History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 91

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1538

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 91

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"Some shade of woe o'er every lot is thrown ; Some secret pain each hnman heart must own. Yet, sons of learning ! it is yours to rise Above earth's ills, to seek your native skies. There, with congenial stars your worth shall shine, And form a galaxy of rays divine ! And though awhile outshone by some bright sun,

Yet still yo glow when his clear course is ruo. As yonder splendid cono of torrid light Gleams with rich lustre on the dome of night, And marks the path where day's bright orb has past, So hallowod genius ! shall thy memory cast Its pure effulgence o'er the shade of mind, To light the path for future worth designed. Here the glad muse her tribute pays to theo, Taylor, thou Shakspeare of divinity ! From humblest scones thy genins bade thee soar, The brightest realms of virtue to explore. Raisod from the teacher's to the bishop's chair Life's purest honors waited on thee there ; And youth and age, by thy instructions blest, Enshirined with tears thy everlasting rest."

And again :

"Ye, who the pages of romance have scanned, And think to find such at the poet's hand ; Know that refinement springs from lofty thought, That life's best pleasures are by virtue brought ; That warmth of heart and excellence of mind Are in devotion's sacred charm combined ; This is the joy that bows to heaven's control, This the exalted pure romance of soul."

Mr. Lewis gaiued much commendation by his " History of Lynn." But it was not voluminous, em- bracing but about two hundred and fifty octavo pages ; yet it was so condensed as to contain much more than its proportions would seem to allow; and, unlike most works of any kind, appeared, in the mind of the reader as he proceeded, to expand and shed more and more light. It has been said that historical works are always interesting. But there is an immeasurable difference in the degrees of interest. Minute details often weary, and yet they often possess a wonderful charm. Their success depends upon the judgment with which they are interwoven. Mr. Lewis's details are never wearying. And he had a happy faculty of introducing reflections and illustrations that opened extensive fields of useful thought-a faculty of inesti- mable value in any writer.

Mr. Lewis took great interest in the prosperity of his native place,-judging by results, much greater than he took in his own individual advancement,-and did many good things that otherwise might have long remained undone. The construction of the road to Nahant, along the harbor side of the beach, was an enterprise carried through in a great measure by his exertions. For the light-house on Egg Rock we are, perhaps, indebted to him more than to any other in- dividnal. The names of old streets were suggested by him, and so were the names of most of the ponds and the romantic and picturesque places and objects about the woods and along the shores. The city seal was drawn by him; and, in short, we owe a debt of grati- tude to him for an almost countless number of useful labors and nseful suggestions. In the mere profession of teaching, no douht, there have been a number here who would rank as the superiors of Mr. Lewis, hut it may be questioned if there has been one who, on the whole, has added more to the prosperity or done more to promote the refinement and elevation of our people. He was born in the neat little cottage

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still standing on the north side of Boston Street, nearly opposite Bridge, on the 28th of August, 1794. He obtained, chiefly by his own exertions, a very good education, though he was not a college graduate. His poetic talents were early developed, the first vol- nme of his poems appearing in 1823. Another and enlarged addition appeared in 1831. But the largest collection was issued after his deccase, in 1882, in a handsome volume edited by his son Ion, and formed a graceful tribute to his memory. The first edition of the "History of Lynn," by Mr. Lewis, was published in 1829, in four numbers; the next edition was is- sued in 1844, in the form of an octavo of two hundred and seventy-eight pages. In 1865, four years after his decease, a new edition appeared, enlarged by newly-discovered matter, and with the annals brought down to the time of publication, by the writer of this sketch. He died in his picturesque little cottage at the seaside, on Beach Street, on the 21st of January, 1861.

At the present time the female teachers of our public schools far outnumber those of the other sex ; and it is well that it is so, for their influence on the young minds committed to their charge, in the lower schools especially, has unquestionably a most ben- eficial effeet. But a glamour surrounds the mistress of old, of which she of our day is divested, distance of time lending its enchantment. Says Shenstone :

" Her cap, far whiter than the driven snow, Emblem right meet of decency does yield : Her apron dy'd in grain, as blue, I trowe, As is the harebell that adorns the field : And in her hand, for sceptre, she does wield Tway birchen sprays." * * * % #

" Albeit ne flattery did corrupt her truth, Ne pempus title did debanch her ear ; Geody, good-woman, gossip n'aunt forsooth, Or dame, the sole additions sho did hear ; Yet these she challeng'd, these she held right dear."

And the poet's graphic delineation has other win- ning touches :

" One ancient hen she took delight te feed, The plodding pattern of the busy dame ;

Which ever and anen, impell'd by need, Into her schoel, hegirt with chickens came ; Such favor did her past deportment claim ; And if neglect had lavish'd on the ground

Fragment of bread, she would collect the same ; Fer well she knew, and quaintly could expound, What sin it were to waste the smallest crumb she found."

There was worthy "Madame Breed," who long taught her little school on Water Hill, her frilled cap without a stain, and her manners as stately as if she were a queen. Some of our "best people" of the present day can trace their pedigree to her. She was mother of Andrews Breed, so long landlord of Lynn Hotel, in the days of its greatest glory, and grand- mother of our fifth mayor.

management as the course of study ; but as that is to a considerable extent prescribed by law, it is so far beyond the regulation of those in whose hands the educational interests are more immediately placed. The boast that these primary seats of learning are now far superior to any heretofore known is often heard. But the important question is: Are they superior in adaptation to existing wants ? The law re- quires instruction in "orthography, reading, writing, English grammar, geography, arithmetic, drawing, the history of the United States and good behaviour." It is highly probable that if each town could have its own way, or, in modern phrase, were " local option " permissible, this simple curriculum would in many places be changed, as the common pursuits in differ- ent localities greatly vary, rendering some studies much more desirable than others. Of course, each town must know its own wants. As a general re- quirement, however, perhaps the present could not be much improved. And the same may be said of high school studies, as there, in addition to those named, it is required that "general history, book-keeping, surveying, geometry, natural philosophy, chemistry, botany, the civil polity of the Commonwealth and of the United States, and the Latin language " be taught.

But the law does not end with the above require- ments. It opens a wide, permissive door through which numerous other studies, some of questionable utility, may and do intrnde where the authorities allow or direct. It is here that danger lies, for some that were better kept out will occasionally, by mysterious influences, find their way in ; some, to say the least, as useless as necromancy. Great responsibility rests on school committees, and it is agreeable to be able to testify that Lynn has usually been fortunate in se- euring those who had a due sense of their responsi- bility and intelligence and energy sufficient to execute their great trust in a way most conducive to the best interests of the people.

In former years such studies were pursued as best prepared the pupil to meet the requirements of the position he was in homely honesty expected to occupy in after-life; not such a position as imaginative pa- rental affection might picture. There is so much knowledge the possession of which is sure to add to our well-being that it seems unwise to occupy our- selves in efforts to gain that which is of doubtful utility. It has been said that all knowledge is use- ful, but most certainly all knowledge is not equally so. No one can learn everything, life not being long enough for that, and hence is it not the part of wis- dom to learn as thoroughly as may be that which is indispensable or sure to be most useful ? There is an old maxim that speaks of the jack-at-all-trades being good at none, and why not apply the suggestion to the departments of learning ?

As to the condition and comparative usefulness of Are we not more prone to theorize than our practi- cal fathers were? more charmed with the ideal? our present schools, there have been more or less de- rogatory whisperings; not so much touching their ! But it may be asked, Is not the mind more fully de-

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veloped aud strengthened, better disciplined aud polished, through these modern requirements ; are not more extensive, beautiful and ennobling avenues of thought opened through such means ? This is a point for the wisest to discuss, and when they have determined it they will do well to let the world know the result.

The annual reports of our school committees are full and perspicuous, and it seems as it no citizen need be in ignorance of the condition of every school, nor of the ever-growing wants of our whole educational system.

The following summaries will perhaps give as much statistical information concerning our present schools as may be thought necessary. They are for 1886.

Number of Schools .- 1 High School, 7 grammar schools, 66 primary schools, 2 evening schools, 1 even- ing drawing school.

Teachers .- Whole number of teachers in day schools, including music teacher, drawing teacher and teacher of elocution, 141 ; number of teachers in even- ing schools, 45 ; number of teachers in evening draw- ing school, 4; in High School, 5 male and 6 female teachers ; in grammar schools, 4 male, 53 female ; principals' assistants, 5; teachers in primary schools, 66.

Pupils .- Average whole number of pupils belong- ing to all the day schools, 6415 ; average daily attend- ance of pupils in all the day schools, 5614; average number of pupils to a regular teacher in High School, 29; average number of pupils to a teacher in grammar schools, 42 ; average number of pupils to a teacher in primary schools, 53 ; average attendance of pupils in evening schools, 321 ; average attendance of pupils in evening drawing school, 116; High School graduates, June, 1886, 28.

Cost of Support of Schools .- For such as are accus- tomed to estimate the value of things moral and intel- lectual, as well as material, on a pecuniary basis, it may be stated, in brief, that the actual expenditure from the city treasury for the support of the public schools in 1886 was $126,905.85, which included, for teachers' salaries, $82,096.37, and for each pupil be- tween five and fifteen years, $16.86. The relative cost of the schools may be seen from the fact that the total expenditures of the city for the year were $1,014,617.80.

LIBRARIES .- As auxiliaries in the cause of educa- tion, onr libraries should be named . The first in- corporated institution of the kind in Lynn appears to have been the "Social Library," which was estab- lished in 1819, though before that there were one or two collections of books to which the public gener- ally had access ; one especially, of considerable value, though limited in the number of volumes, near the close of the last century, in charge of Rev. Mr. Thatcher, of the First Church. The "Social Li- brary " was a useful institution and continued some

thirty years under its original organization, and then was united to the small collection of the Natural His- tory Society. Its number of volumes seems never to have exceeded 1500. In 1855 the "Lynn Library Association " was incorporated and became custodian of the united collection, then numbering about 2000 volumes.

In 1862 the " Lynn Free Public Library " was es- tablished, receiving the books of the Library Associ- ation, with such additions from other sources as raised the number of volumes to 4100. Thus began the notable Lynn Public Library, the usefulness of which is too well understood to need much remark here. The city year by year makes liberal appropri- ations for its support and increase, and has been for- tunate in the selection of those who take special charge of its interests.

There has been a steady increase in the number of volumes of the Public Library, and at the close of 1885 there were 34,411 bound volumes and 4486 pamphlets. The number of deliveries during the year 1885 was 85,355, and the largest number taken out in one day during the year was on Saturday, January 31st, when 951 were delivered. Receipts for the year, $6994.25 ; expenditures, $6974.27. Whole number of books purchased during the year, 888, including of religious works, 28; scientific, 61; biographical, 79; historical, 134 ; prose fiction, 219.

Of course there were, all along, as the town grew, small circulating libraries in the different neighbor- hoods, and limited collections belonging to societies and clubs. These, together with those of the religious societies, furnished probably more good reading than was availed of in those industrious times. Charles F. Lummus, the first printer, for instance, had a collec- tion of two or three hundred volumes in connection with his office, which he called the Redwood Li- brary.

There have not been many large donations to our Public Library as yet, though from time to time books and other appropriate contributions have been made. In this respect Lynn has been less fortunate than many other places. But there was one opportune legacy which will not be forgotten-that of $10,000 from Sidney B. Pratt. Mr. Pratt was born on the 14th of May, 1814, and died on the 29th of Jannary, 1869, never having been married. He was unassum- ing in manners, liberal in ideas, diligent in business. Soon after the opening of the Eastern Railroad, in 1839, he commenced the express business, in a small way, which, by his promptness, activity and faithful- ness, grew apace into large proportions, and finally, under the name of "Pratt and Babb's Express," be- came one of the leading lines in the vicinity. The public estimation of him was indicated by the attend- ance at his funeral, which took place from the Friends' meeting-house, of the mayor and other members of the city government, and a large concourse of busi- ness citizens. The donation to the library was by

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will. A good likeness of him is to be seen in the Public Library.

Another liberal bequest to the Public Library was made by Lyman F. Chase, who died January 3, 1885. This gift was $5000. Mr. Chase was a native of Lynn, and much respected as a young business man, his age at the time of his decease being forty-three.

NEWSPAPERS .- There was no newspaper published in Lynn till 1825. It was on the 3d of September of that year that the Weekly Mirror, under the proprie- torship of Charles Frederic Lummus, made its first appearance. And, as this was an event of marked importance in our history, something more than or- dinary notice may surely be proper, both of the paper and its proprietor.

The appearance of the Mirror certainly was not brilliant, either mechanically or editorially. There were but nineteen lines of editorial matter in the whole paper, And there was no greeting to the pub- lic, nor allusion, in any shape, to the prospects, plans, or expectations of the publisher. An original tale occupied five of the little columns, and an original poem filled another. Mr. Lewis probably wrote both of these. Three or four advertisements appeared on the third page; and the rest of the paper was made up of news items and short extracts. The four pages of the sheet-that is the printed part-were each a fraction less than nine inches by eleven in size; the type was much worn, the ink poor, the paper coarse and dingy. The size of the type was long primer, excepting about one column of brevier and two of pica. And, on the whole, the expectant public can hardly be charged with undue fastidiousness for fail- ing to bestow very high encomiums on this new-born child of the press. Mr. Lummus told the writer, among other things, while recounting the experiences of that eventful period, that he sent a copy to the New England Galury, then under the charge of Mr. Buckingham, requesting an exchange, but received his own back, with the second E in the word WEEK- LY changed to an A. The fifth number appeared in a somewhat enlarged form. The same width of col- umn was preserved, but some five inches were added to the length, making a paper of much better shape. But this was done without boasting or any flourish of trumpets. There was not a line of editorial on the sub- ject; nor was there, indeed, a line on any subject, in that number. Two of the columns were in pica ; and the use of that large type was continued, to some extent, for a long time, he, the publisher, taking all suitable op- portunities to gravely assure his readers that it was for the benefit of the aged people, whose eyes were dim; and many thanks did he receive for his kind- ness. The Mirror was first printed in a small wooden building, on the west side of Market Street, just where Tremont Street now opens. But in four or five years the office was removed to another small building, at the west end of the Common, the most active busi- ness of the town at that time being centred there.

For a considerable time the Mirror could boast of but little in quantity, in an editorial way, though what there was, was very good in quality; and it soon became a very readable paper, for, as the proprie- tor gathered confidence and became more experienced, he displayed most excellent taste and judgment in his selections. He had an open eye for the substan- tial and useful as well as the exciting and entertain- ing, and was diligent in looking up matters of local interest. And his brief remarks were often strikingly comprehensive. He seldom attempted an article more than a square or two in length, and was never guilty of spreading over half a column what might just as well be expressed in twenty lines.

Mr. Lummus was very social in his disposition ; was acquainted with everybody ; was an accomplished mu- sician, and something of a military man. He likewise interested himself in political affairs, but was too honest to gain a reputation for stability as a partisan. In all intellectual and recreative enterprises, from the dignified lyceum to the jovial chowder party, he was ready and active, and hence frequently found himself in a situation where he was able to pick up matter for useful or amusing " squizzles," as he termed his short articles. And he was able in a short time to gather around him quite a number of very accept- able correspondents.

Mr. Lummus earned for himself the popular nick- name of " Philosopher " in a rather amusing manner. Lawyer Gates being in the office one day, abruptly inquired, "Charles, what does the F. in your name stand for?" "Philosopher," was the instantaneous response. The ready wit so struck the old gen- tleman that he at once gave currency to the self-be- stowed sobriquet.

He had a strange propensity to frequently change the appearance of his paper. Every little while his sheet would appear, perhaps with a new head, a dif- ferent width of column, or some fanciful display of or- namental type. His means were limited, and his office but poorly supplied with materials. An an- cient Ramage press, which looked as if Franklin might have worked at it, a small font of second- hand long primer, a little brevier, and a very few lit- tle fonts of small ornamental letter, with a case of pica and a few pounds of great primer, were almost everything he had. His three stands were so aged as to totter on their legs, and his galleys were warped or cracked. The only large type in the office for years were two or three alphabets of four-line pica an- tique capitals, which served for the heading of hand- bills, and at one time for the heading of his paper. With such a fitting out, he could not, of course, be expected to turn out any very elegant specimens of the art. But at that time such displays in job printing as are now made were not thought of. In March, 1832, the writer purchased his whole es- tablishment for two hundred dollars, paying quite as much as it was worth. He had, however, in the mean

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time procured a small font of new long primer, and sent off the old press, hiring a small iron one.

As to the success of the Mirror, it may in brief be stated that small returns rewarded hard labor. The number of subscribers was about four hundred --- sometimes running a little below, but seldom above. The amount of work in the office-jobs, newspaper and all-could be done by the publisher and one hand. But at first, in a corner of his office, and after- ward in a separate room, Mr. Lummus kept a shop with a small stock of stationery and fancy articles, such as are nsually sold in a country book-store. A few musical instruments likewise formed a part of his stock, and he would frequently, in times of the great- est hurry, abruptly drop his composing stick to per form a solo on one of them, much to the discomfiture of his journeyman. Indeed he did not possess quite so strong an attachment for manual labor as for some other pursuits. He was fond of considering the mat- ter in a philosophical way, and would sometimes re- mark, " Well, I guess I won't work too hard to-day, lest I should have nothing to do to-morrow," which remark was the sure precursor of a ride, a walk or an interval of repose over a book. There was a vein of humor, without the sting of sarcasm, running through his con- versation, and he much loved a harmless practical joke.

He had an original way of ridding himself of idlers and such disagreeable company as quartered in his office: it was, to immediately set them at some dis- agreeable work. No matter who the individual might be, old or young, high or low, he would be called to go for a pail of water, sweep the floor, or perform some other equally dignified service, a plausible ex- cuse always accompanying the request ; and when one thing was done another was ready to be commenced on, until the victim was wearied out. A gentleman of the first respectability was once seen rolling at the press with a hand-roller, his clothes, hands and sweaty brow all bedaubed with ink, while Mr. Lum- mus was pulling on with all possible speed, to pre- vent any opportunity for rest, his countenance wear- ing the gravity of a sphinx. His financial ability was not of a high order, and he was, moreover, of quite a liberal turn. So it is hardly probable that had his income been ever so great he would have be- come rich. He would occasionally hire a horse and wagon, and occupy perhaps half a day in going to Salem to procure two reams of paper. The writer was informed by a neighbor of his that he called at his place one forenoon, urging him, in great haste, to ride with him to Boston, whither he was bound, in a chaise, alone. It being a pleasant day, the invitation was accepted. On reaching the city he drove di- rectly to a famous restaurant, and called for some fa- vorite viand, which was speedily before them. As soon as the meal was disposed of, Mr. Lummus arose, and, with an air of great satisfaction patting the natural receptacle of all good dinners, informed his friend that he was ready to start for home.

In the matter of dress Mr. Lummus was far from being a successful imitator of Brummel, though he was always decently clad. The exterior habiliments, how- ever, were not usually in exact keeping with the in- terior ; for sometimes within his muddy and ungainly cow-hide boots he wore delicate silk stockings. And beneath his shaggy coat, of dingy-white and ancient fashion, was perhaps underwear of the finest linen.

He occasionally conceived strange antipathies and prejudices which would sometimes exhibit them- selves in a manner rather amusing than offensive. Seeing him once seize the list of the carrier for the eastern part of the town, and begin eagerly to cross off names, the writer asked him if so many wished to stop their papers. "I don't care whether they do or not," he replied, "but if they want it any longer they've got to move out of Woodland to get it." As some of his best friends-among them Mr. Lewis and Mr. Curtin -lived in that section, it seemed odd that he should have conceived such a prejudice.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 91

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1 Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1538

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1538