USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of Boston > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
12. Brattle street church was opened for public worship in 1773; a wooden building built in 1699, formerly stood on the same spot. Governor Hancock was a liberal benefactor of this church, and his name was formerly inscribed on one of the stones at the south-west corner of the building. This was defaced by the British soldiery, and the stone remains in the condition in which they left it. On the night before the evacuation of the town, during the siege in 1775, a shot, sent from the American army at Cambridge, struck the tow- er. It was picked up and preserved, and is now fastened to the spot where it struck. The head quarters of General Gage were in a house opposite.
13. Trinity Church is a fine edifice of the Gothic order,
142
HISTORY OF BOSTON.
in Summer street. It is built of Quincy granite, and is re- markable for its great beauty, strength, and solidity. There
Trinity Church.
are between forty and fifty other churches in Boston, some of which possess much architectural pretension.
CHAPTER XXII.
Wharves. Schools. The Atheneum. Gallery of Paintings.
Nahant. Roads.
Charlestown. Monument. Navy yard. State prison. Cambridge. Harvard College. Mount Au-
burn. Conclusion.
1. THE wharves of Boston are larger and more con- venient than any others in the United States. Her com- merce is very extensive. Ships from her harbor plough the waters of every sea, and bring back the luxuries of foreign lands for the enjoyment of her enterprising citizens. There are a great many among her richest merchants, who first came to the town when poor boys, and who by honest in- dustry, have made large fortunes, and set an example which I hope my young friends will imitate.
2. I must not omit to say something about the schools, for Boston is very famous for her good public schools. In these her best citizens have been educated. Every year there is a public examination of the scholars, when prizes
144
HISTORY OF BOSTON.
are given to those who have been the best and most indus- trious. The money with which these medals are bought, was given by the great Franklin, who left in his will a sum to be expended for this purpose.
3. The Athenaeum is a large library, placed in a hand- some building in one of the finest streets of the town. It contains about 28,000 volumes, and is ornamented with statues and busts, copied from the works of ancient sculp- tors. To these, within a few years, have been added sever- al fine paintings, by foreign and American artists.
4. Connected with this establishment is a Gallery of Paintings, which is open through the summer months. Most of the artists in the country send their best pieces to be exhibited here. This gallery is a place of fashionable resort.
5. The roads leading to the city are good, and the sur- rounding country is famous for its beauty. On every side you see fine houses, gardens, orchards, and cultivated fields. In summer there is a steamboat, plying once or twice daily, to Nahant, a rocky peninsula, about fourteen miles from the city, with a fine beach connecting it to the main land. This peninsula runs three or four miles into the sea. Its shores are very bold and steep, presenting on all sides masses of rugged and broken rocks. These rocks have been worn by the waves into the most fantastic shapes. When the tide is high, and the sea is swelling, the dashing
145
HISTORY OF BOSTON.
spray foams and sparkles among their caverns, and the roar of the waters adds to the sublimity of the scene.
6. On the southern side there is a very curious grotto, known by the name of the Swallow House. Its entrance is five feet high, and ten wide. The grotto is seventy feet long, and increases in height to twenty feet. Great num- bers of swallows have taken up their abode in this cave, and it is supposed by many that they pass the winter here in a torpid state. The Spouting Horn is a deep chasm on the north shore, into which, at half tide, the water rushes with great violence.
7. Towards the East lies the immense ocean, whose waves, whether in tranquillity or tempest, present a mag- nificent spectacle. In a calm day, it is delightful to gaze upon the quiet waters, covered with the many vessels, lazily gliding on their path. A breeze comes up, and they scud swiftly and bravely onward, their sails filling and swelling, while their proud keels spurn the waves that are foaming in their track.
8. But the clouds gather, and the skies darken with a gloom that shuts out every ray of the sun-light. The winds rise, and the waters sound with that sullen murmur which is the sign of an impending storm. The brave ships hurry for the nearest port, or furl their white sails, to ride out the gale at anchor. Now is the time to witness the glory of the ocean, while the tempest broods over it, and drives to the rocky shores its tossing and impetuous waves.
146
HISTORY OF BOSTON.
9. You can hardly wonder that, with all its sublimity and beauty, Nahant has become a place of very great resort during the summer months. Strangers from the South, and the inhabitants of Boston and its neighborhood, frequent it in large numbers. There is a spacious stone hotel built here for their accommodation, in a commanding position ; and we must do them the justice to suppose that they are as much attracted to this spot by its natural beauties, as by the sports of angling, riding, billiards and bowling, with which they can here at any time amuse themselves.
10. Immediately connected with Boston by two bridges is Charlestown, a pleasant, but irregular town, with a popu- lation of about nine thousand inhabitants. The more com- pact part of this town is built upon a peninsula, the centre of which is occupied by Bunker Hill. A large monument of gray granite was commenced some years ago upon this eminence. Its height is to be 220 feet, and there is every reason to hope that it will soon be finished.
11. The United States have a navy yard in this town, which occupies sixty acres of ground, and comprises a great number of arsenals, magazines and barracks. The stocks for ship-building are covered with frame houses, large enough to contain first-rate line of battle ships.
12. Here is the Dry Dock, built of hewn granite, a work of immense extent, for the purpose of receiving ships of war to be repaired. It is sufficiently spacious to admit the larg- est ship in our navy, being three hundred and forty-one feet
147
HISTORY OF BOSTON.
in length, eighty wide, and thirty deep. After the ship is floated into the dock, and the gates closed, the water is emptied by means of an apparatus, worked by a steam-en- gine of immense power. There are eight pumps, two feet and six inches in diameter, which discharge at every stroke about a hogshead and a half of water each ; besides these, there are eight smaller pumps.
13. The water is first forced from the dock, into wells, and then into a capacious reservoir, from which it runs into the sea. The dock is provided with two sets of gates, call- ed turning gates, each weighing fifty tons ; besides these is the floating gate, which is built in the shape of a vessel, and is said to contain timber enough to build a ship of three hundred and fifty tons.
14. In Charlestown is the State Prison of Massachusetts, which consists of several large piles of building, surrounded by a lofty wall. Nearly all the buildings are of stone. Of the convicts confined here, some are employed in hammer- ing stone; others as tailors, shoemakers, and blacksmiths. They are dressed in clothes of various colors, and while in the yard are guarded by soldiers with loaded muskets.
15. Cambridge lies west of Boston, on the opposite side of the river Charles. It has long been celebrated as the seat of Harvard College. This institution was founded a great many years ago, and many distinguished men have been educated there. The library numbers about thirty- five thousand volumes ; and contains books of almost every
148
HISTORY OF BOSTON.
age, and language. Some of these languages are so little known, that I am afraid there are a great many more books here, than are ever read.
16. In Cambridge is the beautiful wooded eminence, call- ed Mount Auburn, which has within a few years been con- secrated to the purposes of a burial-place. It is about four miles distant from Boston. A high and substantial fence has been erected about it, having for its principal entrance a gate-way, finished in the Egyptian style, and twenty-five feet in height.
17. Part of the tract borders upon the high-way, and this has been cultivated as a garden. Within, lies the portion that has been marked out as the cemetery, or burial-place. This is covered, through most of its extent, with a vigorous growth of forest trees, many of which are of a large size, comprising numerous varieties. The grounds of the ceme- tery have been laid out with curved and winding avenues, smoothly gravelled, and to be bordered with shrubs and flowers. Family burial places are set off at suitable distan- ces, along the passage ways. Elegant monuments of mar- ble and granite, have already been erected, and others will soon be completed.
18. This spot is no where surpassed. The view from its highest point comprises a landscape, of great variety and beauty. Just below is the winding Charles, with the culti- vated fields on its banks, beyond which, in the distance, rise the hills of Milton, wrapped in their blue mantle of air.
149
HISTORY OF BOSTON.
19. On another side, is a full view of the city, rising with its spires, and noble edifices, in beautiful pictures. The old buildings of Harvard college, among the neat private dwell- ings of the village, occupy. another point of the landscape. A pretty sheet of water lies at a very short distance to the North, and villas, and country seats, in every direction, give a cheerful and picturesque appearance to the whole scene.
20. Among the other towns, in the immediate neighbor- hood of Boston, are Dorchester, Roxbury, Brookline, and Chelsea, all of which are pleasant and flourishing villages, ornamented with beautiful residences, Many families from the city resort to these towns, to pass the summer months.
21. I have now finished all that I have to tell you of the history of Boston. If you have read it with pleasure, and derived information from it, my labor has not been in vain. Farewell !
QUESTIONS.
-
CHAPTER I.
1. WHEN did the first settlers land at Plymouth ? Had this Con- tinent ever been visited before ? 2. What is said of the May Flow- er ? 3. When did the pilgrims land ? Who was the first Governor? What name did they give to their new home? 4. What is said of the season which followed ? The spring? 5. Indians? 6. What happened in March ? What did Samoset relate ? 7. Describe Samo- set ? 8. What is said of the Indian visitors ? 9. English settle- ments ? 10. 11. 12. What happened at Mount Wolaston ? 13. What is said of the Indians? 14. What trade was forbidden by the king of England ? Who was sent from Plymouth to stop it? 15. How large was the fleet about to sail for America ? Who were on board of it? 16. How was the weather during the voyage ? 17. How were the two quarrelsome young men punished ? 18. How many ships arrived by the sixth of July ? Where did they an- chor ? How many passengers had died ? What took place on the eighth ? 19. Where did the new settlers remove ? Who was ap- pointed governor ? 20. What is said of distress? From what did they suffer ? What led to the immediate settlement of. Boston ?
152
II.
1. What was the length of the peninsula mentioned ? Breadth ? Appearance in 1630? Indian name ? 2. What had become of the Indians ? Who was the first white occupant ? 3. Why did he in- vite the Charlestown settlers? 4. When was the name of Boston given to the new settlement ? 5. Did the sickness continue ? What is said of Lady Johnson ? 6. Mr Johnson ? Where was he buried ? 7. What is said of the Colonists ? Planting ? Provisions ? Winter ? 8. Fears of the Colonists ? Regrets ? Confidence in heaven ? 9. When did the vessel arrive from England ? 10. Welcome of their new visitors ? 11. What punishment was much in fashion at this time ? 12. When was the Blessing of the Bay launched ? 13. What is said of monthly trainings? Watchmen? Mr Josias? 14. Who were passengers in the Lion? 15. What did the inhabitants determine upon ? 16. What is said of military honors? 17. Presents? 18. What is said of the increase of Boston? 19 Give the account of the old traveller.
III.
1. When did Mr Cotton arrive in Boston ? 2. What is said of extravagance ? Long veils ? 3. Chicatabot? His visit with his tribe ? 4. His dress? 5. The Governor's present ? Its return ? 7. What story is told in this paragraph ? 8. When did Mr Vane arrive? What was his character ? 9. What is said of Mrs Hutchinson? 10. What party did Governor Vane join? 11. De- scribe the May Election. 12. When did Mr Vane return to Eng- land ? What was his fate ? 13. What became of Mrs Hutchinson ? 14. What is said of the winter of 1637? 14. 15. 16. What is rela- ted in these paragraphs? 17. May Muster ? 19. Other trainings ? 20 .. What story is told in the rest of the chapter ?
153
IV.
1. What is said of the increase of the town? Occupation of the inhabitants ? 2. When did Governor Winthrop die ? What is said of his character ? 3. 4. Anecdote? 5. Appearance? Memory ? 6. What is said of Mr Cotton ? 7. What took place in 1655 ? 8. Who suffered ? 10. For what supposed crime was Mrs Hibbins prosecuted ? What was her fate? 11. What are the reflections in this paragraph ? 12. What farther is said of witchcraft ?
V.
1. Was Boston ever much troubled by the Indians ? 2. What is said of the native tribes? 3. Their conduct in 1670 ? King Philip? 4. His character? His rank among the Indians? 5. His plot ? 6. Acts of violence ? 7. What is said of Captain Henchman ? En- sign Savage? 8. Rout of the Indian tribes? The affair at Mendon ? 9. Anecdote ? 10. Farther Indian encounters ? 11. Death of Phil- ip ? Relics of this king? 12. One-eyed John ?
VI.
1. What is said of Mr Leverett? 2. Describe the great fire of 1679. What is said of the houses built after this fire ? 3. What were the Charters of the colonies? 4. When was Andros appoint- ed governor ? What authority was given to him ? 5. Relate the story of the Connecticut charter. 6. What is said of James II? Of the prince of Orange ? 7. What proclamation did Andros issue ? What followed ? 8. Return of the Governor? 9. What is said of Sir William Phips? 10. Relate the story of the wreck. What honors did Sir William receive? 11. What happened in his new
11
154
office? When was he appointed governor ? 12. Describe his arrival in Boston. 13. What is said of his character ? Death ? 14. What is said in this paragraph ? 15. For what is the year 1704 remark- able ? 16. When was Benjamin Franklin born ? Where ? 17. What is said of his brother ? Of himself?
VII.
1. What is said of the independence of our ancestors ? 2. Of Commodore Knowles and his fleet ? 3. What violence was prac- tised by his order? 4. To what did it lead ? 5-10. Describe briefly the progress of the citizens' violence. 11. What measures were adopted by the governor ? The Commodore ? 12. By the council? Representatives ? 13. Inhabitants ? 14. Conclusion of the affair ? 15. What is said of the old Town House ?
VIII.
1. What is said of the times? 2. Where was James Otis born ? What is said of him? 3. What plan did Great Britain form in 1759? What were writs of assistance? 4. What is said of this power? What was the conduct of Mr Otis? 5. What is said of him? The trial? The Judges ? 6. Interest felt in the cause. 7. By whom was the cause argued ? 8. What did President Adams say of Mr Otis? 9. What became of the writs ? What is said of par- ties ? 10. When did King George consent to the stamp act? What was this act? 11. On what documents was the stamp to ba put? 12. What is said of Liberty Tree ? The fourteenth of Au- gust ? Images? 13. State of public feeling during the day ? 14. 15. 16. Violence of the mob?
155
IX.
1. What is said of public excitement? 2. What is said of another mob? 3. 4. 5. Describe its progress. 6. What is said of Mr Hutch- inson ? 7. What happened on the approach of the mob? 8. De- scribe the violence of the mob. 9. What great loss is mentioned ? 10. What measures were taken by the citizens? What is said of Stamps ? 12. What was the declaration of Mr Oliver ? 13. What happened in February? 14. What news was received in May ? How did it affect the people ? What took place? 15. What hap- pened on the nineteenth ? 16. What is said of Liberty Tree ? Illu- minations? 17. What is related in this paragraph? 18. What is said of Liberty Tree ?
X.
1. What is said of resistance ? 2. The seizure of John Han- cock's sloop? 3. Indignation of the people? 4. Bonfire ? 5. Course pursued by General Gage? Arrival of British Troops ? 6. Landing and parade of the regiments ? 7. Difficulties? Quarters of the soldiers? Signs of war? 8. Tea? 9. Attack of Mr Otis? 10. Quarrel? 11. Its result? Generous conduct of Otis? 12. Agreement of merchants? 13. What is told in this paragraph ? 14. Conduct of Richardson? Of the mob? Quarrel? 15. Unfortu- nate issue of this affair ? 16. Describe the funeral. The inscrip- tions on the Coffin? 17. What is said of this scene ? Origin of the Fifth of March massacre? 18-21. Tell the story of the Fifth of March, briefly, in your own words, as if you were describing it to a companion. 22. What is said of the Funeral? 23. Trial and ac- quittal of the soldiers ?
156
XI.
1 .- 4. Relate the anecdote of the Boston boys? 5. What license was granted to the English E. I. Company ? What is said of Ame- rican merchants ? Meetings in Boston ? 6. What did the Bostonians determine about the tea? 7. What application was made to the governor ? What was his answer? 8. 9. What is related in these paragraphs ? 10. What is said of this affair ? 11. How was this affair received in England ? What bill was passed by parliament? What were its effects? 12. What is said of the troops? Their de- predations ? 13. Conduct of the inhabitants of Cambridge ? 14. The provincial congress ? 15. What is said of this assembly ? Com- mittee of safety ? 16. What is said of the state of affairs? 17. What was the number of regiments in Boston at the close of 1774?
XII.
1. 2. Describe the exploit of Colonel Nesbit? 3. On what day was the battle of Lexington ? Describe its commencement ? 4. How did it terminate ? Sub- + attack ? Reinforcement ? 5. Describe the retreat of the regular troops? 6. What is said of the excite- ment in New England ? Boston ? Liberty Poles? 7. The govern- or's proclamation ? 8. Bunker's Hill ? Entrenchments ? 9. Can- nonade? Increase of the provincial army ? 10. Describe the pro- gress of the battle? 11. Third assault? 12. What is said of Gene- ral Warren? 13. What is said of the battle, and fire of Charles- town ? 14. Where were the British regular troops posted ? The provincials ? Condition of Boston? 15. When did Washington take command? Where did he fix his head quarters? 16. Who succeeded General Gage in command of the army ? What procla- mation was issued ? 17. What was the state of things in Boston ?
157
XIII.
1. What anecdote is related ? 2. How did the soldiers procure fuel ? 3. How was the Old South profaned? 4. What took place on the ninth of February ? 5. 6. What amusing incident is con- nected with this affair? 7. How large was the American army ? 7. 8. When and in what manner did the Americans take possession of Dorchester heights? What was General Howe's observation ? 9. What followed ? On what did General Howe determine ? 10. What offer was made to General Washington? 11. When did the British army leave Boston? 12. What is said of the entry of the American troops ? 13. Destruction by the British troops ? Trees?
XIV.
1. What is said of the Inhabitants of Boston? The first govern- or ? 2. Proclamation of peace ? 4. Where and when was Josiah Quincy, Jr, born ? What is said of him? 5. His defence of the sol- diers ? What was his course of life till 1772? 6. His health ? His labors ? 7. A menacing letter ? 8. His reply ? 9. His visit to England? 10. Return and death? 11. When did James Otis re- tire from public life ? What was the state of his mind ? 12. At what age and when did he die ?
XV.
1. What is said of Hancock and Adams? 2. When was Han- cock born ? What is said of his education ? 3. His fortune? 4. His business and influence ? 5. What anecdote is related by President Adams? 6. What is said of his election to the legislature ? His popularity ? 7. Proclamation of General Gage? 8. When was Hancock sent to the congress at Philadelphia ? What farther is re-
158
lated ? 9. What office did he afterwards hold in his native state ? When did he die? 10. What anecdote is here related ? 11. What is said of his generosity? 12. His character and manner of life ?
XVI.
1. When was Samuel Adams born? What is said of him? 2. What was Hutchinson's opinion of him? 3. What is said of Mr Adams? 4. 5. What anecdote is related in these paragraphs ? 6. What proposition was made by Governor Gage? 7. How was it received ? 8. What is said of Mr Adams's public life ? 9. His opinions and character ? 10. Mention the contents of this para- graph.
XVII.
1. What is said of luxury ? 2. Of Hackney Coaches? 3. What was the usual dress of gentlemen, eighty years ago ? Of boys? 4. Of wedding dresses? 5. What is related in this paragraph ? 6. What is said in this of articles of dress? Of the markets? 8. 9, What story is here related ? 10. What is said of the Old State House ? 11. Modes of punishment? 12. Beacon Hill? 13. The beacon ?
XVIII.
1. Did Boston suffer much during the late war? 2. What is said of the Chesapeake ? 3. The Shannon ? 4. The challenge, and its acceptance ? 5. View of the battle? 7. Give an account of the battle? 8. What is said of Captain Lawrence ? 9. Of his dying message ? His burial ? Memory ?
159
XIX.
1. What is described in this Chapter ? 2. Where was Lafayette born ? At what age did he leave France ? 3. What is said of him ? 4. When did he revisit this country ? 5. How was he received ? 6. How by the citizens of Boston ? 10. 11. Describe his entry to the city. 12. What is said of public favor? 13. 14. 15. 16. De- scribe the procession to Bunker Hill. 17. What is said of the Pre- sidents ?
XX.
1. What is said of the progress of Boston? 2. Of avenues to the city ? 3. Bridges ? Dam? Rail-roads? Ferry? 4. Approach from the sea ? 5. View of the City ? 6. Harbor? 7. Recollections? 8. Describe the stranger's reflections. 10. What is said of Faneuil Hall Market ? 11. When was it built ? 12. What is said of Faneuil
Hall ? 13. Its length ? Ornaments? 14. May Fair? 15. 16. 17. Describe this occasion. 18. What is said of the Institution for the Blind ? 19. Amusement and education of the children ? 20. Re- flections ?
XXI.
1. What is said of the north part of the town ? 2. The West ? 3. 4. The Common? 5. Remains of fortifications? Trees ? 6. State House ? When was its corner stone laid ? 7. How high is its dome? What is said of the view from this eminence ? 8. Of Tre- mont House ? Theatre ? 9. Stone Chapel? 10. Park street Church ? Granary burying-ground ? 11. Old South ? 12. Brattle street Church ? 13. Trinity Church ?
160
XXII.
1. What is said of the wharves of Boston? Commerce ? 2. Schools ? Franklin Medals? 3. The Athenaeum? 4. Gallery of Paintings? 5. The surrounding country? Nahant ? 6. Swallow House ? Spouting Horn ? 9. Attractions of Nahant? 10. Charles- town? Monument ? 11. Navy yard ? 12. The Dry Dock ? What are its dimensions ? 13. How is the water emptied from the Dock ? What is said of the State Prison ? 15. Cambridge ? For what is it famous? How large is the library of Harvard College? 16. What is said of Mount Auburn ? 17. The garden ? The Cemetery ? 18. 19. The view from this spot? 20. Other towns in the neighbor- hood ? 21. Conclusion ?
END.
4192
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.