest order of female excellence. It is evident that she became intensely homesick soon after her arrival here, and sighed for a return to the elegances of the life in which she had been bred. It can readily be imagined that the con- trast between the scenes in which she had been nurtured and those by which she was encompassed on these bleak shores, was not calculated to inspire a very high appreciation of the present or pleasing anticipation of the future. She had come from the abode of refinement and luxury into an inhospitable wilderness. The climate was rigorous, the soil unsub- dued. Around her rude habitation the savage lurked and the wild beast howled. She longed for the society of those she had been accustomed to meet in the sweet companionship of social life, and was almost entirely deprived of any opportunity for an interchange of the common sympathies and civilities that every refined heart so craves. It is not therefore to be wondered at that when from the door-stone of her humble home she looked out upon the bright rolling sea, beyond which lay the brighter home of her earlier days, she should feel lonely and sad. But nothing can afford a justification of her making her husband's home miserable. And her hasty departure, leaving her ill-fated offspring to the rigors of a cold world, can hardly admit of any possible excuse. Allowing that 58 II. SHINING LIGHTS. she did, as Mather says, belong to " the best family of any nobleman then in England," does that exempt her from the sacred duties of a wife or mother ? to say nothing of the common affections of our nature. Nay, is it not reasonable to expect from one to whom so much had been given even more than an ordinary return of loving-kindness ? It is in the power of woman to make home happy or miserable. Under her warm smiles the affections of the household bud and blossom. But if she yields to the instigation of the evil one, and sets herself to harass by her discon- tents and jealousies, all joy and comfort are driven out of doors.* The calamities that overtook the little daughters * It is perfectly natural to compare Mrs. Humfrey unfavorably with another lady of high birth, who lived in the same neighborhood. I allude to Mrs. Whiting, wife of the Rev. Samuel Whiting. She was a sister of Chief Justice St. John, and could trace her pedigree, in two distinct lines, straight to William the Conqueror. Indeed she could boast of direct descent from Canute, the famous Danish sovereign, whose unsuccessful command to the waves of the sea, has been so long celebrated as a lesson damaging to conceit and obsequious flattery. She came, with her husband, in 1636, and remained till her death, in 1677, energetically supporting him in his arduous duties, and lovingly cleaving to him in sickness and every other ill. In this then com- parative wilderness she reared a most worthy family ; and some eminent descendants still do honor to her memory. She was, indeed, one of the noble New England mothers of whom we delight to read. Like a true heroine, she seems never to have permitted yearnings for the sumptuous home of her early life, to swerve her from the path of duty or even to depress her spirits. With Lady Humfrey she was undoubtedly intimate, as but a short walk lay between their residences ; and having been reared in the same cultivated society they may well be supposed to have enjoyed each other's company. Why the cheerful- ness of the one failed to dispel the gloom of the other, may, perhaps, be accounted for by the evident divergence in their natural traits of character. JOHN HUMFREY. . 59 of Mr. Humfrey, Dorcas and Sarah, can never fail to excite the most ardent pity for them, and the deepest indignation towards those who laid their baneful hands upon them. It cannot be considered even probable that either of the parents, when they left the country, had one shadow of suspicion of the "wickedness," as the records of the Court term it, which had been practised on their daughters ; and we can readily believe, reasoning from the plainest dictates of parental duty, that they intended presently to send for them though where is the evidence ? Could it have been that after the developments were made, they concluded to abandon their offspring to their fate ? Of true and loving parents one would have expected a different account. It must be admitted that the conduct of the girls themselves merited censure, for by the Court, June 14, 1642, "Dorcas Humfrey was ordered to bee privately severely corrected by this Co r t, M r Belling- ham & Increase Nowell to see it done." But Dorcas was then only about nine years of age, and Sarah still younger both beneath the age when consent to any gross vice could be presumed and it was hard to treat them as really abandoned. It is painful to dwell on such a subject ; but it would be hardly proper to quit here without a further remark or two. It was in 1641 that it was discovered that one Daniel Fairfield, who Winthrop says was a half Dutchman, about forty years of age, dwelling not far from the farm of Mr. Humfrey, had gained such an influence over Dorcas, that she often went to his house, and was there abused by him, especially on Sundays and lecture-days. There was also a 6O .II. SHINING LIGHTS. John Hudson, " a lusty young man," as the author just quoted styles him, " an household servant to Mr. Humfrey, who working sometimes at the farm, the elder girl being there he abused her, she being then about eight years of age." Then there was one Jenkin Davis, of Lynn, to whom the girls were afterward put to board and school. He had been employed by Mr. Humfrey, was a member of the Lynn church, " and in good esteem for piety and sobriety." This hypo- crite also abused one or both of the children, contin- uing, as Winthrop says, " this wicked course near a year but with much striving against the temptation, so as he would oft entreat his wife, when she went forth, to carry the children with her, and put up a bill to the elders, to pray for one who was strongly tempted to a foul sin." There was certainly some- thing extraordinary in the prolonged reticence of these children ; something that seems to indicate either intellectual deficiency or a premature tendency to vice coupled with most singular shrewdness. The historian just quoted further adds that Dorcas finally also accused two of her own brothers of improper conduct with her. But the boys were so young that only private correction was adjudged them. The great offenders Fairfield, Hudson and Da- vis made confession of their crimes, and the cases came up for judgment in the General Court. Here a great debate arose as to the legal quality of the offence, and whether the punishment of death could be award- ed. A great fire was kindled which blazed all over the Colony, and indeed extended to the other colonies. JOHN HUMFREY. 6l The Court sought " to know the mind of God by the help of all the elders of the country, both our own, and Plymouth, and Connecticut, New Haven, &c. They took it into consideration divers months, and at last returned different answers." The simple legal questions seem to have been debated on principles similar to those recognized as governing like questions at this day ; but there was so much of the Levitical law brought to bear, that great perplexity was occa- sioned. A result, however, was finally reached, and a punishment awarded which appears like a queer sort of compromise. " The help of the elders," says Winthrop, " being presented to the General Court, held in the 3 month [May] 1642, the Court proceeded against the said offenders, (Mr. Winthrop being again chosen Governor at this Court, and Mr. Thomas Flint of Concord newly elected to be an Assistant, so as there were now in all nine magistrates.) The Court was much divided about the sentence. The foulness of the sin, and their long continuance in it, wrought strongly with many to put them to death, (especially Fairfield ;) but after much dispute, (and some remain- ing doubtful,) the Court agreed upon another sentence. The only reason that saved their lives, was, that the sin was not capital by any express law of God, but to be drawn only by proportion ; nor was it made capital by any law of our own, so as we had no warrant to put them to death, and we had formerly refrained (by the advice of the elders) upon the same ground," in another case. This was the sentence of Fairfield : " The Cot therefore agreed that this aforenamed 62 II. SHINING LIGHTS. Dan : Fairfeild shalbee severely whiped at Boston the next lecture day, & have one of his nostrills slit so high as may well bee, & then to bee seared and kept in prison till hee bee fit to bee sent to Salem, and then to be whiped againe, & have the other nos- trill slit & seared ; then further hee is to bee confined to Boston neck, so as if hee bee found at any time dureing his life to go out of Boston neck, that is, beyond the railes towards Roxberry, or beyond the low water marke, hee shalbee put to death upon due conviction thereof ; and hee is also to weare a hempen roape about his neck, the end of it hanging out two foote at least, & so often as he shalbe found abroad w th out it, hee shalbee whiped ; & if hee shall at any time hearafter attempt to abuse any person as form- erly, hee shall bee put to death, upon due conviction ; and hee is to pay M r Humfrey forty pounds." [Court Records, June 14, 1642. A year or two after, however, he was " alowed to go to work w th in any part of Boston lymits, both in the ilands and elsewhere, and also at Roxberry, so as hee go not above five miles from Boston meeting house." And by the Court on the 2d of May, 1649, on the petition of Elizabeth his wife, leave was granted for " her husband, shee and their children, to depart out of this jurisdiction into such other parts of the world as it shall please God to dispose ; provided that her husband shall be under his former censure if hee returne hith r againe." But they do not appear to have availed themselves of this liberty to depart ; or if they did they must have soon returned, for on the 27th of May, 1652, the Court on another petition of JOHN HUMFREY. 63 the wife, give him leave "to lay the rope aside." Finally, on the I4th of October, 1656, "Daniel Fayr- feild, vpon his petition to this Court, hath libty to goe for England in one of these shipps now bound thither ; provided if he come agayne he shall forthw th returne to the same condition agayn as now he is in, & be comitted forthw th to prison." This was the sentence of Hudson : " John Hudson, for abuseing the said Dorcas, was ordered to bee severely whiped at Boston the next lecture day, and shalbee returned to prison till hee may bee sent to Salem & there to bee severely whiped againe ; & hee shall pay unto M r Humfrey for abuse- ing his daughter, twenty pounds w th in these two yeares. [Court Records, June 14, 1642. At the same Court, Davis received sentence as follows : "Jenkin Davies, for his abuseing the forenamed Dorcas, was ordered to bee severely whiped at Boston on a lecture day, & shalbe returned to prison till hee may bee sent to Linne, & there to bee severely whiped also, & from thencefourth shalbee confined to the said towne of Linne, so as if he shall at any time go fourth of the bounds of the said towne, (w th out licence of this Cot,) & shalbee duely convict thereof, hee shalbee put to death ; & also hee shall weare an hempen roape apparently about his neck dureing the pleasure of this Cot, so as if hee bee found to have gone abroad at any time w th out it, hee shalbee againe whiped ; & furth r , if hee shalbee duely convicted to have attempt- ed any such wickednes (for w * 1 hee is now sentenced) upon any child after this present day, hee shalbee put 64 II. SHINING LIGHTS. to death ; & hee is to pay forty pounds to M r Humfrey for abuseing his daughter." On the I7th of , October, 1643, the Court, "upon his wifes petition," grant Davis liberty " to leave of his roape dureing the Cots pleasure." The sentence, it will be recollected, was given by the General Court, June 14, 1642. Before that time he was imprisoned for safe-keeping; but on the loth of December, 1641, the Court granted that " If two sufficient men will give ioo/. bond a peece for Jenkin Davies, they may have him for a time ; or if other two honest men will be bound for him, body for body, for ten dayes, keep- ing a lock upon his leg, or other irons, & then to rcturne him to the prison." These abandoned men, according to Winthrop, received their punishment, the whippings consisting of nearly forty stripes, very patiently, and without complaining, and acknowledged that the penalty was less than their offences merited. And now, after this painful narration, who will deny that Mr. Humfrey had sufficient to make his life very miserable. It is quite evident that long before he died his heart was almost broken. In a letter to Governor Winthrop, dated September 4th, 1646, he says : " It is true, the want of that lost occa- sion, the loss of all I had in the world, doth, upon rubbings of that irreparable blow, sometimes a little trouble me ; but in no respect equal to this, that I see my hopes and possibilities of ever enjoying those I did or was willing to suffer any thing for, utterly taken away. But by what intermediate hand soever this has befallen me, whose neglects and unkindness JOHN HUMFREY. 65 God I hope will mind them for their good, yet I desire to look at his hand for good I doubt not to me, though I do not so fully see which way it may work. Sir, I thank you, again and again, and that in sincerity, for any fruits of your goodness to me and mine ; and for any thing contrary, I bless his name, I labor to forget, and desire him to pardon." As before stated, Mr. Humfrey located on what is now Nahant street, in Lynn. His house stood on rising ground, a few rods from the sea. The situation was romantic in the extreme, and quite wild, as the foot of Improvement had hardly begun to invade the domain of Nature. A grand view was afforded of the indented shore, of the romantic peninsula of Nahant, then thickly wooded, and of the picturesque islands of Boston bay. And, stretching far off to the east, lay the illimitable ocean, a broad expanse of blue, not, as now, dotted by the white sails nor marked by the trailing steam-clouds of commerce ; while inland stretched the grove-studded plains, with here and there the smoke of a habitation curling up ; and be- yond, the rock-ribbed, pine-clad hills. In the calm sunshine of a summer day a scene of indescribable quietude and beauty was presented. But when the storm-winds bellowed among those rocky indentations and the mountain billows shook the jagged cliffs to their very foundations ; when the yesty waves surged furiously over the yielding beaches, and the powerless sea-birds were driven shrieking towards the inland hills ; when the whole landscape became dim and weird in the drifting clouds of ocean spray ; when the blasts made havoc among the gnarled giants of the forest, 5 66 II. SHINING LIGHTS. and the wild beasts in terror quit their fastnesses and drew nearer to the lonely habitations of the settlers ; then it was that thoughts of the happy homes beyond the dark waves might well come up, creating gloom and despondency. A few rods from his house, on the summit of a neighboring hill, Mr. Humfrey erected a wind-mill, in 1636. Mills were of the first importance, at that period. Indeed, if any one will take pains to look well into the history of civilization itself, and trace out the effects of certain inventions, he will be con- strained almost to declare that the emergence from barbarism is to be attributed to mills ; he certainly will perceive that they were at least essential aids to civilization. Indian corn furnished a material portion of the food of the settlers, and they required mills for the grinding. The Indians had but few arts that the settlers found it profitable to adopt ; and their custom of cracking corn by hand was surely not to be followed by those whose time was of any value, or who had ever seen a mill of even the rudest construction. It was amusing to observe with what different emo- tions the Indians who came in sight of this wind-mill, on their way to the beaches with their clam baskets, viewed the formidable structure. Most of them sup- posed it to be a warlike erection. But some thought it was designed for recreation a sort of revolving swing, perhaps. This last supposition Arrow John evidently entertained as he discovered it one morning, while coming along with his daughter Sunny Wave. " Ugh, ugh ! " he ejaculated ; " white man's wind cart ; now little squaw have ride." At this he seized her, JOHN HUMFREY. 6/ and managed to plant himself, with her at his side, on one of the arms. It moved very slowly in the light breeze, or the feat would have been impossible. The additional weight, or a sudden lull, caused a moment- ary check in the revolutions. And the lazy miller, who happened by accident to be at his post, perceived the hitch and ran out to ascertain the cause. There he beheld the two riders with their heads just turning downward, and clinging on, with all their might, to prevent being dashed to the earth. He was utterly amazed, but still had discretion enough to rush back and stop the machinery as soon as he perceived that they could safely land. They came down from their airing nearly unharmed, but with no desire for another trip in Mr. Humfrey's " wind cart." They were taken into the house and provided with a good breakfast. The miller then took them back to the mill and ex- plained the mysteries of its use and operation. And when the Indian had arrived at a partial understand- ing of the wonderful thing, he stood meditatively at the door, a few minutes and then as he turned away, in his impressive gutturals ejaculated, "Ugh, ugh! white man great ; make water work ; make wind work ; make um grind ; like to ground up Indjans ; ugh ! " And ever after, the mill was to him an object of pro- found meditation. He would sit on a neighboring hill and contemplate it for hours, as it swung its great arms in the breeze, evidently feeling himself incapable of fully grasping the whole mystery of its being. But poor little Sunny Wave was terror stricken when she heard Mr. Humfrey tell the miller that he must have a sack of indian meal ready ground for a neigh- 68 II. SHINING LIGHTS. bor against he called in the morning. In her inno- cence she supposed that indian meal must be ground Indian ; and apprehending that she and her father might be put in the hopper to supply the neighbor's grist, frantically besought him to depart with her. The roguish miller laughed immoderately at her fright, and by sundry gestures increased her distress. Her father thereupon became excessively angry and would have done serious mischief but for the timely interposition of Mr. Humfrey, who knocked the miller over, before their faces. By degrees she became calm, and within an hour was sporting with the good man's daughters on the verdant patch that stretched down from the base of the mill. And on many occasions after her singular introduction did she gambol with those ill-fated girls, there and on the neighboring heights, all unconscious of the dark destiny that await- ed them. When the developments respecting the vicious con- duct of Fairfield, Hudson and Davis, took place, there was a suspicion that Sunny Wave had some knowledge of the nefarious transactions. She had manifested great repugnance towards Hudson, espe- cially, whom she occasionally saw at Mr. Humfrey's house. Possibly her dislike was first caused by see- ing him violently kick away a poor little calf that trotted up to its mother for its evening meal ; or, perhaps, she instinctively scented his villainous pro- pensity. It was recollected that she repeatedly used all her little arts to keep the girls from his company. On one occasion, when she was in the field with Dorcas, he came along and tried to persuade the JOHN HUMFREY. 69 latter to go on a ramble with him. This she violently opposed, and would not leave them. He then made some forcible demonstration ; upon which she seized the unresisting girl by main strength and dashed over a craggy precipice to the peril of their lives, and to his utter amazement. She told Mr. Humfrey repeat- edly that he was a " devil man," and tried to persuade her father to kill him outright ; and he, very willing to gratify her, asked of Mr. Humfrey permission to despatch the wretch. It was remarked that some of the Indians supposed that Mr. Humfrey's wind-mill was a terrible engine of war. And they looked upon its erection as a decidedly hostile demonstration. It had stood frown- ing there but a short time, when on a stormy night a terrific outcry was heard in its neighborhood. Great alarm ensued, as an Indian attack was apprehended, they usually selecting such nights for their hostile incursions. The settlers speedily mustered, armed with such weapons as came to hand. It was soon found that a considerable body of the red men had made a descent upon the inoffensive wind-mill, and were assaulting it with great fury, shouting and dis- charging arrows, stones, and clubs in uninterrupted vollies. And they could not be driven off till the sails were completely riddled and such further mis- chief done that many grists had to lie long unground. The mill of Mr. Humfrey was quite noted and the Court, on various occasions, bestowed their smiles upon it. But millers, in some other localities, had brought scandal upon the profession of grinding by the extraordinary frequency of their mistakes in the 7O II. SHINING LIGHTS. measurement of toll ; and all the orders and admoni- tions of the Court failed to correct the unfortunate tendency to error ; indeed it seemed as if an individual when he became connected with a mill, at once con- ceived the idea that in the matter of toll it always took three pints to make a quart ; an arithmetical hallucination that no discipline could correct. It was in the nature of the conceit of the worthy milk-men of the present day, that in lacteal fluids a pint and a half make a quart ; an error which they cling to with dreadful pertinacity. The same year in which Mr. Humfrey erected his mill, that is, in 1636, the Court ordered " That noe mill 1 " shall take above the sixteenth parte of the corne hee grinds, & that every millar shall have alwaies ready in his mill waights & scales provided att his owne charge." This seems plain enough ; but yet it appears that the rogues usually, by mistake of course, took an eighth part instead of a sixteenth. A couple of years after Mr. Humfrey's mill was first in operation a legislative committee was sent out to examine into its affairs. But what the particular object was the records do not disclose. Whether it was for the purpose of holding it up as a pattern for similar institutions in other parts of the Colony, or there were suspicions that something wrong had crept into its management, it is useless now to undertake to determine ; though we prefer to stand on the side of the pattern. Still it is possible that some one of the men employed about the mill had been up to knavish tricks appropriating an undue portion of their neighbors' grists; or grinding too coarse, perhaps. JOHN HUMFREY. 71 The fact that the depraved John Hudson was in the service of the proprietor, furnishes reasonable ground for suspicion. By the Quarterly Court, held Decem- ber i, 1640, "Henry Stevens, for fireing the barne of his m r , [master] M r Humfrey, was ordered to bee servant to M r Humfrey for 21 years, toward recom- pencing him for the losse." And this is further evi- dence that the poor man was surrounded by a set of villains. The committee started from Boston on horseback, of a bright rosy morning, though the weather soon changed and became disagreeably raw, and arrived at the great Saugus ferry not far from noon. The boat was on the farther shore, basking in the sun like a tarred crocodile. But the watchful ferryman watch- ful because his franchise as well as his profits depend- ed on his vigilance from the door of his shanty perceived the impatient applicants for his services, and put across. The dignitaries were presently on board, and the horses, which were to try their skill at swimming, attached to the tow-ropes, with which such craft were at that time always supplied. All things bid fair for a prosperous voyage, as they shoved off. But adverse events will sometimes turn up to mar the brightest prospects. The Boston mem- ber insisted on holding the rope of his own nag thus indiscreetly transferring the responsibility of his safe transit from the ferryman's shoulders to his own. But things would no doubt have ended well enough, had not the horse, when they were about half way over, been suddenly seized with some suspicion as to the safety of his own precious hide, or perhaps some 72 II. SHINING LIGHTS. malicious desire to pay off upon his unwary master a little that he fancied to be due in the squaring of old accounts. But whatever the motive was, the fact is that when they were just crossing the channel, the beast gave his head a violent toss, and without the least warning twitched his master overboard. The impetus was such that he went down fairly to the bottom ; and then he came up and rolled over and blew like a porpoise. The nag kicked and splashed a while, and then turned toward the shore he had just left, soon gaining a foothold in the clam-beds, whose peaceful inhabitants became so alarmed that their very shells gaped asunder in terror. And in his wake followed his master, who had grasped the extended tail. The fellow legislators beheld the scene with dismay ; but the ferryman lost no time in backing the boat to where they had landed. The air was chill, and the poor man's teeth were chattering so that it was some time before he could articulate a word. The provident ferryman had a little keg on board, supplied with a stimulant thought to be useful on all such occasions ; and indeed there was in the provision wallet of the travelers themselves a deposit of the same sort. A liberal quantity was administered, and the spirits of the patient went up as the distilled spirits went down. The good man was found to be little injured, and things were soon in order for a second attempt to gain the other side. But as they proceeded to lead in the mischief-making quadruped the other horses having all remained dull and docile as lambs he cast a suspicious glance out upon the water, and then JOHN HUMFREY. 73 became unaccountably excited. He threw back his ears, snorted, reared, and in short conducted in a most unhandsome manner, a manner clearly indicating either excessive fright or the possession of an evil spirit. The harder they drew forward the harder he drew back ; and as he was physically the most pow- erful, they left off tugging, and resorted to scolding and kicking ; the ferryman adding swearing to the other incentives. But nothing would induce him to advance a hoof. And it was well for them that their endeavors were unsuccessful, as they soon perceived ; for, on glancing towards the channel, they were horrified to discover a great swaggering shark, evidently on the watch for a savory meal of man or horse. They stood aghast at the grinning personification of ferocity and impu- dence, and spontaneously concluded that he had been the occasion of the first unruly manifestation ; a con- clusion that at once restored the nag to full favor, and secured for him caresses in compensation for the kicks and curses. Proper steps were of course taken to defeat the shark in his surreptitious attempt to pro- cure a meal. And the crossing was finally accom- plished in safety. The boat then returned to its croco- dile state, the ferryman retired within his shanty for his noon repast and nap, and the travelers proceeded on their way with all possible speed. And the ex- ercise of riding prevented the chills again seizing the member who had been so unceremoniously forced to the enjoyments of a cold bath. On their arrival at the hospitable habitation of Mr. Humfrey the still wet garments were displaced by 74 H. SHINING LIGHTS. those dry and warm supplied from the well-conditioned wardrobe of the host. And after a little rest a savory repast was spread, for nobody knew, better than their entertainer, the mollifying effect of a well-timed and well-appointed offering to the stomach. Such appli- ances soothe animosities where they exist, and create friendships where none existed before. There is abundant evidence that anciently legislative commit- tees fully appreciated this sort of bribery, and were occasionally ensnared by it. But we are thankful that the sterling integrity of the legislators of this day allows no suspicion to rest on them. An invita- tion to a good dinner or to a free ride on a rail-road would shock one of our senators or representatives as an unpardonable attempt on his virtue. From the window of the room in which Mr. Hum- frey had the banquet spread, the wind-mill, the great object of the committee's perilous journey, was in full view, swinging its giant arms in useful labor, and creaking a hoarse welcome to the visitors. What remained of the day, after they had risen from their feast, was spent in strolling along the beaches, where they gathered their handkerchiefs full of luscious clams ; in viewing the "farm ; and in making calls on divers of the settlers who resided in the vicinity, several of the most jolly of whom were invited to spend a social hour or two with the committee. Accordingly, in the evening, quite a party was gathered at the house of Mr. Humfrey. They spent some time in discussing the adventures of the day, and in discussing the great political questions then agitating the colonial mind. But the discussion they JOHN HUMFREY. 75 entered into with the greatest zeal, with rapacity even, was that of a dish formed of the clams they had gathered. Daniel Webster himself never made a better chowder than Mr. Humfrey produced on this eventful occasion ; and never did one of the great statesman's culinary productions elicit more ardent praise. Great hilarity prevailed, particularly as the sitting drew toward the close, for descents had from time to time been made upon the cellar where were stored generous deposits of the liquors which had found their way hither through the West India trade in which Mr. Humfrey was so largely interested. O, it was a jolly time. The good old psalm tunes rang forth with such nasal twangs as threatened the abso- lute bursting of all but the strongest noses ; and then there was a comical jingling in and jumbling up of ale-house ditties, and patriotic songs, and such won- derful eccentricities of harmony as would have attract- ed attention even in that gigantic musical ventilator, the Boston coliseum of the proud year 1869. Every few minutes there was a zealous shaking of hands, all round, and most ardent declarations of friendship. The happy scene did not close till a late hour. And the voices of some of those good neighbors who had been at the party were heard in cheerful song when they were a quarter of a mile off on the way home. Metaphorically speaking, the wind was now due west with the mill. The lodging place of the committee was in the loft above the spacious room in which their entertainment had been spread. It was not the most elegant or richly furnished of apartments ; for it must not be 76 II. SHINING LIGHTS. imagined that people in those days could have accom- modations that would bear a comparison with what such a dignified committee would be justified in ex- pecting at this day. Fortunately, however, the sweet restorer of tired nature does not make mahogany bedsteads and embroidered spreads a necessity for her refreshing visits ; but of clam-chowder she is reputed to be rather shy. Bare rafters traversed the upper atmosphere of the room, furnishing admirable sporting places for the entertaining sprites who figure in delectable nightmare scenes. And the floor was of rough boards with joints so ill-adjusted that a tooth- pick might fall through the cracks upon the heads of those below. And all about there was the delight- ful odor of dried herbs. Wind still west with the mill. There they retired for their much needed rest, and the deep symphony that soon resounded from their nasal bulges, indicated their oblivion, for the time being, to all that might molest or make afraid. But at midnight there was a dreadful outcry in the apartment of the lodgers, and down they rushed, pell- mell, with such precipitancy that it is a wonder their bones were not broken. The whole household were quickly assembled in the principal room, all in great trepidation, each fearing to inquire into the nature of the terrible onslaught all excepting Mr. Hum- frey, in whom courage and timidity were strangely consorted, each at intervals predominating. He alone now presented a bold front, endeavoring to calm them and ascertain the cause of their alarm : but all he could make out was that the room had been invad- ed by a host of armed giants who were marching JOHN HUMFREY. 77 back and forth in a furious and threatening manner ; their motions being the more terrifying as they were noiseless as ghosts. " A ghostly invasion ! " exclaimed Mr. Humfrey, " May the Lord have mercy on us ! " And his own hair began to lift, the timidity getting the upper hand. But the courage again asserted itself, as he could not avoid realizing his responsibility as head of the estab- lishment nor the presumptions attaching to him as a military man. Yet, though he might valorously meet flesh-and-blood foes, he had to confess to himself that for a battle with ghosts he had no eager desire to volunteer. After deliberating a short time, however, and no alarming demonstration occurring, he cau- tiously ascended to the top step, and projecting his night-capped head into the room, reconnoitered,'by the efficient aid of the clear moon, which shone benignantly in at the uncurtained window. Nothing that he could discover seemed sufficient to justify the extraordinary alarm. There was the spinning-wheel, as motionless as the dame left it ; there stood his old firelock, as unmenacing as if it had never spit fire at a foe ; there hung the battered plaster portrait of his grandfather, with the same old grimace that had beautified it for forty years ; there hung the bundles of herbs ; the rusty broad-brimmed hat ; and the rat trap. None of them looked as if they had seen any thing frightful nor as if they themselves had been cutting up shines. So he called to the trembling fugitives below, bidding them come up and see for themselves that all was right. Presently the other night-capped heads appeared, timidly peering in at the 78 II. SHINING LIGHTS door. No sooner, however, had those bewildered heads popped in than they popped out again. And down rushed the trembling bodies which those bewil- dered heads surmounted, a second time, in great trepidation. They declared that the invaders were still there pursuing their silent march. Mr Humfrey was greatly puzzled. He could not declare against his own senses, for he had never known one of them to play tricks upon him ; and by neither of them could he discover any thing remarka- ble. Yet he could not believe that his guests were endeavoring to impose upon him, nor that they had been seized by a sudden distraction. Neither did he believe that they had drank deep enough of his West India importation to drown all their wits. There he stood, gazing about in utter amazement, his airy night dress swaying " like a cloud floating around a statue." It occurred to him that the clams might have been skirmishing in their stomachs ; and to those inno- cent bivalves would the mischief surely have been attributed, in toto, had not his eyes suddenly opened to a new truth to the truth. And as his eyes opened, so likewise opened his mouth the latter in a pro- longed and most hearty laugh a laugh that almost shook from their places the spinning-wheel, the old firelock, the plaster portrait, the broad brimmed hat, the rat-trap, and the bundles of herbs. Now every body knows that a good laugh will often restore one to self-possession when he happens to drift a little from his intellectual moorings ; for the reason, I sup- pose, that it gives a sudden turn to the mind. No one can well bear to be laughed at ; and when we JOHN HUMFREY. 79 hear a laugh with the cause of which we imagine ourselves in any way connected, the ears of our curi- osity at once prick up. And so it was with the committee, in view of Mr. Humfrey's merriment. Feeling that there could be no real danger, up they at once rushed. They found him leaning over, by the window, intently gazing out, his great laugh sub- siding in a prolonged chuckle, which finally ended in a limping wheeze. Then he proceeded to explain the phenomena of the ghostly invasion. And the wind veered rapidly toward the east, with the mill, as he proceeded in the explanation. The fact was simply this : there being a fresh breeze, the wind-mill was kept in motion all night, for the purpose of grinding off the accumulated grists. The mighty arms, with their flapping sails had con- tinued their majestic revolutions during the silent hours, saluting the bright moon with an occasional creak or crack, until the coursing luminary had gained such a position in her own revolution as to be able to return some of the compliments. And this she did by throwing down her most lustrous smiles full upon her panting friend and causing the dancing shadows of his broad arms to fall in sharpest outline first upon the side of the house and then through the complai- sant window of the room occupied by the snoring vigilance committee. This was done with surprising effect. And even a clam of ordinary brilliancy of imagination might well fancy that an army of ghosts with flaunting banners were marching back and forth. It is not remarkable that a person suddenly opening his eyes, from a troubled sleep, upon such a scene, 8O II. SHINING LIGHTS. should be startled ; but that it should be so taken for reality seems inexplicable excepting through the operation of clam-oppressed stomachs. So the ob- jects of terror were, after all, but mere shadows. And are not all of us disturbed and distressed by shadows, shadows that are flitting every where about the path of life, shadows as innocent as moon and wind-mill ever formed ? The wind was now dead east with the offending mill. It was natural enough that those wandering digni- taries should be greatly mortified at the ludicrous occurrence, and that they should have wrangled some- what among themselves as to who should bear the blame of creating the disturbance. They disputed nearly the whole of the remainder of the night, tossing about on their beds, and now and them emphasizing a point by a blow upon the board partition that made all ring again. No satisfactory result was, however, arrived at. And the character of the mill was vigor- ously maligned as one or another, in nervous excite- ment, hopped from his bed to take a surly look at its defiant arms still boldly swinging in the moonlight. The household were astir betimes in the morning though the blessings of sleep had been but sparingly enjoyed by most of them. The committee-men each took a draught of wormwood tea, on the recommen- dation of Mr. Humfrey, who believed it to be a valuable stomach-rectifier. And then they took a turn about the premises, snuffed the invigorating morning air as it swept cheerily over the water ; calculated the time by the sun, watches being then almost unknown ; looked at their horses ; studied the points of Mr. JOHN HUMFREY. 8 1 Humfrey's cow, pigs, goats, and poultry. A sly glance was now and then directed toward the mill, which still swung on majestically, the night-miller having retired and a fresh hand taken his place. Then they partook of a savory breakfast, at which they were rather more silent than at the meal of the previous evening. Not a word was said about the occurrences of the night. The morning was balmy and all nature wore a pleasant aspect. But the wind was still dead east with the mill. They sallied forth with an alacrity that evidently meant business, and boldly entered the precincts of the mill. The miller was a little surly, for he had been called from his bed at an earlier hour than suited his convenience, and gave occasion for the examiners to speak sharply of his unaccommodating manners. They noted the running of the stones as carefully as a good physician notes the pulse of his patient ; they snuffed over the hopper, and felt of the warm meal as it shot into the trough ; they peered into crannies where they could not creep ; poked their sticks into the rat holes ; examined the miller in the catechism and made him repeat the ten com- mandments, which he could only do in a very blun- dering way ; questioned him closely about the daily labors of the mill, the customers, their bringings-in and their takings-out, and attentively conned his strag- gling chalk-scores on the side of the hopper. In short, they did all that a discreet and honest commit- tee could or ought to do. And they came forth from the mill as one might say besmeared with evidence of their faithfulness ; for the roguish miller had found D* 6 82 II. SHINING LIGHTS. means to give every one a thorough powdering in return for their testy compliments to him. The exterior of the structure was then to be sur- veyed. The machinery was stopped, and they paused under the lee, where they sat down on a flat rock, to calculate some measurements. They had suggested to Mr. Humfrey that his presence could be dispensed with for a while, and he had gone down to the beach to make some arrangement with the clams respect- ing the mid-day meal. The wind now began to haul out of the east, with the mill, and things were looking more cheerful. They sat there, absorbed in their duties, when all of a sudden, and without the slightest warning, they were every one, excepting the chairman, knocked heels over head ; a*id he, poor man, was taken by the skirts of his outer garment, and sent flying up on high, kicking and shrieking in the most dreadful manner. The disaster occurred in this way : they had, Mr. Humfrey not being present to caution them, grouped themselves just within the sweep of the great arms ; and the rascally miller, perceiving another chance to retaliate for what he chose to consider their insults, had, through the insti- gation of the very evil one himself, set the machinery going. It is fair, however, to say that he positively denied this, and declared that the mill started of its own accord. It is a wonder that the heads of the unwary men were not fairly knocked off and rolled down the hill, and that the chairman was not torn limb from limb. But no one received fatal injury. They were, however, considerably damaged ; so much so that most of them were laid up for months. It JOHN HUMFREY. 83 was some days before they could be removed to their homes ; and when they were bundled off they looked like so many swaddled and patched mummies. They could not report during that session. And when the report did come, a perfect hurricane from the east roared all through it. The mill, it said, was " spetially dang r ous ; " and the miller was called a " fowl brag rt ." They mercilessly denied it every good quality that a decent mill should possess. And instead of reporting as agreed upon on the evening of the clam feast, when the wind was west with it, that it was an institution as worthy of encouragement as the college at Cam- bridge, they recommended that it be forthwith torn down and the miller severely whipped, both at Lynn and Boston. But it does not appear whether or not their recommendation was carried into effect. The last duties of Mr. Humfrey as a member of the General Court were performed in 1641. In October of that year he left the country and returned to Eng- land where he died in 1661. There is no doubt, as before intimated, that his services were of great value to the infant Bay Colony, and that his character was of a high order. Governor Winthrop speaks of him as " a gentleman of special parts of learning and activity, and a godly man." His children were, John, Joseph, Theophilus, Ann, Dorcas, and Sarah. And a petition to the probate court, June 29, 1681, states that Ann was then the only surviving child. Few descendants of another generation seem to have appeared. And from the claims that Ann made to the estate here, it is inferred that no other heir was known. 84 H. SHINING LIGHTS. Of the ultimate fate of Dorcas and Sarah, the unfortunate victims of Fairfield, Hudson, and Davis, little is certainly known ; and tradition has given divers accounts. A few years ago I had occasion to relate in print something concerning one of them. But subsequent inquiries developed other facts ; and I shall now proceed to give the account which seems on the whole most authentic. After the lamentable occurrences referred to, and the* disappearance of her parents from the country, by the intervention of one of her father's friends and the sanction of the Court, Dorcas was placed in a very worthy family in Boston, where she was watched over and nurtured with the tenderest care. The best means were provided for her education, and as time passed on, she seemed to common observation to have entirely recovered from the blight suffered in her earlier years. She possessed such striking graces of person that even the rude wayfarer often paused to admire. And her expanding intellect exhibited such clearness of comprehension and brilliancy as placed her at once among the most brightly shining lights in that little community. She delighted in books, and the few small libraries of the ministers and others were ransacked for stray volumes of the poets and tales of the romancing trav- elers. She was charmed with the beautiful in nature, and by the pencil transferred to canvas many of the pleasant and romantic scenes about her endeared home, with marvelous success. And she loved occa- sionally to stroll away alone among the fields and groves upon the river bank, and by the seashore, JOHN HUMFREY. 85 returning with her gathered treasures of flowers, glit- tering shells, and sketches of bright scenes. But the indulgence of this inclination was interrupted in a sudden and singular manner. As she was one evening seated on a rock that commanded a charming view, and had lingered till the shades of night were fast closing in, she was startled by a quick rustling among the bushes. And then the sprightly Sunny Wave bounded to her side. Instantly the Indian maid seized her hand, and with her great lustrous eyes beaming full in the alarmed face to which they were turned, in an agitated under- tone ejaculated, " Bad white man ; make himself like Indian ; hunt you. He watch now. Go, go quick ; very quick ! " Amazed at this sudden warning, she was about to interrogate the dusky apparition, when the latter, with a gentle push, and at the same time thrusting into her hand a bunch of magnolias, hastily repeated her last injunction " Go, go quick ; very quick ! " and vanished. Without stopping to speculate as to the cause or the reasonableness of the apparently friendly visit, she took the safe course and speedily withdrew homeward. Informing her friends of the singular warning, they were as much puzzled as she, and more apprehensive. But the next day the mystery was in a measure solved, information being received that a lawless young scion of nobility then lately from England had been dogging her steps from point to point, disguised as an Indian. It was evident that Sunny Wave had observed his conduct, discovered his disguise, watched him, and given seasonable alarm. 86 II. SHINING LIGHTS. This incident was quite sufficient to deter Dorcas from again often venturing on her rambles unaccom- panied. But with companions, and especially when she could have the bright and watchful Indian girl at hand, she still continued to enjoy her strolls. In the social circle, especially, Dorcas shone ; and it is not to be wondered at that she had many admir- ers of the other sex. That she had susceptible feel- ings is very true ; but there was that train of sad memories which induced in her the exercise of a degree of wariness that might easily be mistaken for overstrained fastidiousness. And it was in her lonely hours, when the most painful reflections pressed upon her, enveloping in a gloomy mist all her earthly hopes and aspirations, that her thoughts began to be directed to higher objects for rest and comfort. Her weary, panting soul yearned for something on which it might lean and pour out the fervid tide of its love. And what could present itself as a more worthy object than religion. In her worldly career remem- brances of the errors of her early life would constantly spring up to darken her way and impede her progress ; jealousies, envyings, and rivalries would keep alive the fatal knowledge ; and the prospect seemed dreary and waste. But in the calm sunshine of religion the shadows might be dissolved and the waste places made fruitful. And no impediment appeared in the better way ; for the greater the evil turned from the more ardent the love evolved. In early womanhood, then, with earnest persistency and intelligent concern, she began to direct her medi- tations to those loftier themes. With the elders and JOHN HUMFREY. 8/ ministers, and pious women, she conversed much, and the old theological tomes of the parsonage library were perseveringly conned, for her trained intellect, not being controlled by the merely emotional, de- manded the wherefore of doctrine and rule. In her life the good fruits began soon to appear. The widow and fatherless were visited in their affliction, and many an erring one was drawn back to the path of rectitude. The humble homes of the forlorn and distressed were made glad by her visits, and the indi- gent of every class were cheered by her sympathy and benevolence. Yet her social delights were by no means extinguished by her new conceptions and duties, for not a throb of misanthropy stirred her heart. She still loved to join in the merry-makings of her young companions ; and her cordial sympathies, winning ways, and active participation in passing scenes, which so early won for her a welcome in every neighborhood gathering, still made her presence eagerly sought. Indeed her new profession had given additional strength to her social character, for the old clouds that were accustomed to flit up at any moment, had been dissipated, or rather gilded by the vivifying light within, and no longer cast their ghastly shadows over innocent enjoyment. But it was with great concern that the worthy pastor on whose ministrations Dorcas attended, began to perceive that her love for the faith in which she had been nurtured was fast loosening. Indeed, with the cold and stern theology that then prevailed, her warm heart could not fully sympathize, and she fast tended toward the revered old mother church, whose 88 II. SHINING LIGHTS. sublime ritual and meet observances have captivated so many intelligent minds reared in the newer and harsher faith. There were at this time but a small number of Episcopalians in the Colony, and they had no place of worship. The few in Boston were accus- tomed to occasionally meet in a private room, to engage in the beautiful service set forth in their beloved book of prayer. But even these half-stealthy meetings they could not enjoy without suffering taunts if indeed they escaped with no greater molestation. Yet, as persecution for one's faith is not apt to lessen his attachment to it, they were persisted in. And but two or three generations had passed away before the Church became a power in the land. Her influ- ence through her whole history here has been such as every true Christian must applaud. Whatever may have been her character and conduct in the old world, here, she has set an example of tolerance and godly life worthy of imitation by some of far greater pretension. Our heroine, after entering the little fold of the Church pursued the even tenor of her way, never swerving from the faith she loved nor unsea- sonably obtruding her views. But did not that gentle heart, during its years of perplexity and inward toil, its years of exposure and temptation, sometimes yearn for parental counsel and guidance ? And can it be that those parents who had rejoiced over her birth, had lost her image from their hearts ? When in their luxurious home beyond the blue wave, greeting the fair and the brave amid sparkling lights and inspiring music strains, or when wakeful upon their bed at the solemn midnight hour, JOHN HUMFREY. 89 did they have no thought for their once dear offspring, regarding whose fate they had reason to entertain the most painful apprehensions ? There is mystery about the whole matter. It cannot be believed that her father, whose acts and epistles uniformly in- dicate a broad benevolence and impressible heart, could have so strangely forgotten his duties or utterly abandoned his offspring. No, no, he must have longed to clasp the returned wanderer to his breast amid the gushing tears of mutual joy. Why then did he not seek her out, for she might easily have been found, and restore her, blooming, beautiful, and puri- fied, to a home among the noble and refined a home which she appears to have been well fitted to adorn ? The question can only be asked. And the mother who bore her what can we think of her ? Among the families in which Dorcas was kindly received, at Boston, was that of a French gentleman of refinement and wealth. And in process of time, proposing to return to his native country, at the urgent solicitation of his wife and daughter, he invited her to accompany them for a temporary residence in Paris. She was delighted with the opportunity to visit a foreign land, especially such a genial one as France, and her friends interposing no objection, her preparations for the voyage were soon made. That she might be the better prepared for the new scenes in prospect, she industriously set about acquir- ing the French language ; and by the efficient aid of the family she was to accompany became a proficient in a wonderfully short period. In due time they arrived in France, and Dorcas 9O II. SHINING LIGHTS. prepared to enter with the zest characteristic of her naturally ardent temperament upon the course that lay before her, all still veiled in mystery. With true modesty, but with the common fondness of her sex, she received the flatteries and caresses of the gay and polite people by whom she found herself surrounded, and presently contracted a somewhat unpromising relish for the gaities of her new sphere. Yet her refined taste and cultivated mind led her to take more real delight in visiting the galleries of art, the libra- ries and other objects of higher interest. But to the dim old churches she often repaired ; and there, in the dreamy light that streamed through the lofty and gorgeously tinted windows, beheld the imposing wor- ship with an awe she had never before felt in a house dedicated to the Most High. The fretted arches and lofty columns, the golden altars and glowing lights, the pictures and statuary of marvelous dignity and beauty, the robed priests and uniformed orders, the solemn chants and organ symphonies all conspired to make the humble appointments of the rude sanctu- ary of her own home rise up in contrast almost grotesque. And there is no wonder that a mind constituted like hers with a deep love for the har- monious and appropriate, an awe for the grand and imposing, a veneration for the ancient, and a tendency to devotional fervor should have been insensibly attracted to the old faith and its impressive forms of worship. But few months had passed when her friends per- ceived the bent her mind had taken, and to their inquiries she frankly declared her views. They had JOHN HUMFREY. 9! themselves been bred in the Catholic church though at that period the famous Edict of Nantes was still in force but during their residence in America had no opportunity to worship according to her ritual. On returning to their native land, however, their early love revived, and they went back, like glad chil- dren to a revered mother. Under such circumstances, of course, their endeared charge would be welcomed to the fold. And so the time passed on. Dorcas embraced her new faith with ardor, and sought instruction on points of doctrine and worship with the same zeal and intel- ligence that had characterized her inquiries respecting the faith she had now abandoned. And she was soon reckoned a sincere and faithful daughter of the ancient church. Her accomplishments, and the standing of her friends had placed her in a high social position. Their means were ample, and their generosity, with which was perhaps mingled a little pride, prompted them to supply every reasonable want. Her admirers were many, but her good sense proved a strong safe- guard against the unworthy though such safeguard, unhappily, is not always impregnable. But did she never, while thus flitting in the world's gay capital, the radiant centre of a charmed circle, cast a look back upon the scenes of her early home never glance to the verdant hill-top, where, in the shadow of the great creaking wind-mill, she had so often gambolled to the sparkling beaches which she had so often trod with bounding step, gathering shells and mosses and glittering pebbles to the 92 II. SHINING LIGHTS. blithsome summer hours, when with her sisters and the neighboring maidens, and the bright little Sunny Wave, she had bathed in the waters that rolled in whispering lines almost to her father's door to the cheery times when no shadow had fallen upon her, and all within and without was bright and cheerful ? And then did she not recur, with grievous pangs, to the sad hours when the murky mists began to arise, enveloping her in their blighting folds to the adieus of her parents, who so departed on the wide ocean track, leaving her to the protection and guidance of such as she well knew to be eminently unworthy to that darker cloud that so soon fell upon her, in its dismal folds enwrapping every fair prospect, and for the time blasting her very soul's health to her even then lonely condition, without the sympathy of kin- dred and with a future of drear uncertainty ? We are all so constituted that experiences like hers will sometimes send their shadows up from the mys- terious depths of memory like troublous ghosts. But memories of a brighter cast were also hers. And when the recollection of the peaceful girlhood days she had passed in Boston, under the protection of those kind friends who had rescued, encouraged, and consoled her, came up, her heart must have taken fresh courage. The tradition goes on to add that after a considera- ble period of triumph in the fashionable world of Paris, our heroine became the betrothed of a wealthy young count. And as the time for the consummation of the espousals approached, scorning every thing like deception or concealment, she took measures to have JOHN HUMFREY. 93 the family of her affianced fully informed of her past life. The grievous tidings first created a coldness and then a vigorous opposition, on the part of the mother of the count, to the uriion. And suffice it to say, the marriage was never solemnized. Then days of dark- ness again arose upon her. The cause of the blight in her fair prospects becoming generally known in the gay circle where she had been accustomed to move, and feeling that the finger of scorn might be pointed to her at every turn, with an almost broken heart she withdrew into England. She had letters of introduction to good families and soon in a measure recovered her spirits. By her accomplishments and natural gifts she presently found herself in refined and elevated society again the centre of a charmed circle. But from some cause which in the mysterious workings of the human mind cannot be explained, her views of moral rectitude seem to have changed ; or perhaps her recent sad experience induced a sort of abandonment which sometimes will, in spite of every effort, like an irruption of unsanctified nature, assert itself. Without, however, pretending to estab- lish a reason for the apparent change in her, we can only say that at no distant period she is found in the guilty position of mistress to a young scion of one of the most noble families a sort of connec- tion which, however, at that time and in such society, was not regarded with deserved detestation. This disreputable connection continued for a con- siderable period. She was supplied with means suffi- cient for the indulgence of every reasonable desire, by her liberal friend, and made a full return in affection 94 II- SHINING LIGHTS. and social entertainment. But with her just sense of rectitude, and especially with her memory of the sad episode in her earlier life, it cannot be imagined that she had any truly happy hours. A bitter end usually comes to all such unholy con- nections. And the case of this erring one was no exception to the common rule. The young nobleman suddenly died, without making any provision for her future. And his family, of course deeming themselves far from any obligation, left her to wither away in penury. Then there are traditions of her having entered the dramatic profession and of her successes and triumphs upon the theatrical boards even of her blazing forth as a star of the first magnitude ; though at what precise period of her residence in England this took place does not appear. It may be a wonder that while in England she did not seek out her father and family connections, for her heart must have suffered sore affliction at the long and strange separation from all with whom she could claim kindred. True we do not know but she did endeavor to search them out But it is probable that she did not, as they no doubt could easily have been found and would have provided for all her wants. It may rather be concluded that her naturally high spirit prevailed and prevented her ever appearing in what she feared might be deemed the character of a sup- pliant. Be that, however, as it may. Then we find that after a long season of indigence and depression, her devotional feelings revived in fresh vigor, and she received new consolations from religion. JOHN HUMFREY. 95 With the utmost diligence she strove to regain what she had lost in the Christian race, and was soon blest by the renewed sympathies of pious friends. She now led an exemplary life, fulfilling her Christian duties with zeal and fidelity. Her worldly condition, however, was such that instead of having means to bestow in charity she herself was in need. But in humbleness of heart she labored on, cheered by the sure promise of reward to all such as do their utmost. Her devotional feelings waxing warmer and warmer, and the attractions of the world fading faster and faster away, we find that she returned to France, and enter- ing the peaceful portals of a convent sought the repose her poor heart so much needed. But she does not seem to have ended her days in that calm retreat. For the tradition adds that when considerably advanced in years, she appeared again in her native land, often, as a lonely wanderer, visiting the scenes in and about Boston, which had so attracted her youthful steps. And into the place of her earlier years, too, she would roam with down-cast eye pacing along the still beautiful shores as if listening to the tale of the waves as they rolled whispering at her feet ; or, standing upon the hill where erst stood her father's renowned mill, thoughtfully scanning the broad landscape. And what recollections must those visits have called up ? And, finally, we are told, that near the scene of her childhood's gambols she laid down her weary life her fitful dream ending in penury and distress ; but to be succeeded, God grant, by an awakening to a life of joy in the better world. 96 ill. SHINING LIGHTS. It may be thought that something should be added respecting the other daughters of Mr. Humfrey. Of Ann, the eldest, it may be remarked that she married William Palmer, of Ardfinan, in Ireland, the marriage taking place about the time of her father's leaving America. And it was to this sister that the abused girls first made known what had taken place. Ann became a widow, and subsequently married the Rev. John Miles of Swanzey. She lived to a mature age, and as late as 1681 claimed title by inheritance to some of the Lynn lands among them the charming locality at Swampscott where now stands the baronial residence of the late Hon. E. R. Mudge. Of Sarah, the companion of Dorcas in error, little or nothing is with certainty known. Many years ago there was a mossy grave-stone in the most ancient part of Copp's Hill burying ground, in Boston, bearing the single name " SARAH," and beneath it the Latin words " Deo Miserere" An intelligent antiquary once told me that it marked the spot where Sarah Humfrey was laid ; that she died in degradation and destitution ; and that the stone was erected, a long time after, by her sister. And here, without devoting any more space to details respecting the life of Mr. Humfrey, we must close our sketch. We have seen that he had a full share of worldly trouble ; and can readily perceive that he would certainly have avoided some of his greatest calamities had he pursued a different course. But in pursuing that other course, who can tell that he would not have fallen into still greater misfortunes. ROBERT KEAYNE. 97 If we could all, with docility and godly discretion, receive the discipline vouchsafed by a kind Providence, watchful for our ultimate good, we should profit much more than by repining and speculating as to what might have been. And regrets for the errors of the past are of small worth unless they lead to endeavors for amendment in the future. ROBERT KEAYNE. MR. KEAYNE was a Representative in the General Court, from Boston, as early as 1638. He was ad- mitted a freeman in May, 1636, having probably arrived in the country a few months before. He was a marked character, and his name appears very often on the Court records ; a name which is otherwise rendered immortal from his having been the first commander of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. He was elected at its organization, in 1638. The title of "M r " as well as "Capt n " is found attached to his name, on the records, which is sufficient evidence of his respectability, " Goodman " having been the title of those in mean condition. His business was that of a merchant tailor, though he engaged in divers speculations and mercantile enterprises, and became quite rich. Soon after his arrival he was received as a member of the Boston church ; and it is evident that his orthodoxy and his E 7 98 II. SHINING LIGHTS. loyalty to the colonial interests and authorities were considered perfectly sound, as he was the one to whom the General Court ordered the arms of the adherents of Mr. Wheelwright and Mrs. Hutchinson to be surrendered at the disarming, in 1637. It is perhaps well in this place to say a few words respecting the famous military organization just men- tioned, of the early history of which so little is really known. Mr. Pinion, among his jottings for March, 1638, says : " Vppon y e opening of y e sescion m ch adew was made ab l y e formeing of a great millytary companie, a peticon haveing bin put in by M r Kayne and dyvers others. Som w d know who were to bee memb r s, and haue y m cattykiz d on poynts of doctrine, and wheth r they be true to our libertys here, for, sayd they, it may bee but a cunninglie layd plann of y e devill to get y e vpper hand and make spoyl of vs all. Who knoweth but our libertys and godlie priviledges may bee forc d from vs, wee, by graunting this peticon giveing birth, as it were, to a cocatrice. And be not som who now petticon, among y m y l follow after a strange wooman ? w ch , as by scripture, leadeth to destruccon." The foregoing has reference to the petition of Mr. Keayne and others, presented to the Court, for au- thority to form a military company, the head quar- ters to be in Boston, but embracing members from the different plantations. It had early become appa- rent that military organizations would be necessary for the safety of the settlers, not only to repel attacks of the savages, but to inspire a wholesome fear in the French and Dutch. The first organizations were ROBERT KEAYNE. 99 local, and called train-bands, each settlement main- taining its own. But it was of course soon seen that under such a system much strength would be lost when there was a general call for troops to serve in any important campaign, because of diversity of or- ganization and mode of discipline. The purpose, then, was to form a sort of military regulator and school of tactics. There was, however, as Mr. Pinion intimates, considerable opposition among certain of the Representatives, who were more careful of their doctrine than their works a sort of individual not entirely unknown in other periods of the world's history. The circumstance that some of the petition- ers were adherents of Mrs. Hutchinson gave point to the opposition, they being the ones whom the jour- nalist characterizes as following after a " strange wooman." It was probably the influence of Mr. Keayne's name that carried the measure through, for he was, as just intimated, imbued with puritanical salt of the most unquestioned savor. The charter was obtained. And on the first Mon- day in June, 1638, the renowned Ancient and Hon- orable Artillery Company was formed, liberty being allowed them to use the public arms. It was not at first an artillery company ; and they did not probably obtain field-pieces till the year 1657. The title given in the charter is, " The Millitary Company of the Mas- sachusets." On receiving the cannon it was called The Artillery Company, or The Great Artillery. As late as 1691, Cotton Mather, in his election sermon, calls it The Artillery Company. In 1708, Mr. Dan- forth, in the title-page of his sermon, prefixes the II. SHINING LIGHTS. word "Honourable." Finally, in 1738, Dr. Colman, who preached the centennial sermon, gives the full title Honorable and Ancient Artillery Company. The records of the Company, however, give the title Ancient and Honorable, as early as 1700. At the organization, Mr. Keayne was elected Captain. The Company has suffered a few intervals of sus- pended animation during the Andros administration and the Revolution, lying for a time hard at death's door but, thanks to timely legislative doctoring, has survived, and is now in vigorous health. But yet the Company is at the present day, to all intents, an organization without a purpose, excepting perhaps the purpose of having a good time once or twice a year ; and were it not for the grateful memories that cluster around it, would probably soon close its record. But its officers still continue to be elected on the first Monday of June ; and the pleasant holiday of Artillery Election continues to be honored by a parade, a sermon, and a bountiful dinner ; and the Governor dispenses the commissions from his seat on Boston Common. And may the venerable organization, be- gun for a praiseworthy object, under the fostering care of the subject of this sketch, long continue, in its pleasant way linking the past with the present.* * But there was another " Election Day," which for some two hundred years was observed as one of the principal holidays in Mas- sachusetts. It occurred on the last Wednesday of May, the day on which the General Court, acting as a court of elections, chose the Governor and other chief officers for the year. This election day was established at the beginning of the government, and in 1831 was by the General Court abolished amid many lamentations. For many years, it was very generally known as " Nigger 'lection ; " receiving ROBERT KEAYNE. IOI But about those dinners which the Company annu- ally sit down to, with their invited guests. It is that rather questionable appellation, some have imagined, merely to distinguish it from Artillery Election. But the true reason was that all the negro slaves in Massachusetts, as long as slavery existed here, were allowed a vacation of four days, beginning on that day. In imi- tation of their masters, they then assembled in the different neighbor- hoods and elected rulers for themselves rulers, however, without power and without subjects. But they enjoyed their mock proceedings with the keenest relish. And they had a right jolly time during the whole four days of this annual respit. The serene gravity of the ebony officers elected and the extreme obsequiousness of their subjects, are said to have furnished most instructive as well as amusing lessons. Dancing was a favorite diversion, and one sometimes engaged in to an annoying extent. Election dance-houses became established insti- tutions, and away down to within seventy years were much resorted to by blacks, and by whites too, of the lower order. Day and night danc- ing, drinking, and diversiform carousing went on within their portals. But the good old " 'lection-cake " must not be forgotten ; and pro- bably never will be, by such as have been blest by a taste. Every householder was expected to provide an abundance of it. It was a cheap kind of cake, made of raised dough, sweetened and slightly spiced, and baked in round cakes, of perhaps six inches in diameter, the top made glossy by the white of egg. Boston Common presented a notable scene on Election days. All sorts of sports and small gaming were going on among the animated multitude, who appeared in their holiday attire, the colored brethren and sisters, especially, with their faces as shining as the cake. Egg-nog and election-cake came to be the prescriptive gustatory offerings of the season, about as much as turkey and plum pudding are now those of Thanksgiving. In the country, if the weather was favor- able, the population seemed to feel it incumbent to be abroad, ready to join in pleasure excursions and all kinds of rural sports. Indeed the day appeared much as the fourth of July now does ; but with the desirable absence of hot weather, bell-ringing, and vile powder-burning. For some two hundred years, as before remarked, did good old Election survive ; but now, alas, is almost forgotten. Were not these temperance times and I a temperance man, I could but recommend that on each returning anniversary we all join in a cup o' kindness, in the shape of egg-nog, for that great day of langsyne. IO2 II. SHINING LIGHTS. doubtful whether the invisible spirit of Capt. Keayne, hovers around on those occasions with much delight or approval ; for though in his will, written in 1652, he kindly remembers his pet institution, leaving for it, among other things, two heifers, or cows, to be kept as stock, the increase or profit to be laid out yearly in powder, bullets, &c., with some limitation, he also exhorts them not to spend their means in "eating and drinking and needless invitations as it hath been for a long time," both to his own grief and offence and the scandal of several of the Company, some withdrawing in consequence of the carousing, and others being unwilling to pay their quarterages. The early records of the Company being so imper- fect, had it not been for the notes of Mr. Pinion, so fortunately in our hands, many curious facts concern- ing their early parades and achievements would have been forever lost. Dr. Colman, in his centennial sermon, remarks : " The captains awed their families and neighbors by their gravity and piety, as well as frightened their enemies by their boldness and firm- ness. The natives trembled when they saw them train, and old as well as young stood still and rever- enced them as they passed along in martial order." If all this was done a hundred years after their organ- ization, what must have been done at first ? They do not, indeed, inspire precisely such feelings as they parade at the present day ; yet they receive marked attention and respect. There is nothing on their records, or on the records of the Court, to show that the Company had a uniform during the first years of its existence. But luckily ROBERT KEAYNE. IO3 Mr. Pinion has supplied all that seems necessary on that point. The following extract, descriptive of an early parade, is graphic and interesting : " Last third day, being y e feild day of y e Millytarie Companie, there was a great parade, y e souldjers assembling betimes att y e great oake. [And this appears to have been an enormous white oak, stand- ing just about the present junction of School street and Tremont.] Two lustie drummers and a mightie winded trumpetter made y e whole towne ring w th alarrums as of warr. Y e comical turn ab l y e jewes- harpes Capt n Kayne will not haue mencion d on payne of his ang r . Y e xrcise began earlie in y e affnoone, and aft r manewvring for a space, they were form d into ranks of four, y e roade being but narrow, and made readie to march fourth towards Rocksberry, after pray r by M r Willson. Their xrcise was m ch aplawded by y e multitude call d forth by y e occacion. " They were uniform 6 in a faire manner, all haveing yello breeches of leath r , w lh blew ribbins knotted at y e knees, also red leggins and black shews w th bigg shining buckles. They had doublets of green, w th strips of yello sewed on. Butt their coates were mostlie of brown or gray, tho som were like Joseph his coat, being of manie colours, each suiting himself in that garment, y e Capt n hauing sayd y l sometymes they might train onlie in their doublets. But y e coats all had high millitarie collars made stiff w th buckram ; and they were soe high, that often as they made a false step while marching along, their backs rising a little, y e collars w d push their caps from their heads. And once, while marching downe a stony hil, IO4 II. SHINING LIGHTS. so manie were pushed off, y l Capt n Kayne sayd seem- inglie there were more caps vppon y e ground than on their heads, and he would, befoar another trayning, see to haueing y e collars cutt down ; for they not onlie push d off the caps but likewise made their cues stick out so strait behinde that they look d like little steering poles ; w** conceit made m ch merry mnt . Their wiggs were mightie in syze, and y e cues wound w th eal skin. Som of y e wiggs were white, som gray and som of dyvers colours, as to that matter, for som not being able to get real wiggs, were faine to dress y r heads in y e skins of little foxes or raccoons, winding y e tayls for cues. Y e caps or hatts were such as each could best procure for himself. Most had brave bandoleers and powd r homes hung at their sides ; and y e officers had long streaming sashes, m ch like Indjan belts ; som saying that y e one Capt" Kayne wore, and w ch was m ch praised, was giuen him by Arrow lohn, and was wrought by his dafter Sunny Wave. Som were arm d w th musquets, but there not being enow for all, dyvers had halberds, and a few Indjan warr clubs or bowes and arrows. " Manie came in from y e outer settlements to see y* parade, for all deem d this Companie to bee of mightie import amoungst vs. Dyvers of y e best men from y e oth r plantacions haue joyn d , and y e ministers haue don m ch to help y e affair along, tho there yet bee som who beare y e Companie noe good will, feareing y 1 it may one day com to bee a pow r not easie to manage. All agree y l it must be kept vnder y e civill authoritie, or our liberties are gon. Noe feare need bee from anie now memb r s, for they be all right from ROBERT KEAYNE. IO5 amoungst vs and as m ch concern d as wee to keepe matters in godlie trim. And as for y e future, it is not wise to distres o r selves ab l y 4 , it tjeing in God his keeping. " Y e cheifest memb r s of y e Co r t were present, dyv r s of them, indeed, being of y e Companie. M r Hubbard, who hath bin nicknam d y e smashing memb r , was there, and must needs xrcise himselfe in his odd way, bring- ing scandall on y e occacion. [This was Levi Hubbard, a member much noted for his eccentricities. I have notes respecting him, and hope to introduce a short sketch, some pages hence.] When y e jewesharpes play d hee was soe amaz d y* hee let fly a bigg roll of tabacca and hit one of y e young Indjans on y e head, who thinking it sent as a reward for his skill on y e instrument, was m ch pleas d and play d all y e hard r . " Y e Companie haueing march d beyond y e rayles on y e Rocksberry roade, w d paws in y e shade for rest and refresh 1 . While soe doing, one of M r Hubbard his flits seizing him, he hurl d a great clam w th m ch force, wh ch hitting a tree, shy d off into y e bushes and bounc d into a nest of little wing 11 devills, or as M r Cobet call* y m , hornets. A whole army of y m darted out and w 4 surelie haue put our army to flight had it not bin for shame. W th our guns and our halberds we could not fight such enemys, w ch , though small, were not to be despis d . Their pestigeous stings made som cry out who w d haue met y e fire of bullets w th out moveing. Som roared for very agonie of payn ; som hopped and jumped about like distracted Indjans ; som rolled on y e ground ; som ran to y e little brook for releif of y e terrible burnings ; and som scolded and swore for E* IO6 II. SHINING LIGHTS. very madness, to y e great scandall of y e manie godlie ones present. Capt n Kayne had a grievous sting on y e face, w * 1 sett his nose awry in a most comical way. Y e Ensigne was in great rage, knowing y e cause of y e mischeif, and w th drawn sword rushed vppon M 1 Hubbard, and w d haue don him harme had he not bin restrained. Som others, being a little heady, mayhap from y e drink they had taken, threw off their coats as if to fight som body or som thing, they knew not what. And there was m cl) adew befour peace was restor* 1 . " M r Peters, y e Salem minister, aft r y e agonie had subsided, w d make improvement of y e occacion, re- minding that an enemie may suddainlie spring vpp, and though small and seeminglie but to bee despised make spoyl in any souldjer ranks if pannic be suf- fer* 1 to get y e vpper hand. Courage, w th out diccipline, does little ; and courage and diccipline both togeth r are nigh vppon worthies w th out y e souldjer hath full comand of himselfe. Y e true souldjer, unlike y e hired shedder of blood, hath heart to warr onlie for y e right ; and he alone is invincibl. His horn, his rights and his libertys he clefendeth against enemys w ch might ov r - pow r , w th out y e hand of God, w h is always uplifted for y e right. Yea, haue wee not just scene what a nest of poore despis d hornets may do wh" their horn is invaded and their lives endanger 11 ? Manie oth r wise and godle things did M r Peters utter, and spoke somewh* on y e holie ordinances. "Att Rocksberry they had som xrcise at targett shooting, y e musquetts being well charg d and ringing loudlie off in y e woodes ; but soe manie fireing wide ROBERT KEAYNE. 1 07 of y e marke, and endang r ing y e wounding of those present, M r Peters did pleasantlie say that y e safest place seem d to be close by y e targett. It was well nigh sunsetting when y e Companie return d and drew vp at y 6 door of y e Co r t Hous, for to be dismis d . God be prais d , and giue y e Companie to be a pow r in y e land for protexcion of his people against euery adversarie, wheth r Indjan, Dutch, or Devill. Amen." Mr. Pinion's allusion to "y 6 jewesharpes," needs perhaps a word of explanation. The Indian girl Sunny Wave was frequently in Boston and much allured to the store of Mr. Keayne, where she could feast her eyes on the array of pretty things so attrac- tive to her pale sisters. Sometimes she exchanged wampum, baskets, or any commodity that her scanty store afforded, for his valuables. Among other things she purchased a bright red jacket, which she wore in such jaunty style, with her white flowing plumes, that she made herself an extremely picturesque object. Some said that Mr. Keayne made " two for one " profit on the jacket ; in other words cheated her. But she was so well pleased with her bargain, as she viewed herself in the little toy looking-glass that he threw in with the purchase, that she made no com- plaint. She was sometimes commissioned by others of her tribe to make purchases for them, and brought many to the store with their barter. Indeed it may be said that she was an active little commercial drummer, and the first solicitor of the kind that a Boston mer- chant ever had ; and through her agency the crafty trader was enabled to drive a profitable Indian traffic. IO8 II. SHINING LIGHTS. He always found her perfectly honest, and would have trusted her in any way. Her intelligence enabled her to very well understand a bargain, though it was more difficult to make her understand the advantage of accumulation, or why one should work and strive as the white folk did, to save up for necessities that might never come. He delighted to instruct her in the ways of the white men respecting trade, the value of money, and kindred matters. But his instruction, though fully comprehended, did not strike sufficiently deep to make her deceitful or selfish. But about the jewsharps. On the momentous occasion of the great parade described, just as the Company took up their line of march, what was Capt. Keayne's astonishment to see some forty young In- dians join on to the rear, each with a jewsharp, on which he began to play with might and main. Most of the soldiers broke out in uncontrollable laughter at the ludicrousness of the unexpected scene, for the tawny apparitions strode on with measured step and with a solemnity of countenance that plainly showed they thought themselves playing an important part in a very splendid affair. And they strained their powers to the utmost to bring out the full force of the instruments. But the ire of the Captain was instantly a-blaze, and he determined on punishing the audacious attempt at mockery, as he supposed it, with merited severity, and on the spot. He ordered a halt, and with drawn sword rushed toward the unwelcome recruits. They scattered like sheep before a pursuing wolf over stone walls, through mud holes, and by every short cut to the woods. Pres- ROBERT KEAYNE. ICK) ently not one remained. But a number of jewsharps were gathered up. Captain Keayne carefully examined the recovered instruments for a short time, and then declared that they had been stolen from his store. Had the savages made a raid upon his premises in his absence perhaps murdering the one left in charge, and carrying off all his goods ? The apprehension was almost overpowering, brave soldier as he was. Putting the Lieutenant in command, he hastened back to his store with fear and trembling. And there he found what ? why, the little witch Sunny Wave, sitting behind the counter, calm as a summer morning, embroidering a moccasin ; yet, had he looked closely, he might have noticed just the slightest shade of a twinkle in her bright, merry eye. She was all alone, the attendant having gone off to training, not suppos- ing customers would come on such a holiday. She happened along very opportunely for him, and con- sented to remain, as he did not dare to actually shut up shop. And he had no hesitancy in leaving her in charge, as every body knew her to be entirely trust- worthy. But the mischievous sprite had not been there alone long, when there came down the road, on their way to the training, a large delegation of the young men of the neighboring tribes. In a moment she seized all the jewsharps in the store, that she could lay hands on, and distributed them among her friends, instructing them to fall in at the rear of the Company, and to play with all their might. Five or six little tin horns were added to the harps to eke out the IIO II. SHINING LIGHTS. number, as they were all eager to join the band. As the instruments were supplied from the store of the Captain, they naturally enough concluded that the duty they were called to was in accordance with the programme ; and accepted their part with conscious dignity. When Mr. Keayne arrived at his store, panting, and agitated by the direst apprehensions, there, as just observed, he found Sunny Wave sitting quietly at work. And when he had succeeded in unburdening himself, she, with all the freedom imaginable unbur- dened herself. She told him that she supplied the jewsharps from the store, and should pay for every one that was missing ; adding that she " meant all for very good," and hoped she had done " no wicked." Her innocency at once disarmed the good man of any thing like resentment ; and he was so pleased with what he now really believed was intended to honor him, that he declared he would take no pay from her, and was sorry he had drawn his sword on her friends. And he further propitiated her by the noble gift of six or eight raisins. Then he hastened back to his command, in the best of spirits, leaving the dusky maid still in charge of the store. But for years after he was subjected to flings about his jewsharp band, from the ill-mannered people whom he had the mis- fortune to offend. And I will venture to say of the band itself that the renowned Gilmore never led a company who felt more pride than they when they first fell into rank ; for the Indians were such lovers of music that even the rattlesnake had charms for them. Their pride, however, had a shocking fall ROBERT KEAYNE, III when Captain Keayne charged on them so fiercely with his drawn sword. During the earlier years of the Ancient and Hon- orable Artillery Company, its ranks were adorned by some of the best and most prominent men in the community. Indeed such has been the case through its whole history ; a circumstance which has always given it character, and placed it beyond the fears and suspicions entertained at the time of its organization the fact that Governor Andros was afraid of it being decidedly in its favor. That it was of great benefit in regulating the discipline of the colonial military there is no doubt. Some of the most eminent of the commanders in the French and Indian wars were members, and it was long recognized as a school of tactics. And even at this day when we may perhaps say that its usefulness has ended and it has become merely a dignified plaything historians and genealogists are accustomed to esteem membership an honor worthy of particular mention. For a great many years, every member of the Company was required to furnish two bondsmen probably as sureties for good behavior, and for the payment of dues. And now, while military affairs are under consider- ation, it is pertinent to introduce a few of the regu- lations established by the General Court, for the purpose of giving an insight into several matters connected with the discipline of the colonial soldiery at a later period. They are selected from the " Lawes and Ordinances of Warr, passed by the General Court of Massachusetts, [October 13, 1675,] for the better 112 II. SHINING LIGHTS. regulating their forces, and keeping theire souldjers to theire duty, and to prevent prophaness, that iniquity may be kept out of the campe." It will be recollected that 1675 was the time of King Philip's war. " Let no man presume to blaspheme the holy and blessed Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, vpon payne to haue his tongue bored w th a hott iron. ^[ "Vnlawfull oathes and execrations and scandalous acts, in derogation of Gods honour, shall be punished w th losse of pay and other punishment, at discretion. ^| " All those who often and wilfully absent themselves from the publick worship of God and prayer shall be proceeded against at discretion. ^| " No man shall presume to quarrel w th his superiour officers vpon pajne of casheiring and arbitrary punishment ; nor to strike any such vpon payne of death. ^[ " No man shall resist, draw, lift, or offer to draw or lift, his weapon against his officer, correcting him orderly, for his defence vpon pajne of death. ^[ " No man shall vtter any words of sedition or mutiny, vpon pajne of death. ^[ " Drunkenes in an officer shall be punished w th losse of place, and in a private souldier shall be pun- ished w th such punishment as a Court Martiall shall thinke fitt. ^[ " Rapes, rauishments, unnatural abuses and adultery shall be punished with death. ^[ " Theft, robbery, shall be punished w th restitution, and other- wise w th discretion. ^[ " Murder shall be expiated w th the death of the murderer. ^[ " If any shall negligently lose or sinfully play away theire armee at dice or cards, or other wayes, they shall be kept as pyone r s or scavingers till they furnish themselues with ROBERT KEAYNE. 113 as good armes. ^[ " None shall presume to spoyle, sell, or carry away any amunition comitted vnto him, vpon payne of death. *[[ " No souldier shall outstay his passe w th out a cirtifficat of the occasion vnder the hand of a magistrate, vpon payne of loosing his pay. "By grievous punishment is meant disgraceing, by casheiring, the strappadoe, or riding the wooden horse to fetch blood. ^[ "Arbitrary punishment, or pun- ishment at discretion, is meant not to extend to hazard life or limbe." I have had occasion elsewhere to remark that the General Court was no respecter of persons. No matter how high a position an individual maintained, or however valuable his services may have been, if he transgressed the laws it went hard with him. There was no back door through which the rich delinquent could escape, as some miserable grumblers pretend is the case in these days of vigorous patriotism and subdued selfishness. Mr. Keayne was accustomed to keep for sale at his store in Boston, articles of almost every description in common use. Now it was a weakness of some of the shopkeepers in those days, occasionally to give way to the temptation to charge a large profit on their goods, as large, indeed, as the necessity of the customer would induce him to pay ; a weakness that it is agreeable to observe modern shopkeepers tower far above. And the evil attained to such a growth that the people in their innocency called it extortion, and the Court set about enacting laws for its restraint ; laws in the nature of what we call sumptuary, though 8 114 II. SHINING LIGHTS. I do not know that that abused word then caused much fluttering or distress. Unfortunately, Mr. Keayne, not being sufficiently watchful of the acquisitive propensity, fell into the evil habit under notice. A few words from Win- throp's journal will show how the matter stood. And here it may be remarked that this and our other extracts from that much prized work are from Savage's edition, wherein the orthography is modernized. This modernizing is a matter of taste ; but the peculiarities of the old style as they appear in the jottings of Mr. Pinion, for instance, seem to me rather more in keep- ing. Winthrop, then, says : " At a General Court holden at Boston, great com- plaint was made of the oppression used in the country in the sale of foreign commodities ; and Mr. Robert Keayne, who kept a shop in Boston, was notoriously above others observed and complained of; and being convented, he was charged with many particulars ; in some, for taking above six pence in the shilling profit ; in some, above eight pence ; and in some small things, above two for one ; and being hereof convict, (as appears by the records,) he was fined ^200, which came thus to pass : The Deputies considered, apart, of his fine, and set it at ^200 ; the Magistrates agreed but to 100. So the Court being divided, at length it was agreed that his fine should be 200, but he should pay but 100, and the other should be respited to the further consideration of the next Gen- eral Court. By this means the Magistrates and Dep- uties were brought to an accord, which otherwise had not been likely, and so much trouble might have ROBERT KEAYNE. 115 grown, and the offender escaped censure. For the cry of the country was so great against oppression, and some of the elders and Magistrates had declared such detestation of the corrupt practice of this man (which was the more observable, because he was wealthy and sold dearer than most other tradesmen, and for that he was of ill-report for the like covetous practice in England, that incensed the Deputies very much against him.) And sure the course was very evil, especial circumstances considered : I. He being an ancient professor of the gospel : 2. A man of eminent parts : 3. Wealthy and having but one child : 4. Having come over for conscience' sake, and for the advancement of the gospel here : 5. Hav- ing been formerly dealt with and admonished, both by private friends and also by some of the Magistrates and elders, and having promised reformation ; being a member of a church and commonwealth now in their infancy, and under the curious observation of all churches and civil states in the world. These added much aggravation to his sin in the judgment of all men of understanding." After the sentence of the Court, Mr. Keayne had the ordeal of the church to go through. And before that body, as the author just quoted from says, " he did with tears acknowledge and bewail his covetous and corrupt heart, yet making some excuse for many of the particulars which were charged upon him, as partly by pretense of ignorance of the true price of some wares, and chiefly by being misled by some false principles, as : i. That if a man lost in one commodity he might help himself in the price of Il6 II. SHINING LIGHTS. another : 2. That if through want of skill or other occasion, his commodity cost him more than the price of the market in England, he might then sell it for more than the price of the market in New England, etc." That sort of wholesome repentance might be recommended for the Boston shopkeepers of this day could it by any possibility be imagined that they were ever guilty of taking too high a price for their goods. Mr. Keayne was a brother-in-law of the Rev. Mr. Wilson ; a fact which might have had some slight influence on the action of the church, for he was only admonished by that body, though there was a strong effort made to excommunicate him. It should be mentioned, however, that the occasion was seized on by that other puritanical light, Rev. Mr. Cotton, to lay open what he conceived to be some of the false principles acted upon in trade, and also to announce certain true principles. And he in reality sets his standard at a most commendable elevation. For the benefit especially of our worthy friends the shopkeep- ers I will here introduce some points of his lecture : These are false principles : " i. That a man might sell as dear as he can, and buy as cheap as he can. 2. If a man lose by casualty of sea, etc., in some of his commodities, he may raise the price of the rest. 3. That he may sell as he bought, though he paid too dear, etc., and though the commodity be fallen, etc. 4. That, as a man may take advantage of his own skill or ability, so he may of another's ignorance or necessity. 5. Where one gives time for payment, he is to take like recompense of one as another." These are true principles : " I. A man may not ROBERT KEAYNE. 1 1/ sell above the current price, i. e. such a price as is usual in the time and place, and as another (who knows the worth of the commodity) would give for it if he had occasion to use it ; as that is called current money, which every man will take, etc. 2. When a man loseth in his commodity for want of skill, etc., he must look at it as his own fault or cross, and therefore must not lay it upon another. 3. Where a man loseth by casualty of sea, or, etc., it is a loss cast upon himself by providence, and he may not ease himself of it by casting it upon another ; for so a man should seem to provide against all providences, etc., that he should never lose ; but where there is a scarcity of the commodity, there men may raise their price ; for now it is a hand of God upon the commo- dity, and not the person. 4. A man may not ask any more for his commodity than his selling price, as Ephron to Abraham, the land is worth thus much." A man who heartily complies with all these true principles, may be considered as having attained the very alpine height of honest dealing and need no longer cry excelsior. But we are constrained to add that if every trader who trespassed upon them were expelled from the churches, there would not be enough left to shovel the snow from the doors in winter. It seems as if the venerable preacher could not have considered the third point in his true principles, in all its bearings ; or did not foresee how often, in our day, the hand of the speculator and monopolist, instead of the hand of God, was the only apparent agency in creating a scarcity. But we thank him for his high toned morality. The prevailing sentiment of this I.I 8 II. SHINING LIGHTS. age would not require all that he proposes ; but if he is too strict we are too loose. Most people, now, I suppose, would regard as rather sublimated the moral- ity that would require a man who has lost his property, to respect the loss as a special providence, and any attempt to regain it an impiety, on the ground that it would be endeavoring to defeat God's purpose ; but this only shows our abandonment of good old puritanical doctrine. And here, were we disposed to moralize, a favorable opportunity is presented. That low, but overflowing class who make the attainment of wealth the great purpose of life are certainly worthy objects of pity ; for they occupy themselves in gathering what can never be enjoyed excepting in the dispensing. Fools may gather wealth and it is they who hold on to it after it is gathered, as life's end and purpose. The wise only know how to use it, treating it as a means, not an end. The recently deceased London banker, and New Englander by birthright, has come to be reckoned one of the truest lights that ever adorned the firmament of wealth ; and when he shot from his sphere he left a bright mark which will not for many generations fade away. Princes and lords were in his funeral train, and a requiem was chanted over him within walls where rest the noblest poets, statesmen, heroes and sovereigns the world has known ; and his praises filled two continents. This was not because he was a rich man, but because he employed his riches in a way that good men and wise men every where approved. A great many men as rich as he have died and were never heard of after. ROBERT KEAYNE. 119 But it may be remarked that they were accustomed to admit in all courts, yea, in the General Court itself, testimony of the loosest character, and such as would not be allowed at this day in any court that was not literally an inferior one. There was an example in the case of Mr. Keayne. Savage, in speaking of it, says he saw an affidavit of one Thomas Wiltshire, stating that for work done at Capt. Keayne's house, there was due him thirty-eight shillings, and that Keayne sold him a piece of broadcloth, "which he said was Spanish broadcloth, and delivered for pay- ment to this deponent at seventeen shillings per yard, the which cloth this deponent showed to Henry Shrimpton, and he said it was not worth above ten shillings per yard, for it was but cloth rash, and so said Goodman Read, and his wife _ showed a waistcoat of the same kind of cloth, which cost but nine shillings per yard, and in this deponent's judgment was better cloth ; and this deponent showed the same cloth to Mr. Rock, and he said it was worth but ten shillings per yard, for it was but cloth rash, and this deponent showed it also to Mr. Stoddard and he said likewise that it was cloth rash, and was not worth above ten shillings per yard, and was dear enough at that price, or words to that effect." But it is fair to give Mr. Keayne himself a chance to say something in his justification or defense. His will may be found among the Suffolk records, in Boston, and is certainly a gem for the curious. It was written by his own hand, and occupies a hundred and fifty-eight folio pages. In it, he allows a wide scope to his pen, defending himself against slanders, I2O II. SHINING LIGHTS. rebuking his enemies, extolling his friends, explaining his faith, expressing his regard for his pet child, the Artillery Company, and in short touching on whatever he seems to have thought necessary to set himself right before the world he was about to leave ; enli- vening the whole with right and left lampoons, for which his approaching exit would prevent retaliation. Alluding to the " haynous offence," as he calls it, of selling goods at too great a profit, for which the Court had imposed such a heavy punishment, he says : " For selling a good bridle for 2s. ; now worse are sold without offence for 3^. and 6d. ; nayles for yd. and 8 III. THE WORKERS AND THEIR WORKS. and if the head cannot understand it, it is certain that the stomach can. We hear, even in scripture, of bowels of compassion ; but I think nothing is said about brains of compassion. Perhaps Mr. Stone remembered this when he set about preparing his banquet. But whatever Mr. Stone's persuasives, views, or motives were, the eyes of the committee fairly glis- tened when they beheld the preparations made for them. They found the floor of the bakery swept as clean as birch broom could make it, the meal-chest nicely covered with a cloth of bleached tow, and the clean-ribbed molasses keg in the corner, benignantly smiling upon the modest yest-jar. The table on which their repast was to be served was drawn up in front of the great oven wherein already crackled an enormous pile of faggots ; and the dame, arrayed in her best attire, was marshaling the white maple- wood trenchers upon it, with here and there a shining pewter dish. Obsequiously did Mr. Stone greet the dignitaries, who advanced with the air of ministers plenipoten- tiary, and invited them to at once commence their examination ; supplementary intimating that some humble hospitality would await them at the close of their labors. He pointed to the kneeding-trough, the yest-jar, the scales ; and then, with a circular turn of the arm, which seemed to be intended as a sort of and-so-forth movement, covering the whole premises, he turned to his work as if he were the least concerned of them all, as to what discoveries might be made. They moused around for a while, WHOLESOME PROVISIONS. $01 and when it got to be setting-in time the fire was allowed to die away. The old slice was wielded so vigorously that scarcely a shade had passed over the bright glow of the oven ribs, when all was ready for the grand closing, an operation which the committee were very curious in observing. Near the mouth, a savory dish or two that needed but little cooking, were placed, convenient to be withdrawn in a mo- ment, as they were to add their graces to the banquet, the chief elements of which had been for some time merrily revolving on the great jack-spit before the kitchen fire. In the course of their examination, the committee had the luck to fall upon a little cupboard which was well supplied with the various meritorious drinkables of the day sparkling cider, malt liquors, and some of the still more energetic beverages from the stills of Barbadoes. And that cupboard became an object of such peculiar interest that they kept returning to it, sometimes one by one and sometimes in a body, so frequently that it soon became evident to Mr. Stone that their research had developed something with which they were peculiarly pleased. The Salem member was observed at the cupboard rather more frequently than the others, and by degrees he became very mirthful, cutting up odd pranks of various kinds. Every now and then he would salute the host with a ringing slap on the back, and greet him as an honest fellow, who never in his life stinted a loaf, and who should have a report that would leave him whiter than his finest wheat loaf. And then he would be seized by an irresistible inclination to try his musical 3O2 III. THE WORKERS AND THEIR WORKS. powers, favoring them with -songs and snatches much better fitted for the groggery below than the respect- able precincts of the bakery. He jumped up and swung on the door till he came near wrenching it from its hinges ; and in divers other similarly eccen- tric ways gave vent to the exuberance of his spirits. Presently he went out and began to perambulate the surroundings, keeping his friends advised of his whereabouts, by an occasional startling vociferation. Finally, however, there came an interval of ominous silence. And then came vehement outcries ; wild screeches, which made those within fear that some dire calamity had fallen upon him. They rushed out as soon as a lighted lantern could be procured for it was now dark and found him mounted on the bulging oven, at the rear of the house, shouting defi- ance to imaginary foes who were attacking his imag- aginary castle. They tried to calm him ; but their efforts seemed rather to increase his excitement. At last they resolved to climb up and take him by main force, lest the whole neighborhood should become alarmed, and disgrace settle upon them all. Two of the most powerful and courageous, there- fore, rushed up the steep side of the oven and made an attempt to seize him. But he had no idea of surrendering without a struggle. And they at once closed in with him. The conflict, though of momen- tary continuance was violent, and terribly disastrous in its effects ; for as neither party seemed disposed to yield, the oven itself concluded to. The whole crown gave way, and down went the three combatants into the fiery bowels, right among the unsuspecting loaves WHOLESOME PROVISIONS. 303 and banquet dishes. It was a terrible disaster, meas- ured by the character of the property destroyed, but far more terrible measured by the amount of human agony produced. Yet there was something so un- speakably ludicrous in it that Mr. Stone was so touched that he could not avoid turning to the wall, uttering a low chuckle and muttering something about Shadrach, Meshech and Abednego, before he could once think of doing anything for the relief of the sufferers. But their shrieks soon aroused him ; and not only him but the whole neighborhood. Mrs. Stone ran tearing down the road to the groggery, summoning every body by the way ; and soon the bakery was the scene of an activity that spoke most favorably for the human- ity of the people. The unfortunate gentlemen were speedily extri- cated, though in a fearfully damaged condition. All the doctors were summoned ; and among them came divers old women with bundles of herbs. Their burns and scalds were very serious, though no fatal results followed. It is said that it is an ill wind that blows nobody good ; but by this rule that was an ill wind, unless the feast afforded the pigs and poultry by the spoiled comestibles gives it a different charac- ter. The sufferers were skillfully bandaged, and as soon as possible despatched for their several homes. But a comical error occurred in the delivery. They were so swathed and bound up, so seared and peeled, so discolored and disfigured, that it was difficult to distinguish one from the other, and two were left at the wrong places. Nor was it till some days p.fter that the wives ascertained that they had been affec- 304 HI. THE WORKERS AND THEIR WORKS. tionately nursing the wrong husbands. The mistake, however, was regarded in its proper light, and the patients were speedily exchanged. The oven remained in its dilapidated condition till the Court could send another committee to estimate the damages, which were considered a proper public charge. What the bread committee's final report was, there is no way of determining, from any thing that appears on the records. The Court appointed still another committee to see that the oven, when it was rebuilt, was safely constructed, and placed beneath the roof. It was done accordingly. And then the spring flowers, and the dandelions, and the topers from the groggery, lost their warm nestling place. It was remarked that Mr. Stone made some wheat bread. And the comely white loaves were held in such estimation that they passed as currency, depre- ciating with age. He took an almost childish pride in them, and was so overcome when the Court passed the cruel order forbidding those of his trade to make wheat bread, that he sat down on the three legged stool before the oven fire and relieved himself by a hearty, blubbering cry. The prohibition was in fact a piece of patriotic self-denial. It was not that they did not love the nice white loaves, but that they could exchange the wheat for foreign commodities which they had not other means to purchase articles of prime necessity as they deemed them ; such as rum and molasses from the West Indies, and woolen cloths from England. The prohibitory order was as follows : WHOLESOME PROVISIONS. 305 " Forasmuch as it appeareth to this Court that wheate is like to bee a staple comodity & that a ship is w th all convenient speede to bee set fourth, & fraited w th wheate, for the fetching in of such foraine comodi- ties as wee stand in need of, it is therefore ordered, that after the last day of this present 8 th month no baker, ordinary keeper, or other person, shall bake to sell, or set to sale, any bread or cakes made of wheate meale, or wherein any wheate meale shalbee put, upon paine to forfeit double the valewe thereof. And the cunstables of every towne are hearby required to see that this order bee observed, & that they shall make seizure of all such bread so set to sale, & dis- tribute the same to the poore." [Court Records, Oct. 7, 1641. Under this order, the poor had several opportuni- ties to taste the dainty loaves of Mr. Stone, for he persisted in producing them till the forfeitures made such inroads on his profits that he was compelled to relinquish the contest. It indeed turned out with him much as it has in our day turned out with many who have against law persisted in selling intoxicating liquors not so much as relates to Boston, perhaps, for the humane people there have been chary of interfering with the honest traffic. There was, however, a provi- sion that it should " bee lawfull for any to make or sell any biskit of wheate meale for the use of ships." And under this, Mr. Stone long continued to exercise his skill on ship-bread. We cannot better close on this topic than by giving a brief account of the result of the following singular 20 3O6 III. THE WORKERS AND THEIR WORKS. though eminently judicious Court order which was passed not long after the order last quoted : " Y e Co r te ordered y* a prize of 5^- bee p d to y e maid or houscwyfe y* shall make & send in y e best sample of bread, by y e 12 of y e next moneth, noe wheate meale being us d ." [Pinion's Journal. The purpose of this order was to improve the making of bread generally, and to show- what accept- able an article could be produced without the use of wheat It excited great emulation among the ladies of Boston. The order was not limited as to territory. But the country dames found difficulties in the way of striving for the prize, though a good number en-tered the list. The exhibition day was evidently a day of great interest and great expectations, and appears to have drawn together a large collection of people from all quarters and all classes. But let us give Mr. Pinion's graphic account of the proceedings : " W th divers boards taken from y e back side of y e building, wee made a spatious table in y l middest of y c Co r te roome floore, whereon y e woemen sett fourth y e dainty loafs ; and a most pretious show did they make. Som were bro* in baskitts, som on tren- chers, som on platters and in pans, and som on squares of clean hemlock barque ; and many were begirt w th flow's and green twigs. And all were so neat and cleane y l y* Gov nr was forc d to say, over and over againe y' hee was well pleas d , and y l y e show boded m ch good. WHOLESOME PROVISIONS. 307 " Som of y* loafs were made of corne meale, som of barley, and som of oate meale. And w th y e meale, in som was wrought boyl d pumpkin, and artichoke, & dyvers dry" 3 berries, and other savoury meats. But not one loaf of wheate bread was there among y e whole, save that Goodwyfe Stone must needs thrust in a big dish of their famous shipp bread, w ch in sooth is m ch approved, and sought after even by y e shipps from England. " Euery loaf had y e maker hir name vppon itt, save one, w** had a place nigh y e middest of y e table, and vf^ drew y e eyes of all. Itt was y e biggest of all, and shap d like a pearamidd or Indjan lodge. Itt was in a curious Indjan baskitt, nestling amid beauteous flow r s ; y e baskitt itself being so richly wrought about w* shells and shining stones and wampum strings, a.nd so fringed around w th bright feathers, y l y e Gov nr declared itt was of itself a wonderfull show. Butt noe one could tell where itt came from, y e door keeper saying y l hee found itt just w th in ye doore, early in y 6 morning, and noe one by. Y e loafe was made of pounded corne, as was surmis d , finer y n any mill hearabouts could grinde, and had divers small fruits kneaded inn. And itt was so cleaverly bak d y 1 som would haue itt y* itt must haue com from M r Stone his ov n . But hee certifyed to y m that itt did nott, th hee should bee proud if itt had. M r Gott say d att once y 1 itt was y e work of y e devill, and butt a trapp and snare mayhap y e devill his very sacramental bread. And he warned all agaynst tasteing thereof. Whereuppon y e Gov nr sayd y 1 if y e devill made itt hee would be right glad to ingage him for a pastry cook ; 3O8 III. THE WORKERS AND THEIR WORKS. w cb saying brought down m ch laughter vpon M r Gott, to his great chagreen. " Wh n all y e loafs hadd been bro 1 in, enow time was giuen for y e woemen & all others to examine y m & see wherein their owne might bee improv d , and to talk over, one w th another, y e whole matter. Then y e memb r s all stood around, and y e chairman w th a bigg knyfe cutt first one loafe and then another, quicklie passing y e pieces about for to bee examin d . And all smell d , and tasted, and roll d fragments in their hands, and exercis d themselues as they tho* best, till sattis- fyed. Then they were call d vpon, one by one, to give in their judgments as to w* sh d take y e prize. And euery one agreed y* y e noble loafe in y e Indjan baskitt sh d bee y e one. " Butt noe body c d tell who bro 1 y e same, till y* New Towne memb r sayd y* comeing in earlie, by y e light of y e moone he descried an Indjan, w ch hee took to bee Arrow John, dodging about neare y e Howse, in y* shadow of y e trees, and haueing something in his hands m ch in size like y e baskitt and loafe befoar them. And hee surmis d y l y e offering they all soe m ch won- dered att, was y e handiworke of his dafter Sunny Wave, who hee had heard M r Eliot say was marvel- lous in prepareing meats. Some of y e dames would not believe y* an Indjan girle could soe outdoe y m all, and sayd y 1 itt sh d bee truely known, y l shee made y e bread befoar y e prize was giuen to hir. Som one saying y l Arrow John had butt then pass d downe y e roade hee was sought for and presently bro* inn ; and being certify d how matters stood, with m ch pride declar* 1 y l y e loafe was indeed Sunny Wave hir make, WHOLESOME PROVISIONS. 309 whereto Captain Keayne w d bear testimony, as shee made it in his kitchen. They being all sattisfy d , y* chief was bidden to send his dafter to y e Gov nr for y 6 prize. "All agreed y l m ch good came of ye show ; and wee haue had aboundance of good bread ev r since. God bee prais d for our good bread and good preaching ; and may wee ev r haue enow of both, to y e sattisfying of our poore starving bodys and soules. Amen." Thus early was the important art of bread making attended to, in Boston. And " Boston bread " soon attained an enviable reputation ; a reputation which has been maintained to this day. And wo be to the abandoned wretch who shall be the first to give way to the temptation to tarnish that estimable reputation. Extravagance in food received the reprehension of the Court at an early period. The making of good, wholesome bread, as we have seen, was encouraged. But rich cakes and fancy breads were held in high dis- favor ; chiefly, no doubt, on account of the cost. The following order, passed two years before the admoni- tion to Mr. Stone, is the only sample of legislation on the subject that can now be given : " It is ordered, also, that no person shall sell any cakes or buns, either in the markets or victualling houses, or elswheare, vpon paine of x j - fine ; provided that this order shall not extend to such cakes as shal- bee made for any buriall, or marriage, or such like speciall occation." [Court Records, Nov. 20, 1637. 3IO III. THE WORKERS AND THEIR WORKS. Still another kind of Wholesome Provisions which received the attention of the Court was that which related to " braverie of apparrall," and other personal decorations. And to that, for a short time, we must direct attention. Mr. Pinion remarks : " Y e Cote must needes keepe passing orders about braverie in apparrall, weareing of long haire, and big boots, y e cutt of garments, and such like, till manie do grievously complaine, y* they haue noe libertie of their owne bodys, wh l they shall eate, wh l they shall drincke, or wh l they shall putt on. [Pinion's Journal. Much discussion has been held and will no doubt be held in all future time as to the expediency or propriety of any legislative body undertaking to limit the taste and personal expenditures of individuals, or regulate any of the smaller matters of the domestic economy. People must differ in these things, for they are endowed with different tastes, desires, and propensi- ties loves, hopes, and fears. And so long as there is nothing criminal manifested, why not allow the largest liberty ? Example is something, to be sure ; but are not moral restraints better than legal, in these matters ? Some are naturally generous, others cov- etous ; some industrious, others indolent ; some neat, others slovenly ; some refined, others gross ; some proud, others humble ; some amiable, others waspish. And again : some love beef, others mutton ; some admire long hair, others short ; and so on, through WHOLESOME PROVISIONS. 311 an endless catalogue. And it seems unreasonable to attempt to compel all to conform to one rule. What to a parsimonious mind would seem extrava- gance might to a liberal one seem the very reverse. And while one has no aspirations for any thing better than delving on for the sake of gaining riches to hoard up, his neighbor may pity his mean infatuation, and strive for himself to gain those higher enjoyments which are only attainable through virtuous principles and mental cultivation. The delver might consider twelve hours too short a day for manual labor, while the other might deem eight hours too long. But right or wrong, the General Court did at an early day, attempt to regulate the domestic and per- sonal affairs of the settlers in a way that would at this day occasion some loud scolding, to say the least. To them, however, these concerns commended them- selves as of leading importance. They were founding a new community, and in their experimental adjusting of the parts, were naturally anxious and curious in details. Some of the sumptuary laws of the Colony which are by most people passed over as only worthy of being perused for amusement, really furnish matter worthy of serious pondering. And it may be fairly questioned whether the General Court at the present day, though it does up the thing in a rather more genteel way, is not constantly interfering with affairs of a mere private character, which would much better regulate themselves. And it might be further ques- tioned whether a season closes without the passage of acts which if carefully considered in all their bearings would not appear quite as absurd as any we shall 312 III. THE WORKERS AND THEIR WORKS. quote from the ancient records. But it should be constantly borne in mind that what may appear inap- propriate and ridiculous at one time, may at another seem fit and reasonable. The chief purpose of the following order, so far as it relates to apparel, seems to have been to prevent extravagance. But the wearing of long hair must have been prohibited from another cause ; and I sup- pose that was, its being deemed immodest and hea- thenish. In the absence of some reason beyond supposed immodesty, we do not see why they might not as well have passed an order forbidding people to scratch their own heads. But the law evidently failed to extinguish the dishonored custom, for in 1649 the Governor and Assistants signed a protest against the then prevailing custom of wearing long hair, " after the manner of ruffians and barbarous Indians." " The Court, takeing into consideracon the greate, superfluous, & vnnecessary expences occacioned by reason of some newe & imodest fashions, as also the ordinary weareing of silver, golde & silke laces, girdles, hatbands, &c., hath therefore ordered that noe person, either man or woman, shall hereafter make or buy any apparell, either wollen, silke, or lynnen, with any lace on it, siluer, golde, silke, or thread, vnder the penalty of forfecture of such cloathes, &c. Also, that noe person either man or woman, shall make or buy any slashed cloathes, other than one slash in each sleeue, and another in the backe ; also, all cuttworks, imbroydered or needle worke capps, bands, & rayles, are forbidden hereafter to be made or worne, vnder WHOLESOME PROVISIONS. . 313 the aforesaid penalty ; also all golde or silver girdles, hattbands, belts, ruffs, beav r hatts, are prohibited to be bought & worne hereafter, vnder the aforesaid penalty, &c. Moreouer it is agreed, if any man shall iudge the weareing of any the forenamed particulars, newe fashions, or longe haire, or any thing of the like nature, to be vncomely, or prejudicall to the comon good, & the party offending reforme not the same vpon notice giuen him, that then the nexte Assistant, being informed thereof, shall haue power to binde the party soe offending to answer it att the nexte Courte, if the case so requires ; provided & it is the meaneing of the Court that men and women shall haue liberty to weare out such apparell as they are nowe provided of, (except the imoderate greate sleeues, slashed apparell, imoderate greate rayles, longe wings, &c.)" [Court Records, Sept. 3, 1634. Under the operation of the "forfecture" clause, quite a store of finery seems to have accumulated on the hands of the official at Boston into whose custody the forfeited articles went. And there is an account of a crazy woman, who, in ransacking about, one Sunday morning, lit upon the place of deposit, and not being able to resist the opportunity to make a sensation among the fashionables, proceeded at once to array herself in the most extraordinary manner. Gold bands and gay ribbons adorned her head, which also bore an enormous embroidered cap, from beneath which dangled tails of divers colored hair, reaching half way down her back. Slashed sleeves, which she had ruthlessly torn from a rich dress, encased her N 3 14 HI. . THE WORKERS AND THEIR WORKS. arms. A broad silver girdle encircled her waist A pair of scarlet silk gloves, glittering with golden stars, were upon her hands. And upon her feet she drew a pair of men's boots, of enormous size, all gayly ornamented with figures and stitching of yellow and red and green, the pointed toes turning up more than half an ell. It was wonderful how she managed even to walk in such a harness. But off she strode, with arms swinging and head proudly erect, straight for the meeting-house. Daintily lifting her skirts suffi- ciently high to afford a glimpse of her gold-wrought garters, she sped along, and eluding the vigilance of the sexton, suddenly as an apparition appeared in the midst of the congregation. Looking about, she piped out " Ay, make broad your phylacteries ! Fash- ion before godliness ! " Then, happening to cast her eyes upon the up-staring boot toes, she added in a still louder voice, " Toes up for dancing ! Fun before preaching ! " The old men opened their drowsy eyes, and the young folk began to twitter. The minister stood aghast. But the pompous old tything man, having a responsibility in the matter, was instantly on his feet. Irreverently exclaiming " I'll broad phil-hactery you, you wild bedlamite ! " he sprang toward her with a readiness evincing a determination to do his whole duty, which in this case he had a good relish for, as she had continued for a long time to hold him up as a mark for unmeasured lingual abuse, and had even once got him into the stocks by so provoking him that he knocked her over a log. She perceived his purpose, as he started toward her, and adroitly elud- WHOLESOME PROVISIONS. 315 ing his grasp, rushed up one aisle and down another, her newly-donned finery flaunting in the faces of the amused worshipers, right and left. He pursued with all his might, puffing, and limping with his lame leg. But if he was a natural cripple, she had made herself an artificial one by the unwieldy boots she had equip- herself with ; and so the race was about equal. At every interval when she could gain breath, she would shriek out some venomous slander or damaging truth touching her pursuer, which stimulated him to still more energetic effort. And had it not been for the sanctity of the time and place, no doubt the parties would have been spurred on still further by partisan plaudits and cheers. And so she led him on in an exciting chase about the house, till at length the open door, lying in their route, she dodged out, and sped off, up the lane, he still pursuing ; the two presenting rather an excep- tionable spectacle for holy time. How long the race would have continued, or where it would have led to, no one can tell, had it not been brought to an abrupt termination by his hitting his foot against a stump and precipitating himself violently forward, his head dashing into a cluster of sturdy young oaks that had sprung up from the stump of their departed mother. They readily separated for the ingress of the head, but spitefully closed up as soon as it was there, and obstinately refused to yield for its egress. And there he was, as firmly held as ever poor wight in the pil- lory. It was one of those extraordinary accidents that will occasionally occur an illustration of the fact that men do sometimes find themselves suddenly 3l6 III. THE WORKERS AND THEIR WORKS. and by most unexpected means in very tight places. He gave a shriek, which caused the woman to turn around. In a moment she seemed to comprehend his misfortune ; and then all her womanly symathies were excited. She hastened to him and endeavored to release him from his strange imprisonment ; but her strength was insufficient, as it needed that he should be lifted bodily. He was simply a prisoner, however, suffering no particular torture. Yet he was completely in the power of his old adversary, and did not know what insane promptings might lead her to do. She however manifested nothing but kindly feeling, and as she could not extricate him tried to make him comfortable where he lay. But looking down upon his old crippled leg, her curiosity became uncontrollably excited. She had derisively imitated the locomotive vagaries of that hampered limb many and many a time, at the street corners, to the edifi- cation of mirthful boys and chagrin of its owner. It was now in her power ; but she only stooped down, gently removed the shoe and stocking, and contem- plated it in all its withered proportions. Then she felt of it, tracing the sinews along the leg and slowly working the toes, he lying quietly all the while, prob- ably deeming it safest to make no motion that might cause excitement. Having satisfied her curiosity, and apparently solved a question that had for years dis- turbed her dreams, she carefully drew on the stocking and replaced the shoe. Then she arose, and without uttering a word, hastened off for assistance, presently returning with a couple of neighbors. The prisoner was soon released. And as he arose WHOLESOME PROVISIONS. 317 to his feet, her excitement returned in all its vigor, and she darted off at the top of her speed, though none pursued. After this adventure a more safe depository for the confiscated toggery was speedily procured. It does not appear whether the articles so surreptitiously obtained by the insane woman were ever recovered, excepting the big boots, which were picked up in the road, she having kicked them off early in her out-door flight. Under the clause which allowed such as were already possessed of the proscribed articles, the privi- lege of wearing them out, many continued to appear in peacock attire, till the last, being very careful in repairing. Indeed the fable of the boy's jacknife had many illustrations. It may be a wonder with some, how any, in that day of limited means and small skill, could obtain such rich apparel. Of course it was chiefly import- ed ; some they brought with them, and some was sent over by adventurous speculators, in an unfin- ished condition, to be further wrought here. A little lace was made by hand, and some embroidery. No doubt much time, in the aggregate, was wasted by the young ladies, over fancy work. And it was not a matter that could be viewed without grief by the authorities set to watch the interests of a community circumstanced as this then was ; a community where- in it was necessary that all should do their utmost in some useful avocation. Our time presents a very different aspect of affairs. But it may not be imper- 3l8 III. THE WORKERS AND THEIR WORKS. tinent to ask if young ladies now do not occasionally waste an hour, that they might more enjoyably spend in some beneficial labor. Nay, are there not those who never try to do a useful thing during their whole lives ? No, indeed ; that is foul slander ! A few years after the last-quoted enactment, the matter of dress was again before the Court. Short sleeves, great breeches, knots of ribbon, and other enormities quite as worthy of reprehension had ap- peared, to the great scandal of the rulers. It will not probably be deemed entirely unprofitable if we here briefly detail, in further illustration of our subject, an incident that occurred in the experience of Nippy Curlup, the tailor, who was at this time vegetating in Boston, but who was the same individ- ual mentioned on page 233, as having been so unce- remoniously submerged by Arrow John in the tub of blue dye at Mr. Armitage's tavern. This Nippy Curlup was a little crook-backed fellow whose shop was the front room of a shabby dwelling, which stood on the west side of the Roxbury road. It was near the rail fence that ran across the neck, from water to water, on the boundary line between the two towns. There was a good deal of speculation, by the way, as to the original purpose of this fence. Some thought it was put there to keep off the Rox- bury people ; but if that were the object it must have been expected that it would be accomplished by way of hint rather than barricade ; though why they should want to keep off their best customers and best pro- viders, is unexplained. It was there for no such purpose, but no doubt simply to keep off the Roxbury WHOLESOME PROVISIONS. 319 wolves. True, one would think that an open rail fence would afford but slight protection against the incursions of such depraved though ingenious brutes ; yet it was a fact well 'known to the settlers, that wolves and even foxes were extremely shy of rail fences, probably taking them to be some kind of traps. It took the unsophisticated brutes of America a long while to fathom the ingenious devices of the European settlers for their destruction. There are the crows, who sustain a high reputation in the world for sagacity ; they to this day, dare not set foot in a cornfield around which is drawn a simple thread at a height of half a score feet. There was an evil reputation hanging about the neighborhood in which Mr. Curlup was located. It was reputed to have been the scene of divers witch revels the devilish arts of witchcraft, as is well known, having been vehemently suspected long before the terrible events of 1692 ; indeed from the first days of the settlement. Cloven foot-prints had been discovered in the alder copse just back of the house. And direful smells were sometimes encountered by those who had occasion to pass that way, particularly on a summer night, when the tide was low. And some affirmed that on warm evenings, when in the vicinity they had frequently heard bullets whiz about their ears ; and not hearing the report of any guns, they concluded that the mysterious skirmishers must be devils. Nippy was one dull evening, just after dark, seated in artistic fashion on his shop board, working away with all his might upon a modest wedding garment 32O III. THE WORKERS AND THEIR WORKS. which his fellow-townsman, Philip Grosse, who was to be married in a few days, had ordered. He had more than one reason for being anxious to get the work done in time ; the pay would be ample and prompt ; and Grosse, being of very impatient temper, would not be likely to suffer a disappointment with much amiability ; indeed on the bare suggestion, when the measure was taken, that the time was too short for such a piece of work, a threat was uttered by the expectant groom that the tailor did not care to have executed. So away the little tailor worked. And as industry and anticipated reward make cheerful, he ventured upon a timid whistle, notwithstanding certain depress- ing reflections and apprehensions conjured up by the loneliness of the place and dreariness of the hour. His single little tallow-dip was not very successful in its combat with the gloom, though it struggled bravely, flaring out and nodding its curling black plume, and dissolving in greasy tears when the friendly offices of the snuffers were withheld. But Nippy was too busy to attend to minor affairs. His needle now buried itself in the tortuous seam and now gleamed aloft, often with such energy that his knuckles struck against the adjacent partition ; but he suffered them to knock and knock again, and to bleed, and smart, rather than take time to move a few inches off. All of a sudden the door opened, and in strode a stalwart and piratically habited stranger, with a large roll under his arm. He had a heavy grizzly beard, long matted hair, and a piece of dirty sail cloth wound round his head instead of a cap ; and his gait was WHOLESOME PROVISIONS. 321 rolling, as if he were recently from on shipboard. He threw down his bundle upon the shop-board, and as he did so his coarse overcoat flared open, and discovered a leathern belt in which were thrust two or three ugly looking weapons. Now Nippy was an ignorant man and one whose head was brim-full of all sorts of grim stories of ghosts, witchcraft, piracies, and every thing that pertained to diabolism. And it seemed a part of his religion to believe them all. It was a bad locality for one of his cast to locate in. But he was poor, and being allowed to occupy the place on easy terms, continued there, hoping that better times would come. Hardly a night passed without something occurring to disturb ; and his arms were so constantly covered with goose-flesh that it is a wonder pin-feathers did not appear. His first impression on the entrance of his brusque visitant was that he had now a supernatural to deal with. His whistle ceased and his tongue stiffened. But whoever the stranger was it soon became evident that he meant business. Before uttering a word, he unrolled his bundle, and exhibited materials for a garment of the most gorgeous description. Such precious stuff had never before been seen in that shop ; and the very candle brightened up, in vain effort to emulate the sparkling gold. The cloth was superb, and the bright colors of the silken ornaments were almost dazzling. Nippy's thoughts now fled from his dingy shop to the radiant scenes of the apocalypse, for the supernatural would work itself into his contemplation, in some way. But he was soon aroused from any association of the celestial with the N* 21 322 III. THE WORKERS AND THEIR WORKS. individual before him ; for the man called out, in stentorian tones and with a rough oath : " Nippy Curlup, you shall make me a doublet and breeches of this stuff, and have them done, and well done, too, by next Saturday night. That 's the order. And if you fail your friends will have to call the sexton." In vain did the poor tailor, stammering and in utter confusion, urge his previous engagement, and the great risk he would run of losing custom if he failed ; besides the probability of being turned out of house and home, as the work was for his landlord's son. " It is indeed," he meekly continued, " my neighbor Grosse his wedding garment. He weds the smart young widow Stanpool, as all the town doth know. And what would become of me if I failed in the work. Be merciful, master, be merciful." " Mercy be d d ! " roared the stranger, " and Phill Grosse too. This is for my wedding garment. Now measure measure ! And if the work is not done in time, look out for a broken head pretty near your shoulders. Come, measure measure ! " With trembling hands the terrified tailor proceeded to apply his dirty tape to his customer's ugly propor- tions and could not help now and then fancying that he discovered a supernatural protuberance or defi- ciency ; which discoveries did not greatly tend to allay his fears. The work, however, was finally ac- complished. Then the unwelcome customer stepped so close to the tailor that his hot breath made the latter jerk WHOLESOME PROVISIONS. 323 back, and bestowed on him a look of indescribable hideousness, mingled with mischievous merriment, and ejaculated, in a deep, grum voice that seemed to proceed from his body rather than from his lips, " Why, how you tremble, Nippy ! What are you scared at ? No harm will come to you if you do up your work right. But look out for big breakers if you do n't. That is my wedding garment ; and I marry a princess. There, there, man, go and get something to cheer up ! " So saying, he threw a ringing silver coin on the shop-board and vanished. The meditations of the amazed tailor, for the next half hour, as he sat alone in his cheerless shop, were perplexing in the extreme. The determined manner of the stranger led him to fear the worst if he failed in completing the work so peremptorily ordered. And then there was the coin, which he had ventured to clutch as soon as he was alone ; that seemed an earnest of some generous reward should he accom- plish the work. But he thought, and thought, till he was weary of thinking, and then crept off to bed without arriving at any conclusion. But once upon his sweet husk couch, his weary brain was at rest. Drawing about him the ragged tapestry he shut out the whole world of tribulation and began to near the confines of that land where the prospect is not often all dreary. Blessed be he who invented sleep, says the transported Panza ; and blessed be he who in- vented the bed to sleep on. Nippy soon arrived on the neutral ground that lies between the countries of the living and the dead, 324 HI. THE WORKERS AND THEIR WORKS. and there remained undisturbed till a bright morning sun bade him hurry back. And he returned, greatly refreshed. Things seemed much cheerier than they did when he retired. On a careful calculation he found that with some over-work he might satisfy both his customers. And determining to lose no time, he was crouched upon his bench at an unusually early hour. He first began upon the garment of the stranger and worked away with all his might, refreshing his flagging energies by an occasional draught from the battered beer tankard that he kept in the little cup- board in the wall above his head. The quantity of material being ample, he felt an additional incentive in the prospect of a liberal amount of cabbage, a kind of vegetable that grew under tailors' benches even at that early period. So the work went vigorously on. By noon of the day appointed, the princely garment was completed. And so delighted was Nippy with the gorgeous appearance of his handiwork that he was almost beside himself. He beckoned in the passers-by, bidding them examine and admire. But he was sorely puzzled by the questions as to whom it belonged. He then hung it upon the lintel, that it might flaunt in the breeze and attract the despairing gaze of a rival tailor who lived on a hill on the edge of the settlement. Indeed he was so elated that he wasted in childish capers several hours that should have been applied to the work of his other customer. But alas for poor Nippy's thoughtlessness. He had entirely forgotten a very important matter ; and that was the interdiction against the manufacture WHOLESOME PROVISIONS. 325 of all such abominations of finery. The fact of its being a grave offence did not once occur to him during the whole time he was employed on the work. But he was awakened to a lively sense of his trans- gression, just as night was closing in, by the consci- entious constable, who happened that way in search of a stray goat. The vigilant official observed the audacious display with amazement as well as indigna- tion, for it seemed like a rank defiance of authority. He grasped, and was in the very act of twitching the garment down, when he was sent staggering into the depths of a quagmire on the other side of the road, by a violent blow between the eyes. It was pretty dark, though for some minutes there seemed to be ten thousand stars shooting about his head. They were not sufficient, however, to enable him to discover who or what had so assailed him. He forever re- mained in the dark about that. Sometimes he thought it might have been lightning ; but rather on the whole concluded that it must have been one of the evil spirits who had so long alarmed the neighborhood. Curlup had no doubt in the matter. He was fright- ened almost to death, at the time, and afterward declared that as the blow was struck he saw a great grinning head, wrapped about with sail-cloth, near the doorway, but no body. He was so terrified that he sank down in a swoon, and knew nothing till the neighbors raised him up. As soon as he had recov- ered himself he was again frightened almost out of his senses by what seemed to be cold, slimy reptiles crawling down his back. He flew about, and as quickly as possible tore off his clothes ; when, to his 326 III. THE WORKERS AND THEIR WORKS. utter consternation, out rolled two or three glistening gold coins. Either was more than sufficient to pay for all his work on the garment, twice over, and leave an ample balance to square all accounts with con- science, and reasonably indemnify for his bodily and mental suffering. What became of the gorgeous apparel that had caused such a stirring episode in his history, he never knew ; and though his fertile imagination worked upon the problem for the remain- der of his life, he was unable to reach a satisfactory conclusion, till just before his exit a light broke upon him, and he timidly suggested that the unknown assailant of the constable, was, perhaps, the same mysterious customer who brought the stuff, and that he, as owner, had taken away the garment ; a conclu- sion supported by its never being afterward called for. In 1639, the Court made an earnest appeal to the churches to do something for the suppression of the evil ; something for the " present reformation of imod- erate great sleeves, and some other superfluities, w ch may easily bee redressed w ll) out much prejudice, or the spoile of garments, as imoderate great breeches, knots of ryban, broad shoulder bands, and rayles, silk races, double ruffes, & cuffes, &c." The grand jurors were then instructed to admonish all offenders in the several towns where they resided, as they should " have occation & opportunity." These passages show how serious a matter that " intolerable bravery in dress " was considered, and how difficult it was to abate the evil by legislation. And the partial turning of the business over to the WHOLESOME PROVISIONS. 327 moral suasion of the churches was an experiment gladly resorted to. For a time, success seems in a measure to have attended the experiment ; or else, despairing of success in that way, they made a bold effort in another direction, repealing the restraining laws altogether, and leaving the matter to regulate itself. This was done in an off-hand way, as follows : " It is ordered, that all those former ord r s made about apparrell & lace are hereby repealed." [Court Records, Nov. 13, 1644. But this did not answer the purpose. It was on the principle of a free liquor traffic, in our day. And there was more enacting, and repealing, and reenact- ing, during a great many years. Sober people were scandalized by the manner in which the persons of the females were exposed by the demands of some of the new fashions ; and the " superstitious ribbons " that fluttered on the heads of the belles greatly dis- turbed the nerves of the aged and grave. Witness the revelations of the following enactment : " Notwithstanding the wholesome lawes already made by this Court for restreyning excesse in appar- rell, yet through corruption in many, and neglect of due execution of those lawes, the evill of pride in apparrell, both for costljnes in the poorer sort, and vajne, new, strainge fashions, both in poore & rich, w th naked breasts and armes, or, as it were pinioned w* superstitious ribbons both on hajre & apparrell ; for redresse whereof, it is ordered by this Court, that 328 III. THE WORKERS AND THEIR WORKS. the County Courts, from time to time, doe giue strict charge to present all such persons as they shall judge to exceede in that kinde, and if the grand jury shall neglect theire duty herein, the County Court shall impose a fine vpon them at their discretion." [Court Records, Nov. 3, 1675. But the wearing of long hair was one of the most distressing of the evil customs, and reformation was anxiously sought. Witness the following : " Whereas there is manifest pride openly appearing amongst us in that long haire, like weomens haire, is worne by some men, either their oune or others haire made into perewiggs, and by some weomen wearing borders of hajre, and theire cutting, curling, and imodest laying out theire haire, which practice doeth prevayle and increase, especially amongst the younger sort, The Court doeth declare against this ill custome as offenciue to them, and divers sober Christians amongst us, and therefore doe hereby ex- hort and advise all persons to vse moderation in this respect ; and further doe impower all grand jurjes to present to the County Court such persons, whither male or female, whom they shall judge to exceede in the premisses ; and the County Courts are hereby authorized to proceed against such delinquents either by admonition, fine, or correction, according to theire good discretion. [Court Records, Nov. 3, 1675. In view of the foregoing, it may well be asked what those venerable legislative fathers would have done WHOLESOME PROVISIONS. 329 had their eyes been afflicted by a sight of those exe- crable jute appendages which cumber the heads of the ladies of the present day. Fashion did bear tyrannous sway in those primitive times as well as in after years. She is a despot in all times and places, and there are few who have courage to stand out against her authority. Many a damsel of that day would industriously spin, to procure the coveted finery. And it was said of one of the most promising young clerks in Boston, that he would every year spend nearly half his winter earnings for a fashionable embroidered doublet in which to swell on pleasant Sundays. And the wretched beau, notwith- standing his fair promise, finally came to naught ; for, being sick one season, and unable to earn much, he purloined from an employer enough to make up the deficiency ; and his career was ended in prison. Fashion is a great tempter as well as despot and lures hosts of young men to destruction ; and young women too, as to that matter. Beware of her. But' this division of our subject must be brought to a close. And in concluding, we will, in as brief a manner as is consistent, narrate an occurrence that very well illustrates the manner in which the sump- tuary laws were frequently enforced. The incident happened at an early period ; somewhere, I should judge from Mr. Pinion's note, about the year 1642. Behold, then, Christine Seaton, one of the fairest maids who trip the Boston streets. She is petted and indulged in perhaps too many maidenly foibles, but has a warm heart and peculiar graces and attractions. 33O III. THE WORKERS AND THEIR WORKS. See her trip into the meeting-house on a sunny Sabbath, her beautiful face all radiant with smiles. It is warm, and she comes swinging her little jockey hat by the ribbons, the gayest ribbons of all that could be found in Mr. Keayne's shop. Perhaps, how- ever, the heat is not the only thing that induces her to carry her hat rather than wear it ; the curling locks of rich auburn, interwoven with silver cords, may have added their influence. About her neck are double strings of the choicest wampum, the gift of Sunny Wave, who has long been one of her most cherished associates. And then her snowy bosom, lightly spread with silver gauze, how it swells with the healthful inspirations of happy life. Her gathered dress of crimson damask is flounced about, slashed, and trimmed as charmingly as the most fashionable needle-woman in the whole town could do the work ; and her broad sash, coquetishly knotted at her side, glistens and flashes with its golden sprigs. And altogether her presence is so attractive that many eyes are drawn towards her that should be directed elsewhere. And then the dress is just short enough to compensate a downward gaze, with glimpses of her well-turned ankles, her clocked hose, and delicate little slippers with their starry spangles. So trips in Christine Seaton, with her elastic step, casting here and there a furtive glance from her merry hazel eyes. But who is Christine Seaton ? Why, she is the ward of Mr. Morton, an old Scotch mer- chant who long since retired from active business and is living at his ease in Boston. Some say she belongs to the ancient line of Scottish Seatons, who WHOLESOME PROVISIONS. 33! so long maintained such lordly rank ; and if so, a good deal of pride of character might belong to her by inheritance. Very few knew the occasion of her being here, for Mr. Morton had no disposition to gratify the gossips who endeavored to elicit informa- tion on matters with which they had no concern. There was much of the brusque Scotch character about him, but to his charming ward he was ever kind and indulgent. Christine had received a polite education, and could at any time assume that dignity of manner that repels the vulgar and intrusive. Yet her intercourse with those about her was cordial, and she loved dearly to frolic at the youthful merry-makings. And she was never happier than when with Sunny Wave clambering the woodland cliffs, or in an Indian skiff gliding among the river nooks. Still she loved books, especially those that told of Scottish life ; of Scot- land's noble sons and daughters ; of sports among her ancient lochs and moorlands. And then there were the thrilling ballads of her native land ; they stirred her to the very soul. But I have introduced Christine as tripping into the rude sanctuary on a bright summer Sunday. And coming in the guise described, is it to be wondered at that the devotions of many were disturbed ? Very few, whatever may be their pretensions, are insensible to the charms of a really beautiful object. The old, the young, the rich, the poor unless it be that widely scattered few who are devoid of the common sensibili- ties are all impressible, though, to be sure, in differ- ent degrees. And what more beautiful object can be 332 III. THE WORKERS AND THEIR WORKS. imagined than a fair and sparkling maiden in the full glow of health and the buoyancy of bright hopes and cloudless spirits. These things being so, then was Christine a beautiful object, and then was it arrant hypocrisy in some of those twanging old worshipers to pretend disgust at her presence. Any way, her entrance did produce a marked sensation, and many glances were directed towards her. Some of the young men even raised themselves on tip-toe, and some of the elderly dames set their heads awry to get glimpses from the depths of their cavernous bonnets. The next day Christine was officially admonished against again appearing in such apparel. But for some reason the admonition did not have the desired effect, though she had never been looked upon as willful or disobedient. Was it that her guardian had got his Scotch blood up, at what he deemed an un- reasonable interference, and counselled disobedience ? Be that as it may, she did, on the very next Sabbath, again appear in the sanctuary, bedecked in all her finery. And she entered leaning upon the arm of Mr. Morton. It was known that the admonition had been given, and so the astonishment was very great. Sojourn Gott, a nephew of Mr. Gott the sanctimonious member of the Court before introduced to the reader, and who was an acknowledged imitator of his uncle in all his over-righteous pretentions, rose in his place, which was in a shady corner of the house, and pulling out his great tow-cloth handkerchief, pretended to be vigorously employing it in its legitimate office, while at the same time his great gray eyes were peering WHOLESOME PROVISIONS. 333 over it toward the object of general attraction. His head, indeed, was sort of turned in a double sense ; for he had long had a sneaking notion of pursuing her along the road that leads to the altar matrimonial ; we say sneaking, because every thing about him was sneaking. What on earth led him to imagine that his suit could by any possibility be successful, we are unable to tell, unless he considered his pretended piety a fair equivalent for her virtues and graces thus making godliness a kind of trafficing commodity. It is said, however, that he had large expectations in a pecuniary way ; and people so situated are quite apt to get a little balloony, overlook their own defi- ciencies, and imagine that others will see them as they see themselves. And it is lamentable to observe how frequently their imaginings are verified. But Christine was not a foolish virgin. Long before this time, Sojourn had taken occasion to apprise Christine of the condition of his internal arrangements, and had met with such a rebuff as would have satisfied any reasonable aspirant that he might as well consider that account closed. The services at the sanctuary were ended. And as Christine passed down the green path, as blithe- some as if entirely unconscious of having done aught to ruffle the most quiet current of events, many an old head gave a portentous shake. Sojourn's long legs soon brought him to her side, and the contrast between them was certainly striking. If the reader desires to look upon his picture, he will need but to recall what was said a few pages back about his wor- thy uncle. That will answer very well for both, as the 334 Ilr - THE WORKERS AND THEIR WORKS. nephew endeavored to duplicate the uncle, in himself, if possible, both in character and personal appearance. His garments were excessively ill-shaped, the more so, as Nippy Curlup, the tailor, had succeeded in giving him a good fit. A queer yoke-fellow enough would he have made for Christine. He ogled and shambled along about as gracefully as a bullfrog might in his attempts at wooing a lady bird. It would have been more natural to suppose that the purpose of Sojourn was to labor with Christine on the vanity of her appearance, than to offer his ad- dresses ; and so he hypocritically pretended when he received the deserved repulse. In half an hour after Sojourn had received the rather energetic rebuff from the pretty lips of Christine, he was in close consultation with the magistrate, al- though it was holy time. The next morning poor Christine was summoned before the official, just as she was going out on a ramble with Sunny Wave. Her little foot came down with rather more emphasis than usual, and her rosy lips pouted in a way not the most amiable. The Indian girl began to get excited, and proposed going for her father, or Mr. Eliot. But they prudently sought the direction of Mr. Morton. He had no hesitancy in directing her to obey the summons, exclaiming, as he brought his broad hands together, " Gae alang dafter, gae alang, and I '11 gae wi' ye ! " in a voice not overcharged with sweetness. Arrived before the magistrate, Mr. Morton's first inquiry was as to who had entered the complaint ; and reluctantly it came out that they were indebted to Sojourn for the compliment. The complaint set WHOLESOME PROVISIONS. 335 forth the enormity of the slashes and points, the ribbons and spangles ; but bore with special fervor on the curtailments of the dress. And it furthermore recited the fact that she had before been admonished. Mr. Morton seemed in doubt whether to treat the matter with disdain, and defy the magistrate, or take a milder course. There is little accomplished, how- ever, in attempting to bluff a magistrate, and the Scotchman wisely abstained from experimenting in that direction. But he could not abstain from be- stowing on the absent Sojourn a few left-handed com- pliments. After a little quiet conference between Christine and her guardian, and some questioning of both, by the magistrate, the latter vouchsafed a luminous dis- quisition on the gravity of the offence, and the reason of the restraining laws. And then another admoni- tion was given, enforced by a threat of something more strongly persuasive if that proved ineffectual. They left the august presence, and on the way home the pretty head tossed and the pretty lips quivered as if every thing had not terminated in the most satis- factory manner. And now, will it be believed, on the very next Sab- bath, that defiant little witch of a Christine appeared in the meeting-house, as radiant as ever in her finery, again swinging her pretty little French hat by the ribbons, in the sauciest way imaginable. This was altogether too much for magistratical forbearance, though there was such an archness in her impudence that it was almost impossible to be downright angry. But her offence could not be overlooked. And the 336 III. THE WORKERS AND THEIR WORKS. very next day a peremptory summons again brought her before the magistrate. This time she was re- ceived in no very gentle manner. Sojourn was there, and a great many others divers of the young folk of both sexes, as well as the elder, for there was an undefined idea abroad that fun of some sort might be expected. The facts in the case admitted of no denial, and as the result of a very brief consideration the official announced his judgment to be, that she should appear in the meeting-house, on the next lecture day, enrobed in all the offensive finery, but with a sheet of tow-cloth sack-cloth, he called it with a sprink- ling of ashes on it, enveloping her whole person, from head to foot. And upon the back of this penitential covering were to appear, in huge dimensions and mournful black, the letters C. M. Finding no such punishment as that prescribed by the General Court for offences connected with dress, I was at first puz- zled to understand what induced the uttering of such a sentence, and especially what terrible meaning was enwrapped in those cabalistic letters. But it must have been that Christine was not proceeded against, at this time, for " superstition in dress," but for de- spising the authority of the magistrates the C. M. meaning " Contemner of Magistrates." This, as we have seen, was a very serious offence ; much more so than that for which she had been admonished. When the sentence was announced, Sojourn danced up, threw aloft his arms, blew with his mouth, whirled around, and exhibited sundry other evidences of de- straction. But no one could tell whether he was frantic with joy or grief; so they did not know WHOLESOME PROVISIONS. whether to be angry or pleased, to pity or applaud. Mr. Morton, however, at a venture, seized him around the body and carried him into the open air. And as he kicked and struggled in the brawny Scotch arms, there dropped from his pockets what ? why a pack of cards, and two or three plugs of tobacco both proscribed articles. Christine appeared to be the only one present who heard the sentence unmoved. As she calmly with- drew, her young friends pressed about her ; and as they ardently condoled, and generously scolded, she could hardly restrain her tears. Mr. Morton retained the mastery over his feelings astonishingly ; but it was evident that his mind was vigorously at work. The day arrived on which poor Christine was to appear in her penitential garb. And as the first bell warned of the approach of the lecture hour, she began to array herself for the ordeal. It had now become a serious matter, and she began gravely to realize the increasing weight upon her spirits. Her reason, how- ever, taught her that she had committed no real sin, nor done any thing that would leave an enduring stigma upon her fair name ; a fact which tended greatly to support her natural fortitude. There was little doubt in any mind that Sojourn Gott was at the root of her tribulation, and many expletives, guiltless of sweetness, were cast upon him. The last hour was waning. The C. M., in deepest black, and of gigantic proportions, had been received from the authorities, and at sight of them her courage might have failed had she not been informed that divers of her young friends had determined to appear O 22 338 III. THE WORKERS AND THEIR WORKS. by her side, in the meeting-house, like bride's-maids at a marriage. Mr. Morton grew very uneasy, walk- ing back and forth, and frequently going to the door and gazing up and down the road. His countenance grew more and more lowering, and he seemed every moment to become less and less capable of curbing the storm within. With palpitating heart and trembling hand Chris- tine proceeded to affix the odious letters, and was not entirely surprised at herself, as she pursued the labor, to find that her eyes began to gently overflow. But she finished the work and was just donning the strangely ornamented vesture, when from the window she perceived Sunny Wave hastening toward the house. Without any ceremony she entered, and in- formed Christine that she had been to see Mr. Eliot, and that he and the Governor were on the way to meet her and Mr. Morton. And accordingly the two dignitaries presently arrived. The three gentlemen retired to another apartment and remained a short time in earnest conference. When they returned, they found the two girls in a brisk little quarrel. It appeared that Christine had so much dread of the part she was about to act that the Indian girl was deeply touched, and quietly asked to have the drapery of disgrace placed on her, that they all might see how it looked. Her simple request was of course readily complied with. But when it was once on she utterly refused to have it taken off, declaring that she would go and stand in the meet- ing-house all day " if um want." And no persuasion or threat of Christine could induce her to disrobe. WHOLESOME PROVISIONS. 339 The worthy men were greatly moved by the really chivalrous conduct of the dusky little heroine, though they found it difficult to restrain their mirth on seeing her frisk about thus arrayed, her Indian blood so astir that her eyes flashed and her tongue rapidly uttered denunciations, right and left, in a mixed torrent of English and Indian, as if neither alone were sufficient for her stormy purpose. Mr. Eliot, however, soon succeeded in calming her. And then he began to reason with her on the great wrong of an innocent person receiving the punishment due to the guilty. At this she turned upon him in a way that he least expected, a way by which he was utterly confounded. She asked him, in her simple manner, if he had not taught her and her father that that very thing was " much right ; " and then went on so to ex- plain as to convince him that she had perfectly com- prehended his teachings on the great doctrine of the atonement, teachings which he had not before dared to hope she understood. Taken thus by surprise, he did not know what to say. But the business in hand admitted of no delay. She was now persuaded to divest herself of the unseemly robe and wait events. Then there was a little whispering among the three gentlemen, in which there appeared to be something revealed by Mr. Morton touching the family connec- tions of Christine, at which the others were greatly surprised, and the Governor turned from them with the remark "Well, well, this must go no further; our clemency must interpose." Then he kindly took Christine by the hand, saying, with great solemnity " Daughter, thou hast indeed 34O III. THE WORKERS AND THEIR WORKS. followed too devotedly thine own head ; but I would not that thy young spirit should be broken by an indignity put upon thy noble blood, for a broken spirit is a grievous burden to be borne. Yet, way- ward daughter, thou must, indeed, take heed to thy future steps, lest, peradventure, they lead into still more troublous ways. Come, come, put on thy mod- est apparel and go with me to the sanctuary, and I will say to those who have met to witness thy dis- grace what may be meet for the occasion if not for thy justification. And I dare answer for thee that thou wilt no more affront the Court's express behest. May God give thee strength in future to avoid offence against proper decorum in the place where His honor dwelleth. Come, come, it is high time we were away, for the lecture bell hath already ceased its call." Little did Christine expect such a termination of her hour of tribulation. With the most heart-felt thanks she put herself under the guidance of the Governor and with him proceeded to the meeting-house. The expectant throng were greatly surprised to see her enter in such company, instead of appearing in her penitential habit. The services had not commenced. And the Governor, after leading her to a retired seat, stepped in front of the pulpit, and announced the pardon of the fair offender, for reasons which to him had been made to appear abundantly sufficient but which from delicacy he forbore there to state. And then he went on to observe that lest the magistrate should suffer aspersion for her condemnation under the law, he desired to bear witness that he approved of his proceedings, and hoped that all others who WHOLESOME PROVISIONS. 34! were inclined to transgress such wholesome orders would take warning before they found themselves in such a straight as might compel them to beg for exec- utive clemency, a boon which in future would be but sparingly granted. And then, greatly to the wonder of Christine, he closed by pronouncing an especially contrite and satisfactory acknowledgment, as coming from her own lips. But the good man was evidently determined to set things right, all round to vindi- cate the law and its administration, as well as his own action. The remission of Christine's sentence to the degrad- ing punishment gave unbounded gratification to most present, for she was a sort of pet, and they would no doubt have signified their delight by congratulations and cheers had the time and place permitted. Sojourn Gott was not in the house, though in the neighborhood ; and he was not in the house because he could not withdraw his feet from the stocks. The cards and tobacco had effectually done his business ; and there was no executive clemency for him. Mr. Morton and Christine passed by him on their way home, but the beneficent girl, who had just had her own transgression forgiven, was far from exulting over the discomfiture and distress of her persecutor. The Wholesome Provisions of the Court, also, as a matter of course, extended to the wages of mechan- ics and laborers, and also to the profits of shopkeep- ers, and kindred matters. And a few of these must be given, or our picture will be incomplete. A great amount of discussion has of late been had 342 III. THE WORKERS AND THEIR WORKS. in the legislatures of New England, and indeed in divers of the other states, yea, and incidentally in the congress of the United States, regarding the hours of work for mechanics and laborers. But it often seems as if law makers forget that there are some things which will be sure to regulate themselves and do it well if they are not meddled with by law. Supposing eight hours are made a legal day's work. Would you prohibit one from working ten hours, if he wished to ? And if he worked ten ought he not to be paid more than for eight, other things being equal ? You would not make laws to encourage laziness or defeat industry, would you ? And as in the absence of law, one may agree to work six, eight, or ten hours a day, and require pay accordingly, why not leave him at liberty to do it ? Why not, in short, allow each to do the best he can for himself. Every one knows best or ought to what his capacity for labor is ; and he especially must best know what his inducement to it are. In the parable of the vineyard we see developed a very different principle from that running in some of the proposed measures of the present day. That Americans, as a general thing, have in former years worked more than was good for them, physic- ally, is perhaps true. But the people of this time can hardly be charged with great guilt in that particular. In new countries much labor is required to bring things into a comfortable condition. And our blessed country would now have been immeasurably behind what it is, had it not been for the well-directed and persistent industry of our good forefathers. That the WHOLESOME PROVISIONS. 343 accumulation of property is the chief incentive to industry will not be denied. When the purpose is to provide a home for one's family, it is laudable ; but when it is merely to hoard up money, or to outshine a neighbor, its worthiness is not so apparent. There has hardly been an interval during our whole history when some question relating to labor has not been under discussion, in the General Court or out, among politicians. And the very fact that no princi- ples have been settled, proves the inability of legisla- tion to beneficially dispose of such matters. Do what you may in the form of a requirement, you infringe some natural right of some party ; and the one whose right suffers, sees, by his own light, that the interfe- rence was not demanded by any public necessity. You cannot equalize what the Creator never intend- ed should be equal. As before substantially remarked, some men are more active, diligent, and skillful than others, and do more and better work in a given time ; some are more frugal than others, and need much less for their support ; some are ambitious to be rich and make a display, while others care nothing about riches or display ; some have no conception of moral or mental discipline, and strive only to satisfy bodily cravings. And a law that aims to equalize them all, aims to do more than the law of heaven itself. It would be difficult to give a satisfactory reason why any man of common capacity should not be allowed to fix his own price for his own labor, and determine for himself how many hours of the twen- ty-four he will devote to labor ; others, of course, being free to hire him or not, as might suit their 344 IIL THE WORKERS AND THEIR WORKS. necessities. Why, every man has a natural right to do thus. But the wrong comes when one undertakes to say what others, employers or employed, must or must not do. He may do as he pleases for himself, but has no right to compel others to toe his line. Here is one of the very early orders, emanating from the Court of Assistants : " It is ordered that maister carpenters, sawers, ma- .sons, clapboard-ryvers, brickelayers, tylers, joyners, wheelewrights, mowers, &c., shall not take aboue 2s. a day, findeing themselues dyett, & not aboue 14^. a day if they haue dyett found them, vnder the penalty of v s - both to giver & receaver, for euery day that there is more giuen & receaued. Also, that all other inferior workemen of the said occupacons shall have such wages as the constable of the said place, & 2 other inhabitants, that hee shall chuse, shall appoynct. Also, it is agreed, that .... Master taylours shall not take aboue 1 2d. a day, & the inferior sorte not aboue 8d., if they be dyeted, vnder the aforesaid penalty ; & for all oth r worke they doe att home, pro- porconably, & soe for other worke that shalbe done by the greate by any other artificer. Further it is ordered, that all workemen shall worke the whole day, allowing convenient tyme for foode & rest." [Court Records, Oct. I, 1633. Stringent orders, too, were passed to prevent what was regarded as extortion in traders, by taking too large a profit on their goods, and for the regulation of traffic in general. An account has been elsewhere WHOLESOME PROVISIONS. 345 given of the serious difficulties in which Captain Keayne, long a noted shopkeeper in Boston, became involved, both with the civil and church authorities, and the heavy punishment and earnest admonition he received for taking too large a profit on some arti- cles sold by him. And it would, without doubt, be beneficial for some of the virtuous traders of this day, as well out of Boston as in, to ponder a little upon the lessons developed in that account ; and if they truly follow the honest teaching, I dare say their customers may also be benefited. The " oppression " of the shopkeepers appears to have continued a long time, for more than forty years after the first order on the subject, the General Court found it expedient to enact as follows : " Whereas there is oppression in the midst of us, not only by such shopkeepers and merchants who set excessive prizes on their goods, but also by mechan- icks and day labourers, who are dayly guilty of that evil, for redress whereofif, & as an adition to y e law, title Oppression, itt is ordered by this Court, that any person that judgeth himself oppressed by shop- keepers or merchants in setting excessive prizes on their goods, haue heerby liberty to make theire com- plaint to the grand juro r s, or otherwise by petition to the County Court imediately, who shall send to the person accused, and if the Court, vpon examination, judge the person complayning injuried, they shall cause the offendo 1 " to returne double the ouerplus, or more then the aequal price, to the injured person, and also impose a fine on the offendo r s at the discretion of o* 346 III. THE WORKERS AND THEIR WORKS. the Court ; and if any person judge himself oppressed by mechanicks and day laborers, they may make com- plaint thereof to the selectmen of the towne, who if vpon the examination doe find such complaint just, hauing respect to the quality of the pay, and the length or shortness of y e day labour, they shall cause the offender to make double restitution to the party injured, and pay a fine of double the value exceeding the due price." [Court Records, Nov. 3, 1675. No further comment is needed respecting this class of enactments, for the considerate reader will at once perceive how they trench upon what is now counted as common liberty. And he will probably conclude that however pious and worthy those venerable legis- lators were, they yet had but an imperfect conception of the true principles of political science. Thus have we given a taste of all that appears necessary under the title " Wholesome Provisions." And though some of the specimens of legislation presented may rather be considered unwholesome, for modern digestion, the times and circumstances that gave rise to them should be well pondered before giving judgment against them, as possessing any inherent unhealthiness. CHAPTER IV. THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. ~I TPON so important a matter as the Domestic \^_J Relations relations on which so largely de- pend the moral, mental, and physical well-being of a people it would of course be expected that the watchful and sagacious legislators should early exer- cise themselves. And so we find Mr. Pinion saying : " M ch was don by y e Co r te to stay y e manie disorders y 4 might com of permiting y e vnseasonable betrothall of yong men and maidens, and espetially to restrayne ill-conditioned marriages ; likewise in y e way of sep- arating such as bee already joyned amiss and may by God his lawe bee putt asunder." The common law of England regarded marriage as a mere civil compact ; but the ecclesiastical invested it with peculiar sanctity, though not, like the Catholic church, elevating it to the position of a sacrament. Now, though it is in truth a mere contract, it is yet one of a very peculiar nature, having qualities that distinguish it from all other compacts, and making it one in which the individuals contracting are by no means alone concerned, but in which the community at large have a direct interest. And so much do the (347) IV. THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. peace of society and the progress of the race depend on its continuance, when once entered into, that all enlightened people, while awarding to it special privi- leges, have rigorously set their faces against its disso- lution excepting for the most substantial cause. How many good people unthinkingly assume that a man and woman, arrived at years of discretion, and agree- ing to cast their lots together, have a right so to do, and to live unitedly, in the closest connection, so long as they find it one of mutual happiness, and then to dissolve it when it ceases to be agreeable ; forgetting that their duties to offspring and to society at large may render separation a great wrong. It is undoubtedly true that our laws touching mar- riage, divorce, and the domestic relations generally, partake largely of the imperfection of all human law. And it is no comforting reflection that the legisla- tion of late years has not much improved matters. As to divorce, especially, it seems as if there might be something devised that would better fit particular cases something that would take into account more fully the condition of the family, the natural inclina- tions of the parties, and their relations to others. All general and inflexible laws work more or less hardship in particular cases. But individual convenience and even rights must sometimes be sacrificed for the common good. It has been thought that it would be best to have no fixed law on the subject, but leave to the legislature or the supreme court, sitting as a high court of equity, or even to a jury of honest neighbors, the disposal of each case on its merits and its various relations. The General Court indeed did, in early COURTSHIP. 349 times, dispose of cases very much in that way, as will appear by orders which we shall presently quote. There is unquestionably a vast amount of misery endured, which might, under a different order, be relieved, and which in fact should be relieved ; for there is misery enough in the world, flowing from other sources, which is not so susceptible of cure. Any person can see instances right around him, in which it is perfectly apparent that the knot matrimo- nial were better severed ; but yet where no existing law will sanction a divorce. It is a little remarkable that such great strides as the last few years have witnessed should have been taken toward the sever- ance of the pecuniary interests of husband and wife thus opening a wide door for family dissensions and yet the dissolution of the connection itself, be allowed to remain as difficult as ever. But the very operation of the new laws separating the interests of husband and wife in regard to property, will, assuredly, sooner or later, force a modification of the laws touching the marriage contract itself. Our present purpose is to give a view, imperfect though it may be, of the tenor of the early acts of the General Court concerning these interesting relations. And few subjects rank higher in importance. COURTSHIP. Were we disposed to be sentimental, opportunity for a little indulgence in that vein might be taken here at the threshold of the brief discussion of the topic first in order in our chapter on the Domestic 35O IV. THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. Relations. The delicious days of Courtship ! Who that has experienced them can call them any thing but blessed, thrice blessed sweet, sweet days, with just that little acid dash which gives the keenest zest days to which the memory fondly recurs amid the most boisterous hours of after life, and rests in blissful repose. Those forlorn ones, who have never experienced the delightsome days, and regard their mystic reali- ties as deformed though gilded dreams, dreams that for a brief period fool about in youthful brains, and then flit away forever, have themselves been but in a dull dream, a dream lethean, which has led them, with closed eyes and closed hearts, over the most enjoyable pass in life ; led them emptily by that font which sparkles forth with the most refreshing and animating waters that gush any where in life's weary way ; a blessed font, flowing alike for rich and poor. But we are not going to be sentimental, for in considering the ponderous realities of legislative pro- ceedings, the wings of sentiment are very likely to be heavily clogged. Our first quotation will be an order prohibiting the irregular winning of the affections of maidens. And it will be observed that our good fathers took a very decidedly matter of fact view in the premises. " Whereas, God hath comitted y e care & power into y e hands of parents, for y e disposing of their children in marriage, so y l its ag 8 * y e rule to seeke to draw away y e affection of yong maydens und r pretence of purpose of marriage, before their parents have COURTSHIP. 351 given way & alowance in y l respect, & whereas it is a comon practice in div rs places for yong men irregu- larly & disorderly to watch all advantages, for their evill purposes, to insinuate into y e affections of yong maydes by coming to y m , in places & seasons un- known to their parents, for such ends, w r by much evill hath growen amongst us, to y e dishono r of God & damage of y e parties ; for prevention whereof, for time to come, it is ord r ed, by authority of this Co r te y* w l person soev r from henceforth, shall endeavo r , di- directly or indirectly, to draw away y e affections of any mayde in y s Jurisdiction und r pretence of marriage, before he hath attained lib r ty & allowance fro m her parents or gov r n r s, or in absence of such, of y e Cote of y e shire w r in y e mayde doth inhabite, or of & und r y e hand of one magistrate, he shall forfeit for y e first offence, 5/. ; for y e 2 d offence toward y e same party, io/. & to be bound to forbeare any furth r at- tempt or proceeding in y l unlawfull designe w th out or agst ye alowance aforesaid ; & for y e 3 d offence (upon information to any magistrate by such parent or gov r n r , being bound to prosecute y e party,) he shalbe comitted to prison, & upon hearing by y e next Cote, shalbe adiudged to continue in prison untill y e Cote of Assistants shall see cause to release him." [Court Records, Nov. 11, 1647. Under this enactment among other cases occurred that of Matthew Stanley, who, on the eleventh of September, 1649, was convicted at the quarterly court in Salem, of unlawfully winning the affections of a daughter of John Tarbox, of Lynn. He was fined 5/. 352 IV. THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. The young woman's parents attended court three days, as witnesses, and were allowed six shillings. Sometime before this enactment of 1647, however, the Court passed orders very much to the same pur- pose. And here is the result of a breach of one of them : " It is ordered, that Joyce Bradwicke shall giue vnto Alex : Becke the some of xx s -, for promiseing him marriage w th out her ffrends consent, & nowe refuseing to performe the same." [Court Records, April i, 1633. If Joyce did fool Alexander, she probably realized that the Court were not fooling with her, though they disposed of her case on the first of April. Then there was the case of Zadoc Bread and Ama- bel Cottleston, in which Sunny Wave acted such an interesting part. Zadoc was complained of by the irate Mr. Cottleston for " drawing " the affections of his dutiful daughter, and fined and admonished. He however came near escaping conviction ; for the honest hearted maiden frankly deposed that she was the one who did the drawing. But the magistrates could not view it in exactly that light, as enough was drawn out by their cross-questioning and cross enough it was, by all accounts to satisfy them that the drawing was at least mutual ; and so they replenished the treasury to the amount of five pounds. But a brief narration of the incidents as they occurred should be given. COURTSHIP. 353 Old Mr. Cottleston was one of those invidious persons whose chief enjoyment consists in laboring to make those about them uncomfortable ; who are jealous of the intentions of every one toward them, and tenaciously retain a morbid sense of real or fan- cied wrong. He Was a tall, gaunt man, and laid claim to divers marvelous physical endowments. Among other things, he asserted that by stopping his nose and mouth he could breathe through his ears. And poor Amabel, in view of his dogged watchfulness of her when he thought Zadoc was about, declared her conviction that he could likewise see through his ears. But without pausing to examine into the valid- ity of his claims touching the auricular organs, we will pass on to say a word about his nasal protuber- ance ; and this we do because it was made to act a part in the touching little drama we are entering on. The lower expansion, or bulge, of this nose of Mr. Cottleston, was of such enormous size as to attract the attention of even cows and horses as they met him in the streets. And it is asserted that once an old ram was so alarmed that he dashed over a stone wall and broke his neck by entangling his horns in a barberry bush. It does seem as if nature had some decided purpose in her odd facial formations, beyond the mere furnishing objects of diversion for the curi- ous or of alarm for the apprehensive ; and the admirer of nature's wonderful works, might study as profitably here as in the bowels of the earth. Noses have long since been classified and pro- nounced indexes of character. And they are, too, unquestionably, very useful members ; indispensable 23 354 IV - THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. for many good purposes. Their value, however, as mere organs of pleasure, is doubtful. To the lover of flowers, the admirer of barbers' flavors, and snuff- takers, they afford a world of delight. But earth abounds with bad odors, and when these prevail, the value of noses is more doubtful. There is another question about noses which it is hoped will some day receive the examination it merits ; and that is, whether the scenting power is in the ratio of the size. But we must take up the thread of our narrative. There were other aspiring swains, besides Mr. Bread, who had a tender regard for Amabel ; some, no doubt, on account of her riches in health, beauty, intelligence, and sprightliness ; and others, with quite as little doubt, on account of the riches of her father in arable lands, wood lots and goats. Zadoc, however, had the inside track, in the pursuit, to use a modern phrase ; that is, so far as she was concerned ; though her father very wittily declared that his daughter was worthy of better Bread, and should not take up with any rusty dough-boy. Zadoc, indeed, feared from the first that the old man would prove a serious obstruction to the course of his love, but thought that perhaps it might somehow gurgle round him and work clear. One trouble was, Zadoc had long before given very great offence to Mr. Cottleston by selling him cloth for a Sunday coat, which in the short space of three years faded in spots and streaks in the most shameful manner. Several wordy bouts had taken place be- tween them on the subject, the old man being an accomplished railer and the young one quick as a COURTSHIP. 355 nettle at retort. But for all that, the memory of the offence might have followed the example of the color of the coat and faded away, had not Zadoc several times during the excited disputes imprudently made illiberal allusions to the nose. On one "occasion, too, soon after an unusually violent altercation, the great barn door of Mr. Cottleston was found decorated by the outlines of a gigantic nose, with dabs of deep red paint all over the low drooping lobe. And there its aggravating presence loomed in full view from the windows of the best room. All these things of course happened tong before the sparking between Amabel and Zadoc commenced. And it shows the importance of being careful about offering provocation to any one ; for in the constantly shifting scenes of life we do not know who may be our next bed-fellow. The two lovers were convinced that the old gentle- man would violently oppose the consummation of their desires ; a conviction that perhaps added to the intensity of their passion, though it led them to be very circumspect in their interviews, and sparing of their endearments when observing eyes were about. But that hope-deferred suspense becomes very wea- rying to the true and ardent lover, and impatience suggests many a device which prudence might not approve. Zadoc, in casting about for an advocate of his cause, with Mr. Cottleston, thought of his employer, a man who -made his own conscience his idol of worship, and as firmly believed in its infallibility as ever papist in the pope's. He was a brother church member as well as distant relative, and known to entertain 356 IV. THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. a high opinion of Zadoc. All these things seemed favorable. Mr. Maddox readily accepted the delicate office, and soon had a conference with his friend Cottleston, whom he found in his front room, stringing onions. He had hardly delivered himself so far as to give a glimpse of the purpose of his mission, when that awful nose took the scent notwithstanding the power- ful counter odor of the onions ; and from the toothless cavern beneath there issued a torrent of invective. Unfortunately the faded coat hung in full view, afford- ing an argument against which no common eloquence could prevail. Mr. Maddox was not disposed to be- stow much attention on the garment, for he well remembered that the cloth was purchased at his own store, where Zadoc was but an attendant. Nor did he think it at all advisable to turn the current of ire from Zadoc to himself, but was very willing to allow the storm to continue to beat on a blameless head. And then, in full view from the windows of the room in which they were, still glared the hideous nasal representation. It is no more than fair toward Zadoc, however, to state that he solemnly asseverated that he had no hand in that artistic libel ; and he was always regarded as a truthful young man. At all events, Amabel believed him innocent. The intercession of Mr. Maddox was fruitless, as might have been expected, his conscience leading him to give rather more than due prominence to all the little failings which Zadoc, in common with the rest of mankind was subject to, and to avoid giving any prominence to his many virtues and generous acts. COURTSHIP. 357 But such conduct is not uncommon with desperately conscientious people. The opposition of Mr. Cottleston now waxed firmer and firmer ; for as it in reality had little to rest on, he kept continually seeking for every little bit of drift fuel to keep alive and increase the flame of his wrath. And do not tantalizing parents, now-a-days, under similar circumstances sometimes act as he did ? And when they do, do they not deserve to be circumvented as he was ? But how was he ? That we are presently to show. Mr. Cottleston went even farther than to simply forbid the addresses of Zadoc. He complained of him to the court, a second time. But the records do not show what the result of this repeated application was. The fire of true love, however, was not quenched, for unreasonable opposition, in such cases, generally adds to the violence of the flame. Zodoc was a spirited youth ; and having been made to pay the fiddler, was not disposed to tamely relinquish the dance, so long as his partner was willing. Notwithstanding all the circumspection of the lov- ers little incidents would occur to keep Mr. Cottle- ston's suspicions thoroughly aroused. And he soon began to keep a vigilant watch over his daughter. He even forbade her going out, excepting under special circumstances, and abridged her liberty in the most annoying ways. Upon the head of Zadoc he rained such denunciations that had one in ten been a brick the poor pate would have been crushed. And owing to his cruel injunctions almost the only visitor Amabel soon came to have was Sunny Wave. That 358 IV. THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. vivacious little sprite had been a welcome visitor there, for a long time ; and the old gentleman was now especially pleased to have her drop in, for he really loved his daughter, and had no doubt that the sprightliness of the forest maid would do much to ward off the moodiness that might otherwise settle on her mind. Amabel, as well as Zadoc, was spirited, and the rigorous course of her father roused her indignation till it rose superior to her filial reverence. Anxious weeks, however, passed before Mr. Cottleston received the astounding intelligence that a veritable elopement had been planned by the lovers, who determined to retire to Plymouth colony, or if need be to the Rhode Island jurisdiction where more propitious days might await them. The old man would not probably have believed the thing possible had he not received the information directly from the lips of Mr. Maddox, Zadoc's employer. The young man, in his necessity, had made a confidant of him, and received counte- nance and encouragement until he had developed his scheme to the utmost. Then the conscientious confi- dant slipped off and regaled the ears of the enraged parent with the whole story. The old man gleefully rubbed his hands, chuckling out, " Yes, yes, a decoyer ! a kidnapper ! ah, ha ! we will now surely have him in hold ! " And whipping posts, prisons, and gallowses loomed in pleasing vista before him. He was kept informed by the faithless though con- scientious confidant of the progress of the arrange- ments for the elopement. And being fully advised COURTSHIP. 359 of the hour set for the flight, the place where she was to meet her lover, and the point at which they were to embark, he felt sure of his prey. His plan seems to have been to first make sure that she did not leave the house, and then to proceed for the arrest of Za- doc while surrounded by the most enchaining circum- stances. With such laudable ends in view Mr. Cottleston sat himself down in the front room, with the door which opened on the staircase that led to Amabel's apartment ajar, and there remained, as vigilantly on the watch as the tyler at a masonic lodge. The momentous hour approached, and the girl was in her chamber, whither she had retired after having com- pleted her part of the domestic labors of the day. And Sunny Wave was known to be with her, for her merry laugh frequently broke on the lively ear of the watcher. The shades of evening were thickly gathering. The hour was at hand ; and now the old man was all on tip-toe The chamber door softly opened, a slight rustling was heard, and then a light step on the stair. He now felt sure of his game, and thought how beautifully all his plans had worked, and could not help mentally bestowing blessings on that courageous conscience of his friend Maddox, which had enabled him so effectually to thwart the conspi- racy against his authority. His great gray eyes were all ablaze, and the stalwart arms extended to encircle the prisoner, when he caught a glimpse that induced him to fall back a pace. And the picturesque gar- ments of Sunny Wave swept by, her jaunty little 36O IV. THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. plumes brushing against his frightful nose, as the retreating form stepped from the stairs. " Well, well," thought Mr. Cottleston, " now that bird has flown, the other will soon follow." He had been wishing that the Indian girl would go, as he knew that she must be pained at what would appear to her an outrage, and might become excited to an inconvenient degree. So he felt quite relieved. He watched on again, for an hour or more, when impatience began to get the better of prudence, and he was on the eve of making a demonstration ; but, just in time, as the auctioneers say, his quick ear caught a slight sound. There was a little movement above, and then all was silent again. Being satisfied that his bird was now about taking flight, he stood prepared to grab ere she hopped the twig. But then all was still again, and he waited till impatience almost drove him to extremities. Then it occurred to him that perhaps she had suspected him to be on the watch for something, and feared to venture forth till she thought he had retired. Acting on this suspi- cion, he passed out in rather a noisy way, and imme- diately returned silently to his post. After this very cunning manoeuvre he had remained but a short interval, trying to imagine what had occasioned delay or gone amiss, when the chamber door again quietly opened and a descending footstep was heard. With the fury of a big tom-cat, pouncing on a poor little bird, he pounced on the descending form, and held it with a crushing grip. But he was quickly brought to his senses by a slap in the face from the fiery hand of Sunny Wave, who began in real or well-feigned COURTSHIP. 361 excitement, and in a mixture of English and Indian, such as she often employed when much aroused, to berate him roundly : " Wehe, wehe ! " she ejaculated, " old white man hug Indian girl matchenekuk quen- gig he do wicked qutchhuaonganit I no his squaw wutch match menuhkesuonk he have white squaw himself nummatcheseongask wehe make my fadher say swear, swear much, swear vera much pohquohwussinnean itut wehe Masther Eliot, I tell him ; he say bad, oh, vera bad ; I talk to urn." And all the time she was interspersing her ejac- ulations with the most energetic if not furious strug- gles and scratchings. He dropped her as he would have dropped a blazing rocket, and off she shot, into the gloom of night. The old man was now desperate. He rushed up stairs, where he beat about to no purpose, soon satis- fying himself that the bird had of a surety flown. The truth now flashed upon him. Amabel had es- caped in the garments of Sunny Wave. And down he rushed again, as if in the hope of finding the Indian girl, that he might reek vengeance on her for her complicity in the affair. But she was now at a safe distance, and without doubt rejoicing in her young heart over the success of their strategy. And the poor man was left with only the meagre satisfac- tion of roundly abusing his wife for being the mother of such a perverse child. He was excessively morti- fied at being so outwitted by a couple of girls, and one of them " a little salvage devil," as he spitefully called Sunny Wave ; and doubly incensed at losing the op- portunity of seeing Zadoc at least in the pillory. In 362 IV. THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. the extremity of wrath he seized his hat and crushed it down on his head as if his hair were on fire and the hat an extinguisher. And then off he rushed toward the place where the lovers, according to the worthy Maddox, were to embark. But he was spared a part of the journey, for he soon met a ship-chandler who kept near the landing, and who, in reply to his eager inquiries, informed him that the shallop was then far down the bay, without doubt dancing merrily along, as the wind was fair. On receiving this comforting information, he strode home again, in about as uproarous a condition of mind as need be imagined. Seeing the faded coat on its peg, he snatched it down and tore it into shreds, and raved round like a mad bull. His excitement attained such a pitch that his wife was obliged to send for Mr. Maddox. That enlightened individual promptly re- paired to the abode of distress, taking his god con- science with him. He read the Bible, prayed, and recited the catechism, for some two hours, when the weight of the storm seemed overpast, and he retired. The report somehow presently prevailed, far and wide, among the scandal-mongers, that Mr Cottleston had been caught in the very act of offering a serious impropriety to Sunny Wave ; and that she was forced to rage like a little wild cat to save herself from a great wrong. Mr. Maddox was appealed to, as he was known to have been at the house on the eventful night, but was too conscientious to deny or explain any report that might tarnish the reputation of a neighbor ; for, as he was fond of remarking, with a shrewd wag of the head " the flesh is weak ; " a fact COURTSHIP. 353 which the conduct of people of his stamp generally makes apparent. Sunny Wave herself was not seen in Boston for some time after the exceptional occur- rence, so that nothing could be learned from her. The matter finally assumed so serious an aspect that Mr. Cottleston was driven to keep housed most of the time. And the affair was about being brought before the church and the Court, when the Indian girl became apprised of what was going on. Without delay she visited her kind adviser, Mr. Eliot, and told him the story in full. He was greatly amused at the artless rehearsal of the artful contrivance for Amabel's escape, and promised to do all he could to effect a reconciliation, so that the absent pair might return. He lost no time in relieving Mr. Cottleston's char- acter from any unclean aspersion ; but could not prevent the sneers and jokes of the pestilent fellows who delighted to annoy and irritate him. What temporarily became of the lovers, it would be stepping aside from our course to narrate. All that need be said, is that they got safely off, and were duly united in wedlock. They were not again seen in the Bay Colony until a pacification had been effected, which was not so very difficult, after the shreds of the faded coat had been braided into a door mat and worn out, and the unique drawing had been weather-scrubbed from the barn door. Subsequently, we find this entry : " In answer to the peticon of W m Thompson, crav- ing the remittment of a fine of five pounds, y e law 364 IV. THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. imposeth on him, for making a motion of marriage to Sarah Goggan before he had liberty so to doe from hir freinds, the Court judgeth it meet to abate him fiffty shillings of that fine." [Court Records, June 2, 1653. This seems to have been another case arising under the same enactment that the Stanley-Tarbox affair happened. From a remittance of a part of the fine it may, however, be inferred that such obduracy as cha- racterized that case did not here exist ; or, possibly, Mr. Thompson could not raise the money, and had been kept in durance long enough. Whether he finally married Sarah it does not appear ; but perhaps a reconciliation had been effected which resulted in wedlock, and the fifty shillings were remitted to aid in the setting-out. Further on, we find another instance of a grieved swain petitioning for the Court's clemency : " In ans r to the petition of Willjam Walker, seaman, now a prisoner for the breach of y e law ab l making suite to a servant majd w tb out the masters consent first obteyned, &c., the Court, considering he was a strainger, & not knowing the lawe, that he hath lyen in prison nere a moneth, judg d meet to graunt his request & dischardg him, he paying the chardge of the prison." [Court Records, Oct. 8, 1662. So, poor William obtained his enlargement. He probably thought he had fallen among land-sharks. MARRIAGE. 365 Mariners are rather noted for their devotions at the shrine of Venus, while in port, and are very liable to be suspected of unwarrantable freedom in regard to the fair sex. Perhaps they are a little more ardent than would be becoming in a landsman ; but their intervals for sweet dalliance being usually short, they are obliged to make hay while the sun shines, so to speak. Our wary fathers, probably taking into view the peculiar temperament of the class, thought that the cool air of a prison would be wholesome for William the sailor. It is quite certain that the sin of incontinence was surprisingly prevalent at an early day ; and it is equally certain that the pious and sober-minded re- garded it with due horror. But it seems as if they need not, in their zeal to abate the evil, have resorted to means which they must have seen would in many cases have seriously obstructed the course of true and worthy love. Zeal and consistency, however, are not generally found to be yoke-fellows. And so it turned out with our ancestors. Though incontinence was so abhorrent, the agreeable custom of bundling was in some sections rather encouraged than discounte- nanced, till by the frequent advent of the dimpled fruits came serious scandal. MARRIAGE. As a guard against irregular and improper mar- riages, an order was early passed by the General Court requiring the intention to be published fourteen days before the consummation. And this salutary 366 IV. THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. regulation, in substance, continued in force for more than two hundred years. The following is the first enactment on the subject : " For preventing of all vnlawfull marriages, &c., it is ordered, that after dewe publication of this order, noe persons shalbee ioyned in marriage before the inten- tion of the parties proceeding therein hath bene 3 times published at some time of publike lecture or towne meeting, in both the townes where the parties or either of them do ordinarily reside ; & in such townes where no lectures are, then the same intention to bee set vp in writing vpon some poast standing in publike viewe & used for such purposes onely, & there to stand, so as it may easily bee read, by the space of 14 dayes. And all townes w ch have no weekly lecture shall fourthw th appoint or set vp a post in some publike place, to bee vsed for that purpose onely, vpon paine of x s/ls - the month for default thereof." [Court Records, Sept. 9, 1639. It was not till 1686 that ministers were authorized to solemnize marriages. Before that, only magis- trates, and officers specially appointed, could tie the knot matrimonial. This is singular, considering the extraordinary respect then paid to ministers, and perhaps inexplicable on any other ground than that which supposes a disposition to show contempt for the church of England, which, under ecclesiastical law, invested the rite with peculiar sanctity, though not, as before remarked, giving it the character of a sacrament, as does the Romish church. The puritans MARRIAGE. 367 here placed it right down where the common law of England left it ; on the ground of a mere civil con- tract ; and then, strangely enough, went on to hedge it about with such restrictions as showed that in principle it was viewed in a light very different from a common contract. All along among the proceedings of the Court may be found the appointment of matrimonial commission- ers, as the exigencies of time and place required. The following appears among other enactments : "There being seuerall tounes w th in this jurisdiction who are not only remote from any magistrate, but also destitute of any person impowred to solemnize marriage, the want whereof is an occasion of much trouble & sometjmes disapointment, which to prevent, it is ordered that Capt. Johnson for Wooborne, Left. French for Billirriky & Chelmsford, W m Coudrey for Reding, Capt. Marshall for Lynn, [with quite a num- ber of others for different places,] shall and hereby are appointed & empowred to joyne in marriage such persons w th in their respective tounes or Ij mitts as shall desire the same, being published according to lawe." [Court Records, Oct. 18, 1659. In the selection of persons to fill so important an office, no doubt pains were taken to have men of intelligence, honor, and integrity. Yet, notwithstand- ing every precaution an unsuitable individual would occasionally slip into office ; much as is the case in our day, especially as to those offices where the pay is liberal. And the larger the pay, the greater the 368 IV. THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. danger, perhaps, though the popular opinion now seems to be that the larger the pay the greater the surety of obtaining honest service indicating that after all moral worth and honor may be merchantable articles, or have a clear pecuniary value. Of Capt. Marshall, the above-named appointee for Lynn, we must say a few words ; for he dodges about in our colonial history in a shape sometimes rather questionable. His doings under his commis- sion rendered him quite conspicuous for a time, for he can hardly be said to have been either reserved in his manners or cautious in his acts. He does not appear to have been a bad man, but a jolly, rollicking, careless body, fond of a good time, and ready to assist others in what seemed to him the chief enjoyments of life. He was so ready to act in his official capacity, without any examination as to whether preliminary requisitions had been complied with, and was withal so easily imposed upon, that his vicinage became a sort of Gretna Green. Capt. Marshall kept a tavern, which was for a long period among the most noted in all New England. It was on the great eastern road from Boston, and the same one before spoken of in these pages, as being the scene, while in charge of Joseph Armitage, of some romantic and touching occurrences. He appears to have come from England among the early settlers. But when the sun of the Common- wealth was struggling up amid the feudal mists, he was seized with irrepressible military ardor, and buck- ling on his armor hastened to enspirit, by his valiant MARRIAGE. 369 presence, the parliamentary host. The value of his services was beyond calculation ; for by his bravery in the field and wisdom in the council, the new gov- ernment was established ; at least so it was according to his own representation ; and who, better than he, could know what wonders he had accomplished. At the close of the war he returned, and again took up his abode in Lynn, upon the margin of Sau- gus river, as was affirmed because that stream abound- ed with luscious eels, of which he was immoderately fond. And it may be incidentally mentioned that while he was a member of the General Court, which was for several years, he annually invited his fellow- members to an eel supper at his house ; and then the poor eels were forced to appear in every guise known to the cuisine economy in fry, stew, or baked pie ; under a crispy crust or in a robe of browned meal. It was after his return from the war that he became a member of the Court, as the records show. He received great applause for his soldierly exploits ; and the scars he swore by were the admiration of all partisans of the Commonwealth and that is about equivalent to saying of all the people. It has been remarked, in a general way, that those soldiers who on their return from a war are most boastful of their valorous achievements, are usually those who were fortunately out of the way of the bullet showers, or had discretion enough to retreat before the storms ; while those who are more modest in recounting their exploits, are such as show stumps and scars. Judging by this rule, I do not know what to say of Capt. Marshall, as a soldier. He had no P* 24 37 IV - THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. stumps to exhibit, but he had a very conspicuous scar on his left jowl. It was, however, like the scar which adorned another famous individual who figures in this volume, a variable index quite a weathercock of a scar ; for it not only answered as evidence of a murderous thrust of a cavalier, in a hand-to-hand engagement, but as evidence of a merciless blow from the tomahawk of a savage, and again as the mark of the tooth of a ferocious shark who had endeavored to make a meal of him. But there was another explana- tion, given by an unromantic neighbor, who alleged that he was present when the wound was received. His declaration was that before the Captain returned to England on his military enterprise, he was one day eeling with him, at Mystic river. They had a little keg of stimulant which they placed behind a rock, to be visited by either, as occasion might require. The neighbor was some distance up stream most of he afternoon, and when he returned he found the 'Captain in a comatose condition seated beside the empty keg. He had not caught a single eel, but kept muttering something about Indians' frightening them away. The neighbor was alarmed at his con- dition, and having raised him up was more alarmed still to find that he could not stand. However, he managed to brace him up against the rock while he collected their apparatus ; but just as he was turning back, the brace under his chin gave way, and he reeled over, the end of the support gouging into his cheek, and inflicting a really serious wound, a wound of which the scar in question remained a conspicuous remembrancer. MARRIAGE. 3/1 Captain Marshall is represented to have taken great pains to render the occasions on which he officiated by virtue of his commission in every way agreeable. His best room would be illuminated with all the brilliancy that the most ambitious tallow-dips were capable of. And sometimes the savory perfume of divers tall bayberry candles floated about like incense at a Jewish bridal. The floor would rejoice in a covering of the whitest sand that the neighboring beaches afforded, figured off as cunningly as the most dexterous broom could work. The cheeriest fire would glow on the ample hearth, if the blasts of win- ter stirred without. The ponderous high-back settle would be drawn into the most conspicuous position, to receive within its ample arms, the happy pair, with the groomsmen and bridemaids. And above all, the provident host would be sure to have the old fiddler on his block in the chimney corner. The ceremony in those days was short and simple, for it was consid- ered as much a "church superstition" to have a prayer at a wedding as at a funeral. Had prayers been demanded, we are left to imagine how the Cap- tain would have acquitted himself. He is represented to have been so off-hand that oftentimes the parties did not know at what particular point of time they became man and wife. With him, the attendant festivities were the chief thing ; and hence it is not wonderful that he should once in a while have become so bewildered as to lose his reckoning. This was the case in relation to a couple who came to be married on a Thanksgiving evening. A. more than ordinarily jolly time was had, and the pair did not depart till 372 IV. THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. midnight. After he had retired and lay reflecting on the events of the evening, it suddenly occurred to him that he had not married them at all ; though they had gone off in the happy belief that they were man and wife. A Thanksgiving dinner and wedding party in one day, had proved too much for him. The pair themselves were culpable in not keeping a more careful watch on the proceedings ; but they probably anticipated no failure of duty on the part of the chief performer, and so gave themselves no anxiety. When the recollection of his inexcusable delin- quency flashed upon Capt. Marshall he was exces- sively disturbed. He turned and twisted about in, his bed, rose up in end, twitched off his night-cap and threw it across the floor, then got up and replaced it, and performed divers other equally rational antics. But what was to be done ? It came to that question, after all. Should he post right off, and communicate to the twain the dread fact, and try forthwith to mend matters as well as he could ? Why no, he thought, it would be downright sin to disturb them at such a time. So he concluded to let the matter rest till the next day. Early on the following morning, the pair started on a short visit to some friends in Boston ; so that when the Captain arrived at their cosy home, they could not be found. He was now almost distracted at what he had done, or rather at what he had left undone ; perhaps as much from the apprehension of losing custom and being subjected to neighborly jokes, when the matter leaked out, as from any other cause. He became so uneasy that in the afternoon MARRIAGE. 373 he mounted his nag and started for Boston with all possible speed. The happy pair were found enjoying their sweet companionship at the hospitable abode of a worthy draper. And having no time to lose he drew aside the surprised Mr. Ganderson for that, by the way, was the name of the would-be bride- groom and in as composed a manner as he could command, communicated the alarming intelligence, proposing, in the same breath, to repair all damages, by at once tying the matrimonial knot. And what was his astonishment to receive in return for his generous offer, the indifferent reply, "Well done, Master Marshall ! well done ! And haply there is a providence in thy delinquency, which we may do well to heed. Indeed I already begin to have weighty misgivings touching the desirableness of wedlock. I thank thee for thy neighborly office in informing of thy strange omission ; but think we will allow the affair to rest just where it is, looking to future provi- dential direction. But, Captain, is it so, of a truth, or art thou come with one of thy canty jokes ? " The Captain was completely nonplused. He had been ruminating on the affair for many hours, and considering the possible consequences to the parties and to himself, and had come to the rational conclu- sion that nothing but an immediate marriage would rectify affairs. And so that unexpected answer was, of all things, best calculated to discompose him. He however presently rallied sufficiently to raise his voice in warm expostulation and stormy denunciation, inso- much that all the people in the house were at once drawn about them. 374 IV - THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. Mr. Ganderson received the outporing of indignant eloquence with the most provoking unconcern, which added essentially to the aggravation. Finally, the Seventh Commandment suggested itself to the aid of the Captain ; and on that he felt sure of overcoming. On it he exhorted, and on it he predicated the direst threats. But as the threats began their skirmishing, they were met by a shocking outburst of laughter from the gentleman in jeopardy, who, throwing his arm lovingly around his partner in the misadventure, significantly asked the Captain if he could not under- stand a joke, after having been all his life dealing in such articles ; adding that though it were perhaps unseemly to joke on such a matter, he hoped to be excused, for really he had felt so good for the last dozen or two hours that he hardly knew what he did. This brought relief and good nature. And it was agreed that as delays are dangerous, and the parties stood in so equivocal a position, the knot should be tied forthwith ; they being, as one of the company pleasantly observed, already as good as man and wife. The ceremony was accordingly performed ; hastily indeed, but surely ; much to the relief of all concerned ; especially to the Captain. And then the rejoicing official, being refreshed by a substantial supper, remounted his well-fed horse, and took his rugged way homeward. It was a moon- less night, and the dark woods would have rendered the journey tedious enough had not his heart been so light. But he arrived safely, though late, and was not long in seeking repose upon his bed. It was MARRIAGE. 375 natural enough that the events of the day should be summoned before his mind, for review, before sleep shut down the gate. Now those night reviews, though recommended by moralists, are just the sort of things that often murder sleep. If most of us could only forget, at night, what we have done during the day, our sleep would be less disturbed. Captain Marshall, on this occasion, would certainly have slept better had he dispensed with the review, for the recol- lection came suddenly upon him, that Boston was not within the scope of his commission, and that he had no right to marry people there. Some of his fellow- officials, on whose jurisdiction he had trespassed, he felt assured would be informed of his proceeding; and then there would be a rumpus ; for there was rivalry in that business as there is in all other. The effect of the Captain's recollection was almost overpowering. He groaned so loudly that he awoke the cook, who slept in a neighboring apartment ; and she, hastening to his bedside, found him, as she supposed, writhing from a severe pain in the bowels his " drefful bowleyhake," as she called it. So she flew to the kitchen, and with all possible despatch returned with an overflowing mug of peppermint-tea. She handed it toward him, when he reared up and gave the mug such a whack, as to send it with a smash against the opposite side of the room, aspersing her rusty brown face with the scalding liquid. This she took as a challenge to battle, such as had fiercely raged be- tween them on certain special occasions before. So she seized a chair and began to lamm and punch him with all her might, occasionally exclaiming, in 3/6 IV. THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. no gentle voice, " I '11 give you a bowleyhake, you old eel-pot you ! " Pretty much all he could do was to exercise a little choice as to what part of his body should receive the blows ; and this he did, by turning and twisting, and presenting this or that member. It must be seen that he was taken at great disadvant- age, having nothing on but his airy night robe, and so could not rise and grapple with his adversary. All the time, the most terrific outcries were kept up, so that the whole household were presently aroused and drawn to the scene of action. Forcible intervention soon restored order. The heroine returned to her virgin couch, and the mediators dispersed, without even inquiring into the cause of the warfare, probably supposing it to have been of a piece with former frivolous disagreements. The scrimmage gave such a change to the current of the Captain's reflections, or rather perhaps so drove all reflection from him, that he slept soundly for the hour or two remaining before daylight. When he awoke, he very sensibly resolved to repair, as soon as his morning meal was over, to the nearest Assist- ant, and in a private way lay the matter of his trouble about the marriage before him ; which resolution he carried into effect. The worthy magistrate informed him that the mar- riage was a good one, though he himself might be proceeded against for exceeding his authority. And he generously proposed, as the Court was then in session, to endeavor to get an order through, confirm- ing his doings, and relieving him from any penalty, no particular harm having ensued. And being a MARRIAGE. 377 man of influence, and one never known to advocate a wrong measure, he had.no difficulty in effecting his neighborly purpose. Thus were all the wounds healed and embarrass- ments obviated. And the bride and the bridegroom, the jolly Captain, the brown faced cook, and all con- cerned, began again to jog along life's busy road, as calmly and comfortably as if the threatening obstruc- tions had never interposed. One would have supposed that Captain Marshall's experience in this case would have led him to exer- cise extreme caution in the future. But that does not appear to have been the happy result. He soon became as careless as ever, and as unable to resist any wayward application for the exercise of his office. His love for the good times grew upon him ; and it would be interesting to draw his picture, as he appeared in the full enjoyment of one of his parties, after he had riveted the bonds of love. Laying aside his coat and his magistratic dignity, in precipitate haste, and in defiance of the law prohib- iting dancing, he would claim it as his prerogative to have a trip-on-toe with the blushing bride. Then his fat sides would shake, and his great feet would rise and fall with a noise like the thumps of a fulling mill. The sweat would drip from his face, and his enor- mous round-glassed spectacles, shaking from their nasal perch, would . be kicked aside, to be replaced when a sufficient pause in the irresistible music of the fiddle allowed. Weddings were seasons of great hilarity ; often unbecomingly so. And the Captain did his part to 3/8 IV. THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. make them what they were, and bring about the state of things which forced the Court to reiterate its pro- hibitory mandate against dancing generally, and es- pecially at marriages. Certain it is, there were evils which called loudly for reform. As late as 1719, the Boston ministers pronounced weddings to be times of " riotous irregularities." The Captain continued to administer his office in such an eccentric manner that the Court finally re- voked his commission. The proceedings in the case show how the matter stood in their minds, though it is evident that the white-wash brush was an imple- ment not unknown at that unsophisticated period, if it is in this cunning age. The record stands thus : "The Court, being informed that Capt. Thomas Marshall hath of late marrjed some persons not legally published, on the examination of the case, finde that he was abused by the misinformation of some, by his oune over much credulity, and that he hath exceeded the comission by marrying persons not living in the toune, w ch might be occasioned vpon some mistake of the extent of his comission, w ch this Court hath now more clearly explicated, to prevent the like inconvenience, & judge meet to dischardge the sajd Capt. Marshall from officyating in that imployment." [Court Records, May 31, 1670. " Overmuch credulity," forsooth ! The Court must have said that with its thumb against its nose, figura- tively speaking ; as it says a great many things, now-a-days. The moving cause of the action was MARRIAGE. 379 probably the Hope Allen case, of which brief notice should be taken. Mr. Allen appears to have had a strong desire to get a daughter, then of marriageable age, off his hands ; but there was no harm in that. And she, with mat- ronly aspirations/ had no disposition to thwart his desire ; nor was there harm in that. And as a third party was necessary to the success of the scheme, they somehow roped in a promising young man named Deacon ; was there harm in that ? Ah ! there the fact of innocence is not quite so apparent. A Boston magistrate was applied to, to perform that delicate problem in matrimonial arithmetic, which by adding two together makes one or, in plain English, they applied to him to marry them. But he promptly refused, not being satisfied that they were legally published. On this, the undaunted Hope, with the docile pair, hied to the elysian fields of Lynn, the jurisdiction of Capt. Marshall, taking with them another con- spirator, named John Pease. Almost before they knew it, after reaching the lovers' refuge, the two were man and wife, and a smoking eel-pie was before them. They returned to Boston, prepared to look the magistrate who had refused to unite them, defiantly in the face. But the matter created a good deal of talk, though what gave it the great importance that seems to have been attached to it does not appear. The Court, as has been seen, annulled the Captain's commission. And now we will show how Mr. Allen, the bride's father, and the conspirator Pease were dealt with : 38O IV. THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. " Hope Allin & John Pease, being sent for, appeared in Court, & y e sajd John Pease acknouldged, that notw th standing the counsell of the major general!, who had declined y e marrying of M r Deacon to Hope Allins daughter, he did accompany them to Lynn, to Capt. Marshall, &c., and Hope Allin declared he did give his consent y l y e sajd M r Deacon should haue his daughter, & told Capt. Marshall y l he hoped they might be legally published before y* time, &c., the Court judged it meet to censure the sajd Hope Allin to pay tenn pounds as a fine to the country for his irregular proceedure, & John Pease forty shillings." [Court Records, May 31, 1670. DIVORCE. Having seen something of the manner in which the matrimonial victims were bound, it remains to be seen how they were unbound. A few pages back we made a remark or two on the subject of divorce. It is a matter of very grave importance, and one on which we hear greatly differing opinions expressed. The General Court took jurisdiction, original and appellate, apparently determining every case on its merits, regardless of precedent and without fixed rule. And we now propose citing one or two instances to show their manner of proceeding : " In the case of Rachell Langton, or Varney, the Court judgeth it meete to declare, that shee is free from hir late husband, Joseph Langton." [Court Records, May 22, 1661. DIVORCE. 381 There is no circumlocution, no red tape, here ; and Rachel, no doubt, made a courtesy to the Court and went on her way rejoicing. Joseph, too, perhaps, made a bow and went on his other way rejoicing with equal joy. The cause of the separation does not appear. Here is another case, in which the Court was un- gallant enough to refuse a lady's petition : " In ans r to the petition of Margaret Bennet, in behalf of Mary White, her daughter, humbly desiring to be set free from Elias White, hir husband, for his deficjency, &c., in hir peticon & by witnesses therein exprest & prooved, the Court judgeth it not meete to graunt hir request." [Court Records, Oct. 21, 1663. We do not learn in what particular Elias was defi- cient. But as every man and woman on earth is deficient in something, if divorces were granted ac- cordingly, the matrimonial fetters would prove but cobwebs. Perhaps the mother-in-law intermeddled. The next case seems to have been one with which the Court itself hardly knew how to deal : " In ans r to the petition of Elizabeth Steevens, wife of Henry Steevens, it appearing to the Court that the sajd Henry Steevens hath deserted his wife and held vnlawfull familiarity w th another woman, this Court judgeth it meete to declare, that the petitioner marry- ing any other man shall not be indangered thereby as a transgressour of our lawes." [Court Records, Oct. 12, 1670. 382 . IV. THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. This curious decree was of course intended to ope- rate as a divorce ; otherwise it allowed her to have two husbands. Henry should have been ashamed to be dallying with another woman, and deserved to lose his wife. The following is an instance wherein the Court of Assistants undertook to divorce a couple, and had their doing reversed on an appeal to the General Court. The latter say : " In ans r to y e peticon of George Halsall, humbly desiring that Jane his wife, lately divorced from him by the Court of Assistants, 1656, may be restoured to him, &c., the Court on a hearing of the matter con- tejned in his petition, and duly considering of all the evidences by both partjes produced in the case, doe order, that the judgment of the sajd Court of Assistants in refference thereto be voyd, and that the sajd George Halsal shall haue and enjoy the sajd Joane Halsal his wife againe." [Court Records, Nov. 12, 1659. One would have thought he could not have enjoyed her much after her jtantrums. They had been sepa- rated some three years, but his affection seems to have survived. And the same, apparently, was the case with her aversion. Or, perhaps, it was another of those cases where a mischief making mother-in-law interfered. Divorces for desertion do not appear to have been uncommon. There were a good many adventurers here, who probably took wives, and when they became DIVORCE. 383 tired of them, or wished to return to the old country unencumbered, deserted them. And not a few were found to have a wife or two on either side of the water. The jurisprudence of New England always regarded desertion as a sufficient ground for divorce ; and justly so, as it defeats the chief purposes of the marriage relation. In addition to the cases spoken of the following may properly be given : " In ans r to the peticon of Mary Madox, the Court hailing read & considered the contents of this petition doe judge & declare, that y e condition of the petitioner being indeed circumstanced as she hath therein de- clared, y l her husband Henry Maddox, having binn absent for a thirteen yeares & never wrote or sent to hir in y l time, she is at liberty from the conju- gall bond made w th the sajd Maddox & at liberty to dispose of hirselfe as she shall see meete." [Court Records, May 9, 1678. It would not be remarkable if this Mr. Maddox were of the progeny of the conscientious Maddox before spoken of in this volume ; but no matter about that. The ground taken, in this case, was, no doubt, his presumed death. And so, very likely, was the husband's death presumed, in the earlier case of Pester, which was disposed of as follows : " M ris Dorothy Pester, whose husband went to Eng- land some ten yeares since, & was neuer to this day heard of, vppon her petition to this Court, hath lib- erty graunted her to marry when God by his provi- 384 IV. THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. dence shall afford her an oppertunitie." [Court Re- cords, May 31, 1652. Whether God ever afforded her an opportunity to get married again, or her truant husband ever Pester- ed her or any other woman afterward, the records do not show. The question whether a man can rightfully marry his deceased wife's sister, has long been earnestly debated in almost every part of the Christian world the Protestant at least ; as the Catholic and Greek churches do not allow the connection ; nor the Church of England, so far as it can exercise authority. And it is probably true that at the present time a large majority in the protestant sects hold, on scriptural grounds, that such marriages are not allowable. Not- withstanding this, New England, at the present day, regards with no disfavor such alliances and is not New England the wisest place on the footstool ? The fathers of the Bay Colony, however, did not view this matter in the light their sons do ; but then their lantern was dimmer. The Court say : " In ans r to the quaestion, whither it be lawfull for a man that hath buried his first wife to marry w th hir that was his first wives natturall sister, the Court resolves it on the negative." [Court Records, May 31, 1670. We shall close our extracts, in this connection, with the following, which aims to keep the peace of families. IV. THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. 385 But alas, it requires a power greater than a Great and General Court, to secure such a desirable end : " Itt is ordered by this Courte, and the authoritje that no man shall strike his wife, nor any woman her husband, on penalty of such fine not exceeding tenn pounds for one offence, or such corporall punishment as the Shire Court that hath the examination thereof shall determine." [Court Records, Oct. 15, 1650. So the un courtly legislators assumed that a wife might be guilty of striking, as well as a husband ; and the validity of the assumption seems unfortu- nately to be borne out by the records. Among the cases in the shire court of Essex, in 1680, we find that of the wife of John Davis, who was presented " for breaking her husband's head with a quart pot." The sin of incontinence, as before remarked, was regarded with due horror. And when the marriage fold itself was invaded the penalty of death was not considered too severe. The case of Mary Latham, whicli occurred in 1643, created a good deal of sensa- tion, and possessed elements more than ordinarily affecting. She appears to have been well bred, and belonged to a pious family. When about eighteen years of age she became deeply in love with a young man, who does not appear to have reciprocated her ardent feel- ings. This had a serious effect upon her, and she rashly vowed that as she could not v/ed the real object of her affections, she would marry the first who pre- Q 25 386 IV. THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. sented himself. And accordingly she soon became the wife of a very unsuitable person ; a man old, poor, weak-minded, and depraved ; one for whom she could have no esteem, to say nothing of love. They led an exceedingly unhappy life, and soon abandoned themselves to a terribly vicious course, entertaining the lowest company, and engaging in scenes of the most revolting description. Among their associates was one James Britton, of Wey- mouth, who had long been marked by the authorities as a most turbulent fellow, and who, as appears by the records, was, on the i$th of March, 1639, "cen- sured to be whipped," for some of his evil deeds. They carried on their lewd orgies with such a high hand, scoffing at all admonitions, that it was finally determined to apply the utmost rigors of the law. They were complained of for the most grievous of the mutually voluntary offences in the catalogue of lewd- ness. And there was abundant evidence to ensure conviction. Indeed, after the trial she confessed the fact. They were both condemned to death. And their execution speedily followed. Winthrop says the young woman died penitently, " and gave good exhortation to all young maids to be obedient to their parents, and to take heed of evil company." Britton, after his condemnation, mani- fested great reluctance to die, and petitioned the General Court, to annul or commute his sentence ; but they would not. Some of the magistrates, how- ever, questioning " whether adultery was death by God's law now," a warm debate sprang up. But the result did not save Britton's neck. IV. THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. 387 The Domestic Relations certainly constitute one of the most weighty of subjects. But our limits will not admit of further details. And with one or two additional general reflections we must close this chapter. It is not easy to fully recognize the various interests and duties that cluster around the matrimonial con- nection. The highest earthly hopes and most fervid sympathies are there ; and so are the purest delights ; all mingled with cold realities, anxieties, and neces- sitous exactions. Marriage is not only a union of hearts, but a union of interests ; and in considering it from without, the sanguine seeker after happiness is apt to recognize only its more endearing promises a circumstance which doubtless gives birth, after the fold is entered, to a dismal brood of disappointments and vexations. The objects of ill-founded hope and expectation vanish away like fantoms. Where the connection is entered into with a just appreciation of its responsibilities and requirements, with a de- termination to deserve its blessings, and with a due sense of the imperfection of all mortals and of all things mortal, it will be a rare case where it does not prove a success. But when impulse, romantic enthu- siasm, unripe judgment or unworthy scheming takes the lead, many and many a weary month of baffled hopes may be counted on. The ardent youth, when looking forward in blissful anticipation, is led by nature herself to consider, al- most exclusively, the sweets of the connection. The sadder incidents which are sure to be encountered, sooner or later, seldom becloud the pleasing view. 388 IV. THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. Perhaps dame nature arranged this so, foreseeing that if she permitted her sons and daughters to realize the entire condition of affairs, none of them would ever enter the marriage state. In such matters, the young are very much inclined to think the old mere ill-judging mal-contents. But the counsel of the advanced and experienced may save from most ruinous plunges. It must be added, however, that there appears to be a sagacity in what we call true love, that is so penetrating and discerning, that it may be questioned whether it is not in many cases as safe to be trusted as the cool calculations of those who are liable to be led by worldly conside- rations and prejudices. The counsel of parents should never be withheld from their sons and daughters ; but positive opposition has many dangers, unless it springs from the clearest reason. Physical proprieties are too much overlooked in the preliminary consideration of marriage. They have much to do with the weal or woe of the parties imme- diately concerned and with the well-being of the race. The most valuable product of any community is good men and women good morally, intellectually, and physically ; gold and precious stones are not to be named in comparison. The deterioration of nations even, is, without doubt, more often to be attributed to ill-assorted marriages than men are accustomed to believe. Were it not so serious a matter, it would be amus- ing to recount the strange and even ridiculous ideas some men have in relation to the qualities desirable in a wife. Perhaps a large majority in the civilized IV. THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. 389 world, justly conceive that the proper position of a wife is that of a companion, a bosom companion, a companion in joy and sorrow ; and their choice is supposed to be governed accordingly. Others seem to choose their wives literally as helps. Others, again, choose them simply as household ornaments. Then there are those who entertain a mortal dread of being linked to wives of stronger powers than themselves ; and not being able to relinquish the manly desire to be always captain of the domestic train-band, choose from the most submissive and simple. And as to others, it is utterly impossible to determine what does direct their choice. But space will allow of no farther consideration of this interesting class of topics. The relation of husband and wife, while it is the dearest in life is also one of the greatest responsibility. Results attend the connection, which reach on from generation to gene- ration results materially affecting mind, body, and estate. Literally are the sins of parents often visited on children of the third and fourth generation. The union of a man and woman, or, if you please, of a boy and girl, will sometimes effect what a war of nations could not, and may give character to a whole race. And in every sphere of life, how are fortunes made or marred by the quiet operation of the simplest marriage rite ; and how is a lifetime of happiness or woe secured. And then, as to the few individuals whose matri- monial infelicities have been spoken of. So long a time has elapsed since their sad experiences that we can know nothing of the intensity of the sorrows that 3QO IV. THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS. forced them to appeal to the public tribunals and lay open their griefs to the jests and sneers of the incon- siderate and unfeeling. But they are all now at rest from their cares and strifes. One by one they went down to the dark valley, whither we are all bound, and for generation after generation have slept the lonely sleep of death, their loves quenched, their bickerings ended. CHAPTER V EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. AMONG all the great objects that claimed the attention of our excellent forefathers, while laying the foundations of our social fabric, none seemed of higher importance, or called for more earnest reflection than Education. They evidently had a realizing sense of their duty in respect to it and determined faithfully to acquit themselves ; never doubting that thus would the highest blessings be secured for themselves, their children, and their chil- dren's children. With the following extract from the early records we commence our limited investigation : " It being one cheife project of y 1 ould deluder, Satan, to keepe men from the knowledge of y e Scrip- tures, as in form r times by keeping y m in an unknowne tongue, so in these latt r times perswading from y e use of tongues, y* so at least y 6 true sence & meaning of y e originall might be clouded by false glosses of saint seeming deceivers, y* learning might not be buried in y e grave of o r fath rs in y e church & comon- wealth, the Lord assisting o r endeavo r s, It is there- fore ord r ed, y l ev r y towneship in this jurisdiction, aft r (390 392 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. y* Lord hath increased y m to y e number of 50 house- hold rs , shall then forthw tb appoint one w th in theire towne to teach all such children as shall resort to him to write and reade, whose wages shall be paid eith r by y e parents or mast rs of such children, or by y e inhabitants in gen r all, by way of supply, as y e major part of those y* ord r y e prudentials of y e towne shall appoint ; provided, those y* send their children be not oppressed by paying much more y n they can have y m taught for in oth r townes ; and it is further ordered y* where any towne shall increase to y e numb r of 100 families or household 1 " 8 , they shall set up a gramer schoole, y e m r thereof being able to instruct youth so farr as they may be fited for y e university, provided, y* if any towne neglect y e performance hereof above one yeare, y 1 every such towne shall pay 5/. to y e next schoole till they shall performe this order." [Court Records, Nov. 11, 1647. This seems to have been the first general order that the Court passed for the establishment of a school system, in Massachusetts ; though " divers free schools were erected " in Boston, Roxbury, and a few other places, a year or two before, and though something is said about the neglect of parents and masters to " train up their children in learning," in the Court proceedings as early as 1642 ; in which year, Governor Dudley writes, "there is a want of schoolmasters hereabouts." By the preamble to the foregoing order, it would appear that one of the chief purposes in providing educational means for all, was to enable them to SCHOOL OPENS. 393 circumvent the devil in his attempts to keep them from a knowledge of the scriptures a right worthy purpose, too, most certainly. They manifested extra- ordinary veneration for the holy book, and ardently desired that every one might enjoy its blessings. They would have it in every man's hands, for study and meditation. But yet they wanted it studied and meditated upon according to their convictions. Any one might read, digest, and interpret, for himself provided he did so in conformity to their faith. They never, in words, required any one to peruse the holy book through their spectacles. But how much better did they do ? Ask the spirits of Roger Wil- liams and Mrs. Hutchinson ask the whole Antino- mian brood ask the Quakers. The absurdity of allowing individul interpretation of human law was fully realized ; but on God's great law they allowed an airy freedom to all the virtuous and the strong, the corrupt and the weak that is, they allowed it theoretically ; but practically they did no such thing. And does not that theory, whenever adopted appear coupled with inconsistent acts ? Little did the sturdy Nicholas Willis, a Boston member, who introduced this order, realize what an affluent mine he was opening, what a vast amount of intellectual power would be developed by the simple machinery he was putting in motion a power unut- terably more beneficial to our undone race than that which gives motion to all the clattering and shrieking machinery beneath heaven's blue canopy. Could he have looked down the vista of years and beheld the little school-houses, springing up in everv settlement, Q* 394 v - EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. and so following the march of civilization as to form outworks all along the ever-expanding frontier, their red tops gleaming cheerily in the sunshine and speak- ing of mystery and power to the dejected race who receded before them he would have felt that his endeavors were not in vain. And could he have cast his eye still farther along to this our day, and beheld the noble edifices that have succeeded those humble seats of learning, what would have been his emotions. And if he could, with the eye of a seer, have seen sporting about the doors of those primitive shrines, in tattered raiment and with shoeless feet, the embryo heroes who were to subdue the wilderness and defeat invading foes, the sages who were to shape the prin- ciples which were to make our nation great, he might indeed have been thrilled with a joy like that felt by earth's most applauded benefactors. The first clergy here, were, most of them, learned men, having been bred in the bosom of the Church, which required of those who ministered at her altars something more than alleged calls to preach the gos- pel ; some farther recommendation than simple piety. Many of them, in connection with their other duties became teachers of youth. And they knew well the value of education beyond its power in securing mere success in life ; they knew of the benefits and happi- ness that flow from intellectual attainment ; they knew, in short, the value of learning as a weapon in the constant warfare against "y l ould deluder Satan." Very little learning was indeed required in the transaction of the limited business of that day ; and it would be quite irrational to conclude that the SCHOOL OPENS. 395 schools were established for the fitting of youth for that alone. No, no, it would be doing our ancestors great injustice to suppose any such thing, particularly against their own recorded declarations. Their mo- tives were higher and holier, and we, their obliged descendants, are called upon by every consideration of honor and gratitude, to revere and bless their memory. But after a generation or two had passed from the time the Massachusetts settlements began, there ap- peared a class of native preachers, very poorly quali- fied for the sacred office, excepting, perhaps, in the matter of piety. And many of these, too, performed the duties of teachers of youth. They were harsh and rigid in their views of truth and duty, and their uncongenial spirits were manifested alike in their preaching and severity of discipline. Learning passed through a long interval of languishment. Indeed it was not till after the Revolution that the good seeds so early sown began to produce their best fruits. But it should be borne in mind that the term " free school " has at this day a more comprehensive signifi- cation than it formerly had. The schools were not then free, in a full sense. Voluntary contributions were received, and assessments levied upon those who had children to send ; but it was not deemed just that those who had neither children nor wards to partake of the benefits should be taxed for the support of the schools. This seems to have been the popular view, though the order of the Court, just quoted, it will be perceived, allowed a general taxation if the au- thorites in the towns so directed. There were few or 396 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. no cases in which pupils were excluded, for the pay of the teachers was small and doled almost entirely in produce. And so tenderly was the growing system fostered that a master who excluded one because he could not pay the pittance would have been frowned upon. It was many years before the people were brought to a full sense of the propriety of taxing all for the support of schools, because all, directly or indirectly, received the benefit. So perfect a system as that of Massachusetts at the present day was necessarily of slow growth. Religious instruction in the common schools was, till a comparatively late period, deemed of the first importance ; and when a teacher was engaged he was thoroughly examined on points of doctrine. In 1654 the Court passed an order forbidding that any who had shown " y m selves unsound in the fayth " should be employed to teach. We do not think that religious instruction in the schools of our day would do much harm seeing that so many children are not likely to get it any where else. But it might be difficult among the multitude of theological whims, to deter- mine who was or was not " unsound in the fayth." As before remarked, this important order was in- troduced into the Court by Nicholas Willis, a Boston member. There is not a great deal to be found recorded concerning him, for he was far from being ostentatious or assuming. He was grave and discreet, and very constant in his place at the end of one of the rude benches. The good old Massachusetts fathers, governed as they were by the spirit, and to a considerable extent SCHOOL OPENS. 397 by the letter, of the Levitical law, were, of course, not inclined to err by too great leniency in school disci- pline. They had found in the venerable book they so much revered, the proverb, " He that spareth his rod, hateth his son," and seemed determined that the striking evidence of their parental love therein approved should not be wanting. And the teacher of youth who would not conform to the requirement was deemed unfit for his office. And could all the cries and lamentations of the poor urchins under cas- tigation in a single settlement, during a single week, have been gathered into one sound it would have been such a wail as earth never before heard ; and the vibrations would have rolled on with a tornado's sweep. Even in Harvard college, as will appear more at large hereafter, the law established the discipline of the cudgel. And there were a few manifestations of rebellion there on account of it ; but they were speedily suppressed by the very instruments that occasioned them ; that is, the outward manifestations were suppressed ; but inwardly they remained as contumacious as ever ; and inward rebellion is more difficult to manage than outward, it is so much harder to get at. Where the punishment of the rod is so freely dis- pensed, it must, almost of necessity, sometimes fall unjustly. Children perceive this quick enough ; and they also perceive, quick enough, when the teacher has a relish for that part of his duty when the inflic- tions are not to be taken as evidences of love. There was a cross-grained old pedagogue who for many years taught the school in the north end of 398 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. Boston, whose name was Croscobal Crosscudgel, as the roguish boys persisted in calling it. He loved to flagellate the children about as well as he loved to eat his breakfast ; but he did it on principle, of course. He became quite unpopular with the juveniles ; but the very cause that made him hateful to them made him popular with some of the inclement authorities. The benign proverb just quoted " He that spareth his rod hateth," &c., was often upon his lips. And being extremely rigid in doctrine, he took special notice of the fact that children generally prefer to have love toward them manifested in some other way than by unmerciful thrashings ; which fact he regard- ed as undeniable evidence of innate depravity. He was a moral philosopher. And deeming the cries issuing from those undergoing chastisement but the shrieks of the devils with which they were possessed, he laid on with increased vigor, hoping to rid the youthful breasts, or backs, of the foul enemies that nestled there. He was a tall, raw-boned man, with wiry hair, and with his left temple conspicuously ornamented by a great red mother-mark, bearing a striking resem- blance to a knotty cudgel. But the nose was his most noticeable feature, for it was knocked up in such a remarkable way that its point actually stood out at a right angle with the facial plain. As this nasal elegance was not designed by nature, it may be well here to explain how it was formed. He had at some time during the third year of his experience as a Boston teacher, most cruelly flogged a bright little fellow for attempting imitations of his SCHOOL OPENS. 399 motions. Most people are proud to have imitators ; but he chose to be offended. True, while the efforts at imitation were in progress, the other boys surrounded the performer laughing and shouting in high glee, and in the exuberance of their spirits indulging in various pleasant exclamations, such as, " Hitch along, old Crosscudgel ! " " Go it, one side at a time ! " " Now let 's see you turn your nose ; but take care boys ! " " Give us the cudgel exercise ! " But there was no time for that, for down pounced the old man himself upon them, and led off the chief offender, to meet his doom. He was a good-natured, frolicksome boy, and quite popular in the school. So a conspiracy was presently formed among them to get a suck at the sweets that revenge is said to afford. In the aisle of the school-room, between the two rows of benches, was an aukwardly constructed trap- door, leading by a ladder to the deep, dark cellar-hole beneath. This door, if not carefully closed, was liable to tilt and suddenly send whoever stepped upon it into the dirty abyss below, to the danger of limbs or even life. But the little feet continued month after month to patter over it with few accidents. It was here that the ingenious little conspirators set their trap ; literally making the door a trap-door. They drew it a little forward and sideling ; not enough to attract attention, but enough to answer the purpose. So the trap is set. The tyrant enters. And pres- ently every little tow-head is bent over a book or ciphering board. Indeed a little closer attention than usual characterizes the school on this eventful morn- ing. But all of a sudden there comes flying over the 4OO V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. bowed heads, from the very backmost seat a thour- oughly saturated spit-ball, striking with a very un- pleasant smack directly on the frontal vacuum of the teacher. This was an unheard-of indignity. The insulted sovereign seized his weapon, and boiling with rage strode toward the offender. Three strides such as he took on this occasion, brought him to the fatal trap, which, having joined the conspiracy, performed its allotted part in perfect good faith, and .... Down went Master Croscobal down, like Ban- quo's ghost, only a great deal more rapidly than most players make the descent. He struck his nose fairly on the edge of the abyss, and with such terrible force as in a manner to tear it out by the roots ; and was otherwise so seriously injured that doubts were enter- tained of his surviving. The boys were very much alarmed and immediately summoned assistance. He was raised groaning from the pit and gently conveyed to his home where the surgeon set his broken leg and bound up his bruises. The doctor did all he possibly could to reinstate the mangled nose. And in time that indispensable feature became restored to its useful functions, but its comeliness was gone. He was confined to his house for many weeks, and suffered grievous pains. Whether he reflected on his cruelties and repented of them, does not appear. In- deed if he acted on principle, as has been explained, it is not likely that he did repent, for people do not often, when they review, repent of what they have done on principle unless they first veer from the principle itself. It appears that to his dying day he never knew that the misplacing of the trap-door was SCHOOL OPENS. 4OI not a pure accident. How the knowledge was kept from him is mysterious. Had he been informed, it is enough to make one shudder to imagine the retribu- tion he would have meeted out. The sympathy between the backs of boys and their tongues, will sometimes induce the unruly member to keep silence when nothing else will. A letter written by one of the pupils of Master Croscobal to his twin sister, then absent from home, which gives a running account of this occurrence, among other matters of boyish interest, ought not to be overlooked. It shows what a Boston boy, at that early day, could do at composition. He ought to be praised for his spelling, as it is much more uniform than that of most of those even who kept the public records ; but he was evidently too intently engaged on his subject to experiment with orthography. Children tell the truth right out, hit where it may ; and it is a pity that historians do not more often light on their unprejudiced correspondence. Few would imagine, on perusing this letter, that its roguish author became one of the most learned and austere of the colonial clergy : " DEARE SISTER Lois : " Mother keepes a saying that I must rite a letter to you, and so I shal rite. First I wil tel about a beautyfull axcident that happend in oure scoole hows. Yesterday Sam found vnder oure henn coope a neest with 3 beautyfull little chucks. The axcident happend to olde Crosscudgell himselfe. You know the trapp doare thats rite in the ile ; and thats where 26 4O2 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. it happend. Theres a beautyfull bumlebees neest rite in the wall out on the roade, by the corner. The trapp dore got shoved a little one syde ; sometymes itt wood happen soe. My old turtles dead ; he ate som rusty nales. Sam says he means to keepe them little chucks for you to play with when you com horn ; wont it be beautyfull. The boys told old Crosscudgell that a snake run into the wall ; and so he spudged in with his kane, where they told him ; and he hitt rite into the bumblebees neest ; and the bumblebees flew oute and stung him beautyfull. Some boddy throwed a grate spitt bawl and hitt old Crosscudgell rite on the forred. Them little chucks that Sams a going to keepe for you look beautyfull ; and they dont smell a bit ; M r Copp says they never doe till they get bigger. When the spitt bawl hitt him hee cacht his stick and runn rite vpp the ile to whack Dave Wonson ; but Dave hadent done nothing. I wish you could a seen him hopp round when the bumblebees stung him soe ; it was beautyfull. Iza Redbacke mocked Crosscudg- ell, and got a licking for itt. His sister got lost in the woodes, and staid out most all nite ; every boddy turned oute to search for her ; they had drumms and horns and rattles and pine torches ; it was beautyfull ; Sam and I went too. When olde Crosscudgell trod on the trapp doare it sprung downe beautyfull ; jest lik a foxe trapp. Little Molly Melchers got the mea- zles ; mother lent em your pare of red stockings. All the menn are a going oute on a squirrell hunt next lecter day ; they eate vp every thing ; with gunns and pistoles ; wont itt bee beautyfull ; Sam and I will goe with em. When the trapp doare sprung downe, SCHOOL OPENS. 403 downe went olde Crosscudgell, rite into the cellar ; itt sprung beautyfull ; No boddy fixt the trapp doare soe ; itt happend. Sam and I went a ffishing over thrue M r Canes lande and cacht a grate string of ffish ; itt was beautyfull sporte. When olde Cross- cudgell fell downe into the cellar, he hitt his nose an awfull crack rite against the sharpe edge. I know where theres a chesnutt tree thats chock ful of burrs. M r Cane come along and took away all oure ffish ; he sayd they was his, cause wee stood on his lande when wee cacht em ; and I sposed they was. Sams a going to make mee a new bow gunn when hee cann gett a peece of boarde ; theres a boarde loos on the fens downe the lain ; maybee it will bio off some tyme. If we storme the bumblebees neest He save you som of my shair of the hunny. When ffather com hom by M r Canes shopp, hee saw som nice ffish there, and bot em ; they was the same ffish Sam and I cacht ; soe wee had em for supper ; they was beautyfull ; Goodman Turners got a newe pigg ; hes black and yello ; his tale curls jest like a screw, and when you pull it harde hee squeels beautyfull. Wee told ffather all about the ffish, and jest how M r Cane com by em ; he was som madd and sayd heed see about itt ; I dont spose now they was his jest cause wee stood on his lande when wee cacht em. When olde Crosscudgell hitt his nose soe beautyfull hee nockt it off rite by the rootes ; no, he didnt nock it quite off, but amost The blood spirted oute beautyfull. He went rite downe onto the cellar rocks, and was almost killed. Wee thot hee was dead, and run oute and called in every boddy. They gott him vp and hee groaned 404 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. beautyfull. Doctor Harker says hee gesses hee can patch vp the nose so as it will anser for som tyme yitt ; but hee says hee will never be abl to bio it as hard as he used to, soe that it cann be heard a myle off. And he says that it will allways stick vp, so that peeple musent stand in front when he blows ; but I dont kno what hee meanes by that. " O, Lois, theres lots of beautyfull funn about now. But youre a girle and dont kno what real funn is. I love you cause youre my twin sister and cause youre so goode. Ime sorry for you but cant help youre being a girle. We was born together ; but you dont blame mee because I was the boy and you was the girl, do you. I couldnt help itt. Itt happend. " Ive rit beautyfull two many tym'es in this letter to sounde goode. But I cant think of no other worde that fitts in so beautyfull. " Your loveing brother, " JEDDIE." It would be desirable, if space permitted, to intro- duce the pleasant letter of little Lois, in reply to her brother. But as it is, we must be contented with only a passage or two : " DEARE BROTHER JEDDIE : "The letter you rit to me is bewtifull ; and it was real goode of you to send itt. But youre in such a hurry to tel things you mix em all vp so as I have to reade ovr and ovr to kno what you meane ; you putt the bumblebees, and the little chucks, and Maister Crosscudgell, and the new pigg, and the ffish, SCHOOL OPENS. 405 and all, in one heape. . . . Now, Jeddy, iff its real funn to see blood spirt out of a poor olde mans nose, and to heare him groane cause nauty boys have amost killd him, and to see him jump vpp cause the bum- blebees have stung him so, and such like things, Ime glad I dont know what real funn is. ... You better tel Samm hee needent keepe them little chucks for mee ; I dont want em ; my mockinge birde and rabit is enuf. . . . You needent pitty mee cause I was the girle and you was the boy. Ime real gladd it hapened soe. You love to bee a boy cause youre used to itt. Butt you dont kno how goode it is to be a girle, cause you never was a girle. . . . But I love you, Jeddie, I love you ever soe much, cause you love mee, and doe every thing for mee, and get mee every thing." . . . " Youre loveing Sister, " Lois." But by no means were all the teachers of the Croscobal order. Many possessed the highest quali- ties of poor human nature ; were devoted in their efforts to implant in the susceptible hearts committed to their charge, every virtue and grace ; were long- suffering and kind ; delighted in their laborious occu- pation because it afforded so many opportunities for doing good to the rising generation ; and were far above the harsh views so generally entertained at the period regarding youthful discipline. Of this genial class was the worthy Master Talbot who for a time kept in a forlorn little structure that stood cowering under a maple tree near the site of the 406 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. literary rookery before referred to, that has now, for a great many years, stood on Washington street, at the corner of School. His learning was quite sufficient for all the requirements of the time. And the bland smile that constantly lighted up his countenance, indicated peace within and cheered the little ones onward in the path of duty. He had a pleasant way of imparting instruction, especially to the more ad- vanced class, of which, however, the number was small, for the youth were usually put to some trade or other productive employment at about the age of twelve. His instruction was given rather in the form of lectures than book lessons ; indeed school books were very scarce at that time ; and such as could be had, were of a dry, unattractive kind, and much of the teaching was necessarily without their aid. But when that matchless work, the New England Primer, was placed in the little abecedarian hands, how were the labors of the teachers lightened. It became an indispensable adjunct. How the bright young eyes sparkled over the quaint but spirited illus- trations. One little boy jumps up and squeaks out : " The cat doth play, And after slay." And then pauses in admiration of pussy, erect upon her hind legs, playing a fiddle and trotting merrily over a snowy road, behind a sleigh. Wonderful con- ception of the delineator ! But Mr. Talbot must not be lost sight of. His pupils so loved him that they would run to meet him as he advanced along the lane, clad in his short waisted green bob-tail coat, his brown velvet doublet SCHOOL OPENS. 4O/ and leather small-clothes. And if the time admitted he would often have some merry game with them before entering the lowly temple of learning in which they together worshipped. And sometimes, on a pleasant afternoon, he would take them forth into the fields and woods, to pick up such scraps of knowledge as they might find by the wayside ; and occasionally also to pick up brush and form faggots, each returning with one upon his shoulder, as a present to good dame Talbot for the heating of her oven. On these excursions, the worthy man would moral- ize and philosophize, as incident after incident sug- gested a theme, and so interest their young minds that sometimes they returned without a berry in their baskets, or a nut or wild grape. The margin of the brambly quagmire which grew into what is now the picturesque pond, upon the Common, was the scene of many a lecture on the evil tendency of indulgence in cruel sports ; for it was there that extraordinary temptations existed in the multitude of innocent bullfrogs and helpless tadpoles. But it cannot be said that Master Talbot was with- out his conceits. Indeed what teacher of youth ever existed without them. One of the most noticeable that rambled about in his brains merits some attention. It was what he called " the harmony of correspond- encies ; " and seems to have been something like this : that there existed an affinity between abstract mental qualities and natural substances such as no philosopher before him had ever been able to trace. This conception would strike one as rather tending toward the materialism of which our fathers had such 4O8 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. horror. But perhaps the idea is not fully expressed ; and a little elucidation by example will be well. Conceiving, for instance, that there was a harmonious correspondence between arithmetical perceptions and sweet flag root, he required every pupil, before com- mencing on his ciphering lesson, to take a great horn spoon full of a strong decoction of that useful root. Students in Latin, of whom he had some half dozen, had to be dosed with sage tea. Then there were his writing pills, his reading drops, and so on, through his brief catalogue of studies. Aside from any effect that this constant dosing had on the studies, it was useful in leading the children into the habit of taking medicine readily when they were sick always a thing of great difficulty. If the patients of that time were not made well it was not because the doctors did not require them to take medicine enough ; and any discipline that could stimulate the appetite for drugs was to be highly approved. Alas for them, that the star of homeopathy had not then risen. And then again, Mr. Talbot's practice gave him a good opportunity to experiment with divers medicinal concoctions which a neighbor of his, a quack doctor, was continually getting up ; and in which, it was surmised, the master himself had some pecuniary interest, for on his excursions he frequently gathered large bundles of roots and herbs which the boys were directed to leave at the doctor's door. I do not know that any means exist whereby the conclusions of Mr. Talbot touching the " harmony of correspondencies," could be very clearly shown to be without foundation, if any one had the hardihood SCHOOL OPENS. 409 to dispute his claims, even in this day of philosophic radiance, which may be called the day of gas, as his has been called the day of the tallow-dip. It is sufficient to say of Master Talbot that he experi- mented with great diligence, and derived real satis- faction from his supposed discoveries. Yet he was very cautious in his experiments or he must have injured the health of the boys or poisoned them out- right. But Mr. Talbot's successor, a man of some note as a disciplinarian, who came up from Plymouth, turned the discovery of his predecessor, such as it was, to a very different account. Instead of using the decoc- tions and concoctions and simples, as aids to the studies, he procured new and more pungent ones, and remorselessly administered them by way of correction for misbehavior ; and not having half the discretion of Mr. Talbot, and as much again boldness, he came near killing several, before it was discovered what he was about. He made the unruly ones swallow enor- mous quantities of the most nauseating preparations ; was lavish in the use of chuck-cabbage and dragon- root, which grew in a field that lay in his route to school ; and carried things with a high hand generally. But he really took a good deal of interest in medical botany, and was constantly making inquiries of the Indians concerning the use of plants with which he was not familiar, and concerning their own prepara- tions. And he gained much valuable knowledge which he did not always put to good use. Arrow John assisted him in many ways ; and great reliance was placed on his information, on account of his R 4IO V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. undoubted honesty, though he was well known to have a relish for the marvelous. Among other things he brought a sample of a liquid, which was to be taken in small doses, and which he said, would " make um jump, jump high ; and make um feel dam good." This was rather a questionable recommendation, to be sure ; though one that perhaps all the more ex- cited curiosity. So, upon a certain dull day, when the studies rather flagged, he took occasion to administer some of this mysterious provocative, not, however, as a punishment, but by way of scientific exploration. Those who took it were volunteers, indeed, though much after the fashion of volunteers for the guillotine, during the French Revolution. It happened on the same day that some members of the General Court called to inspect the school the whole Court standing in the attitude of a general committee. And while they sat on the bench of dig- nity, with benign countenances and hopeful hearts carefully surveying the studious young phalanx, the doses began suddenly to operate. Up jumped a boy on the back seat, laughing, shouting, and capering, in a most indecent manner, declaring that he felt so good, he could not sit still. But his extatic career was soon brought to a close, by one who rushed up and dealt him such a blow in the face as started forth the crimson rivulets. Right upon that, another boy bounded over the seats, regardless of intervening heads, and planting himself before the astounded deputies began an incoherent oration, in which he magnified the failings of the master, abused the dig- nitaries themselves, and rattled away about tops and SCHOOL OPENS. 41 I marbles, occasionally pausing to whirl round, jump up, and strike at imaginary musquetoes. And now, all the doses were beginning to operate, and the victims were snapping off, all about the room, like kernels in a corn-popper. Had Cotton Mather been present, witchcraft would have had to take a dose that must have made it jump as high as any of them. As it was, however, the sage deputies were first astonished, then alarmed, and then panic stricken. And under the last they hastily made their way from the en- chanted precincts. The children who were subjected to this dangerous treatment do not appear to have suffered any essential injury, though prostration followed. Rigid inquiries into the affair were soon made, and the whole truth about the dosings came out. The venturesome mas- ter was forthwith banished, and went down into Rhode Island, where he acted as a sort of missionary among the Narragansetts. The allegation that there was actually a Court order excluding from the schools teachers who abstained from the free use of the rod, or even entertained scruples against the propriety of its use, I do not find confirmed. And indeed there does not appear to have been any such, to give occasion for that order. As to the studies in the schools, at that period, it is hardly worth while to say much. Reading, writing, and arithmetic, were the chief matters upon which the juvenile minds were required to exercise. Spell- ing does not appear to have been much meddled with ; though from the examples that have come down to us it seems fair to suppose that they sometimes em- 412 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. ployed their ingenuity in endeavoring to determine in how many different ways words could be spelled ; there being no settled rule of right. A few pupils grappled with the Latin, as that seemed a sort of mysterious out-post that should be occupied against the approaches of "y* ould deluder Satan." Some of the early sessions of the General Court were held at New Town now Cambridge. And there appears to have been no better reason for this than that they were extremely anxious in their watch over the infant interests of the school, or college, established there, and which has become the renown- ed Harvard of the present day. Its infantile cries for nourishment, in the shape of grants, were often heard, and always regarded. It was a perfect pet, and sometimes seemed in danger of being spoiled by kindness. But had some of those who so generously ministered to its early necessities, foreseen its theo- logical waywardness, in after years, it is hard to tell whether it would have been caressed or spanked. In the journal of Mr. Pinion, under date 8 Septem- ber, 1635, appears a graphic account of the doings of a committee appointed by the Court, at one of the regular sessions, to view a tract of land that had been petitioned for by the friends of the college. It does not exactly appear what the land was to be used for ; nor is it possible to determine just where it was situated, though it seems probable that it embraced the site of the present college buildings. They need- ed woodland and land to clear for the purposes of husbandry ; and the tract was very considerable. SCHOOL OPENS. 413 Mr. Pinion indeed says something about the intention of the college officials to " raise cain ; " sugar-cane, I think he means, from what he afterward says ; a product which the settlers seem unaccountably to have imagined could be raised in New England. Be that as it may, however, it is certainly true that if the territory did embrace the present college precincts, " Cain " has been raised there a great many times in these later years. The committee, while professedly on duty, seem to have devoted a part of the time to recreation ; a fact most worthy of mention, such a thing being so rare in the whole history of legislative committees. In- deed they appear to have turned the occasion into a sort of jolly pic-nic, and to have been accompanied by sundry of the outside settlers, with their sisters, sweethearts, or wives, as the case might be. Mr. Pinion himself seems to have accompanied the com- mittee rather as a volunteer. Possessing a genial mind and large fund of information, his company must have been much desired on such an occasion. He says, " y e comittee w d haue mee to goe w th y m ." His account affords an interesting picture of a wood- land party in those days, and we venture to introduce as large a portion of it as our limits will admit, in this connection : " On y e last 4 th day, there being noe Cote, y e com- ittee went fourth for to vewe y e land named in y e peticon, and w d faine lighten their dewtys by takeing a company w th y m . Arryving betimes vpon y e ground,. we made our campe amoung dyvers great pynes, and 414 v - EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. after a short space for reste went to our task, y e com- pany disporting y m selues as they w d , till our returne. On evry hand we saw great store of berrys, som black, som blew, and som red, most of y m as we were apprised being apt for puddings and cackes. And while we were gon, an aboundance were pickt by y e maides, som haueing brot callabashes and Indjan baskets. God be prais d for y e liberall hande w th w ch he hath provided for y e comforte of his peeple in this far off wildernesse land. " Wee proceeded in our vewe, till at midday one blew a home, and we all gathered together in y e cool shade, and betook ourselues to our repast, w th appe- tites well whetted by our roamings. But one whole basket of our most savoury provision was lost by a strange happening, w ch was in this wise : While all were away from y e campe, save one brave little maid who w d stand awatch, but who had gon out a short space for som water, there came from y e thickett a ravening ffox, who, smelling of y e baskets, made chois of one, into w ch he thrust his head for to pull fourth a fowle. But y e handle and strapp cacht soe about his neck, y' he c d not w th drawe it againe, and y e basket being too heavy for him to dragg, he seem d a faste prisson 1 ". But from fryght, or cunning, he then set vp a most distressful howle, and presently dyvers others came brisquely at his call. Seeing how mat r s stood, and being dispos d to save their freind as well as have a dainty morsell themselues, they joyn d to- gether, and putting fourth all their strength, dragged off their compan " and the basket together. All this y e maide saw as shee return d from y e spring, but was SCHOOL OPENS. 415 too m ch affrighted to make outcrie ; and y e theiveing ffoxes made off w th great speede. " Wh n y e repast was ended, som of y e elder folk w 1 take a quiet napp ; and to that end seated y m selues against y e trunks of y e trees, I loudly warneing y m to avoyd y e pines, lest y e pitch should besmear their garments. While they were sleeping som of y e mis- cheivous damsels did slyly paint their faces w th berry juce, in droll marks and figures, so y l wh n they awok they did m ch laugh at each other, all supposing that every one but himselfe had in sport so painted their faces, and wondering y* people so grave, should giue ouer to such prophane and childish sport. But y e truth soone came out. Y e chairman seem d a little angry, but y e others presently laughed away his wrath, and he was as merry as any. Dame Willcox, not haueing heeded my caution, came fourth w th her head as bawld as a pumpkin, m ch to y e wonderment of divers present, who had never bin certified y 1 she wore a wigg. But I, surmising how y e matter stood, went to y e tree and dislodging y e wigg, restored it, m ch besmeared w th pitch she not haueing missed it, and wondering all y e time what caus d y e merryment when she cam in from her napp. " Y e elder ones and comittee men w d now hold grave discourse touching our prospects as a peeple. We are here in a goodlie lande, w th a purifyed faith and w th godly ones amoungst vs to rightly administer y e holie ordinances and diligently catechize and ad- monish. But we must be watchfull of our priviledges or ravening wolves will ent r and make spoyl of our peace. Wee doe indeed even already heare some 4l6 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. scratching at our doors. God preserve vs. Those of pestigeous teaching and ungodly living must haue y e doore shut against y m , yea and lockt too. " All y e plantacons are makeing what haste they cann to erect habitacons and plant feilds. Y e bigg sawes are now bravely at work, and boards begin to com fast to our joyners their hands. Bricks for chimneys and ovens can be made from y e aboundance of clay, and lime for mortar can be made from y e shels piled on y e beaches. Y e kine can find ample pasture in y e clearings, and m ch of y e winter provender can be taken from y e marish lands by y e sea. Swine can find aboundance of rootes and acorns in y e woodes to gro fatt vpon in sumer, and for winter a store of mast and Indjan corn can be gather d . " Wh l we most need are skill d craftsmen and labour- ers. Y e Indjans will do nothing soe long as they can make more by stealing than by worke. But there will presentlie come over those we want, and we shal prosp r . We shal soon haue faire towns on every side. We must make haste to plant trees, for they will grow while we are about other businesses, and bear their fruits for our children. If we be poor, we can leave rich orchards for them to enjoy. And M r Hollyhock hath well sayd y l he y l planteth and nurtureth a choice fruit tree, raiseth to himselfe a monument more honorable than one of marble. Y e apple and peare we now finde thrive well hereabout ; and by a little labour and watching we may soone haue all y e pleasant fruits of Olde England at our doors. " We find but few large wild fruits in y e woods SCHOOL OPENS. 4! 7 about vs, but aboundance of grapes and other small fruits. Y e garments we brought w th vs being mostly worne out, we haue bin som exercis d for y e meanes whereby to replace y m . And in y e Gen r all Co r t m ch discussion hath bin had on y e question. It is patent y* flax may well supply our needs for y e lighter fabricks, and in tyme wool will com plentyfully in, for many sheepe are already in y e plantacons. Spinning wheels begin to be heard in our habitacons, and dames and maides must be exercised at y e same. Prosperity cometh of industry and frugalitie ; and there being few slothful or extravagant amoungst vs, we must prosp r . We haue leather for our shews and many soft skins for our outer garments and for strong, warm breeches. M ch discourse did y e members haue on these matters, saying y l all should ponder there- vpon, to y e end y l in Co r te they might act wisely. " Likewise m ch discourse was had about y e schoole at New Towne, whose needes y e Co r te hath m ch con- sider' 1 , and for whose benefit y e goodlie lands we were there that day vewing, are askt. We praise God for that hee hath giuen vs a sens of y e blessedness of learning, for w th out y l and godliness, we but plant and water in vaine. Learning is y e surest weapon wherewith to doe battel against Sathan. It is as deadlie poyson to y e ould deludour as is y e ash branch to y e serpent y l crawleth. And learning, too, is y e cheif help to make a people great in a worldly way. And God graunt y l y e schoole may one day become a great colledge, sending fourth godlie teachers and grave men as ensamples. May y e blessed Trinity, ev r be enthroned there, puryfying hearts and sheding R* 27 41 8 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. abroad aboundance of grace. While such grave dis- course was going on amoungst y e elders, y e young folk were ingaged in divers pertinent sports and plea- santries. " Presentlie there appear d comeing ouer y e hills, y e Indjan cheife Arrow lohn and his dafter Sunny Wave, on their way to M r Eliott his hows. We were faine to perswade y m to tarry and join our companie. And they did, being hungry and weary. Seating y m selves vpon a rock, they heartily partook of y e frag- ments y l remained from our feast, y e cheife saying he m ch loued y e white man his bread and oth r meats ; and looking vp to one of y e dames, say d in comical pleasantrie y l he w d m ch like to haue a white squaw to keepe his lodge and prepare for him such savoury food. Sunny Wave, heareing this, sprang up, in a tumult of greif, her tears bursting fourth. And then throwing her armes loveingly about his neck, quoth sobingly, ' No, no, my fadher, I do all ; I learn all white squaw doe. When white squaw come she say, You do this ; you do that ; you go here ; you go there ; you send Sunny Wave off. O, my fadher, then I die.' And she weep 1 on his bosom. And he, being m ch ov r com at hir distress, leap 1 vp, and hugged her close, saying, ' No, no, dam white squaw ; if white squaw come I say, you go off; Sunny Wave do all ; go off ; I stamp foot and take bow to shoot, if not go off. I swear, too, swear much. Com, com, little squaw, no ky, no ky ; dam white squaw.' " We did all behold w th amazement such tendernes, amoung salvages, and w d haue praised it, save for y e prophanitie. Presentlie all was again faire, and SCHOOL OPENS. 419 Arrow John entertained y e elders w th m ch good dis- course ab* y e Indjans and y e countrey. But he must needs intwine soe many foolish stories about what hapened in y e time of his grandfath r , and soe m ch about wonderfull beasts and dreadfull happenings y l som tho 1 little of y e manie good and true things he did vtter. He verily is one of good partes, haueing manie generous and esteemable moveings, w th m^ quickness. But devill-sown tares have sprung vp in his untutoured heart, w 011 nothing but diligent Christian tillage can roote out. And we haue great satisfacon in knoweing y 1 M r Eliott, y e m ch loued minister of Roxberry church thinketh well of him and hath declared y l he will doe his utmost to bring both him and his loueable dafter to y e fountain of grace and truth. " Sunny Wave joyn d in y e sports of y e young folk w th m ch relish, and astonish d vs all w th her agile pranks. They w d haue hir show y m som of y e sports wherew th Indjan maides exercise y m selues ; and she quicklie did as they desir d , every movement being w th surprising gracefulnes. She was bedeck 1 in a rich Indjan dress trim d w* choice furr and wrought about w th gay feathers. White eagle plumes waved vpon hir head, and strings of y e rarest wampum were about her neck. And then hir radient look and merry voyce and gracefull rompings keept y e eyes of all vpon hir. " Y c damsels did make m ch of Sunny Wave, and w d bedeck hir in theire owne apparrall, their petty- coates, gownes and capps. She was m ch diverted at their conceit and straitway put on the garments they 42O V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. gave hir, and in returne w d haue one of them put on hir pretty drapery ; w ch being don, she sayd now she saw y l pale face girles c d not make such maides as y e young red warriors w d love. " All being gatti rd togeth r we made readie to sing som psalms. And presently y e godlie melody began to ring inspiringly in y e woodes. But uery soone, m ch to our astonishment and chagrin, a whole army of unmannerly crows appear d in y e braunches about, and set vp s ch a horrible haw-hawing y l we were forc d to stop y e ex r cise. It seem d as if a thousand of y e im- pudent birdes had set to deriding vs, and mocking our holie song ; and their outcrys were beginning to draw hundreds of oth r s as saucy as y m selves. Yet it was soe comical a turne y l few of vs could restraine laughter. "Sunny Wave did laugh albeit som will haue it y l Indjans nev r laugh til y e teares roll d adown her glossy brown face. And presentlie she sayd y l y e crows nev r did soe vpon an Indjan song. Then one besaught hir to try ; and w th great readines she began in a strange, low harmony, hir bird like voyce rising clear and plaintive as a well-play d lute, till it broke fourth into strains so wild and rich y* we could but hold our very breath in wond r and admiracon. And to our amazem 1 not one twitter did y e crowes vtter til she was don. They w d stretch downe their heads and twist their necks, allmost losing their poise to catch sight of y e sweet sing r . "Aft r ending hir delightsome song, she bade vs, again try one of our godlie psalms. Y c chairman gave y e pitch, and we again started fourth w th m ch hearti- SCHOOL OPENS. 421 nes. But our ex r cise, tho I think there was more godliness in it, I am fain to alow fell far short of hirs in melody. But we did our best, when beholde, y e il-behaved crowes again began to hopp about and haw-haw more saucily y n befour. . Then did all againe breake fourth in laughter, Sunny Wave looking vp and talking loudlie to y m in hir owne tongue as if she w d giue y m a livelie scolding for y r impudence. Then did we press hir to sing anoth r Indjan song, w* she did, y e crowes keeping stil silence as befour. And then did we once more essay a psalm ; but tho we chang* 1 y e key and time it was all y e same ; they w* neith r hear vs nor let vs hear o r selues. Y e pious wrath of y e chair mn was now kindled, and he declared y* as our songs were holie, y e devill must be workeing in y e birdes to stopp God his worshipp in y e vse of y e psalms ; they being readie enow to list" to heathen salvage songs, becaus they and y e salvages be alike children of y e devill. So we were faine to giue over y* attempt at musick, and betake o r selues againe to talk and pleasantrie. [It does not appear to have occurred to any of them during this remarkable scene that the crows may have had some appreciation of the loftiness of the Christian exercise, and were moved to do what they could with their unmanageable voices to aid in the sacred harmony. Perhaps they were caws of approbation rather than derision. Men are not unmistakable interpreters of the language of ani- mals. We all know what tremendous howls, as we call them, dogs will often set up on hearing a heavy musical instrument briskly played, or on hearing a bell vigor- ously rung. But who can say whether they are thus 422 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. giving expression to pleasure or pain ; whether their outrages upon harmony are offerings of applause, attempts at accompaniment, or groans of distress.] " Sunny Wave took m ch paines to teach y e maides how to make green wreathes and chaines, and how to weave rushes into capps, and make basketts of bark ; likewise oth r pleasant little artes. " Night drew on apace, and we prepar d to returne to our homes. M r Callings, y e memb r from y e vpper Boston precinct, being in haste, hauing y e old bull to look after, did set off somewhat befour y e oth r s, say- ing he well knew y e way, and had no feare. And we arriv d , a little w th in y e night, m ch wearied. But there was no reste for vs, as we were presentlie certify d that M r Callings had not bin scene. We were sorely perplex d , not knowing whith r to goe in search of him. His absence being noysed abroad, there soone assem- bled a multitude, som w th lanthorns and som w th guns ; likewise one came w th a drum and anoth r w th a lustie trumpet, that alarum might speedily be giuen. With- out loss of tyme we began to scower y e woodes. But y e night being dark we were m ch put to it to finde our way amoung y e trees and tangled underbrush, bumping and stagering about, now brused by stumps, and then scratch d by thorns ; somtymcs falling ouer sharpe rocks, and somtymes sinking in boggs. Yet, not knowing but our neighbour might fall a pray to som evil beaste, we w d not giue ouer our quest. Som w th torches clim d y e hills, others made search in y e valleys and swamps. "At last, when nigh midnight, one heard neare him a lustie growl as if of som salvage beaste. Run- SCHOOL OPENS. 423 ning back a space and being join d by another w th a gunn, they went boldly toward y e place whence y e sound cam. By y e light of y e torches they presentlie descried a huge and saluage wolfe lying w th his head vppon his paws, glaring at y m thro y e underbrush, and seemingly keeping guard ouer something. Y e musquetier at once bro 1 his piece to bear, as best he c d , and then discharg d y e same ; but wheth r y e beast was hurt or no, none c d tel ; for he did not stopp to face a second discharg, but w th a fearfull growl dashed off into y e thickett, nothing mor being heard of him, save a growl in y e distanc. And then they heard a faint cry as if comeing vpp from a pitt in y e earth. And summoning anoth r , whose torch was scene at y e foot of a hil ouer against where they stood, they did begin a farder search ; when lo, after a little, they found a yawning wolfe pitt, w* had bin digg" 1 by M r Callings himself, for to entrapp a mischievous old wolfe w** had at sundry times despoyl d him and his neighbours of divers goates and oth r small cattle. " At y e bot m of y e pitt, seemingly more dead y n alive, lay y e lost man, he haueing fall" into his owne trapp. Speedily getting downe to him, they found him verie m ch affrighted tho not m ch hurt. And when he was somewhat restor d he sayd y l as he came athwart y e woodes, at a brisque pace, it being som dark, and thinking of noe dang r , he suddenlie fell headlong into his owne pitt, y e bottom of w ch he had but reached when he heard a fierce growl, and immediately there- vppon som evil beaste or devil sprang vppon his shoulders and from his shoulders to y e brink, and soe oute ; thus cunninglie escapeing from y e trapp. Pres- 424 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. entlie y e beaste w ch had so made a stepping stone of his shoulders, and w** he now was perswaded must be y e same olde wolfe for w ch he had made y e pitt, w th great saucines return d , and seemingly set himselfe as guard ov r y e prisoner w th whom he had soe manag d to change places. Y e beaste walked about y e brink of y e pitt, and somtimes paused to glare downe vppon him, as if taunting him w th his mishap, and saying, Now my maister, you thot to catch me, but who is each 1 now? Som grievous scratches were likewise dealt by y e watchfull beaste, who w d thrust downe a claw whenever y e unfortunat prison 1 " putt himselfe w th in reach. And soe m ch danger was there, y* he w d fain lie down at y e botom of y e pitt, to waite for what y e morning sh d bring fourth, pond r ing, y e while on y e blessed scripture les n of Joseph in y e pitt in y e wildernes, and drawing pious comforte therefrom." The committee made a report which afforded the utmost satisfaction to the petitioners. There was not a whiff of east wind in it. Its kindly recommen- dations were graciously confirmed by the docile Court. And the complacent college, at the present day, would not damage its reputation for gratitude by an occa- sional acknowledgment, in its annual celebrations, of its indebtedness to that crow-abused committee. The establishment of the school, or college, at New Town, shows how highly the good people esteemed learning, and how early they looked to such means to dignify and invigorate the policy they aimed to inaugurate. And not being destitute of a loving SCHOOL OPENS. 425 memory, nor unmindful of titular value, they present- ly changed the name of the place from New Town to Cambridge, looking trustfully forward to the time when it would rival its honored archetype, the emi- nent seat of learning in Old England ; a time which very soon arrived that is, in the ardent imaginings of its affectionate issue and sanguine friends. Great pains were taken to have the management of the institution in learned and pious hands. But that the Court, or those to whom was delegated the power of appointment were not always fortunate in the selection of incumbents is abundantly proved. There was Nathaniel Eaton, who was superintendent while it was yet simply called " The Schoole," and who was in office at the time of Harvard's memorable bequest, in 1638, who bore himself so unhandsomely that they were forced to pass the following order : " M r Nathaniell Eaton, being accused for cruell & barbaros beating of M r Naza : Briscoe, & for other neglecting & misvseing of his schollers, it was ordered, that M r Eaton should bee discharged from keeping of schoale w th vs w th out licence ; & M r Eaton is fined to the countrey 66 / - 13*- 4^, w ch fine is respited till the next Court, vnles hee remove the meane while. The Court agreed M r Eaton should give M r Naza : Briscoe 3O 7 - for satisfaction for the wrong done him, & to bee paid presently." [Court Records, Sept 9, 1639. Briscoe was an usher at the new seat of learning, and appears to have been very respectably connected. 426 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. From some cause Eaton conceived a strong preju- dice toward him, and when he had been there but two or three days violently assaulted him and turned him out of doors, for some trivial offence. It was Sunday night, and Briscoe got in again, when the quarrel was renewed. Finally, Eaton directed one of his men to bring him a cudgel ; and he brought a walnut one, " big enough to have killed a horse." With this, having two of his men to hold the poor usher, he bestowed on him two hundred merciless blows ; continuing, with a few short intermissions, to beat him for some two hours, when his cries brought in the neighbors. Briscoe, supposing he was to be killed outright, fell to praying ; whereupon Eaton beat him the more furiously, under pretence of pun- ishing him for thus taking the name of God in vain. The outrage created a good deal of excitement, as well it might, and the General Court, as we have seen, took the matter in hand. Eaton was cited, and appeared in Court ; but his answers to the charges " were full of pryde and disdaine." It appeared during the examination that Eaton had unmercifully flagellated other pupils ; and not only that, but there were grave charges against him for scantily providing them with food, and forcing them to partake of that which was unpalatable and unwhole- some, or go hungry. His wife was examined on these points of accusation, which seemed especially within her sphere of knowledge. And from her confession a precious glimpse of life at infantile Har- vard may be had. We present all that is necessary, in the form of a note, the orthography being modern- SCHOOL OPENS. ized, according to Savage's Winthrop. It may be premised, however, that Winthrop says of the stu- dents, " their diet was ordinarily nothing but porridge and pudding, and that very homely."* * The contrite matron, with heroic simplicity goes on to say : " For their breakfast, that it was not so well ordered, the flour not so fine as it might, nor so well boiled or stirred, at all times : that it was so, it was my sin of neglect and want of that care that ought to have been in one that the Lord had intrusted with such a work. Concerning their beef that was allowed them, as they affirm, which, I confess, had been my duty to have seen they should have had it, and continued to have had it, because it was my husband's command ; but truly I must confess, to my shame, I cannot remember that ever they had it, nor that ever it was taken from them. And that they had not so good or so much provision in my husband's absence as presence, I conceive it was because he would call sometimes for butter or cheese when I conceived there was no need of it ; yet, forasmuch as the scholars did otherways apprehend, I desire to see the evil that was in the carriage of that as well as in the other, and to take shame to myself for it. And that they sent down for more, when they had not enough, and the maid should answer, if they had not, they should not, I must confess that I have denied them cheese when they have sent for it and it have been in the house ; for which I shall humbly beg pardon of them and own the shame, and confess my sin. And for such provoking words, which my servants have given, I cannot own them, but am sorry any such should be given in my house. And for bad fish, that they had it brought to table, I am sorry there was that cause of offence given them. I acknowledge my sin in it. And for their mackerel, brought to them with their guts in them, and goat's dung in their hasty pudding, it is utterly unknown to me ; but I am much ashamed it should be in the family, and not prevented by myself or servants, and I humbly acknowledge my negligence in it. And that they made their beds at any time, were my straits never so great, I am sorry they were ever put to it. " For the Moor, [probably a slave, says Savage] his lying in Sam. Hough's sheet and pillow-bier, it hath a truth in it ; he did so one time, and it gave Sam. Hough just cause of offence ; and that it was not prevented by my care and watchfulness, I desire to take the shame 428 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. The General Court of this day would have enough on their hands if they undertook to deal with all such delinquents. As before shown, Eaton was dismissed and fined. And he afterward manifested a very per- verse disposition, giving the government and church authorities a good deal of trouble. He went to Vir- ginia, and there took upon himself to fill the sacred office of minister ; but, says Winthrop, " was given up of God to extreme pride and sensuality, being usually drunken." In the Briscoe affair, however, it is just to remark that the usher could not have been altogether blameless, for no sane man would have done as Eaton and the sorrow for it. And that they ate the Moor's crusts, and the swine and they had share and share alike ; and the Moor to have beer, and they denied it ; and if they had not enough, for my maid to answer, they should not ; I am an utter stranger to these things, and know not the least footsteps for them so to charge me. And if my servants were guilty of such miscarriages, had the boarders complained of it unto myself, I should have thought it my sin if I had not sharply reproved my servants and endeavored reform. And for bread made of heated, sour meal, although I know of but once that it was so, since I kept house, yet John Wilson affirms it was twice ; and I am truly sorry that any of it was spent amongst them. For beer and bread, that it was denied them by me betwixt meals, truly I do not remember that ever I did deny it unto them. And John Wilson will affirm that generally the bread and beer was free for the boarders to go unto. And that money was demanded of them for washing the linen, it is true it was propounded to them but never imposed upon them. And for their pudding being given the last day of the week without butter or suet, and that I said it was miln of Manchester in Old England, it is true that I did say so, and am sorry they had any cause of offence given them by having it so. And for their wanting beer betwixt brewings, a week or half a week together, I am sorry that it was so at any time, and should tremble to have it so were it in my hands to do again." SCHOOL OPENS. 429 did, without provocation. Indeed something is said of Briscoe's drawing a knife when he got into the house after being thrust out. Further interesting facts in the personal history of Eaton, after he left the college, might be presented, but enough has appeared, to give a general idea of his character. Perhaps a little something further should be said respecting corporeal punishment in Harvard college. It was a subject that exercised the Court considerably at different times. Here is one order : " Itt is heereby ordered, that the president and fellowes of Harvard Colledg, for the tjme being, or the majo r part of them, are heereby impowred, accord- ing to theire best discretion, to punish all misde- meano rs of the youth in theire society, either by fine or whipping in the hall openly, as the nature of the offence shall require, not exceeding tenn shillings or tenn stripes for one offence." [Court Records, Oct. 14, 1656. This seems to place the pecuniary value of stripes at a shilling each ; and it is probable that they were to be "well laid on" harder than they would be now, as money was of greater relative value. It is not, however, to be understood that it was left to the option of the students to choose the mode of their punishment ; had it been, few probably would have chosen the stripes, as their own backs must have felt the retributive strokes ; while in the matter of fine, the parental purse would be made to respond. 43O V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. It is hardly presumable that the foregoing enact- ment was elicited from any doubt as to the common law right of a teacher to enforce discipline by a rea- sonable use of the rod. And it is quite certain that long before, the college walls had echoed with the wails of students under that emphatic kind of disci- pline. Nor does it seem that such inflictions were confined to infractions of mere college law ; there frequently appearing something very much like an assumed jurisdiction concurrent with the criminal courts. To say nothing of the severities of Mr. Eaton, there was an instance in 1644, wherein two students, one a son of Rev. Nathaniel Ward, of Ips- wich, and the other a son of Rev. Thomas Weld, of Roxbury, received a whipping from the hands of the worthy president himself. The age of each of the offenders was about twenty years, and their offence was not delinquency in college duties, but robbing certain dwelling houses in the night time flat bur- glary. And the occurrence shows that teachers then considered themselves supervisors of the morals as well as the studies of the youth committed to their care, and authorized to call them to account for their doings out of school as well as in ; a thing that teach- ers at this day ignore to a lamentable extent. But the morals of the community would not probably be much damaged should the old ideas and customs again prevail. And now it becomes expedient to introduce a brief narration which may at first appear rather episodical ; but the reader will in the end perceive its applicability SCHOOL OPENS. 431 to our main purpose. It relates to the doleful days of Witchcraft. Quite within view of the members of the General Court, of this day, as they step from the lordly portals of the State House, lies a considerable portion of the territory anciently composing the great Town Pasture of Boston, which included a corner of the now vaunted Common. There were many cows then kept to supply the lacteal necessities of the virtuous people, for in those unsophisticated days it had not been discovered how easily all precious fluids might be extended how easily the well, the rill, or even the mud-puddle could be made to increase the blessed secretion of the kine. This pasture was enclosed by a substantial cobble- stone wall, such as surrounds many an acre in the rural districts of New England at the present day, with gaps of untrimmed cedar rails at convenient points. It embraced some pleasant little knolls and groves to which the old might repair to meditate, and the young to bill and coo. There were also sections in which nature appeared in her more untamed aspect, Here and there was a blueberry or huckleberry patch, to which the school-boy would in summer resort with his pail or basket of birch. From among the loose rocks arose the prim barberry bush, to whose scarlet berries the rabbet would look wishfully up from his bed of crackling autumn leaves. There were hollows of stagnant water and mud, around which the berry boys would gather to seek relief from their labor, by stoning the frogs and tormenting the helpless tadpoles. There were brambly bogs and cranberry patches, and 432 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. damp vallies filled with great flaunting ferns. And there were poor little streams working wearily along among the rocks and rushes. On a knoll near the centre of the pasture was a small grove of decrepit trees, so ancient that for many generations the red men might have held their coun- cils in their shade, or the dusky maidens sung their songs of love. The underbrush had long refused to grow there, either because it did not fancy such old company or because its due share of sunshine was intercepted. It was a convenient spot for keeping a watch along the road that led out toward the south-western settle- ments, and afforded views of the harbor and the more thickly settled portions of the straggling town. But it was a place rather avoided than frequented by the people of the town, for to reach it a girdle of swampy land, with briars and interweaving vines must be crossed. And besides, there was a report that rattle- snakes and other unenjoyable creatures sometimes appeared to dispute the way. There was a narrow footpath on the northerly side, in which the mud was not always over shoes, and in which there had been discovered cloven footprints of most alarming dimen- sions. It was a weird spot, particularly on a tempes- tuous night, when the gaunt old trees were groaning and throwing about their spectral limbs. The damp easterly winds came howling over the crest in grim glee, and roared about as if seeking the things most worthy of their spite. It was upon this spot, as many believed, that the witches held their meetings during the bitter days SCHOOL OPENS. 433 of the excitement. And surely no better place could have been chosen, for there was no habitation within the distance to which the noise of their incantations would be likely to reach, and no danger from chance travelers. Perhaps a furlong off, near the Roxbury road, was the house of Hope-in-God Granger, a thrify farmer, whose specialty was the raising of Indian corn and pumpkins. Potatoes, as the reader well knows, had hardly been heard of in those days ; and there was no outcry, every autumn, all over the land, about the ravages of the potato rot. Had they been subjected to such a calamity, with their few resources, many wails would have ascended with their thanksgivings. The great barn of Mr. Granger was seated in a hollow, some distance from his house, and in sight of the knoll just described. Within its protecting walls, on the evening of a harvest day, a sight was often pre- sented enough to gladden the eyes of Madam Ceres herself, as well as those of the demure kine as they filed in, after cropping the crisp and innutritious herbage. I find a little obscurity in the record as to the precise time at which the incident I am about to relate occurred. But it is sufficient to say that it transpired during the early part of those years of distress in which the realities of witchcraft were so fatally manifest. It had long been suspected that a fearful storm was brewing ; that satan was preparing for a vigorous assault on God's chosen people here gathered, once in such hopeful obscurity. There was a certain old woman in the vicinity, s 28 434 V - EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. known as Goodwife Backshod, who had been long thought to be in training by the evil one for the practice of the black art. She was squint-eyed and querulous ; both very suspicious marks. And then she was coarse in her manners and habits. The suspicions, however, seem first to have arisen from the fact that the prints of cloven-feet had sometimes been observed in the lane where she lived, and about her unenclosed door-yard ; and they were strengthen- ed by the circumstance that when she took possession of her lonely habitation, she removed with her own hand, the horse-shoe which a former occupant had nailed to the lintel, declaring that she had no fear of the devil's disturbing her. And then she had three black cats, who would sit at table for their meals, and before partaking fold their fore paws and look de- murely down for a few moments ; which extraordinary accomplishment was taught them by incalculable pa- tience, and was done, many thought, in derision of the pious duty of asking a blessing. It was also alleged that two or three times, on dark nights, a strangely ill-shaped black man at least the observers thought him black with a square package under his arm, was seen whipping around the corner of the house. And furthermore, on one extremely tempestuous night, he was seen passing down the lane, with a lantern, and when opposite the window that was toward the road, a light appeared at one of the four little panes, as if placed there as some sort of signal. And whenever and wherever he was seen, he had the same bundle under his arm, which led to the conclusion that it contained the record SCHOOL OPENS. 435 book of the witches, and that he was a duly appointed traveling scribe. Then there was an old man with toothless gums and bristling gray beard, who had long been known as traveling from place to place with herbs and a few simple remedial concoctions for sale, and who had got the ill-will of many, though no one could lay a finger on any evil act of his nomadic life. He was seen one day with some loose leaves of a book, which he was poring over very attentively, the leaves being about the size of those of the supposed book carried by the black man. It was therefore imagined that they were minutes of occurrences in the world of witchery which had not then been fully recorded. There were others, in the different neighborhoods, who, by evidence quite as conclusive, were set down as preparing to practice in the dark mysteries already the subject of great and increasing apprehension. And then it became loudly talked that the wizards and witches had actually begun to hold weekly meet- ings and partake of the devil's sacrament somewhere in the Boston Great Pasture ; meetings which were attended by those from far and near who had bartered away their souls, after death, for certain undefined supernatural powers to be exercised in this world. The magistrates and lesser officers were at once on the alert, and suitable measures taken to ascertain the precise locality where the satanic orgies were held, as well as to gather proof respecting the persons who attended. This was difficult, because few had courage to watch, at night, in that lonely pasture and the meetings were never held by day. A con- 436 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. siderable time elapsed before any material develop- ments took place. Finally, one afternoon, a student hurried over from Harvard college, professing to have been sent by the president, and notified the magistrates that certain information had been obtained that the witches were that very night to hold a grand meeting on the knoll in the Great Pasture, before described. Spirited measures were at once adopted to make a descent or more literally an ascent for the capture of the whole band black spirits and white, blue spirits and gray and thus at one fell swoop utterly extin- guish the infernal fire before it could spread beyond control. The student suggested the propriety of conducting the affair in as private a manner as possible, both to prevent a miscarriage and to avoid becoming objects of spite and evil machination. There was soon much running here and there, many confidential consulta- tions, and many brave utterances of determination to do good service in the hazardous enterprise. By the hour appointed, which was rather early in the evening, a motley array of strong armed heroes, backed by courageous hearts, were assembled at the meeting house on the lee side, for the wind was chilly ready to march forth, unflinchingly, to cap- ture the infernal crew who were so conspiring to disturb the peace of God's people. After listening to a few words of exhortation and encouragement, and a long prayer, they took up their line of march in the order of a rabble. The night was not very dark, for there was a large moon, though SCHOOL OPENS. 437 the clouds were thick and a cutting sleet began to patter at intervals. After entering the pasture their sorest perils and perplexities began. Faces and hands were scratched by briars ; shins were battered by rocks ; and with unimpeachable mud were they be- smeared. But unfalteringly they strode on till they reached the little footpath at the northern side of the knoll. Along this they cautiously filed, as they began to realize their proximity to the awful scene. Their progress, after all, had been remarkably direct, for their burly pioneer seemed able to make good his boast that there never was a fox that knew better than he the way over the pasture. And they had proceeded in silence, for though a drum, a trumpet, and a cracked fiddle had been brought by some thoughtless fellows, they obeyed the injunction to keep silence till their hour of triumph. At the foot of the knoll a pause was made. They listened, and presently thought they heard portentous sounds, though nothing like human voices could be distinguished ; no laughter, no wrangling. A solitary owl hooted, and the wind moaned dismally in the trees. The latter they thought might be infernal whisperings ; and the hootings, calls for those who had lost their way in the swamp ; though the Har- vard student, who had just joined them from another direction roguishly suggested that possibly it might be the black man blowing his nose, having suddenly taken cold by exposure to the raw east wind. A little time was now occupied in making a proper disposition of forces, and admirable discretion was 43 8 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. exercised in preserving silence and promptly accept- ing position. Then a discussion in whispers arose as to whether there should be a formal summons to surrender, or an assault pell-mell ; and the pell-mell ers had it ; they claiming that in this manner a panic would be created, and the enemy induced to surren- der without discretion. So the whole company cleared their throats and rushed forward with such horrible yells as were enough to put to blush a band of infuri- ate Indians, the trumpet braying, the drum beating, and the fiddle squeaking. They reached the top of the hill, ranting like fiends, their cries forming a wild ringing accompaniment to the dismal night breeze. And they continued to dash around, scratch- ing themselves against the rough trunks, until, from sheer exhaustion, their extraordinary antics began to moderate. But the enemy where were they? gone ; utterly extinguished ; sunk into the earth ; flown into the air ; at any rate, not one was to be seen. They peered into the bushes, and sniffed the air, but saw no blue-lights, smelled no brimstone. They gazed up above the spectral branches, but saw none careering round on broom-sticks. Not even a bat was flying in the air, nor a lizard creeping on the earth. The ground was carefully examined, even down the declivity, for they had now lighted their lanterns, but not a cloven track was found. Had all their toil been for nought, and must they return, without ac- complishing any thing, to be laughing-stocks for their neighbors ? Their chagrin was great, but what des- perate thing could they do relieve its pangs. There SCHOOL OPENS. 439 they stood, as pitiful a group as ever needed a com- forter. But no comforter was heard in the wild revelry of the elements in the roaring ocean nor the moaning wind. And the keen cutting kisses of the rattling sleet had no soothing power. And then the thought of facing the storm on their homeward march, with the great object of their expedition unaccom- plished, to be subjected to the jeers of their inconsid- erate neighbors, was any thing but cheering. Presently, however, the student began to gaze off, with a good deal of earnestness, toward Mr. Granger's barn. There seemed to be some strange fascination, as he would frequently change his position, and stoop down and peer under the low branches, shading his eyes by his hand, though from what light it was not possible to discern. Finally, he declared his convic- tion, still keeping his eyes in the attractive direction of the barn, that the witches, in anticipation of a stormy night, had gone from the hill, and were hold- ing their meeting there ; earnestly asseverating that he could discern lights twinkling through the chinks. He strongly urged that they should proceed to recon- noitre. There was certainly no prospect of accom- plishing any thing by remaining where they were, and so they very readily fell in with his suggestion. They silently groped their way down the rocky declivity, and took the cow-path that wound toward the lonely structure. As they drew near, they per- ceived that there were indeed lights within. The knees of some began to tremble, but still onward they staggered. A few more rods gained, and they were horrified and brought to a dead stand, by hearing 44O V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. shouts of laughter, and a medley of suspicious sounds. A consultation was held in whispers. Some were for abandoning the whole enterprise and skulking home, declaring that their force was not sufficient to attack such an enemy, so entrenched. Others, however, courageously proclaimed their readiness to grapple with the foe even were Satan himself there to personally lead in the defence. Among the latter was the Harvard student, who manifested an unne- cessary degree of enthusiasm, declaring that it would be disgraceful in the extreme to allow such a golden opportunity to do a noble service, and elevate them- selves in the esteem of the community, to slip by un- improved. And ferociously dashing his outer garment on the ground, he avowed his readiness to lead in the assault. As courage begets courage, it was not long before an attack was agreed upon. It was, however, de- termined to give the enemy a chance to surrender before the death dealing blows fell upon their heads. To this end a discreet old blacksmith was appointed to approach and demand a capitulation. He was soon thundering at the door of the barn with the butt of his musket. Instantly all was silent as death within. He then proceeded cautiously to lift the great wooden latch, and with stentorian voice and a wheeze that might have thrown into the shade the efforts of his own emulous shop bellows, demanded that all within should extinguish their brimstone fires, cease boiling their hell-broth, and come forth and be bound. Then all the band without, lustily shouted, to certify to the wretches within that they were surrounded, and need SCHOOL OPENS. 441 entertain no hope of escape. This gave a serious aspect to affairs. Fearful shrieks were now heard, and female voices calling in great alarm. And then manly voices de- manded the occasion of such an unwarrantable dis- turbance of an assemblage of honest people. Some began to cry that it was an attack of Indians and to urge all to arm for defence, with the best weapons at hand. Pitchforks, flails, goads, and divers other deadly weapons were grasped, and a very effectual resistance promised. At this juncture, the student, more reckless than any other, suggested that the door be thrown wide open and the whole force march boldly up ; and before he could be restrained, had himself rushed forward and swung back the stiff old hinges. A flood of light poured out upon the darkness. And simultaneously a flood of light poured in upon the minds of the besiegers. Now what should that assembly prove to be ? What but an innocent, husking party a jovial party of old men and women, young men and maidens ? This gave rather a comical turn to the affair. There stood a score or so of stout men grave men, magis- trates, and king's officers among them confronting about the same number of amiable corn-strippers. The scene was eminently ludicrous and called forth prolonged laughter from either side. On the subsidence of the first outburst a scene of more rational merriment ensued. But the new comers were hardly in a fit frame of mind to partake in the diversions with much enthusiasm. The Harvard stu- 442 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. dent, however, joined in, with much heartiness. He seated himself beside a blushing maiden, who coyly upbraided him for having been gone a whole hour, after having said that he was only going out for a little run, to restore his cramped legs. She told him they had been much alarmed at desperate outcries heard in the distance in the direction of the Great Pasture, and rejoiced that he had not fallen in with witches or witch-hunters, as in the dark he might have been killed. The invaders of the sanctity of the husking-floor presently drew off, with the exception of a few who accepted the general invitation to tarry and partake in the remaining labors and festivities. The home- ward march was in almost utter silence, none having much desire to recount the adventures of the evening, which formed about the only topic upon which they could rally their thoughts. It was as much as each desired to do, to mutely grope for reasons to justify himself in the foolish part he had acted. The stirring music of their drum was not heard, nor did the cheering trumpet blast ring over the stormy hills. But a small band of wild geese, benighted on the wing, uttered a few languid notes, which echoed like those of taunting spirits in the air. Nor were even the awakening tones of the cracked fiddle heard among them, for that dulcet instrument had been retained to do duty in the barn, when the labors of the evening were closed. The golden ears had been divested of their rustling robes, and heaped in a corner, and the red-ear forfeits all paid. Then the capacious floor was cleared and SCHOOL OPENS. 443 the old fiddle brought in requisition for a merry bout. And a right jolly time they had of it, those roguish sons and daughters of the sturdy old puritans, divers of the elders remaining, complacent witnesses of the cheery scene. And many were the pleasant jokes ut- tered at the expense of the discomfited witch-hunters. Not one entered into the closing scenes with more relish than our academic friend from Cambridge. And somehow it fell to his happy lot to escort to the house of the friend whom she was visiting, the same sparkling maiden who had so coyly upbraided him for his long absence from her side. The storm, it is true, had not much abated, and it was also the lonely midnight reasons enough why she should snuggle the more closely to his side. So it was, no doubt, on the whole, an enjoyable walk. This witch-hunting expedition of course occasioned a good deal of merriment all over the Colony. Some of the most pious and sedate men in the community were made ridiculous by it. And the grave discus- sions that followed developed as great absurdities as do many of the theological discussions of the present day. Some who had engaged in it, however, solemnly protested that they should have had no part nor lot in it, had it not appeared that the president of the college had recommended that it be undertaken. These protestations coming to the knowledge of the classic dignitary, he vehemently denied that he either sent any message, made any recommendation or even suspected that the witches were about making any diabolical demonstration. This brought the young student whose name it ought to have been before V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. stated was David Sweetman seriously in question, the principal magistrate insisting that he came with a message purporting to be from the president. A special meeting of the college authorities was convened, and Sweetman summoned before them. His spirits sank to a much lower point than they attained on the weird night of the hunt. But then he had had the dance and ought not to demur when the piper called for his pay. He did appear, like a man, and acknowledged the truth of much that the witnesses stated against him. But he utterly denied having ever said that he made any announcement as a message from the president ; admitting, however, that they might have inferred something of the kind from what he did say. But they were not in a mood to appreciate delicate lingual distinctions. Without much circumlocution they adjudged him guilty of lying. And he, a little nettled at this, launched divers rather tart reflections at their discernment, accusing them of being unable to comprehend an innocent practical joke. But that did not mend matters. Ad- vancing such views to that learned bench was about as effective as urging abstract principles upon a row of fat oysters. The result of the examination was the condemna- tion of Sweetman to a severe whipping, or, as an alternative, a seat for four hours in the stocks. And he was benevolently allowed to take his choice. He unhesitatingly chose the whipping or "whiping," as the record has it, in sparing the p s ; an example of orthographical frugality that Webster would proba- bly have followed had he dared to. The choice was SCHOOL OPENS. 445 induced, it is likely, partly by the greater notoriety of the stocks and partly by the fact that flights of stale eggs and other unsavory things were liable to occur in the vicinity of the heads of culprits who were taking a siesta in them. But the most forcible reason of all perhaps was, the fear of being subjected to one of the long-drawn lectures of the fatherly president, who, whenever a sheep of his flock happened unfortunately to get into durance, made it a part of his religion to go forth and graphically picture to him the dismal strait to which his evil course was hastening him. And the academic rogues were accustomed to declare that they could with greater equanimity endure an egg-shower than one of these discourses. It was settled, then, that Sweetman should have a sound whipping ; and the pleasure of inflicting it was accorded to the Latin professor. The student being rather below par in Latin, it was thought that the professor might at the same time settle up for certain former delinquencies specially pertaining to his de- partment kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. And thus considered, it was not deemed likely that the blows would fall with undeserved tenderness. The time set for the punishment was at the close of that day's exercises, and all the students were notified to be present. Accordingly, just as the shades of evening began to render dim the objects in the great hall, the seats along the sides began to be occupied by the forced witnesses of retributive justice, most of whom would much rather have been kicking foot-ball in the adjacent lot. At one end of the hall sat the venerable president, 446 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. encircled by his staff of teachers, and grinned on from the shelf above by plaster images of Vane, Cromwell, and divers other puritanical saints. He of the Latin rule stood somewhat in advance of the group, and evidently felt the importance of his posi- tion. He now and then beat the air with his heavy raw hide thong, as if to measure its efficiency, and from his dalliances seemed desirous of prolonging the enjoyable moments of suspense, as doth pussy when about to victimize a poor little mouse. Finally, with a stately air, and in well-set Latin terms, he bade the expectant culprit step forth. If the victim had not understood the Latin, he could not have mistaken the stern beckoning of the weapon. And with a slightly faltering step he approached. A murmur ran along the line of students ; but the instant rising of the whole body of teachers not a very formidable phalanx, though with the magis- trate and two or three subordinate officers which the occasion had called together, suppressed any approach to open mutiny. Sweetman was now commanded to lay aside his outer garment. It was an awful moment, and his eye rolled imploringly to the mute array of dignitaries, and then to his downcast fellow-students, as he slowly disrobed. He saw no prospect of relief; no mark of relenting, on the brow of authority, no symptom of uprising among his compeers ; no, no ; nor was there any prospect of a sudden tornado to scatter them, nor earthquake to swallow them up ; nothing of the kind. And he prepared courageously to meet what he saw no possible way to avoid. SCHOOL OPENS. 447 His back was bared for the stripes, and he bent forward upon the bar that had been erected as a con- venient aid in the torture. Then the strap of the weapon was securely wound about the wrist of the professor, to prevent slipping ; the lips were heroic- ally drawn in, and the strong arm raised aloft for the first great blow ; when Ah ! many a slip, &c. . . . There came a sudden rap at the door ; not very loud, to be sure, but in that deathlike stillness decidedly startling. Had a good providence, then, at that critical moment, interposed ? No wonder that the account of the marvelous turn in the affair of Abraham and Isaac on the holy Mount of Sacrifice, should have shot through his bewildered mind and brought a gleam of hope. The door was opened by one standing near, and a hasty message received for the armed champion himself. And then it abruptly closed ; not so sud- denly, however, but that the flowing skirts of a lady's dress were visible. On receiving the message, the professor dropped his weapon as if it had been a rod of hot iron, and strode out, leaving his victim palpitating at the rail. He remained without, for some minutes, in a confer- ence the nature of which it is not necessary for us to attempt to unfold. But when he returned, his coun- tenance was clothed in a subtle smirk such as had long been a stranger there. Instead of resuming his duties at the point where he had broken off, he retired into a corner with the president and magistrate, and there held an earnest conference. The subject of their discourse, however, did not seem to be particularly 448 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. solemn, for the president soon indulged in divers sly winks and knowing smiles, and even became so unbe- comingly elated as to punch the ribs of the professor in his cunning way. And the magistrate, too, seemed half-idiotic in his smirks and funny pantomime. Finally, the professor sank grinning into a seat, and the president stepped toward the disrobed student who stood shivering between hope and fear. Hope, however, gained the ascendancy, as the dignitary approached unarmed ; and it grew very bright when in gentle tones he spake comforting words, and then handed toward him the garments of which he had been divested. He reclothed with alacrity. And then, with beaming countenance the president an- nounced to the wondering assembly that for good and sufficient reasons, though such as it was not deemed expedient thus publicly to make known, the punishment was postponed. The class boys cheered and clapped their hands ; the tallow-dips blinked and nodded their smutty heads ; and all retired, well pleased to adjourn to the supper table, where it is to be hoped they found, after their nervous excitement, something better than their usual fare of " porridge, and that very homely." Sweetman was really a fine young fellow, and belonged to a family of the first respectability. But that did not prevent an occasional manifestation of his fondness for a practical joke, nor make him a good Latin scholar. But how about his relief from the punishment ? It was a long time before the interesting matter fully transpired. It finally, however, came to light that the SCHOOL OPENS. 445 feminine apparition which so opportunely appeared at the door of the hall, was the courageous and bril- liant young daughter of the Latin professor himself. What acknowledgments, pleadings or declarations she made to her surprised father, are not recorded. But they evidently had a wonderful effect. It also ap- peared that she was the same coy maiden by whose side Sweetman so unceremoniously seated himself when with the witch-hunters he entered Mr. Granger's barn, and who so familiarly upbraided him for his long absence. These things, together, partially elucidate the mysterious affair. I said the whipping was postponed. But there seems to be no evidence that it was ever inflicted. Indeed there is good evidence that Mr. Sweetman was soon in special favor with the Latin professor, for he was frequently a visitor at his house, and with the utmost regularity took his Sunday evening meal there so long as he remained a student at the college. And more than all we find that in due time the gracious professor entrusted to his keeping the most precious jewel that he possessed even that same bright jewel of a daughter. Several accounts of flagellations in Harvard college, other than those of which we have so briefly spoken, are found in the old papers that so luckily fell into our hands. But as it might make the descendants of the sufferers feel uncomfortable to have the names of their ancestors blazoned forth in such questionable connection, we forbear to introduce them, save in one rather exceptional instance. 29 45O V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. It may not be known to such readers as have not made themselves familiar with certain of the minuter though eminently important facts in the early history of New England, that President Dunster had a mortal hatred of snakes. This, it may be concluded, was one of the chief reasons why he was placed at the head of the institution, though indeed his learning and piety were unquestionable. Snakes were supposed to be the pet progeny of the evil one ; and he who possessed a natural horror of them was deemed so far an alien to the dark covenant under which they lived and moved. As is usual in instances like that of the worthy president, not a small measure of fear was mingled with the hatred ; and so the good man was ever on the alert, when in the woods or fields, shying hither and thither, and sometimes taking to a tree or to his heels ; for one could not often, in those days, walk far from the thicker portions of the settlements with- out encountering an individual or two of the dreaded species. He, in common with all the people of the time, believed that snakes had the subtle power of fascination, or charming, conceiving it to be a direct gift from their father, the old deludor, as a special means for working mischief. He was sedulous in quest of evidence pertaining to all instances of charm- ing of which he could hear, and is said to have once walked to Hampton to see a chicken which had been rescued just as it was popping its brainless head into the distended throat of a venerable rattlesnake rescued by a great unimaginative swine who happened that way, and unceremoniously seized the snake for SCHOOL OPENS. 451 his own breakfast. It is also said that he went down to Plymouth to inquire into the particulars of an alleged instance of charming practised by one of the wily reptiles on a little maid who was out blackberry- ing, the spell being broken by the redoubtable Miles Standish who happened that way, sword in hand, in pursuit of a red fox. The Indians shamefully im- posed on him several times by their ridiculous stories and led him into wearisome hunts. The good man even carried his antipathy to poor innocent eels, because of their resemblance to snakes, and would not allow one in the college rations, there being, as he declared, enough devil in the students already. Charles river abounded with most luscious eels, and it seemed hard that the poor students should not have the privilege of now and then diversifying their mean porridge diet with a sample, particularly as they were ready to do the catching, as well as take the risk of contracting moral distempers in the diges- tion. The eels, however, made no complaint about the interdiction, and no doubt preferred to snuggle in the river mud rather than become a part of even a Harvard student through the transforming process of human digestion. The wary president never walked in the woods without a trusty cudgel, and never fled with greater precipitancy than when he had a proper chance to use it. And he made a most comical figure when running, for then his progress bore some resemblance to that of the kangaroo stepping as if he were running up very steep stairs. The students were, of course, fully apprised of his peculiar aversion. 452 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. And on their part there was no aversion to deriving a little sport from it, when they safely could. When the president attended meeting, on lecture days, if it was pleasant, he always took a short by-path that ran through a little patch of woods. So, upon a certain occasion, a couple of waggish students, having in their possession the body of an enormous black snake, which a farmer-boy had that morning killed, they tied a thread about the neck, and coiling it up in the by-path aforesaid, in the most natural manner possible, retired into the bushes, taking the end of the thread, and there patiently awaited devel- opments. Presently a little dog came trotting along, and instinctively perceiving that the reptile was dead though it is a mystery how unreasoning animals as we irrationally call them, can so unerringly discern the fact of death gave a smell, jumped over, and pursued his way. Then a hungry crow came flapping along, and gave a knowing caw as he settled down beside the slimy coils. He, too, instinctively perceived that there was no life there, and gave a peck at the eye. A slight twitch of the string made him hop off a step or two with a hasty flap of the wings, though he did not seem much alarmed. Cocking his head cunningly on one side and then on the other, as if to take a new survey, he hopped back again, and poising on one foot, seemed to say, " Come now, you know you 're dead ; so none of your false pretences. I know you snakes are called cunning ; but so are we crows. Yes, sir, you 're dead ; so lie still and let me have another peck at that eye, for which you have no SCHOOL OPENS. 453 further use." Then he gave another peck. And then the body gave another jump, being galvanized by a second and more violent twitch of the string. This was a puzzler to the crow ; but as he was not disposed to waste time on a philosophical examination, when his supper hour was so near, he spread his great black wings, and scornfully cawing, soared away toward the Medford marshes. A little boy, with a berry basket, now came whistling along. He spied the lion in the way, and not having the discernment of the little dog or the crow, was panic-stricken, and drop- ping his basket, fled back, screaming with fright. Soon after, the venerable president himself was discovered by the mischief-makers in the bushes, approaching, evidently engaged in an earnest discus- sion with himself, a thing very common with him in his solitary walks. And when thus engaged, his gait became very singular, the argument seeming to settle in his right leg, which would give a violent shake at each step, almost sufficient, when he was especially earnest, to dislocate the knee. As he approached, at this time, he seemed very much as if stepping on hot iron, with bare feet. Leg oratory is sometimes the most effective kind, though not the most refined nor pacific. I have been so struck by the descriptions of the pedal rhetoric of the worthy president as to be induced more than once to attempt a harmless imita- tion in the endeavor to realize its effect. And I wish the reader would now lay aside the book for a moment and try, for his own satisfaction, to imitate the step. . .. . There, now, do you not find it rather an eloquent kind of delivery ? 454 v - EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. On the occasion under notice, the good president was so earnest in his endeavor to persuade himself of something seemingly incredible, that the watching students began to fear that he would stride by the coiled serpent without casting his eye to the ground at all. " Dunster," he exclaimed, " thou art a manifest fool. What flip hast thou drunken thus to take away thy senses ? O, yes, thou canst make plausible ex- cuses for the follies and the wickednesses of youth, but I tell thee thy excuses are frivolous, driveling, and" Just at that moment his foot struck the berry-basket which the boy had dropped in his flight. He raised it on the end of his staff, and twirled it above his head, entirely unconscious of the exercise, in his abstraction. But down went the basket, and his eye happened to follow it to the ground. The snake was just at his feet, and a violent twitch of the string raised the ugly head from the coils, and started the whole hideous length. And then Leaping high in the air and uttering a terrifically profane ejaculation, in Latin, the appalled dignitary knew nothing more till he found himself prone upon the earth with a couple of alarmed students minister- ing to him. He had received a grievous sprain, and was unable to rise. This was a serious matter. The thoughtless youth, who really had not a spark of malice in their hearts, had sprung forward to his relief, and now ingenuously acknowledged the whole truth, instead of doing as less hcfnest boys might have done ; that is, whip the snake into the bushes and pretend that he had escaped and that they by accident happened along at SCHOOL OPENS. 455 that juncture. There was candor among the Harvard youth of those days. The injury turned out to be dangerous as well as painful ; and though the sufferer was soon on the mending hand, he was for some months compelled to avail himself of the services of a wooden assistant in getting about. On extraordinary occasions, it was delightful to see the tender care of the repentant authors of the mischief, who would support him on either side, he throwing his arms around their necks and swinging between them they being tall, stout fellows and he rather diminu- tive his feet two or three inches above the ground and paddling back and forth as if he fancied himself aiding in the locomotion. And when, after his long period of suffering he did call himself well, his ancient peculiarity of gait had ceased forever ; there were no more kangaroo leaps, and a decided down-stair step had succeeded the up-stair. The impartial reader, I am sure, will exclaim that those roguish students, even if their real intent was merely to perpetrate a harmless joke, well deserved a severe flagellation, as a preventive of future heedless- ness. And it is agreeable to add that they got it. There was, indeed, friendly intercession in their be- half, but they manfully claimed the expiatory infliction, and heroically bared their backs for the stripes. The punishment was inflicted in broad daylight and in the presence of the whole college galaxy officers, stu- dents, and servants besides a number of interested outsiders, who gathered in the door-way and on tip- toe peeked in at the windows. The chastisement was applied with unction enough to entirely satisfy V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. all parties, even the little dog, the crow, and the berry-boy. It will be observed that the above incident occurred at about the time of the remarkable entrance of the devil, in the shape of a snake, into the synod convened at Cambridge, in August, 1648, an event that created a vast deal of apprehension and discussion. President Dunster, it is presumed, was present on the memora- ble occasion. Winthrop gives the account in such a comprehensive manner that the reader will be pleased with having his words quoted : " The synod met at Cambridge by adjournment. Mr. Allen of Dedham preached out of Acts 15, a very godly, learned, and particular handling of near all the doctrines and appli- cations concerning that subject with a clear discovery and refutation of such errors, objections, and scruples as had been raised about it by some young heads in the country. It fell out about the midst of his sermon, there came a snake into the seat where many of the elders sate behind the preacher. It came in at the door where people stood thick upon the stairs. Divers of the elders shifted from it, but Mr. Thomson, one of the elders of Braintree, (a man of much faith,) trode upon the head of it, and so held it with his foot and staff with a small pair of grains, until it was killed. This being so remarkable, and nothing falling out but by divine providence, it is out of doubt, the Lord discovered somewhat of his mind in it. The serpent is the devil ; the synod the representative of the churches of Christ in New England. The devil had formerly and lately attempted their disturbance and SCHOOL OPENS. 457 dissolution ; but their faith in the seed of the woman overcame him and crushed his head." This, certainly, savors somewhat of theological conceit. But the thing was plain and logical enough in the minds of those old worthies ; just as even greater absurdities sometimes appear to the minds of certain reverential wiseacres in this enlightened age. It is doubtful, however, whether the confident Winthrop himself, could he return and survey the present moral condition of " Boston and vicinity," would continue to insist, with much earnestness, that his friend Thomson did actually kill the devil, in August, 1648. But then we suppose Winthrop is not to be charged with speaking in a literal sense. Had the evil one himself actually so ventured into the inhospitable synod, he would probably have vanished when the death-grip fell upon him, rather than have suffered himself to be despatched outright. But it is a hard subject to reason on. And we can only add the mournful fact that the devil " still lives." In the stately history of Harvard College, which has long been before the world, the more weighty matters are well disposed of; but it is never to be assumed that such make up the whole of a history. If you write the biography of a man and bring to view only his dignified traits, you give but one side of his character, for no man is all starch and buckram. And it is the same with other things. So, bearing this in mind, it has been endeavored in these pages to give a glimpse at least of all the sides of the differ- ent subjects dwelt upon, however angular they may be. T * 458 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. It is difficult for us of this day, who are awed by the dignity of that venerable institution of learning, to conceive of the grotesque scenes and singular artifices to which it was compelled to resort in its early struggles for existence. But the faculty always tried to keep up appearances, for which they are to be commended rather than censured. And the students always maintained their character for frolicking, for which they are to be censured rather than commend- ed. When in 1644, some of those old educational heroes descended to the most artful wire-pulling, to induce the Court to levy an assessment upon every family in the jurisdiction, of "one peck of corne, or \2d. in mony or oth r comodity, to be sent to y e treas- urer for the colledge," how weakly did they anticipate the rich bequests that in after years would fall in golden showers upon their darling institution. Even as late as 1680, the College after sending forth numerous graduates who did honor to them- selves and their country was by no means in a condition to put on airs. A couple of educated pro- testant Dutchmen, named Jaspar Dunkers and Peter Sluyter, visited this region during that year, and one of them thus speaks of the College, in his journal : " We started out to go to Cambridge, lying to the northeast of Boston, in order to see their college and printing office. We left about six o'clock in the morning, and were set across the river at Charles- town. We followed the road which we supposed was the right one, but went full half an hour out of the way, and would have gone still further had not a SCHOOL OPENS. 459 negro who met us, and of whom we inquired, disa- bused us of our mistake. We went back to the right road, which is a very pleasant one. " We reached Cambridge about eight o'clock. It is not a large village, and the houses stand very much apart. The college building is the most con- spicuous among them. We went to it, expecting to find something curious, as it is the only college or would-be academy of the protestants in all America, but we found ourselves mistaken. In approaching the house we neither heard nor saw any thing men- tionable ; but, going to the other side of the building, we heard noise enough in an upper room to lead my comrade to suppose they were engaged in disputation. We entered and went up stairs, where a person met us, and requested us to walk in, which we did. We found there eight or ten young fellows, sitting around, smoking tobacco, with the smoke of which the room was so full that you could hardly see ; and the whole house smelt so strong of it that when I was going up stairs I said this is certainly a tavern. We excused ourselves that we could speak English only a little, but understood Dutch and French, which they did not. However, we spoke as well as we could. "We inquired how many professors there were, and they replied not one that there was no money to support one. We asked how many students there were. They said at first thirty, and then came down to twenty. I afterwards understood there are proba- bly not ten." These worthy Hollanders must have visited the College during one of its seasons of special depression. 460 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. It had such, occasionally, for many years ; and then its life seemed almost run out. But generally, when it appeared near its last gasp, the Court came, as a skillful doctor, and by its restorative pecuniary appli- cations, managed to preserve life. And so it hob- bled along to better days. What the Dutch visitor says of that particular time, is confirmed by Quincy's history. But the observant old traveler continues: "They could hardly speak a word of Latin, so that my com- rade could not converse with them. They took us to the library, where there was nothing particular. We looked over it a little. They presented us with a glass of wine. This is all we ascertained there. The minister of the place goes there morning and evening to make prayer, and has charge over them. The students have tutors and masters. " Our visit was soon over, and we left them to go and look at the land about there. We found the place beautifully situated on a large plain more than eight miles square, with a fine stream in the middle of it capable of bearing heavily laden vessels. As regards the fertility of the soil, we consider the poor- est in New York superior to the best here. As we were tired, we took a mouthful to eat and left. " We passed by the printing office, but there was nobody in it. The paper sash, however, being broken, we looked in and saw two presses with six or eight cases of type. There is not much work done there. Our printing office is well worth two of it, and even more. We went back to Charlestown, where, after waiting a little, we crossed over about three o'clock." SCHOOL OPENS. 461 That these honest Dutchmen were from New York, is apparent from what the journalist says of the soil and of " our printing office." A few words ought, perhaps, to have been said before, about the Printing Office at Cambridge, for its interests were intimately connected with those of the College, and its influence in the cause of piety and the progress of education, was counted on as of the greatest importance. It was established in 1639, by Stephen Day, an individual of rather superstitious turn of mind, and at times much disturbed by the growing apprehensions in the community concerning witchcrafts. And it was, perhaps, with a view to do his part in the approaching direct conflict with the powers of darkness, as much as from any other con- sideration, that he was induced so readily to engage in the doubtful enterprise. And proba"bly he did his full share in staving off the outbreak for the time being, as well as his share in fixing in the popular mind the firm belief that the evil day must sooner or later come. At the very outset of his operations the worthy printer met with a distressing disaster. He had been hard at work all day, distributing his letter in the cases, and putting his press in order, a neighbor or two, kind enough in disposition, though aukward in the handling of printing materials, voluntarily assist- ing him. And as it began to grow dark, he slipped on his outer garment and started for home, which was a long way off, and reached by a rough, stump- studded road. He was a pious man, and as he 462 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. plodded along, began to think over a list of godly books that he would from time to time print and circulate to the discomfiture of the arch enemy. A tradition, by the way, has existed from the earliest ages of the art typographic, that the devil takes special care to watch the transactions in printing offices ; and one of his imps at least one bearing his name is still to be found in the precincts of every office. And judging by what emanates from some of the establishments now flourishing on the soil once trod by puritanic feet, his brimstone majesty not only watches but occasionally controls. Mr. Day's reflections, as he proceeded along his weary way, though in rather an exultant vein, were not unmin- gled with obscure apprehensions that his precious materials might be molested or his more precious self assailed. He reached home hungry and tired, and after par- taking of a good supper of rabbet-meat, eggs, onions, and artichokes, retired to his welcome bed of husks, in the little upper room over which the unsealed roof picturesquely sloped. He slept a disturbed sleep, as over-weary persons are apt to, especially if they have overladen their stomachs with hard artichokes ; and about midnight was very much alarmed by scratch- ings, patterings, and knockings upon the roof. Then he heard a lusty breeze, that seemed to sweep every thing before it, rocking and thumping the house in a desperate manner, and then sighing and groaning as if because it could not do more mischief. Then there came thunder and lightning and screeching in the air. SCHOOL OPENS. 463 Cold sweat stood upon the poor man's brow, as he ventured now and then to pop his head from under the rigid bed-cover that almost smothered him. He felt sure that a host of satan's emissaries had found him out, and were determined to try their best to extinguish him before he could even put in motion his enginery for the subversion of their power. The most horrible apprehensions seized him, as a blue flash played around the unhewn rafters above his pallet, followed by a portentous lull, and then a crowing and laughing as if a hundred jolly fiends were making merry over him, their helpless victim. Whether he finally fainted from fright, or passed from some other cause into an entirely oblivious condition, cannot be known ; but he realized nothing further till broad daylight. His spirits revived when he found that he had not been mauled to death. And when a thorough examination of all his visible parts revealed no evidence that satanic hands had been laid upon him, he felt relieved from an almost crush- ing weight. He arose, looked at the cheerful sun, and swallowed a raw goose egg, which was his daily appetizer. Then, after performing sundry domestic duties, he partook of his morning meal ; after which he immediately started for his office. On his way he met the president of the college, and related to him the experiences of the night. That dignitary listened with fear and trembling ; and when the narrative was concluded intimated a gathering conviction that the descent of evil spirits which had been so long threat- ened was about taking place. And he expressed an earnest hope that if the fiends had been sporting with 464 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. him, they had left unmolested the precious printing materials. Mr. Day's heart sank at the bare sugges- tion that the scene of his labors of the previous day might have been invaded by such unholy marauders. And in considerable trepidation he hurried on. And what a sight met his view when he arrived at his office. Every thing bore the mark of demon- iacal ravaging. One of the little windows had been completely torn out, and there were burnt marks upon the sill, as if infernal fingers had clutched there as their owners sprang in or out. Two of the type cases had been thrown across the room and their contents scattered broadcast about the floor. In one corner was a heap of melted letter, the now useless remains of about half his stock of type. The little triangular fireplace was torn all to pieces, as if a host of reckless spirits had made the chimney their way of nightly travel. His principal chase, of wrought iron, so stout that a printer of this day would smile at its clumsiness, was bent and twisted so that it could never be made true again. And the heavy bed-stone of the press had been raised from the position in which, with the neighborly assistance of a butcher and a chandler, he had so carefully placed it the preceding afternoon, and dashed through the floor into the cellar. The ink-keg had been burst asunder and its contents made use of for a general besmearing. Much of the mischief, it was apparent, could not have been done by mortal hands. And by whom, then, could it have been done, save by supernatural invaders. He searched in vain for his sheep's-foot, SCHOOL OPENS. 465 that most useful of printing-house implements ; and its disappearance added greatly to his dismay, for, as it represented a cloven foot, he could not avoid in some way connecting it with the supernatural gentry whose pedal extremities are of like fashion. Mr. Day sat down, disheartened, on his one little pine bank which a friendly carpenter had gratuitously contributed to his fitting out, and mournfully contem- plated the wreck of his matter and the ruin of his hopes. But he was a man of rather sanguine temper- ament, and soon began to recover from his despond- ency. The first thing he did was to set about restoring his office to the best order possible under the circumstances. And as active employment is the surest remedy for low spirits, he soon became so cheerful as to attempt whistling a nimble tune. Having done what he could at the office, he made up his mind that the next best thing was to set about the discovery of the particular human agency through which the infernal mischief had been wrought ; for there was always in such cases an undefined idea that some malignant wretch had charge of the operations. To this end he sought a conference with the college authorities, the civil magistrates, and such members of the General Court as he could find in the precinct. He related all that he knew and much that he imag- ined touching the enmities of his neighbors ; for, like most people who have had their fears strongly excited, he was unable to distinguish between fact and fancy. And after solemn deliberation it was considered best to employ the approved means for the discovery of witches. Accordingly he had his witch-cake made, T* 30 466 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. the adder's-tongue, toad's-stool, blind-worm, and all other ingredients well stirred by the witch-hazel rod, and baked bottom up, at the top of the oven. And then, through the agency of the old Indian woman who traveled about the settlements, selling herbs and eye-water, the sacramental witch-bread was duly administered. The lot fell just where he expected it would upon an old woman in the family of a fellow-townsman. She was from Barbadoes, that land of abominations, was poor, and lame, and of rather irascible disposition, but not before suspected of entertaining any diabol- ical designs towards him or any one else. It was recollected, however, that she had made some pun- gent threats, on the occasion of a quarrel he had with her about the uncivil conduct of a goat that belonged to her, and on which her affections were centered, it being the most valuable of all her earthly possessions. But that quarrel was a long time before ; and it was supposed that time had obliterated all feeling of resentment The difficulty arose in this way : the goat was one day browsing on some bushes, by the river, where Mr. Day was bathing, and seeing his little heap of clothes, after smelling of them, gave a vigorous bleat, and seizing the leather small-clothes, ran up the bank, and trotted down the lane toward the house of its mistress. What possessed Nanny to indulge in such an im- polite and unnatural freak, it is impossible to tell. But it put Mr. Day to great inconvenience, not to say mortification, he being a remarkably modest man. In his anger he charged her with having trained the SCHOOL OPENS. 467 goat to purloin for her benefit. To this she replied, with rising asperity, that if such were the case she should have taught it to bring home something of more value than his old leather breeches. The dis- pute became fierce, but finally ceased without any personal violence. And the remembrance had nearly faded out. Mr. Day was much alarmed when the test so uner- ringly pointed to this poor old woman as the contriver of the mischief at the printing office. But neither he, nor the magistrates, nor any one else, thought of questioning the virtue of the test. The excitement ran very high, and spread like wild-fire. The forlorn old dame protested her innocence. But what of that. Is not that the way with culprits ? An informal examination, however, was granted, to be held in the college hall. An excited concourse attended ; and conspicuous among them was Mr. Day, in his shirt sleeves and the little brown paper cap, that he wore at his work, for he had left his office in haste and in a frustrated condition of mind. Some of the college people talked learnedly about witchcraft ; others pi- ously ; others alarmingly ; and others despairingly. Every suspicious thing touching the accused was reviewed the conduct of the goat, the quarrel, the making of the cake nothing, indeed, which could, even in the remotest manner, compromise her, being forgotten. And as the tide was setting strongly against her, the few who had made some pretence of being her friends began rapidly to fall off those who had professed the most sympathy, denying, with the energy of a Peter, that they had ever known 468 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. her. She wept ; but that did no good further than partially relieve her over-burdened heart. Thus matters stood, when some commotion was caused by the stalking in of Arrow John, holding Sunny Wave by the hand. They had come down to the settlement on an errand to the accused, to whom they felt indebted for many a refreshing draught of milk which that same offending goat had dispensed ; and being told where she was, had made their way into the hall. The slight interruption was soon over, and the semi-judicial proceedings renewed. The In- dians gave the closest attention, apparently endeavor- ing to comprehend the nature of the business, an occasional expressive grunt from the father, only, pre- venting their presence from being overlooked in their silence. But it was not long before the red man began to manifest considerable excitement, at least for an Indian. And when opportunity offered, he arose, with all the dignity of his race, and throwing his arms aloft, as if invoking an unseen power, exclaimed : " O, white men ! Last night the Great Spirit was abroad lighting his path by the lightning flash, and speaking to his children in his thunder voice. He passed by my lodge, tearing from the earth a giant pine, that stood in his way, shivering the huge trunk into many pieces and scattering the limbs far abroad. Nothing can stop back his march, when he comes in his lightning blaze and thunder tramp. May be the white man's poor little make-um-book trap, stood in his way, and so he brush um off." Had the most exultant thunder-clap that disturbed the peace of nature during the previous night, returned SCHOOL OPENS. 469 and burst over their heads again in full force, they would not have been more suddenly and thoroughly waked. It instantly occurred to every mind that the havoc in the printing office was caused by the light- ning of the nature of which, however, they knew as little as they did of witchcraft, for the great seer of the typographic art, who has received the name of lightning-tamer, had not then electrified the world by his discoveries. Mr. Day may indeed have been as good a printer as Franklin, and done as much for the art in America ; but it is evident that he fell something short of him as a philosopher. When the bubble broke in the assembly, they all felt ashamed of themselves and of each other ; asham- ed that they had not remembered that lightning could do up a work of mischief as suddenly and effectually as witchcraft ; ashamed that they were indebted to a tawny barbarian for the key that opened their own eyes. Mr. Day, who was really a good hearted man, though, as has before appeared, of rather a supersti- tious turn, was so rejoiced to be relieved from the dread suspicion that he was under the surveillance of malignant spirits, that his elevation knew no bounds. Up he jumped, and danced about as if beside himself. The little paper cap shook from his head, and his feet relieved themselves from imprisonment in his ponderous shoes. He caught Sunny Wave from the side of her father, raised her in his arms, and before he or she knew what was to come next, had bestowed on her glossy brown cheeks half a score of unctuous kisses. Dropping her, he seized her father and twirled him merrily around, till he, not appreciating such 47O V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. familiarity, delivered on his bare pate divers sound knocks, with his great knobby pipe. That seemed to restore his senses. Without further befooling himself, Mr. Day with a nervous flourish approached the astonished magis- trate, and besought him to utter something appro- priate to the occasion to make an improvement, as the phrase then ran. The official readily complied, and delivered himself in well-set terms of a grave and pious discourse about thunder and lightning, witchcraft, merciful providences, and kindred topics. His eye, while speaking, was frequently directed toward Arrow John. And when he had finished, that stately son of the forest, deeming himself called upon to reply, drew himself up to his full height, and thrusting out his dexter arm with the fore-finger pointing toward Mr. Day, in a deep, measured voice, began : " White men say Injan know nothing. But white men dam fool ; not know tother from nothing. White man say, book tell um every thing. Injan no have book, so he know nothing, white man think. All clam lie. There stand Make-um-book, [still pointing to Mr. Day,] he dam crazy ; don't know much as old squaw. Ugh ! Injan learn from Great Spirit. He talk to his red children out of cloud, in thunder, in storm, in rushing water ; he whisper to um in trees, in little brook ; and smile on um in flowers, in sun- shine. Injan learn most. Ugh! No swear, no swear !" And having delivered himself of this touching piece of native eloquence, he dropped his arm, and seizing Sunny Wave by the hand strode proudly off. A thorough examination left no doubt that the SCHOOL OPENS. 471 lightning was the instrument of the mischief. And from that time forth, the good people began to be as much in dread of lightning as of witchcraft. Indeed, in the minds of many there was a mysterious rela- tionship between them. It should, perhaps, be added in this connection, that the damage to Mr. Day's office was repaired as speedily as possible, and in due time there issued from the infant press the " Freeman's Oath," which has ever since been claimed to be the first specimen of American printing. The Court regarded with much favor the enterprise, and a year or two after, that is, on the loth of December, 1641, passed this order : " Stephen Day being the first that set upon printing, is graunted 300 acres of land where it may bee convenient w th out prejudice to any towne." And again, on the I5th of May, 1657, in another fit of generosity, the Court made this further grant : " Ste- ven Day, of Cambridg, having often complajned that he hath suffered much damage by erecting the print- ing press at Cambridge, at the request of the magis- trates and elders, for W* he neuer had yett any considerable sattisfaction, this Court doe graunt him three hundred acres of land in any place not formerly granted by this Court." Of the press in general, in early times its freedom, its obstreperousness, and the indignities and disabili- ties cast upon it a good deal that is interesting might be said, though the Court Records do not furnish much that is really of importance. A sort of censorship was established on the 8th of October, 1662, in these words : " For prevention of 472 V. EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. irregularitjes and abuse to the authority of this coun- try by the printing presse, it is ordered, that hence- forth no copie shall be printed but by the allowance first had and obteined vnder the hands of Capt. Daniel Gookin & M r Jonathan Mitchel, vntil this Court shall take further order therein." This, however, was soon repealed. In 1 68 1, something like a local monopoly in the printing business was granted, Samuel Seawall being " prevajled with to vndertake the mannagement of the printing press in Boston, late vnder the improvement of M r John Foster, deceased ; " the Court forbidding that any one else should establish an office without their permission " first graunted." A kind of loose copyright law was enacted on the 1 5th of May, 1672, in these words : " In ans r to the petition of John Vsher, the Court judgeth it meete to order, & be it by this Court ordered & enacted, that no printer shall print any more coppies than are agreed & pajd for by the ouner of the sajd coppie or coppies, nor shall he nor any other reprint or make sale of any of the same, w th out the sajd owners con- sent, vpon the forfeiture and poenalty of treble the whole charges of printing, & paper, &c., of the whole quantity pajd for by the ouner of the coppie, to the sajd ouner or his assignes." In closing this Chapter, we may well take a moment to consider what excellent progress the cherished College of whose infantile struggles we have given so brief an account has, on the whole, made, to attain, in so comparatively short a period, her present SCHOOL OPENS. 473 opulent and honorable position. But she always had firm and influential friends ; and her loving children, as they went forth into the world, ceased not to speak her praise. The General Court always loved and favored her as the child of its own bosom, and like a kind parent never allowed her little derelictions to breed an estrangement. And who, now, comprehend- ing the elevating influence she has had on New Eng- land mind, moulding its institutions to the forms in which they now appear, can doubt that the affection and care were well bestowed. During the changeful years of her existence, she has shed forth a guiding light, such as entitles her to the highest respect, even to veneration. And then, look at that forlorn little Printing Office. Though its own inherent light was not very brilliant, it yet was an illuminating germ from which has spread a flame to brighten and vivify the whole land. Could the amiable Mr. Day revisit the scene of his activity, could he step into the present University office, or the Riverside, and behold the untold variety and exhaustless quantity of elegantly formed type, the swift-moving pressess of such ponderous dimensions, hear the hissing of steam and the rapid click of iron hands, his old fears of witchcraft might well return and send him back in terror to his grave. From what has been said of the early struggles of the great Educational Interest in general, something, perhaps, may be learned, or some feeling aroused, that may lead to a fuller appreciation of the benefits now enjoyed. It was a most worthy conception of 474 v - EDUCATIONAL GLIMMERINGS. our ancestors, that education furnished the surest foundation for a free government, as well as the surest safeguard against the wiles of the " old deluder." But as in morals repentance is of little value without amendment, so here, the theory would have been of little value had they not taken measures to give it practical demonstration. They did put their humble machinery in operation, with diligence and prayer- fulness. We see to what a sturdy growth the noble tree they planted has now attained, and what excellent fruit it bears. And the best way in which we can show our gratitude is to see that it be sedulously guarded and nurtured, that it may remain in vigorous growth forever. CHAPTER VI. ASSORTED ILLUSTRATIONS. brief Chapter will comprise a few extracts JL from the records of the Court, during its earlier years, which seem calculated to give some idea of the legislation of that period its simplicity, direct- ness, and honesty. These extracts are given as they appear there in the form of orders, recitals, or in- ducements. One object, also, had in view, is to exhibit the singular modes of punishment sometimes applied, especially to minor offences. And they will necessarily be introduced with little or no note or comment, excepting in the concluding instance. On the weighty matters of the Antinomian controversies, the Quaker persecutions, and similar topics, nothing is demanded in a volume of this scope. The general condition of a community may, per- haps, be more correctly judged of by the doings of its representative convocation than by any other means ; for the representatives come fresh from the various strata of the people, and know their wants and their aims. It has not been attempted to preserve chro- nological order in introducing the extracts, as that would have resulted in confusion of subjects. Dates, (475) 4/6 VI. ASSORTED ILLUSTRATIONS. however, have been carefully given. A few of the extracts are from the records of the Court of Assist- ants ; and that being the major branch of the General Court, it was not thought necessary specially to desig- nate them. For convenience, the abbreviations, as they appear in the records, will, in these few extracts, be generally avoided. INFANT BAPTISM MAGISTRATIC AUTHORITY, ETC. " It is ordered and agreed, that if any person or persons within this jurisdiction shall either openly condemne or oppose the baptizing of infants, or go about secretly to seduce others from the approbation or use thereof, or shall purposely depart the congregation at the administration of the ordinance, or shall deny the ordinance of magis- tracy, or their lawful right or authority to make warr, or to punish the outward breaches of the first table, and shall appear to the Court wilfully and obstinately to continue therein after due time and meanes of conviction, every such person or persons shall be sentenced to ban- ishment." [Nov. 13, 1644. SABBATH BREAKING THE CAGE EVIL SPEAKING. " And for the better putting a restraint and securing offenders that shall any way transgress against the lawes, title Saboath, either in the meeting house by abusive carriage or misbehaviour, by making any noyse or otherwise, or during the daytime, being laid hold on by any of the inhabitants, shall, by the said person appointed to inspect this law, be forthwith carried forth and put into a cage in Boston, which is appointed to be forthwith by the select men, to be set up in the market place and in such other townes as the County Courts shall appoint, there to remain till authority shall examine the person offending, and giue order for his punishment, as the matter may require, according to the lawes relating to the Saboath." [May 14, 1677. " Mr. Ambros Marten, for calling the church covenant a stinking carryon and a humane invention, and saying he wondered at Gods patience, feared it would end in the sharpe, and said the ministers did dethrone Christ, and set up themselues ; he was fined io/. and coun- selled to go to Mr. Mather and bee instructed by him." [March 13. '639. ASSORTED ILLUSTRATIONS. 4/7 " Robert Shorthose [of Charlestown] for swearing by the bloud of God, was sentenced to have his tongue put in a cleft stick, and to stand so by the space of halfe an houre." [Sept. 6, 1636. " Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Aplegate [of Weymouth] was cen- sured to stand with her tongue in a cleft stick, for swearing, raileing, and revileing." [Sept 6, 1636. " John Smyth, of Meadford, for swearing, being penitent, was set in the bilboes." [June 5, 1638. " Whereas, there is no express punishment (by any lawe heretofore established) affixed to the evill practise of sundry persons by exhorbi- tancy of the tongue in rayling and scolding, it is therefore ordered, that all such persons convicted before any court or magistrate that hath propper cognizance of the case, for rayling or scolding, shall be gagged or sett in a ducking stoole and dipt over head and eares three times, in some convenient place of fresh or salt water, as the court or magistrate shall judge meete." [May 15, 1672. CHRISTMAS. " For preventing disorders arising in seueral places within this juris- diction, by reason of some still observing such ffestiualls as were super- stitiously kept in other countrys, to the great dishonor of God, and offence of others, it is therefore ordered, by this Court and the autho- rity thereof, that whoeuer shall be found observing any such days as Christmas or the like, either by forbearing of labour, feasting, or any other way, vpon any such accounts as aforesajd, euery such person so offending shall pay for euery such offence five shillings as a fine to the county." [May n, 1659. MISCELLANEOUS. " It is ordered that Richard Hopkins shall be seurely whipt and branded with a hott iron on one of his cheekes, for selling peeces and powder and shott to the Indians." [Sept. 4, 1632. " Robert Coles is fHned x/. and enjoyned to stand with a white sheete of paper on his backe, wherein a drunkard shall be written in greate letters, and to stand therewith soe longe as the Court thinks meete, for abuseing himselfe shamefully with drinke, inticeing John Shotswells wife to incontenancy and other misdeanour." [Sept 3, 1633. VI. ASSORTED ILLUSTRATIONS. "Edward Woodley, for attempting a rape, swearing and breaking into a house, was censured to be severely whiped 30 stripes, a yeares imprisonment, and kept to hard labour with course dyot, and to weare a coller of yron." [Sept 6, 1636. " Jane Hawkins, the wife of Richard Hawkins, had liberty till the beginning of the third month, called May, and the magistrates (if shee did not depart before) to dispose of her ; and in the meane time shee is not to meddle in surgery, or phisick, drinks, plaisters, or oyles, nor to question matters of religion, except with the elders for satisfaction." [March 12, 1638. " John Kempe, for filthy, vncleane attempts . . . was censured to be whiped both heare, at Roxberry, and at Salem, very severely and was comitted for a slave, to Lieft. Davenport." [Sept. 3, 1639. " Thom : Knore for selling a pot full of strong water without license, was fined 5^." [Sept. 3, 1639. " James Luxford for his forgery, lying, and other foul offences, was censured to bee bound to the whipping poast till the lecture from the first bell, and after the lecture to have his eares cut off; and so hee had liberty to depart out of our iurisdiction." [May 13, 1640. " This Court, considering how farr Sathan doth prevaile vpon seueral persons within this jurisdiction to make away themselves, judgeth that God calls them to beare testimony against such wicked and vnnaturall practises, that others may be deterred therefrom, doe therefore order, that from henceforth if any person, inhabitant or strainger, shall at any time be found by any jury to lay violent hands on themselves, or be wilfully guilty of theire oune deaths euery such person shall be denjed the priviledge of being burjed in the comon burying place of Chris- tians, but shall be buried in some comon highway where the selectmen of the toune where such person did inhabit shall appoint, and a cart loade of stones layd vpon the grave, as a brand of infamy, and as a warning to others to be ware of the like damnable practises." [Oct. 16, 1660. And so the Court sought to prevent the terrible crime of suicide, by denying the victim Christian burial. There is a grim mockery in this, as there is ASSORTED ILLUSTRATIONS. 4/9 in the modern practice of requiring one desperately bent on self-destruction to furnish bonds that he will not commit the act ; as if the fearful impulse that impels to the deed could be controlled by such means. It has been long contended that suicide furnishes the most conclusive evidence of the superiority of the mind, the soul, over the body, and of its ultimate separate existence, its immortality ; for in the awful act, the mind wills the destruction of the body, and the body cannot resist ; nay, it is even compelled to become the instrument of its own destruction. But it is not designed to enter into a discussion of so sorrowful a subject. By simply relating an incident that occurred soon after the foregoing enactment, we shall .fulfill our purpose. Not far from the junction of Court and Hanover streets, in Boston, was a spot for many years known as a suicide's grave. To prevent danger from a heap of stones lying in the highway, the earth had been removed so that the pile lay nearly level with the surrounding surface. And as the little unhallowed spot was avoided by the foot of the traveler, some thistles and one or two plants of the deadly nightshade availed themselves of the opportunity to lift up their noxious heads. Few persons passed that way if they could well pursue their errands by any other road, especially after nightfall. Some said they had repeatedly seen ugly snakes coiling among the stones, who, on being disturbed, retreated into their holes. Others averred that on stormy nights they had seen blue lights flickering there, and heard low sounds of distress. And all agreed that a strange, gaunt 48O VI. ASSORTED ILLUSTRATIONS. dog, would sometimes, on a wild night, come and seat himself there, with dismal howls ; and finally, after scratching fiercely among the stones, slowly retire, howling as he went. But who was the unfortunate one buried there ? No one seemed to know, exactly, for in such cases special pains were taken to obliterate all knowledge even of the name. But let us go back to the night of the burial, a night dark and dismal enough. Four rough fellows, in their dirty laboring clothes, two of them with Indian pipes in their mouths, smoking lustily, came up the road with a rough box on their shoulders, preceded by a fifth, who lighted them along by the lurid glare of a flaming pine knot affixed to the end of a long, crooked staff. The box was naile$ up tightly, and contained the frigid remains of the de- ceased. No mourners followed, no friends, no neigh- bors. None were there but those coarse men, who now and then broke the silence by the utterance of some rude jest or grating laugh, or curse, and a mis- erable dog, who followed slowly on as if lured by some mysterious fascination, for he was known to none of the company. There was sighing, indeed, but it was that of the wild night breeze in the trees. And deep moaning was heard ; but it was that of the surly ocean upon the dark shore. The grave had been dug during the day, and by its side they found the intoxicated digger, glaring idiot- ically about. By a rope they lowered the coffin into the hole, without one lingering look from bereaved relative or friend. No tear was shed, no flowers strewn. Then the stones and gravel were shoveled ASSORTED ILLUSTRATIONS. 481 down, and they all withdrew ; all save the strange dog who now ventured forward and seated himself upon the lonely grave as if he would be the first watcher there. And when the men were far away they heard his horrible howls mingling with the sighs of the trees and the ocean moans. But who was the unfortunate one buried there? it is asked again. Common report must be resorted to for an answer to the question. And that declares that it was a woman, a woman, once pious, intelligent, and beautiful. But misfortune early marked her for its own. In the spring time of life, when her young heart was gay as the mountain bird, her tenderest and most confiding affections received a rude, a with- ering shock. Next, her revered parents died, some said of broken hearts ; and she was left alone, a frail flower, shivering in the unpitying blast of a selfish and vicious world, her virtue sacrificed, her peace departed. But again her native principles of rectitude burst through the iron bands, and with renewed strength and new resolves she steadily pursued the better way. But alas, how indelible is the stain that once tarnishes the female character, and how unfor- giving we all are toward our erring sisters. The bitterest pangs seized her when the church of which she had once been a cherished member refused to restore her to fellowship ; and she seemed to feel that recovery of position was then impossible. Yet she bore her corroding fate with marked fortitude. And so she lived for years ; so she lived till gray hairs began to gather among those glossy locks that had been her pride in the days of innocence, of youth- u 31 482 VI. ASSORTED ILLUSTRATIONS. ful sunshine and love ; so she lived till haggard penury had conducted her down to the most humble condi- tion, where she remained the victim of scorn and senseless fear. One might have supposed that in her poverty and obscurity she would have been permitted to pass quietly away. But malice soon found means to reach her in her loneliness. A foul charge was brought against her, which was too eagerly listened to by the magistrates ; and she was condemned to an ignominious punishment ; condemned to sit upon the gallows, with a rope about her neck, for two hours, upon a lecture day, and ever after, to the end of her life, to wear, emblazoned conspicuously upon her outer garment, the terribly significant letter A in flaming scarlet. The fatal day arrived on which she was to be con- ducted, by the common hangman, to her seat upon the gallows, and begin her endless punishment endless so far as her fellow-mortals could render it so. But When the ready minister of justice appeared at her humble abode, his summons was unheeded, for she had already departed, departed at the summons of one more powerful and less dreaded She was dead. The grave jury declared it to be a case of suicide. And she was denied Christian burial. Some, how- ever, insisted that the poor woman died of a broken heart. But the suicidal mark was placed upon her grave, and the dreaded spot was avoided by all save the gaunt and howling dog. CHAPTER VII. CLOSING SCENES. IT has been before remarked that Rev. Mr. Eliot, of the Roxbury church, took great interest in the attractive little Indian girl Sunny Wave. And she with avidity availed herself of the good instructions he took so much delight in imparting. She was soon able to read in the English Bible ; and her progress in all the rudimental studies gave him the highest satisfaction. But it was painfully inexplicable to him why she remained so entirely impervious to his doc- trinal teachings. Her veneration for the Great Spirit and expectation of meeting her departed mother, in his blessed land, rendered the thought of death any thing but gloomy to her. And a few simple and natural propositions, enforcing virtuous conduct and kindly acts, seemed as much as she could find a place for in her heart-written creed. On listening to the scripture narrations concerning the noble women of old, she would often shed tears and beg that she might be " good like um only Indian all the same ; " appearing always to feel that the religion of the red men was better fitted to their condition, than any thing offered in the more occult system of the whites. (483) 484 VII. CLOSING SCENES. The following letter which was written by her to Mr. Eliot indicates the progress she had made under his faithful teaching. All the change we found it necessary to make was here and there to improve the orthography, lest her words should be mistaken, and modernize a word or two : " I, Sunny Wave, get good letter you send by fadher and much thank you. I know you wish me much happy. And you say hope I soon be baptize and love go to white man his meeting, learn pray, and at last go to white man his heaven home. But I feel much tired in head, thinking and thinking. I do not want go different from way you talk me to go, you so kind. But I love Injan religion best, and try vera hard to be such good little squaw as Great Spirit will love, and take to his beautiful land, where my modher gone, many moons. " I see old Natick Squaw, yesterday night. Watch in her lodge till morning. She vera sick, and say she die soon, and want Mr. Eliot to come give her baptize before she die. Do come ; come quick ; she want comfort. Her boy brave, first say, No, no Sun- ny Wave, tell Mr. Eliot I no let him come ; if he come I shoot ; all white man want is cheat Injan. Then I say, Yes, yes, Mr. Eliot shall come ; he never cheat Injan ; he good ; you shoot him, my fadher shoot you ; kill you. Then he say, Well, well, he may come ; I let him come, you say he good man. " You ask me some time, what words Injan speak when he want to say get down on knees to um ; you want put it in good book for Injan to read. I talk with CLOSING SCENES. 485 fadher and other old men Injans that make speech ; they all say wutteppesittukqussunnoovvehtunkquoh is right Injan word for white mans words getting down on knees to um. May be you say, it long word, take away um breath ; but Injan make um tongue jump, when he speak. " I do all can to find lost white girl. I love her-; cry much ; walk many days with fadher, in search ; often hungry and much tired ; go almost to Plymouth ; meet old Narragansett chief; he say he hear some- thing about white girl carried off north. Fadher and I go that way in morning to try hear more. Out in cold rain ; get much wet, and fadher made sick ; vera bad ; I watch him, give medicine and try make him well. He better now. " O, Mr. Eliot, Sunny Wave know she not live many moons more. She die soon. When she walk in woods, she hear birds say it ; hear trees whisper it. They say, Sunny Wave, come, come to shiny land. I sit by lodge door, in night ; bright stars look down and say, We shine, too, over beautiful land of Great Spirit ; there your modher waits and beckons you. Your pretty bird that cruel white man shoot, and laugh when you cry, is there, too, and will come to your hand again ; there he sing in green tree, and hop among the flowers on river bank. And they all say, Come, come. I know I go soon. May be white men and Injans go to same home. And may be I see Mr. Eliot there. I run to meet him. He good, and will not say, like other white men, How come you here, you salvage devil child ; you go off, go off, you tawny heathen. 486 VII. CLOSING SCENES. " Fadher say he come see you in few days and bring deer meat and duck. And I send Injan cake and chesnuts. " I love Mr. Eliot. Good bye. " I, Little Squaw, SUNNY WAVE." But Mr. Eliot, with true Christian heroism, allowed nothing to discourage him in his efforts to bring her to a due acceptance of doctrinal requirements, that she might be sealed at the baptismal font. Her docility and virtuous inclinations ever kept his hopes alive. She in various ways assisted him in his apos- tolic labors, besides inducing her father to use all his power to prevent molestations from the disaffected tribes and vindictive individuals. And as long as she lived, she afforded him every assistance in her power to master the formidable words that so constantly pre- sented themselves to dispute his progress, during the long years he so diligently occupied in the perplexing study of the Indian languages. An example of her efforts appears in her letter just quoted. His anxiety to acquire the native languages has become a matter of history, for it was a great object of his life to furnish the red men with the scriptures in their own tongue. Arrow John, the sturdy father, also seemed anxious to assist Mr. Eliot in his arduous labors for the con- version of the Indians ; or to "make um good," as he expressed it ; though his frequent profane declaration that it was " dam hard work," indicated that he did not exactly understand the character of the work he believed himself assisting in. He enjoyed exceed- CLOSING SCENES. 487 ingly the Old Testament narratives, particularly those of wonderful warlike achievements, and would beg Mr. Eliot to relate them over and over again. Finally he ventured the opinion that the Bible could be made still more valuable by introducing accounts of some of the great occurrences in the time of his grandfather ; which accounts he very kindly offered to furnish. Mr. Eliot could not repress his surprise and indigna- tion at the suggestion, and sharply rebuked the unso- phisticated chief; admonishing him to give no further credence to such abominable tales as he was accus- tomed to amuse himself and others with, about what happened in that mythical grandfather's time. The rebuke was received in good part, but still the dusky traditioner remained unsatisfied, and when a good opportunity offered signified his conviction that some of the wonderful events recorded in the holy book must have taken place in the time of the white man's grandfather. We have before spoken of Sunny Wave's hours of contemplative retirement and of her rather romantic inclinations even for an Indian girl. She certainly did, by all accounts, at a remarkably early age give evidence of singularly quick and refined sensibilities. Like a true child of nature she loved to worship in the great temple whose walls are the everlasting rocks, and whose pillars are the gnarled oaks of past centuries. But those temples had not then been invaded by the desecrating tramp of trade ; those venerable walls had not been made hideous by the irreverent hand of advertising art. " Buy your Jack- ets at Blue Bottle Fly's ; " " Cheatum's is the 488 VII. CLOSING SCENES. place for Bargains;" "Stomach Bitters at Hang- neck's ; " " Get your Chain Lightning at Thunder- clap's ; " and the many other legends and devices of similar import did not then disfigure the grand old mossy walls. A year or two ago the General Court was appealed to to raise the strong arm of the criminal law against such sacrilege. And the appeal had some effect. We can have laws enough to pro- tect any paltry structure reared by the hand of man. But God's great temple may be battered and scrawled over with impunity. It would hardly be matter of wonder if the very lightnings should take the matter in hand and descend in retributive fury upon the heads of the profane scribblers. In the journal of Mr. Pinion we find the following record of a vote passed by the General Court at a time when considerable excitement prevailed concern- ing Indian hostilities : " Y e Gen r all Co r te on last 4 th day pass d this Voate : lust suspitiori being made to appeare to y e Co r te y l M r Morton his warde Christine Seaton hath binn stollen into captivity e by y e Indjan salvages : soe now if anie shal restore y e maide, or certifye where shee may be founde, they shall haue for their paines c/. and may hearaff bee call d M r if he bee not now soe entituled, and bee a male aboue y e age of 2 1 yeares." This is another of those votes recorded in Mr. Pinion's journal, but not found on the regular Court records. It relates to a class of occurrences by no means uncommon in those days ; not, however, so CLOSING SCENES. 489 frequent in this immediate vicinity as in places along the frontier. The latter clause of the vote shows that a singular value was placed on titular distinctions, and that " M r " was a title worthy of being striven for. But whether that or the hundred pounds was considered the greater prize, in the present case, is not easily deter- mined, seeing that then as well as now, some esteemed money above honor or fame, while with others the craving was reversed. There was an active feeling of hostility existing on the part of the Indians towards the whites at this time, which grew out of a long series of real or supposed wrongs and aggressions. And presently, though war was not in form progressing, murders were committed and captives taken. It was a season of terror not only among the interior settlements, but along the seaboard. The incident under consideration probably created as great a sensation as any thing of the kind that had occurred from the time the white man first set foot upon the soil of Boston. Mr. Morton has been before introduced to the reader ; and so has his fascinating ward, Christine Seaton. He was a respectable citizen of Boston, and his dwelling place, at the time of Christine's disap- pearance, was a little north of Beacon hill, well toward the water. There was a garden in front of the house, and in the rear a grove of native trees, extending to the water's edge. Christine was accustomed to ram- ble at will in this strip of woods, as perhaps it should be called, rather than grove ; and on the afternoon u* 49 VII. CLOSING SCENES. of her mysterious disappearance was known to have been there for some hours. Her absence created no alarm till about sunset. And when search was made a wreath of evergreen was found which she had evi- dently twined while sitting in the shade, on a rock that overlooked the water. A bunch of wild flowers was also found near the wreath. Immediately on being missed all means that could be thought of were resorted to for her recovery. But no trace could be found. It would be useless to attempt to depict the extreme agony of her doting guardian. All that the most cordial sympathy of friends, joined with the kind ministrations of spiritual advisers, could effect, scarcely for a moment relieved the intensity of his grief. A general alarm, too, began to prevail, for none could say who next might disap- pear, what home might next be rendered desolate, by the same mysterious means. In a very short time it came to be the prevailing opinion that she had been kidnapped by some prowling Indian who had perhaps come down the river in his skiff under pretense of fishing or pursuing some small traffic. The whole community became agitated, for Christine was recog- nized every where as one of superior beauty and accomplishments ; there being also a surmise that she belonged to a family of no ordinary rank. The ministers preached luminous discourses on the event, and earnest prayers were offered in many a godly household. The Court, as has appeared, offered a liberal reward ; strolling Indians were brought in and sharply interrogated ; but it seemed as if the mystery was never to be unravelled. Sunny Wave had all CLOSING SCENES. 49! her sympathies touched, for she ardently loved Chris- tine. Together they had enjoyed many a woodland ramble, and joined hands in many a youthful frolic. It was almost wonderful how captivated they were by each other, considering the vast difference in their birth, habits, and training. But after all, mankind are essentially the same, the world over ; and the young, above all others, seem instinctively to discover in those about them the traits they love, even though a thick veil of conventionalism intervenes. The " lost white girl " spoken of in Sunny Wave's letter to Mr. Eliot, was probably her beloved Christine. Long days passed, and Time the great physician for heart-wounds, began his soothing office. The grief of Mr. Morton was so far subdued that he again appeared in the sanctuary and renewed his attention to his ordinary avocations, the light of hope never dying out within him. Some ungracious neighbors hinted that there was selfishness in his grief; that the safety of his ward, who they believed was a scion of nobility placed in his charge for some temporary family purpose, would be required at his hand, under penalty of utter ruin. So time passed on till the early winter days. In the gray of a gloomy morning, when the tide and winds created a swift-rolling and chopping sea, the alarmed patrol whose beat was along the river bank, observed a canoe boldly push from the opposite shore. As it neared the channel, he perceived that it was paddled by an Indian. And that was quite enough to fire his patriotic breast. Without a chal- lenge, a shout, or a moment's reflection, his musket 49 2 VI1 - CLOSING SCENES. was at his shoulder. A little puff of blue smoke from the muzzle, a startling crack, and away sped the bullet on its fatal errand. It was a singularly accu- rate aim for him, and the dusky form staggered and fell. It then appeared that there was another in the canoe ; and from that other arose the most piercing cries, ringing almost supernaturally in the air. The canoe, left to itself, began to toss and whirl about as if determined to relieve itself of its burden ; and anon it would shoot down the current, as if ambitious to reach the great ocean and exhibit its prowess there. The danger was extreme ; and it was evident the dying navigator perceived it ; for the dusky form arose and stood tottering, but with firm hand wielding the paddle till the boat was restored to its proper course toward the shore, and had received an impetus that placed it beyond danger. Then, as if this were an exhausting effort, the form sank heavily down. By this time, a number of men, alarmed by the firing of the patrol, had collected on the shore. When the boat touched the land the paddle had fallen from the quivering hand that had so courage- ously wielded it the faithful hand of SUNNY WAVE. Her companion in the boat was the long lost Chris- tine Seaton. The wound inflicted by the thoughtless patrol was mortal, and over the lustrous eyes of the dusky maid the film of death was fast gathering. Christine was transported with horror ; and, heedless of her own deliverance, indiscriminately reproached those about her in passionate terms. With almost superhuman energy she raised her dying companion to her feet, CLOSING SCENES. 493 and frantically endeavored, with her own breath to prolong the life that was so fast ebbing. From these vain efforts she sank exhausted upon the cold ground. But unhappy consciousness soon returned, and taking the dying head upon her lap, she gazed intently upon the upturned face, bestowing at intervals the most ardent kisses. The worthy old Scotchman, her guardian, who had been hurriedly summoned now appeared, rejoicing with exceeding joy that his lost jewel was found. But he could not for a moment draw her attention from the sacred occupation to which all her powers were then devoted. Presently the eyes of the dying Sunny Wave opened, beaming with extraordinary brightness. And in full consciousness she spoke to her agonized companion : " O, Christie, Christie," she faintly said, " you now safe. I get you home at last, through all that hurt and make us fraid. Cruel white man shoot ; hit right in breast ; I bleed much and grow weak ; then think may be, after all, the cold waves swallow you up ; but the Great Spirit help me, give me strength, and I drive canoe to shore. O, I vera glad ball hit me, not you. It most over now ; I die and go home to Great Spirit, to sunny land where my modher calls. My fadher too come in few moons. He be much sorry when he know I die so. O, I grow weak now ; blood almost run out. Hope you, too, Christie, come some- time to bright land, and I see you there. Tell Mr. Eliot Sunny Wave say, when she dying, she love him much ; hope she see him, too, in good land, some- time ; she run to meet him when he come. Tell fadher he no kill white man cause he shoot me. O, 494 Vn - CLOSING SCENES. cover me up, cover me up, now ; wind comes cold over the dark water. Clouds come up and it grows night, night all about." Then she began to shiver. Her eyes closed, and there was a gurgling in her throat. But suddenly her eyes again opened, the gurgling ceased, and in her low, almost supernaturally musical tones, she added : " O, now, now I see away over the cold river, and the hills and dark woods, into the sunny land ; the black clouds all roll away, and open the beautiful sky of summer morning. O, Christie, I wish you there with me, today. And now I feel, too, warm wind that sweep over sweet-smelling trees and flowers. But I go alone, . . . alone . . . No, no, there stand my modher by the brook ; she see me now ; she beckon. O, I coming, . . . coming " . . . These were the last words uttered by that guileless tongue. One gasp, and the gentle spirit had departed. Not all the caresses, tears, and wails of the heart- broken Christine, nor the hysterical antics of the women gathered about, could elicit another sign of life. And there she lay in her blood-stained gar- ments, till by stalwart arms she was conveyed to the habitation of Mr. Morton. The almost unconscious Christine totally unmindful of the gory marks left upon her person and her raiment by the gushing blood of her friend was led along by her bewildered guardian in utter silence. The reader has probably anticipated the substance of most that it seems proper to add in this particular connection. It appears that according to the almost CLOSING SCENES. 495 instinctive fears of her friends, Christine had really been seized and carried captive to a distant Indian settlement that Arrow John and Sunny Wave, having been apprized of the mysterious disappearance, had made the most energetic efforts to discover her ; and having succeeded, they next bestirred themselves for her deliverance ; and this, too, they effected, partly by strategy and partly by negotiation. The perfect confidence she had in them and her ready compliance with every direction of theirs, aided much in the accomplishment of their plans. Christine, after her rescue, was kindly entertained at the lodge of her friends till she was in a condition to bear the fatigues of her long tramp to Boston ; and then she set forth, under convoy of Sunny Wave. Their journey through the forest was very rapid and direct, for the Indian girl knew every step of the way, and the anxiety of both to avoid the dangers that might interpose prevented any disposition to loiter. Arrow John himself escorted them through the more hostile districts they had to pass. It has been seen how they appeared on that gloomy morning at Ihe river, and boldly pushed out upon the angry waters, purposing to effect a landing on the Boston side, near the grounds of Mr. Morton. And it has been seen, too, what reward the faithful Indian maid received on the safe delivery of her charge. As soon as the harrowing news of the death of his beloved daughter could possibly be communicated to the bereaved chief, it was done, and he forthwith repaired to Boston, arriving, weary and foot-sore, on the evening preceding the day set for the burial. He 49^ VII. CLOSING SCENES. came into town vigorously smoking his pipe, and proceeded directly to the house of Mr. Morton, where he was received in the most considerate manner. Food, the most dainty that the house afforded, was set before him, but he tasted nothing, and continued, almost incessantly, to smoke his pipe. Nothing that they could do seemed sufficient to rouse him from his mournful abstraction. Being led into the room where his daughter now lay in her coffin, wrapped in the drapery of death, he stood gazing upon her in utter silence ; and received the most affecting condo- lences without the slightest recognition. Then he bent over, and with his own ringers opened the rigid lids as if to take one more look upon the beautiful orbs that had so long been the light of his now deso- late home. Carefully removing the robe from the breast, he gazed ruefully upon the cruel wound that had so robbed him of his earthly treasure. And as he re- placed the drapery a sullen cloud gathered upon his brow, and for a moment all the sanguinary impulses of his nature seemed abaze. His eyes flashed, and in portentous gutturals he exclaimed : " White man dam wicked ! I kill um all ! " And he turned fiercely about, as if to begin at once the execution of his threat. But Christine rushed into the room, and threw herself into his arms, in a paroxysm of grief, declaring with fearful earnestness that she would return with him to his lodge and be his daughter, doing every thing for him as Sunny Wave had done, and loving him as she had loved. Her despair en- tirely disarmed him of wrath. In a moment he cast CLOSING SCENES. 497 down upon her a glance full of compassion. Placing his hand gently upon her head, he said, with a choked utterance : " No ki, no ki, little ooman. We all go. First her modher go ; next she go ; then I go. The Great Spirit want us all. He have room enough for all his children. No ki, no ki." The funeral of Sunny Wave was attended by a great concourse of people, for she was well known in Boston and throughout all the adjacent settlements, as a sweet-tempered, heroic daughter of the forest, merry and affectionate. Mr. Eliot was present, and though it was not the custom of the puritan settlers, at that period, to offer prayers at funerals, could not forego the opportunity to recall, in affecting words, some of the many generous acts of the deceased, and to depict, in warm colors, her many virtues. Nor could he avoid expressing the earnest hope, that hope which is the handmaid of belief, that, barbarian though she remained, in outward character, and impervious as her young heart ever proved to his metaphysical instructions, she yet, by her inward purity and loving sympathies, had received the reward of the just. Then, as he leaned over the coffin and took a last look at the remains at the calm dusky brow over which rested a single white plume, at the closed lips from which had so often issued the merry outpourings and affectionate greetings of that joyous young heart, now pulseless and cold, his manly tears could not be restrained. Arrow John made no objection to any of the prepa- rations for the burial of his daughter. And when Mr. Eliot, Mr. Morton, the Governor, and other dig- 32 498 VII. CLOSING SCENES. nitaries present offered their condolence, he stood unmoved as a statue. A little grave beneath the branches of an aged oak which, according to Mr. Pinion, must have stood near what is now the junction of Winter and Washington streets, received the cold remains. Most conspicuous among the mourners was the father of the deceased, who strode on, erect, and with eyes never diverted to right or left, persistently smoking his pipe, all the way, no one interfering with his indulgence, though it was in direct contravention of an order of the august General Court no one, for they saw it was rather a resort for the relief of sorrow, than a vicious indulgence. All the members of the Court then in town, attended. There was a multitude of men and women from all parts of Boston and the neighboring settlements, and a great many of the young people of both sexes, all in their best apparel. And lastly, in the rear strode a score of stalwart Indians, such as had borne friendly relations to the whites, and had no apprehensions of being seized and detained. But there was not one in the whole concourse who mani- fested such heart-touching grief as the fair Christine. The remains were borne from the house of Mr. Morton to the place of burial, upon the shoulders of three youthful Indians, sons of neighboring chiefs, and three young whites, the coffin as it rested on the bier, being quite concealed by the evergreens that were twined about it. There she was buried. And for many years the herbage which attempted to grow around was tram- pled down, and a well-trodden path led directly from CLOSING SCENES. 499 the rude gateway to the sacred spot, for many and many a youth of either sex, in their evening walks turned their steps thither as to some attractive shrine. And till far down in the last century, often as a youth- ful group were gathered there, was the touching legend recited, how there sometimes appeared, standing in the soft moonlight, a graceful little fawn, in its coat of glossy brown, with a tuft of pearly white upon its head, its great lustrous eyes looking sadly up to the strange bird, that would come and sit, hour after hour, on a swaying branch above, and there pour forth its notes in that almost supernatural harmony by which the dusky maid who slept beneath so loved to modulate her voice. But Time, who with unspar- ing hand levels all things, long since levelled that alluring little mound, and now for many years have stately edifices pressed with giant weight upon the pulseless heart. The wearying business murmur has succeeded the rural sounds that broke the stillness ; and for more than a century and a half the notes of the strange bird have not been heard, nor has the beautiful fawn been seen. Arrow John remained in town a day or two after the burial of Sunny Wave, but his condition of mind rendered him almost unapproachable. It was with the utmost difficulty that he could be persuaded to take sufficient food ; but his faithful pipe was his constant companion. Mr. Eliot, whose society he had previously so often sought and so highly enjoyed, was unwearied in his kindly attentions ; and believing that the unsanctified heart was now so softened by affliction that a favor- SOO VII. CLOSING SCENES. able opportunity was offered to press with renewed vigor his efforts for its true conversion, took occasion to earnestly labor for that great end. But the une- quivocal rebuff that at once met his approaches in that direction, convinced him that the calamitous events had not touched that dusky heart in the way he had fondly hoped, but had rather choked the little tipspringing of the good seeds he had before sown. The chief indeed seemed to lose all confidence in the teachings and professions of his white friends, and grew moody and suspicious. He was discovered one night, by a man returning late from his labor, secretly at work about the grave of his daughter. The next morning, by early dawn, he had disappeared. During the day, it was thought expedient to ascertain, if possible, what he had been doing ; and it was found that he had dug a small passage straight down to the coffin, and upon that had deposited the pretty Indian reticule which she had almost always taken with her when she came to Boston, filled with presents for her friends. In the reticule he had placed all of her little store of trinkets she most prized, including a ring of considerable value, which Christine had long before given her. And so he had buried them all, with the precious remains. His departure was so sudden that he did not even bid farewell to the grieving Christine. And on that same morning the unfortunate patrol whose indiscre- tion had caused the great sorrow, was also missing, and was never after heard of by his friends. As the weeks passed on, Christine continued to CLOSING SCENES. 5OI deeply mourn the sad fate of Sunny Wave. She took little interest in the pursuits to which she had been accustomed, and continued so to brood over her sor- rows as to excite the lively concern of her friends as to the ultimate effect on her mind. She was urged into gay company, and surrounded by occasions for the full exercise of her various accomplishments. But every effort to restore her to her wonted cheer- fulness seemed unavailing. She was ever gentle, and her physical health was not seriously impaired, though there was less of the fresh glow upon her beautiful face, and her step had lost its proud buoyancy. And so she continued on, for many weeks, in the course of placid endurance. Spring came again, and as she loved flowers, she would return from her rambles bedecked with them and with wreaths such as Sunny Wave taught her to weave ; would sigh over them when they faded, and hasten to gather afresh. She often visited the grave of her lost friend, and sometimes remained there in the dim twilight, regardless of falling dew or gathering gloom, till led away by some sympathising friend. It was finally thought desirable that she should visit a connection of her guardian who lived in a charming spot at a considerable distance beyond the river. She made her preparations with perfect willing- ness, selecting for the occasion her best apparel and most prized trinkets. Nevertheless, when the hour of departure arrived, she appeared abstracted and depressed, and exhibited such eccentricities as to give fresh occasion for the concern of those about her. They were, indeed, quite startled, as she stepped 5O2 VII. CLOSING SCENES. from the door-stone, and looked toward the distant woods, to see her wave her hand in a mysterious way and utter, in an undertone, the ominous words : " Yes, yes, dear Sunny Wave, I will soon be there. I will be his daughter now ; and the Great Spirit will pro- tect me, as your spirit leads me." It was fondly imagined that the new scenes in which she would engage and the new associates with whom she would mingle, might have a favorable effect; and so the disagreeable apprehensions were relieved. She was received with the most cordial hospi- tality, every effort being made to divert her mind from the distressing incidents on which it had been so long brooding. And at times her renewed cheer- fulness gave promise that the hopes of her friends would be realized. She soon discovered, not far from the place of her abode, the secluded dell in which she and Sunny Wave had passed the last night of their wearisome tramp through the wilderness. There the prudent In- dian girl had kept a silent watch while she, from over- powering fatigue, dozed wearily beneath the protecting branches of a lofty pine. And to this dell she would often retire, to pass hours in lonely musing. She would again and again scramble through the rough pass by which they had entered, as Night was casting her dark mantle over the dull landscape ; and anon would sit by the sparkling little spring that bubbled from beneath a lofty rock the spring from which they had taken their last draught, as they started forth before the first streak of dawn on that fatal morning, light of heart in the remembrance of dangers past CLOSING SCENES. 503 and expectation of immediate safety and repose. Such musings, however, did not tend to strengthen the enlivening beams that seemed dawning upon her heart ; and her friends endeavored to lead her from them to the alleviating delights of social life. The period of her prolonged visit drew to a close. The day preceding that on which she was to return to Boston arrived, and the afternoon being balmy and bright, she sallied forth, in her best attire, ostensibly to bid farewell to the few young persons in the neigh- borhood with whom she had formed acquaintance, and to make a last visit to the scenes in which she had passed so many congenial hours. Night came and she did not return. The most anxious search was immediately commenced, but she could not be found. Indeed she was never found. Some imagined that she had been again kidnapped by prowling Indians, and lamented that there was now no alert Sunny Wave to go upon the search. Some months after, there came to Boston an old man from a distant settlement, with some furs for sale. At the little tavern he heard related the story of the loss of Christine, and said it reminded him of an account given by one of his neighbors of an occurrence that happened at about the time fixed as that of her disappearance. The story told by the neighbor was substantially this : He was one day surveying in a lonely part of the forest, and his course lay through a deep valley heavily-wooded by pines and hemlocks, almost every step being obstructed by the decaying trunks of 5O4 VII. CLOSING SCENES. fallen trees. Pausing in that damp, dark solitude, to adjust his instruments, he was startled almost out of his senses on beholding, seated upon one of the spongy old trunks, a number of rods off, a beautiful girl, clad in a rich dress, and swinging a jaunty little French hat by the ribbons. She seemed to be musing, or gazing abstractedly at some distant object. The sunbeams were just then pouring down through the swaying branches, and fell in golden streams all about her, forming a picture of such perfect loveliness that his bewildered senses could at first only grasp the idea that some celestial visitant had descended into that wild solitude. When he had partially recovered from his astonishment, he eagerly strode toward her. But her eye was now upon him, and springing up from her rude seat, with a bound she disappeared in the deep gloom of the narrow pass beyond. And as she fled, he was surprised again, to see a beautiful little brown fawn, start up, as if it had been watching in the thicket by her side, and amble off in pursuit. He rushed forward with all possible speed, but was unable to catch another glimpse of the " angel of the woods," as he ever after called the apparition, or her watchful attendant, the little brown fawn. Upon the log where she had been seated he found a bunch of flowers and a tastily woven evergreen wreath. Whether this " angel of the woods," was the lost Christine, commencing her career of insane wandering, perhaps soon to become the prey of some evil beast, the captive of some ruthless Indian, or the victim of starvation, it was never known. IO29 1893 LYNN HER COMPLETE HISTORY. In answer to inquiries concerning the History of Lynn, and the other works of Hon. JAMES R. NEWHALL, the undersigned announce that The volume by ALONZO LEWIS and JAMES R. NEWHALL, con- taining a full HISTORY OF LYNN, from the first settlement, in 1629, to the close of 1864, 8vo., 620 pages, price $2.25; and the volume entitled " LIN, OR NOTABLE PEOPLE AND NOTABLE THINGS IN THE EARLY HISTORY OF LYNN, THE THIRD PLANTATION OF MASSACHUSETTS COLONY," the same that in earlier editions bore the title of "LIN, OR JEWELS OF THE THIRD PLANTATION," 8vo., 500 pages, price $1.50; are now in print, and can be promptly received by application at the places named. The volume bringing the History down from 1864 to 1890 has been out of print, but a new edition is now issued, and this will bring the History to 1893. 350 to 400 pages, 8vo., price $1.75. The above give the continuous History of Lynn in its various departments, and give the means to all interested to become acquaint- ed with its History, from 1629 to 1893. These, with two new books, afford an excellent opportunity to secure as a whole the complete works of Hon. JAMES R. NEWHALL, the Historian of Lynn. These books are unique in their character, being compiled from the personal observations of the author, and contain a connected History of our City, including its traditions and legends. They are noteworthy as a reflex of the times from the standpoint of a long life, are useful as ready reference and for genealogical and other tables of information, while the quaintness of the author's style, combined with the spice of personal experience, make them an interesting contribution to literature, and a valuable addition to a library. ISRAEL AUGUSTUS NEWHALL. HOWARD MUDGE NEWHALL. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last datestamped below. NOV4-1959 WOV30195 3 196^1 D NQV 18 A.M. 7inl9lioin{i2.L! URL APR 3Q 1973 MAY 2 9 1973 1963 VED DESK 964 >.M. 2 1 )96 Form L9-32w-8,'57(.C868064)444 .-,11:11 111 i uiuigu 1^.1, .,..,, . with a selection of pieces from the Author's pen, that appeared in various publications during the last sixty-five years of his life. About 400 pages. In press. These volumes give a complete history of Lynn, from its first settle- ment to 1893, both legendary and real, and contain much matter of interest in the legends and early lore of New England, in which the life of the author was passed. The books have full indexes, which add greatly to their value. Price of the Four Volumes, now ready, $6.25. Volumes can be obtained by subscribing to ISRAEL AUGUSTUS NEW- u.u.i., 112 Market Street; HOWARD MUOGE NEWHALL, Central Square; Miss I. M. Iii I-. IK R. 02 lohnson Street, or the publishers. THE NICHOLS 001337389 9