USA > Rhode Island > History of Rhode Island > Part 11
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The late Dr. W. E. Channing, in a discourse delivered in Newport, in 1836, alludes to the neglected condition of the Library, at the period during which he pursued his studies in the town. He says, " I had no Professor to guide me ; but I had two noble places of study,-one was yonder beautiful edifice, now so frequented, and so useful as a public library, then so deserted, that I spent day after day, and sometimes week after week, amidst its dusty volumes, without interrup- tion from a single visitor."
The other classical spot was Easton's Beach, then equally as retired, though now so much frequented. He remarks, in his usual glowing style : " No spot on earth has helped to form me so much as that beach. There I lifted up my voice in praise, amid the tempest; there, softened by beauty, I poured out my thanksgiving, and contrite confessions. There, in reverential sympathy with the mighty power around me, I became con- scious of power within. There, struggling thoughts and emotions broke forth, as if moved to utterance by nature's eloquence of the winds and waves. There began a happiness surpassing all worldly pleasure, all gifts of fortune, the happi- ness of communing with the works of God."
As the name of Berkley has been introduced in this connec- tion, it may not be amiss to dwell somewhat on his character, which, for moral purity, was unexampled. Berkley was en- dued with great powers of mind, and possessed vast stores of erudition. His intellectual and moral qualities, inspired to
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LETTER OF BISHOP BERKLEY.
form in him a character of high and attractive excellence. The learned Bishop Atterbury said of him, " So much inno- cence, and such humility, I did not think had been the portion of any but angels, until I saw this gentleman." Pope, who as friend knew him well, describes him as possessed of " every virtue under Heaven."
It was to such society, that Newport was indebted for the intelligence and refinement of manners, which characterized her past history. Berkley was highly prepossessed in favor of Newport, as his letters to his friends plainly show.
The following is an extract, from a letter, written by Dean Berkley, to Thomas Prior, Esq.
" NEWPORT, ON RHODE ISLAND, April 24th, 1729.
" I can by this time say something to you, from my own experience, of this place and people. The inhabitants are of a mixed kind, consisting of many sects, and subdivisions of sects. Here are four sorts of Anabaptists, besides Presbyterians, Quakers, Independents, and many of no profession at all. Notwithstanding so many differences, here are fewer quarrels about religion than elsewhere, the people living peaceably with their neighbors of whatsoever persuasion. They all agree in one point, that the Church of England is the second best. This island is pleasantly laid out in hills and vales, and rising ground ; hath plenty of excellent springs, and fine rivulets, and many delightful landscapes of rocks, and promontories, and adjacent lands.
" The town of Newport is the most thriving place in all America, for business. It is very pretty, and pleasantly situ- ated. I was never more agreeably surprised, than at the first sight of the town and harbor."
The following verses were written by Bishop Berkley, during his residence in Newport, which fact demands their insertion.
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
" ON THE PROSPECT OF PLANTING ARTS AND LEARNING IN AMERICA.
" The muse disgusted at an age and clime, Barren of every glorious theme ; In distant lands, now waits a better time, Producing subjects worthy fame.
In happy climes, where from the genial sun And virgin earth, fresh scenes ensue, The force of art by Nature seem outdone, And fancied beauties by the true.
In happy climes, the seat of innocence, Where Nature guides and virtue rules ;
Where men shall not impose for truth and sense, The pedantry of Courts and schools.
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There shall be sung another golden age, The rise of empire and of arts ; The good and great inspiring epic rage, The wisest heads, and noblest hearts.
Not such as Europe breeds in her decay, Such as she bred when fresh and young ; When heavenly flame did animate the clay, By future ages shall be sung.
Westward the course of empire takes its way, The four first acts already past ; A fifth shall close the drama with the day, Time's noblest offspring is the last."
J
" The Minute Philosopher," which he penned while he was a resident of Newport, consists of a series of dialogues, involving most of the important topics in debate between Chris- tians and Infidels, the principal arguments by which Christi- anity is defended, and the principal objections with which it has been opposed.
In treating on academical study, he remarks, " Academical study may be comprised in two points, reading and meditation. Their reading is chiefly employed on ancient authors, in dead languages ; so that a great part of their time is spent in learn- ing words, which, when they have mastered with infinite pain, what do they get by it ? but old and obsolete notions, which
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BISHOP BERKLEY'S BEQUESTS.
are now quite exploded and out of use : then, as to their meditations, what can they possibly be good for ? He that wants the proper materials of thought, may think and meditate for ever to no purpose. Those cobwebs, spun by scholars out of their own brains, being alike unserviceable, either for use or ornament. Proper ideas, or materials, are only to be got by frequenting good company. I know several gentlemen, who, since their appearance in the world, have spent as much time in rubbing off the rust and pedantry of a college education, as they had before in acquiring it."-Minute Philosopher, pp. 35, 36.
" The weather was so fine, we had a mind to spend the day abroad, and take a cold dinner under a shade in some pleasant part of the country. Whereupon, after breakfast, we went down to a beach, about half-a-mile off, where we walked on the smooth sand, with the ocean on one hand, and on the other, wild broken rocks, intermixed with shady trees and springs of water, till the sun began to be uneasy. We then withdrew into a hollow glade between two rocks.
" Here we felt that sort of joyful instinct which a rural scene inspires, and proposed no small pleasure in resuming and con- tinuing our conference without interruption till dinner. But we had hardly seated ourselves, and looked about us, when we saw a fox running by the foot of our mound, in an adjacent thicket. A few moments after we heard a confused noise of the opening of hounds, the winding of horns, and the shouts of the country squires."-Berkley.
It must strike the mind of the reader with surprise now that the island is nearly cleared of wood, that such fine, sport was enjoyed by the early inhabitants ; but one hundred and twenty five years have wrought great and surprising changes.
The spot which Berkley so graphically describes, is the Hanging Rocks, which was his favorite retreat ; it is near Sachuest Beach, on which he often rambled. It was not far from Whitehall, his former place of residence. The scenery is highly romantic, and, to a mind like his, was justly appreciated.
Bishop Berkley, during his residence at Newport, augmented the library of Harvard College, by valuable donations of the Latin and Greek classics. To Yale College he presented eight hundred and eighty volumes; and, on his departure from
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
Newport, he gave the Whitehall estate, consisting of his mansion and one hundred acres of land, for three scholarships in Latin and Greek. He returned to England in 1733, and died sud- denly and calmly at Oxford, January 14th, 1753, in the 73d year of his age.
Bishop Berkley, though an Episcopalian, was no sectarian, as his public gifts plainly show. He was far in advance of the age in which he lived, which is evident from the prophetic vision in his poem, " On the Prospect of Planting Arts and Learning in America."
This extraordinary prophecy may be considered only as the result of long foresight and uncommon sagacity ; of a foresight and sagacity stimulated, nevertheless, by exciting feeling and high enthusiasm. So clear a vision of what America would become, was not founded on square miles, or on existing num- bers, or on any vulgar laws of statistics. It was an intuitive glance into futurity ; it was a grand conception, strong, ardent, glowing, embracing all time since the creation of the world, and all regions of which that world is composed ; and, judging of the future by just analogy with the past. And the inimit- able imagery and beauty with which the thought is expressed, joined to the conception itself, render it one of the most strik- ing passages in the language.
Could he have lived to this day, to witness the rapid strides which have been made westward, until the Pacific Ocean has been reached, and cities planted by American enterprize, it would have rejoiced his benevolent heart. And it should be matter of exultation and pride to every American, that repub- lican principles are destined to exert a moral, and political influence over this vast continent. Nothing short of the power of God, has wrought such stupendous changes, in so short a period of time.
The high encomium passed on the state of society in New- port, by Bishop Berkley, was highly honorable and commen- datory, and should influence the inhabitants to cherish a spirit of mutual forbearance and kindness, toward one another. His mind was not circumscribed and limited to self; he took a broad and comprehensive view of things, and believed that good would ever spring up out of evil. He remarks that " men of narrow capacities, and short sight, being able to see
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BIOGRAPHY OF BISHOP BERKLEY.
no further than one link in a chain of consequences, are shocked at small evils, which attend upon vice. But those who can enlarge their views, and look through a long series of events, may behold happiness resulting from vice, and good springing out of evil, in a thousand instances."-Minute Philosopher.
" The Rev. George Berkley, D. D., was born and educated in Ireland, being of an English family, who had settled there in the time of the Stuarts. His native place was Kilerin, in the county of Kilkenny, where he was born in 1684. In his youth, like his friend Oglethrope, he was patronized by the Earl of Peterborough, who had an instinct for discovering and bringing forward men of different orders of talent. Berkley was also the intimate friend and companion of Pope, Dean Swift, and Sir Richard Steele, for the latter of whom he wrote several pieces for his periodical, called " The Guardian."
" Displaying at an early age great literary abilities, Berkley soon gained a high reputation in the learned world, by several of those works which still entitle him to be classed among the most profound and original inquirers into the philosophy of mind and the first principles of knowledge. His first work, written before he was twenty years of age, was on mathematics. This was followed at various periods, among other writings, by his " Essay towards a new theory of Vision ;" " Principles of Human Knowledge," and " Alciphron, or the Minute Philo sopher," the latter of which was written during his residence in Newport, Rhode Island.
" This great public benefactor was promoted in 1734, through the patronage of Queen Caroline, to the Bishopric of Cloyne, and resided in that diocese until July, 1752, when he removed to Oxford, to superintend the education of his son.
" He had three sons and a daughter. In person he was stout, and well made, his face was benignant and expressive, and his manners elegant, engaging, and enthusiastic. In the latter part of his life he continued his literary labors, and pub- lished various of his writings. His " Minute Philosopher," written as we have mentioned during his residence at Newport, Rhode Island, was published in 1732.
" His remains were interred in Christ Church, Oxford, and an elegant monument was erected to his memory by his widow." -New York Atlas.
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
ELEGANT COUNTRY AND TOWN RESIDENCES.
As Newport increased in wealth and prosperity, many of het eminent citizens turned their attention to the erection of town and country residences ; the most splendid of which, was that erected by Col. Godfrey Malborn, about one mile from the State House. It was commenced in 1744, and was some time in the course of completion. It was sixty-four feet front, and fifty-two in depth, and was pronounced the most splendid edi- fice in all the Colonies. The materials of which it was built was Connecticut stone. It was two stories high, with a double- pitched room, dormer windows, with a cupola, which com- manded an extensive view of the ocean, and Narraganset Bay. In architectural style, it is said to have resembled the State House. The fifteen steps leading to the hall were spacious, and standing as the building did on elevated ground, gave to it an imposing appearance. The interior is said to have been equally as grand. The doors were of mahogany, as well as the elegant finished circular stair-way, which led to the attic. An aged gentleman, of Newport, remarked to the author, " that the cost of the stair way alone, he had heard his father say, was equal to the expense of building the Brenton House, now owned and occupied by Simmons S. Coc, Esq., in Thames-street. The estimated expense of this palace, for it well deserves the appel- lation, was one hundred thousand dollars,
The farm consisted of upwards of six hundred acres, extend- ing north to Coddington's Cove. The garden, which lay direct in front of the mansion, with natural embankments, embracing as it did ten acres, was enchantingly laid out, with graveled walks, and highly ornamented with box, fruits of the rarest and choicest kinds, flowers, and shrubbery of every description. Three artificial ponds, with the silver fish sporting in the water, gave to the place the most romantic appearance. We have often fancied to ourselves, in our youthful days, when seated on the high flight of steps which led to the spacious hall of this princely mansion, and which commanded an extensive view of the beautiful bay of Newport, of the magnificent state in which Col. Malborn must have lived, far beyond any thing of the present day. It is one thing to have wealth, and another to
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COUNTRY SEAT OF COL. G. MALBORN.
know how, and in what manner to appropriate it. There was, at this period, sublime conception and taste, which enabled the gentleman to beautify and adorn the island.
No situation could possibly exhibit a scene more diversified and pleasing than this ; here the eye wandered from one beauty, to another more enchanting, and when it seemed to have discovered a still more superior view, the slightest glance pre- sented another, if possible more inviting and wonderful,- apparently raised by the power of magic to captivate the astonished beholder.
This seat was once the resort of all the gay, and great ones of the island, and has been the scene of many a splendid banquet and joyous festivals.
" HERE, if some wand'ring wreteb, the child of fate Told his sad tale, and humbly ask'd relief, No surly menial drove him from the gate, Humanity beguiled the tear of grief.
The well-known bench the mess will over-ereep, And where each rose in gay luxuriance hung,- Rude tangling weeds will proud dominion keep, And nettles group the spot where blossoms sprung.
Wild berries elust ring on its straggling thorn, Will then remain, to mark the shrubb'ry's bound ;
O'er-grown with weeds, the solitary lawn, To mem'ry scaree will prove its high renown,
The dreary thought my sinking heart arpals, And trembling I quit the fancied gloom Alas ! like this, each human fabric falls, And gradual sinks oblivious in the tomb.
Majestie ruin ! noble in decay,- Thy fame shall live, when thou art sunk away."
On June- 7th, 1766, this elegant dwelling was entirely con- sumed by fire. The Colonel had a large party at dinner. It was a calamity to be deplored. His name, however, has become immortalized by the erection of this magnificent structure, with the garden attached, which still bears the name of " Malborn's Garden," though but little remains beside the artificial ponds.
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
Saturday dinners were alternately given among the principal families, and continued until the death of Francis Brinley, Esq. One principal dish, which was served up on the occasion, was dun-fish, a very choice article. Thomas Brinley, Esq., informed the author, that they cost at that day, as high as ten dollars per quintal. The process of cooking them was quite different from the ordinary mode now pursued ; they were placed in soak over night, then taken out and sewed up in a napkin, and simply simmered over the fire ; they were then served up whole, with melted butter and boiled eggs. A variety of other dishes went to make up the entertainment.
It was on one of these occasions, that the blacks in the kitchen of Col. Malborn, through carelessness, permitted the wood-work above the fireplace to take fire, and being destitute of brains, did not at once throw on a bucket of water, which would have extinguished it. It spread so rapidly, that before the engines arrived from Newport, it was enveloped in a sheet of flame, and beyond their power to check its progress ; its walls crumbled and fell.
It has been stated that the Colonel bore his loss with much sang-froid, but this tradition we do not believe. A ridiculous statement was made in a small work, published a few years since, that Mrs. Malborn, for fear that her rich and costly furniture would be injured, prohibited the firemen from entering the house. Now, the presumption is, that Mrs. Malborn, like all other ladies, was so much terrified, as not to dictate on this occasion, but to make her exit from the burning house with all possible dispatch, and hence save her life
The wealthy portion of Newport, in those days, lived in epicurean style ; perhaps there was no place in the Colonies, that could vie with them in the magnificence of their public entertainments. It was Old-English hospitality,-when the wine was passed round after dinner, and then followed " the feast of reason, and the flow of soul."
The town-house of Col Malborn, which is yet standing in Newport, was a splendid habitation. It is an ancient brick building, and has an imposing appearance with its portico, double flight of lofty steps, and its heavy and highly ornamental iron gate and railings. On the gate-posts were placed stone pine-apples, and the iron railing around the portico, bore the
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FIRST FIRE ENGINE.
initials G. M. in the centre. The interior also presented many vestiges of its former splendor, in its gilded cornices and panel work, and its mantels of rich marble. A splendid hall, with a noble flight of circular stairs, reaching to the attic, displayed the fine taste of its owner. Does the reader ask, where is this building ? Alas ! the hand of modern vandalism has shorn it of its former splendor ; it is now but an ordinary building, and scarcely noticed.
Mr. Malborn added much to the interest of the place, and was generous in all his public acts. It is said that he once re- marked, " What will not money buy ?"-being a man of ordi- nary appearance, a wag standing near, overheard the remark, and was disposed to have some sport. He penned the follow. ing lines, and stuck them up where they could be seen and read :
" All the money in the place, Won't buy Old Malborn a handsome face."
This highly exasperated Col. Malborn, whereupon he offered a reward of ten guineas to find out the author. The real author came forward, and frankly acknowledged it. It is said, that the Colonel was so much amused with the joke, that he paid him the reward, and treated him in the bargain. Com- merce expands the mind, and liberalizes the heart.
The site formerly occupied by Mr. Malborn's house, after a period of eighty four years, has been improved by J. Prescott Hall, Esq., of New-York, who has erected a house for a sum. mer residence, but the glory has departed.
Mr. Hall's mother was the daughter of Peter Mumford, Esq., of Newport, and his wife being a Rhode Island lady, daughter of the late Hon. James D'Wolf, of Bristol, has attached him to Newport.
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FIRE-ENGINE, No. 1,-MILL.STREET.
Engine No. 1, was the gift of Col. Godfrey Malborn. It was manufactured by Newsham and Ragg, of London, in the year
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
173.6 With the exception of the box, it remains the same, and is pronounced as perfect a specimen of the kind, as is to be met with, even in this day of improvement.
Judge Bowler, like most of the wealthy merchants of that period, had his town and country residence. The former is now the Vernon Mansion, corner of Clarke and Mary-streets, and is certainly a beautiful specimen of architecture. And the latter, the farm, now occupied and belonging to the heirs of Isaac Chase, in Portsmouth, which then contained an elegant garden, filled with every description of fruits and flowers, with artificial ponds, &c., at present is nothing more than an ordinary place.
Mr. Bowler married, in 1750, Ann Fairchild, of Newport, and left a number of descendants. 1
Vaucluse, the residence of the late Samuel Elam, Esq., he inherited from his uncle, Jarvis Elam, who resided on the place for many years before his death. Samuel was an English gentleman of the old school, and the taste which he displayed in laying out, and embellishing his grounds, is evidence of the truth of the remark. His style of living was profuse, and he could well afford it, for his income was large, and fully ade- quate to keep up such an establishment. On occasions, when he gave large dinner parties to his friends, the choicest viands graced his table, as well as superior wines and liquors, of which he was a connoisseur. Many were the entertainments given at Vaucluse, in which the guests were treated with sumptuous hospitality.
His equipage was after the English style, with postillion and footman. He had his town as well as country residence ; and, on bank days, (for he was President of the Rhode Island Union Bank,) he uniformly took dinner at Newport. An old female domestic, Marcy Sambo, took charge of the house, and provided for the occasion. He was a Quaker, and wore the peculiar garb of that sect, and contributed to the society. He was a gentleman of strong prejudices, but whenever he took a fancy to an individual, he was most strongly devoted. Many an anecdote is related of him, which goes to corroborate the truth of the remark. His port and carriage was truly dignified and noble. His property fell to a nephew, residing in England, who came over to America, and disposed of his whole estate ;
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NEWPORT THE EMPORIUM OF FASHION.
and he immediately returned home, his taste being different from that of his uncle's. Vaucluse is now the property of Thomas R. Harard, Esq., and is certainly the most interesting spot on the island.
The garden contains seventeen acres, most elegantly laid out, including a labyrinth, with serpentine walks, a fit emblem of ancient Troy. The walks are spacious, and running in different directions, presents a charming and picturesque scenery, and such as a highly cultivated mind would justly appreciate. The farm consists of about one hundred and fifty acres, scientifically cultivated. Mr. Harard is a practical farmer; every thing indicates system and proper management, and a walk over his extensive grounds, would soon convince the reader, that we have not too highly colored the picture.
Many other beautiful residences were to be found on the island, in her palmy days ; the Overing, Bannister, &c., which shows the taste of the inhabitants at that interesting period.
Many of the inhabitants were from the first families in Eng- land, and Newport was regarded not only for her commercial importance, but as the emporium of fashion, refinement, and taste. " This aristocratic trait of character has continued among her inhabitants to the present day." The writer from whom we have made this extract, says, " But the change of popula- tion, and the death, dispersion, and poverty of those families, has now reduced society more conformable to the general republican manners of the country, and has levelled those arbitrary distinctions, which once so generally prevailed." Now the views here entertained of the aristocracy of Newport, being based on wealth, and the loss of wealth levelling those distinctions, is not founded in fact. The aristocracy of New- port rested on a sub-stratum more durable. It was intellect, and refinement of manners, which made the broad distinction in society. The mere boor, with no other recommendation than money, his society was not courted ; while many, whose pecuniary means were limited, were held in high estimation for their moral and intellectual acquirements. This was the peculiar characteristic which distinguished the age, and which outweighed every minor consideration.
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