USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Proceedings of the Worcester Society of Antiquity, 1877, Volume I-5 > Part 23
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The marvellous discoveries attending the labors of Schliemann and Di Cesnola in the East have commanded world-wide atten- tion. the study of Archaeology has received a new impetus, and already there has sprung up, in Europe, a multitude of aspirants for fame to follow in the steps of these illustrious pioneers.
Nor is there hardly less interest manifested on this side the ocean. Much has been done under the auspices of the United States Geographical survey, and we may expect from that source a great deal more in the future.
To Major Powell, of this service, and his valuable corps of as- sistants great credit is due for the elaborate descriptions given us of the vestiges of lost races which once peopled the Rocky Mountain region. The Rev. Stephen Bowers, who has made several exploring expeditions to Southern California, the last having ocenpied the past Summer, has in preparation a work de- tailing his discoveries which may be looked to for exhaustive in- formation as to the ruins of that locality. In the Northwest we have accounts of the investigations of W. J. McGee among the artificial mounds of Iowa," while from the Southeast reports reach ns of curiosities unearthed by Mr. Henry Gilman in opening the tumuli of Florida. These are mentioned as merely casual instan- ces of the energy with which the study of this subject is being proscented in our country.
The work of exploration is also going bravely on in Central and South America. Especially from the former may we soon expect rich contributions, for there the indefatigable Dr. Hapel. who has been toiling among the ruins of Gantemala, has brought to light a remarkable collection of sculptured slabs whose inserip- tions. if they can be deciphered, (and it is believed that they may. ) will shed a flood of light on the early history of this continent, heretofore so shadowy and obscure. In this connection I cannot forbear alluding to the valnable services to the cause of archao- logical research. of our own townsman, Stephen Salisbury Jr., an honorary member of this Society. Some of the results of this gentleman's extensive explorations in Yucatan are set forth in volumes which grace our library, and doubtless many more con- tributions to this department of knowledge will follow when he shall have found time to examine and classify the large collections which he brought with him from the land of the Mayas.
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The study of Archaeology is a very interesting and instructive one. By it we are led to investigate the history of ancient peo- ples, and to attempt the solution of difficult questions concern- ing the existence and disappearance of lost races. Often the only data for solving these problems consists of fragments seat- tered over the face of the earth or buried beneath its surface. But this is no discouragement to the archeologist. He is not accustomed to yield to obstacles. He sees the Past confronting. him ready to deliver up of the riches of her exhaustless treasury if he will but prove himself worthy by his energy and perseverance.
"To him her voice is swelling In solemn. friendly rhyme. The mighty stories telling Of long evanished time.
The Foreworld's holy breezes Around his temples play. And caverned night releases To him a quenchless ray."
Surely, if it is ever proper to connect the sacred promise, "Seek and ye shall find," with anything but moral truth, it may most justly be applied to the students of antiquity.
As has been said but little has been done by our Department during the year. Circumstances have been unfavorable. We confidently expect, however, to make a better record in the fu- ture, and at the close of another twelve-month to present a far more satisfactory report.
Respectfully submitted.
CHAS. R. JOHNSON, Chairman.
REPORT ON LOCAL HISTORY AND GENEALOGY.
The vote passed at a meeting held Nov. 9. 1877. assigning members to certain Departments of Work and investigation. also laid upon each of those departments the obligation of presenting to the Society at the end of each year. a written report of their doings ; and in compliance with that demand, I take pleasure in
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presenting to you this, our first report. from the department of Local History and Genealogy.
Promptly after the assignment of members to this department. a meeting was called, at which every resident member was pres- ent. and an organization was perfected by the selection of a Chairman. After numerons suggestions and general expressions ofinterest in the work, from members present. it was thought best not to place any special burden or task on any one in this divi- sion. except the Chairman, but to leave each member free to act from his own choice as to what he should take up either for col- lection or investigation : expecting of course that it would follow generally within the lines prescribed by the title of the depart- ment. Every item that met our eye relating to Local History or Genealogy was to be carefully collected and preserved. either in the form of serap-books or manuscript.
The line of work thus inaugurated. if carried out, as we believe it will be in the future. cannot fail to be of great value to the Society. The matter of collecting and compiling records relating to the several branches of industry in our city will prove of great interest. It might be expecting too much. and perhaps result in an endless task to reach them all, but if we could write up some of the most prominent. it would add largely to the resources of the Society.
Some members of the department are now collecting items with the object of preparing Papers to be presented to the Society during the coming season. which I have no doubt will prove both instructive and interesting. In addition to that excellent essay ".History of the Blackstone Canal," by Col. Israel Phummer. of Northbridge, and the very interesting Paper on Family Histories by Mr. Douglas. of Providence. R. I., as well as the sketch of the Lumber Trade in Worcester. we have heard several Biographical sketches. all of which have been added to our collection.
I desire to call your attention to the many valuable books. pamphlets. papers &c .. that have been presented to the Society during the past year. relating to this department. some of them being of special interest. but might escape the notice of those who lack the requisite amount of curiosity for scanning every gift that finds its way into our cozy and attractive roon :.
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We have nearly a complete set of Worcester Directories ; a full set of City Doenments, and numerons pamphlets and papers re- lating to municipal matters, with a full set of Reports on the City Hospital ; pamphlets relating to nearly all the Musical organizations in the city ; the Soldiers Memorial, being an ac- count of the Dedication of the Soldier's Monument on the com- mon ; a Map of the Village of Worcester in 1829, published by Clarendon Harris Esq. ; a new Map of the City of Worcester in 1878 ; a complete History of the Worcester Water Works. by Hon. Clark JJillson ; Assessors Documents, giving the Valuation of the Town of Worcester, in 1832 ; a List of the Voters in Ward 2, for the years 1850 and 1851 ; the Centennial Commemoration of the First Parish Meeting-house, Worcester, Mass., 1863. with the Introductory Address by Judge Ira Moore Barton, together with an Historical Discourse, by Leonard Bacon, D D., giving the past history of the Society ; a History of the Centennial An- niversary of the Declaration of Independence, with Notes. His- torical and Chronological, of Worcester, by Nathaniel Paine Esq. : the History of Worcester in the Revolution, by Albert A. Lovell Esq. ; a bound file of the Massachusetts Spy for the years 1795 and 1796 ; a full set of Reminiscences of the Worcester Fire So- ciety, or Fire Club, instituted Jan. 21, 1793, an organization yet in existence, full of vigor. although at present their efforts are given more to the enjoyment of a "Feast of Reason and flow of Soul," at the banquet table, than to the extinguishing of fires ; also a copy of the Constitution of the Mutual Fire Society, organ- ized in July, 1822, presented by Rev. Geo. Allen : Reminiscences of Worcester by Caleb A. Wall ; a Pamphlet relating to the early Railroad Depots in the town of Worcester ; a complete set of the Transactions of the Worcester County Horticultural Society. and a valuable pamphlet entitled, Address to the members of the Bar of Worcester County, delivered Oct. 2, 1829, by Joseph Willard Esq., of Lancaster. embracing what could be gathered at that date, concerning the history of the early Legal Profession in Worcester County. It is quite complete and is considered very valuable for its accuracy, and often referred to by local writers in eulogizing prominent men of the past, in this County.
In matters relating to Genealogy, we have in addition to the
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Inscriptions from the Ancient Burial Grounds on the Common and Mechanic street, already published by the Society, other rec- ords. carefully gathered at the time of removing the remains from the Mechanic street ground, which will be given you in print- ed form before many weeks. We also have in manuscript In- seriptions from the North Burial Ground at Lunenburg. Mass .. together with those from the Private Grounds of Thomas Arnold and Levi Goodrich. copied for the Society by one of our members. Mr. E. Il. Marshal. Also. Inscriptions from the Old Burial Ground in West Brookfield. Mass. . copied by Mr. T. S. Knowlton. our corresponding member at that place : also. Inscriptions from the first Burial Ground in the town of Lancaster. it being ye most Ancient Burial Ground in y County of Worcester ; also. Inscrip- tions from the Old Burial Grounds in Mendon and Shrewsbury, as well as those presented to the Society by Mr. Richard O'Flynn. copied by him from the first Roman Catholic Burial Ground in Worcester. located on Pleasant street.
We also have the American Genealogist, by Whitmore : Snifolk Surnames, by Bowditch : Index to American Pedigrees, by Dur- rie : Derivation of names. by Arthur ; 15 volinnes, with 10 extra numbers of the New England Historical and Genealogical Regis- ter : Genealogical Memorial of the Ammidown Family, and the Paine Family Records : the revised Rawson Memorial : Genealo- gy of the JJillson Family : Robert Campbell and his descendants : Genealogy of the Miles. Dana. Reynolds and Hodges families : Proceedings of the Chapin Gathering. at Springfield. Mass .. in 1862 : the Greenes of Warwick. in Colonial history, and the Slat- ter Memorial : Collections of the Surrey Archeological Society. vol. 7. part 1. London, 1878: Genealogical Memoranda. relating to the family of Hovenden. London, 1872. and also to the Graze- brook family, London. 1878: Genealogical Sketch of Dr. Arte- mas Ballard and his descendants. of Sutton. by Wm. S. Barton. Esq. : one volume of the Genealogica et Heraldica. for 1878. published by the Harleian Society, London, England.
During the year 1878. several of our older citizens. once active in affairs of the town and city. have laid aside their armor and passed on to their final rest. Among the list I find the following names : Mr. Asa Walker, who died JJan. 18: Mr. James L.
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Burbank, Jan. 31 ; Dea. Samuel Perry. Feb. 12; Mr. Pitt IIol- mes, March 8 ; Rev. Seth Sweetser, D. D. March 24 ; Mr. Cyrus Lovell, June 24 : our associate, Deputy Sheriff Ransom Mills Gould, May 25 ; Gen. Nathan Heard, Sept. 9, and Judge Henry Chapin. Oet. 13. Appropriate reference to the character and deeds of some of these men has already been made through the daily Press, of which we have copies, but some of them are wor- thy, and should receive more extended notices, through members of this Society.
In closing this Report, there is one thought that I desire every member of the Society to keep constantly in mind. which is, that the work done in the interest of this Society is not altogether for the present, but for the future. Antique Relies now prized so highly, once were commonplace, and it may be, almost worthless, but their preservation has created for them untokl value. Little items that seem now to be so trifling. if kept from the spoiler's hand, will, at some future time. tell whole chapters in the history of Worcester. The papers that record the daily news, and which we have made an effort to preserve, though by some thought to be so cumbersome or worthless, are of superior importance in their relation to local history. Almost every event worth re- cording is there to be found, and should we desire to write up the history of any business enterprise or note progress in the growth and changes in our local affairs, the first thing we wonkl desire to consult would be a file of those very papers, where at once we could refresh the memory and perhaps obtain far more information relating to one subject than we had dared to hope for.
For example, in the stone axe, the fragment of coarse cloth, or even an arrow head, exhumed from those mysterious mounds. we read the history of a tribe or race of people, their intelligence, mechanical skill, customs, habits &c. ; and by the records our Puritan fathers left behind them, we are able to discern their traits of character and customs of life.
We must know no discouragement, and while it costs us so slight an effort, let us treasure up everything we find, bearing on the history of Worcester or our noble ancestry, to whom we owe so much, and of whom we are so justly proud.
ELLERY B. CRANE, Chairman.
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REPORT ON ANCIENT MANUSCRIPTS, PUBLICATIONS AND ENGRAVINGS.
In presenting a report from the Department of Ancient Manu- seripts, Publications and engravings, to this Society, the fact of my inability to deal with matters of such grave importance so as to make the words Huse interesting and instructive, must not be overlooked at the outset.
The art of writing, or the manufacture of manuscript, is of very ancient date. and was suggested by the making of pictures as a means of communicating thought from one person to another. The first writings of which we have any authentic account were upon hard substances such as stones and metals. Hermes is said to have been the author of the Hieroglyphics. 2112. B. c. It is claimed by historians that writing was taught to the Latins as early as 1191. B. c., by Europa, daughter of the king of Phamicia. The Commandments were written on two tables of stone, 1491 B. C. The Greeks and Romans used their was table-books long after the invention of paper m China, 170. n. c. Various kinds of material have been used to write upon, among which may be mentioned sheets of wood covered with wax, to be written upon with a stylus, ivory, palm leaves, birch bark, leather, vellum, parchment and paper. Paper was first made of cotton, A. D. 1000 ; and the most ancient manuscripts written on such material, now in existence, bear date. A. D. 1050.
In early times manuscripts were prepared with great care, being in many cases written in gold and silver letters. on purple, blue or red parchment, decorated with the most gaudy initial letters, sometimes a foot high. ornamented with figures of men. birds, and animals, covering nearly the entire page. Miniatures, pic- tures and portraits, were introduced into manuscripts at an early day, and Varro illustrated his biography of distinguished persons with 700 portraits. Some of these beautiful specimens, both plain and ornamental. have been preserved. the most ancient of which are the papyrus rolls from the tombs of Egypt, where they have been buried and preserved for thousands of years. One of the oldest known hieratic manseripts is the Prisse papyrus in the National Library at Paris, said to have been begun 3951. B. C.
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Numerous seribes were employed in making and copying these manuscripts, which became an important industry ; and any one who examines those old works will see that they were executed by professional hands.
The most ancient manuscript on parchment since the time of Christ. is the palimpsest of Cicero's De Republica now in the Vatican library. supposed to have been written in the second or third century ; and the Lanrentian library of Florence contains the celebrated Medicean Virgil. belonging to the fourth or fifth century. Some of these ancient manuscripts have been scattered, parts of the same book being found in diferent libraries. as in the case of the Coder Purpureus. four leaves of which are in the British Museum, six in the Vatican. two in the Imperial Library at Vienna, and thirty-three leaves were found by Tischendorf in the island of Patmos.
Most of the early manuscripts were quite plainly written, but after a time abbreviations came into use, and in the 13th century were so common as to render many manuscripts nearly, or quite unreadable. The comma was introduced during the ninth cen- tury, and marks of interrogation, exclamation and parentheses. in the fifteenth century.
All manuscript produced previous to the introduction of print- ing is of peculiar interest to Antiquarians. for the reason that ouly a few copies were produced. however valuable the work might have been, which makes such matter comparatively scarce.
It is true that many of these writings have been printed from time to time, but a large quantity of valuable information lies as a hidden treasure in the archives of the old libraries of Europe. and in many instances but one copy was made, and that the life-work of some eminent scholar. The Prince Society of Boston has done a good work in bringing some of these mannscripts to pub- lic notice, but there are still uncounted treasures waiting to be recognized by some friendly eve.
. It is not to be expected that our Society will become the own- er of any of these rare specimens, but if we gather up those of modern date and place them in a position to be preserved, time will make them valuable, and the generations that follow will rejoice in their inheritance.
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When the Printer emerged from the shadow of the dark ages. with a gleam of snulight upon his radiant brow.
"All the world wondered,"
and it was generally believed that the Devil had been let loose for a thousand years. The seribes, however, on seeing their em- ployment begin to vanish. mustered sufficient courage to make war on his Majesty, and it is said that after a desperate struggle. wherein they declared that
"We myst roote ovt Pryntinge Or Pryntinge will roote ovt vs."
a compromise was made, by permitting the scribes to rubricate and ornament the books printed, thus retaining a portion of their former employment, and ending a most bitter fond.
During the last few years there has been considerable strife among collectors of ancient publications, for the possession of early specimens of printing, till it has become quite a task to ob- tain any printed book bearing an earlier date than 1475. The printing of books in early times, without title-page, date, signa- ture or pagination. has caused much controversy among antiqua- rians. in relation to the age of a few early publications.
In some cases Maittaire. Brunet and others, have supplied the date of certain books, but those most familiar with early printing are now of opinion that a book without a date. although bearing evidence of great antiquity, might have been printed anywhere between 1460 and 1490. from the fact that the first printed book bearing a date and the name of the printer was issued from the press in 1457. and after that time there were printed from year to vear numerous books both with and without date.
The progress in the art of printing, from the time of its dis- covery up to the close of the 15th century, was very remarkable. The first printing done on movable metalic type was completed in 1151, and this Society has Cicero's Orations printed only 18 years after that. ahnost as bright and perfect as the books print- ed yesterday. I have a book printed in 1472, the typography of which will compare favorably with the work of the present day :
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and another in Black Letter, printed in 1495. the execution of which does not appear to have been excelled up to this time. I also have a book printed on the celebrated Aldine press, by Aldus himself, dated 1564. an elegant specimen of early printing.
Some idea may be obtained of the scarcity of these ancient publications by perusing the history of the Caxton Exhibition. opened at South Kensington. June 30, 1877, for the purpose of celebrating the four hundredth anniversary of the introduction, in 1477, of the art and mystery of printing into England.
The Bible having been the earliest book printed. great effort was made to obtain all the early editions possible. and strange as it may seem. only seren books were exhibited. with authenticated dates, older than Cicero's Orations, owned by this Society.
The first book printed in America was a "Manual for Adults." from the press at Mexico, in the year 1540. The first printing press in North America was established at Cambridge, Mass .. about 1638 ; and the first book issued therefrom was the .Bay Psalın Book," in 1640. The first newspaper printed in America. was the Boston News Letter which appeared April 24. 1701. It is of the greatest importance that the members of this Depart- ment collect and preserve all American publications of early date. especially those printed on the loyal press of Isaiah Thomas, in the town of Worcester, during the American Revolution.
But to my mind the most important subject coming under the jurisdiction of this Department is that of engraving, about which much less is known among mankind generally than of either of those heretofore considered, the magnitude of which precludes any detailed account in a report like this.
A person of ordinary ability may become a good penman, and produce the most elegant manuscript ; and many a printer who is able to boast of his professional skill in that art, would be uu- able to collect his thoughts and present them on paper with a reasonable degree of elegance. But the employment of the seribe and the printer is so completely mechanical as not to necessarily require any great mental effort.
To some extent this may be true of one class of engravers, but of those who become masters of the art, it is not true. To them the design, traced upon the block they are about to cut, is only
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a hint of what is yet to be developed by the mystery of mental dictation into the semblance of life itself, so suggestive as to compel the imagination to supply the tint and expression of health and beauty.
"This brow so fair. Ilalf-curtained in this glossy hair, These eyes. the very home of love, The dark twin arches trae'd above. These red-ripe lips that ahnost speak.
The fainter blush of this pure cheek. The rose and lily's beauteous strife- It is-ah no :- 't is all but life !"
The art of engraving is not of modern origin. it having been dis- covered and extensively practiced nearly 1500 years B. c. Men- tion is made of this art in Exodus xxviii. 36, and the fact is well established. that the Egyptians and Assyrians understood how to engrave on stone and metal at a very remote period.
Among a quantity of Egyptian antiquities, there was found a small axe, tied to the helve with strips of cloth, on the head of which were engraved certain characters in such a manner that, if the head had been inked and submitted to the action of the rolling press, impressions might have been obtained as from a modern copper-plate.
The Greeks and Romans engraved laws, contracts and other documents on metal plates, and when a fire occurred in the Cap- itol. during the reign of Vespasian, 3000 bronze muniments were destroyed.
The earliest print which has come down to us with a date, is the .. Buxheim Saint Christopher." of 1423. Previous to this time Playing Cards were in existence, but they were considered to have been painted by means of stencils. In the Imperial Library at Paris is a print of of the Virgin and Child, which is probably earlier than the Saint Christopher, but it bears no date.
Numerous attempts have been made to antedate the Saint Christopher. but no satisfactory proof has been obtained to show that wood engraving was known previous to 1423 ; and metal plates engraved for the purpose of being printed from were
.
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not known till 1465. The first book containing wood cuts was the second edition of Caxton's "Same and Plage of the Chesse," supposed to have been printed about 1476, the first edition hav- ing been issued in 1474.
Early in the 16th century the art of engraving had reached a high state of perfection ; but in the 17th century wood engraving was almost entirely abandoned. and was not revived till about 1830, since which time rapid progress has been made, and wood - engraving has reached such a degree of completeness that some of the best work is now done upon that material.
It would require more space than can be allowed for this re- port. to give a detailed account of what has been done to perfect this art. Nor is it possible to give even the names of all those distinguished artists whose lives have been spent in this great work. Among the early laborers in this field of art, may be mentioned Botticelli, Andrea Mantegna, Giovanni Bellini, Albert Durer, Rembrandt, Vandyke, Mare Antonio, and in later times, Vertue, Hogarth, Strange, Woollett. Bartolozzi. Raphael Mor- ghen, Toschi, and many others, all of whom left unmistakable traces of their own individuality upon the works they have hand- . ed down for the admiration of the workl in all time to come.
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