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The Whole History Of Grandfather's Chair....................................................................................................1

Nathaniel Hawthorne...............................................................................................................................1

AUTHOR'S PREFACE...........................................................................................................................2

PART I. 16201692. ................................................................................................................................2

CHAPTER I. GRANDFATHER AND THE CHILDREN AND THE CHAIR. .....................................2

CHAPTER II. THE PURITANS AND THE LADY ARBELLA...........................................................3

CHAPTER III. A RAINY DAY..............................................................................................................7

CHAPTER IV. TROUBLOUS TIMES...................................................................................................8

CHAPTER V. THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW ENGLAND..............................................................10

CHAPTER VI. THE PINETREE SHILLINGS..................................................................................12

CHAPTER VII. THE QUAKERS AND THE INDIANS.....................................................................14

CHAPTER VIII. THE INDIAN BIBLE. ...............................................................................................16

CHAPTER IX. ENGLAND AND NEW ENGLAND, ..........................................................................19

CHAPTER X. THE SUNKEN TREASURE. ........................................................................................21

CHAPTER XI. WHAT THE CHAIR HAD KNOWN. .........................................................................24

APPENDIX TO PART I. EXTRACTS FROM THE LIFE OF JOHN ELIOT .....................................26

PART II. 16921763.............................................................................................................................28

CHAPTER I. THE CHAIR IN THE FIRELIGHT,...............................................................................28

CHAPTER II. THE SALEM WITCHES. ..............................................................................................29

CHAPTER III. THE OLDFASHIONED SCHOOL...........................................................................31

CHAPTER IV. COTTON MATHER ....................................................................................................33

CHAPTER V. THE REJECTED BLESSING. ......................................................................................36

CHAPTER VI. POMPS AND VANITIES. ...........................................................................................40

CHAPTER VII. THE PROVINCIAL MUSTER. ..................................................................................42

CHAPTER VIII. THE OLD FRENCH WAR AND THE ACADIAN EXILES ...................................46

CHAPTER IX. THE END OF THE WAR. ...........................................................................................50

CHAPTER X. THOMAS HUTCHINSON. ...........................................................................................52

APPENDIX TO PART II. ACCOUNT OF THE DEPORTATION OF THE ACADIANS. ................54

PART III. 17631803............................................................................................................................57

CHAPTER I. A NEWYEAR'S DAY..................................................................................................57

CHAPTER II. THE STAMP ACT........................................................................................................58

CHAPTER III. THE HUTCHINSON MOB.........................................................................................60

CHAPTER IV. THE BRITISH TROOPS IN BOSTON.......................................................................64

CHAPTER V. THE BOSTON MASSACRE........................................................................................67

CHAPTER VI. A COLLECTION OF PORTRAITS............................................................................70

CHAPTER VII. THE TEA PARTY AND LEXINGTON....................................................................73

CHAPTER VIII. THE SIEGE OF BOSTON........................................................................................75

CHAPTER IX. THE TORY'S FAREWELL.........................................................................................78

CHAPTER X. THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.............................................................................81

CHAPTER XI. GRANDFATHER'S DREAM. .....................................................................................84

THE DOINGS OF THE MOB. ..............................................................................................................87

IN writing this ponderous tome, the author's desire has been to describe the eminent characters and

remarkable events of our annals in such a form and style that the YOUNG may make acquaintance with them

of their own accord. For this purpose, while ostensibly relating the adventures of a chair, he has endeavored

to keep a distinct and unbroken thread of authentic history. The chair is made to pass from one to another of

those personages of whom he thought it most desirable for the young reader to have vivid and familiar ideas,

and whose lives and actions would best enable him to give picturesque sketches of the times. On its sturdy

oaken legs it trudges diligently from one scene to another, and seems always to thrust itself in the way, with

most benign complacency, whenever an historical personage happens to be looking round for a seat.

There is certainly no method by which the shadowy outlines of departed men and women can be made to

assume the hues of life more effectually than by connecting their images with the substantial and homely

reality of a fireside chair. It causes us to feel at once that these characters of history had a private and familiar

existence, and were not wholly contained within that cold array of outward action which we are compelled to

receive as the adequate representation of their lives. If this impression can be given, much is accomplished.

Setting aside Grandfather and his auditors, and excepting the adventures of the chair, which form the

machinery of the work, nothing in the ensuing pages can be termed fictitious. The author, it is true, has

sometimes assumed the license of filling up the outline of history with details for which he has none but

imaginative authority, but which, he hopes, do not violate nor give a false coloring to the truth. He believes

that, in this respect, his narrative will not be found to convey ideas and impressions of which the reader may

The author's great doubt is, whether he has succeeded in writing a book which will be readable by the class

for whom he intends it. To make a lively and entertaining narrative for children, with such unmalleable

material as is presented by the sombre, stern, and rigid characteristics of the Puritans and their descendants, is

quite as difficult an attempt as to manufacture delicate playthings out of the granite, rocks on which New

GRANDFATHER had been sitting in his old armchair all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were

pursuing their various sports far off or near at hand, Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;"

hut still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the

He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener

had lopped from the fruittrees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself. He heard

Clara's gladsome voice, too, as she weeded and watered the flowerbed which had been given her for her

own. He could have counted every footstep that Charley took, as he trundled his wheelbarrow along the

gravelwalk. And though' Grandfather was old and grayhaired, yet his heart leaped with joy whenever little

Alice came fluttering, like a butterfly, into the room. Sire had made each of the children her playmate in turn,

and now made Grandfather her playmate too, and thought him the merriest of them all.

At last the children grew weary of their sports. because a summer afternoon is like a long lifetime to the

young. So they came into the room together, anti clustered round Grandfather's great chair. Little Alice, who

was hardly five years old, took the privilege of the youngest, and climbed his knee. It was a pleasant thing to

behold that fair and goldenhaired child in the lap of the old man, and to think that, different as they were,

"Grandfather," said little Alice, laying her head back upon his arm, "I am very tired now. You must tell me a

"That is not what storytellers like," answered Grandfather, smiling. "They are better satisfied when they can

"But here are Laurence, and Charley, and I," cried cousin Clara, who was twice as old as little Alice. "We

will all three keep wide awake. And pray, Grandfather, tell us a story about this strangelooking old chair."

Now, the chair in which Grandfather sat was made of oak, which had grown dark with age, but had been

rubbed and polished till it shone as bright as mahogany. It was very large and heavy, and had. a back that rose

high above Grandfather's white head. This back was curiously carved in open work, so as to represent

flowers, and foliage, and other devices, which the children had often gazed at, but could never understand

what they meant. On the very tiptop of the chair, over the head of Grandfather himself, was a likeness of a

lion's head, which had such a savage grin that you would almost expect to hear it growl and snarl.

The children had seen Grandfather sitting in this chair ever since they could remember anything. Perhaps the

younger of them supposed that he and the chair had come into the world together, and that both had always

been as old as they were now. At this time, however, it happened to be the fashion for ladies to adorn their

drawingrooms with the oldest and oddest chairs that could be found. It seemed to cousin Clara that, if these

ladies could have seen Grandfather's old chair, they would have thought it worth all the rest together. She

wondered if it were not even older than Grandfather himself, and longed to know all about its history.

"Well, child," said Grandfather, patting Clara's cheek, "I can tell you a great many stories of my chair.

Perhaps your cousin Laurence would like to hear them too. They would teach him something about the

history and distinguished people of his country which he has never read in any of his schoolbooks."

Cousin Laurence was a boy of twelve, a bright scholar, in whom an early thoughtfulness and sensibility

began to show themselves. His young fancy kindled at the idea of knowing all the adventures of this

venerable chair. He looked eagerly in Grandfather's face; and even Charley, a bold, brisk, restless little fellow

of nine, sat himself down on the carpet, and resolved to be quiet for at least ten minutes, should the story last

Meantime, little Alice was already asleep; so Grandfather, being much pleased with such an attentive

BUT before relating the adventures of the chairs found it necessary to speak of circumstances that caused the

first settlement of New England. For it will soon be perceived that the story of this remarkable chair cannot

So Grandfather talked about the Puritans, {Foot Note: It is more precise to give the name of Pilgrims to those

Englishmen who went to Holland and afterward to Plymouth. They were sometimes called Separatists

because they separated themselves from the church of England, sometimes Brownists after the name of one

of their eminent ministers. The Puritans formed a great political as well as religious party in England, and did

not at first separate themselves from the church of England, though those who came to this country did so at

once.} as those persons were called who thought it sinful to practise certain religious forms and ceremonies

of the Church of England. These Puritans suffered so much persecuted in England that, in 1607, many of

them went over to Holland, and lived ten or twelve years at Amsterdam and Leyden. But they feared that, if

they continued there much longer, they should cease to be England, and should adopt all the manners, and

ideas, and feelings of the Dutch. For this and other reasons, in the year 1620 they embarked on board the ship

Mayflower, and crossed the ocean, to the shores of Cape Cod. There they made a settlement, and called it

Plymouth, which, though now a part of Massachusetts, was for a long time a colony by itself. And thus was

Meantime, those of the Puritans who remained in England continued to suffer grievous persecution on

account of their religious opinions. They began to look around them for some spot where they might worship

God, not as the king and bishops thought fit, but according to the dictates of their own consciences. When

their brethren had gone from Holland to America, they bethought themselves that they likewise might find

refuge from persecution there. Several gentlemen among them purchased a tract of country on the coast of

Massachusetts Bay, and obtained a charter from King Charles, which authorized them to make laws for the

settlers. In the year 1628 they sent over a few people, with John Endicott at their bead, to commence a

plantation at Salem. {Foot Note: The Puritans had a liking for Biblical names for their children, and they

sometimes gave names out of the Bible to places, Salem means Peace. The Indian name was Naumkeag.}

Peter Palfrey, Roger Conant, and one or two more had built houses there in 1626, and may be considered as

the first settlers of that ancient town. Many other Puritans prepared to follow Endicott.

"And now we come to the chair, my dear children,'' said Grandfather. "This chair is supposed to have been

made of an oaktree which grew in the park of the English Earl of Lincoln between two and three centuries

ago. In its younger days it used, probably, to stand in the hall of the earl's castle. I)o not you see the coat of

arms of the family of Lincoln carved in the open work of the back? But when his daughter, the Lady Arbella,

"He was a gentleman of great wealth, who agreed with the Puritans in their religious opinions," answered

Grandfather. "And as his belief was the same as theirs, he resolved that he would live and die with them.

Accordingly, in the month of April, 1630, he left his pleasant abode and all his comforts in England, and

As Grandfather was frequently impeded by the questions and observations of his young auditors, we deem it

advisable to omit all such prattle as is no( essential to the story. We have taken some pains to find out exactly

what Grandfather said, and here offer to our readers, as nearly as possible in his own words, the story of the

The ship in which Mr. Johnson and his lady embarked, taking Grandfather's chair along with them, was

called the Arbella, in honor of the lady herself. A fleet of ten or twelve vessels, with many hundred

passengers, left England about the same time; for a multitude of people, who were discontented with the

king's government and oppressed by the bishops, were flocking over to the New World. One of the vessels in

the fleet was that same Mayflower which had carried the Puritan Pilgrims to Plymouth. And now, my

children, I would have you fancy yourselves in the cabin of the good ship Arbella; because, if you could

behold the passengers aboard that vessel, you would feel what a blessing and honor it was for New England

Among the passengers was John Winthrop, who had sold the estate of his forefathers, and was going to

prepare a new home for his wife and children in the wilderness. He had the king's charter in his keeping, and

was appointed the first governor of Massachusetts. Imagine him a person of grave and benevolent aspect,

dressed in a black velvet suit, with a broad ruff around his neck, and a peaked beard upon his chin. {Foot

Note: There is a statue representing John Winthrop in Scollay Square in Boston. He holds the charter in his

hand, and a Bible is under his arm.} There was likewise a minister of the gospel whom the English bishops

had forbidden to preach, but who knew that he should have liberty both to preach and pray in the forests of

America. He wore a black cloak, called a Geneva cloak, and had a black velvet cap, fitting close to his head,

as was the fashion of almost all the Puritan clergymen. In their company came Sir Richard Saltonstall, who

had been one of the five first projectors of the new colony. He soon returned to his native country. But his

descendants still remain in New England; and the good old family name is as much respected in our days as it

Not only these, but several other men of wealth and pious ministers were in the cabin of the Arbella. One had

banished himself forever from the old hall where his ancestors had lived for hundreds of years. Another had

left his quiet parsonage, in a country town of England. Others had come from the Universities of Oxford or

Cambridge, where they had gained great fame for their learning. And here they all were, tossing upon the

uncertain and dangerous sea, and bound for a home that was more dangerous than even the sea itself. In the

cabin, likewise, sat the Lady Arbella in her chair, with a gentle and sweet expression on her face, but looking

Every morning and evening the Lady Arbella gave up her great chair to one of the ministers, who took his

place in it and read passages from the Bible to his companions. And thus, with prayers, and pious

conversation, and frequent singing of hymns, which the breezes caught from their lips and scattered far over

the desolate waves, they prosecuted their voyage, and sailed into the harbor of Salem in the month of June.

At that period there were but six or eight dwellings in the town; and these were miserable hovels, with roofs

of straw and wooden chimneys. The passengers in the fleet either built huts with bark and branches of trees,

or erected tents of cloth till they could provide themselves with better shelter. Many of them went to form a

settlement at Charlestown. It was thought fit that the Lady Arbella should tarry in Salem for a time; she was

probably received as a guest into the family of John Endicott. He was the chief person in the plantation, and

had the only comfortable house which the newcomers had beheld since they left England. So now, children,

Suppose it a hot summer's day, and the latticewindows of a chamber in Mr. Endicott's house thrown wide

open. The Lady Arbella, looking paler than she did on shipboard, is sitting in her chair, and thinking

mournfully of faroff England. She rises and goes to the window. There, amid patches Of garden ground and

cornfield, she sees the few wretched hovels of the settlers, with the still ruder wigwams and cloth tents of the

passengers who had arrived in the same fleet with herself. Far and near stretches the dismal forest of

pinetrees, which throw their black shadows over the whole land, and likewise over the heart of this poor

All the inhabitants of the little village are busy. One is clearing a spot on the verge of the forest for his

homestead; another is hewing the trunk of a fallen pinetree, in order to build himself a dwelling; a third is

hoeing in his field of Indian corn. Here comes a huntsman out of the woods, dragging a bear which he has

shot, and shouting to the neighbors to lend him a hand. There goes a man to the seashore, with a spade and a

bucket, to dig a mess of clams, which were a principal article of food with the first settlers. Scattered here and

there are two or three dusky figures, clad in mantles of fur, with ornaments of bone hanging from their ears,

and the feathers of wild birds in their coalblack hair. They have belts of shellwork slung across their

shoulders, and are armed with bows and arrows, and flintheaded spears. These are an Indian sagamore and

his attendants, who have come to gaze at the labors of the white men. And now rises a cry that a pack of

wolves have seized a young calf in the pasture; and every man snatches up his gun or pike and runs in chase

Poor Lady Arbella watches all these sights, and feels that this New World is fit only for rough and hardy

people. None should be here but those who can struggle with wild beasts and wild men, and can toil in the

heat or cold, and can keep their hearts firm against all difficulties and dangers. But she is not of these. Her

gentle and timid spirit sinks within her; and, turning away from the window, she sits down in the great chair

Mr. Johnson had gone, with Governor Winthrop and most of the other passengers, to Boston, where he

intended to build a house for Lady Arbella and himself. Boston was then covered with wild woods, and had

fewer inhabitants, even, than Salem. During her husband's absence, poor Lady Arbella felt herself growing

ill, and was hardly able to stir from the great chair. Whenever John Endicott noticed her despondency he

doubtless addressed her with words of comfort. "Cheer up, my good lady!" he would say.

"In a little time you will love this rude life of the wilderness as I do." But Endicott's heart was as bold and

resolute as iron, and he could not understand why a woman's heart should not be of iron too.

Still, however, he spoke kindly to the lady, and then hastened forth to till his cornfield and set out fruittrees,

or to bargain with the Indians for furs, or perchance to oversee the building of a fort. Also, being a magistrate,

he had often to punish some idler or evil doer, by ordering him to be set in the stocks or scourged at the

whippingpost. Often, too, as was the custom of the times, he and Mr. Higginson, the minister of Salem, held

long religious talks together. Thus John Endicott was a man of multifarious business, and had no time to look

back regretfully to his native land. He felt himself fit for the New World and for the work that he had to do,

What a contrast, my dear children, between this bold, rough, active man, and the gentle Lady Arbella, who

was fading away, like a pale English flower, in the shadow of the forest! And now the great chair was often

Meantime, her husband had pitched upon a spot for their new home. He returned from Boston to Salem,

travelling through the woods on foot, and leaning on his pilgrim's staff. His heart yearned within him; for he

was eager to tell his wife of the new home which he had chosen. But when he beheld her pale and hollow

cheek, and found how her strength was wasted, he must have known that her appointed home was in a better

land. Happy for him thenhappy both for him and herif they remembered that there was a path to heaven,

as well from this heathen wilderness as from the Christian land whence they had come. And so, in one short

month from her arrival, the gentle Lady Arbella faded away and died. They dug a grave for her in the new

soil, where the roots of the pinetrees impeded their spades; and when her bones had rested there nearly two

hundred years, and a city had sprung up around them, a church of stone was built upon the spot.

Charley, almost at the commencement of the foregoing narrative, had galloped away, with a prodigious

clatter, upon Grandfather's stick, and was not yet returned. So large a boy should have been ashamed to ride

upon a stick. But Laurence and Clara had listened attentively, and were affected by this true story of the

gentle lady who had come so far to die so soon. Grandfather had supposed that little Alice was asleep; but

towards the close of the story, happening to look down upon her, he saw that her blue eyes were wide open,

and fixed earnestly upon his face. The tears had gathered in them, like dew upon a delicate flower; but when

"Oh, the lady must have been so glad to get to heaven!" exclaimed little Alice. "Grandfather, what became of

"His heart appears to have been quite broken," answered Grandfather; "for he died at Boston within a month

after the death of his wife. He was buried in the very same tract of ground where he had intended to build a

dwelling for Lady Arbella and himself. Where their house would have stood, there was his grave."

"The people loved and respected Mr. Johnson so much," continued Grandfather, "that it was the last request

of many of them, when they died, that they might be buried as near as possible to this good man's grave. And

so the field became the first burial ground in Boston. When you pass through Tremont Street, along by King's

Chapel, you see a burialground, containing many old gravestones and monuments. That was Mr. Johnson's

"How sad is the thought," observed Clara, "that one of the first things which the settlers had to do, when they

"Perhaps," said Laurence, "if they had found no need of burialgrounds here, they would have been glad,

Grandfather looked at Laurence, to discover whether he knew how profound and true a thing he had said.

NOT long after Grandfather had told the story of his great chair, there chanced to be a rainy day. Our friend

Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase,

overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors

intolerable. But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood

with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture

Charley had already exhausted the less eager activity of the other children; and they had betaken themselves

to occupations that did not admit of his companionship. Laurence sat in a recess near the bookease, reading,

not for the first time, the Midsummer Night's Dream. Clara was making a rosary of beads for a little figure of

a Sister of Charity, who was to attend the Bunker Hill fair and lend her aid in erecting the Monument. Little

Alice sat on Grandfather's footstool, with a picture book in her hand; and, for every picture, the child was

telling Grandfather a story. She did not read from the book (for little Alice had not much skill in reading), but

Charley was too big a boy, of course, to care anything about little Alice's stories, although Grandfather

appeared to listen with a good deal of interest. Often in a young child's ideas and fancies, there, is something

which it requires the thought of a lifetime to comprehend. But Charley was of opinion that, if a story must be

Now, Grandfather remembered that Charley had galloped away upon a stick in the midst of the narrative of

poor Lady Arbella, and I know not whether he would have thought it worth while to tell another story merely

to gratify such an inattentive auditor as Charley. But Laurence laid down his book and seconded the request.

Clara drew her chair nearer to Grandfather; and little Alice immediately closed her picturebook and looked

He mentioned several persons who had a share in the settlement of our country, and who would be well

worthy of remembrance, if we could find room to tell about them all. Among the rest, Grandfather spoke of

the famous Hugh Peters, a minister of the gospel, who did much good to the inhabitants of Salem. Mr. Peters

afterwards went back to England, and was chaplain to Oliver Cromwell; but Grandfather did not tell the

children what became of this upright and zealous man at last. In fact, his auditors were growing impatient to

"After the death of Mr. Johnson," said he, "Grandfather's chair came into the possession of Roger Williams.

He was a clergyman, who arrived at Salem, and settled there in 1631. Doubtless the good man has spent

many a studious hour in this old chair, either penning a sermon or reading some abstruse book of theology,

till midnight came upon him unawares. At that period, as there were few lamps or candles to be had, people

used to read or work by the light of pitch. pine torches. These supplied the place of the 'midnight oil' to the

Grandfather went on to talk about Roger Williams, and told the children several particulars, which we have

"ROGER WILLIAMS," said Grandfather, "did not keep possession of the chair a great while. His opinions of

civil and religious matters differed, in many respects, from those of the rulers and clergymen of

Massachusetts. Now, the wise men of those days believed that the country could not be safe unless all the

"Possibly there are some who believe it," said Grandfather; "but they have not so much power to act upon

their belief as the magistrates and ministers had in the days of Roger Williams. They had the power to

deprive this good man of his home, and to send him out from the midst of them in search of a new place of

rest. He was banished in 1634, and went first to Plymouth colony; but as the people there held the same

opinions as those of Massachusetts, he was not suffered to remain among them. However, the wilderness was

wide enough; so Roger Williams took his staff and travelled into the forest and made treaties with the

"I have been to Providence on the railroad," said Charley. "It is but a twohours' ride."

"Yes, Charley," replied Grandfather; "but when Roger Williams travelled thither, over hills and valleys, and

through the tangled woods, and across swamps and streams, it was a journey of several days. Well, his little

plantation has now grown to be a populous city; and the inhabitants have a great veneration for Roger

Williams. His name is familiar in the mouths of all, because they see it on their bankbills. How it would

have perplexed this good clergyman if he had been told that he should give his name to the ROGER

"When he was driven from Massachusetts," said Lawrence, "and began his journey into the woods, he must

have felt as if he were burying himself forever from the sight and knowledge of men. Yet the whole country

"Yes," answered Grandfather; "it often happens that the outcasts of one generation are those who are

reverenced as the wisest and best of men by the next. The securest fame is that which comes after a man's

death. But let us return to our story. When Roger Williams was banished, he appears to have given the chair

to Mrs. Anne Hutchinson. At all events, it was in her possession in 1687. She was a very sharpwitted and

well instructed lady, and was so conscious of her own wisdom and abilities that she thought it a pity that the

world should not have the benefit of them. She therefore used to hold lectures in Boston once or twice a

week, at which most of the women attended. Mrs. Hutchinson presided at these meetings, sitting with great

"Grandfather, was it positively this very chair?" demanded Clara, laying her hand upon its carved elbow.

"Why not, my dear Clara?" said Grandfather. "Well, Mrs. Hutchinson's lectures soon caused a great

disturbance; for the ministers of Boston did not think it safe and proper that a woman should publicly instruct

the people in religious doctrines. Moreover, she made the matter worse by declaring that the Rev. Mr. Cotton

was the only sincerely pious and holy clergyman in New England. Now, the clergy of those days had quite as

much share in the government of the country, though indirectly, as the magistrates themselves; so you may

imagine what a host of powerful enemies were raised up against Mrs. Hutchinson. A synod was convened;

that is to say, an assemblage of all the ministers in Massachusetts. They declared that there were eightytwo

erroneous opinions on religious subjects diffused among the people, and that Mrs. Hutchinson's opinions

"If they had eightytwo wrong opinions," observed Charley, "I don't see how they could have any right

"Mrs. Hutchinson had many zealous friends and converts," continued Grandfather. "She was favored by

young Henry Vane, who had come over from England a year or two before, and had since been chosen

governor of the colony, at the age of twentyfour. But Winthrop and most of the other leading men, as well

as the ministers, felt an abhorrence of her doctrines. Thus two opposite parties were formed; and so fierce

were the dissensions that it was feared the consequence would be civil war and bloodshed. But Winthrop and

the ministers being the most powerful, they disarmed and imprisoned Mrs. Hutchinson's adherents. She, like

"Dear Grandfather, did they drive the poor woman into the woods?" exclaimed little Alice, who contrived to

"They did, my darling," replied Grandfather; "and the end of her life was so sad you must not hear it. At her

departure, it appears, from the best authorities, that she gave the great Chair to her friend Henry Vane. He

was a young man of wonderful talents and great learning, who had imbibed the religious opinions of the

Puritans, and left England with the intention of spending his life in Massachusetts. The people chose him

governor; but the controversy about Mrs. Hutchinson, and other troubles, caused him to leave country in

1637. You may read the subsequent events of his life in the History of England."

"Yes, Grandfather," cried Laurence; "and we may read them better in Mr. Upham�s biography of Vane. And

what a beautiful death he died, long afterwards! beautiful, though it was on a scaffold."

"Many of the most beautiful dear]as have been there," said Grandfather. "The enemies of a great and good

man can in no other way make him so glorious as by giving him the crown of martyrdom."

In order that the children might fully understand the allimportant history of the chair, Grandfather now

thought fit to speak of the progress that was made in settling several colonies. The settlement of Plymouth, in

1620, has already been mentioned. In 1635 Mr. Hooker and Mr. Stone, two ministers, went on foot from

Massachusetts to Connecticut, through the pathless woods, taking their whole congregation along with them.

They founded the town of Hartford. In 1638 Mr. Davenport, a very celebrated minister, went, with other

people, and began a plantation at New Haven. In the same year, some persons who had been persecuted in

Massachusetts went to the Isle of Rhodes, since called Rhode Island, and settled there. About this time, also,

many settlers had gone to Maine, and were living without any regular govern ment. There were likewise

settlers near Piscataqua River, in the region which is now called New Hampshire.

Thus, at various points along the coast of New England, there were communities of Englishmen. Though

these communities were independent of one another, yet they had a common dependence upon England; and,

at so vast a distance from their native home, the inhabitants must all have felt like brethren. They were fitted

to become one united People at a future period. Perhaps their feelings of brotherhood were the stronger

because different nations had formed settlements to the north and to the south. In Canada and Nova Scotia

were colonies of French. On the banks of the Hudson River was a colony of Dutch, who had taken possession

Grandfather, for aught I know, might have gone on to speak of Maryland and Virginia; for the good old

gentleman really seemed to suppose that the whole surface of the United States was not too broad a

foundation to place the four legs of his chair upon. But, happening to glance at Charley, he perceived that this

naughty boy was growing impatient and meditating another ride upon a stick. So here, for the present,

The children had now learned to look upon the chair with an interest which was almost the same as if it were

a conscious being, and could remember the many famous people whom it had held within its arms.

Even Charley, lawless as he was, seemed to feel that this venerable chair must not be clambered upon nor

overturned, although he had no scruple in taking such liberties With every other chair in the house. Clara

treated it with still greater reverence, often taking occasion to smooth its cushion, and to brush the dust from

the carved flowers and grotesque figures of its oaken back and arms. Laurence would sometimes sit a whole

hour, especially at twilight, gazing at the chair, and, by the spell of his imaginations, summoning up its

Little Alice evidently employed herself in a similar way; for once when Grandfather had gone abroad, the

child was heard talking with the gentle Lady Arbella, as if she were still sitting in the chair. So sweet a child

as little Alice may fitly talk with angels, such as the Lady Arbella had long since become.

Grandfather was soon importuned for more stories about the chair. He had no difficulty in relating them; for

it really seemed as if every person noted in our early history had, on some occasion or other, found repose

within its comfortable arms. If Grandfather took pride in anything, it was in being the possessor of such an

"I know not precisely who next got possession of the chair after Governor Vane went back to England," said

Grandfather. "But there is reason to believe that President Dunster sat in it, when he held the first

Commencement at Harvard College. You have often heard, children, how careful our forefathers were to give

their young people a good education. They had scarcely cut down trees enough to make room for their own

dwellings before they began to think of establishing a college. Their principal object was, to rear up pious and

learned ministers; and hence old writers call Harvard College a school of the prophets."

"It is a long while since I took my degree, Charley. You must ask some of the recent graduates," answered

Grandfather. "As I was telling you, President Dunster sat in Grandfather's chair in 1642, when he conferred

the degree of bachelor of arts on nine young men. They were the first in America who had received that

honor. And now, my dear auditors, I must confess that there are contradictory statements and some

uncertainty about the adventures of the chair for a period of almost ten years. Some say that it was occupied

by your own ancestor, William Hawthorne, first speaker of the House of Representatives. I have nearly

satisfied myself, however, that, during most of this questionable period, it was literally the chair of state. It

gives me much pleasure to imagine that several successive governors of Massachusetts sat in it at the council

"But, Grandfather," interposed Charley, who was a matteroffact little person, "what reason have you, to

"With Charley's permission, I will," replied Grandfather, smiling. "Let us consider it settled, therefore, that

Winthrop, Bellingham, Dudley, and Endicott, each of them, when chosen governor, took his seat in our great

chair on election day. In this chair, likewise, did those excellent governors preside while holding

consultations with the chief councillors of the province, who were styled assistants. The governor sat in this

chair, too, whenever messages were brought to him from the chamber of representatives."

And here Grandfather took occasion to talk rather tediously about the nature and forms of government that

established themselves, almost spontaneously, in Massachusetts and the other New England colonies.

Democracies were the natural growth of the New World. As to Massachusetts, it was at first intended that the

colony should be governed by a council in London. But in a little while the people had the whole power in

their own hands, and chose annually the governor, the councillors, and the representatives. The people of Old

England had never enjoyed anything like the liberties and privileges which the settlers of New England now

possessed. And they did not adopt these modes of government after long study, but in simplicity, as if there

"But, Laurence," continued Grandfather, "when you want instruction on these points, you must seek it in Mr.

Bancroft's History. I am merely telling the history of a chair. To proceed. The period during which the

governors sat in our chair was not very full of striking incidents. The province was now established on a

secure foundation; but it did not increase so rapidly as at first, because the Puritans were no longer driven

from England by persecution. However, there was still a quiet and natural growth. The Legislature

incorporated towns, and made new purchases of lands from the Indians. A very memorable event took place

in 1643. The colonies of Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven formed a union, for the

purpose of assisting each other in difficulties, for mutual defence against their enemies. They called

"Were they under a government like that of the United States?" inquired Laurence.

"No," replied Grandfather; "the different colonies did not compose one nation together; it was merely a

confederacy among the governments: It somewhat resembled the league of the Amphictyons, which you

remember in Grecian history. But to return to our chair. In 1644 it was highly honored; for Governor Endicott

sat in it when he gave audience to an ambassador from the French governor of Acadia, or Nova Scotia. A

"Did England allow Massachusetts to make war and peace with foreign countries?" asked Laurence.

"Massachusetts and the whole of New England was then almost independent of the mother country," said

Grandfather. "There was now a civil war in England; and the king, as you may well suppose, had his hands

full at home, and could pay but little attention to these remote colonies. When the Parliament got the power

into their hands, they likewise had enough to do in keeping down the Cavaliers. Thus New England, like a

young and hardy lad whose father and mother neglect it, was left to take care of itself. In 1649 King Charles

was beheaded. Oliver Cromwell then became Protector of England; and as he was a Puritan himself, and had

risen by the valor of the English Puritans, he showed himself a loving and indulgent father to the Puritan

Grandfather might have continued to talk in this dull manner nobody knows how long; but suspecting that

Charley would find the subject rather dry, he looked sidewise at that vivacious little fellow, and saw him give

an involuntary yawn. Whereupon Grandfather proceeded with the history of the chair, and related a very

"ACCORDING to the most authentic records, my dear children," said Grandfather, "the chair, about this

time, had the misfortune to break its leg. It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the

seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the

commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs. Being therefore sold at auction,alas I what

a vicissitude for a chair that had figured in such high company!our venerable friend was knocked down to

a certain Captain John Hull. This old gentleman, on carefully examining the maimed chair, discovered that its

"Here is the very leg that was broken!" exclaimed Charley, throwing himself down on the floor to look at it.

When they had all sufficiently examined the broken leg, Grandfather told them a story about Captain John

The Captain John Hull aforesaid was the mintmaster of Massachusetts, and coined all the money that was

made there. This was a new line of business, for, in the earlier days of the colony, the current coinage

consisted of gold and silver money of England, Portugal, and Spain. These coins being scarce, the people

For instance, if a man wanted to buy a coat, he perhaps exchanged a bearskin for it. If he wished for a barrel

of molasses, he might purchase it with a pile of pine boards. Musketbullets were used instead of farthings.

The Indians had a sort of money, called wampum, which was made of clamshells; and this strange sort of

specie was likewise taken in payment of debts by the English settlers. Bankbills had never been heard of.

There was not money enough of any kind, in many parts of the country, to pay the salaries of the ministers; so

that they sometimes had to take quintals of fish, bushels of corn, or cords of wood, instead of silver or gold.

As the people grew more numerous, and their trade one with another increased, the want of current money

was still more sensibly felt. To supply the demand, the General Court passed a law for establishing a coinage

of shillings, sixpences, and threepences. Captain John Hull was appointed to manufacture this money, and

was to have about one shilling out of every twenty to pay him for the trouble of making them.

Hereupon all the old silver in the colony was handed over to Captain John Hull. The battered silver cans and

tankards, I suppose, and silver buckles, and broken spoons, and silver buttons of wornout coats, and silver

hilts of swords that had figured at court, all such curious old articles were doubtless thrown into the

meltingpot together. But by far the greater part of the silver consisted of bullion from the mines of South

America, which the English buccaneerswho were little better than pirateshad taken from the Spaniards

All this old and new silver being melted down and coined, the result was an immense amount of splendid

shillings, sixpences, and threepences. Each had the date, 1652, on the one side, and the figure of a pinetree

on the other. Hence they were called pinetree shillings. And for every twenty shillings that he coined, you

will remember, Captain John Hull was entitled to put one shilling into his own pocket.

The magistrates soon began to suspect that the mint master would have the best of the bargain. They offered

him a large sum of money if he would but give up that twentieth shilling which he was continually dropping

into his own pocket. But Captain Hull declared himself perfectly satisfied with the shilling. And well he

might be; for so diligently did he labor, that, in a few years, his pockets, his money bags, and his strong box

were overflowing with pinetree shillings. This was probably the case when he came into possession of

Grandfather's chair; and, as he had worked so hard at the mint, it was certainly proper that he should have a

When the mintmaster had grown very rich, a young man, Samuel Sewall by name, came acourting to his

only daughter. His daughterwhose name I do not know, but we will call her Betseywas a fine, hearty

damsel, by no means so slender as some young ladies of our own days. On the contrary, having always fed

heartily on pumpkinpies, doughnuts, Indian puddings, and other Puritan dainties, she was as round and

plump as a pudding herself. With this round, rosy Miss Betsey did Samuel Sewall fall in love. As he was a

young man of good character, industrious in his business, and a member of the church, the mintmaster very

"Yes, you may take her," said he, in his rough way, "and you'll find her a heavy burden enough!"

On the wedding day, we may suppose that honest John Hull dressed himself in a plumcolored coat, all the

buttons of which were made of pinetree shillings. The buttons of his waistcoat were sixpences; and the

knees of his smallclothes were buttoned with silver threepences. Thus attired, he sat with great dignity in

Grandfather's chair; and, being a portly old gentleman, he completely filled it from elbow to elbow. On the

opposite side of the room, between her bridemaids, sat Miss Betsey. She was blushing with all her might,

There, too, was the bridegroom, dressed in a fine purple coat and gold lace waistcoat, with as much other

finery as the Puritan laws and customs would allow him to put on. His hair was cropped close to his head,

because Governor Endicott had forbidden any man to wear it below the ears. But he was a very personable

The mintmaster also was pleased with his new Soninlaw; especially as he had courted Miss Betsey out of

pure love, and had said nothing at all about her portion. So, when the marriage ceremony was over, Captain

Hull whispered a word to two of his menservants, who immediately went out, and soon returned, lugging in

a large pair of scales. They were such a pair as wholesale merchants use for weighing bulky commodities;

Miss Betseyor Mrs. Sewall, as we must now call herdid as she was bid, like a dutiful child, without any

question of the why and wherefore. But what her father could mean, unless to make her husband pay for her

by the pound (in which case she would have been a dear bargain), she had not the least idea.

The box to which the mintmaster pointed was a huge, square, ironbound, oaken chest; it was big enough,

my children, for all four of you to play at hideandseek in. The servants tugged with might and main, but

could not lift this enormous receptacle, and were finally obliged to drag it across the floor. Captain Hull then

took a key from his girdle, unlocked the chest, and lifted its ponderous lid. Behold! it was full to the brim of

bright pinetree shillings, fresh from the mint; and Samuel Sewall began to think that his fatherinlaw had

got possession of all the money in the Massachusetts treasury. But it was only the mintmaster's honest share

Then the servants, at Captain Hull's command, heaped double handfuls of shillings into one side of the scales,

while Betsey remained in the other. Jingle, jingle, went the shillings, as handful after handful was thrown in,

till, plump and ponderous as she was, they fairly weighed the young lady from the floor.

"There, son Sewall!" cried the honest mintmaster, resuming his seat in Grandfather's chair, "take these

shillings for my daughter's portion. Use her kindly, and thank Heaven for her. It is not every wife that's worth

The children laughed heartily at this legend, and would hardly be convinced but that Grandfather had made it

out of his own head. He assured them faithfully, however, that he had found it in the pages of a grave

historian, and had merely tried to tell it in a somewhat funnier style. As for Samuel Sewall, he afterwards

"Well, Grandfather," remarked Clara, "if wedding portions nowadays were paid as Miss Betsey's was, young

WHEN his little audience next assembled round the chair, Grandfather gave them a doleful history of the

Quaker persecution, which began in 1656, and raged for about three years in Massachusetts.

He told them how, in the first place, twelve of the converts of George Fox, the first Quaker in the world, had

come over from England. They seemed to be impelled by an earnest love for the souls of men, and a pure

desire to make known what they considered a revelation from Heaven. But the rulers looked upon them as

plotting the downfall of all government and religion. They were banished from the colony. In a little while,

however, not only the first twelve had returned, but a multitude of other Quakers had come to rebuke the

Grandfather described the hatred and scorn with which these enthusiasts were received. They were thrown

into dungeons; they were beaten with many stripes, women as well as men; they were driven forth into the

wilderness, and left to the tender mercies of tender mercies of wild beasts and Indians. The children were

amazed hear that the more the Quakers were scourged, and imprisoned, and banished, the more did the sect

increase, both by the influx of strangers and by converts from among the Puritans, But Grandfather told them

that God had put something into the soul of man, which always turned the cruelties of the persecutor to

He went on to relate that, in 1659, two Quakers, named William Robinson and Marmaduke Stephenson,

were hanged at Boston. A woman had been sen tenced to die with them, but was reprieved on condition of

her leaving the colony. Her name was Mary Dyer. In the year 1660 she returned to Boston, although she

knew death awaited her there; and, if Grandfather had been correctly informed, an incident had then taken

place which connects her with our story. This Mary Dyer had entered the mint master's dwelling, clothed in

sackcloth and ashes, and seated herself in our great chair with a sort of dignity and state. Then she proceeded

to deliver what she called a message from Heaven, but in the midst of it they dragged her to prison.

"Grandfather," cried Charley, clinching his fist, "I would have fought for that poor Quaker woman!"

"Ah, but if a sword had been drawn for her," said Laurence, "it would have taken away all the beauty of her

It seemed as if hardly any of the preceding stories had thrown such an interest around Grandfather's chair as

did the fact that the poor, persecuted, wandering Quaker woman had rested in it for a moment. The children

were so much excited that Grandfather found it necessary to bring his account of the persecution to a close.

"In 1660, the same year in which Mary Dyer was executed," said he, "Charles II. was restored to the throne of

his fathers. This king had many vices; but he would not permit blood to be shed, under pretence of religion,

in any part of his dominions. The Quakers in England told him what had been done to their brethren in

Massachusetts; and he sent orders to Governor Endicott to forbear all such proceedings in future. And so

ended the Quaker persecution,one of the most mournful passages in the history of our forefathers."

Grandfather then told his auditors, that, shortly after the above incident, the great chair had been given by the

mintmaster to the Rev. Mr. John Eliot. He was the first minister of Roxbury. But besides attending to the

pastoral duties there, he learned the language of the red men, and often went into the woods to preach to

them. So earnestly did he labor for their conversion that he has always been called the apostle to the Indians.

The mention of this holy man suggested to Grandfather the propriety of giving a brief sketch of the history of

A short period before the arrival of the first Pilgrims at Plymouth there had been a very grievous plague

among the red men; and the sages and ministers of that day were inclined to the opinion that Providence had

sent this mortality in order to make room for the settlement of the English. But I know not why we should

suppose that an Indian's life is less precious, in the eye of Heaven, than that of a white man. Be that as it may,

In many places the English found the wigwams deserted and the cornfields growing to waste, with none to

harvest the grain. There were heaps of earth also, which, being dug open, proved to be Indian graves,

containing bows and flintheaded spears and arrows; for the Indians buried the dead warrior's weapons along

with him. In some spots there were skulls and other human bones lying unburied. In 1633, and the year

afterwards, the smallpox broke out among the Massachusetts Indians, multitudes of whom died by this

terrible disease of the Old World. These misfortunes made them far less powerful than they had formerly

For nearly half a century after the arrival of the English the red men showed themselves generally inclined to

peace and amity. They often made submission when they might have made successful war. The Plymouth

settlers, led by the famous Captain Miles Standish, slew some of them, in 1623, without any very evident

necessity for so doing. In 1636, and the following year, there was the most dreadful war that had yet occurred

between the Indians and the English. The Connecticut settlers, assisted by a celebrated Indian chief named

Uncas, bore the brunt of this war, with but little aid from Massachusetts. Many hundreds of the hostile

Indians were slain or burned in their wigwams. Sassacus, their sachem, fled to another tribe, after his own

people were defeated; but he was murdered by them, and his head was sent to his English enemies.

From that period down to the time of King Philip's War, which will be mentioned hereafter, there was not

much trouble with the Indians. But the colonists were always on their guard, and kept their weapons ready for

"I have sometimes doubted," said Grandfather, when he had told these things to the Children, "I have

sometimes doubted whether there was more than a single man among our forefathers who realized that an

Indian possesses a mind, and a heart, and an immortal soul. That single man was John Eliot. All the rest of

the early settlers seemed to think that the Indians were an inferior race of beings, whom the Creator had

merely allowed to keep possession of this beautiful country till the white men should be in want of it."

"Did the pious men of those days never try to make Christian of them?" asked Laurence. "Sometimes, it is

true," answered Grandfather, "the magistrates and ministers would talk about civilizing and converting the

red people. But, at the bottom of their hearts, they would have had almost as much expectation of civilizing

the wild bear of the woods and making him fit for paradise. They felt no faith in the success of any such

attempts, because they had no love for the poor Indians. Now, Eliot was full of love for them; and therefore

so full of faith and hope that he spent the labor of a lifetime in their behalf."

"Ah, Charley, there spoke the very spirit of our forefathers." replied Grandfather. "But Mr. Eliot a better

spirit. He looked upon them as his brethren. He persuaded as many of them as he could to leave off their idle

and wandering habits, and to build houses and cultivate the earth, as the English did. He established schools

among them and taught many of the Indians how to read. He taught them, likewise, how to pray. Hence they

were called 'praying Indians.' Finally, having spent the best years of his life for their good, Mr. Eliot resolved

"He sat down in his study," continued Grandfather, "and began a translation of the Bible into the Indian

tongue. It was while he was engaged in this pious work that the mintmaster gave him our great chair. His

"O Grandfather, tell us all about that Indian Bible!" exclaimed Laurence. "I have seen it in the library of the

Athenaeum; and the tears came into my eyes to think that there were no Indians left to read it."

As Grandfather was a great admirer of the apostle Eliot, he was glad to comply with the earnest request

which Laurence had made at the close of the last chapter. So he proceeded to describe how good Mr. Eliot

My dear children, what a task would you think it, even with a long lifetime before you, were you bidden to

copy every chapter, and verse, and word, in yonder family Bible! Would not this be a heavy toil? But if the

task were, not to write off the English Bible, but to learn a language utterly unlike all other tongues, a

language which hitherto had never been learned, except by the Indians themselves, from their mothers'

lips,a language never written, and the strange words of which seemed inexpressible by letters,if the task

were, first to learn this new variety of speech, and then to translate the Bible into it, and to do it so carefully

that not one idea throughout the holy book should be changed,what would induce you to undertake this

It was a mighty work for a man, now growing old, to take upon himself. And what earthly reward could he

expect from it? None; no reward on earth. But he believed that the red men were the descendants of those lost

tribes of Israel of whom history has been able to tell us nothing for thousands of years. He hoped that God

had sent the English across the ocean, Gentiles as they were, to enlighten this benighted portion of his once

chosen race. And when he should be summoned hence, he trusted to meet blessed spirits in another world,

whose bliss would have been earned by his patient toil in translating the word of God. This hope and trust

Sometimes, while thus at work, he was visited by learned men, who desired to know what literary

undertaking Mr. Eliot had in hand. They, like himself, had been bred in the studious cloisters of a university,

and were supposed to possess all the erudition which mankind has hoarded up from age to age. Greek and

Latin were as familiar to them as the bab ble of their childhood. Hebrew was like their mother tongue. They

had grown gray in study; their eyes were bleared with poring over print and manuscript by the light of the

And yet, how much had they left unlearned! Mr. Eliot would put into their hands some of the pages which he

had been writing; and behold! the grayheaded men stammered over the long, strange words, like a little

child in his first attempts to read. Then would the apostle call to him an Indian boy, one of his scholars, and

"Read this, my child," would he say; "these are some brethren of mine, who would fain hear the sound of thy

Then would the Indian boy cast his eyes over the mysterious page, and read it so skilfully that it sounded like

wild music. It seemed as if the forest leaves were singing in the ears of his auditors, and as the roar of distant

streams were poured through the young Indian's voice. Such were the sounds amid which the language of the

The lesson being over, Mr. Eliot would give the Indian boy an apple or a cake, and bid him leap forth into the

open air which his free nature loved. The Apostle was kind to children, and even shared in their sports

sometimes. And when his visitors had bidden him farewell, the good man turned patiently to his toil again.

No other Englishman had ever understood the Indian character so well, nor possessed so great an influence

over the New England tribes, as the apostle did. His advice and assistance must often have been valuable to

his countrymen in their transactions with the Indians. Occasionally, perhaps, the governor and some of the

councillors came to visit Mr. Eliot. Perchance they were seeking some method to circumvent the forest

people. They inquired, it may be, how they could obtain possession of such and such a tract of their rich land.

Or they talked of making the Indians their servants; as if God had destined them for perpetual bondage to the

Perhaps, too, some warlike captain, dressed in his buff coat, with a corselet beneath it, accompanied the

governor and councillors. Laying his hand upon his sword hilt, he would declare that the only method of

dealing with the red men was to meet them with the sword drawn and the musket presented.

But the apostle resisted both the craft of the politician and the fierceness of the warrior.

"Treat these sons of the forest as men and brethren,'' he would say; "and let us endeavor to make them

Christians. Their forefathers were of that chosen race whom God delivered from Egyptian bondage.

Perchance he has destined us to deliver the children from the more cruel bondage of ignorance and idolatry.

When these other visitors were gone, Mr. Eliot bent himself again over the halfwritten page. He dared

hardly relax a moment from his toil. He felt that, in the book which he was translating, there was a deep

human as well as heavenly wisdom, which would of itself suffice to civilize and refine the savage tribes. Let

the Bible be diffused among them, and all earthly good would follow. But how slight a consideration was

this, when he reflected that the eternal welfare of a whole race of men depended upon his accomplishment of

the task which he had set himself! What if his hands should be palsied? What if his mind should lose its

vigor? What if death should come upon him ere the work were done? Then must the red man wander in the

Impelled by such thoughts as these, he sat writing in the great chair when the pleasant summer breeze came

in through his open casement; and also when the fire of forest logs sent up its blaze and smoke, through the

broad stone chimney, into the wintry air. Before the earliest bird sang in the morning the apostle's lamp was

kindled; and, at midnight, his weary head was not yet upon its pillow. And at length, leaning back in the great

It was finished. Here was a Bible for the Indians. Those longlost descendants of the ten tribes of Israel

would now learn the history of their forefathers. That grace which the ancient Israelites had forfeited was

There is no impiety in believing that, when his long life was over, the apostle of the Indians was welcomed to

the celestial abodes by the prophets of ancient days and by those earliest apostles and evangelists who had

drawn their inspiration from the immediate presence of the Saviour. They first had preached truth and

salvation to the world. And Eliot, separated from them by many centuries, yet full of the same spirit, has

borne the like message to the New World of the west. Since the first days of Christianity, there has been no

"My heart is not satisfied to think," observed Laurence, "that Mr. Eliot's labors have done no good except to a

few Indians of his own time. Doubtless he would not have regretted his toil, if it were the means of saving but

a single soul. But it is a grievous thing to me that he should have toiled so hard to translate the Bible, and

now the language and the people are gone! The Indian Bible itself is almost the only relic of both."

"Laurence," said his Grandfather, "if ever you should doubt that man is capable of disinterested zeal for his

brother's good, then remember how the apostle Eliot toiled. And if you should feel your own selfinterest

pressing upon your heart too closely, then think of Eliot's Indian Bible. It is good for the world that such a

The tears gushed into the eyes of Laurence, and he acknowledged that Eliot had not toiled in vain. Little

Alice put up her arms to Grandfather, and drew down his white head beside her own golden locks.

And, doubtless, good Mr. Eliot would gladly receive the kiss of so sweet a child as little Alice, and would

Grandfather now observed that Dr. Francis had written a very beautiful Life of Eliot, which he advised

Laurence to peruse. He then spoke of King Philip's War, which began in 1675, and terminated with the death

of King Philip, in the following year. Philip was a proud, fierce Indian, whom Mr. Eliot had vainly

"It must have been a great anguish to the apostle," continued Grandfather, "to hear of mutual slaughter and

outrage between his own countrymen and those for whom he felt the affection of a father. A few of the

praying Indians joined the followers of King Philip. A greater number fought on the side of the English. In

the course of the war the little community of red people whom Mr. Eliot had begun to civilize was scattered,

and probably never was restored to a flourishing condition. But his zeal did not grow cold; and only about

five years before his death he took great pains in preparing a new edition of the Indian Bible."

"I do wish, Grandfather," cried Charley, "you would tell us all about the battles in King Philip's War."

"Oh no!" exclaimed Clara. "Who wants to hear about tomahawks and scalping knives?"

"No, Charley," replied Grandfather, "I have no time to spare in talking about battles. You must be content

with knowing that it was the bloodiest war that the Indians had ever waged against the white men; and that, at

"Their most noted captain was Benjamin Church, a very famous warrior," said Grandfather. "But I assure

you, Charley, that neither Captain Church, nor any of the officers and soldiers who fought in King Philip's

War, did anything a thousandth part so glorious as Mr. Eliot did when he translated the Bible for the Indians."

"Let Laurence be the apostle," said Charley to himself, "and I will be the captain."

The children were now accustomed to assemble round Grandfather's chair at all their unoccupied moments;

and often it was a striking picture to behold the whiteheaded old sire, with this flowery wreath of young

people around him. When he talked to them, it was the past speaking to the present, or rather to the

future,for the children were of a generation which had not become actual. Their part in life, thus far, was

only to be happy and to draw knowledge from a thousand sources. As yet, it was not their time to do.

Sometimes, as Grandfather gazed at their fair, unworldly countenances, a mist of tears bedimmed his

spectacles. He almost regretted that it was necessary for them to know anything of the past or to provide

aught for the future. He could have wished that they might be always the happy, youthful creatures who had

hitherto sported around his chair, without inquiring whether it had a history. It grieved him to think that his

little Alice, who was a flower bud fresh from paradise, must open her leaves to the rough breezes of the

world, or ever open them in any clime. So sweet a child she was, that it seemed fit her infancy should be

But such repinings were merely flitting shadows across the old man's heart. He had faith enough to believe,

and wisdom enough to know, that the bloom of the flower would be even holier and happier than its bud.

Even within himself, though Grandfather was now at that period of life when the veil of mortality is apt to

hang heavily over the soul, still, in his inmost being he was conscious of something that he would not have

exchanged for the best happiness of childhood. It was a bliss to which every sort of earthly experienceall

that he had enjoyed, or suffered or seen, or heard, or acted, with the broodings of his soul upon the

wholehad contributed somewhat. In the same manner must a bliss, of which now they could have no

conception, grow up within these children, and form a part of their sustenance for immortality.

So Grandfather, with renewed cheerfulness, continued his history of the chair, trusting that a profounder

wisdom than his own would extract, from these flowers and weeds of Time, a fragrance that might last

At this period of the story Grandfather threw a glance backward as far as the year 1660. He spoke of the

illconcealed reluctance with which the Puritans in America had acknowledged the sway of Charles II. on his

restoration to his father's throne. When death had stricken Oliver Cromwell, that mighty protector had no

sincerer mourners than in New England. The new king had been more than a year upon the throne before his

accession was proclaimed in Boston, although the neglect to perform the ceremony might have subjected the

During the reign of Charles II., however, the American colonies had but little reason to complain of harsh or

tyrannical treatment. But when Charles died, in 1685, and was succeeded by his brother James, the patriarchs

of New England began to tremble. King James was known to be of an arbitrary temper. It was feared by the

Puritans that he would assume despotic power. Our forefathers felt that they had no security either for their

The result proved that they had reason for their apprehensions. King James caused the charters of all the

American colonies to be taken away. The old charter of Massachusetts, which the people regarded as a holy

thing and as the foundation of all their liberties, was declared void. The colonists were now no longer

freemen; they were entirely dependent on the king's pleasure. At first, in 1685, King James appointed Joseph

Dudley, a native of Massachusetts, to be president of New England. But soon afterwards, Sir Edmund

Andros, an officer of the English army, arrived, with a commission to be governorgeneral of New England

The king had given such powers to Sir Edmund Andros that there was now no liberty, nor scarcely any law,

in the colonies over which he ruled. The inhabitants were not allowed to choose representatives, and

consequently had no voice whatever in the government, nor control over the measures that were adopted. The

councillors with whom the governor consulted on matters of state were appointed by himself. This sort of

"The people suffered much wrong while Sir Edmund Andros ruled over them," continued Grandfather; "and

they were apprehensive of much more. He had brought some soldiers with him from England, who took

possession of the old fortress on Castle Island and of the fortification on Fort Hill. Sometimes it was rumored

that a general massacre of the inhabitants was to be perpetrated by these soldiers. There were reports, too, that

"Because they were the leaders of the people, Charley," said Grandfather. "A minister was a more formidable

man than a general, in those days. Well, while these things were going on in America, King James had so

misgoverned the people of England that they sent over to Holland for the Prince of Orange. He had married

the king's daughter, and was therefore considered to have a claim to the crown. On his arrival in England, the

Prince of Orange was proclaimed king, by the name of William III. Poor old King James made his escape to

Grandfather told how, at the first intelligence of the landing of the Prince of Orange in England, the people of

Massachusetts rose in their strength and overthrew the government of Sir Edmund Andros. He, with Joseph

Dudley, Edmund Randolph, and his other principal adherents, was thrown into prison. Old Simon Bradstreet,

who had been governor when King James took away the charter, was called by the people to govern them

"Governor Bradstreet was a venerable old man, nearly ninety years of age," said Grandfather. "He came over

with the first settlers, and had been the intimate companion of all those excellent and famous men who laid

the foundation of our country. They were all gone before him to the grave, and Bradstreet was the last of the

Grandfather paused a moment and smiled, as if he had something very interesting to tell his auditors. He then

"And now, Laurence,now, Clara,now, Charley,now, my dear little Alice,what chair do you think

had been placed in the council chamber, for old Governor Bradstreet to take his seat in? Would you believe

that it was this very chair in which Grandfather now sits, and of which he is telling you the history?"

"I am glad to hear it, with all my heart!" cried Charley, after a shout of delight. "I thought Grandfather had

"It was a solemn and affecting sight," said Grandfather, "when this venerable patriarch, with his white beard

flowing down upon his breast, took his seat in his chair of state. Within his remembrance, and even since his

mature age, the site where now stood the populous town had been a wild and forestcovered peninsula. The

province, now so fertile and spotted with thriving villages, had been a desert wilderness. He was surrounded

by a shouting multitude, most of whom had been born in the country which he had helped to found. They

were of one generation, and he of another. As the old man looked upon them, and beheld new faces

everywhere, he must have felt that it was now time for him to go whither his brethren had gone before him."

"All of them," replied Grandfather. "Winthrop had been dead forty years. Endicott died, a very old man, in

1665. Sir Henry Vane was beheaded, in London, at the beginning of the reign of Charles II. And Haynes,

Dudley, Bellingham, and Leverett, who had all been governors of Massachusetts, were now likewise in their

graves. Old Simon Bradstreet was the sole representative of that departed brotherhood. There was no other

public man remaining to connect the ancient system of government and manners with the new system which

"I am sorry for it!" observed Laurence; "for though they were so stern, yet it seems to me that there was

something warm and real about them. I think, Grandfather, that each of these old governors should have his

statue set up in our State House, Sculptured out of the hardest of New England granite."

"It would not be amiss, Laurence," said Grandfather; "but perhaps clay, or some other perishable material,

might suffice for some of their successors. But let us go back to our chair. It was occupied by Governor

Bradstreet from April, 1689, until May, 1692. Sir William Phips then arrived in Boston with a new charter

"AND what became of the chair?" inquired Clara, "The outward aspect of our chair," replied Grandfather,

"was now somewhat the worse for its long and arduous services. It was considered hardly magnificent

enough to be allowed to keep its place in the council chamber of Massachusetts. In fact, it was banished as an

article of useless lumber. But Sir William Phips happened to see it, and, being much pleased with its

construction, resolved to take the good old chair into his private mansion. Accordingly, with his own

gubernatorial hands, he repaired one of its arms, which had been slightly damaged."

"Why, Grandfather, here is the very arm!" interrupted Charley, in great wonderment. "And did Sir William

Phips put in these screws with his own hands? I am sure he did it beautifully! But how came a governor to

"I will tell you a story about the early life of Sir William Phips," said Grandfather. "You will then perceive

Picture to yourselves, my dear children, a handsome, oldfashioned room, with a large, open cupboard at one

end, in which is displayed a magnificent gold cup, with some other splendid articles of gold and silver plate.

In another part of the room, opposite to a tall looking glass, stands our beloved chair, newly polished, and

In the chair sits a man of strong and sturdy frame, whose face has been roughened by northern tempests and

blackened by the burning sun of the West Indies. He wears an immense periwig, flowing down over his

shoulders. His coat has a wide embroidery of golden foliage; and his waistcoat, likewise, is all flowered over

and bedizened with gold. His red, rough hands, which have done many a good day's work with the hammer

and adze, are half covered by the delicate lace ruffles at his wrists. On a table lies his silverhilted sword; and

in a corner of the room stands his goldheaded cane, made of a beautifully polished West India wood.

Somewhat such an aspect as this did Sir William Phips present when he sat in Grandfather's chair after the

king had appointed him governor of Massachusetts. Truly there was need that the old chair should be

varnished and decorated with a crimson cushion, in order to make it suitable for such a magnificentlooking

But Sir William Phips had not always worn a goldembroidered coat, nor always sat so much at his ease as

he did in Grandfather's chair. He was a poor man's son, and was born in the province of Maine, where he used

to tend sheep upon the hills in his boyhood and youth. Until he had grown to be a man, he did not even know

how to read and write. Tired of tending sheep, he next apprenticed himself to a shipcarpenter, and spent

about four years in hewing the crooked limbs of oaktrees into knees for vessels.

In 1673, when he was twentytwo years old, he came to Boston, and soon afterwards was married to a widow

lady, who had property enough to set him up in business. It was not long, however, before he lost all the

money that he had acquired by his marriage, and became a poor man again. Still he was not discouraged. He

often told his wife that, some time or other, he should be very rich, and would build a "fair brick house" in the

Do not suppose, children, that he had been to a fortuneteller to inquire his destiny. It was his own energy

and spirit of enterprise, and his resolution to lead an industrious life, that made him look forward with so

Several years passed away, and William Phips had not yet gained the riches which he promised to himself.

During this time he had begun to follow the sea for a living. In the year 1684 he happened to hear of a

Spanish ship which had been cast away near the Bahama Islands, and which was supposed to contain a great

deal of gold and silver. Phips went to the place in a small vessel, hoping that he should be able to recover

some of the treasure from the wreck. He did not succeed, however, in fishing up gold and silver enough to

But, before he returned, he was told of another Spanish ship, or galleon, which had been east away near Porto

de la Plata. She had now lain as much as fifty years beneath the waves. This old ship had been laden with

immense wealth; and, hitherto, nobody had thought of the possibility of recovering any part of it from the

deep sea which was rolling and tossing it about. But though it was now an old story, and the most aged

people had almost forgotten that such a vessel had been wrecked, William Phips resolved that the sunken

He went to London and obtained admittance to King James, who had not yet been driven from his throne. He

told the king of the vast wealth that was lying at the bottom of the sea. King James listened with attention,

and thought this a fine opportunity to fill his treasury with Spanish gold. He appointed William Phips to be

captain of a vessel, called the Rose Algier, carrying eighteen guns and ninetyfive men. So now he was

Captain Phips sailed from England in the Rose Algier, and cruised for nearly two years in the West Indies,

endeavoring to find the wreck of the Spanish ship. But the sea is so wide and deep that it is no easy matter to

discover the exact spot where a sunken vessel lies. The prospect of success seemed very small; and most

people would have thought that Captain Phips was as far from having money enough to build a "fair brick

The seamen of the Rose Algier became discouraged, and gave up all hope of making their fortunes by

discovering the Spanish wreck. They wanted to compel Captain Phips to turn pirate. There was a much better

prospect, they thought, of growing rich by plundering vessels which still sailed in the sea than by seeking for

a ship that had lain beneath the waves full half a century. They broke out in open mutiny; but were finally

mastered by Phips, and compelled to obey his orders. It would have been dangerous, however, to continue

much longer at sea with such a crew of mutinous sailors; and, besides, the Rose Algier was leaky and

Before leaving the West Indies, he met with a Spaniard, an old man, who remembered the wreck of the

Spanish ship, and gave him directions how to find the very spot. It was on a reef of rocks, a few leagues from

On his arrival in England, therefore, Captain Phips solicited the king to let him have another vessel and send

him back again to the West Indies. But King James, who had probably expected that the Rose Algier would

return laden with gold, refused to have anything more to do with the affair. Phips might never have been able

to renew the search if the Duke of Albemarle and some other noblemen had not lent their assistance. They

fitted out a ship, and gave the command to Captain Phips. He sailed from England, and arrived safely at Porto

The boat was intended for the purpose of going closer to the reef of rocks than a large vessel could safely

venture. When it was finished, the captain sent several men in it to examine the spot where the Spanish ship

was said to have been wrecked. They were accompanied by some Indians, who were skilful divers, and could

The boat's crew proceeded to the reef of rocks, and rowed round and round it a great many times. They gazed

down into the water, which was so transparent that it seemed as if they could have seen the gold and silver at

the bottom, had there been any of those precious metals there. Nothing, however, could they see, nothing

more valuable than a curious sea shrub, which was growing beneath the water, in a crevice of the reef of

rocks. It flaunted to and fro with the swell and reflux of the waves, and looked as bright and beautiful as if its

"We won't go back emptyhanded," cried an English sailor; and then he spoke to one of the Indian divers.

"Dive down and bring me that pretty sea shrub there. That's the only treasure we shall find."

Down plunged the diver, and soon rose dripping from the water, holding the sea shrub in his hand. But he had

"There are some ship's guns," said he, the moment he had drawn breath, "some great cannon, among the

No sooner had he spoken than the English sailors knew that they had found the very spot where the Spanish

galleon had been wrecked, so many years before. The other Indian divers immediately plunged over the

boat's side and swam headlong down, groping among the rocks and sunken cannon. In a few moments one of

them rose above the water with a heavy lump of silver in his arms. The single lump was worth more than a

thousand dollars. The sailors took it into the boat, and then rowed back as speedily as they could, being in

But, confidently as the captain had hoped to find the Spanish wreck, yet, now that it was really found, the

news seemed too good to be true. He could not believe it till the sailors showed him the lump of silver.

"Thanks be to God!" then cries Captain Phips "We shall every man of us make our fortunes!"

Hereupon the captain and all the crew set to work, with iron rakes and great hooks and lines, fishing for gold

and silver at the bottom of the sea. Up came the treasure in abundance. Now they beheld a table of solid

silver, once the property of an old Spanish grandee. Now they found a sacramental vessel, which had been

destined as a gift to some Catholic church. Now they drew up a golden cup, fit for the King of Spain to drink

his wine out of. Perhaps the bony hand of its former owner had been grasping the precious cup, and was

drawn up along with it. Now their rakes or fishinglines were loaded with masses of silver bullion. There

were also precious stones among the treasure, glittering and sparkling, so that it is a wonder how their

There is something sad and terrible in the idea of snatching all this wealth from the devouring ocean, which

had possessed it for such a length of years. It seems as if men had no right to make themselves rich with it. It

ought to have been left with the skeletons of the ancient Spaniards, who had been drowned when the ship was

But Captain Phips and his crew were troubled with no such thoughts as these. After a day or two they lighted

on another part of the wreck, where they found a great many bags of silver dollars. But nobody could have

guessed that these were moneybags. By remaining so long in the salt water, they had become covered over

with a crust which had the appearance of stone, so that it was necessary to break them in pieces with

hammers and axes. When this was done, a stream of silver dollars gushed out upon the deck of the vessel.

The whole value of the recovered treasure, plate, bullion, precious stones, and all, was estimated at more than

two millions of dollars. It was dangerous even to look at such a vast amount of wealth. A sea captain, who

had assisted Phips in the enterprise, utterly lost his reason at the sight of it. He died two years afterwards, still

raving about the treasures that lie at the bottom of the sea. It would have been better for this man if he had left

Captain Phips and his men continued to fish up plate, bullion, and dollars, as plentifully as ever, till their

provisions grew short. Then, as they could not feed upon gold and silver any more than old King Midas

could, they found it necessary to go in search of better sustenance. Phips resolved to return to England. He

arrived there in 1687, and was received with great joy by the Duke of Albemarle and other English lords who

had fitted out the vessel. Well they might rejoice; for they took by far the greater part of the treasure to

The captain's share, however, was enough to make him comfortable for the rest of his days. It also enabled

him to fulfil his promise to his wife, by building a "fair brick house" in the Green Lane of Boston. The Duke

of Albemarle sent Mrs. Phips a magnificent gold cup, worth at least five thousand dollars. Before Captain

Phips left London, King James made him a knight; so that, instead of the obscure shipcarpenter who had

formerly dwelt among them, the inhabitants of Boston welcomed him on his return as the rich and famous Sir

"Sir William Phips," continued Grandfather, "was too active and adventurous a man to sit still in the quiet

enjoyment of his good fortune. In the year 1690 he went on a military expedition against the French colonies

in America, conquered the whole province of Acadia, and returned to Boston with a great deal of plunder."

"Why, Grandfather, he was the greatest man that ever sat in the chair!" cried Charley.

"Ask Laurence what he thinks," replied Grandfather, with a smile. "Well, in the same year, Sir William took

command of an expedition against Que bec, but did not succeed in capturing the city. In 1692, being then in

London, King William III. appointed him governor of Massachusetts. And now, my dear children, having

followed Sir William Phips through all his adventures and hardships till we find him comfortably seated in

Grandfather's chair, we will here bid him farewell. May he be as happy in ruling a people as he was while he

Charley, whose fancy had been greatly taken by the adventurous disposition of Sir William Phips, was eager

to know how he had acted and what happened to him while he held the office of governor. But Grandfather

"Possibly, one of these days, I may go on with the adventures of the chair," said he. "But its history becomes

very obscure just at this point; and I must search into some old books and manuscripts before proceeding

further. Besides, it is now a good time to pause in our narrative; because the new charter, which Sir William

Phips brought over from England, formed a very important epoch in the history of the province."

"Really, Grandfather," observed Laurence, "this seems to be the most remarkable chair, in the world. Its

history cannot be told without intertwining it with the lives of distinguished men and the great events that

"True, Laurence,'" replied Grandfather, smiling; "we must write a book with some such title as this:

"But, after all," continued Grandfather, "any other old chair, if it possessed memory and a hand to write its

recollections, could record stranger stories than any that I have told you. From generation to generation, a

chair sits familiarly in the midst of human interests, and is witness to the most secret and confidential

intercourse that mortal man can hold with his fellow. The human heart may best be read in the fireside chair.

And as to external events, Grief and Joy keep a continual vicissitude around it and within it. Now we see the

glad face and glowing form of Joy, sitting merrily in the old chair, and throwing a warm firelight radiance

over all the household. Now, while we thought not of it, the darkclad mourner, Grief, has stolen into the

place of Joy, but not to retain it long. The imagination can hardly grasp so wide a subject as is embraced in

"It makes my breath flutter, my heart thrill, to think of it," said Laurence. "Yes, a family chair must have a

"Oh yes!" cried Clara, expressing a woman's feeling of the point in question; "the history of a country is not

"But the history of a country is more easily told," said Grandfather. "So, if we proceed with our narrative of

Good old Grandfather now rose and quitted the room, while the children remained gazing at the chair.

Laurence, so vivid was his conception of past times, would hardly have deemed it strange if its former

occupants, one after another, had resumed the seat which they had each left vacant such a dim length of years

First, the gentle and lovely Lady Arbella would have been seen in the old chair, almost sinking out of its arms

for very weakness; then Roger Williams, in his cloak and band, earnest, energetic, and benevolent; then the

figure of Anne Hutchinson, with the like gesture as when she presided at the assemblages of women; then the

dark, intellectual face of Vane, "young in years, but in sage counsel old." Next would have appeared the

successive governors, Winthrop, Dudley, Bellingham, and Endicott, who sat in the chair while it was a chair

of state. Then its ample seat would have been pressed by the comfortable, rotund corporation of the honest

mintmaster. Then the halffrenzied shape of Mary Dyer, the persecuted Quaker woman, clad in sackcloth

and ashes would have rested in it for a moment. Then the holy, apostolic form of Eliot would have sanctified

it. Then would have arisen, like the shade of departed Puritanism, the venerable dignity of the whitebearded

Governor Bradstreet. Lastly, on the gorgeous crimson cushion of Grandfather's chair would have shone the

purple and golden magnificence of Sir William Phips. But all these, with the other historic personages, in the

midst of whom the chair had so often stood, had passed, both in substance and shadow, from the scene of

ages. Yet here stood the chair, with the old Lincoln coat of arms, and the oaken flowers and foliage, and the

fierce lion's head at the summit, the whole, apparently, in as perfect preservation as when it had first been

placed in the Earl of Lincoln's hall. And what vast changes of society and of nations had been wrought by

"This Chair had stood firm when the thrones of kings were overturned!" thought Laurence. "Its oaken frame

More the thoughtful and imaginative boy might have mused; but now a large yellow cat, a great favorite with

all the children, leaped in at the open window. Perceiving that Grandfather's chair was empty, and having

often before experienced its comforts, puss laid herself quietly down upon the cushion. Laurence, Clara,

Charley, and little Alice all laughed at the idea of such a successor to the worthies of old times.

"Pussy," said little Alice, putting out her hand, into which the cat laid a velvet paw, "you look very wise. Do

MR. ELIOT had been for some time assiduously employed in learning the Indian language. To accomplish

this, he secured the assistance of one of the natives, who could speak English. Eliot, at the close of his Indian

Grammar, mentions him as "a pregnantwitted young man, who had been a servant in an English house, who

pretty well understood his own language, and had a clear pronunciation." He took this Indian into his family,

and by constant intercourse with him soon become sufficiently conversant with the vocabulary and

construction of the language to translate the ten commandments, the Lord's prayer, and several passages of

Mr. Eliot must have found his task anything but easy or inviting. He was to learn a dialect, in which he could

be assisted by no affinity with the languages he already knew. He was to do this without the help of any

written or printed specimens, with nothing in the shape of a grammar or analysis, but merely by oral

communication with his Indian instructor, or with other natives, who, however comparatively intelligent,

must from the nature of the case have been very imperfect teachers. He applied himself to the work with great

patience and sagacity, carefully acting the differences between the Indian and the English modes of

constructing words; and, having once got a clew to this, he pursued every noun and verb he could think of

through all possible variations. In this way he arrived at analyses and rules, which he could apply for himself

Neal says that Eliot was able to speak the language intelligibly after conversing with the Indian servant a few

months. This, in a limited sense, may be true; but he is said to have been engaged two years in the process of

learning, before he went to preached to the Indians. In that time he acquired a somewhat ready facility in the

use of that dialect, by means of which he was to carry the instructions of spiritual truth to the men of the

forest, though as late as 1649 he still lamented his want of skill in this respect.

Notice having been given of his intention [of instructing the Indians], Mr. Eliot, in company with three

others, whose names are not mentioned, having implored the divine blessing on the undertaking, made his

first visit to the Indians on the 28th of October, 1646 at a place afterwards called Nonantum; a spot that has

the honor of being the first on which a civilized and Christian settlement of Indians was effected within the

English colonies of North America. This name was given to the high grounds in the north, east part of

Newton, and to the bounds of that town and Watertown. At a short distance from the wigwams, they were

met by Waban, a leading man among the Indians at that place, accompanied by others, and were welcomed

with "English salutations." Waban, who is described as "the chief minister of justice among them," had

before shown a better disposition than any other native to receive the religious instruction of the Christians,

and had voluntarily proposed to have his eldest son educated by them. His son had been accordingly placed at

The Indians assembled in Waban's wigwam; and thither Mr. Eliot and his friends were conducted. When the

company were all collected and quiet, a religious service was begun with prayer. This was uttered in English;

the reason for which, as given by Mr. Eliot and his companions, was, that he did not then feel sufficiently

The same difficulty would not occur in preaching, since for this, we may suppose, he had sufficiently

prepared his thoughts and expressions to make his discourse intelligible on all important points; and if he

should, in some parts, fail of being, understood, he could repeat or correct himself, till he should succeed

better. Besides, he took with him an interpretor, who was frequently able to express his instructions more

distinctly than he could himself. Though the prayer was unintelligible to the Indians, yet, as they knew what

the nature of the service was, Mr. Eliot believed it might not be without an effect in subduing their feelings so

Mr. Eliot then began his sermon, or address, from Ezek. xxxvii. 9, 10. The word wind, in this passage,

suggested to the minds of some, who afterwards gave an account of this meeting, a coincidence which might,

in the spirit of the times, be construed into a special appointment of Providence. The name of Waban

signified, in the Indian tongue, wind; so that when the preacher uttered the words, "say to the wind," it was as

if he had proclaimed, "say to Waban." As this man afterwards exerted much influence in awaking the

attention of his fellow savages to Christianity, it might seem that in this first visit of the messengers of the

gospel he was singled out by a special call to work in the cause. It is not surprising that the Indians were

struck with the coincidence. Mr. Eliot gave no countenance to a superstitious use of the circumstance, and

took care to tell them that, when he chose his text, he had no thought of any such application.

The sermon was an hour and a quarter long. One cannot but suspect that Mr. Eliot injudiciously crowded too

much into one address. It would seem to have been better, for the first time at least, to have given a shorter

sermon, and to have touched upon fewer subjects. But he was doubtless borne on by his zeal to do much in a

good cause; and, as we have reason to think, by the attentive, though vague, curiosity of the Indians.

Thus ended a conference three hours long, at the end of which the Indians affirmed that they were not weary,

and requested their visitors to come again. They expressed a wish to build a town and live together. Mr. Eliot

promised to intercede for them with the court. He and his companions then gave the men some tobacco, and

A fortnight afterwards, on the 11th of November, Mr. Eliot and his friends repeated their visit to the wigwam

of Waban. This meeting was more numerous than the former. The religious service was opened, as before,

with a prayer in English. This was followed by a few brief and plain questions addressed to the children,

admitting short and easy answers. The children seemed well disposed to listen and learn. To encourage them,

Mr. Eliot gave them occasionally an apple or a cake; and the adults were requested to repeat to them the

instructions that had been given. He then preached to the assembly in their own language, telling them that he

had come to bring them good news from God, and show them how wicked men might become good and

happy; and, in general, discoursing on nearly the same topics as he had treated at his first visit.

"O GRANDFATHER, dear Grandfather," cried little Alice, "pray tell us some more stories about your chair!"

How long a time had fled since the children bad felt any curiousity to hear the sequel of this venerable chair's

adventures! Summer was now past and gone, and the better part of autumn likewise. Dreary, chill November

was howling out of doors, and vexing the atmosphere with sudden showers of wintry rain, or sometimes with

When the weather began to grow cool, Grandfather's chair had been removed from the summer parlor into a

smaller and snugger room. It now stood by the side of a bright, blazing woodfire. Grandfather loved a

woodfire far better than a grate of glowing anthracite, or than the dull heat of an invisible furnace, which

seems to think that it has done its duty in merely warming the house. But the woodfire is a kindly, cheerful,

sociable spirit, sympathizing with mankind, and knowing that to create warmth is but one of the good offices

which are expected from it. Therefore it dances on the hearth, and laughs broadly throughout the room, and

plays a thousand antics, and throws a joyous glow over all the faces that encircle it.

In the twilight of the evening the fire grew brighter and more cheerful. And thus, perhaps, there was

something in Grandfather's heart that cheered him most with its warmth and comfort in the gathering twilight

of old age. He had been gazing at the red embers as intently as if his past life were all pictured there, or as if it

were a prospect of the future world, when little Alice's voice aroused him. "Dear Grandfather," repeated the

Laurence, and Clara, and Charley, and little Alice had been attracted to other objects for two or three months

past. They had sported in the gladsome sunshine of the present, and so had forgotten the shadowy region of

the past, in the midst of which stood Grandfather's chair. But now, in the autumnal twilight, illuminated by

the flickering blaze of the woodfire, they looked at the old chair, and thought that it had never before worn

such an interesting aspect. There it stood in the venerable majesty of more than two hundred years. The light

from the hearth quivered upon the flowers and foliage that were wrought into its oaken back; and the lion's

"Does little Alice speak for all of you?" asked Grandfather. "Do you wish me to go on with the adventures of

"Oh yes, yes, Grandfather!" cried Clara. "The dear old chair! How strange that we should have forgotten it so

"Oh, pray begin, Grandfather," said Laurence, "for I think, when we talk about old times, it should be in the

early evening, before the candles are lighted. The shapes of the famous persons who once sat in the chair will

be more apt to come back, and be seen among us, in this glimmer and pleasant gloom, than they would in the

vulgar daylight. And, besides, we can make pictures of all that you tell us among the glowing embers and

Our friend Charley, too, thought the evening the best time to hear Grandfather's stories, because he could not

then be playing out of doors. So finding his young auditors unanimous in their petition, the good old

gentleman took up the narrative of the historic chair at the point where he had dropped it.

"You recollect, my dear children," said Grandfather, "that we took leave of the chair in 1692, while it was

occupied by Sir William Phips. This fortunate treasureseeker, you will remember, had come over from

England, with King William's commission, to be governor of Massachusetts. Within the limits of this

province were now included the old colony of Plymouth, and the territories of Maine and Nova Scotia. Sir

William Phips had likewise brought a new charter from the king, which served instead of a constitution, and

"Did the new charter allow the people all their former liberties?" inquired Laurence.

"No," replied Grandfather. "Under the first charter, the people had been the source of all power. Winthrop,

Endicott, Bradstreet, and the rest of them had been governors by the choice of the people, without any

interference of the king. But henceforth the governor was to hold his station solely by the king's appointment

and during his pleasure; and the same was the case with the lieutenantgovernor and some other high

officers. The people, however, were still allowed to choose representatives; and the governor's council was

"Would the inhabitants have elected Sir William Phips," asked Laurence, "if the choice of governor had been

"He might probably have been a successful candidate," answered Grandfather; "for his adventures and

military enterprises had gained him a sort of renown, which always goes a great way with the people. And he

had many popular characteristics,being a kind warmhearted man, not ashamed of his low origin nor

haughty in his present elevation. Soon after his arrival, he proved that he did not blush to recognize his

"He made a grand festival at his new brick house,� said Grandfather, "and invited all the shipcarpenters of

Boston to be his guests. At the head of the table, in our great chair, sat Sir William Phips himself, treating

these hardhanded men as his brethren, cracking jokes with them, and talking familiarly about old times. I

know not whether he wore his embroidered dress; but I rather choose to imagine that he had on a suit of

rough clothes, such as he used to labor in while he was Phips the shipcarpenter."

"An aristocrat need not be ashamed of the trade," observed Laurence; "for the Czar Peter the Great once

"Did Sir William Phips make as good a governor as he was a ship carpenter?" asked Charley.

"History says but little about his merits as a shipcarpenter," answered Grandfather; " but, as a governor, a

great deal of fault was found with him. Almost as soon as he assumed the government, he became engaged in

a very frightful business, which might have perplexed a wiser and better cultivated head than his. This was

And here Grandfather gave his auditors such details of this melancholy affair as he thought it fit for them to

know. They shuddered to hear that a frenzy, which led to the death of many innocent persons, had originated

in the wicked arts of a few children. They belonged to the Rev. Mr. Parris, minister of Salem. These children

complained of being pinched and pricked with pins, and otherwise tormented by the shapes of men and

women, who were supposed to have power to haunt them invisibly, both in darkness and daylight. Often in

the midst of their family and friends the children would pretend to be seized with strange convulsions, and

These stories spread abroad, and caused great tumult and alarm. From the foundation of New England, it had

been the custom of the inhabitants, in all matters of doubt and difficulty, to look to their ministers for counsel.

So they did now; but, unfortunately, the ministers and wise men were more deluded than the illiterate people.

Cotton Mather, a very learned and eminent clergyman, believed that the whole country was full of witches

and wizards, who had given up their hopes of heaven, and signed a covenant with the evil one.

Nobody could be certain that his nearest neighbor or most intimate friend was not guilty of this imaginary

crime. The number of those who pretended to be afflicted by witchcraft grew daily more numerous; and they

bore testimony against many of the best and worthiest people. A minister, named George Burroughs, was

among the accused. In the months of August and September, 1692, he and nineteen other innocent men and

women were put to death. The place of execution was a high hill, on the outskirts of Salem; so that many of

the sufferers, as they stood beneath the gallows, could discern their own habitations in the town.

The martyrdom of these guiltless persons seemed only to increase the madness. The afflicted now grew

bolder in their accusations. Many people of rank and wealth were either thrown into prison or compelled to

flee for their lives. Among these were two sons of .old Simon Bradstreet, the last of the Puritan governors.

Mr. Willard, a pious minister of Boston, was cried out upon as a wizard in open court. Mrs. Hale, the wife of

the minister of Beverly, was likewise accused. Philip English, a rich merchant of Salem, found it necessary to

take flight, leaving his property and business in confusion. But a short time afterwards, the Salem people

"The boldest thing that the accusers did," continued Grandfather, "was to cry out against the governor's own

beloved wife. Yes, the lady of Sir William Phips was accused of being a witch and of flying through the air to

attend witchmeetings. When the governor heard this he probably trembled, so that our great chair shook

"Dear Grandfather," cried little Alice, clinging closer to his knee, "is it true that witches ever come in the

"No, no, dear little Alice," replied Grandfather. "Even if there were any witches, they would flee away from

the presence of a purehearted child. But there are none; and our forefathers soon became convinced that

they had been led into a terrible delusion. All the prisoners on account of witchcraft were set free. But the

innocent dead could not be restored to life and the hill where they were executed will always remind people

Grandfather then said that the next remarkable event, while Sir William Phips remained in the chair, was the

arrival at Boston of an English fleet in 1698. It brought an army which was intended for the conquest of

Canada. But a malignant disease, more fatal than the smallpox, broke out among the soldiers and sailors, and

destroyed the greater part of them. The infection spread into the town of Boston, and made much havoc there.

This dreadful sickness caused the governor and Sir Francis Wheeler, who was commander of the British

"Soon after this," said Grandfather, "Sir William Phips quarrelled with the captain of an English frigate, and

also with the collector of Boston. Being a man of violent temper, he gave each of them a sound beating with

"He was a bold fellow," observed Charley, who was himself somewhat addicted to a similar mode or settling

"More bold than wise," replied Grandfather; "for complaints were carried to the king, and Sir William Phips

was summoned to England to make the best answer he could. Accordingly he went to London, where, in

1695, he was seized with a malignant fever, of which he died. Had he lived longer, he would probably have

gone again in search of sunken treasure. He had heard of a Spanish ship, which was cast away in 1502, during

the lifetime of Columbus. Bovadilla, Roldan, and many other Spaniards were lost in her, together with the

"Why, Grandfather!" exclaimed Laurence, "what magnificent ideas the governor had! Only think of

recovering all that old treasure which had lain almost two centuries under the sea! Methinks Sir William

Phips ought to have been buried in the ocean when he died, so that he might have gone down among the

sunken ships and cargoes of treasure which he was always dreaming about in his lifetime."

"He was buried in one of the crowded cemeteries of London," said Grandfather. "As he left no children, his

estate was inherited by his nephew, from whom is descended the present Marquis of Normandy. The noble

Marquis is not aware, perhaps, that the prosperity of his family originated in the successful enterprise of a

"At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel

Cheever, a famous schoolmaster in Boston. This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been

teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master

Cheever had taught their alphabet. He was a person of venerable aspect, and wore a long white beard."

"Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded

with such awful reverence,no, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it. Even you,

Charley, my boy, would have felt some respect for the chair if you had seen it occupied by this famous

And here grandfather endeavored to give his auditors an idea how matters were managed in schools above a

hundred years ago. As this will probably be an interesting subject to our readers, we shall make a separate

Now, imagine yourselves, my children, in Master Ezekiel Cheever's schoolroom. It is a large, dingy room,

with a sanded floor, and is lighted by windows that turn on hinges and have little diamondshaped panes of

glass. The scholars sit on long benches, with desks before them. At one end of the room is a great fireplace,

so very spacious that there is room enough for three or four boys to stand in each of the chimney corners.

This was the good old fashion of fireplaces when there was wood enough in the forests to keep people warm

It is a winter's day when we take our peep into the schoolroom. See what great logs of wood have been

rolled into the fireplace, and what a broad, bright blaze goes leaping up the chimney! And every few

moments a vast cloud of smoke is puffed into the room, which sails slowly over the heads of the scholars,

until it gradually settles upon the walls and ceiling. They are blackened with the smoke of many years

Next look at our old historic chair! It is placed, you perceive, in the most comfortable part of the room, where

the generous glow of the fire is sufficiently felt without being too intensely hot. How stately the old chair

looks, as if it remembered its many famous occupants, but yet were conscious that a greater man is sitting in

it now! Do you see the venerable schoolmaster, severe in aspect, with a black skullcap on his head, like an

ancient Puritan, and the snow of his white beard drifting down to his very girdle? What boy would dare to

play; or whisper, or even glance aside from his book; while Master Cheever is on the lookout behind his

spectacles? For such offenders, if any such there be, a rod of birch is hanging over the fireplace, and a heavy

And now school is begun. What a murmur of multitudinous tongues, like the whispering leaves of a

windstirred oak, as the scholars con over their various tasks! Buzz! buzz! buzz! Amid just such a murmur

has Master Cheever spent above sixty years; and long habit has made it as pleasant to him as the hum of a

Now a class in Latin is called to recite. Forth steps a rowel queer looking little fellows, wearing

squareskirted coats and smallclothes, with buttons at the knee. They look like so many grandfathers in

their secondchildhood. These lads are to be sent to Cambridge and educated for the learned professions. Old

Master Cheever had lived so long, and seen so many generations of schoolboys grow up to be men, that

now he can almost prophesy what sort of a man each boy will be. One urchin shall hereafter be a doctor, and

administer pills and potions, and stalk gravely through life, perfumed with assafoetida. Another shall wrangle

at the bar, and fight his way to wealth and honors and, in his declining age, shall be a worshipful member of

his Majesty's council. A thirdand he is the master's favoriteshall be a worthy successor to the old Puritan

ministers now in their graves; he shall preach with great unction and effect, and leave volumes of sermons, in

But, as they are merely schoolboys now, their business is to construe Virgil. Poor Virgil! whose verses,

which he took so much pains to polish, have been misscanned, and misparsed, and misinterpreted by so many

generations of idle schoolboys. There, sit down, ye Latinists. Two or three of you, I fear, are doomed to feel

Next comes a class in arithmetic. These boys are to be the merchants, shopkeepers, and mechanics of a future

period. Hitherto they have traded only in marbles and apples. Hereafter some will send vessels to England for

broadcloths and all sorts of manufactured wares, and to the West Indies for sugar, and rum, and coffee.

Others will stand behind counters, and measure tape, and ribbon, and cambric by the yard. Others will

upheave the blacksmith's hammer, or drive the plane over the carpenter's bench, or take the lapstone and the

awl and learn the trade of shoemaking. Many will follow the sea, and become bold, rough sea captains.

This class of boys, in short, must supply the world with those active, skilful hands, and clear, sagacious

heads, without which the affairs of life would be thrown into confusion by the theories of studious and

visionary men. Wherefore, teach them their multiplicationtable, good Master Cheever, and whip them well

But, alas! while, we have been thinking of other matters, Master Cheever's watchful eye has caught two boys

at play. Now we shall see awful times. The two malefactors are summoned before the master's chair, wherein

he sits with the terror of a judge upon his brow. Our old chair is now a judgmentseat. Ah, Master Cheever

has taken down that terrible birch rod! Short is the trial,the sentence quickly passed,and now the judge

prepares to execute it in person. Thwack! thwack! thwack! In these good old times, a schoolmaster's blows

See, the birch rod has lost several of its twigs, and will hardly serve for another execution. Mercy on his,

what a bellowing the urchins make! My ears are almost deafened, though the clamor comes through the far

length of a hundred and fifty years. There, go to your seats, poor boys; and do not cry, sweet little Alice, for

And thus the forenoon passes away. Now it is twelve o'clock. The master looks at his great silver watch, and

then, with tiresome deliberation, puts the ferule into his desk. The little multitude await the word of dismissal

The boys retire, treading softly until they have passed the threshold; but, fairly out of the schoolroom, lo,

what a joyous shout! what a scampering and trampling of feet! what a sense of recovered freedom expressed

in the merry uproar of all their voices! What care they for the ferule and birch rod now? Were boys created

merely to study Latin and arithmetic? No; the better purposes of their being are to sport, to leap, to run, to

Happy boys! Enjoy your playtime now, and come again to study and to feel the birch rod and the ferule

tomorrow; not till tomorrow; for today is Thursday lecture; and, ever since the settlement of

Massachusetts, there has been no school on Thursday afternoons. Therefore sport, boys, while you may, for

the morrow cometh, with the birch rod and the ferule; and after that another morrow, with troubles of its own.

Now the master has set everything to rights, and is ready to go home to dinner. Yet he goes reluctantly. The

old man has spent so much of his life in the smoky, noisy, buzzing schoolroom, that, when he has a holiday,

he feels as if his place were lost and himself a stranger in the world. But forth he goes; and there stands our

old chair, vacant and solitary, till good Master Cheever resumes his seat in it tomorrow morning.

"Grandfather," said Charley, "I wonder whether the boys did not use to upset the old chair when the

"There is a tradition," replied Grandfather, "that one of its arms was dislocated in some such manner. But I

As it was now later than little Alice's usual bedtime, Grandfather broke off his narrative, promising to talk

Accordingly, the next evening, Grandfather resumed the history of his beloved chair.

"Master Ezekiel Cheever," said he, "died in 1707, after having taught school about seventy years. It would

require a pretty good scholar in arithmetic to tell how many stripes he had inflicted, and how many birch rods

he had worn out, during all that time, in his fatherly tenderness for his pupils. Almost all the great men of that

period, and for many years back, had been whipped into eminence by Master Cheever. Moreover, he had

written a Latin Accidence, which was used in schools more than half a century after his death; so that the

good old man, even in his grave, was still the cause of trouble and stripes to idle schoolboys."

Grandfather proceeded to say, that, when Master Cheever died, he bequeathed the chair to the most learned

man that was educated at his school, or that had ever been born in America. This was the renowned Cotton

"And author of the Magnalia, Grandfather, which we sometimes see you reading," said Laurence.

"Yes, Laurence," replied Grandfather. "The Magnalia is a strange, pedantic history, in which true events and

real personages move before the reader with the dreamy aspect which they wore in Cotton Mather's singular

mind. This huge volume, however, was written and published before our chair came into his possession. But,

as he was the author of more books than there are days in the year, we may conclude that he wrote a great

"I am tired of these schoolmasters and learned men," said Charley. "I wish some stirring man, that knew how

"Such men seldom have leisure to sit quietly in a chair," said Grandfather. "We must make the best of such

As Cotton Mather was a very distinguished man, Grandfather took some pains to give the children a lively

conception of his character. Over the door of his library were painted these words, BE SHORT,as a

warning to visitors that they must not do the world so much harm as needlessly to interrupt this great man's

wonderful labors. On entering the room you would probably behold it crowded, and piled, and heaped with

books. There were huge, ponderous folios, and quartos, and little duodecimos, in English, Latin, Greek,

Hebrew, Chaldaic, and all other languages that either originated at the confusion of Babel or have since come

All these books, no doubt, were tossed about in confusion, thus forming a visible emblem of the manner in

which their contents were crowded into Cotton Mather's brain. And in the middle of the room stood table, on

which, besides printed volumes, were strewn manuscript sermons, historical tracts, and political pamphlets,

all written in such a queer, blind, crabbed, fantastical hand, that a writingmaster would have gone raving

mad at the sight of them. By this table stood Grandfather's chair, which seemed to have contracted an air of

deep erudition, as if its cushion were stuffed with Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, and other hard matters.

In this chair, from one year's end to another, sat that prodigious bookworm, Cotton Mather, sometimes

devouring a great book, and sometimes scribbling one as big. In Grandfather's younger days there used to be

a wax figure of him in one of the Boston museums, representing a solemn, darkvisaged person, in a

"It is difficult, my children," observed Grandfather, "to make you understand such a character as Cotton

Mather's, in whom there was so much good, and yet so many failings and frailties. Undoubtedly he was a

pious man. Often he kept fasts; and once, for three whole days, he allowed himself not a morsel of food, but

spent the time in prayer and religious meditation. Many a livelong night did he watch and pray. These fasts

and vigils made him meagre and haggard, and probably caused him to appear as if he hardly belonged to the

"Was not the witchcraft delusion partly caused by Cotton Mather?" inquired Laurence.

"He was the chief agent of the mischief," answered Grandfather; "but we will not suppose that he acted

otherwise than conscientiously. He believed that there were evil spirits all about the world. Doubtless he

imagined that they were hidden in the corners and crevices of his library, and that they peeped out from

among the leaves of many of his books, as he turned them over, at midnight. He supposed that these unlovely

demons were everywhere, in the sunshine as well as in the darkness, and that they were hidden in men's

Here Grandfather was interrupted by little Alice, who hid her face in his lap, and murmured a wish that he

would not talk any more about Cotton Mather and the evil spirits. Grandfather kissed her, and told her that

A new War between France and England had broken out in 1702, and had been raging ever since. In the

course of it, New England suffered much injury from the French and Indians, who often came through the

woods from Canada and assaulted the frontier towns. Villages were sometimes burned, and the inhabitants

slaughtered, within a day's ride of Boston. The people of New England had a bitter hatred against the French,

not only for the mischief which they did with their own hands, but because they incited the Indians to

The NewEnglanders knew that they could never dwell in security until the provinces of France should be

subdued and brought under the English government. They frequently, in time of war, undertook military

expeditions against Acadia and Canada, and sometimes besieged the fortresses by which those territories

were defended. But the most earnest wish of their hearts was to take Quebec, and so get possession of the

whole province of Canada. Sir William Phips had once attempted it, but without success.

Fleets and soldiers were often sent from England to assist the colonists in their warlike undertakings. In 1710

Port Royal, a fortress of Acadia, was taken by the English. The next year, in the month of June, a fleet,

commanded by Admiral Sir Hovenden Walker, arrived in Boston Harbor. On board of this fleet was the

English General Hill, with seven regiments of soldiers, who had been fighting under the Duke of

Marlborough in Flanders. The government of Massachusetts was called upon to find provisions for the army

What with recruiting and drilling of soldiers, there was now nothing but warlike bustle in the streets of

Boston. The drum and fife, the rattle of arms, and the shouts of boys were heard from morning till night. In

about a month the fleet set sail, carrying four regiments from New England and New York, besides the

English soldiers. The whole army amounted to at least seven thousand men. They steered for the mouth of the

"Cotton Mather prayed most fervently for their success," continued Grandfather, "both in his pulpit and when

he kneeled down in the solitude of his library, resting his face on our old chair. But Providence ordered the

result otherwise. In a few weeks tidings were received that eight or nine of the vessels had been wrecked in

the St. Lawrence, and that above a thousand drowned soldiers had been washed ashore on the banks of that

mighty river. After this misfortune Sir Hovenden Walker set sail for England; and many pious people began

"Nor did they, as we shall see," replied Grandfather. "However, no more attempts were made during this war,

which came to a close in 1713. The people of New England were probably glad of some repose; for their

young men had been made soldiers, till many of them were fit for nothing else. And those who remained at

home had been heavily taxed to pay for the arms, ammunition; fortifications, and all the other endless

expenses of a war. There was great need of the prayers of Cotton Mather and of all pious men, not only on

account of the sufferings of the people, but because the old moral and religious character of New England

"How glorious it would have been," remarked Laurence, "if our forefathers could have kept the country

"Yes," said Grandfather; "but there was a stern, warlike spirit in them from the beginning. They seem never

The next event which Grandfather spoke of was one that Cotton Mather, as well as most of the other

inhabitants of New England, heartily rejoiced at. This was the accession of the Elector of Hanover to the

throne of England, in 1714, on the death of Queen Anne. Hitherto the people had been in continual dread that

the male line of the Stuarts, who were descended from the beheaded King Charles and the banished King

"The importance of this event," observed Grandfather, "was a thousand times greater than that of a

Presidential election in our own days. If the people dislike their President, they may get rid of him in four

The German elector was proclaimed king from the balcony of the town house in Boston, by the title of

George I.; while the trumpets sounded and the people cried amen. That night the town was illuminated; and

Cotton Mather threw aside book and pen, and left Grandfather�s chair vacant, while he walked hither and

"COTTON MATHER," continued Grandfather," was a bitter enemy to Governor Dudley; and nobody exulted

more than he when that crafty politician was removed from the government, and succeeded by Colonel Shute.

This took place in 1716. The new governor had been an officer in the renowned Duke of Marlborough's

"I am afraid you will be disappointed, Charley," answered Grandfather. "It is true that Colonel Shute had

probably never led so unquiet a life while fighting the French as he did now, while governing this province of

Massachusetts Bay. But his troubles consisted almost entirely of dissensions with the Legislature. The king

had ordered him to lay claim to a fixed salary; but the representatives of the people insisted upon paying him

Grandfather here explained some of the circumstances that made the situation of a colonial governor so

difficult and irksome. There was not the same feeling towards the chief magistrate now that had existed while

he was chosen by the free suffrages of the people, it was felt that as the king appointed the governor, and as

he held his office during the king's pleasure, it would be his great object to please the king. But the people

thought that a governor ought to have nothing in view but the best interests of those whom he governed.

"The governor," remarked Grandfather, "had two masters to serve,the king, who appointed him; and the

people, on whom he depended for his pay. Few men in this position would have ingenuity enough to satisfy

either party. Colonel Shute, though a goodnatured, wellmeaning man, succeeded so ill with the people,

that, in 1722, he suddenly went away to England and made Complaint to King George. In the meantime

LieutenantGovernor Dummer directed the affairs of the province, and carried on a long and bloody war with

"It still remained in Cotton Mather's library," replied Grandfather; "and I must not omit to tell you an incident

which is very much to the honor of this celebrated man. It is the more proper, too, that you should hear it,

because it will show you what a terrible calamity the smallpox was to our forefathers. The history of the

province (and, of course, the history of our chair) would be incomplete without particular mention of it."

Accordingly Grandfather told the children a story, to which, for want of a better title, we shall give that of

One day, in 1721, Doctor Cotton Mather sat in his library reading a book that had been published by the

Royal Society of London. But every few moments he laid the book upon the table, and leaned back in

Grandfather's chair with an aspect of deep care and disquietude. There were certain things which troubled

It was now a gloomy time in Boston. That terrible disease; the small pox, had recently made its appearance

in the town. Ever since the first settlement of the country this awful pestilence had come at intervals, and

swept away multitudes of the inhabitants. Whenever it commenced its ravages, nothing seemed to stay its

progress until there were no more victims for it to seize upon. Oftentimes hundreds of people at once lay

groaning with its agony; and when it departed, its deep footsteps were always to be traced in many graves.

The people never felt secure from this calamity. Sometimes, perhaps, it was brought into the country by a

poor sailor, who had caught the infection in foreign parts, and came hither to die and to be the cause of many

deaths. Sometimes, no doubt, it followed in the train of the pompous governors when they came over from

England. Sometimes the disease lay hidden in the cargoes of ships, among silks, and brocades, and other

costly merchandise which was imported for the rich people to wear. And sometimes it started up seemingly

of its own accord, and nobody could tell whence it came. The physician, being called to attend the sick

person, would look at him, and say, "It is the smallpox! Let the patient be carried to the hospital."

And now this dreadful sickness had shown itself again in Boston. Cotton Mather was greatly afflicted for the

sake of the whole province. He had children, too, who were exposed to the danger. At that very moment he

heard the voice of his youngest son, for whom his heart was moved with apprehension.

"Alas! I fear for that poor child," said Cotton Mather to himself. "What shall I do for my son Samuel?"

Again he attempted to drive away these thoughts by taking up the book which he had been reading. And now,

all of a sudden, his attention became fixed. The book contained a printed letter that an Italian physician had

written upon the very subject about .which Cotton Mather was so anxiously meditating. He ran his eye

eagerly over the pages; and, behold! a method was disclosed to him by which the smallpox might be robbed

of its worst terrors. Such a method was known in Greece. The physicians of Turkey, too, those longbearded

Eastern sages, had been acquainted with it for many years. The negroes of Africa, ignorant as they were, had

"Of a truth," ejaculated Cotton Mather, clasping his hands and looking up to heaven, "it was a merciful

Providence that brought this book under mine eye. I will procure a consultation of physicians, and see

So he arose from Grandfather's chair and went out of the library. Near the door he met his son Samuel, who

seemed downcast and out of spirits. The boy had heard, probably, that some of his playmates were taken ill

with the smallpox. But, as his father looked cheerfully at him, Samuel took courage, trusting that either the

wisdom of so learned a minister would find some remedy for the danger, or else that his prayers would secure

Meanwhile Cotton Mather took his staff and threecornered hat and walked about the streets, calling at the

houses of all the physicians in Boston. They were a very wise fraternity; and their huge wigs, and black

dresses, and solemn visages made their wisdom appear even profounder than it was. One after another he

But the grave and sagacious personages would scarcely listen to him. The oldest doctor in town contented

himself with remarking that no such thing as inoculation was mentioned by Galen or Hippocrates; and it was

impossible that modern physicians should be wiser than those old sages. A second held up his hands in dumb

astonishment and horror at the mad ness of what Cotton Mather proposed to do. A third told him, in pretty

plain terms, that he knew not what he was talking about. A fourth requested, in the name of the whole

medical fraternity, that Cotton Mather would confine his attention to people's souls, and leave the physicians

to take care of their bodies. In short, there was but a single doctor among them all who would grant the poor

minister so much as a patient hearing, This was Doctor Zabdiel Boylston. He looked into the matter like a

man of sense, and finding, beyond a doubt, that inoculation had rescued many from death, he resolved to try

And so he did. But when the other physicians heard of it they arose in great fury and began a war of words,

written, printed, and spoken, against Cotton Mather and Doctor Boylston. To hear them talk, you would have

supposed that these two harmless and benevolent men had plotted the ruin of the country.

The people, also, took the alarm. Many, who thought themselves more pious than their neighbors, contended

that, if Providence had ordained them to die of the smallpox, it was sinful to aim at preventing it. The

strangest reports were in circulation. Some said that Doctor Boylston had contrived a method for conveying

the gout, rheumatism, sick headache, asthma, and all other diseases from one person to another, and

diffusing them through the whole community. Others flatly affirmed that the evil one had got possession of

You must observe, children, that Cotton Mather's fellowcitizens were generally inclined to doubt the

wisdom of any measure which he might propose to them. They recollected how he had led them astray in the

old witchcraft delusion; and now, if he thought and acted ever so wisely, it was difficult for him to get the

The people's wrath grew so hot at his attempt to guard them from the smallpox that he could not walk the

streets in peace. Whenever the venerable form of the old minister, meagre and haggard with fasts and vigils,

was seen approaching, hisses were heard, and shouts of derision, and scornful and bitter laughter. The women

snatched away their children from his path, lest he should do them a mischief. Still, however, bending his

head meekly, and perhaps stretching out his hands to bless those who reviled him, he pursued his way. But

the tears came into his eyes to think how blindly the people rejected the means of safety that were offered

Indeed, there were melancholy sights enough in the streets of Boston to draw forth the tears of a

compassionate man. Over the door of almost every dwelling a red flag was fluttering in the air. This was the

signal that the smallpox had entered the house and attacked some member of the family; or perhaps the

whole family, old and young, were struggling at once with the pestilence. Friends and relatives, when they

met one another in the streets, would hurry onward without a grasp of the hand or scarcely a word of

greeting, lest they should catch or communicate the contagion; and often a coffin was borne hastily along.

"Alas! alas!" said Cotton Mather to himself, "what shall be done for this poor, misguided people? Oh that

So furious, however, were the people, that they threatened vengeance against any person who should dare to

practise inoculation, though it were only in his own family. This was a hard case for Cotton Mather, who saw

no other way to rescue his poor child Samuel from the disease. But he resolved to save him, even if his house

"I will not be turned aside," said he. "My townsmen shall see that I have faith in this thing, when I make the

experiment on my beloved son, whose life is dearer to me than my own. And when I have saved Samuel,

Accordingly Samuel was inoculated; and so was Mr. Walter, a soninlaw of Cotton Mather. Doctor

Boyleston, likewise, inoculated many persons; and while hundreds died who had caught the contagion from

the garments of the sick, almost all were preserved who followed the wise physician's advice.

But the people were not yet convinced of their mistake. One night a destructive little instrument, called a

handgrenade, was thrown into Cotton Mather's window, and rolled under Grandfather's chair. It was

supposed to be filled with gunpowder, the explosion of which would have blown the poor minister to atoms.

But the best informed historians are of opinion that the grenade contained only brimstone and assafoetida,

This is no strange thing in human experience. Men who attempt to do the world mere good than the world is

able entirely to comprehend are almost invariably held in bad odor. But yet, if the wise and good man can

wait awhile, either the present generation or posterity will do him justice. So it proved in the case which we

have been speaking of. In after years, when inoculation was universally practised, and thousands were saved

from death by it, the people remembered old Cotton Mather, then sleeping in his grave. They acknowledged

that the very thing for which they had so reviled and persecuted him was the best and wisest thing he ever

"No, Clara," replied Grandfather. "But it is right that you should know what a dark shadow this disease threw

over the times of our forefathers. And now, if you wish to learn more about Cotton Mather, you must read his

biography, written by Mr. Peabody, of Springfield. You will find it very entertaining and instructive; but

perhaps the writer is somewhat too harsh in his judgment of this singular man. He estimates him fairly,

indeed, and understands him well; but he unriddles his character rather by acuteness than by sympathy. Now,

his life should have been written by one who, knowing all his faults, would nevertheless love him."

So Grandfather made an end of Cotton Mather, telling his auditors that he died in 1728, at the age of

sixtyfive, and bequeathed the chair to Elisha Cooke. This gentleman was a famous advocate of the people's

The same year William Burner, a son of the celebrated Bishop Burnet, arrived in Boston with the commission

of governor. He was the first that had been appointed since the departure of Colonel Shute, Governor Burnet

took up his residence with Mr. Cooke while the Province House was undergoing repairs. During this period

he was always complimented with a seat in Grandfather's chair; and so comfortable did he find it, that, on

removing to the Province House, he could not bear to leave it behind him. Mr. Cooke, therefore, requested his

"I should think," said Laurence, "that the people would have petitioned the king always to appoint a

"Undoubtedly it was a grievance," answered Grandfather, "to see men placed in this station who perhaps had

neither talents nor virtues to fit them for it, and who certainly could have no natural affection for the country.

The king generally bestowed the governorships of the American colonies upon needy noblemen, or

hangerson at court, or disbanded officers. The people knew that such persons would be very likely to make

the good of the country subservient to the wishes of the king. The Legislature, therefore, endeavored to keep

as much power as possible in their own hands, by refusing to settle a fixed salary upon the governors. It was

Grandfather could not help smiling at the simplicity of Charley's question. Nevertheless, it put the matter in a

He then described the character of Governor Burnet, representing him as a good scholar, possessed of much

ability, and likewise of unspotted integrity. His story affords a striking example how unfortunate it is for a

man, who is placed as ruler over a country to be compelled to aim at anything but the good of the people.

Governor Burnet was so chained down by his instructions from the king that he could not act as he might

otherwise have wished. Consequently, his whole term of office was wasted in quarrels with the Legislature.

"I am afraid, children," said Grandfather, "that Governor Burner found but little rest or comfort in our old

chair. Here he used to sit, dressed in a coat which was made of rough, shaggy cloth outside, but of smooth

velvet within. It was said that his own character resembled that coat; for his outward manner was rough, but

his inward disposition soft and kind. It is a pity that such a man could not have been kept free from trouble.

But so harassing were his disputes with the representatives of the people that he fell into a fever, of which he

died in 1729. The Legislature had refused him a salary while alive; but they appropriated money enough to

And now Grandfather perceived that little Alice had fallen fast asleep, with her head upon his footstool.

Indeed, as Clara observed, she had been sleeping from the time of Sir Hovenden Walker's expedition against

Quebec until the death of Governor Burnet,a period of about eighteen years. And yet, after so long a nap,

"It puts me in mind," said Laurence, "of the story of the enchanted princess, who slept many a hundred years,

A FEW evenings afterwards, cousin Clara happened inquire of Grandfather whether the old chair had never

been present at a ball. At the same time little Alice brought forward a doll, with whom she had been holding a

"See, Grandfather! "cried she. "Did such a pretty lady as this ever sit in your great chair?"

These questions led Grandfather to talk about the fashions and manners which now began to be introduced

from England into the provinces. The simplicity of the good old Puritan times was fast disappearing. This

was partly owing to the increasing number and wealth of the inhabitants, and to the additions which they

continually received by the arrival and settlement of people from beyond the sea.

Another cause of a pompous and artificial mode of life, among those who could afford it, was that the

example was set by the royal governors. Under the old charter, the governors were the representatives of the

people, and therefore their way of living had probably been marked by a popular simplicity. But now, as they

represented the person of the king, they thought it necessary to preserve the dignity of their station by the

practice of high and gorgeous ceremonials. And, besides, the profitable offices under the government were

filled by men who had lived in London, and had there contracted fashionable and luxurious habits of living

which they would not now lay aside. The wealthy people of the province imitated them; and thus began a

"So, my dear Clara," said Grandfather, "after our chair had entered the Province House, it must often have

been present at balls and festivals; though I cannot give you a description of any particular one. But I doubt

not that they were very magnificent; and slaves in gorgeous liveries waited on the guests, and offered them

"Yes, black slaves and white," replied Grandfather. "Our ancestors not only brought negroes from Africa, but

Indians from South America, and white people from Ireland. These last were sold, not for life, but for a

certain number of years, in order to pay the expenses of their voyage across the Atlantic. Nothing was more

common than to see a lot of likely Irish girls advertised for sale in the newspapers. As for the little negro

"Perhaps Alice would have liked one to play with, instead of her doll," said Charley, laughing.

"Now, as for this pretty doll, my little Alice," said Grandfather, "I wish you could have seen what splendid

dresses the ladies wore in those times. They had silks, and satins, and damasks, and brocades, and high

headdresses, and all sorts of fine things. And they used to wear hooped petticoats of such enormous size that

"With full as much magnificence as the ladies," answered Grandfather. "For their holiday suits they had coats

of figured velvet, crimson, green, blue, and all other gay colors, embroidered with gold or silver lace. Their

waistcoats, which were five times as large as modern ones, were very splendid. Sometimes the whole

"And then," continued Grandfather, "they wore various sorts of periwigs, such as the tie, the Spencer, the

brigadier, the major, the Albemarle, the Ramillies, the feathertop, and the fullbottom. Their three

cornered hats were laced with gold or silver. They had shining buckles at the knees of their smallclothes,

and buckles likewise in their shoes. They wore swords with beautiful hilts, either of silver, or sometimes of

"And an embroidered crimson velvet coat," said Clara, laughing, "and a gold brocade waistcoat down to your

"And a periwig," added little Alice, soberly, not knowing what was the article of dress which she

Grandfather smiled at the idea of Charley's sturdy little figure in such a grotesque caparison. He then went on

with the history of the chair, and told the children that, in 1730, King George II. appointed Jonathan Belcher

to be governor of Massachusetts in place of the deceased Governor Burner. Mr. Belcher was a native of the

The new governor found Grandfather's chair in the Province House. He was struck with its noble and stately

aspect, but was of opinion that age and hard services had made it scarcely so fit for courtly company as when

it stood in the Earl of Lincoln's hall. Wherefore, as Governor Belcher was fond of splendor, he employed a

skilful artist to beautify the chair. This was done by polishing and varnishing it, and by gilding the carved

work of the elbows, and likewise the oaken flowers of the back. The lion's head now shone like a veritable

lump of gold. Finally Governor Belcher gave the chair a cushion of blue damask, with a rich golden fringe.

"Our good old chair being thus glorified," proceeded Grandfather, "it glittered with a great deal more

splendor than it had exhibited just a century before, when the Lady Arbella brought it over from England.

Most people mistook it for a chair of the latest London fashion. And this may serve for an example, that there

is almost always an old and timeworn substance under all the glittering show of new invention."

"Grandfather, I cannot see any of the gilding," remarked Charley, who had been examining the chair very

"You will not wonder that it has been rubbed off," replied Grandfather, "when you hear all the adventures

that have since befallen the chair. Gilded it was; and the handsomest room in the Province House was

There was not much to interest the children in what happened during the years that Governor Belcher

remained in the chair. At first, like Colonel Shute and Governor Burner, he was engaged in disputing with the

Legislature about his salary. But, as he found it impossible to get a fixed sum, he finally obtained the king's

leave to accept whatever the Legislature chose to give him. And thus the people triumphed, after this long

The remainder of Governor Belcher's term of office was principally taken up in endeavoring to settle the

currency. Honest John Hull's pinetree shillings had long ago been worn out, or lost, or melted down again;

and their place was supplied by bills of paper or parchment, which were nominally valued at threepence and

upwards. The value of these bills kept continually sinking, because the real hard money could not be obtained

for them. They were a great deal worse than the old Indian currency of clamshells. These disorders of the

circulating medium were a source of endless plague and perplexity to the rulers and legislators, not only in

Finally the people suspected that Governor Belcher was secretly endeavoring to establish the Episcopal mode

of worship in the provinces. There was enough of the old Puritan spirit remaining to cause most of the true

sons of New England to look with horror upon such an attempt. Great exertions were made to induce the king

to remove the governor. Accordingly, in 1740, he was compelled to resign his office, and Grandfather's chair

"WILLIAM SHIRLEY," said Grandfather, "had come from England a few years before, and begun to

practise law in Boston. You will think, perhaps, that, as he had been a lawyer, the new governor used to sit in

our great chair reading heavy lawbooks from morning till night. On the contrary, he was as stirring and

active a governor as Massachusetts ever had. Even Sir William Phips hardly equalled him. The first year or

two of his administration was spent in trying to regulate the currency. But in 1744, after a peace of more than

"Not exactly, Charley," said Grandfather;" though you have made a pretty shrewd conjecture. He planned, in

1745, an expedition against Louisburg. This was a fortified city, on the island of Cape Breton, near Nova

Scotia. Its walls were of immense height and strength, and were defended by hundreds of heavy cannon. It

was the strongest fortress which the French possessed in America; and if the king of France had guessed

Governor Shirley's intentions, he would have sent all the ships he could muster to protect it."

As the siege of Louisburg was one of the most remarkable events that ever the inhabitants of New England

were engaged in, Grandfather endeavored to give his auditors a lively idea of the spirit with which they set

The expedition against Louisburg first began to be thought of in the month of January. From that time the

governor's chair was continually surrounded by councillors, representatives, clergymen, captains, pilots, and

First of all, it was necessary to provide men and arms. The Legislature immediately sent out a huge quantity

of papermoney, with which, as if by magic spell, the governor hoped to get possession of all the old cannon,

powder and balls, rusty swords and muskets, and everything else that would be serviceable in killing

Frenchmen. Drums were beaten in all the villages of Massachusetts to enlist soldiers for the service.

Messages were sent to the other governors of New England, and to New York and Pennsylvania, entreating

them to unite in this crusade against the French. All these provinces agreed to give what assistance they

But there was one very important thing to be decided. Who shall be the general of this great army? Peace had

continued such an unusual length of time that there was now less military experience among the colonists

than at any former period. The old Puritans had always kept their weapons bright, and were never destitute of

warlike captains who were skilful in assault or defence. But the swords of their descendents had grown rusty

by disuse. There was nobody in New England that knew anything about sieges or any other regular fighting.

The only persons at all acquainted with warlike business were a few elderly men, who had hunted Indians

In this dilemma Governor Shirley fixed upon a wealthy merchant, named William Pepperell, who was pretty

well known and liked among the people. As to military skill, he had no more of it than his neighbors. But, as

the governor urged him very pressingly, Mr. Pepperell consented to shut up his ledger, gird on a sword, and

Meantime, what a hubbub was raised by this scheme! Rubadubdub! ruba dubdub! The rattle of

Nothing now was so valuable as arms, of whatever style and fashion they might be. The bellows blew, and

the hammer clanged continually upon the anvil, while the blacksmiths were repairing the broken weapons of

other wars. Doubtless some of the soldiers lugged out those enormous, heavy muskets which used to be fired,

with rests, in the time of the early Puritans. Great horsepistols, too, were found, which would go off with a

bang like a cannon. Old cannon, with touchholes almost as big as their muzzles, were looked upon as

inestimable treasures. Pikes which, perhaps, had been handled by Miles Standish's soldiers, now made their

appearance again. Many a young man ransacked the garret and brought forth his greatgrandfather's sword,

Never had there been such an arming as this, when a people, so long peaceful, rose to the war with the best

weapons that they could lay their hands upon. And still the drums were heardrubadubdub! ruba

dubdub!in all the towns and villages; and louder and more numerous grew the trampling footsteps of the

And now the army began to gather into Boston. Tan, lanky, awkward fellows came in squads, and companies,

and regiments, swaggering along, dressed in their brown homespun clothes and blue yarn stockings. They

stooped as if they still had hold of the ploughhandles, and marched without any time or tune. Hither they

came, from the cornfields, from the clearing in the forest, from the blacksmith's forge, from the carpenter's

workshop, and from the shoemaker's seat. They were an army of rough faces and sturdy frames. A trained

officer of Europe would have laughed at them till his sides had ached. But there was a spirit in their bosoms

which is more essential to soldiership than to wear red coats and march in stately ranks to the sound of

Still was heard the beat of the drum, rubadubdub! And now a host of three or four thousand men had

found their way to Boston. Little quiet was there then! Forth scampered the schoolboys, shouting behind the

After the arrival of the troops, they were probably reviewed upon the Common. We may imagine Governor

Shirley and General Pepperell riding slowly along the line, while the drummers beat strange old tunes, like

psalmtunes, and all the officers and soldiers put on their most warlike looks. It would have been a terrible

At length, on the 24th of March, 1745, the army gave a parting shout, and set sail from Boston in ten or

twelve vessels which had been hired by the governor. A few days afterwards an English fleet, commanded by

Commodore Peter Warren, sailed also for Louisburg to assist the provincial army. So now, after all this bustle

But stillness and repose, at such a time of anxious expectation, are hard to bear. The hearts of the old people

and women sunk within them when they reflected what perils they had sent their sons, and husbands, and

brothers to encounter. The boys loitered heavily to School, missing the rubadubdub and the trampling

march, in the rear of which they had so lately run and shouted. All the ministers prayed earnestly in their

pulpits for a blessing on the army of New England. In every family, when the good man lifted up his heart in

domestic worship, the burden of his petition was for the safety of those dear ones who were fighting under

Governor Shirley all this time was probably in an ecstasy of impatience. He could not sit still a moment. He

found no quiet, not even in Grandfather's chair; but hurried to and fro, and up and down the staircase of the

Province House. Now he mounted to the cupola and looked seaward, straining his eyes to discover if there

were a sail upon the horizon. Now he hastened down the stairs, and stood beneath the portal, on the red

freestone steps, to receive some mudbespattered courier, from whom he hoped to hear tidings of the army.

A few weeks after the departure of the troops, Commodore Warren sent a small vessel to Boston with two

French prisoners. One of them was Monsieur Bouladrie, who had been commander of a battery outside the

walls of Louisburg. The other was the Marquis de la Maison Forte, captain of a French frigate which had

been taken by Commodore Warren's fleet. These prisoners assured Governor Shirley that the fortifications of

Day after day and week after week went on. The people grew almost heart sick with anxiety; for the flower

of the country was at peril in this adventurous expedition. It .was now daybreak on the morning of the 3d of

But hark! what sound is this? The hurried clang of a bell! There is the Old North pealing suddenly

out!there the Old South strikes in!now the peal comes from the church in Brattle Street!the bells of

nine or ten steeples are all flinging their iron voices at once upon the morning breeze! Is it joy, or alarm?

There goes the roar of a cannon too! A royal salute is thundered forth. And now we hear the loud exulting

shout of a multitude assembled in the street. Huzza! huzza! Louisburg has surrendered! Huzza!

"O Grandfather, how glad I should have been to live in those times!" cried Charley. "And what reward did the

"He made Pepperell a baronet; so that he was now to be called Sir William Pepperell," replied Grandfather.

"He likewise appointed both Pepperell and Shirley to be colonels in the royal army. These rewards, and

higher ones, were well deserved; for this was the greatest triumph that the English met with in the whole

course of that war. General Pepperell became a man of great fame. I have seen a fulllength portrait of him,

representing him in a splendid scarlet uniform, standing before the walls of Louisburg, while several bombs

"But did the country gain any real good by the conquest of Louisburg?" asked Laurence. "Or was all the

"The English Parliament," replied Grandfather, "agreed to pay the colonists for all the expenses of the siege.

Accordingly, in 1749, two hundred and fifteen chests of Spanish dollars and one hundred casks of copper

coin were brought from England to Boston. The whole amount was about a million of dollars. Twentyseven

carts and trucks carried this money from the wharf to the provincial treasury. Was not this a pretty liberal

"The mothers of the young men who were killed at the siege of Louisburg would not have thought it so," said

"No; Laurence," rejoined Grandfather; "and every warlike achievement involves an amount of physical and

moral evil, for which all the gold in the Spanish mines would not be the slightest recompense. But we are to

consider that this siege was one of the occasions on which the colonists tested their ability for war, and thus

were prepared for the great contest of the Revolution. In that point of view, the valor of our forefathers was

Grandfather went on to say that the success of the expedition against Louisburg induced Shirley and

Pepperell to form a scheme for conquering Canada, This plan, however, was not carried into execution.

In the year 1746 great terror was excited by the arrival of a formidable French fleet upon the coast It was

commanded by the Duke d'Anville, and consisted of forty ships of war, besides vessels with soldiers on

board. With this force the French intended to retake Louisburg, and afterwards to ravage the whole of New

But the hostile fleet met with so many disasters and losses by storm and shipwreck, that the Duke d'Anville is

said to have poisoned himself in despair. The officer next in command threw himself upon his sword and

perished. Thus deprived of their commanders, the remainder of the ships returned to France. This was as

great a deliverance for New England as that which Old England had experienced in the days of Queen

"In 1747," proceeded Grandfather, "Governor Shirley was driven from the Province House, not by a hostile

fleet and army, but by a mob of the Boston people. They were so incensed at the conduct of the British

Commodore Knowles, who had impressed some of their fellowcitizens, that several thousands of them

surrounded the council chamber and threw stones and brickbats into the windows. The governor attempted to

pacify them; but not succeeding, he thought it necessary to leave the town and take refuge within the walls of

Castle William. Quiet was not restored until Commodore Knowles had sent back the impressed men. This

affair was a flash of spirit that might have warned the English not to venture upon any oppressive measures

Peace being declared between France and England in 1748, the governor had now an opportunity to sit at his

ease in Grandfather's chair. Such repose, however, appears not to have suited his disposition; for in the

following year he went to England, and thence was despatched to France on public business. Meanwhile, as

Shirley had not resigned his office, LieutenantGovernor Phips acted as chief magistrate in his stead.

IN the early twilight of Thanksgiving Eve came Laurence, and Clara, and Charley, and little Alice, hand in

hand, and stood in a semicircle round Grandfather's chair. They had been joyous throughout that day of

festivity, mingling together in all kinds of play, so that the house had echoed with their airy mirth.

Grandfather, too, had been happy though not mirthful. He felt that this was to be set down as one of the good

Thanksgivings of his life. In truth, all his former Thanksgivings had borne their part in the present one; for

his years of infancy, and youth, and manhood, with their blessings and their griefs, had flitted before him

while he sat silently in the great chair. Vanished scenes had been pictured in the air. The forms of departed

friends had visited him. Voices to be heard no more on earth had sent an echo from the infinite and the

eternal. These shadows, if such they were, seemed almost as real to him as what was actually present,as

the merry shouts and laughter of the children,as their figures, dancing like sunshine before his eyes.

He felt that the past was not taken from him. The happiness of former days was a possession forever. And

there was something in the mingled sorrow of his lifetime that became akin to happiness, after being long

treasured in the depths of his heart. There it underwent a change, and grew more precious than pure gold.

And now came the children, somewhat aweary with their wild play, and sought the quiet enjoyment of

Grandfather's talk. The good old gentleman rubbed his eyes and smiled round upon them all. He was glad, as

most aged people are, to find that he was yet of consequence, and could give pleasure to the world. After

being so merry all day long, did these children desire to hear his sober talk? Oh, then, old Grandfather had yet

And truly our yellow friend, the cat, lay upon the hearthrug, basking in the warmth of the fire, pricking up

her ears, and turning her head from the children to Grandfather, and from Grandfather to the children as if she

felt herself very sympathetic with them all. A loud purr, like the singing of a teakettle or the hum of a

spinningwheel, testified that she was as comfortable and happy as a cat could be. For puss had feasted; and

"Does pussy want to hear me?" said Grandfathers smiling. "Well, we must please pussy, if we can."

And so he took up the history of the chair from the epoch of the peace of 1748. By one of the provisions of

the treaty, Louisburg, which the NewEnglanders had been at so much pains to take, was restored to the King

The French were afraid that, unless their colonies should be better defended than heretofore, another war

might deprive them of the whole. Almost as soon as peace was declared, therefore, they began to build strong

fortifications in the interior of North America. It was strange to behold these warlike castles on the banks of

solitary lakes and far in the midst of woods. The Indian, paddling his birch canoe on Lake Champlain, looked

up at the high ramparts of Ticonderoga, stone piled on stone, bristling with cannon, and the white flag of

France floating above. There were similar fortifications on Lake Ontario, and near the great Falls of Niagara,

and at the sources of the Ohio River. And all around these forts and castles lay the eternal forest, and the roll

The truth was, that the French intended to build forts all the way from Canada to Louisiana. They would then

have had a wall of military strength at the back of the English settlements so as completely to hem them in.

The King of England considered the building of these forts as a sufficient cause of war, which was

"Governor Shirley," said Grandfather, "had returned to Boston in 1753. While in Paris he had married a

second wife, a young French girl, and now brought her to the Province House. But when war was breaking

out it was impossible for such a bustling man to stay quietly at home, sitting in our old chair, with his wife

and children, round about him. He therefore obtained a command in the English forces."

"He stayed at home," said Grandfather, "and was general of the militia. The veteran regiments of the English

army which were now sent across the Atlantic would have scorned to fight under the orders of an old

American merchant. And now began what aged people call the old French War. It would be going too far

astray from the history of our chair to tell you one half of the battles that were fought. I cannot even allow

myself to describe the bloody defeat of General Braddock, near the sources of the Ohio River, in 1755. But I

must not omit to mention that, when the Eng lish general was mortally wounded and his army routed, the

At the mention of this illustrious name the children started as if a sudden sunlight had gleamed upon the

history of their country, now that the great deliverer had arisen above the horizon.

Among all the events of the old French War, Grandfather thought that there was none more interesting than

the removal of the inhabitants of Acadia. From the first settlement of this ancient province of the French, in

1604, until the present time, its people could scarcely ever know what kingdom held dominion over them.

They were a peaceful race, taking no delight in warfare, and caring nothing for military renown. And yet, in

every war, their region was infested with ironhearted soldiers, both French and English, who fought one

another for the privilege of illtreating these poor, harmless Acadians. Sometimes the treaty of peace made

At the peace of 1748 Acadia had been ceded to England. But the French still claimed a large portion of it, and

built forts for its defence. In 1755 these forts were taken, and the whole of Acadia was conquered by three

thousand men from Massachusetts, under the command of General Winslow. The inhabitants were accused of

supplying the French with provisions, and of doing other things that violated their neutrality.

"These accusations were probably true," observed Grandfather; "for the Acadians were descended from the

French, and had the same friendly feelings towards them that the people of Massachusetts had for the

English. But their punishment was severe. The English determined to tear these poor people from their native

The Acadians were about seven thousand in number. A considerable part of them were made prisoners, and

transported to the English colonies. All their dwellings and churches were burned, their cattle were killed, and

the whole country was laid waste, so that none of them might find shelter or food in their old homes after the

departure of the English. One thousand of the prisoners were sent to Massachusetts; and Grandfather allowed

his fancy to follow them thither, and tried to give his auditors an idea of their situation.

A sad day it was for the poor Acadians when the armed soldiers drove them, at the point of the bayonet, down

to the seashore. Very sad were they, likewise, while tossing upon the ocean in the crowded transport

vessels. But methinks it must have been sadder still when they were landed on the Long Wharf in Boston,

Then, probably, they huddled together and looked into one another's faces for the comfort which was not

there. Hitherto they had been confined on board of separate vessels, so that they could not tell whether their

relatives and friends were prisoners along with them. But now, at least, they could tell that many had been

Now a desolate wife might be heard calling for her husband. He, alas! had gone, she knew not whither; or

perhaps had fled into the woods of Acadia, and had now returned to weep over the ashes of their dwelling.

An aged widow was crying out in a querulous, lamentable tone for her son, whose affectionate toil had

supported her for many a. year. He was not in the crowd of exiles; and what could this aged widow do but

sink down and die? Young men and maidens, whose hearts had been torn asunder by separation, had hoped,

during the voyage, to meet their beloved ones at its close. Now they began to feel that they were separated

forever. And perhaps a lonesome little girl, a goldenhaired child of five years old, the very picture of our

little Alice, was weeping and wailing for her mother, and found not a soul to give her a kind word.

Oh, how many broken bonds of affection were here! Country lost,friends lost,their rural wealth of

cottage, field, and herds all lost together! Every tie between these poor exiles and the world seemed to be cut

off at once. They must have regretted that they had not died before their exile; for even the English would not

have been so pitiless as to deny them graves in their native soil. The dead were happy; for they were not

While they thus stood upon the wharf, the curiosity and inquisitiveness of the New England people would

naturally lead them into the midst of the poor Acadians. Prying busybodies thrust their heads into the circle

wherever two or three of the exiles were conversing together. How puzzled did they look at the outlandish

sound of the French tongue! There were seen the New England women, too. They had just come out of their

warm, safe homes, where everything was regular and comfortable, and where their husbands and children

would be with them at nightfall. Surely they could pity the wretched wives and mothers of Acadia! Or aid the

sign of the cross which the Acadians continually made upon their breasts, and which was abhorred by the

Among the spectators, too, was the noisy brood of Boston schoolboys, who came running, with laughter and

shouts, to gaze at this crowd of oddly dressed foreigners. At first they danced and capered around them, full

of merriment and mischief. But the despair of the Acadians soon had its effect upon these thoughtless lads,

At a little distance from the throng might be seen the wealthy and pompous merchants whose warehouses

stood on Long Wharf. It was difficult to touch these rich men's hearts; for they had all the comforts of the

world at their command; and when they walked abroad their feelings were seldom moved, except by the

roughness of the pavement irritating their gouty toes. Leaning upon their goldheaded canes, they watched

the scene with an aspect of composure. But let us hype they distributed some of their superfluous coin among

After standing a long time at the end of the wharf, gazing seaward, as if to catch a glimpse of their lost

They went, we will suppose, in parties and groups, here a hundred, there a score, there ten, there three or four,

who possessed some bond of unity among themselves. Here and there was one who, utterly desolate, stole

Whither did they go? I imagine them wandering about the streets, telling the townspeople, in outlandish,

unintelligible words, that no earthly affliction ever equalled what had befallen them. Man's brotherhood with

man was sufficient to make the NewEnglanders understand this language. The strangers wanted food. Some

of them sought hospitality at the doors of the stately mansions which then stood in the vicinity of Hanover

Street and the North Square. Others were applicants at the humble wooden tenements, where dwelt the petty

shopkeepers and mechanics. Pray Heaven that no family in Boston turned one of these poor exiles from their

door! It would be a reproach upon New England,a crime worthy of heavy retribution,if the aged women

Perhaps some of the Acadians, in their aimless wanderings through the town, found themselves near a large

brick edifice, which was fenced in from the street by an iron railing, wrought with fantastic figures. They saw

a flight of red freestone steps ascending to a portal, above which was a balcony and balustrade. Misery and

desolation give men the right of free passage everywhere. Let us suppose, then, that they mounted the flight

of steps and passed into the Province House. Making their way into one of the apartments, they beheld a

richlyclad gentleman, seated in a stately chair, with gilding upon the carved work of its back, and a gilded

lion's head at the summit. This was Governor Shirley, meditating upon matters of war and state, in

If such an incident did happen, Shirley, reflecting what a ruin of peaceful and humble hopes had been

wrought by the cold policy of the statesman and the iron band of the warrior, might have drawn a deep moral

from it. It should have taught him that the poor man's hearth is sacred, and that armies and nations have no

right to violate it. It should have made him feel that England's triumph and increased dominion could not

compensate to mankind nor atone to Heaven for the ashes of a single Acadian cottage. But it is not thus that

"Grandfather," cried Laurence, with emotion trembling in his voice, "did ironhearted War itself ever do so

"You have read in history, Laurence, of whole regions wantonly laid waste," said Grandfather. "In the

removal of the Acadians, the troops were guilty of no cruelty or outrage, except what was inseparable from

Little Alice, whose eyes had all along been brimming full of tears, now burst forth asobbing; for

"To think of a whole people homeless in the world!' said Clara, with moistened eyes. "There never was

"It was their own fault!" cried Charley, energetically. "Why did not they fight for the country where they

were born? Then, if the worst had happened to them, they could only have been killed and buried there. They

"Certainly their lot was as hard as death," said Grandfather. "All that could be done for them in the English

provinces was, to send them to the almshouses, or bind them out to taskmasters. And this was the fate of

persons who had possessed a comfortable property in their native country. Some of them found means to

embark for France; but though it was the land of their forefathers, it must have been a foreign land to them.

Those who remained behind always cherished a belief that the King of France would never make peace with

"Alas! my dear Clara," said Grandfather, "it is improbable that the slightest whisper of the woes of Acadia

ever reached the ears of Louis XV. The exiles grew old in the British provinces, and never saw Acadia again.

Their descendants remain among us to this day. They have forgotten the language of their ancestors, and

probably retain no tradition of their misfortunes. But, methinks, if I were an American poet, I would choose

Since Grandfather first spoke these words, the most famous of American poets has drawn sweet tears from all

And now, having thrown a gentle gloom around the Thanksgiving fireside by a story that made the children

feel the blessing of a secure and peaceful hearth, Grandfather put off the other events of the old French War

IN the twilight of the succeeding eve, when the red beams of the fire were dancing upon the wall, the children

"Our chair," said Grandfather, "stood all this time in the Province House. But Governor Shirley had seldom

an opportunity to repose within its arms. He was leading his troops through the forest, or sailing in a flatboat

on Lake Ontario, or sleeping in his tent, while the awful cataract of Niagara sent its roar through his dreams.

At one period, in the early part of the war, Shirley had the chief command of all the king's forces in

"I rather imagine," replied Grandfather, "that she remained in Boston. This lady, I suppose, had our chair all

to herself, and used to sit in it during those brief intervals when a young Frenchwoman can be quiet enough to

sit in a chair. The people of Massachusetts were never fond of Governor Shirley's young French wife. They

had a suspicion that she betrayed the military plans of the English to the generals of the French armies."

"Probably not," said Grandfather. "But the mere suspicion did Shirley a great deal of harm. Partly, perhaps,

for this reason, but much more on account of his inefficiency as a general, he was deprived of his command

in 1756, and recalled to England. He never afterwards made any figure in public life."

As Grandfather's chair had no locomotive properties, and did not even run on castors, it cannot be supposed

to have marched in person to the old French War. But Grandfather delayed its momentous history while he

touched briefly upon some of the bloody battles, sieges, and onslaughts, the tidings of which kept continually

coming to the ears of the old inhabitants of Boston. The woods of the North were populous with fighting

men. All the Indian tribes uplifted their tomahawks, and took part either with the French or English. The

rattle of musketry and roar of cannon disturbed the ancient quiet of the forest, and actually drove the bears

and other wild beasts to the more cultivated portion of the country in the vicinity of the seaports. The children

felt as if they were transported back to those forgotten times, and that the couriers from the army, with the

news of a battle lost or won, might even now be heard galloping through the streets. Grandfather told them

about the battle of Lake George in 1755, when the gallant Colonel Williams, a Massachusetts officer, was

slain, with many of his countrymen. But General Johnson and General Lyman, with their army, drove back

the enemy and mortally wounded the French leader, who was called the Baron Dieskau. A gold watch,

pilfered from the poor baron, is still in existence, and still marks each moment of time without complaining

of weariness, although its hands have been in motion ever since the hour of battle.

In the first years of the war there were many disasters on the English side. Among these was the loss of Fort

Oswego in 1756, and of Fort William Henry in the following year. But the greatest misfortune that befell the

English during the whole war was the repulse of General Abercrombie, with his army, from the ramparts of

Ticonderoga in 1758. He attempted to storm the walls; but a terrible conflict ensued, in which more than two

thousand Englishmen and NewEnglanders were killed or wounded. The slain soldiers now lie buried around

that ancient fortress. When the plough passes over the soil, it turns up here and there a mouldering bone.

Up to this period, none of the English generals had shown any military talent. Shirley, the Earl of Loudon,

and General Abercrombie had each held the chief command at different times; but not one of them had won a

single important triumph for the British arms. This ill success was not owing to the want of means: for, in

1758, General Abercrombie had fifty thousand soldiers under his command. But the French general, the

famous Marquis de Montcalm, possessed a great genius for war, and had something within him that taught

At length, in 1759, Sir Jeffrey Amherst was appointed commanderinchief of all the British forces in

America. He was a man of ability and a skilful soldier. A plan was now formed for accomplishing that object

which had so long been the darling wish of the NewEnglanders, and which their fathers had so many times

Three separate armies were to enter Canada from different quarters. One of the three, commanded by General

Prideaux, was to embark on Lake Ontario and proceed to Montreal. The second, at the head of which was Sir

Jeffrey Amherst himself, was destined to reach the river St. Lawrence by the way of Lake Champlain, and

then go down the river to meet the third army. This last, led by General Wolfe, was to enter the St. Lawrence

from the sea and ascend the river to Quebec. It is to Wolfe and his army that England owes one of the most

Grandfather described the siege of Quebec, and told how Wolfe led his soldiers up a rugged and lofty

precipice, that rose from the shore of the river to the plain on which the city stood. This bold adventure was

achieved in the darkness of night. At daybreak tidings were carried to the Marquis de Montcalm that the

English army was waiting to give him battle on the Plains of Abraham. This brave French general ordered his

He marched to his own death. The battle was the most fierce and terrible that had ever been fought in

America. General Wolfe was at the head of his soldiers, and, while encouraging them onward, received a

mortal wound. He reclined against a stone in the agonies of death; but it seemed as if his spirit could not pass

away while the fight yet raged so doubtfully. Suddenly a shout came pealing across the battlefield. "They

flee! they flee!" and, for a moment, Wolfe lifted his languid head. "Who flee?" he inquired.

"The French," replied an officer. "Then I die satisfied!" said Wolfe, and expired in the arms of victory.

"If ever a warrior's death were glorious, Wolfe's was so," said Grandfather; and his eye kindled, though he

was a man of peaceful thoughts and gentle spirit. "His lifeblood streamed to baptize the soil which he had

added to the dominion of Britain. His dying breath was mingled with his army's shout of victory."

"Oh, it was a good death to die!" cried Charley, with glistening eyes. "Was it not a good death, Laurence?"

Laurence made no reply; for his heart burned within him, as the picture of Wolfe, dying on the bloodstained

field of victory, arose to his imagination; and yet he had a deep inward consciousness that, after all, there was

"There were other battles in Canada after Wolfe's victory," resumed Grandfather; "but we may consider the

old French War as having terminated with this great event. The treaty of peace, however, was not signed until

1763. The terms of the treaty were very disadvantageous to the French; for all Canada, and all Acadia, and

the Island of Cape Breton,in short, all the territories that France and England had been fighting about for

"So now, at last," said Laurence, "New England had gained her wish. Canada was taken."

Grandfather mentioned two other important events. The first was the great fire of Boston in 1760, when the

glare from nearly three hundred buildings, all in flames at once, shone through the windows of the Province

House, and threw a fierce lustre upon the gilded foliage and lion's head of our old chair. The second event

was the proclamation, in the same year, of George III. as King of Great Britain. The blast of the trumpet

sounded from the balcony of the Town House, and awoke the echoes far and wide, as if to challenge all

Seven times, as the successive monarchs of Britain ascended the throne, the trumpet peal of proclamation had

been heard by those who sat in our venerable chair. But when the next king put on his father's crown, no

trumpet peal proclaimed it to New England. Long before that day America had shaken off the royal

NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very

distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that

"In 1757," said Grandfather, "after Shirley had been summoned to England, Thomas Pownall was appointed

governor of Massachusetts. He was a gay and fashionable English gentleman, who had spent much of his life

in London, but had a considerable acquaintance with America. The new governor appears to have taken no

active part in the war that was going on; although, at one period, he talked of marching against the enemy at

the head of his company of cadets. But, on the whole, he probably concluded that it was more befitting a

governor to remain quietly in our chair, reading the newspapers and official documents."

"They found no fault with him," replied Grandfather. "It was no time to quarrel with the governor when the

utmost harmony was required in order to defend the country against the French. But Pownall did not remain

long in Massachusetts. In 1759 he was sent to be governor of South Carolina. In thus exchanging one

government for another, I suppose he felt no regret, except at the necessity of leaving Grandfather's chair

"It appears to me," said Laurence, giving the rein to his fancy, "that the fate of this ancient chair was,

somehow or other, mysteriously connected with the fortunes of old Massachusetts. If Governor Pownall had

put it aboard the vessel in which he sailed for South Carolina, she would probably have lain windbound in

Boston Harbor. It was ordained that the chair should not be taken away. Don't you think so, Grandfather?"

"It was kept here for Grandfather and me to sit in together," said little Alice, "and for Grandfather to tell

"And Grandfather is very glad of such a companion and such a theme," said the old gentleman, with a smile.

"Well, Laurence, if our oaken chair, like the wooden palladium of Troy, was connected with the country's

fate, yet there appears to have been no supernatural obstacle to its removal from the Province House. In 1760

Sir Francis Bernard, who had been' governor of New Jersey, was appointed to the same office in

Massachusetts. He looked at the old chair, and thought it quite too shabby to keep company with a new set of

mahogany chairs and an aristocratic sofa which had just arrived from London. He therefore ordered it to be

The children were loud in their exclamations against this irreverent conduct of Sir Francis Bernard. But

Grandfather defended him as well as he could. He observed that it was then thirty years since the chair had

been beautified by Governor Belcher. Most of the gilding was worn off by the frequent scourings which it

had undergone beneath the hands of a black slave. The damask cushion, once so splendid, was now squeezed

out of all shape, and absolutely in tatters, so many were the ponderous gentlemen who had deposited their

Moreover, at a council held by the Earl of Loudon with the governors of New England in 1757, his lordship,

in a moment of passion, had kicked over the chair with his military boot. By this unprovoked and

unjustifiable act, our venerable friend had suffered a fracture of one of its rungs.

"But," said Grandfather, "our chair, after all, was not destined to spend the remainder of its days in the

inglorious obscurity of a garret. Thomas Hutchinson, Lieutenantgovernor of the province, was told of Sir

Francis Bernard's design. This gentleman was more familiar with the history of New England than any other

man alive. He knew all the adventures and vicissitudes through which the old chair had passed, and could

have told as accurately as your own Grandfather who were the personages that had occupied it. Often, while

visiting at the Province House, he had eyed the chair with admiration, and felt a longing desire to become the

possessor of it. He now waited upon Sir Francis Bernard, and easily obtained leave to carry it home."

"No," answered Grandfather. "What Mr. Hutchinson desired was, to restore the chair as much as possible to

its original aspect, such as it had appeared when it was first made out of the Earl of Lincoln's oaktree. For

this purpose he ordered it to be well scoured with soap and sand and polished with wax, and then provided it

with a substantial leather cush ion. When all was completed to his mind he sat down in the old chair, and

"Oh, that was a bright thought in Mr. Hutchinson," exclaimed Laurence. "And no doubt the dim figures of the

former possessors of the chair flitted around him as he wrote, and inspired him with a knowledge of all that

"Why, my dear Laurence," replied Grandfather, smiling, "if Mr. Hutchinson was favored with ally such

extraordinary inspiration, he made but a poor use of it in his history; for a duller piece of composition never

came from any man's pen. However, he was accurate, at least, though far from possessing the brilliancy or

"But if Hutchinson knew the history of the chair," rejoined Laurence, "his heart must have been stirred by it."

"It must, indeed," said Grandfather. "It would be entertaining and instructive, at the present day, to imagine

what were Mr. Hutchinson's thoughts as he looked back upon the long vista of events with which this chair

And Grandfather allowed his fancy to shape out an image of Lieutenant Governor Hutchinson, sitting in an

evening reverie by his fireside, and meditating on the changes that had slowly passed around the chair.

A devoted Monarchist, Hutchinson would heave no sigh for the subversion of the original republican

government, the purest that the world had seen, with which the colony began its existence. While reverencing

the grim and stern old Puritans as the founders of his native land, he would not wish to recall them from their

graves, nor to awaken again that kingresisting spirit which he imagined to be laid asleep with them forever.

Winthrop, Dudley, Bellingham, Endicott, Leverett, and Bradstreet,all these had had their day. Ages might

come and go, but never again would the people's suffrages place a republican governor in their ancient chair

Coming down to the epoch of the second charter, Hutchinson thought of the shipcarpenter Phips springing

from the lowest of the people and attaining to the loftiest station in the land. But he smiled to perceive that

this governor's example would awaken no turbulent ambition in the lower orders; for it was a king's gracious

boon alone that made the shipcarpenter a ruler. Hutchinson rejoiced to mark the gradual growth of an

aristocratic class, to whom the common people, as in duty bound, were learning humbly to resign the honors,

emoluments, and authority of state. He sawor else deceived himselfthat, throughout this epoch, the

people's disposition to selfgovernment had been growing weaker through long disuse, and now existed only

The lieutenantgovernor's reverie had now come down to the period at which he himself was sitting in the

historic chair. He endeavored to throw his glance forward over the coming years. There, probably, he saw

visions of hereditary rank for himself and other aristocratic colonists. He saw the fertile fields of New

England proportioned out among a few great landholders, and descending by entail from generation to

generation. He saw the people a race of tenantry, dependent on their lords. He saw stars, garters, coronets,

"But," added Grandfather, turning to Laurence, "the lieutenant governor's castles were built nowhere but

among the red embers of the fire before which he was sitting. And, just as he had constructed a baronial

residence for himself and his posterity, the fire rolled down upon the hearth and crumbled it to ashes!"

Grandfather now looked at his watch, which hung within a beautiful little ebony temple, supported by four

Ionic columns. He then laid his hand on the golden locks of little Alice, whose head had sunk down upon the

"To bed, to bed, dear child!" said he. "Grandfather has put you to sleep already by his stories about these

AT a consultation, held between Colonel Winslow and Captain Murray, [of the New England forces, charged

with the duty of exiling the Acadians,] it was agreed that a proclamation should be issued at the different

settlements, requiring the attendance of the people at the respective posts on the same day; which

proclamation should be so ambiguous in its nature that the object for which they were to assemble could not

be discerned, and so peremptory in its terms as to ensure implicit obedience. This instrument, having been

drafted and approved, was distributed according to the original plan. That which was addressed to the people

inhabiting the country now comprised within the limits of King's County, was as follows:

"To the inhabitants of the District of Grand Pre, Minas, River Canard, as well ancient, as young men and

"Whereas, his Excellency the Governor has instructed us of his late resolution, respecting the matter proposed

to the inhabitants, and has ordered us to communicate the same in person, his Excellency being desirous that

each of them should be fully satisfied of his Majesty's intentions, which he has also ordered us to

communicate to you, such as they have been given to him. We, therefore, order and strictly enjoin, by these

presents, all of the inhabitants, as well of the abovenamed district as of all the other Districts, both old men

and young men, as well as all the lads of ten years of age, to attend at the Church at Grand Pre, on Friday, the

fifth instant, at three of the clock in the afternoon, that we may impart to them what we are ordered to

communicate to them; declaring that no excuse will be admitted on any pretence whatever, on pain of

forfeiting goods and chattels, in default of real estate. Given at Grand Pre, 2d September, 1755, and 29th year

In obedience to this summons four hundred and eighteen ablebodied men assembled. These being shut into

the church (for that, too, had become an arsenal), Colonel Winslow placed himself, with his officers, in the

"I have received from his Excellency Governor Lawrence, the King's Commission, which I have in my hand;

and by his orders you are convened together to manifest to you, his Majesty's final resolution to the French

inhabitants of this his Province of NovaScotia; who, for almost half a century, have had more indulgence

granted them than any of his subjects in any part of his dominions; what use you have made of it you

yourselves best know. The part of duty I am now upon, though necessary, is very disagreeable to my natural

make and temper, as I know it must be grievous to you, who are of the same species; but it is not my business

to animadvert but to obey such orders as I receive, and therefore, without hesitation, shall deliver you his

Majesty's orders and instructions, namely that your lands and tenements, cattle of all kinds and live stock of

all sorts, are forfeited to the Crown; with all other your effects, saving your money and household goods, and

"Thus it is peremptorily his Majesty's orders that the whole French inhabitants of these Districts be removed;

and I am, through his Majesty's goodness, directed to allow you liberty to carry off your money and

household goods, as many as you can without discommoding the vessels you go in. I shall do everything in

my power that all those goods be secured to you, and that you are not molested in carrying them off; also, that

whole families shall go in the same vessel, and make this remove, which I am sensible must give you a great

deal of trouble, as easy as his Majesty's service will admit; and hope that, in whatever part of the world you

may fall, you may be faithful subjects, a peaceable and happy people. I must also inform you, that it is his

Majesty's pleasure that you remain in security under the inspection and direction of the troops that I have the

And he then declared them the King's prisoners. The whole number of persons collected at Grand Pre finally

amounted to four hundred and eightythree men, and three hundred and thirtyseven women, heads of

families; and their sons and daughters, to five hundred and twentyseven of the former, and five hundred and

seventysix of the latter; making in the whole one thousand nine hundred and twentythree souls. Their stock

consisted of one thousand two hundred and sixtynine oxen, one thousand five hundred and fiftyseven

cows, five thousand and seven young cattle, four hundred and ninetythree horses, eight thousand six

hundred and ninety sheep, and four thousand one hundred and ninetyseven hogs. As some of these wretched

inhabitants escaped to the woods, all possible measures were adopted to force them back to captivity. The

country was laid waste to prevent their subsistence. In the District of Minas alone, there were destroyed two

hundred and fiftyfive houses, two hundred and seventysix barns, one hundred and fiftyfive outhouses,

eleven mills, and one church; and the friends of those who refused to surrender were threatened as the victims

In short, so operative were the terrors that surrounded them, that of twentyfour young men, who deserted

from a transport, twentytwo were glad to return of themselves, the others being shot by sentinels; and one of

their friends, who was supposed to have been accessory to their escape, was carried on shore to behold the

destruction of his house and effects, which were burned in his presence, as a punishment for his temerity and

perfidious aid to his comrades. The prisoners expressed the greatest concern at having incurred his Majesty's

displeasure, and in a petition addressed to Colonel Winslow intreated him to detain a part of them as sureties

for the appearance of the rest, who were desirous of visiting their families, and consoling them in their

distress and misfortunes. To comply with this request of holding a few as hostages for the surrender of the

whole body, was deemed inconsistent with his instructions; but, as there could be no objection to allow a

small number of them to return to their homes, permission was given to them to choose ten for the District of

Minas (Horton) and ten for the District of Canard (Cornwallis) to whom leave of absence was given for one

day, and on whose return a similar number were indulged in the same manner. They bore their confinement,

and received their sentence with a fortitude and resignation altogether unexpected; but when the hour of

embarkation arrived, in which they were to leave the land of their nativity foreverto part with their friends

and relatives, without the hope of ever seeing them again, and to be dispersed among strangers, whose

language, customs and religion were opposed to their own, the weakness of human nature prevailed, and they

were overpowered with the sense of their miseries. The preparations having been all completed, the 10th of

September was fixed upon as the day of departure. The prisoners were drawn up six deep, and the young

men, one hundred and sixtyone in number, were ordered to go first on board of the vessels. This they

instantly and peremptorily refused to do, declaring that they would not leave their parents; but expressed a

willingness to comply with the order, provided they were permitted to embark with their families. This

request was immediately rejected, and the troops were ordered to fix bayonets and advance towards the

prisoners, a motion which had the effect of producing obedience on the part of the young men, who forthwith

commenced their march. The road from the chapel to the shore, just one mile in length, was crowded with

women and children; who, on their knees, greeted them as they passed with their tears and their blessings,

while the prisoners advanced with slow and reluctant steps, weeping, praying, and singing hymns. This

detachment was followed by the seniors, who passed through the same scene of sorrow and distress. In this

manner was the whole male part of the population of the District of Minas put on board the five transports,

stationed in the river Gaspereaux, each vessel being guarded by six noncommissioned officers, and eighty

privates. As soon as the other vessels arrived, their wives and children followed, and the whole were

transported from Nova Scotia. The haste with which these measures were carried into execution did not admit

of those preparations for their comfort, which, if unmerited by their disloyalty, were at least due in pity to the

severity of their punishment. The hurry, confusion, and excitement connected with the embarkation had

scarcely subsided, when the Provincials were appalled by the work of their own hands The novelty and

peculiarity of their situation could not but force itself upon the attention of even the unreflecting soldiery;

stationed in the midst of a beautiful and fertile country, they suddenly found themselves without a foe to

subdue, and without a population to protect. The volumes of smoke which the half expiring embers emitted,

while they marked the site of the peasant's humble cottage, bore testimony to the extent of the work of

destruction. For several successive evenings the cattle assembled round the smouldering ruins, as if in

anxious expectation of the return of their masters, while all night long the faithful watchdogs of the Neutrals

howled over the scene of desolation, and mourned alike the hand that had fed, and the house that had

ON THE evening of NewYear's Day Grandfather was walking to and fro across the carpet, listening to the

rain which beat hard against the curtained windows. The riotous blast shook the casement as if a strong man

were striving to force his entrance into the comfortable room. With every puff of the wind the fire leaped

upward from the hearth, laughing and rejoicing at the shrieks of the wintry storm.

Meanwhile Grandfather's chair stood in its customary place by the fireside. The bright blaze gleamed upon

the fantastic figures of its oaken back, and shone through the open work, so that a complete pattern was

thrown upon the opposite side of the room. Sometimes, for a moment or two, the shadow remained

immovable, as if it were painted on the wall. Then all at once it began to quiver, and leap, and dance with a

frisky motion. Anon, seeming to remember that these antics were unworthy of such a dignified and venerable

And she ran to the wall and tried to catch hold of the flickering shadow; for, to children of five years old, a

"I wish," said Clara, "Grandfather would sit down in the chair and finish its history."

If the children had been looking at Grandfather, they would have noticed that he paused in his walk across the

room when Clara made this remark. The kind old gentleman was ready and willing to resume his stories of

departed times. But he had resolved to wait till his auditors should request him to proceed, in order that they

"Grandfather," said Charley, "I am tired to death of this dismal rain and of hearing the wind roar in the

chimney. I have had no good time all day. It would be better to hear stories about the chair than to sit doing

To say the truth, our friend Charley was very much out of humor with the storm, because it had kept him all

day within doors, and hindered him from making a trial of a splendid sled, which Grandfather had given him

for a NewYear's gift. As all sleds, nowadays, must have a name, the one in question had been honored with

the title of Grandfather's chair, which was painted in golden letters on each of the sides. Charley greatly

admired the construction of the new vehicle, and felt certain that it would outstrip any other sled that ever

As for Laurence, he happened to be thinking, just at this moment, about the history of the chair. Kind old

Grandfather had made him a present of a volume of engraved portraits, representing the features of eminent

and famous people o f all countries. Among them Laurence found several who had formerly occupied our

chair or been connected with its adventures. While Grandfather walked to and fro across the room, the

imaginative boy was gazing at the historic chair. He endeavored to summon up the por traits which he had

"The old chair has begun another year of its existence, today," said Laurence. "We must make haste, or it

"Yes, my children," replied Grandfather, with a smile and a sigh, "another year has been added to those of the

two centuries and upward which have passed since the Lady Arbella brought this chair over from England. It

is three times as old as your Grandfather; but a year makes no impression on its oaken frame, while it bends

the old man nearer and nearer to the earth; so let me go on with my stories while I may."

Accordingly Grandfather came to the fireside and seated himself in the venerable chair. The lion's head

looked down with a grimly goodnatured aspect as the children clustered around the old gentleman's knees. It

almost seemed as if a real lion were peeping over the back of the chair, and smiling at the group of auditors

with a sort of lionlike complaisance. Little Alice, whose fancy often inspired her with singular ideas,

exclaimed that the lion's head was nodding at her, and that it looked as if it were going to open its wide jaws

But as the lion's head appeared to be in no haste to speak, and as there was no record or tradition of its having

spoken during the whole existence of the chair, Grandfather did not consider it worth while to wait.

"CHARLEY, my boy," said Grandfather, "do you remember who was the last occupant of the chair?"

"It was LieutenantGovernor Hutchinson," answered Charley. "Sir Francis Bernard, the new governor, had

given him the chair, instead of putting it away in the garret of the Province House. And when we took leave

of Hutchinson he was sitting by his fireside, and thinking of the past adventures of the chair and of what was

"Very well," said Grandfather; "and you recollect that this was in 1763, or thereabouts, at the close of the old

French War. Now, that you may fully comprehend the remaining adventures of the chair, I must make some

brief remarks on the situation and character of the New England colonies at this period."

So Grandfather spoke of the earnest loyalty of our fathers during the old French War, and after the conquest

The people loved and reverenced the King of England even more than if the ocean had not rolled its waves

between him and them; for, at the distance of three thousand miles, they could not discover his bad qualities

and imperfections. Their love was increased by the dangers which they had encountered in order to heighten

his glory and extend his dominion. Throughout the war the American colonists had fought side by side with

the soldiers of Old England; and nearly thirty thousand young men had laid down their lives for the honor of

King George. And the survivors loved him the better because they had done and suffered so much for his

But there were some circumstances that caused America to feel more independent of England than at an

earlier period. Canada and Acadia had now become British provinces; and our fathers were no longer afraid

of the bands of French and Indians who used to assault them in old times. For a century and a half this had

been the great terror of New England. Now the old French soldier was driven from the North forever. And

even had it been otherwise, the English colonies were growing so populous and powerful that they might

There were thoughtful and sagacious men, who began to doubt whether a great country like America would

always be content to remain under the government of an island three thousand miles away. This was the more

doubtful, because the English Parliament had long ago made laws which were intended to be very beneficial

to England at the expense of America. By these laws the colonists were forbidden to manufacture articles for

"Now," continued Grandfather, "if King George III. and his counsellors had considered these things wisely,

they would have taken another course than they did. But when they saw how rich and populous the colonies

had grown, their first thought was how they might make more profit out of them than heretofore. England

was enormously in debt at the close of the old French War; and it was pretended that this debt had been

contracted for the defence of the American colonies, and that, therefore, a part of it ought to be paid by

"Why, this was nonsense!" exclaimed Charley. "Did not our fathers spend their lives, and their money too, to

"True, they did," said Grandfather; "and they told the English rulers so. But the king and his ministers would

"The Stamp Act," replied Grandfather, "was a law by which all deeds, bonds, and other papers of the same

kind were ordered to be marked with the king's stamp; and without this mark they were declared illegal and

void. Now, in order to get a blank sheet of paper with the king's stamp upon it, people were obliged to pay

threepence more than the actual value of the paper. And this extra sum of threepence was a tax, and was to be

"It was not for threepence, nor for any amount of money, that America quarrelled with England," replied

Grandfather; "it was for a great principle. The colonists were determined not to be taxed except by their own

representatives. They said that neither the king and Parliament, nor any other power on earth, had a right to

take their money out of their pockets unless they freely gave it. And, rather than pay threepence when it was

unjustly demanded, they resolved to sacrifice all the wealth of the country, and their lives along with it. They

"That was noble!" exclaimed Laurence. "I understand how it was. If they had quietly paid the tax of

threepence, they would have ceased to be freemen, and would have become tributaries of England. And so

they contended about a great question of right and wrong, and put everything at stake for it."

"You are right, Laurence," said Grandfather, "and it was really amazing and terrible to see what a change

came over the aspect of the people the moment the English Parliament had passed this oppressive act. The

former history of our chair, my children, has given you some idea of what a harsh, unyielding, stern set of

men the old Puritans were. For a good many years back, however, it had seemed as if these characteristics

were disappearing. But no sooner did England offer wrong to the colonies than the descendants of the early

settlers proved that they had the same kind of temper as their forefathers. The moment before, New England

appeared like a humble and loyal subject of the crown; the next instant, she showed the grim, dark features of

Grandfather spoke briefly of the public measures that were taken in opposition to the Stamp Act. As this law

affected all the American colonies alike, it naturally led them to think of consulting together is order to

procure its repeal. For this purpose the Legislature of Massachusetts proposed that delegates from every

colony should meet in Congress. Accordingly nine colonies, both Northern and Southern, sent delegates to

"No, Charley," answered Grandfather; "a great deal of talking was yet to be done before England and

America could come to blows. The Congress stated the rights and grievances of the colonists. They sent a

humble petition to the king, and a memorial to the Parliament, beseeching that the Stamp Act might be

"By no means," replied Grandfather. "It was a most important and memorable event, this first coming

together of the American people by their representatives from the North and South. If England had been wise,

These remonstrances and petitions, as Grandfather observed, were the work of grave, thoughtful, and prudent

men. Meantime the young and hot headed people went to work in their own way. It is probable that the

petitions of Congress would have had little or no effect on the British statesmen if the violent deeds of the

American people had not shown how much excited the people were. LIBERTY TREE was soon heard of in

"It was an old elmtree," answered Grandfather, "which stood near the corner of Essex Street, opposite the

Boylston Market. Under the spreading branches of this great tree the people used to assemble whenever they

wished to express their feelings and opinions. Thus, after a while, it seemed as if the liberty of the country

"It bore strange fruit, sometimes," said Grandfather. "One morning in August, 1765, two figures were found

hanging on the sturdy branches of Liberty Tree. They were dressed in squareskirted coats and small

clothes; and, as their wigs hung down over their faces, they looked like real men. One was intended to

represent the Earl of Bute, who was supposed to have advised the king to tax America. The other was meant

for the effigy of Andrew Oliver, a gentleman belonging to one of the most respectable families in

"The king had appointed him to be distributor of the stamps," answered Grandfather. "Mr. Oliver would have

made a great deal of money by this business. But the people frightened him so much by hanging him in

effigy, and afterwards by breaking into his house, that he promised to have nothing to do with the stamps.

And all the king's friends throughout America were compelled to make the same promise."

"LIEUTENANTGOVERNOR HUTCHINSON," continued Grandfather, "now began to be unquiet in our

old chair. He had formerly been much respected and beloved by the people, and had often proved himself a

friend to their interests. But the time was come when he could not be a friend to the people without ceasing to

be a friend to the king. It was pretty generally understood that Hutchinson would act according to the king's

wishes, right or wrong, like most of the other gentlemen who held offices under the crown. Besides, as he

was brotherinlaw of Andrew Oliver, the people now felt a particular dislike to him."

"I should think," said Laurence, "as Mr. Hutchinson had written the history of our Puritan forefathers, he

would have known what the temper of the people was, and so have taken care not to wrong them."

"He trusted in the might of the King of England," replied Grandfather, "and thought himself safe under the

shelter of the throne. If no dispute had arisen between the king and the people, Hutchinson would have had

the character of a wise, good, and patriotic magistrate. But, from the time that he took part against the rights

of his country, the people's love and respect were turned to scorn and hatred, and he never had another hour

In order to show what a fierce and dangerous spirit was now aroused among the inhabitants, Grandfather

On the evening of the 26th of August, 1765, a bonfire was kindled in King Street. It flamed high upward, and

threw a ruddy light over the front of the Town House, on which was displayed a carved representation of the

royal arms. The gilded vane of the cupola glittered in the blaze. The kindling of this bonfire was the

Before the tarbarrels, of which the bonfire was made, were half burned out, a great crowd had come

together. They were chiefly laborers and seafaring men, together with many young apprentices, and all those

idle people about town who are ready for any kind of mischief. Doubtless some schoolboys were among

While these rough figures stood round the blazing bonfire, you might hear them speaking bitter words against

the high officers of the province. Governor Bernard, Hutchinson, Oliver, Storey, Hallowell, and other men

whom King George delighted to honor, were reviled as traitors to the country. Now and then, perhaps, an

officer of the crown passed along the street, wearing the goldlaced hat, white wig, and embroidered

waistcoat which were the fashion of the day. But when the people beheld him they set up a wild and angry

howl; and their faces had an evil aspect, which was made more terrible by the flickering blaze of the bonfire.

"I should like to throw the traitor right into that blaze!" perhaps one fierce rioter would say.

"Yes; and all his brethren too!" another might reply;" and the governor and old Tommy Hutchinson into the

"And the Earl of Bute along with them!" muttered a third; "and burn the whole pack of them under King

Some such expressions as these, either shouted aloud or muttered under the breath, were doubtless heard in

King Street. The mob, meanwhile, were growing fiercer and fiercer, and seemed ready even to set the town

on fire for the sake of burning the king's friends out of house and home. And yet, angry as they were, they

sometimes broke into a loud roar of laughter, as if mischief and destruction were their sport.

But we must now leave the rioters for a time, and take a peep into the lieutenantgovernor's splendid

mansion. It was a large brick house, decorated with Ionic pilasters, and stood in Garden Court Street, near the

While the angry mob in King Street were shouting his name, Lieutenant Governor Hutchinson sat quietly in

Grandfather's chair, unsuspicious of the evil that was about to fall upon his head. His beloved family were in

the room with him. He had thrown off his embroidered coat and powdered wig, and had on a looseflowing

gown and purplevelvet cap. He had likewise laid aside the cares of state and all the thoughts that had

Perhaps, in the enjoyment of his home, he had forgotten all about the Stamp Act, and scarcely remembered

that there was a king, across the ocean, who had resolved to make tributaries of the NewEnglanders.

Possibly, too, he had forgotten his own ambition, and would not have exchanged his situation, at that

The wax candles were now lighted, and showed a handsome room, well provided with rich furniture. On the

walls hung the pictures of Hutchinson's ancestors, who had been eminent men in their day, and were

honorably remembered in the history of the country. Every object served to mark the residence of a rich,

aristocratic gentleman, who held himself high above the common people, and could have nothing to fear from

them. In a corner of the room, thrown carelessly upon a chair, were the scarlet robes of the chief justice. This

high office, as well as those of lieutenantgovernor, councillor, and judge of probate, was filled by

Who or what could disturb the domestic quiet of such a great and powerful personage as now sat in

The lieutenantgovernor's favorite daughter sat by his side. She leaned on the arm of our great chair, and

looked up affectionately into her father's face, rejoicing to perceive that a quiet smile was on his lips. But

suddenly a shade came across her countenance. She seemed to listen attentively, as if to catch a distant sound.

The lieutenantgovernor listened. But his ears were duller than those of his daughter; he could hear nothing

more terrible than the sound of a summer breeze, sighing among the tops of the elmtrees.

"No, foolish child!" he replied, playfully patting her cheek. "There is no tumult. Our Boston mobs are

satisfied with what mischief they have already done. The king's friends need not tremble."

So Hutchinson resumed his pleasant and peaceful meditations, and again forgot that there were any troubles

in the world. But his family were alarmed, and could not help straining their ears to catch the slightest sound.

More and more distinctly they heard shouts, and then the trampling of many feet. While they were listening,

"A mob! a terrible mob'!" cried he. "They have broken into Mr. Storey's house, and into Mr. Hallowell's,

and have made themselves drunk with the liquors in his cellar; and now they are coming hither, as wild as so

But Hutchinson would not hearken to them. He was an old lawyer; and he could not realize that the people

would do anything so utterly lawless as to assault him in his peaceful home. He was one of King George's

chief officers � and it would be an insult and outrage upon the king himself if the lieutenantgovernor should

"Have no fears on my account," said he. "I am perfectly safe. The king's name shall be my protection.''

Yet he bade his family retire into one of the neighboring houses. His daughter would have remained; but he

The huzzas and riotous uproar of the mob were now heard, close at hand. The sound was terrible, and struck

Hutchinson with the same sort of dread as if an enraged wild beast had broken loose and were roaring for its

prey. He crept softly to the window. There he beheld an immense concourse of people, filling all the street

and rolling onward to his house. It was like a tempestuous flood, that had swelled beyond its bounds and

would sweep everything before it. Hutchinson trembled; he felt, at that moment, that the wrath of the people

That was a moment when a loyalist and an aristocrat like Hutchinson might have learned how powerless are

kings, nobles, and great men, when the low and humble range themselves against them. King George could

do nothing for his servant now. Had King George been there he could have done nothing for himself. If

Hutchinson had understood this lesson, and remembered it, he need not, in after years, have been an exile

There was now a rush against the doors of the house. The people sent up a hoarse cry. At this instant the

lieutenantgovernor's daughter, whom he had supposed to be in a place of safety, ran into the room and threw

"Father, are you mad?" cried she. "Will the king's name protect you now? Come with me, or they will have

"True," muttered Hutchinson to himself; "what care these roarers for the name of king? I must flee, or they

Hurrying away, he and his daughter made their escape by the private passage at the moment when the rioters

broke into the house. The foremost of them rushed up the staircase, and entered the room which Hutchinson

had just quitted. There they beheld our good old chair facing them with quiet dignity, while the lion's head

seemed to move its jaws in the unsteady light of their torches. Perhaps the stately aspect of our venerable

friend, which had stood firm through a century and a half of trouble, arrested them for an instant. But they

Then began the work of destruction. The carved and polished mahogany tables were shattered with heavy

clubs and hewn to splinters with axes. The marble hearths and mantelpieces were broken. The volumes of

Hutchinson's library, so precious to a studious man, were torn out of their covers, and the leaves sent flying

out of the windows. Manuscripts, containing secrets of our country's history, which are now lost forever,

The old ancestral portraits, whose fixed countenances looked down on the wild scene, were rent from the

walls. The mob triumphed in their downfall and destruction, as if these pictures of Hutchinson's forefathers

had committed the same offences as their descendant. A tall lookingglass, which had hitherto presented a

reflection of the enraged and drunken multitude, was now smashed into a thousand fragments. We gladly

Before morning dawned the walls of the house were all that remained. The interior was a dismal scene of

ruin. A shower pattered in at the broken windows; and when Hutchinson and his family returned, they stood

shivering in the same room where the last evening had seen them so peaceful and happy.

"Grandfather," said Laurence, indignantly, "if the people acted in this manner, they were not worthy of even

"It was a most unjustifiable act, like many other popular movements at that time," replied Grandfather. "But

we must not decide against the justice of the people's cause merely because an excited mob was guilty of

outrageous violence. Besides, all these things were done in the first fury of resentment. Afterwards the people

grew more calm, and were more influenced by the counsel of those wise and good men who conducted them

Little Alice, with tears in her blue eyes, said that she hoped the neighbors had not let LieutenantGovernor

Hutchinson and his family be homeless in the street, but had taken them into their houses and been kind to

them. Cousin Clara, recollecting the perilous situation of our beloved chair, inquired what had become of it.

"Nothing was heard of our chair for some time afterwards,'' answered Grandfather.' "One day in September,

the same Andrew Oliver, of whom I before told you, was summoned to appear at high noon under Liberty

Tree. This was the strangest summons that had ever been heard of; for it was issued in the name of the whole

people, who thus took upon themselves the authority of a sovereign power. Mr. Oliver dared not disobey.

Accordingly, at the appointed hour he went, much against his will, to Liberty Tree."

Here Charley interposed a remark that poor Mr. Oliver found but little liberty under Liberty Tree.

"It was a stormy day," continued he. "The equinoctial gale blew violently, and scattered the yellow leaves of

Liberty Tree all along the street. Mr. Oliver's wig was dripping with waterdrops; and he probably looked

haggard, disconsolate, and humbled to the earth. Beneath the tree, in Grandfather's chair,our own

venerable chair,sat Mr. Richard Dana, a justice of the peace. He administered an oath to Mr. Oliver that he

would never have anything to do with distributing the stamps. A vast concourse of people heard the oath, and

"There is something grand in this," said Laurence. "I like it, because the people seem to have acted with

thoughtfulness and dignity; and this proud gentleman, one of his Majesty's high officers, was made to feel

"But it was a sad day for poor Mr. Oliver," observed Grandfather. "From his youth upward it had probably

been the great principle of his life to be faithful and obedient to the king. And now, in his old age, it must

have puzzled and distracted him to find the sovereign people setting up a claim to his faith and obedience."

Grandfather closed the evening's conversation by saying that the discontent of America was so great, that, in

1766, the British Parliament was compelled to repeal the Stamp Act. The people made great rejoicings, but

took care to keep Liberty Tree well pruned and free from caterpillars and cankerworms. They foresaw that

there might yet be occasion for them to assemble under its farprojecting shadow.

THE NEXT evening, Clara, who remembered that our chair had been left standing in the rain under Liberty

Tree, earnestly besought Grandfather to tell when and where it had next found shelter. Perhaps she was afraid

that the venerable chair, by being exposed to the inclemency of a September gale, might get the rheumatism

"The chair," said Grandfather, "after the ceremony of Mr. Oliver's oath, appears to have been quite forgotten

by the multitude. Indeed, being much bruised and rather rickety, owing to the violent treatment it had

suffered from the Hutchinson mob, most people would have thought that its days of usefulness were over.

Nevertheless, it was conveyed away under cover of the night and committed to the care of a skilful joiner. He

doctored our old friend so successfully, that, in the course of a few days, it made its appearance in the public

"I know not," answered Grandfather, "unless he considered it a dishonor and disgrace to the chair to have

stood under Liberty Tree. At all events, he suffered it to remain at the British Coffee House, which was the

principal hotel in Boston. It could not possibly have found a situation where it would be more in the midst of

business and bustle, or would witness more important events, or be occupied by a greater variety of persons."

Grandfather went on to tell the proceedings of the despotic king and ministry of England after the repeal of

the Stamp Act. They could not bear to think that their right to tax America should be disputed by the people.

In the year 1767, therefore, they caused Parliament to pass an act for laying a duty on tea and some other

articles that were in general use. Nobody could now buy a pound of tea without paying a tax to King George.

This scheme was pretty craftily contrived; for the women of America were very fond of tea, and did not like

But the people were as much opposed to this new act of Parliament as they had been to the Stamp Act.

England, however, was determined that they should submit. In order to compel their obedience, two

regiments, consisting of more than seven hundred British soldiers, were sent to Boston. They arrived in

September, 1768, and were landed on Long Wharf. Thence they marched to the Common with loaded

muskets, fixed bayonets, and great pomp and parade. So now, at last, the free town of Boston was guarded

In the month of November more regiments arrived. There were now four thousand troops in Boston. The

Common was whitened with their tents. Some of the soldiers were lodged in Faneuil Hall, which the

inhabitants looked upon as a consecrated place, because it had been the scene of a great many meetings in

favor of liberty. One regiment was placed in the Town House, which we now call the Old State House. The

lower floor of this edifice had hitherto been used by the merchants as an exchange. In the upper stories were

the chambers of the judges, the representatives, and the governor's council. The venerable councillors could

not assemble to consult about the welfare of the province without being challenged by sentinels and passing

Sentinels likewise were posted at the lodgings of the officers in many parts of the town. When the inhabitants

approached they were greeted by the sharp question, "Who goes there?" while the rattle of the soldier's

musket was heard as he presented it against their breasts. There was no quiet even on the sabbath day. The

quiet descendants of the Puritans were shocked by the uproar of military music; the drum, fife, and bugle

drowning the holy organ peal and the voices of the singers. It would appear as if the British took every

"Grandfather," cried Charley, impatiently, "the people did not go to fighting half soon enough! These British

redcoats ought to have been driven back to their vessels the very moment they landed on Long Wharf."

"Many a hotheaded young man said the same as you do, Charley," answered Grandfather. "But the elder and

wiser people saw that the time was not yet come. Meanwhile, let us take another peep at our old chair."

"Ah, it drooped its head, I know," said Charley, "when it saw how the province was disgraced. Its old Puritan

"The chair," proceeded Grandfather, "was now continually occupied by some of the high tories, as the king's

friends were called, who frequented the British Coffee House. Officers of the Custom House, too, which

stood on the opposite side of King Street, often sat in the chair wagging their tongues against John Hancock."

"Because he was a great merchant and contended against paying duties to the king," said Grandfather.

"Well, frequently, no doubt, the officers of the British regiments, when not on duty, used to fling themselves

into the arms of our venerable chair. Fancy one of them, a rednosed captain in his scarlet uniform, playing

with the hilt of his sword, and making a circle of his brother officers merry with ridiculous jokes at the

expense of the poor Yankees. And perhaps he would call for a bottle of wine, or a steaming bowl of punch,

"Our grave old chair must have been scandalized at such scenes," observed Laurence; "the chair that had been

"It certainly was little less than sacrilege," replied Grandfather; "but the time was coming when even the

churches, where hallowed pastors had long preached the word of God, were to be torn down or desecrated by

Grandfather now told his auditors that, in 1769, Sir Francis Bernard went to England after having been

governor of Massachusetts ten years. He was a gentleman of many good qualities, an excellent scholar, and a

friend to learning. But he was naturally of an arbitrary disposition; and he had been bred at the University of

Oxford, where young men were taught that the divine right of kings was the only thing to be regarded in

matters of government. Such ideas were ill adapted to please the people of Massachusetts. They rejoiced to

get rid of Sir Francis Bernard, but liked his successor, LieutenantGovernor Hutchinson, no better than

About this period the people were much incensed at an act committed by a person who held an office in the

Custom House. Some lads, or young men, were snowballing his windows. He fired a musket at them, and

killed a poor German boy, only eleven years old. This event made a great noise in town and country, and

much increased the resentment that was already felt against the servants of the crown.

"Now, children," said Grandfather, "I wish to make you comprehend the position of the British troops in King

Street. This is the same which we now call State Street. On the south side of the Town House, or Old State

House, was what military men call a court of guard, defended by two brass cannons, which pointed directly at

one of the doors of the above edifice. A large party of soldiers were always stationed in the court of guard.

The Custom House stood at a little distance down King Street, nearly where the Suffolk Bank now stands,

"I shall remember this tomorrow," said Charley; "and I will go to State Street, so as to see exactly where the

"And before long," observed Grandfather, "I shall have to relate an event which made King Street sadly

famous on both sides of the Atlantic. The history of our chair will soon bring us to this melancholy business.''

Here Grandfather described the state of things which arose from the ill will that existed between the

inhabitants and the redcoats. The old and sober part of the townspeople were very angry at the government

for sending soldiers to overawe them. But those grayheaded men were cautious, and kept their thoughts and

feelings in their own breasts, without putting themselves in the way of the British bayonets.

The younger people, however, could hardly be kept within such prudent limits. They reddened with wrath at

the very sight of a soldier, and would have been willing to come to blows with them at any moment. For it

was their opinion that every tap of a British drum, within the peninsula of Boston was an insult to the brave

"It was sometimes the case," continued Grandfather, "that affrays happened between such wild young men as

these and small parties of the soldiers. No weapons had hitherto been used except fists or cudgels. But when

men have loaded muskets in their hands, it is easy to foretell that they will soon be turned against the bosoms

"Grandfather," said little Alice, looking fearfully into his face, "your voice sounds as though you were going

LITTLE ALICE, by her last remark, proved herself a good judge of what was expressed by the tones of

Grandfather's voice. He had given the above description of the enmity between the townspeople and the

soldiers in order to Prepare the minds of his auditors for a very terrible event. It was one that did more to

heighten the quarrel between England and America than anything that had yet occurred.

It was now the 8d of March, 1770. The sunset music of the British regiments was heard as usual throughout

the town. The shrill fife and rattling drum awoke the echoes in King Street, while the last ray of sunshine was

lingering on the cupola of the Town House. And now all the sentinels were posted. One of them marched up

and down before the Custom House, treading a short path through the snow, and longing for the time when he

would be dismissed to the warm fireside of the guard room. Meanwhile Captain Preston was, perhaps, sitting

in our great chair before the hearth of the British Coffee House. In the course of the evening there were two

or three slight commotions, which seemed to indicate that trouble was at hand. Small parties of young men

stood at the corners of the streets or walked along the narrow pavements. Squads of soldiers who were

dismissed from duty passed by them, shoulder to shoulder, with the regular step which they had learned at the

drill. Whenever these encounters took place, it appeared to be the object of the young men to treat the soldiers

"Turn out, you lobsterbacks!" one would say. "Crowd them off the sidewalks!" another would cry. "A redcoat

"O, you rebel rascals!" perhaps the soldiers would reply, glaring fiercely at the young men. "Some day or

Once or twice such disputes as these brought on a scuffle; which passed off, however, without attracting

much notice. About eight o'clock, for some unknown cause, an alarmbell rang loudly and hurriedly.

At the sound many people ran out of their houses, supposing it to be an alarm of fire. But there were no

flames to be seen, nor was there any smell of smoke in the clear, frosty air; so that most of the townsmen

went back to their own firesides and sat talking with their wives and children about the calamities of the

times. Others who were younger and less prudent remained in the streets; for there seems to have been a

Later in the evening, not far from nine o'clock, several young men passed by the Town House and walked

down King Street. The sentinel was still on his post in front of the Custom House, pacing to and fro; while, as

he turned, a gleam of light from some neighboring window glittered on the barrel of his musket. At no great

distance were the barracks and the guardhouse, where his comrades were probably telling stories of battle

Down towards the Custom House, as I told you, came a party of wild young men. When they drew near the

sentinel he halted on his post, and took his musket from his shoulder, ready to present the bayonet at their

"Who goes there?" he cried, in the gruff, peremptory tones of a soldier's challenge. The young men, being

Boston boys, felt as if they had a right to walk their own streets without being accountable to a British

redcoat, even though he challenged them in King George's name. They made some rude answer to the

sentinel. There was a dispute, or perhaps a scuffle. Other soldiers heard the noise, and ran hastily from the

barracks to assist their comrades. At the same time many of the townspeople rushed into King Street by

various avenues, and gathered in a crowd round about the Custom House. It seemed wonderful how such a

The wrongs and insults which the people had been suffering for many months now kindled them into a rage.

They threw snowballs and lumps of ice at the soldiers. As the tumult grew louder it reached the ears of

Captain Preston, the officer of the day. He immediately ordered eight soldiers of the main guard to take their

muskets and follow him. They marched across the street, forcing their way roughly through the crowd, and

A gentleman (it was Henry Knox, afterwards general of the American artillery) caught Captain Preston's arm.

"For Heaven's sake, sir," exclaimed he, "take heed what you do, or there will be bloodshed."

"Stand aside!" answered Captain Preston, haughtily. "Do not interfere, sir. Leave me to manage the affair."

Arriving at the sentinel's post, Captain Preston drew up his men in a semicircle, with their faces to the crowd

and their rear to the Custom House. When the people saw the officer and beheld the threatening attitude with

"Rush upon them!" shouted many voices. "Drive the rascals to their barracks! Down with them! Down with

Amid the uproar, the soldiers stood glaring at the people with the fierceness of men whose trade was to shed

Oh, what a crisis had now arrived! Up to this very moment, the angry feelings between England and America

might have been pacified. England had but to stretch out the hand of reconciliation, and acknowledge that she

had hitherto mistaken her rights, but would do so no more. Then the ancient bonds of brotherhood would

again have been knit together as firmly as in old times. The habit of loyalty, which had grown as strong as

instinct, was not utterly overcome. The perils shared, the victories won, in the old French War, when the

soldiers of the colonies fought side by side with their comrades from beyond the sea, were unforgotten yet.

England was still that beloved country which the colonists called their home. King George, though he had

But should the king's soldiers shed one drop of American blood, then it was a quarrel to the death. Never,

never would America rest satisfied until she had torn down the royal authority and trampled it in the dust.

"Fire, if you dare, villains!" hoarsely shouted the people, while the muzzles of the muskets were turned upon

They appeared ready to rush upon the levelled bayonets. Captain Preston waved his sword, and uttered a

command which could not be distinctly heard amid the uproar of shouts that issued from a hundred throats.

But his soldiers deemed that he had spoken the fatal mandate, "Fire!" The flash of their muskets lighted up

the streets, and the report rang loudly between the edifices. It was said, too, that the figure of a man, with a

cloth hanging down over his face, was seen to step into the balcony of the Custom House and discharge a

A gush of smoke had overspread the scene. It rose heavily, as if it were loath to reveal the dreadful spectacle

beneath it. Eleven of the sons of New England lay stretched upon the street. Some, sorely wounded, were

struggling to rise again. Others stirred not nor groaned; for they were past all pain. Blood was streaming upon

the snow; and that purple stain in the midst of King Street, though it melted away in the next day's sun, was

Grandfather was interrupted by the violent sobs of little Alice. In his earnestness he had neglected to soften

clown the narrative so that it might not terrify the heart of this unworldly infant. Since Grandfather began the

history of our chair, little Alice had listened to many tales of war. But probably the idea had never really

impressed itself upon her mind that men have shed the blood of their fellowcreatures. And now that this

idea was forcibly presented to her, it affected the sweet child with bewilderment and horror.

"I ought to have remembered our dear little Alice," said Grandfather reproachfully to himself. "Oh, what a

pity! Her heavenly nature has now received its first impression of earthly sin and violence. Well, Clara, take

her to bed and comfort her. Heaven grant that she may dream away the recollection of the Boston massacre!"

"Grandfather," said Charley, when Clara and little Alice had retired, "did not the people rush upon the

"The town drums beat to arms," replied Grandfather, "the alarmbells rang, and an immense multitude rushed

into King Street. Many of them had weapons in their hands. The British prepared to defend themselves. A

whole regiment was drawn up in the street, expecting an attack; for the townsmen appeared ready to throw

"Governor Hutchinson hurried to the spot," said Grandfather, "and besought the people to have patience,

promising that strict justice should be done. A day or two afterward the British troops were withdrawn from

town and stationed at Castle William. Captain Preston and the eight soldiers were tried for murder. But none

of them were found guilty. The judges told the jury that the insults and violence which had been offered to

"The Revolution," observed Laurence, who had said but little during the evening, "was not such a calm,

majestic movement as I supposed. I do not love to hear of mobs and broils in the street. These things were

"Nevertheless, the world has seen no grander movement than that of our Revolution from first to last," said

Grandfather. "The people, to a man, were full of a great and noble sentiment. True, there may be much fault

to find with their mode of expressing this sentiment; but they knew no better; the necessity was upon them to

act out their feelings in the best manner they could. We must forgive what was wrong in their actions, and

"And I suppose," said Laurence, "there were men who knew how to act worthily of what they felt."

"There were many such," replied Grandfather; "and we will speak of some of them hereafter."

Grandfather here made a pause. That night Charley had a dream about the Boston massacre, and thought that

he himself was in the crowd and struck down Captain Preston with a great club. Laurence dreamed that he

was sitting in our great chair, at the window of the British Coffee House, and beheld the whole scene which

Grandfather had described. It seemed to him, in his dream, that, if the townspeople and the soldiers would but

have heard him speak a single word, all the slaughter might have been averted. But there was such an uproar

The next morning the two boys went together to State Street and stood on the very spot where the first blood

of the Revolution had been shed. The Old State House was still there, presenting almost the same aspect that

it had worn on that memorable evening, oneandseventy years ago. It is the sole remaining witness of the

THE NEXT evening the astral lamp was lighted earlier than usual, because Laurence was very much engaged

in looking over the collection of portraits which had been his NewYear's gift from Grandfather.

Among them he found the features of more than one famous personage who had been connected with the

adventures of our old chair. Grandfather bade him draw the table nearer to the fireside; and they looked over

the portraits together, while Clara and Charley likewise lent their attention. As for little Alice, she sat in

Grandfather's lap, and seemed to see the very men alive whose faces were there represented.

Turning over the volume, Laurence came to the portrait of a stern, grim looking man, in plain attire, of

much more modern fashion than that of the old Puritans. But the face might well have befitted one of those

"He was a man of great note in all the doings that brought about the Revolution," said Grandfather. "His

character was such, that it seemed as if one of the ancient Puritans had been sent back to earth to animate the

people's hearts with the same abhorrence of tyranny that had distinguished the earliest settlers. He was as

religious as they, as stern and inflexible, and as deeply imbued with democratic principles. He, better than

any one else, may be taken as a representative of the people of New England, and of the spirit with which

they engaged in the Revolutionary struggle. He was a poor man, and earned his bread by a humble

occupation; but with his tongue and pen he made the King of England tremble on his throne. Remember him,

"Here is one whose looks show a very different character," observed Laurence, turning to the portrait of John

Hancock. "I should think, by his splendid dress and courtly aspect, that he was one of the king's friends."

"There never was a greater contrast than between Samuel Adams and John Hancock," said Grandfather. "Yet

they were of the same side in politics, and had an equal agency in the Revolution. Hancock was born to the

inheritance of the largest fortune in New England. His tastes and habits were aristocratic. He loved gorgeous

attire, a splendid mansion, magnificent furniture, stately festivals, and all that was glittering and pompous in

external things. His manners were so polished that there stood not a nobleman at the footstool of King

George's throne who was a more skilful courtier than John Hancock might have been. Nevertheless, he in his

embroidered clothes, and Samuel Adams in his threadbare coat, wrought together in the cause of liberty.

Adams acted from pure and rigid principle. Hancock, though he loved his country, yet thought quite as much

of his own popularity as he did of the people's rights. It is remarkable that these two men, so very different as

I describe them, were the only two exempted from pardon by the king's proclamation."

On the next leaf of the book was the portrait of General Joseph Warren. Charley recognized the name, and

"Warren was an eloquent and able patriot," replied Grandfather. "He deserves a lasting memory for his

zealous efforts in behalf of liberty. No man's voice was more powerful in Faneuil Hall than Joseph Warren's.

If his death had not happened so early in the contest, he would probably have gained a high name as a

The next portrait was a venerable man, who held his thumb under his chin, and, through his spectacles,

"Here we see the most illustrious Boston boy that ever lived," said Grandfather. "This is Benjamin Franklin.

But I will not try to compress into a few sentences the character of the sage, who, as a Frenchman expressed

it, snatched the lightning from the sky and the sceptre from a tyrant. Mr. Sparks must help you to the

The book likewise contained portraits of James Otis and Josiah Quincy. Both of them, Grandfather observed,

were men of wonderful talents and true patriotism. Their voices were like the stirring tones of a trumpet

arousing the country to defend its freedom. Heaven seemed to have provided a greater number of eloquent

men than had appeared at any other period, in order that the people might be fully instructed as to their

"It is marvellous," said Grandfather, "to see how many powerful writers, orators, and soldiers started up just

at the time when they were wanted. There was a man for every kind of work. It is equally wonderful that men

of such different characters were all made to unite in the one object of establishing the freedom and

"Here, was another great man," remarked Laurence, pointing to the portrait of John Adams.

"Yes; an earnest, warmtempered, honest and most able man," said Grandfather. "At the period of which we

are now speaking he was a lawyer in Boston. He was destined in after years to be ruler over the whole

Grandfather here remarked that many a NewEnglander, who had passed his boyhood and youth in

obscurity, afterward attained to a fortune which he never could have foreseen even in his most ambitious

dreams. John Adams, the second President of the United States and the equal of crowned kings, was once a

schoolmaster and country lawyer. Hancock, the first signer of the Declaration of Independence, served his

apprenticeship with a merchant. Samuel Adams, afterwards governor of Massachusetts, was a small

tradesman and a taxgatherer. General Warren was a physician, General Lincoln a farmer, and General Knox

a bookbinder. General Nathaniel Greene, the best soldier, except Washington, in the Revolutionary army, was

a Quaker and a blacksmith. All these became illustrious men, and can never be forgotten in American history.

"And any boy who is born in America may look forward to the same things," said our ambitious friend

After these observations, Grandfather drew the book of portraits towards him and showed the children several

British peers and members of Parliament who had exerted themselves either for or against the rights of

America. There were the Earl of Bute, Mr. Grenville, and Lord North. These were looked upon as deadly

Among the friends of America was Mr. Pitt, afterward Earl of Chatham, who spent so much of his wondrous

eloquence in endeavoring to warn England of the consequences of her injustice. He fell down on the floor of

the House of Lords after uttering almost his dying words in defence of our privileges as freemen. There was

Edmund Burke, one of the wisest men and greatest orators that ever the world produced. There was Colonel

Barry, who had been among our fathers, and knew that they had courage enough to die for their rights. There

was Charles James Fox, who never rested until he had silenced our enemies in the House of Commons.

"It is very remarkable to observe how many of the ablest orators in the British Parliament were favorable to

America," said Grandfather. "We ought to remember these great Englishmen with gratitude; for their

speeches encouraged our fathers almost as much as those of our own orators in Faneuil Hall and under

Liberty Tree. Opinions which might have been received with doubt, if expressed only by a native American,

were set down as true, beyond dispute, when they came from the lips of Chatham, Burke, Barre, or Fox"

"But, Grandfather," asked Lawrence, "were there no able and eloquent men in this country who took the part

"There were many men of talent who said what they could in defence of the king's tyrannical proceedings,"

replied Grandfather. "But they had the worst side of the argument, and therefore seldom said anything worth

remembering. Moreover, their hearts were faint and feeble; for they felt that the people scorned and detested

them. They had no friends, no defence, except in the bayonets of the British troops. A blight fell upon all

their faculties, because they were contending against the rights of their own native land."

"Governor Hutchinson, Chief Justice Oliver, Judge Auchmuty, the Rev. Mather Byles, and several other

"That wish is very wrong, Charley," said Grandfather. "You must not think that there is no integrity and

honor except among those who stood up for the freedom of America. For aught I know, there was quite as

much of these qualities on one side as on the other. Do you see nothing admirable in a faithful adherence to

an unpopular cause? Can you not respect that principle of loyalty which made the royalists give up country,

friends, fortune, everything, rather than be false to their king? It was a mistaken principle; but many of them

"And I would risk my life rather than one of those good old royalists should be tarred and feathered."

"The time is now come when we may judge fairly of them," continued Grandfather. "Be the good and true

men among them honored; for they were as much our countrymen as the patriots were. And, thank Heaven,

our country need not be ashamed of her sons,of most of them at least, whatever side they took in the

Among the portraits was one of King George III Little Alice clapped her hands, and seemed pleased with the

bluff goodnature of his physiognomy. But Laurence thought it strange that a man with such a face,

indicating hardly a common share of intellect, should have had influence enough on human affairs to

convulse the world with war. Grandfather observed that this poor king had always appeared to him one of the

most unfortunate persons that ever lived. He was so honest and conscientious, that, if he had been only a

private man, his life would probably have been blameless and happy. But his was that worst of fortunes,to

"And so," said Grandfather, "his life, while he retained what intellect Heaven had gifted him with, was one

long mortification. At last he grew crazed with care and trouble. For nearly twenty years the men arch of

England was confined as a madman. In his old age, too, God took away his eyesight; so that his royal palace

"OUR old chair? resumed Grandfather," did not now stand in tile midst of a gay circle of British officers. The

troops, as I told you, had been removed to Castle William immediately after the Boston massacre. Still,

however, there were many tories, customhouse officers, and Englishmen who used to assemble in the

British Coffee House and talk over the affairs of the period. Matters grew worse and worse; and in 1773 the

people did a deed which incensed the king and ministry more than any of their former doings."

Grandfather here described the affair, which is known by the name of the Boston Tea Party. The Americans,

for some time past, had left off importing tea, on account of the oppressive tax. The East India Company, in

London, had a large stock of tea on hand, which they had expected to sell to the Americans, but could find no

market for it. But after a while, the government persuaded this company of merchants to send the tea to

"How odd it is," observed Clara, "that the liberties of America should have had anything to do with a cup of

Grandfather smiled, and proceeded with his narrative. When the people of Boston heard that several cargoes

of tea were coming across the Atlantic, they held a great many meetings at Faneuil Hall, in the Old South

Church, and under Liberty Tree. In the midst of their debates, three ships arrived in the harbor with the tea on

board. The people spent more than a fortnight in consulting what should be done. At last, on the 16th of

December, 1773, they demanded of Governor Hutchinson that he should immediately send the ships back to

The governor replied that the ships must not leave the harbor until the customhouse duties upon the tea

should be paid. Now, the payment of these duties was the very thing against which the people had set their

faces; because it was a tax unjustly imposed upon America by the English government. Therefore, in the dusk

of the evening, as soon as Governor Hutchinson's reply was received, an immense crowd hastened to Griffin's

"When the crowd reached the wharf," said Grandfather, "they saw that a set of wildlooking figures were

already on board of the ships. You would have imagined that the Indian warriors of old times had come back

again; for they wore the Indian dress, and had their faces covered with red and black paint, like the Indians

when they go to war. These grim figures hoisted the teachests on the decks of the vessels; broke them open,

"Grandfather," said little Alice, "I suppose Indians don't love tea; else they would never waste it so."

"They were not real Indians, my child," answered Grandfather. "They were white men in disguise; because a

heavy punishment would have been inflicted on them if the king's officers had found who they were.

But it was never known. From that day to this, though the matter has been talked of by all the world, nobody

can tell the names of those Indian figures. Some people say that there were very famous men among them,

who afterwards became governors and generals. Whether this be true I cannot tell."

When tidings of this bold deed were carried to England, King George was greatly enraged. Parliament

immediately passed an act, by which all vessels were forbidden to take in or discharge their cargoes at the

port of Boston. In this way they expected to ruin all the merchants, and starve the poor people, by depriving

them of employment. At the same time another act was passed, taking away many rights and privileges which

Governor Hutchinson, soon afterward, was summoned to England, in order that he might give his advice

about the management of American affairs. General Gage, an officer of the old French War, and since

commanderin chief of the British forces in America, was appointed governor in his stead. One of his first

acts was to make Salem, instead of Boston, the metropolis of Massachusetts, by summoning the General

According to Grandfather's description, this was the most gloomy time that Massachusetts had ever seen. The

people groaned under as heavy a tyranny as in the days of Sir Edmund Andros. Boston looked as if it were

afflicted with some dreadful pestilence,so sad were the inhabitants, and so desolate the streets. There was

no cheerful hum of business. The merchants shut up their warehouses, and the laboring men stood idle about

the wharves. But all America felt interested in the good town of Boston; and contributions were raised, in

"Oh," replied Grandfather, "a gay throng of officers had now come back to the British Coffee House; so that

the old chair had no lack of mirthful company. Soon after General Gage became governor a great many

troops had arrived, and were encamped upon the Common. Boston was now a garrisoned and fortified town;

for the general had built a battery across the Neck, on the road to Roxbury, and placed guards for its defence.

"A Continental Congress assembled at Philadelphia,'' said Grandfather, "and proposed such measures as they

thought most conducive to the public good. A Provincial Congress was likewise chosen in Massachusetts.

They exhorted the people to arm and discipline themselves. A great number of minutemen were enrolled. The

Americans called them minutemen, because they engaged to be ready to fight at a minute's warning. The

English officers laughed, and said that the name was a very proper one, because the minutemen would run

away the minute they saw the enemy. Whether they would fight or run was soon to be proved."

Grandfather told the children that the first open resistance offered to the British troops, in the province of

Massachusetts, was at Salem. Colonel Timothy Pickering, with thirty or forty militiamen, prevented the

English colonel, Leslie, with four times as many regular soldiers, from taking possession of some military

stores. No blood was shed on this occasion; but soon afterward it began to flow.

General Gage sent eight hundred soldiers to Concord, about eighteen miles from Boston, to destroy some

ammunition and provisions which the colonists had collected there. They set out on their march on the

evening of the 18th of April, 1775. The next morning the general sent Lord' Percy with nine hundred men to

strengthen the troops that had gone before. All that day the inhabitants of Boston heard various rumors. Some

said that the British were making great slaughter among our countrymen. Others affirmed that every man had

turned out with his musket, and that not a single soldier would ever get back to Boston.

"It was after sunset," continued Grandfather, "when the troops, who had marched forth so proudly, were seen

entering Charlestown. They were covered with dust, and so hot and weary that their tongues hung out of their

mouths. Many of them were faint with wounds. They had not all returned. Nearly three hundred were strewn,

dead or dying, along the road from Concord. The yeomanry had risen upon the invaders and driven them

"Yes," replied Grandfather; "it was so called, because the British, without provocation, had fired upon a party

of minutemen, near Lexington meetinghouse, and killed eight of them. That fatal volley, which was fired

About this time, if Grandfather had been correctly informed, our chair disappeared from the British Coffee

House. The manner of its departure cannot be satisfactorily ascertained. Perhaps the keeper of the Coffee

House turned it out of doors on account of its oldfashioned aspect. Perhaps he sold it as a curiosity. Perhaps

it was taken, without leave, by some person who regarded it as public property because it had once figured

under Liberty Tree. Or perhaps the old chair, being of a peaceable disposition, has made use of its four oaken

"It would have made a terrible clattering over the pavement," said Charley, laughing.

"Meanwhile," continued Grandfather, "during the mysterious non appearance of our chair, an army of

twenty thousand men had started up and come to the siege of Boston. General Gage and his troops were

cooped up within the narrow precincts of the peninsula. On the 17th of June, 1775, the famous battle of

Bunker Hill was fought. Here General Warren fell. The British got the victory, indeed, but with the loss of

"No, Charley," said Grandfather, "I am not like other historians. Battles shall not hold a prominent place in

the history of our quiet and comfortable old chair. But tomorrow evening, Laurence, Clara, and yourself,

and dear little Alice too, shall visit the Diorama of Bunker Hill. There you shall see the whole business, the

burning of Charlestown and all, with your own eyes, and hear the cannon and musketry with your own ears."

THE next evening but one, when the children had given Grandfather a full account of the Diorama of Bunker

Hill, they entreated him not to keep them any longer in suspense about the fate of his chair. The reader will

recollect that, at the last accounts, it had trotted away upon its poor old legs nobody knew whither. But,

before gratifying their curiosity, Grandfather found it necessary to say something about public events.

The Continental Congress, which was assembled at Philadelphia, was composed of delegates from all the

colonies. They had now appointed George Washington, of Virginia, to be commanderinchief of all the

American armies. He was, at that time, a member of Congress; but immediately left Philadelphia, and began

his journey to Massachusetts. On the 3d of July, 1775, he arrived at Cambridge, and took command of the

"O Grandfather," exclaimed Laurence, "it makes my heart throb to think what is coming now. We are to see

The children crowded around Grandfather and looked earnestly into his face. Even little Alice opened her

sweet blue eyes, with her lips apart, and almost held her breath to listen; so instinctive is the reverence of

Grandfather paused a moment; for he felt as if it might be irreverent to introduce the hallowed shade of

Washington into a history where an ancient elbowchair occupied the most prominent place. However, he

determined to proceed with his narrative, and speak of the hero when it was needful, but with an unambitious

So Grandfather told his auditors, that, on General Washington's arrival at Cambridge, his first care was to

reconnoitre the British troops with his spyglass, and to examine the condition of his own army. He found

that the American troops amounted to about fourteen thousand men. They were extended all round the

peninsula of Boston, a space of twelve miles, from the high grounds of Roxbury on the right to Mystic River

on the left. Some were living in tents of sailcloth, some in shanties rudely constructed of boards, some in huts

In order to be near the centre and oversee the whole of this wide stretched army, the commanderinchief

made his headquarters at Cambridge, about half a mile from the colleges. A mansionhouse, which perhaps

had been the country seat of some Tory gentle man, was provided for his residence.

"When General Washington first entered this mansion," said Grandfather, "he was ushered up the staircase

and shown into a handsome apartment. He sat down in a large chair, which was the most conspicuous object

in the room. The noble figure of Washington would have done honor to a throne. As he sat there, with his

hand resting on the hilt of his sheathed sword, which was placed between his knees, his whole aspect well

befitted the chosen man on whom his country leaned for the defence of her dearest rights. America seemed

safe under his protection. His face was grander than any sculptor had ever wrought in marble; none could

behold him without awe and reverence. Never before had the lion's head at the summit of the chair looked

"Why, Grandfather!" cried Clara, clasping her hands in amazement, "was it really so? Did General

"I knew how it would be," said Laurence; "I foresaw it the moment Grandfather began to speak."

Grandfather smiled. But, turning from the personal and domestic life of the illustrious leader, he spoke of the

methods which Washington adopted to win back the metropolis of New England from the British.

The army, when he took command of it, was without any discipline or order. The privates considered

themselves as good as their officers; and seldom thought it necessary to obey their commands, unless they

understood the why and wherefore. Moreover. they were enlisted for so short a period, that, as soon as they

began to be respectable soldiers, it was time to discharge them. Then came new recruits, who had to be taught

their duty before they could be of any service. Such was the army with which Washington had to contend

Some of the men had no muskets, and almost all were without bayonets. Heavy cannon, for battering the

British fortifications, were much wanted. There was but a small quantity of powder and ball, few tools to

build intrenchments with, and a great deficiency of provisions and clothes for the soldiers. Yet, in spite of

these perplexing difficulties, the eyes of the whole people were fixed on General Washington, expecting him

The first thing that he found necessary was to bring his own men into better order and discipline. It is

wonderful how soon he transformed this rough mob of country people into the semblance of a regular army.

One of Washington's most invaluable characteristics was the faculty of bringing order out of confusion. All

business with which he had any concern seemed to regulate itself as if by magic. The influence of his mind

was like light gleaming through an unshaped world. It was this faculty, more than any other, that made him

so fit to ride upon the storm of the Revolution when everything was unfixed and drifting about in a troubled

"Washington had not been long at the head of the army," proceeded Grandfather, "before his soldiers thought

as highly of him as if he had led them to a hundred victories. They knew that he was the very man whom the

country needed, and the only one who could bring them safely through the great contest against the might of

"Doubtless they would have gone whithersoever his sword pointed the way," answered Grandfather; "and

Washington was anxious to make a decisive assault upon the enemy. But as the enterprise was very

hazardous, he called a council of all the generals in the army. Accordingly they came from their different

posts, and were ushered into the receptionroom. The commanderinchief arose from our great chair to

"There was General Artemas Ward," replied Grandfather, "a lawyer by profession. He had commanded the

troops before Washington's arrival Another was General Charles Lee, who had been a colonel in the English

army, and was thought to possess vast military science. He came to the council, followed by two or three

dogs which were always at his heels. There was General Putnam, too, who was known all over New England

"The same," said Grandfather; "and he had done good service in the old French War. His occupation was that

of a farmer; but he left his plough in the furrow at the news of Lexington battle. Then there was General

Gates, who afterward gained great renown at Saratoga, and lost it again at Camden. General Greene, of

Rhode Island, was likewise at the council. Washington soon discovered him to be one of the best officers in

When the generals were all assembled, Washington consulted them about a plan for storming the English

batteries. But it was their unanimous opinion that so perilous an enterprise ought not to be attempted. The

army, therefore, continued to besiege Boston, preventing the enemy from obtaining supplies of provisions,

but without taking any immediate measures to get possession of the town. In 'this manner the sum met,

"Many a night, doubtless," said Grandfather, "after Washington had been all day on horseback, galloping

from one post of the army to another, he used to sit in our great chair, rapt in earnest thought. Had you seen

him, you might have supposed that his whole mind was fixed on the blue china tiles which adorned the

oldfashioned fireplace. But, in reality, he was meditating how to capture the British army, or drive it out of

Boston. Once, when there was a hard frost, he formed a scheme to cross the Charles River on the ice. But the

"They lay idle in the town," replied Grandfather. "General Gage had been recalled to England, and was

succeeded by Sir William Howe. The British army and the inhabitants of Boston were now in great distress.

Being shut up in the town so long, they had consumed almost all their provisions and burned up all their fuel.

The soldiers tore down the Old North Church, and used its rotten boards and timbers for firewood. To

heighten their distress, the smallpox broke out. They probably lost far more men by cold, hunger, and

"At length," continued Grandfather, "in March, 1776, General Washington, who had now a good supply of

powder, began a terrible cannonade and bombardment from Dorchester Heights. One of the cannonballs

which he fired into the town struck the tower of the Brattle Street Church, where it may still be seen. Sir

William Howe made preparations to cross over in boats and drive the Americans from their batteries, but was

prevented by a violent gale and storm. General Washington next erected a battery on Nook's Hill, so near the

"Hurrah! Hurrah!" cried Charley, clapping his hands triumphantly. "I wish I had been there to see how

And as Grandfather thought that Boston had never witnessed a more interesting period than this, when the

royal power was in its death agony, he determined to take a peep into the town and imagine the feelings of

ALAS for the poor tories!" said Grandfather. "Until the very last morning after Washington's troops had

shown themselves on Nook's Hill, these unfortunate persons could not believe that the audacious rebels, as

they called the Americans, would ever prevail against King George's army. But when they saw the British

soldiers preparing to embark on board of the ships of war, then they knew that they had lost their country.

Could the patriots have known how bitter were their regrets, they would have forgiven them all their evil

deeds, and sent a blessing after them as they sailed away from their native shore."

In order to make the children sensible of the pitiable condition of these men, Grandfather singled out Peter

Oliver, chief justice of Massachusetts under the crown, and imagined him walking through the streets of

Old Chief Justice Oliver threw on his red cloak, and placed his three cornered hat on the top of his white

wig. In this garb he intended to go forth and take a parting look at objects that had been familiar to him from

his youth. Accordingly, he began his walk in the north part of the town, and soon came to Faneuil Hall. This

edifice, the cradle of liberty, had been used by the British officers as a playhouse.

"Would that I could see its walls crumble to dust!" thought the chief justice; and, in the bitterness of his heart,

he shook his fist at the famous hall. "There began the mischief which now threatens to rend asun der the

British empire. The seditious harangues of demagogues in Faneuil Hall have made rebels of a loyal people

He then passed through a narrow avenue and found himself in King Street, almost on the very spot which, six

years before, had been reddened by the blood of the Boston massacre. The chief justice stepped cautiously,

and shuddered, as if he were afraid that, even now, the gore of his slaughtered countrymen might stain his

Before him rose the Town House, on the front of which were still displayed the royal arms. Within that

edifice he had dispensed justice to the people in the days when his name was never mentioned without honor.

There, too, was the balcony whence the trumpet had been sounded and the proclamation read to an assembled

"I rememberI remember," said Chief Justice Oliver to himself, "when his present most sacred Majesty was

proclaimed. Then how the people shouted! Each man would have poured out his lifeblood to keep a hair of

King George's head from harm. But now there is scarcely a tongue in all New England that does not

imprecate curses on his name. It is ruin and disgrace to love him. Can it be possible that a few fleeting years

It did not occur to the chief justice that nothing but the most grievous tyranny could so soon have changed the

people's hearts. Hurrying from the spot, he entered Cornhill, as the lower part of Washington Street was then

called. Opposite to the Town House was the waste foundation of the Old North Church. The sacrilegious

hands of the British soldiers had torn it down, and kindled their barrack fires with the fragments.

Farther on he passed beneath the tower of the Old South. The threshold of this sacred edifice was worn by the

iron tramp of horses' feet; for the interior had been used as a ridingschool and rendezvous for a regiment of

dragoons. As the chief justice lingered an instant at the door a trumpet sounded within, and the regiment

came clattering forth and galloped down the street. They were proceeding to the place of embarkation.

"Let them go!" thought the chief justice, with somewhat of an old Puritan feeling in his breast. "No good can

He went on a few steps farther, and paused before the Province House. No range of brick stores had then

sprung up to hide the mansion of the royal governors from public view. It had a spacious courtyard, bordered

with trees, and enclosed with a wroughtiron fence. On the cupola that surmounted the edifice was the gilded

figure of an Indian chief, ready to let fly an arrow from his bow. Over the wide front door was a balcony, in

which the chief justice had often stood when the governor and high officers of the province showed

While Chief Justice Oliver gazed sadly at the Province House, before which a sentinel was pacing, the double

leaves of the door were thrown open, and Sir William Howe made his appearance. Behind him came a throng

of officers, whose steel scabbards clattered against the stones as they hastened down the courtyard. Sir

William Howe was a darkcomplexioned man, stern and haughty in his deportment. He stepped as proudly in

that hour of defeat as if he were going to receive the submission of the rebel general.

"Forward! gentlemen," said Sir William Howe to the officers who attended him; "we have no time to hear

And, coldly bowing, he departed. Thus the chief justice had a foretaste of the mortifications which the exiled

NewEnglanders afterwards suffered from the haughty Britons. They were despised even by that country

A still heavier trial awaited Chief Justice Oliver, as he passed onward from the Province House. He was

recognized by the people in the street. They had long known him as the descendant of an ancient and

honorable family. They had seen him sitting in his scarlet robes upon the judgmentseat. All his life long,

either for the sake of his ancestors or on account of his own dignified station and unspotted character, he had

been held in high respect. The old gentry of the province were looked upon almost as noblemen while

But now all hereditary reverence for birth and rank was gone. The inhabitants shouted in derision when they

saw the venerable form of the old chief justice. They laid the wrongs of the country and their own sufferings

during the siegetheir hunger, cold, and sicknesspartly to his charge and to that of his brother Andrew

and his kinsman Hutchinson. It was by their advice that the king had acted in all the colonial troubles. But the

"See the old tory!" cried the people, with bitter laughter. "He is taking his last look at us. Let him show his

white wig among us an hour hence, and we'll give him a coat of tar and feathers!"

The chief justice, however, knew that he need fear no violence so long as the British troops were in

possession of the town. But, alas! it was a bitter thought that he should leave no loving memory behind him.

His forefathers, long after their spirits left the earth, had been honored in the affectionate remembrance of the

people. But he, who would henceforth be dead to his native land, would have no epitaph save scornful and

"They curse me, they invoke all kinds of evil on my head!" thought he, in the midst of his tears. "But, if they

could read my heart, they would know that I love New England well. Heaven bless her, and bring her again

under the rule of our gracious king! A blessing, too, on these poor, misguided people!"

The chief justice flung out his hands with a gesture, as if he were bestowing a parting benediction on his

countrymen. He had now reached the southern portion of the town, and was far within the range of

cannonshot from the American batteries. Close beside him was the bread stump of a tree, which appeared to

have been recently cut down. Being weary and heavy at heart, he was about to sit down upon the stump.

Suddenly it flashed upon his recollection that this was the stump of Liberty Tree! The British soldiers had cut

it down, vainly boasting that they could as easily overthrow the liberties of America. Under its shadowy

branches, ten years before, the brother of Chief Justice Oliver had been compelled to acknowledge the

supremacy of the people by taking the oath which they prescribed. This tree was connected with all the events

"Accursed tree!" cried the chief justice, gnashing his teeth; for anger overcame his sorrow. "Would that thou

hadst been left standing till Hancock, Adams, and every other traitor, were hanged upon thy branches! Then

He turned back, hurried to Long Wharf without looking behind him, embarked with the British troops for

Halifax, and never saw his country more. Throughout the remainder of his days Chief Justice Oliver was

agitated with those same conflicting emotions that had tortured him while taking his farewell walk through

the streets of Boston. Deep love and fierce resentment burned in one flame within his breast, Anathemas

struggled with benedictions. He felt as if one breath of his native air would renew his life, yet would have

died rather than breathe the same air with rebels. And such likewise were the feelings of the other exiles, a

thousand in number, who departed with the British army. Were they not the most unfortunate of men?

"The misfortunes of those exiled tories," observed Laurence, "must have made them think of the poor exiles

"They had a sad time of it, I suppose," said Charley. "But I choose to rejoice with the patriots, rather than be

"As the rear of the British army embarked from the wharf," replied Grandfather, "General Washington's

troops marched over the Neck, through the fortification gates, and entered Boston in triumph. And now, for

the first time since the Pilgrims landed, Massachusetts was free from the dominion of England. May she

never again be subjected to foreign rule, never again feel the rod of oppression!"

"Dear Grandfather," asked little Alice, "did General Washington bring our chair back to Boston?"

"I know not how long the chair remained at Cambridge," said Grandfather. "Had it stayed there till this time,

it could not have found a better or more appropriate shelter, The mansion which General Washington

occupied is still standing, and his apartments have since been tenanted by several eminent men. Governor

Everett, while a professor in the University, resided there. So at an after period did Mr. Sparks, whose

invaluable labors have connected his name with the immortality of Washington. And at this very time a

venerable friend and contemporary of your Grandfather, after long pilgrimages beyond the sea, has set up his

"You mean Professor Longfellow, Grandfather," said Laurence. "Oh, how I should love to see the author of

"We will visit him next summer," answered Grandfather, "and take Clara and little Alice with us,and

WHEN Grandfather resumed his narrative the next evening, he told the children that he had some difficulty

in tracing the movements of the chair during a short period after General Washington's departure from

Within a few months, however, it made its appearance at a shop in Boston, before the door of which was seen

a striped pole. In the interior was displayed a stuffed alligator, a rattlesnake's skin, a bundle of Indian arrows,

an oldfashioned matchlock gun, a walkingstick of Governor Winthrop's, a wig of old Cotton Mather's, and

a colored print of the Boston massacre. In short, it was a barber's shop, kept by a Mr. Pierce, who prided

himself on having shaved General Washington, Old Put, and many other famous persons,

"This was not a very dignified situation for our venerable chair," continued Grandfather; "but, you know,

there is no better place for news than a barber's shop. All the events of the Revolutionary War were heard of

there sooner than anywhere else. People used to sit in the chair, reading the newspaper, or talking, and

waiting to be shaved, while Mr. Pierce, with his scissors and razor, was at work upon the heads or chins of his

"I am sorry the chair could not betake itself to some more suitable place of refuge," said Laurence.

"It was old now, and must have longed for quiet. Besides, after it had held Washington in its arms, it ought

not to have been compelled to receive all the world. It should have been put into the pulpit of the Old South

"Perhaps so," answered Grandfather. "But the chair, in the course of its varied existence, had grown so

accustomed to general intercourse with society, that I doubt whether it would have contented itself in the

pulpit of the Old South. There it would have stood solitary, or with no livelier companion than the silent

organ, in the opposite gallery, six days out of seven. I incline to think that it had seldom been situated more to

Then Grandfather amused his children and himself with fancying all the different sorts of people who had

There was the old clergyman, such as Dr. Chauncey, wearing a white wig, which the barber took from his

head and placed upon a wigblock. Half an hour, perhaps, was spent in combing and powdering this reverend

appendage to a clerical skull. There, too, were officers of the Continental army, who required their hair to be

pomatumed and plastered, so as to give them a bold and martial aspect. There, once in a while, was seen the

thin, careworn, melancholy visage of an old tory, with a Wig that, in times long past, had perhaps figured at

a Province House ball. And there, not unfrequently, sat the rough captain of a privateer, just returned from a

successful cruise, in which he had captured half a dozen richly laden vessels belonging to King George's

subjects. And sometimes a rosy little schoolboy climbed into our chair, and sat staring, with wideopen

eyes, at the alligator, the rattlesnake, and the other curiosities of the barber's shop. His mother had sent him,

with sixpence in his hand, to get his glossy curls cropped off. The incidents of the Revolution plentifully

supplied the barber's customers with topics of conversation. They talked sorrowfully of the death of General

Montgomery and the failure of our troops to take Quebec; for the New Englanders were now as anxious to

get Canada from the English as they had formerly been to conquer it from the French.

"But very soon," said Grandfather, "came news from Philadelphia, the most important that America had ever

heard of. On the 4th of July, 1776, Congress had signed the Declaration of Independence. The thirteen

colonies were now free and independent States. Dark as our prospects were, the inhabitants welcomed these

glorious tidings, and resolved to perish rather than again bear the yoke of England."

"It was a great day,a glorious deed!" said Laurence, coloring high with enthusiasm. "And, Grandfather, I

love to think that the sages in Congress showed themselves as bold and true as the soldiers in the field; for it

must have required more courage to sign the Declaration of Independence than to fight the enemy in battle."

Grandfather acquiesced in Laurence's view of the matter. He then touched briefly and hastily upon the

prominent events of the Revolution. The thunderstorm of war had now rolled southward, and did not again

burst upon Massachusetts, where its first fury had been felt. But she contributed her full share. So the success

of the contest. Wherever a battle was fought,whether at Long Island, White Plains, Trenton, Princeton,

Brandywine, or Germantown,some of her brave sons were found slain upon the field.

In October, 1777, General Burgoyne surrendered his army, at Saratoga, to the American general, Gates. The

captured troops were sent to Massachusetts. Not long afterwards Dr. Franklin and other American

commissioners made a treaty at Paris, by which France bound herself to assist our countrymen. The gallant

Lafayette was already fighting for our freedom by the side of Washington. In 1778 a French fleet,

commanded by Count d'Estaing, spent a considerable time in Boston harbor. It marks the vicissitudes of

human affairs, that the French, our ancient enemies, should come hither as comrades and brethren, and that

"While the war was raging in the Middle and Southern States," proceeded Grandfather, "Massachusetts had

leisure to settle a new constitution of government instead of the royal charter. This was done in 1780. In the

same year John Hancock, who had been president of Congress, was chosen governor of the State. He was the

"But, Grandfather, who had been governor since the British were driven away?" inquired Laurence. "General

"There had been no governor for the last four years," replied Grandfather. "Massachusetts had been ruled by

the Legislature, to whom the people paid obedience of their own accord. It is one of the most remarkable

circumstances in our history, that, when the charter government was overthrown by the war, no anarchy nor

the slightest confusion ensued, This was a great honor to the people. But now Hancock was proclaimed

Grandfather again adverted to the progress of the war. In 1781 General Greene drove the British from the

Southern States. In October of the same year General Washington compelled Lord Cornwallis to surrender

his army, at Yorktown, in Virginia. This was the last great event of the Revolutionary contest. King George

and his ministers perceived that all the might of England could not compel America to renew her allegiance

to the crown. After a great deal of discussion, a treaty of peace was signed in September, 1783.

"Now, at last," said Grandfather, "after weary years of war, the regiments of Massachusetts returned in peace

to their families. Now the stately and dignified leaders, such as General Lincoln and General Knox, with their

powdered hair and their uniforms of blue and buff, were seen moving about the streets."

"And little boys ran after them, I suppose," remarked Charley; "and the grown people bowed respectfully."

"They deserved respect; for they were good men as well as brave," answered Grandfather. "Now, too, the

inferior officers and privates came home to seek some peaceful occupation. Their friends remembered them

as slender and smoothchecked young men; but they returned with the erect and rigid mien of disciplined

soldiers. Some hobbled on crutches and wooden legs; others had received wounds, which were still rankling

in their breasts. Many, alas! had fallen in battle, and perhaps were left unburied on the bloody field."

"One would have thought so," said Grandfather. "Yet only two or three years elapsed before the folly of some

misguided men caused another mustering of soldiers. This affair was called Shays's war, because a Captain

"Oh Grandfather, don't let there be another war!" cried little Alice, piteously.

Grandfather comforted his dear little girl by assuring her that there was no great mischief done. Shays's war

happened in the latter part of 1786 and the beginning of the following year. Its principal cause was the

badness of times. The State of Massachusetts, in its public capacity, was very much in debt. So likewise were

many of the people. An insurrection took place, the object of which seems to have been to interrupt the

James Bowdoin, a good and able man, was now governor of Massachusetts. He sent General Lincoln, at the

head of four thousand men, to put down the insurrection. This general, who had fought through several hard

campaigns in the Revolution, managed matters like an old soldier, and totally defeated the rebels at the

"There is but one more public event to be recorded in the history of our chair," proceeded Grandfather. "In

the year 1794 Samuel Adams was elected governor of Massachusetts. I have told you what a distinguished

patriot he was, and how much he resembled the stern old Puritans. Could the ancient freemen of

Massachusetts who lived in the days of the first charter have arisen from their graves, they would probably

"He did," replied Grandfather. "He had long been in the habit of visiting the barber's shop, where our

venerable chair, philosophically forgetful of its former dignities, had now spent nearly eighteen not

uncomfortable years. Such a remarkable piece of furniture, so evidently a relic of longdeparted times, could

not escape the notice of Samuel Adams. He made minute researches into its history, and ascertained what a

"How did he find it out?" asked Charley; "for I suppose the chair could not tell its own history."

"There used to be a vast collection of ancient letters and other documents in the tower of the Old South

Church," answered Grandfather. "Perhaps the history of our chair was contained among these. At all events,

Samuel Adams appears to have been well acquainted with it. When he became governor, he felt that he could

have no more honorable seat than that which had been the ancient chair of state. He therefore purchased it for

a trifle, and filled it worthily for three years as governor of Massachusetts." "And what next?" asked Charley.

"That is all," said Grandfather, heaving a sigh; for he could not help being a little sad at the thought that his

stories must close here. "Samuel Adams died in 1803, at the age of above threescore and ten. He was a great

patriot, but a poor man. At his death he left scarcely property enough to pay the expenses of his funeral. This

precious chair, among his other effects, was sold at auction; and your Grandfather, who was then in the

Laurence, with a mind full of thoughts that struggled for expression, but could find none, looked steadfastly

"Oh, how I wish that the chair could speak!" cried he. "After its long intercourse with mankind,after

looking upon the world for ages,what lessons of golden wisdom it might utter! It might teach a private

person how to lead a good and happy life, or a statesman how to make his country prosperous."

GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence's idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour

forth the collected wisdom of two centuries. The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share

of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.

As the history of his chair had exhausted all his facts, Grandfather determined to have recourse to fable. So,

after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call

Laurence and Clara, where were you last night? Where were you, Charley, and dear little Alice? You had all

gone to rest, and left old Grandfather to meditate alone in his great chair. The lamp had grown so dim that its

light hardly illuminated the alabaster shade. The woodfire had crumbled into heavy embers, among which

And here sat Grandfather all by himself. He knew that it was bedtime; yet he could not help longing to hear

your merry voices, or to hold a comfortable chat with some old friend; because then his pillow would be

visited by pleasant dreams. But, as neither children nor friends were at hand, Grandfather leaned back in the

And, when Grandfather's meditations had grown very profound indeed, he fancied that he heard a sound over

As Grandfather did not know that any person was in the room, he started up in great surprise, and peeped

hither and thither, behind the chair, and into the recess by the fireside, and at the dark nook yonder near the

But, just as he was going to resume his seat, Grandfather happened to look at the great chair. The rays of

firelight were flickering upon it in such a manner that it really seemed as if its oaken frame were all alive.

What! did it not move its elbow? There, too! It certainly lifted one of its ponderous fore legs, as if it had a

notion of drawing itself a little nearer to the fire. Meanwhile the lion's head nodded at Grandfather with as

polite and sociable a look as a lion's visage, carved in oak, could possibly be expected to assume. Well, this is

"Good evening, my old friend," said the dry and husky voice, now a little clearer than before. "We have been

intimately acquainted so long that I think it high time we have a chat together."

Grandfather was looking straight at the lion's head, and could not be mistaken in supposing that it moved its

"I was not aware," said Grandfather, with a civil salutation to his oaken companion, "that you possessed the

faculty of speech. Otherwise I should often have been glad to converse with such a solid, useful, and

"Oh!" replied the ancient chair, in a quiet and easy tone, for it had now cleared its throat of the dust of ages,

"I am naturally a silent and incommunicative sort of character. Once or twice in the course of a century I

unclose my lips. When the gentle Lady Arbella departed this life I uttered a groan. When the honest

mintmaster weighed his plump daughter against the pinetree shillings I chuckled audibly at the joke. When

old Simon Bradstreet took the place of the tyrant Andros I joined in the general huzza, and capered on my

wooden legs for joy. To be sure, the bystanders were so fully occupied with their own feelings that my

"Not often," answered the chair. "I once talked with Sir William Phips, and communicated my ideas about the

witchcraft delusion. Cotton Mather had several conversations with me, and derived great benefit from my

historical reminiscences. In the days of the Stamp Act I whispered in the ear of Hutchinson, bidding him to

remember what stock his countrymen were descended of, and to think whether the spirit of their forefathers

had utterly departed from them. The last man whom I favored with a colloquy was that stout old republican,

"And how happens it," inquired Grandfather, "that there is no record nor tradition of your conversational

"Why, to tell you the truth," said the chair, giving itself a hitch nearer to the hearth, "I am not apt to choose

the most suitable moments for unclosing my lips. Sometimes I have inconsiderately begun to speak, when my

occupant, lolling back in my arms, was inclined to take an afterdinner nap. Or perhaps the impulse to talk

may be felt at midnight, when the lamp burns dim and the fire crumbles into decay, and the studious or

thoughtful man finds that his brain is in a mist. Oftenest I have unwisely uttered my wisdom in the ears of

sick persons, when the inquietude of fever made them toss about upon my cushion. And so it happens, that

though my words make a pretty strong impression at the moment, yet my auditors invariably remember them

only as a dream. I should not wonder if you, my excellent friend, were to do the same to morrow morning."

"Nor I either," thought Grandfather to himself. However, he thanked this respectable old chair for beginning

the conversation, and begged to know whether it had anything particular to communicate.

"I have been listening attentively to your narrative of my adventures," replied the chair; "and it must be

owned that your correctness entitles you to be held up as a pattern to biographers. Nevertheless, there are a

few omissions which I should be glad to see supplied. For instance, you make no mention of the good knight

Sir Richard Saltonstall, nor of the famous Hugh Peters, nor of those old regicide judges, Whalley, Goffe, and

Dixwell. Yet I have borne the weight of all those distinguished characters at one time or another."

Grandfather promised amendment if ever he should have an opportunity to repeat his narrative. The good old

chair, which still seemed to retain a due regard for outward appearance, then reminded him how long a time

had passed since it had been provided with a new cushion. It likewise expressed the opinion that the oaken

figures on its back would show to much better advantage by the aid of a little varnish.

"And I have had a complaint in this joint," continued the chair, endeavoring to lift one of its legs, "ever since

"And now, venerable chair, I have a favor to solicit. During an existence of more than two centuries you have

had a familiar intercourse with men who were esteemed the wisest of their day. Doubtless, with your

capacious understanding, you have treasured up many an invaluable lesson of wisdom. You certainly have

had time enough to guess the riddle of life. Tell us, poor mortals, then, how we may be happy."

The lion's head fixed its eyes thoughtfully upon the fire, and the whole chair assumed an aspect of deep

meditation. Finally it beckoned to Grandfather with its elbow, and made a step sideways towards him, as if it

"As long as I have stood in the midst of human affairs," said the chair, with a very oracular enunciation, "I

have constantly observed that Justice, Truth, and Love are the chief ingredients of every happy life."

"Justice, Truth, and Love!" exclaimed Grandfather. "We need not exist two centuries to find out that these

qualities are essential to our happiness. This is no secret. Every human being is born with the instinctive

"Ah!" cried the chair, drawing back in surprise. "From what I have observed of the dealings of man with man,

and nation with nation, I never should have suspected that they knew this allimportant secret. And, with this

eternal lesson written in your soul, do you ask me to sift new wisdom for you out of my petty existence of

"Not a word more," interrupted the chair; "here I close my lips for the next hundred years. At the end of that

period, if I shall have discovered any new precepts of happiness better than what Heaven has already taught

In the energy of its utterance the oaken chair seemed to stamp its foot, and trod (we hope unintentionally)

upon Grandfather's toe. The old gentleman started, and found that he had been asleep in the great chair, and

"Grandfather," cried little Alice, clapping her hand," you must dream a new dream every night about our

Laurence, and Clara, and Charley said the same. But the good old gentleman shook his head, and declared

MY DEAR SIR, I came from my house at Milton, the 26 in the morning. After dinner it was whispered in

town there would be a mob at night, and that Paxton, Hallowell, the customhouse, and admiralty officers'

houses would be attacked; but my friends assured me that the rabble were satisfied with the insult I had

received and that I was become rather popular. In the evening, whilst I was at supper and my children round

me, somebody ran in and said the mob were coming. I directed my children to fly to a secure place, and shut

up my house as I had done before, intending not to quit it; but my eldest daughter repented her leaving me,

hastened back, and protested she would not quit the house unless I did. I could n't stand against this, and

withdrew with her to a neighboring house, where I had been but a few minutes before the hellish crew fell

upon my house with the rage of devils, and in a moment with axes split down the doors and entered. My son

being in the great entry heard them cry: "Damn him, he is upstairs, we'll have him." Some ran immediately as

high as the top of the house, others filled the rooms below and cellars, and others remained without the house

Messages soon came one after another to the house where I was, to inform me the mob were coming in

pursuit of me, and I was obliged to retire through yards and gardens to a house more remote, where I

remained until 4 o'clock, by which time one of the best finished houses in the Province had nothing

remaining but the bare walls and floors. Not contented with tearing off all the wainscot and hangings, and

splitting the doors to pieces, they beat down the partition walls; and although that alone cost them near two

hours, they cut down the cupola or lanthorn, and they began to take the slate and boards from the roof, and

were prevented only by the approaching daylight from a total demolition of the building. The garden. house

Such ruin was never seen in America. Besides my plate and family pictures, household furniture of every

kind, my own, my children's, and servants' apparel, they carried off about �900 sterling in money, and

emptied the house of everything whatsoever, except a part of the kitchen furniture, not leaving a single book

or paper in it, and have scattered or destroyed all the manuscripts and other papers I had been collecting for

thirty years together, besides a great number of public papers in my custody. The evening being warm, I had

undressed me and put on a thin camlet surtout over my waistcoat. The next morning, the weather being

changed, I had not clothes enough in my possession to defend me from the cold, and was obliged to borrow

from my friends. Many articles of clothing and a good part of my plate have since been picked up in different

quarters of the town, lint the furniture in general was cut to pieces before it was thrown out of the house, and

most of the beds cut open, and the feathers thrown out of the windows. The next evening, I intended with my

children to Milton, but meeting two or three small parties of the ruffians, who I suppose had concealed

themselves in the country, and my coachman hearing one of them say, "There he is!" my daughters were

terrified and said they should never be safe, and I was forced to shelter them that night at the Castle.

APPENDIX TO PART III. A LETTER FROM GOVERNOR HUTCHINSON NARRATING THE DOINGS OF THE MOB. 87

The encouragers of the first mob never intended matters should go this length, and the people in general

expressed the utter detestation of this unparalleled outrage, and I wish they could be convinced what infinite

hazard there is of the most terrible consequences from such demons, when they are let loose in a government

where there is not constant authority at hand sufficient to suppress them. I am told the government here will

make me a compensation for my own and my family's loss, which I think cannot be much less than �3,000

sterling. I am not sure that they will. If they should not, it will be too heavy for me, and I must humbly apply

to his majesty in whose service I am a sufferer; but this, and a much greater sum would be an insufficient

compensation for the constant distress and anxiety of mind I have felt for some time past, and must feel for

months to come. You cannot conceive the wretched state we are in. Such is the resentment of the people

against the Stamp Duty, that there can be no dependence upon the General Court to take any steps to

enforce, or rather advise, to the payment of it. On the other hand, such will be the effects of not submitting to

it, that all trade must cease, all courts fall, and all authority be at an end. Must not the ministry be excessively

embarrassed? On the one hand, it will be said, if concessions are made, the Parliament endanger the loss of

their authority over the Colony: on the other hand, if external forces should be used, there seems to be danger

of a total lasting alienation of affection. Is there no alternative? May the infinitely wise God direct you.

APPENDIX TO PART III. A LETTER FROM GOVERNOR HUTCHINSON NARRATING THE DOINGS OF THE MOB. 88

42. APPENDIX TO PART III. A LETTER FROM GOVERNOR HUTCHINSON NARRATING THE DOINGS OF THE MOB., page = 90