USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Longmeadow > Proceedings at the centennial celebration of the incorporation of the town of Longmeadow, October 17th, 1883 > Part 30
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
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nections and purfuits in life we fhall have acted our part well in the world-fhall have fought the good fight of faith, and through grace have finifhed the Chriftian Warfare-may we be difmiffed in peace and receive at the hands of the Great Cap- tain of Salvation thofe laurels of victory, win that crown of righteoufnefs, which is unfading and immortal in the Heavens.
While we this day felicitate ourfelves and our fellow citizens in view of the rich bleffings, both of civil and Chriftian liberty, we would with the moft benevolent and philanthropic emotions, remember thofe nations which are groaning under the mif- fortunes of defpotifm, or are nobly contending for the rights of man.
Almighty Father-pity thy fuffering offfpring ! Break, O break in pieces the iron rod of the oppreffor, and caufe the oppreffed everywhere to go out free-reftrain the awful influence of human pride and unhallowed ambition, and may the power of iniquity deftroyed give place to the univerfal and unbounded reign of righteoufnefs and peace, liberty and happinefs.
May He whofe right it is Come, and to Himn O God, give the Kingdom and the Dominion and the Greatnefs of the Kingdom under the whole heaven ; for of Him, and to Him and through Him are all things-and to Him with united hearts help us to afcribe all glory and honor, might and dominion, forever and ever. Amen.
The following is a copy of a remonstrance addressed by Pastor Storrs and several of the citizens to a teacher who was disposed to dispense with public prayer as one of the regular school exercises :
To Mr. Henry Fith, Inttructor of the Grammar School in Longmeadow : RESPECTED SIR-
We the Parents and Guardians of the Children and youth under your Care, beg leave to ftate to you an Objection we have againft your Proceedings in the School ; viz., that you do not pray morning and evening with your icholars. This is a Duty commonly expected, and is generally attended to by gentlemen of your Advantages and Ability. As profeffing Chriftians we are under great Obligations to the Chil- dren and youth God has Committed to our Care, and therefore we Cannot Difcharge our duty to our Children, or Juftify ourfelves before God, to whom we are Account- able for our Conduct to them, unlefs we place them under the Care of thofe In- ftructors who will fo far fet before them Examples of Morality and Religion as to pray with them morning and evening in the School. This our Requeft, which we think to be a Reafonable one, we hope you wil not fail to comply with Immedi- ately. We heartily wifh to render you and your School Refpectable, and fhall engage to do whatever is in our power to make it fo. We Subfcribe our Selves your friends and wellwishers. DAVID BURT, STEPHEN COOLEY, RICHARD S. STORRS, Jan. 1807. CALVIN COOLEY, GIDEON COLTON, NATH' ELY.
The following old document shows the effective manner in which neigh- borly cooperation was invoked and organized for the opening of a new road when needed :
Whereas "Tis Neceffary there Should be an open Town Road from the Town Road that Goes out Eaftward by the Meeting Houfe in the Precinct of Longmead", Southward to the Mills on Longmeadow Brook, Thro' Nath1 Burt's land, fd Road
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is not only Neceffary for the Owners of f" Mills and the Inhabitants of fd Precinct But alfo for Travelers from Somers, the Eaft Part of Enfield, Ellington, Stafford &c. And Whereas it will Occafion a Line of Fences each Side the Road Through fa Burt's Land, Which will be a Great Hardfhip for him to Make and Maintain There- fore all Perfons who are willing to Help to Make fd Fences in order to open fd Road, Either By Ditching, Providing Fencing Stuff, or any Other Way to Effect fd Bufi- nefs are Defired to Set their Names With the Sums of Money or Labour or fencing Materials for fª Bufinefs they are Willing Refpectively to Give for the Help of f" Burt, and for their own and the Public Benefit.
Simon Colton, 4 Days work ; Jona Hale, 5 Days ; John Hale, 4 Days; David Burt, 3"1, 5 De; Dean Nath1 Ely, 4 D' ; Aaron Colton, 3 Ds ; Eben' Blifs, 2nd, 3 Ds ; Mathew Keep, 2 DB ; Eben' Colton, 2 D"; David Burt, 2nd, 4 De ; Noah Hale, 2 Ds ; Aaron Blifs, 2 D> ; Abner Colton, 2 D" ; Henry Colton, 2 D'; Sam1 Keep, 2 D9 ; Tho' Colton, 2 D$ ; Gid" Colton, 2 D".
The following are copies of documents indicating the source of the authority vested in the Commissioners on the " Drowned Lands " and the manner of its exercise :
Nov. 11th 1802. A Tax made by the fubfcribers agreeable to the power vetted in us by a commiffion from his Excellency the Governor of the Commonwealth of Mafs. dated the Fourth day of June 1783 for the purpofe of flowing and draining wet lands in the town of Longmeadow and for paying Commiffioners for their fervices and collectors. [Then follow the proprietors' names with the number of acres assessed and amount per acre.] Signed by GIDEON BURT, Com.
JOSIAH COOLEY, for
SAM1 KEEP, Draining.
To M' Noah Blifs, Collector : You will fettle the above Tax and make returns to the Commissioners.
To M' Noah Blifs-Sir: In confequence of the authority and Power in us vefted -We repofing confidence in your economy in employing laborers-We do appoint you to employ laborers in draining the Pond land so called, and to employ the labor from the owners of land at the proportion of three hours per Rod-if they can be employed-if not fuch other laborers as can be obtained. GIDEON BURT,
Longmeadow, Nov. 11th, 1802.
JOSIAH COOLEY, SAM1 KEEP.
The following are copies of old-time bills, receipts, war certificates, etc .: To the Selectmen of the Town of Longmeadow-
Gentlemen this is to Certify that there is due to Abiel Hancock for one day going to Elington with my hourfe after A School dame one doller and to bording the dame fix weakes at five Shillings and fix Peince by weake.
ABIEL HANCOCK, School Commette.
in the Nor Eaft deftrict Longmeadow September the 7 1797.
LONGMEADOW, Feby 71 1784.
this is to Sertifie that I give orders unto Hezekiah Hale upon the paymafter, Whoever it May Be, to Receive twelve Months Wages for Which I Served as A
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Soldier in the Continental Army in Col patmans Regiment and in Cap' Trotters Company partly in the year 1781 and partly in the year 1782. and alfo What is Due unto me for Defitiance of Cloathing and Rations for the fame time.
WILLIAM HANCOCK.
Stephen Afhleys bill, Dec. 1766. To making Thos Hancock, a coat, waiftcoat and overalls ; I doz buttons and thread and pockets-$2.00.
Dr Lewis Whites bill. Town of Longmeadow D' for doctoring Molly Blifs Feby 16 to June 23, 1796. To a Cathartic 17 cents-to a Vifit 20 cents-to a Puke 13 cents-to an Opiate 17 cents.
Bill of David White joiner and cabinet maker. May 1772. To one Cafe of Draw- ers £4 : 0 : 0-to one 4-foot Table £1 : 2 : 0-to one Square Table £o : 12 : 0 -to one Cheft of 3 Draws £1 : 4 : 0-to a Stand table £o : 13 : 0-to a haff Dozen Chairs £1 : 0 : 0-to a Round Chair £o : 6 : 0-to a Great Common Chair fo : 4 : 0-to I Day & } of a Days Work £o : 4 : 0.
The following is among Mr. Williams' college receipts :
CAM® 6 ffeb": 1701",
Received of M' Stephen Williams four pounds in Bills of Credit in part for his Expence at Colledge to 23rd Dec' 1709. AND' BORDMAN, £4-00-00.
Col. Harri.
The following letter. written to Mr. Williams when a student at Harvard College, gives an interesting glimpse, not only of his personal qualities at that time, but of college ways and atmosphere in those early days : M' WILLIAMS-
When I faw you laft att ye Colledge I was fo Tranfported with yr fight of to many of my old Acquaintance y' I put all bufinefs together with good part of iny Brains in my Pocket, and by y' means forgot to mention foniething w * upon more fober thought I can't Choofe but concern myfelf about. Sir, my bufineis is to enquire of you (tho' not in ye name of Elder -) whether you are unprovided of A Chamber mate. If fo I muit tell you y' Cap' Moody's fon my Pupil takes as great a fancy to you as Brown did to-you know what. His father alto is very defirous to get him fettled with fome fenior fchollar who will ipeak kindly to him and encourage him in his fludies, and he has heard A Great Character of yourfelf. He'll maintain him like A Gentleman and fuffer him to want for nothing and no doubt will make particular acknowledgments to any Gentleman y' fhows his fon any favour. The Lad is good humored and for good words will do anything, but is apt to be difcouraged with harfh language w"" makes me yr more concerned who he lives with. If you'l pleafe to do him ye favour of taking him into your Chamber and take fome Peculiar care of him and encourage him in his Learning you will exceedingly oblige me who hav- ing heretofore had ye care of him cannot but intereft myfelf in his welfare.
Sir, I fhould be glad of A Correfpondence with you to Barter Eaft Countrey for Weit Countrey News. If you'l Pleafe to favour me with a line att any time Leave it att Cap' Edward Winflows in Bofton and it will come fafe to me.
I am your Honeft Neighbor and Hunible Servant,
E. W.
Newcaftle on Pifcataqua, July ye 301h, 1712.
To M' STEPHEN WILLIAMS att Harvard College in Cambridge.
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The following is the full text of the ingenuous letter of Abigail Daven- port to her affianced future husband, an extract of which is given in the Historical Address :
REVd AND WORTHY SIR-
May 9, 1718.
Miffing the opportunity of our Deputies of Sending a few Lines which I thought not to have done, but being willing to Gratify you in that which you was pleafed when you was here to fay would be a particular Gratification to you in doing of which, Good Sir, I would defire might not be for my being expofed, altho' there may be juftly faults found by your criticall eye, yet I would if I did but know how Mod- eftly crave your favorable thought hoping thefe may find you in good health, as at prefent I am throw ye goodnefs of God for which I defire to be thankful, and alfo y' our family is fo well as now it is, particularly my father and mother have been much otherwife than well fince yourfelf was here. Sir I fhould be Glad if w" you come again youd order matters in y" journey fo y' friends be not too much burdened. how you Defign I know not, but certainly 'tis not beft to Depend upon Relations with a Company Unlefs there has been by them firft invitation. Sir if it be not Contrary to your mind yt I have & wee together have Uncle and Aunt Mather's good Com- pany here att our houfe if they can and will be pleafed to alow it, you will be under advantage to Let them know your mind. I am thoughtful my brother and Sister will go with us Defiring to return together but not otherwife defiring yt Sarah Shal Stay a fhort time if with your good Likeing, Elfe not at all. Pleafe Good Sir to alow alfo to pardon my boldnefs and freedom one of wrh you yourfelf urged. One thing wch mit have been fpoken to but was not w" you was here. Cuftomary by Some to have Gloves alike for color. if you pleafe to have y's like mine, Sir you may get white.
Valuable Sir be not angry if one who would defire to be made a comfort rather y" a trouble to you fhould defire a remembrance by you in your petions at ye throne of grace for all yt Guidance Direction and bleffing wch I need ; and Sir I truft you wod not be troubled att a kind entertainment of Lines from your hand. but Suffer me to beg your pardon once again for my fo burdening you with fuch fcrols. I would not be too tedious but Subfcribe myself, Sir, Your Very Obfervant and hope- fully well affected ABIGAIL DAVENPORT.
The following are copies of letters written to Lieut. Nathaniel Burt, who fell at Lake George, by his wife, who afterwards became the second wife of Dr. Williams, and by his daughter, during his army absence. The battle in which Lieut. Burt fell occurred September 8, 1855. By an endorsement upon the letters it appears that they were " Recd and perused by Edwd Cha- pin Sept. 11, 1755, In ye Camp at Lake George," three days after the death of the husband and father, to whom they were addressed. The letters are superscribed
" To Left Nath' Burt. In the Army Marching Againft Crown Point." HONORED FATHER-
Sir : Hoping for an opportunity I take the fredom in writing to you knowing that your paternal affection will Excufe all Defects. through a fovarene and kind prov- erdence wee are in a comfortable ftate of health at prefent as I hope you are. We have receved fome Letters from you and rejoife to hear of your health-but wee are not without concern for you. honered Sir I with a kind heaven would protect and
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gard and profper you and Return you home in his own time. Wee have nothing remarkebel to inform you of. att prefent it is a time of helth hear. Old M' Keep died hear this week. So I remain your moft obedient and dutifull daughter.
SARAH BURT.
We hope and wait and truft In god to keep and preferve and return you In safety. So I remain your afecconate Wife, SARAH BURT.
Auguft 28, 1755. This day is a general faft to be kept in this province.
The following is a letter of condolence from Dr. Williams to his daugh- ter Martha, the grandmother of Mrs. Schauffler, upon the occasion of the death of her husband, Dea. Samuel Reynolds of Somers : MY DEAR DAUGHTER-
L. M., Feby 17, 1774.
I underftand that our holy and Righteous Sovereign has removed out of this fin- ful world your defirable confort, the partner of your joys, forrows, and cares. God's ways are truth and judgment, he is holy in all his ways, and righteous in all his works-he is the God of the widow, and the Father of the fatherlefs-to his care and protection I refer you and your dear offfpring.
I got home laft night in fafety-but the cold was uncomfortable-and I was con- fiderably chilled-and before I went to bed, as I went out at the door I fell down, and as I ftretched my hand, to fave myfelf-one of ye nails of my fingers was fplit- which occafions me fome trouble .- if I fhould not be able to attend the funeral-it will not be for want of refpect to the dear deceafed-or of affection to you, your children, and friends that are mourning with you .- but let us all remember, that we don't mourn as thofe that have no hope. pleafe to inform dear Mr Backus, that Mr Breck is fick, M' Lothrop is gone down the country, and there is no minifter here that can be obtained to preach. I am pleafed to have fermons preached at funerals, peoples minds upon fuch occafions are foleninized-but I am utterly averfe to flat- tering ye living, or paying compliments to the memory of the dead It can't be expected that Mr B. has had fuch acquaintance with Dr Raynolds as to know him fully-and I apprehend the circumftances of Somers are fuch that no prudent man would greatly commend or difcommend. I hope therefore M' Backus will be fo good as to prepare fome practical difcourfe for this mournful occafion. I am, dear daugh- ter, your affectionate Father, STEPHED WILLIAMS.
WILLIAM SHELDON-[A Character Sketch.]
One of the most interesting characters of Longmeadow during the last half century, was a dignified and courtly gentleman of the old school of manners-an unmarried great-grandson of Dr. Williams, by the name of William Sheldon-only son of the well-known Springfield physician of the same name early in the present century. The erect form, silvery hair. and antique costume of Mr. Sheldon will be long remembered by the present generation, as he was daily seen taking his " constitutional " walk in broad- brimmed, bell-crowned beaver, blue coat resplendent with metal buttons, snowy lace and linen of the olden amplitude and fashion, and imposing gold- headed cane.
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Full of racy reminiscences of the olden time, widely read in the best of ancient and modern literature, and gifted with rare conversational powers, he was a singularly instructive and interesting companion. An intense aristocrat and loyalist in convictions and sympathies, he held himself wholly aloof from the political life and interests of the community around him, and devoted himself to occult researches into the mysteries of Scripture, Spirit- ualism, and more recently of Magnetism and the Od force.
Some of his experiments in this last were singular illustrations of the power of long-indulged fancies finally to rule the reason. It was one of his farcies that he could detect the presence of any particular "odic " in any given substance by peculiarities in the vibration of a ring held suspended by a silken thread, the vibration being wholly due to the influence of the odic in the substance over which the ring was suspended ;- he himself seeming perfectly unconscious of what was meantime plainly evident to observers, viz., that the impulse of vibration was wholly communicated from his own hand.
It was another of his fancies that he could detect the presence of evil spirits in his fellow-men, by holding the ring suspended over their open hands. "Ah! it is just as I feared," was his sad remark to a clerical son of Long- meadow on a visit of the latter to his old home ; " You are possessed, I can see by the movement of the ring." "Well," was the somewhat disconcert- ing reply of the accused party, " I have often suspected as much myself."
Squarely-pointed wands were a part of the apparatus by which he con- ducted his odic experiments-charging them by his own will with mystic force or withdrawing by their means any quality or influence from foreign and distant places and substances. It was his firm belief that he could and did thus arrest the ravages of the cholera at the South, and of the Russian plague in Europe, as the following memoranda from among his papers will show :
Mem. To Prevent Cholera and R" Plague in England. Aug. 2 and 5, '65.
At midnight last night I commenced two processes, the one to withdraw the infec- tion proper of the Cholera from Great Britain, Ireland and the British Isles, and the other to withdraw the accompanying Odical Omnis. The first measured on the scale which I employed 186""' and the other 4,436"'. The omnis being a spiritual substance, excessively attenuated, was withdrawn in 61 40™. The other being mate- rial and more dense required 12h and 14". I believe that these processes will check the Cholera in those regions and prevent it in future.
At 61 P. M., Aug. 3. Commenced processes to withdraw the infection and odical omnis from Great Britain Island and the British Isles of the Russian Plague. The infection withdrawn at 2h 361 Aug. 4, A. M., or in 8h 21m ; the odical omnis at 8h 16m Aug. 3, or in 2h Im. It appears that Aug. 2, 15 P. M. there was no omnis of the dis- ease in England, but that at that time on the 3rd it existed with a force of 847""' and that there had been 344 cases.
Signed,
Witnessed, E. D. C. and C. L. C. WILLIAM SHELDON.
.
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It was the confident belief of Mr. Sheldon that by these mysterious pro- cesses he could impregnate one substance with the peculiar quality or odic of another, so that cotton goods, e. g., might thus be endowed with all the excellencies of silk without any visible change in either-also that growing plants might be so accelerated and influenced as to cause cotton or any other tropical plant to mature in our New England climate-to the demon- stration of which fact he himself experimented most perseveringly, and with much fertility of plausible explanation to account for his invariable failures. He carried on an extensive correspondence with European sovereigns and savants, Arago, Carlisle, etc .- if that may be called a correspondence which was nearly all upon one side-and also a more evenly-balanced one with not a few American celebrities, whose ingenuity must have been often severely taxed to respond to his high-bred courtesy, and yet evade assent to his ideas. The following autograph letters from Mrs. Sigourney, and from N. P. Willis, are introduced as instances of distinguished success in this direction :
MY DEAR SIR :
HARTFORD, CONNt, March 7th, 1860.
Your letter was duly received and I should attempt an apology for the long delay in acknowledging it, but from my being unfortunately too much addicted to such hab- its, and in a measure from necessity, my exchange of epistles yearly surpassing 2,000 and the time at my command scarcely sufficing even for my unpunctual responses.
I could not but admire the symmetrical chirography of your letter, though its sub- jects were to me wrapped in mystery, having little capacity to comprehend the com- mon forms of mechanical science. Of course, aught so occult as your course of experiments is entirely beyond my depth. . . .
Wishing you a continuance of health and happiness, I remain very respectfully yours,
L. H. SIGOURNEY. IDLEWILD, Dec. 1, 1856.
MY DEAR SIR :
You very much over-rate +1 .: level at which the Home Journal is obliged to grade its reading in supposing that your able scientific article is suited to our columns. I sigh to tell you that our subscription depends almost wholly on those to whom the originality and interest of your views would be a dead letter. But so it is. I re- enclose your manuscript to you with the money for the extra copies (which would have been abundantly at your service without it) and trust you will forgive my thus having an eye to business and catering for the many rather than for the few.
It was among my most treasured intentions to look in upon your seclusion during the last summer ; the correspondence with which you so kindly indulged me having left a very grateful remembrance in my heart. With my present renewed health I trust it is a pleasure still in store for me, and meantime, my dear sir, pray believe me very gratefully and sincerely yours, N. P. WILLIS.
WM. SHELDON, Esq.
Mr. Sheldon published a number of works himself upon his favorite top- ics which were never offered in market, but were distributed by him accord- ing to his fancy. Besides these visionary ideas, Mr. Sheldon was a real inventor of much ingenuity, and had he been under any pecuniary necessity
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for thus exerting himself, could doubtless have realized a large fortune by some of his mechanical devices. He left voluminous manuscripts, and a faithful record of the various eccentricities of his character would prove more surprising, if not more interesting, than most romances.
In character, Mr. Sheldon was singularly sincere, simple and just, although subject to strong prejudices. He was also deeply religious by nature. The following invocation, taken almost at random from among many similar ones among his papers, is given as evidence, not only of his unbalanced mind, but equally of the depth of his religious convictions and of the natural kindliness of his heart :
PETITION SPECIFYING THE GIFT (to be conferred on asking)-Lord the Father, graciously be pleased to look down upon thy poor unworthy servant (if thou wilt permit him to be called thy servant) in mercy and forgiveness, if it may be.
Lord, thine unworthy servant would at this time humbly approach the Divine maj- esty to ask of thee the GIFT which thou hast peradventure permitted him to choose and to ask at thy hands. And if it be well pleasing in thy sight, thy servant would humbly ask that not one of thy servants-not one of thy creatures-may be finally lost by reason of the influence of thy servant, or on account of any neglect or omis- sion of duty by him. But graciously be pleased to grant that he may be found faithful by help obtained of thee, and that so far as he may exercise any influence upon the future condition of any one it may be for good ; and that within the sphere of this influence as many may be saved as may be possible.
Lord, thy servant would in an especial manner ask this in behalf of his enemies, and those who may have done or designed him evil, if such there be, and of those who may become such hereafter. Our Father who art in Heaven . .. Amen. Lord graciously be pleased to forgive the sins of this prayer, and to grant the peti- tion of thy unworthy servant, if it may be, for Christ's sake. Amen.
March 22, 1837.
Mir. Sheldon died in 1872, the last of his family line, at the advanced age of 84.
The following acrostic upon the name of his mother, Eunice Williams, the granddaughter of Dr. Williams, and a woman of great beauty of person and of character, is a favorable specimen of the poetry of those early days :
Ev'ry charm, & every grace Unfolds their iplendor in thy face : Nature and Art, if they'd unite In all that's innocently bright, Can't form another, if they would, E'en half fo gay, or half fo good.
Acrostic. Wit penetrating, Mirth refined,
Illum'd by Judgment, Reafon's friend --- Learning's thy care, Virtue's thy Guide, Love's thy Soul, Modefty's thy Pride. Innocence ! Charmer of the mind,
Allurement of the tend'reft kind Magnifies thy Heaven-born Soul So Sweetly, it does all controul.
Aug. 3rd, 1783.
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It may not be generally known, outside of literary circles, that for several years of the past century Longmeadow enjoyed the distinction of possess- ing one of the choicest special libraries in the United States. This was the private library of the late William G. Medlicott, whose residence is shown in the illustration which fronts page 97 of this volume. This library, easily surpassed by many others in size,-about 20,000 volumes,-was prob- ably richer in rare books pertaining to the Anglo-Saxon and early Englishi periods of our literature, than any other in this country. Its linguistic treasures were well known and often sought by the professors of Harvard, Yale, Cornell, and other universities, being freely loaned by Mr. Medlicott in the interest of literary research. Its sumptuous catalogue, printed for the use of buyers when, a few years ago, business reverses made it neces- sary to dispose of a part of it, is a remarkable literary curiosity. The opportunity was seized, at once, by intelligent collectors in London, Boston, New York, and other widely scattered places, and the sale of many of its choicest treasures, at advanced prices, demonstrated that even judicious book collecting is not always unprofitable. Meanwhile the library itself remains, apparently undiminished, in the family possession, and still also a mine of profitable literary research. The following characterization of Mr. Medlicott himself is condensed from the Spring field Republican:
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