OnemightspendafortnightinPortsmouthexploringthenooksandcornersoverwhichhistoryhasthrownacharm，andbynomeansexhaustthelist。Icannotdomorethanattempttodescribe——andthatverybriefly——afewofthetypicaloldhouses。OnthissamePleasantStreetthereareseveralwhichwemustleaveunnoted，withtheirspacioushallsandcarvenstaircases，theirantiquatedfurnitureandoldsilvertankardsandchoiceCopleys。Numerousexamplesofthisartist’sbestmanneraretobefoundhere。ToliveinPortsmouthwithoutpossessingafamilyportraitdonebyCopleyislikelivinginBostonwithouthavinganancestorintheoldGranaryBurying-Ground。Youcanexist，butyoucannotbesaidtoflourish。Tomakethisstatementsmooth，IwillremarkthateveryoneinPortsmouthhasaCopley——orwouldhaveifafairdivisionweremade。
Inthebettersectionsofthetownthehousesarekeptinsuchexcellentrepair，andhavesosmartanappearancewiththeirbrightgreenblindsandfreshlypaintedwoodwork，thatyouarelikelytopassmanyanoldlandmarkwithoutsuspectingit。
Wheneveryouseeahousewithagambrelroof，youmaybealmostpositivethatthehouseisatleastahundredyearsold，forthegambrelroofwentoutoffashionaftertheRevolution。
OnthecornerofDanielandChapelstreetsstandstheoldestbrickbuildinginPortsmouth——theWarnerHouse。Itwasbuiltin1718byCaptainArchibaldMacpheadris，aScotchman，ashisnameindicates，awealthymerchant，andamemberoftheKing’sCouncil。Hewasthechiefprojectorofoneoftheearliestiron-worksestablishedinAmerica。CaptainMacpheadrismarriedSarahWentworth，oneofthesixteenchildrenofGovernorJohnWentworth，anddiedin1729，leavingadaughter，Mary，whoseportrait，withthatofhermother，paintedbytheubiquitousCopley，stillhangsintheparlorofthishouse，whichisnotknownbythenameofCaptainMacpheadris，butbythatofhisson-in-law，Hon。JonathanWarner，amemberoftheKing’sCounciluntiltherevoltofthecolonies。"WewellrecollectMr。Warner，"
saysMr。Brewster，writingin1858，"asoneofthelastofthecockedhats。Asinavisionofearlychildhoodheisstillbeforeus，inallthedignityofthearistocraticcrownofficers。Thatbroad-backed，long-skirtedbrowncoat，thosesmall-clothesandsilkstockings，thosesilverbuckles，andthatcane——weseethemstill，althoughthelifethatfilledandmovedthemceasedhalfacenturyago。"
TheWarnerHouse，athree-storybuildingwithgambrelroofandluthernwindows，isasfineandsubstantialanexponentofthearchitectureoftheperiodasyouarelikelytomeetwithanywhereinNewEngland。Theeighteen-inchwallsareofbrickbroughtfromHolland，aswerealsomanyofthematerialsusedinthebuilding——thehearth-stones，tiles，etc。Hewn-stoneunderpinningswereseldomadoptedinthosedays；thebrick-workrestsdirectlyuponthesolidwallsofthecellar。Theinteriorisrichinpanelingandwoodcarvingsaboutthemantel-shelves，thedeep-setwindows，andalongthecornices。Thehallsarewideandlong，afteraby-gonefashion，withhandsomestaircases，setataneasyangle，andnotstandingnearlyupright，likethoseladdersbywhichonereachestheupperchambersofamodernhouse。Theprincipalroomsarepaneledtotheceiling，andhavelargeopenchimney-places，adornedwiththequaintestofDutchfiles。InoneoftheparlorsoftheWarnerHousethereisachoicestoreoffamilyrelics——china，silver-plate，costumes，oldclocks，andthelike。Therearesomeinterestingpaintings，too——notbyCopleythistime。Onabroadspaceeachsideofthehallwindows，attheheadofthestaircase，arepicturesoftwoIndians，lifesize。TheyareprobablyportraitsofsomeofthenumerouschiefswithwhomCaptainMacphaedrishaddealings，forthecaptainwasengagedinthefuraswellasintheironbusiness。Someenormouselkantlers，presentedtoMacpheadrisbyhisredfriends，arehanginginthelowerhall。
Bymerechance，thirtyorfortyyearsago，somelong-hiddenpaintingsonthewallsofthislowerhallwerebroughttolight。
Inrepairingthefrontentryitbecamenecessarytoremovethepaper，ofwhichfourorfivelayershadaccumulated。Aoneplace，whereseveralcoatshadpeeledoffcleanly，ahorse’shoofwasobservedbyalittlegirlofthefamily。Theworkmanthenbeganremovingthepapercarefully；firstthelegs，thenthebodyofahorsewithariderwererevealed，andtheastonishedpaper-hangerpresentlystoodbeforealife-sizerepresentationofGovernorPhippsonhischarger。Theworkmancalledotherpersonstohisassistance，andtheremainingportionsofthewallwerespeedilystripped，layingbarefourorfivehundredsquarefeetcoveredwithsketchesincolor，landscapes，viewsofunknowncities，Biblicalscenes，andmodernfigure-pieces，amongwhichwasaladyataspinning-wheel。Untilthennopersoninthelandofthelivinghadhadanyknowledgeofthosehiddenpictures。Anolddameofeighty，whohadvisitedatthehouseintimatelyeversinceherchildhood，allbutrefusedtobelieveherspectacles（thoughSupplyHammadethem（1。））whenbroughtfacetofacewiththefrescoes。（1。Intheearlypartofthiscentury，SupplyHamwastheleadingopticianandwatchmakerofPortsmouth。）
Theplaceisrichinbricabrac，butthereisnothingmorecuriousthattheseincongruousprintings，clearlytheworkofapracticedhand。Eventheoutsideoftheoldedificeisnotwithoutitsinterestforanantiquarian。Thelightening-rodwhichprotectstheWarnerHouseto-daywasputupunderBenjaminFranklin’sownsupervisionin1762——suchatalleventsisthecreditedtradition——andissupposedtobethefirstrodputupinNewHampshire。Alightening-rod"personallyconducted"byBenjaminFranklinoughttobeanattractiveobjecttoeventheleastsusceptibleelectricity。TheWarnerHousehasanotherimperativeclaimonthegood-willofthevisitor——itisnotpositivelyknownthatGeorgeWashingtoneversleptthere。
ThesameassertioncannotbemadeonconnectionwiththeoldyellowbarrackssituatedinthesouthwestcornerofCourtandAtkinsonstreets。Famousoldhousesseemtohaveanintuitiveperceptionofthevalueofcornerlots。Ifitisapossiblething，theyalwayssetthemselvesdownonthemostdesirablespots。ItisbeyondadoubtthatWashingtonsleptnotonlyonenight，butseveralnights，underthisroof；forthiswasacelebratedtavernpreviousandsubsequenttotheWarofIndependence，andWashingtonmadeithisheadquartersduringhisvisittoPortsmouthin1797。WhenIwasaboyIknewanoldlady——notoneofthepreposterousoldladiesinthenewspapers，whohavealltheirfacultiesunimpaired，butarealoldlady，whoseninety-nineyearswerebeginningtotellonher——whohadknownWashingtonverywell。ShewasagirlinherteenswhenhecametoPortsmouth。ThePresidentwasthestapleofherconversationduringthelasttenyearsofherlife，whichshepassedintheStaversHouse，bedridden；andIthinkthosetenyearswereinamannerrenderedshortandpleasanttotheoldgentlewomanbythememoryofacomplimenttohercomplexionwhichWashingtonprobablyneverpaidtoit。
Theoldhotel——nowaveryunsavorytenement-house——wasbuiltbyJohnTavers，innkeeper，in1770，whoplantedinfrontofthedooratallpost，fromwhichswungthesignoftheEarlofHalifax。
StavershadpreviouslykeptaninnofthesamenameonQueen，nowStateStreet。
Itisasquarethree-storybuilding，shabbyanddejected，givingnohintofthereallyimportanthistoricalassociationsthatclusteraboutit。Atthetimeofitserectionitwasnodoubtconsideredarathergrandstructure，forbuildingsofthreestorieswererareinPortsmouth。Evenin1798，ofthesixhundredandtwenty-sixdwellinghousesofwhichthetownboasted，eighty-sixwereofonestory，fivehundredandtwenty-fourwereoftwostories，andonlysixteenofthreestories。TheStaversinnhastheregulationgambrelroof，butislackinginthosewoodornamentswhichareusuallyseenoverthedoorsandwindowsofthemoreprominenthousesofthatepoch。Itwas，however，thehoteloftheperiod。
ThatsameworndoorstepuponwhichMr。O’Shaughnessynowstretcheshimselfofasummerafternoon，withashortclaypipestuckbetweenhislips，andhishatcrusheddownonhisbrows，revolvingthesadvicissitudeofthings——thatsamedoorstephasbeenpressedbythefeetofgeneralsandmarquisesandgravedignitariesuponwhomdependedthedestinyoftheStates——officersingoldlaceandscarletcloth，andhigh-heeledbellesinpatch，powder，andpaduasoy。AtthisdoortheFlyingStageCoach，whichcreptfromBoston，onceaweeksetdownitsloadofpassengers——anddistinguishedpassengerstheyoftenwere。
Mostofthechiefcelebritiesoftheland，beforeandafterthesecessionofthecolonies，weretheguestsofMasterStavers，atthesignoftheEarlofHalifax。
Whilethestormwasbrewingbetweenthecoloniesandthemothercountry，itwasinabackroomofthetavernthattheadherentsofthecrownmettodiscussmatters。Thelandlordhimselfwasaamateurloyalist，andwhenthefullcloudwasontheeveofbreakinghehadanearlyintimationofthecomingtornado。TheSonsofLibertyhadlongwatchedwithsulleneyesthesecretsessionsoftheToriesinMasterStavers’stavern，andonemorningthepatriotsquietlybegancuttingdownthepostwhichsupportedtheobnoxiousemblem。Mr。Stavers，whoseemsnottohavebeenbelligerenthimself，butthecauseofbelligerenceinothers，sentouthisblackslavewithorderstostopproceedings。
Thenegro，whowasarmedwithanaxe，struckbutasingleblowanddisappeared。ThisblowfellupontheheadofMarkNoble；itdidnotkillhim，butlefthimaninsanemantillthedayofhisdeath，fortyyearsafterward。Afuriousmobatoncecollected，andmadeanattackonthetavern，burstinginthedoorsandshatteringeverypaneofglassinthewindows。ItwasonlythroughtheinterventionofCaptainJohnLangdon，awarmandpopularpatriot，thatthehotelwassavedfromdestruction。
InthemeanwhileMasterStavershadescapedthroughthestablesintherear。HefledtoStratham，wherehewasgivenrefugebyhisfriendWilliamPottle，amostappropriatelynamedgentleman，whohadsuppliedthehotelwithale。Theexcitementblewoverafteratime，andStaverswasinducedtoreturntoPortsmouth。HewasseizedbytheCommitteeofSafety，andlodgedinExeterjail，whenhisloyalty，whichhadreallyneverbeenveryhigh，wentdownbelowzero；hetooktheoathofallegiance，andshortlyafterhisreleasedreopenedthehotel。ThehonestfaceofWilliamPittappearedontherepentantsign，viceEarlofHalifax，ignominiouslyremoved，andStaverswashimselfagain。InthestaterecordsisthefollowingletterfrompoorNoblebeggingfortheenlargementofJohnStavers：——
PORTSMOUTH，February3，1777。
TotheCommitteeofSafetyoftheTownofExeter：
GENTLEMEN，——AsIaminformedthatMr。Stiversisinconfinementingaoluponmyaccountcontrarytomydesire，forwhenIwasatMr。StiversafastdayIhadnoillnormentnoneagainsttheGentlemanbutbybadluckormisfortuneIhavereceivedabadBlowbutitissowellthatIhopetogooutinadayortwo。SobythisgentlemenoftheCommitteeIhopeyouwillreleasethegentlemanuponmyaccount。Iamyourstoserve。
MARKNOBLE，Afriendtomycountry。
FromthatperioduntilIknownotwhatyeartheStaversHouseprospered。ItwasatthesignoftheWilliamPittthattheofficersoftheFrenchfleetboardedin1782，andhithercametheMarquisLafayette，allthewayfromProvidence，tovisitthem。JohnHancock，ElbridgeGerry，Rutledge，andothersignersoftheDeclarationsojournedhereatvarioustimes。ItwashereGeneralKnox——"thatstalwartman，twoofficersinsizeandthreeinlungs"——waswonttoorderhisdinner，andinastentorianvoicecomplimentMasterStaversontheexcellenceofhislarder。
Oneday——itwasatthetimeoftheFrenchRevolution——LouisPhilippeandhistwobrothersappliedatthedooroftheWilliamPittforlodgings；butthetavernwasfull，andthefutureking，withhiscompanions，foundcomfortablequartersunderthehospitableroofofGovernorLangdoninPleasantStreet。
Arecordofthescenes，tragicandhumorous，thathavebeenenactedwithinthisoldyellowhouseonthecornerwouldfillavolume。Avividpictureofthesocialandpubliclifeoftheoldtimemightbepaintedbyaskillfulhand，usingthetwoEarlofHalifaxinnsforabackground。Thepainterwouldfindgayandsombrepigmentsreadymixedforhispalette，andahundredromanticincidentswaitingforhiscanvas。OneoftheseromanticepisodeshasbeenturnedtoveryprettyaccountbyLongfellowinthelastseriesofTheTalesofaWaysideInn——themarriageofGovernorBenningWentworthwithMarthaHilton，asortofsecondeditionofKingCophetuaandtheBeggarMaid。
MarthaHiltonwasapoorgirl，whosebarefeetandanklesandscantdraperywhenshewasachild，andevenaftershewaswellinthebloomofherteens，usedtoscandalizegoodDameStavers，theinnkeeper’swife。StandingoneafternooninthedoorwayoftheEarlofHalifax，（1。Thefirstofthetwohotelsbearingthattitle。Mr。BrewstercommitsaslightanachronisminlocatingthesceneofthisincidentinJaffreyStreet，nowCourt。TheStaversHousewasnotbuiltuntiltheyearofGovernorBenningWentworth’sdeath。Mr。Longfellow，inthepoem，doesnotfallintothesameerror。
"Onehundredyearsago，andsomethingmore，InQueenStreet，Portsmouth，athertaverndoor，Neatasapin，andbloomingasarose，StoodMistressStaversinherfurbelows。"）
DameStaverstookoccasiontoremonstratewiththesleek-limbedandlightlydrapedMartha，whochancedtobepassingthetavern，carryingapailofwater，inwhich，asthepoetneatlysays，"theshiftingsunbeamdanced。"
"YouPat！youPat！"criedMrs。Staversseverely；"whydoyougolookingso？Youshouldbeashamedtobeseeninthestreet。"
"NevermindhowIlook，"saysMissMartha，withamerrylaugh，lettingslipasaucybrownshoulderoutofherdress；"Ishallrideinmychariotyet，ma’am。"
Fortunateprophecy！MarthawenttoliveasservantwithGovernorWentworthathismansionatLittleHarbor，lookingouttosea。
Sevenyearspassed，andthe"thinslipofagirl，"whopromisedtobenogreatbeauty，hadfloweredintotheloveliestofwomen，withaliplikeacherryandacheeklikeatea-rose——aladybyinstinct，oneofNature’sownladies。Thegovernor，alonelywidower，andnottooyoung，fellinlovewithhisfairhandmaid。
Withoutstatinghispurposetoanyone，GovernorWentworthinvitedanumberoffriends（amongotherstheRev。ArthurBrown）
todinewithhimatLittleHarboronhisbirthday。Afterthedinner，whichwasaveryelaborateone，wasatanend，andtheguestswerediscussingtheirtobacco-pipes，MarthaHiltonglidedintotheroom，andstoodblushinginfrontofthechimney-place。
Shewasexquisitelydressed，asyoumayconceive，andworeherhairthreestorieshigh。Theguestsstaredateachother，andparticularlyather，andwondered。Thenthegovernor，risingfromhisseat，"Playedslightlywithhisruffles，thenlookeddown，AndsaiduntotheReverendArthurBrown：
’Thisismybirthday；itshalllikewisebeMywedding-day；andyoushallmarryme！’"
Therectorwasdumfounded，knowingthehumblefootingMarthahadheldinthehouse，andcouldthinkofnothingcleverertosaythan，"Towhom，yourexcellency？"whichwasnotcleaveratall。
"Tothislady，"repliedthegovernor，takingMarthaHiltonbythehand。TheRev。ArthurBrownhesitated。"AstheChiefMagistrateofNewHampshireIcommandyoutomarryme！"criedthecholericoldgovernor。
Andsoitwasdone；andtheprettykitchen-maidbecameLadyWentworth，anddidrideinherownchariot。ShewouldnothavebeenawomanifshehadnottakenanearlyopportunitytodrivebyStaver’shotel！
LadyWentworthhadakeenappreciationofthedignityofhernewstation，andbecameagrandladyatonce。Afewdaysafterhermarriage，droppingherringonthefloor，shelanguidlyorderedherservanttopickitup。Theservant，whoappearstohavehadafairsenseofhumor，grewsuddenlynear-sighted，andwasunabletotheringuntilLadyWentworthstoopedandplacedherladyship’sfingeruponit。Sheturnedoutafaultlesswife，however；andGovernorWentworthathisdeath，whichoccurredin1770，signifiedhisapprovalofherbyleavingherhisentireestate。Shemarriedagainwithoutchangingname，acceptingthehand，andwhattherewasoftheheart，ofMichaelWentworth，aretiredcoloneloftheBritisharmy，whocametothiscountryin1767。ColonelWentworth（notconnected，Ithink，withthePortsmouthbranchofWentworths）seemstohavebeenofaconvivialturnofmind。Heshortlydissipatedhiswife’sfortuneinhighliving，anddiedabruptlyinNewYork——itwassupposedbyhisownhand。Hislastwords——aquiteuniquecontributiontotheliteratureoflastwords——were，"Ihavehadmycake，andateit，"
whichshowedthatthecolonelwithinhisownmodestlimitationswasaphilosopher。
TheseatofGovernorWentworthatLittleHarbor——apleasantwalkfromMarketSquare——iswellworthavisit。TimeandchangehavelaidtheirhandsmorelightlyonthisramblingoldpilethanonanyotheroftheoldhomesinPortsmouth。Whenyoucrossthethresholdofthedooryoustepintothecolonialperiod。HerethePastseemstohavehaltedcourteously，waitingforyoutocatchupwithit。InsideandoutsidetheWentworthmansionremainsnearlyastheoldgovernorleftit；andthoughitisnolongerinthepossessionofthefamily，thepresentowners，intheirwillingnesstogratifythedecentcuriosityofstrangers，showahospitalitywhichhasalwayscharacterizedtheplace。
Thehouseisanarchitecturalfreak。Themainbuilding——ifitisthemainbuilding——isgenerallytwostoriesinheight，withirregularwingsformingthreesidesofasquarewhichopensinthewater。Itis，inbrief，aclusterofwhimsicalextensionsthatlookasiftheyhadbeenbuiltatdifferentperiods，whichI
believewasnotthecase。Themansionwascompletedin1750。Itoriginallycontainedfifty-tworooms；aportionofthestructurewasremovedabouthalfacenturyago，leavingforty-fiveapartments。Thechamberswereconnectedintheoddestmanner，byunexpectedstepsleadingupordown，andcapriciouslittlepassagesthatseemtohavebeentheunhappyafterthoughtsofthearchitect。Butitisamansiononagrandscale，andwithagrandair。Thecellarwasarrangedforthestablingofatroopofthirtyhorseintimesofdanger。Thecouncil-chamber，whereformanyyearsallquestionsofvitalimportancetotheStatewerediscussed，isaspacious，high-studdedroom，finishedinthericheststyleofthelastcentury。Itissaidthattheornamentationofthehugemantel，carvedwithknifeandchisel，costtheworkmanayear’sconstantlabor。Attheentrancetothecouncil-chamberarestilltheracksforthetwelvemusketsofthegovernor’sguard——solongagodismissed！
Somevaluablefamilyportraitsadornthewallshere，amongwhichisafinepainting-yes，byourfriendCopley——ofthelovelyDorothyQuincy，whomarriedJohnHancock，andafterwardbecameMadamScott。ThisladywasanieceofDr。Holme’s"DorothyQ。"
Openingonthecouncil-chamberisalargebilliard-room；thebilliard-tableisgone，butanancientspinnet，withtheprimairofanancientmaidenlady，andofawheezyvoice，isthere；andinonecornerstandsaclaw-footedbuffet，nearwhichtheimaginativenostrilmaystilldetectafaintandtantalizingodorofcolonialpunch。Openingalsoonthecouncil-chamberareseveraltinyapartments，emptyandsilentnow，inwhichmanyacloserubberhasbeenplayedbyillustrioushands。Thestillnessandlonelinessoftheoldhouseseemsaddesthere。Thejeweledfingersaredust，themerrylaughshaveturnedthemselvesintosilent，sorrowfulphantoms，stealingfromchambertochamber。Itiseasytobelieveinthetraditionalghostthathauntstheplace——
"Ajollyplaceintimesofold，Butsomethingailsitnow！"
ThemansionatLittleHarborisnottheonlyhistorichousethatbearsthenameofWentworth。OnPleasantStreet，attheheadofWashingtonStreet，standstheabodeofanothercolonialworthy，GovernorJohnWentworth，whoheldofficefrom1767downtothemomentwhenthecoloniesdroppedtheBritishyokeasifithadbeentheletterH。Forthemomentthegoodgentleman’soccupationwasgone。Hewasaroyalistofthemostfloridcomplexion。In1775，amannamedJohnFenton，andex-captainintheBritisharmy，whohadmanagedtooffendtheSonsofLiberty，wasgivensanctuaryinthishousebythegovernor，whorefusedtodeliverthefugitivetothepeople。Themobplantedasmallcannon（unloaded）infrontofthedoorstepandthreatenedtoopenfireifFentonwerenotforthcoming。Heforth-withcame。Thefamilyvacatedthepremisesviatheback-yard，andthemobentered，doingconsiderabledamage。Thebrokenmarblechimney-placestillremains，mutelyprotestingagainsttheuncalled-forviolence。
ShortlyafterthiseventthegovernormadehiswaytoEngland，wherehisloyaltywasrewardedfirstwithagovernorshipandthenwithapensionofL500。HewasgovernorofNovaScotiafrom1792
to1800，anddiedinHalifaxin1820。Thishouseisoneofthehandsomestolddwellingsinthetown，andpromisestooutlivemanyofitsnewestneighbors。Theparlorhasundergonenochangewhateversincethepopulacerushedintoitoveracenturyago。
Thefurnitureandadornmentsoccupytheiroriginalpositionsandtheplushonthewallshasnotbeenreplacedbyotherhangings。
Inthehall——deepenoughforthetraditionalduelofbaronialromance——arefull-lengthportraitsoftheseveralgovernorsandsundryoftheirkinsfolk。
ThereisyetathirdWentworthhouse，alsodecoratedwiththeshadeofacolonialgovernor——therewerethreeGovernorsWentworth——butweshallpassitby，thoughoutofnolackofrespectforthathighofficialpersonagewhosecommissionwassignedbyJosephAddison，Esq。，SecretaryofStateunderGeorgeI。
V。
OLDSTRAWBERRYBANK
THESEoldhouseshaveperhapsdetainedustoolong。Theyaremerelythecrumblingshellsofthingsdeadandgone，ofpersonsandmannersandcustomsthathaveleftnoverydistinctrecordofthemselves，exceptinghereandthereinsomesallowmanuscriptwhichhasluckilyescapedthewitheringbreathoffire，fortheoldtown，asIhaveremarked，hasmanaged，fromtheearliestmomentofitsexistence，toburnitselfupperiodically。Itisonlythroughthescatteredmemorandaofancienttownclerks，andinthefilesofworm-eatenandforgottennewspapers，thatweareenabledtogetglimpsesofthatlifewhichwasoncesorealandpositiveandhasnowbecomeashadow。IamofcoursespeakingoftheearlydaysofthesettlementonStrawberryBank。Theywerestormyandeventfuldays。Thedenseforestwhichsurroundedtheclearingwasalivewithhostilered-men。Thesturdypilgrimwenttosleepwithhisfirelockathisbedside，notknowingatwhatmomenthemightbeawakenedbytheglareofhisburninghayricksandthepiercingwar-whoopsoftheWomponoags。Yearafteryearhesawhisharvestreapedbyasickleofflames，ashepeeredthroughtheloop-holesoftheblockhouse，whitherhehadflowninhothastewithgoodwifeandlittleones。TheblockhouseatStrawberryBankappearstohavebeenonanextensivescale，withstockadesfortheshelterofcattle。Itheldlargesuppliesofstores，andwasamplyfurnishedwitharquebuses，sakers，andmurtherers，aspeciesofnavalordnancewhichprobablydidnotbelieitsname。Italsoboasted，wearetold，oftwodrumsfortraining-days，andnofewerthanfifteenhautboysandsoft-voicedrecorders——allwhichsuggestsamediaevalcastle，oragrimfortressinthetimeofQueenElizabeth。Totheyoungermembersofthecommunityglassorcrockerywarewasanunknownsubstance；
totheeldersitwasamemory。Anironpotwasthepot-of-all-work，andtheirtableutensilswereofbeatenpewter。
Thedietwasalsoofthesimplest——pea-porridgeandcorn-cake，withamugofaleoraflagonofSpanishwine，whentheycouldgetit。
JohnMason，whoneverresidedinthiscountry，butdelegatedthemanagementofhisplantationatRicataquaandNewichewannocktostewards，diedbeforerealizinganyappreciablereturnfromhisenterprise。Hesparednoendeavormeanwhiletofurtheritsprosperity。In1632，threeyearsbeforehisdeath，MasonsentoverfromDenmarkanumberofneatcattle，"ofalargebreedandyellowcolour。"Theherdthrived，anditissaidthatsomeofthestockisstillextantonfarmsinthevicinityofPortsmouth。
Thoseoldfirstfamilieshadakindofstayingquality！
InMay，1653，theinhabitantsofthesettlementpetitionedtheGeneralCourtatBostontograntthemadefinitetownship——fortheboundariesweredoubtful——andtherighttogiveitapropername。"WhereasthenameofthisplantationattpresentbeingStraberyBanke，accidentllysoecalled，byreasonofabankewherestrawberrieswasfoundinthisplace，nowwehumblydesiretohaveitcalledPortsmouth，beinganamemostsuitableforthisplace，itbeingtheriver’smouth，andgoodasanyinthisland，andyourpetit’rsshallhumblypray，"etc。
Throughoutthatformativeperiod，andduringtheintermittentFrenchwars，PortsmouthandtheoutlyingdistrictswerethescenesofbloodyIndianmassacres。NoportionoftheNewEnglandcolonysufferedmore。Famine，fire，pestilence，andwar，eachinturn，andsometimesinconjunction，beleagueredthelittlestronghold，andthreatenedtowipeitout。Butthatwasnottobe。
Thesettlementflourishedandincreasedinspiteofall，andassoonasithadleisuretodrawbreath，itbethoughtitselfoftheschool-houseandthejail——twoincontestablesignsofbuddingcivilization。Atatownmeetingin1662，itwasordered"thatacagebemadeorsomeothermeanesinventedbytheselectmentopunishsuchassleepeortaketobaccoontheLord’sdayoutofthemeetingeinthetimeofpubliqueservice。"Thissalutarymeasurewasnot，forsomereason，carriedintoeffectuntilnineyearslater，whenCaptainJohnPickering，whoseemstohavehadasmanyprofessionsasMichelangelo，undertooktoconstructacagetwelvefeetsquareandsevenfeethigh，withapilloryontop；"thesaidPickeringtomakeagoodstrongdoreandmakeasubstantialepayreofstocksandplacesthesameinsaidcage。"A
spotconvenientlynearthewestendonthemeeting-housewasselectedasthesiteforthisingeniousdevice。Itismorethanprobablethat"thesaidPickering"indirectlyfurnishedanoccasionalbirdforhiscage，forin1672wefindhimandoneEdwardWestwereauthorizedbytheselectmento"keepehousesofpubliqueentertainment。"Hewasaversatileindividual，thisJohnPickering——soldier，miller，moderator，carpenter，lawyer，andinnkeeper。Michelangeloneednotblushtobebracketedwithhim。
Inthecourseofalongandvariegatedcareerheneverfailedtoactaccordingtohislights，whichhealwayskeptwelltrimmed。
ThatCaptainPickeringsubsequentlybecamethegrandfather，atseveralremoves，ofthepresentwriterwasnofaultoftheCaptain’s，andshouldnotbelaidupagainsthim。
Downto1696，theeducationoftheyoungappearstohavebeenaratherdesultoryandtentativematter；"theyoungidea"seemstohavebeenallowedto"shoot"atwhateveritwantedto；butinthatyearitwasvoted"thatcarebetakenthatanabellscollmaster[skullmaster！]beprovidedforthetowenasthelawdirects，notvisiousinconversation。"Thatwasperhapsdemandingtoomuch；foritwasnotuntil"Mayye7"ofthefollowingyearthattheselectmenwerefortunateenoughtoputtheirfingeronthisraraavisinthepersonofMr。Tho。Phippes，whoagreed"tobescollmasterforthethetowenthisyrinsewingforteachingtheinhabitantschildreninsuchmannerasotherschollmastersyouslydoethroughoutthecountrie：forhissoedoingewethesellecttmeninbehalfeofowertowendoeingagetopayhimbywayofratetwentypoundsandytheshallandmayreservefromeveryfatherormasterthatsendstheyerchildrentoschoolthisyeareafteryerateof16s。forreaders，writersandcypherers20s。，Lattiners24s。"
Modernadvocatesofphoneticspellingneednotplumethemselvesontheiroriginality。Thetownclerkwhowrotethatdelicious"youslydoe"settlesthequestion。ItistobehopedthatMr。
Tho。Phippeswasnotonly"notvisiousinconversation，"butwasmoreconventionalinhisorthography。Heevidentlygavesatisfaction，andclearlyexertedaninfluenceonthetownclerk，Mr。SamuelKeais，whoeveraftershowsamarkedimprovementinhisownmethods。In1704thetownempoweredtheselectmen"tocallandsettellagramerscollaccordingtoyebestofyowerjudgementandforyeadvantag[Keaisisobviouslydeadnow]ofyeyouthofowertowntolearnthemtoreadfromyeprimer，towrightandsypherandtolearneymthetonguesandgood-manners。"
OnthisoccasionitwasMr。WilliamAllen，ofSalisbury，whoengaged"dilligentlytoattendyeschoolforyepresentyeare，andtechallchildernytcanreadinthairepsalltersandupward。"FromsuchhumblebeginningswereevolvedsomeofthebestpublichighschoolsatpresentinNewEngland。
Portsmouthdidnotescapethewitchcraftdelusion，thoughI
believethatnohangingstookplacewithintheboundariesofthetownship。Dwellersbytheseaaregenerallysuperstitious；
sailorsalwaysare。Thereissomethingintheillimitableexpanseofskyandwaterthatdilatestheimagination。Thefolkwholivealongthecoastliveontheedgeofaperpetualmystery；onlyastripofyellowsandorgrayrockseparatesthemfromtheunknown；theyhearstrangevoicesinthewindsatmidnight，theyarehauntedbythespectresofthemirage。Theirmindsquicklytaketheimpressofuncannythings。ThewitchesthereforefoundasympatheticatmosphereinNewscastle，atthemouthofthePiscataqua——thatslenderpawoflandwhichreachesoutintotheoceanandterminatesinaspreadofsharp，flatrocks，lietheclawsofanamorouscat。Whathappenedtothegoodfolkofthatpicturesquelittlefishing-hamletisworthretellinginbrief。Inorderproperlytoretellit，acontemporarywitnessshallbecalledupontotestifyinthecaseoftheStone-ThrowingDevilsofNewcastle。ItistheRev。CottonMatherwhoaddressesyou——
"OnJune11，1682，showersofstoneswerethrownbyaninvisiblehanduponthehouseofGeorgeWaltonatPortsmouth[Newcastlewasthenapartofthetown]。Whereuponthepeoplegoingoutfoundthegatewrungoffthehinges，andstonesflyingandfallingthickaboutthem，andstrikingofthemseeminglywithagreatforce，butreallyaffecting’emnomorethanifasofttouchweregiventhem。Theglasswindowswerebrokenbythestonesthatcamenotfromwithout，butfromwithin；andotherinstrumentswereinalikemannerhurledabout。Nineofthestonestheytookup，whereofsomewereashotasiftheycameoutofthefire；andmarkingthemtheylaidthemonthetable；butinalittlewhiletheyfoundsomeofthemagainflyingabout。Thespitwascarriedupthechimney，andcomingdownwiththepointforward，stuckinthebacklog，fromwhenceoneofthecompanyremovingit，itwasbyaninvisiblehandthrownoutatthewindow。Thisdisturbancecontinuedfromdaytoday；andsometimesadismalhollowwhistlingwouldbeheard，andsometimesthetrottingandsnortingofahorse，butnothingtobeseen。ThemanwentuptheGreatBayinaboatontoafarmwhichhehadthere；butthestonesfoundhimout，andcarryingfromthehousetotheboatastirrupirontheironcamejinglingafterhimthroughthewoodsasfarashishouse；andatlastwentawayandwasheardnomore。Theanchorleapedoverboardseveraltimesandstopttheboat。Acheesewastakenoutofthepress，andcrumbledalloverthefloor；apieceofironstuckintothewall，andakettlehungthereon。Severalcocksofhay，mow’dnearthehouse，weretakenupandhunguponthetrees，andothersmadeintosmallwhisps，andscatteredaboutthehouse。Amanwasmuchhurtbysomeofthestones。HewasaQuaker，andsuspectedthatawoman，whochargedhimwithinjusticeindetainingsomelandfromhere，did，bywitchcraft，occasionthesepreternaturaloccurrences。However，atlasttheycametoanend。"
NowIhavedonewiththee，OcredulousandsourCottonMather！sogettheebackagaintothytombintheoldburying-groundonCopp’sHill，where，unlessthynatureisradicallychanged，thoumakestituncomfortableforthoseaboutthee。
Nearlyahundredyearsafterwards，Portsmouthhadanotherwitch——atangiblewitchinthisinstance——oneMollyBridget，whocasthermalignspellontheeleemosynarypigsattheAlmshouse，whereshechancedtoresideatthemoment。Thepigsweremanifestlybewitched，andMr。ClementMarch，thesuperintendentoftheinstitution，sawonlyoneremedyathand，andthatwastocutoffandburnthetipsoftheirtales。Butwhenthetipswerecutofftheydisappeared，anditwasinconsequencequiteimpracticabletoburnthem。Mr。March，whowasagentlemanofexpedients，orderedthatallthechipsandunderbrushintheyardshouldbemadeintoheapsandconsumed，hopingthustocatchanddoawaywiththemysteriousandprovokingextremities。ThefireswerenosoonerlightedthanMollyBridgetrushedfromroomtoroominastateoffrenzy。Withthedyingflamesherownvitalitysubsided，andshewasdeadbeforetheash-pileswerecool。IsayitseriouslywhenIsaythatthesearefactsofwhichthereisauthenticproof。
Ifthewomanhadrecovered，shewouldhavefaredbadly，evenatthatlateperiod，hadshebeeninSalem；butthedeath-penaltyhasneverbeenhastilyinflictedinPortsmouth。ThefirstexecutionthatevertookplacetherewasthatofSarahSimpsonandPenelopeKenny，forthemurderofaninfantin1739。ThesheriffwasThomasPacker，thesameofficialwho，twenty-nineyearslater，wonunenviablenotorietyatthehangingofRuthBlay。ThecircumstancesaresetforthbythelateAlbertLaightoninaspiritedballad，whichistoolongtoquoteinfull。Thefollowingstanzas，however，givethepithofthestory——
"Andavoiceamongthemshouted，"Pausebeforethedeedisdone；
WehaveaskedreprieveandpardonForthepoormisguidedone。’
"ButthesewordsofSheriffPackerRangabovetheswellingnoise：
’MustIwaitandlosemydinner？
Drawawaythecart，myboys！’
"Nearercamethesoundandlouder，Tillasteedwithpantingbreath，Fromitssidesthewhitefoamdripping，Haltedatthesceneofdeath；
"Andamessengeralighted，Cryingtothecrowd，’Makeway！
ThisIbeartoSheriffPacker；
’TisapardonforRuthBlay！’"
Butofcoursehearrivedtoolate——theLawledMercyabouttwentyminutes。Thecrowddispersed，horror-stricken；butitassembledagainthatnightbeforethesheriff’sdomicileandexpresseditsindignationingroans。Hiseffigy，hangedonaminiaturegallows，wasafterwardsparadedthroughthestreets。
"BethenameofThomasPackerAreproachforevermore！"
Laighton’sballadremindsmeofthatPortsmouthhasbeenprolificinpoets，oneofwhom，atleast，hasleftamouthfulofperennialrhymefororators——JonathanSewellwithhis"Nopent-upUticacontractsyourpowers，Butthewholeboundlesscontinentisyours。"
Ihavesomewhereseenavolumewiththealliterativetitleof"PoetsofPortsmouth，"inwhichareembalmednofewerthansixtyimmortals！
Buttodropintoproseagain，andhavedonewiththisiliadofoddsandends。Portsmouthhasthehonor，Ibelieve，ofestablishingthefirstrecordedpauperworkhouse——thoughnotinconnectionwithherpoets，asmightnaturallybesupposed。Thebuildingwascompletedandtenantedin1716。Sevenyearslater，anactwaspassedinEnglandauthorizingtheestablishmentofparishworkhousesthere。ThefirstandonlykeeperofthePortsmouthalmshouseupto1750wasawoman——RebeccaAustin。
Speakingoffirstthings，wearetoldbyMr。NathanielAdams，inhis"AnnalsofPortsmouth，"thatonthe20thofApril，1761，Mr。
JohnStaversbeganrunningastagefromthattowntoBoston。Thecarriagewasatwo-horsecurricle，wideenoughtoaccommodatethreepassengers。Thefarewasthirteenshillingsandsixpencesterlingperhead。Thecurriclewaspresentlysupersededbyaseriesoffatyellowcoaches，oneofwhich——nearlyacenturylater，andlongafterthatpleasantmodeoftravelhadfallenobsolete——wasthecauseofmuchmentaltribulation（1。Someidlereaderhereandtheremaypossiblyrecalltheburningoftheoldstage-coachinTheStoryofaBadBoy。）tothewriterofthischronicle。
Themailandthenewspaperarecloselyassociatedfactorsincivilization，soImentionthemtogether，thoughinthiscasethenewspaperantedatedthemail-coachaboutfiveyears。OnOctober7，1756，thefirstnumberof"TheNewHampshireGazetteandHistoricalChronicle"wasissuedinPortsmouthfromthepressofDanielFowle，whointhepreviousJulyhadremovedfromBoston，wherehehadundergoneabriefbutuncongenialimprisonmentonsuspicionofhavingprintedapamphletentitled"TheMonsterofMonsters，byTomThumb，Esq。，"anessaythatcontainedsomeuncomplimentaryreflectionsonseveralofficialpersonages。The"Gazette"wasthepioneerjournaloftheprovince。Itwasfollowedatthecloseofthesameyearby"TheMercuryandWeeklyAdvertiser，"publishedbyaformerapprenticeofFowle，acertainThomasFurber，backedbyanumberofrestlessWhigs，whoconsideredthe"Gazette"notsufficientlyoutspokeninthecauseofliberty。Mr。Fowle，however，contrivedtoholdhisownuntilthedayofhisdeath。FowlehadforpressmanafaithfulnegronamedPrimus，afull-bloodedAfrican。WhetherPrimuswasafreemanoraslaveIamunabletostate。Helivedtoagreatage，andwasaprominentfigureamongthepeopleofhisowncolor。
NegroslaverywascommoninNewEnglandatthatperiod。In1767，Portsmouthnumberedinitspopulationahundredandeighty-eightslaves，maleandfemale。Theirbondage，happily，wasnearlyalwaysofalightsort，ifanybondagecanbelight。Theywereallowedtohaveakindofgovernmentoftheirown；indeed，wereencouragedtodoso，andnounreasonablerestrictionswereplacedontheirsocialenjoyment。Theyannuallyelectedakingandcounselors，andcelebratedtheeventwithaprocession。Thearistocraticfeelingwashighlydevelopedinthem。Therankofthemasterwastheslave’srank。Therewasagreatdealofebonystandingaroundonitsdignityinthosedays。Forexample，GovernorLangdon’smanservant，CyrusBruce，wasapersonwhoinsistedonhisdistinction，anditwasrecognized。Hismassivegoldchainandseals，hischerry-coloredsmall-clothesandsilkstockings，hisrufflesandsilvershoe-buckles，wereatraditionlongafterCyrushimselfwaspulverized。
Incasesofminormisdemeanoramongthem，thenegrosthemselveswerepermittedtobejudgeandjury。Theiradministrationofjusticewasoftencharacteristicallynaive。Mr。Brewstergivesanamusingsketchofoneoftheirsessions。KingNeroisonthebench，andoneCato——wearenothingifnotclassical——istheprosecutingattorney。Thenameoftheprisonerandthenatureofhisoffensearenotdisclosedtoposterity。InthemidstoftheproceedingsthehourofnoonisclangedfromtheneighboringbelfryoftheOldNorthChurch。"Theevidencewasnotgonethroughwith，buttheservantscouldstaynolongerfromtheirhomeduties。Theyallwantedtoseethewhipping，butcouldnotconvenientlybepresentagainafterdinner。CatoventuredtoaddresstheKing：PleaseyouHonor，bestletthefellowhavehiswhippingnow，andfinishthetrialafterdinner。Therequestseemedtobethegeneralwishofthecompany：soNeroorderedtenlashes，forjusticesofarasthetrialwent，andtenmoreatthecloseofthetrial，shouldhebefoundguilty！"
SlaveryinNewHampshirewasneverlegallyabolished，unlessAbrahamLincolndidit。TheStateitselfhasnoteverpronouncedanyemancipationedict。DuringtheRevolutionaryWartheslavesweregenerallyemancipatedbytheirmasters。Thatmanyofthenegros，whohadgrowngrayinservice，refusedtheirfreedom，andelectedtospendtherestoftheirlivesaspensionersinthefamiliesoftheirlateowners，isacircumstancethatillustratesthekindlytieswhichheldbetweenslaveandmasterintheoldcolonialdaysinNewEngland。
Theinstitutionwasaccidentalandsuperficial，andneverhadanyrealrootintheGraniteState。IfthePuritanscouldhavefoundintheScripturesanydirectsanctionofslavery，perhapsitwouldhavecontinuedawhilelonger，forthePuritancarriedhisreligionintothebusinessaffairsoflife；hewasnotevenabletokeepitoutofhisbillsoflading。Icannotclosethisramblingchaptermoreappropriatelyandsolemnlythanbyquotingfromoneofthosesamepiousbillsoflanding。ItisdatedJune，1726，andreads："ShippedbythegraceofGodingoodorderandwellconditioned，byWm。Pepperillsonthereownacct。andrisque，inanduponthegoodBrigacalledtheWilliam，whereofismasterunderGodforthispresentvoyageGeorgeKing，nowridingatanchorintheriverPiscataquaandbyGod’sgraceboundtoBarbadoes。"Herefollowsacatalogueofthemiscellaneouscargo，roundedoffwith："AndsoGodsendthegoodBrigatoherdesiredportinsafety。Amen。"
VI。
SOMEOLDPORTSMOUTHPROFILES
IDOUBTifanyNewEnglandtowneverturnedoutsomanyeccentriccharactersasPortsmouth。From1640downtoabout1848theremusthavebeensomethingintheairoftheplacethatgeneratedeccentricity。InanotherchapterIshallexplainwhytheconditionshavenotbeenfavorabletothedevelopmentofindividualsingularityduringthelatterhalfofthepresentcentury。Itiseasiertodothatthanfullytoaccountforthenumerousqueerhumantypeswhichhaveexistedfromtimetotimeprevioustothatperiod。
InrecentlyturningoverthepagesofMr。Brewster’sentertainingcollectionofPortsmouthsketches，Ihavebeenstruckbythenumberandvarietyoftheoddmenandwomenwhoappearincidentallyonthescene。Theyare，intheauthor’sintention，secondaryfiguresinthebackgroundofhislandscape，buttheystandverymuchintheforegroundofone’smemoryafterthebookislaidaside。Onefindsone’sselfthinkingquiteasoftenofthatsqualidoldhut-dwellerupbySagamoreCreekasofGeneralWashington，whovisitedthetownin1789。Conservatismandrespectabilityhavetheirvalues，certainly；buthasnottheunconventionalitsvaluesalso？Ifwerenderuntothatoldhut-dwellerthethingswhicharethatoldhut-dweller’s，wemustconcedehimhispicturesqueness。Hewasdirty，andhewasnotrespectable；butheispicturesque——nowthatheisdead。
Ifthereaderhasfiveortenminutestowaste，Iinvitehimtoglanceatafewoldprofilesofpersonswho，howeversubstantialtheyoncewere，arenowleadingalifeofmereoutlines。Iwouldliketogivethemalessfadedexpression，butthepastisverycharyofyieldingupanythingmorethanitsshadows。
Thefirstwhopresentshimselfistheruminativehermitalreadymentioned——aspeciesofuninspiredThoreau。HisnamewasBenjaminLear。Sofarashiscrazinesswent，hemighthavebeenalinealdescendantofthatancientkingofBritainwhofiguresonShakespeare’spage。FamilydissensionsmadearecluseofKingLear；butinthecaseofBenjamintherewerenomitigatingcircumstances。Hehadnofamilytotroublehim，andhisrealmremainedundivided。HeownedanexcellentfarmonthesouthsideofSagamoreCreek，alittletothewestofthebridge，andmighthavelivedatease，ifpersonalcomforthadnotbeendistastefultohim。PersonalcomfortenteredintonopartofLear’s。Tobealonefilledthelittlepint-measureofhisdesire。Heensconcedhimselfinawretchedshanty，andbarredthedoor，figuratively，againstalltheworld。Wealth——whatwouldhavebeenwealthtohim——laywithinhisreach，buthethrustitaside；hedisdainedluxuryashedisdainedidleness，andmadenocompromisewithconvention。Whenamancutshimselfabsolutelyadriftfromcustom，whatanastonishinglylightsparfloatshim！Howfewhiswantsare，afterall！Learwasofacheerfuldisposition，andseemstohavebeenwhollyinoffensive——atadistance。Hefabricatedhisownclothes，andsubsistedchieflyonmilkandpotatoes，theproductofhisrealm。HeneedednothingbutanislandtobeaRobinsonCrusoe。Atrareintervalsheflittedlikeafrost-bittenapparitionthroughthemainstreetofPortsmouth，whichhealwaysdesignatedas"theBank，"anamethathadbecomeobsoletefiftyorahundredyearsbefore。Thus，fornearlyaquarterofacentury，BenjaminLearstoodalooffromhumanintercourse。Inhisoldagesomeoftheneighborsofferedhimshelterduringthetempestuouswintermonths；buthewouldhavenoneofit——hedefiedwindandweather。Therehelayinhisdilapidatedhovelinhislastillness，refusingtoallowanyonetoremainwithhimovernight——andthemercuryfourdegreesbelowzero。Learwasbornin1720，andvegetatedeighty-twoyears。
ItakeitthatTimothyWinn，ofwhomwehaveonlyaglimpse，wouldliketohavemore，wasapersonbetterworthknowing。Hisnamereadslikethetitleofsomeold-fashionednovel——"TimothyWinn，ortheMemoirsofaBashfulGentleman。"HecametoPortsmouthfromWoburnatthecloseofthelastcentury，andsetupintheoldmuseum-buildingonMulberryStreetwhatwascalled"apiecegoodsstore。"HewasthethirdTimothyinhismonotonousfamily，andinordertodifferentiatehimselfheinscribedonthesignoverhisshopdoor，"TimothyWinn，3d，"andwaseveraftercalled"Three-PennyWinn。"Thatheenjoyedthepleasantry，andclungtohissign，goestoshowthathewasapersonwhowouldripenonfurtheracquaintance，werefurtheracquaintancenowpracticable。Hisnext-doorneighbor，Mr。LeonardSerat，whokeptamodesttailoringestablishment，alsotantalizesusalittlewithadimintimationoforiginality。Heplainlywaswithoutliteraryprejudices，forononefaceofhisswingingsignwaspaintedthewordTaylor，andontheotherTailor。Thismayhavebeenadelicateconcessiontothatpartofthecommunity——thegreaterpart，probably——whichwouldhavespelleditwithay。
ThebuildinginwhichMessrs。WinnandSerathadtheirshopswasthepropertyofNicholasRousselet，aFrenchgentlemanofDemerara，thestoryofwhoseunconventionalcourtshipofMissCatherineMoffattisprettyenoughtobearretelling，andentitleshimtoaplaceinourlimitedcollectionofetchings。M。
Rousselethaddoubtlessalreadymadexcursionsintothepaysdetendre，andgivenMissCatherinepreviousnoticeofthestateofhisheart，butitwasnotuntilonedayduringthehourofserviceattheEpiscopalchurchthathebroughtmatterstoacrisisbyhandingtoMissMoffattasmallBible，onthefly-leafofwhichhehadpenciledthefifthverseoftheSecondEpistleofJohn——
"AndnowIbeseechthee，lady，notasthoughI
wroteanewcommandmentuntothee，butthatwhichwehadfromthebeginning，thatweloveoneanother。"
Thiswasnottoberesisted，atleasenotbyMissCatherine，whodemurelyhandedthevolumebacktohimwithapageturneddownatthesixteenthverseinthefirstchapterofRuth——
"Whitherthougoest，Iwillgo；andwherethoulodgest，I
willlodge：thypeopleshallbemypeople，andthyGodmyGod：
wherethoudiest，willIdie，andtherewillIbeburied：theLorddosotome，andmorealso，ifaughtbutdeathparttheeandme。"
Asidefromthisquainttouchofromance，whatattachesmetothehappypair——forthemarriagewasafortunateone——isthefactthattheRousseletsmadetheirhomeintheoldAtkinsonmansion，whichstooddirectlyoppositemygrandfather’shouseonCourtStreetandwastorndowninmychildhood，tomygreatconsternation。Thebuildinghadbeenunoccupiedforaquarterofacentury，andwasfastfallingintodecaywithallitsrichwood-carvingsatcorniceandlintel；butwasitnotfullofghosts，andiftheoldbarracksweredemolished，wouldnottheseghosts，orsomeofthematleast，takerefugeinmygrandfather’shousejustacrosstheway？Whereelsecouldtheybestowthemselvessoconveniently？Whiletheancientmansionwasinprocessofdestruction，Iusedtopeeproundthecornerofourbarnattheworkmen，andwatchtheindignantphantomsgosoaringupwardinspiralcloudsofcolonialdust。
AladydifferinginmanywaysfromCatherineMoffattwastheMaryAtkinson（onceaninmateofthissamemanorhouse）whofelltothelotoftheRev。WilliamShurtleff，pastoroftheSouthChurchbetween1733and1747。Fromtheworldlystandpoint，itwasafinematchfortheNewcastleclergyman——beauty，oftheeagle-beakedkind；wealth，hershareofthefamilyplate；highbirth，asistertotheHon。TheodoreAtkinson。Butiftheexemplarymanhadcasthiseyeslower，peradventurehehadfoundmorehappiness，thoughill-bredpersonswithoutfamilyplatearenotnecessarilyamiable。LikeSocrates，thislong-sufferingdivinehadalwayswithhimanobjectonwhichtocultivateheavenlypatience，andpatience，saystheEasternproverb，isthekeytocontent。ThespiritofXantippeseemstohavetakenpossessionofMrs。
Shurtleffimmediatelyafterhermarriage。ThefreakishdisrespectwithwhichsheusedhermeekconsortwasaheavycrosstobearataperiodinNewEnglandwhenclericaldignitywasatitshighestsensitivepoint。Herdevicesfortorturingthepoorgentlemanwereinexhaustible。NowsheletshisSabbathruffsgounstarched；
nowshescandalizeshimbysomeunseemlyandfrivolouscolorinherattire；nowsheleaveshimtocookhisowndinneratthekitchencoals；andnowshelockshiminhisstudy，whitherhehasretiredforamomentortwoofprayer，previoustosettingforthtoperformthemorningservice。Thecongregationhasassembled；
thesextonhastolledthebelltwiceaslongasiscustom，andisbeginningathirdcarillon，fullofwonderthathisreverencedoesnotappear；andtheresitsMistressShurtleffinthefamilypewwithafaceascomplacentasthatofthecatthathaseatenthecanary。Presentlythedeaconsappealtoherforinformationtouchingthegooddoctor。MistressShurtleffsweetlytellsthemthatthegooddoctorwasinhisstudywhenshelefthome。Thereheisfound，indeed，andreleasedfromdurance，beggingthedeaconstokeephismortificationsecret，to"giveitanunderstanding，butnotongue。"SuchwasthedisciplineundergonebytheworthyDr。Shurtleffonhisearthlypilgrimage。Aportraitofthispatientman——nowasaintsomewhere——hangsintheroomsoftheNewEnglandHistoricalandGenealogicalSocietyinBoston。
Therehecanbeseeninsurpliceandbands，withhislamblike，apostolicfacelookingdownupontheheavyantiquarianlaborsofhisbusydescendants。
Whetherornotamanistobeclassedaseccentricwhovanisheswithoutrhymeorreasononhiswedding-nightisaquerylefttothereader’sdecision。Weseemtohavestruckamatrimonialvein，andmustworkitout。In1768，Mr。JamesMcDonoughwasoneofthewealthiestmeninPortsmouth，andthefortunatesuitorforthehandofadaughterofJacobSheafe，atownmagnate。Thehomeofthebridewasdeckedandlightedforthenuptials，thebanquet-tablewasspread，andtheguestsweregathered。Theministerinhisrobestoodbythecarvenmantelpiece，bookinhand，andwaited。Thenfollowedanawkwardinterval——therewasahitchsomewhere。Astrangesilencefelluponthelaughinggroups；
theairgrewtensewithexpectation；inthepantry，AmosBoggs，thebutler，inhisagitationsplitabottleofportoverhisnewcinnamon-coloredsmall-clothes。Thenawhisper——awhispersuppressedthesetwentyminutes——ranthroughtheapartments，——"Thebridegroomhasnotcome！"。Henevercame。Themysteryofthatnightremainsamysteryafterthelapseofacenturyandaquarter。
WhathadbecomeofJamesMcDonough？Theassassinationofsonotableapersoninacommunitywhereeverystrangefacewaschallenged，whereeveryman’santecedentswereknown，couldnothavebeenaccomplishedwithoutleavingsomeslighttraces。Notashadowoffoulplaywasdiscovered。ThatMcDonoughhadbeenmurderedorhadcommittedsuicideweretheoriesacceptedatfirstbyafew，andthenbynoone。Ontheotherhand，hewasinlovewithhisfiancee，hehadwealth，power，position——whyhadhefled？Hewasseenamomentonthepublicstreet，andthenneverseenagain。Itwasasifheturnedintoair。Meanwhilethebewildermentofthebridewasdramaticallypainful。IfMcDonoughhadbeenwaylaidandkilled，shecouldmournforhim。Ifhehaddesertedher，shecouldwrapherselfinherpride。Butneithercourselayopentoher，thenorafterward。InoneoftheTwiceToldTalesHawthornedealswithamannamedWakefield，whodisappearswithlikesuddenness，andlivesunrecognizedfortwentyyearsinastreetnotfarfromhisabandonedhearthside。
Suchexpungingofone’sselfwasnotpossibleinPortsmouth；butIneverthinkofMcDonoughwithoutrecallingWakefield。IhaveaninexplicableconvictionthatformanyayearJamesMcDonough，insomesnugambush，studiedandanalyzedtheeffectofhisownstartlingdisappearance。