i 
 
 .^enry P'Dowst 
 
 >vawin 
 
 John Albert Se afore.
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 Boston Light, from the Sea-Wall, Hull.
 
 jjtjH ^JJAV/-Aa8 aHT Moai jiioid viuxciqa
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 
 
 r "#-v..^"^ 

 
 1 "; s 
 
 4-> I- 
 
 V .i -^, /ii' 
 
 ^-~ % ■■■■■■■' 
 
 
 ^ " '■ „^ 
 
 
 ^:;^--^" 
 
 "%, 
 
 ' '^^ ^*' 

 
 Jr\/\rSil .\ jo 
 
 JOH> 
 
 Ya TJiua '\YTaaaiJ lo ajoA^O shT'' <jjaH jrjaviA'i 
 ;(ivi3 HTfloK aHT ,cmoYaa -S-^vi rJiusKAl aaTal 
 
 .hd^jh3 TPAMiO ao ajiii8
 
 Faneuil Hall, "The Ceadle of Liberty," built by 
 Peter Faneuil, 1742. Beyond, the North End; 
 Spire of Christ Church.
 
 RANDOM NOTES 
 
 OF 
 
 BOSTON 
 
 BY 
 
 HENRY P. DOWST 
 
 DRAWINGS BY 
 
 JOHN ALBERT SEAFORD 
 
 BOSTON 
 
 H. B. HUMPHREY COMPANY 
 
 MDCCCCXIII
 
 COPYRIGHT 1913 
 
 H. B. HUMPHREY COMPANY 
 
 BOSTON
 
 RANDOM NOTES 
 OF BOSTON 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 A famous illustrator of cities, obsessed perhaps 
 by the splendors of an older world, not long 
 ago denied Boston any title to the picturesque. 
 
 The illustrator of this book comes pleasantly to 
 the rescue with tangible evidence, here laid before 
 all who care to consider it, in the form of drawings 
 made with a keen appreciation, not alone of form 
 and line, but of the atmosphere of his subject. 
 
 These pictures are true because they delineate 
 things in groups and relations, not with the mechan- 
 ical precision of photography, but in their aspect as 
 impressed upon the human retina. Our brains are 
 happily schooled to make allowances for and to 
 modify mathematical distortions of perspective, and 
 
 11
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 to minimize the intrusion of awkward or inconsistent 
 details. The artist has aptly caught this subtle and 
 charitable psychology of viewpoint, and so has given 
 us pictures of Boston as it looks. He has sensed the 
 charm of the city, and has been able so to do because 
 he loves Boston as it is, not grieving too much for 
 what it might have been or ought to be. 
 
 It was never intended to make this random com- 
 ment in any degree complete or comprehensive. 
 Many subjects are left out because they seem not to 
 lend themselves happily to artistic portrayal, and 
 still others are omitted which, while highly available 
 for pictorial purposes, have been repeatedly illustrated 
 or for which no adequate space could be provided 
 here. 
 
 The desire is to suggest something of the Boston 
 spirit by a limited amount of text and a group of 
 random sketches in keeping with it. As a guide to 
 Boston the book would be quite useless; as an intro- 
 duction to Boston in its more intimate aspects, it 
 will perhaps serve its purpose agreeably and accept- 
 ably.
 
 ABOir 
 
 The Old South Church, 1875, Boylston Street, at 
 Copley Square.
 
 Random Note. 
 
 Boston 
 
 ! tLision of awkward or inconsistent 
 iji i ..rl.ist has aptly caught this subtle and 
 
 hology of viewpoint, and so has given 
 US picli Boston as it looks. He has sensed the 
 
 charm oi U and has been able so to df> because 
 
 "^ i/fciloa as it is, not grieving too mudi for 
 sviiul il niigJbt have been or ought to be. 
 
 I never intended to make this random com- 
 
 mei my degree complete or comprehensive. 
 
 Many subjects are left out because they seem not to 
 lend themselves happily to artistic portrayal, and 
 still others aire omitted which, while highly available 
 for pictorial purposes, have been repeatedly illustrated 
 which no adequate space could be provided 
 here. 
 
 The desire is to suggest something of the Boston 
 spirit h lited amount of text and a group of 
 
 random sketches in keeping with it. iVs a guide to 
 Boston the book would be quite useless; as an intro- 
 duction to Boston in its more intimate aspects, it 
 will perhaps serve its purpose agreeably and accept- 
 ablv. 
 
 TA jaaaxa xoxajYoa ,z\Si ,ho£-jh3 htuo8 qjO aaiT 
 .auiAupS Y3jqo0
 
 ABOUT COPLEY SQUARE 
 
 
 
 m 
 
 
 1 / '' ^ 
 
 
 
 >:i,( 
 
 
 >-/M""\ 
 
 o^
 
 ; '^ 
 
 
 <f'\ 
 
 fl^-XiH 
 
 mM 
 
 \.iip''i^"v 
 
 i>-l>:-.fJJ; 
 
 
 
 »m.^-. >i 
 
 
 jir$/.i.C
 
 RA 
 
 ( 5 
 
 l^OR the parp<; 
 
 Boston may 
 square, which is l 
 *'made land," wher 
 flats of the Back B. 
 
 The early sett! 
 spot of earth 
 growth in populati 
 land or ta' 
 ground that practi 
 the Common as fa 
 built. The old 
 buildings of Colon- 
 times, are clusters 
 slope of Shawmul 
 
 Until the d*- 
 called Trinity " 
 
 msKKvi)^ YtiracQ ojiawoi] laaW oKiaooj ^laiiaia >io,ia.jy ofl 
 
 .hd^jh3 HTUofe' aiO ant ;YioJOV^oaT
 
 4 
 
 BoYLSTON Street, looking West toward Copley Square. 
 On the Right, the Massachusetts Institute of 
 Technology; the Old South Church.
 
 RANDOM NOTES 
 OF BOSTON 
 
 ABOUT COPLEY SQUARE 
 
 IT^OR the purposes of this book, the center of 
 Boston may logically be located at Copley 
 square, which is no part of Old Boston, since it is 
 "made land," where in early times the tide-flooded 
 flats of the Back Bay lay drear and forbidding. 
 
 The early settlers picked out for their town a 
 spot of earth so nearly an island that, with the 
 growth in population, its dwellers must either make 
 land or take to the boats; and it is upon made 
 ground that practically all of Boston lying west of 
 the Common as far as Roxbury and Brookline was 
 built. The old Boston landmarks, the sturdy 
 buildings of Colonial, Provincial, and Revolutionary 
 times, are clustered upon the eastern and northern 
 slope of Shawmut promontory. 
 
 Until the death of Bishop Brooks in 1893, people 
 called Trinity "PhilHps Brooks's Church." A bronze 
 memorial stands in his honor on the Boylston street 
 side, shadowed by that far greater monument to his 
 
 15
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 genius, the church which he built and loved. The 
 Great Fire of 1872 destroyed old Trinity, on Sum- 
 mer street, shortly after the parish called Phillips 
 Brooks to be its minister. To him fell the task of 
 replacing it with a new edifice, and under his leader- 
 ship the work began in 1873. 
 
 Every great institution expresses an individuality, 
 whether it be a railroad, a bank, a college or a church. 
 Trinity Church, in its great size, its artistic character, 
 its richness, expresses Phillips Brooks. If it is a 
 wonderful church to you, it becomes more wonderful 
 when you realize this. According to that illuminat- 
 ing chapter on its building, in the biography of 
 Bishop Brooks, written by Professor A. V. G. Allen, 
 Trinity is not a mere house of worship, built to shelter 
 a large and wealthy congregation, but an organic 
 symbol of spiritual thought, bigger and broader than 
 any sect or creed, typifying the spirit and mysticism 
 of Christianity and the Christian Church, as inter- 
 preted by a great soul. Says Professor Allen : 
 
 "He would take from the old order the ideas of 
 solidity and grandeur of beauty, of adornment in 
 form and color, which should surpass, if possible, all 
 other beauty, as when the church seemed greater 
 than the world, the spiritual stronger and richer than 
 the temporal, and in its costly decoration symbolizing 
 that wealth was most worthily employed when it 
 ministered to spiritual ends." 
 
 Trinity Church interprets Phillips Brooks's hu- 
 
 16
 
 Copley Square, from St. James Avenue; on the Right, 
 Trinity Church; on the Left, Copley-Plaza Hotel; 
 beyond, the Public Library.
 
 which he buil 
 
 old Trinil. 
 
 ..•> to be iii) mimsLer. im-iK oi 
 
 M ^m;u ing it with a new edilicc. ' ' - 
 
 ship [he work began in 1873. 
 
 Every great institutioji expresses an iudividuahty, 
 whether it be a railroad, a bank, a college or a church. 
 Trinity Church, in its great size, its artistic character, 
 nness, expresses PhiUips Brooks. If it is a 
 wonderful church to you. it becomes more wonderful 
 \^hen you realize this. According to that illuminat- 
 ing chapter on its building, in the biography of 
 Bishop Brooks, written by Professor A. V, G. Allen. 
 Trinity is not a mere house of worship, built to shelter 
 a large and wealthy congregation, but an organic 
 symbol of spiritual thought, bigger and broader than 
 any sect or creed, typifying the spirit and mysticism 
 of Christianity and the Christian Church, as inter- 
 preted by a great souL Says Professor Allen : 
 
 "He would take from the old order the ideas of 
 solidity and grandeur of beauty, of adornment in 
 form and color, which should surpass, if possible, all 
 other beauty, as when the church seemed greater 
 than the world, the spiritual stronger and richer than 
 the temporal, and in its costly decoration symbolizing 
 that wealth was most worthilv employed when it 
 
 .Y^j/^aiJ Duauq 3HT ^avioYaa
 
 ,.i 
 
 'imf^M 
 
 ■> 1 
 
 .-^^
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 manity — his recognition, not only of the demands of 
 rehgion, but "of the sacredness of earth and the 
 secular life" — his warm, understanding sympathy. 
 
 Trinity was consecrated on February 9, 1877. 
 On the next day, Mr. Brooks wrote to Robert Treat 
 Paine, of the building committee, his friend and 
 classmate, this expression: 
 
 "I am almost appalled when I think what the 
 work in this great new Church may be. I know that 
 I shall have your help and prayers in the part of it 
 which shall fall to me to do. Many, many happy 
 years are before us, if the Lord will, and when we 
 leave the great dear thing to those who come after 
 us we shall be near one another, I am sure, in the 
 better life." 
 
 Upon an intellectual foundation somewhat akin 
 to the spiritual bed-rock of Trinity, rests the Boston 
 Public Library, an embodiment of Puritanism de 
 luxe. Here is a noteworthy sentiment from the 
 report of the committee, which, in 1847, was ap- 
 pointed to determine the expediency of establishing 
 a municipal library in Boston: 
 
 "It will provide for those who are desirous of 
 reading a better class of books than the ephemeral 
 literature of the day." 
 
 The nucleus of the collection was a gift of fifty 
 volumes sent in 1841 by the city of Paris, and 
 presented by the hand of Nicholas Marie Alexandre 
 Vattemare, a Frenchman, who devoted many years 
 
 18
 
 The Boston Public Library, Copley Square; beyond, 
 THE Old South Church.
 
 Ran Boston 
 
 mamlv nition, not oiiiy oi tiie at?maiids oi 
 
 religion, ni a the sacre^'- '■ • "^ - .«>) and the 
 
 secular life"--his warm, in tnHMfti. 
 
 Trinity was consecrate<. 
 On the next day, Mr. Brook Rf>bf'r 
 
 Paine, of the building commit:tf:N md 
 
 .classmate, this expression: 
 
 '*I am almost appalled when I think what the 
 work in this greal hiirch may be. I know that 
 
 I shall have your iielp and prayers in the part of it 
 which shall fall to me to do. Many, many happy 
 years are before us, if the Lord will, and when we 
 leave the great dear thing to those who come after 
 us we shall l>e near one another, I am sure, in the 
 better life." 
 
 Upon an intellectual foundation somewhat akin 
 to the spiritual bed-rock of Trinity, rests the Boston 
 Pubhc Library, an embodiment of Puritanism de 
 luxe. Here is a noteworthy sentiment from the 
 report of the committee, which, in 1847, was ap- 
 pointed to determine the expedienr - '' stabUshing 
 a municipal library in Boston: 
 
 '*It will provide for those who are desirous of 
 reading a better class of books than the ephemeral 
 literature of the day." 
 
 The nucleus of the collection was a gift of fifty 
 
 volumes sent in 1841 by the city of Paris, and 
 
 presented by the hand of Nicholas Marie Alexandre 
 
 Vattemare, a Frenchman, who de\'ot(;Kl man.y years 
 ,(moY3.si ; 3^AUp8 YajqoD jYJiAJiai J ouarj^ MOTaoa anT 
 
 .HOaiJHiB HTTJO8 CLiO aHT
 
 
 ^V '0.:'- 
 
 
 ^ ■ 
 
 ■^^ 'Ml . 
 
 ^* 
 
 liTP* 
 
 ■SS-:-: • 
 
 W 
 
 
 "v^Tr- 
 
 ^■*ssp " 
 
 Ul-^-li- ^ 
 
 1 
 
 ■ - r 
 
 >1 
 
 '', iK - 
 
 ^; ^ t 
 
 
 
 /•■>:- 
 
 
 
 "i^ 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 
 '■■'5, iii''^ , ■ pi< 

 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 to exploiting the idea of an international literary 
 exchange. Vattemare possessed three splendid 
 qualities — breadth of vision, cleverness and persist- 
 ence. If he was not the father of the Boston Public 
 Library he was, let us say, the "attending phy- 
 sician," and a very skilful one. 
 
 The first cash endowment for the Library was 
 one thousand dollars from Mayor Bigelow, in 1850, 
 who segregated it from a "testimonial" raised for 
 his benefit by a grateful citizenry, in appreciation of 
 heroic work during the cholera epidemic. 
 
 Edward Everett, in offering his collection of one 
 thousand volumes of public documents, said in a 
 letter to Mayor Bigelow, urging a building to shelter 
 the library: 
 
 "Such an establishment would be an object of 
 public favor from the outset. The people would 
 regard it as their own creation and take a pride in 
 its increase. Authors and publishers would feel it 
 
 an honor to place their works on its shelves 
 
 A building .... aiming at nothing but convenience 
 
 and neatness ought not to be a show place 
 
 for strangers nor a lounge for idlers; but a quiet 
 retreat for persons who desire earnestly to improve 
 their minds." 
 
 Do you think it occurred to Mr. Everett that 
 anyone would ever smile at that.^^ 
 
 Joshua Bates of London, an American by birth, 
 gave fifty thousand dollars in 1853 to buy books. 
 
 20
 
 One of the Flanking Towers of Trinity, Copley 
 Square; the Gargoyles.
 
 Random Notes Boston 
 
 Hting the idt " "nternationai literary 
 
 exctiiiige. Vattemao' pu->t>sed three splendid 
 qiuilities — breadth of vision, cleverness and persist- 
 ence. If he was not the father of the Boston Public 
 Library he was, let us say, the "attending phy- 
 sician," and a very skilful one. 
 
 The first cash endowment for the Library was 
 one thousand dollars from Mayor Bigelow, in 1850, 
 who segregated it from a "testimonial'* raised for 
 his benefit by a grateful citizenry, in appreciation of 
 heroic work during the cholera epidemic. 
 
 Edward Everett, in offering his collection of one 
 thousand volumes of public documents, said in a 
 letter to Mayor Bigelow, urging a building to *j}u>]f«r 
 the library: 
 
 "Such an establishment would be an object of 
 public favor from the outset. The people would 
 regard it as their own creation and take a pride in 
 its increase. Authors and publishers would feel it 
 an hbnor to place their works on its shelves 
 A building .... aiming at nothing but convenience 
 
 and neatness ought not to be a show place 
 
 for strangers nor a lounge for idlers; but a quiet 
 retreat for persons who desire earnestly to improve 
 their minds." 
 
 Do you think it occurred to Mr. Everett that 
 anyone would ever smile at that? 
 
 Joshua Bates of London, an American by birth, 
 
 ga^^Jtf6^ tjOTiHauffl doliajB[WQTl8S®2©^43i\a^>(>te. a^O 
 .aajYOoaAO SHT ;aaAUp^ 
 20
 
 
 
 p/^ 
 >^^ 
 
 da*4^ 
 
 iC^.!- 
 
 
 7 -■ 
 
 "C- ■^:9'^.' 
 
 
 S"^ ' iff , v^s* 
 
 \ Vf*
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 Other gifts followed, and the trustees opened the 
 first public reading room in Mason street, in Octo- 
 ber, 1853. In five and a half months, of 35,389 
 volumes borrowed for home use, only one was 
 damaged and one lost, in each of which cases the 
 borrower cheerfully made reparation. 
 
 In 1855 the City started the Boylston street 
 library building, which was completed by January 
 1, 1858, and which, at the end of twenty years, 
 proved inadequate for its purpose. 
 
 The determination of a location and the acquisi- 
 tion of the land for a new building covered a period 
 of years, but in 1887 the preparation of plans was 
 begun by McKim, Mead & White, and the building 
 was ready for occupancy in 1895. 
 
 Looking at the library one might fail to see the 
 hallmarks of Puritanism. Its exterior outlines are 
 softened by much gracious and appropriate orna- 
 mentation. The great windows above relieve the 
 facade of bleakness, if those in the lower row are a 
 little uncompromising. Much may be said in praise 
 of the sculptural decorations above the triple-arched 
 entrance, in spite of early criticism by certain good 
 people of Boston — and that was indeed Puritanism. 
 Yet, you will admit that a little stone boy may be 
 a good Puritan, even wanting his pinafore. 
 
 Nor shall a lithe brown Bacchante flaunt her 
 bronze allurements in that sacred inner court; we 
 may thank the shade of John Winthrop for that!
 
 AVENUES OV THK 
 
 The Westland Avenue Entrance of the Fenway; 
 
 BEYOND, THE DOME OF THE FiRST ChITICH OF ChRIST, 
 
 Scientist.
 
 SoT¥ Boston 
 
 Other gilts followed, and die trust* - led tlie 
 
 first public reading room in Mason > i Octo- 
 
 ber, 185:3. In five and a half raoir '" "^" 
 
 volumes borrowed for home ' •• .^;. 
 
 damaged and one lost, in eac. scs the 
 
 borrower cheerfully made reparnti ' 
 
 In started oylston street 
 
 library building, which was completed by January 
 1, 1858, and which, at the ei twenty years, 
 
 proved inadequate for its purpose. 
 
 The determination of a location and the acquisi- 
 tion of the land for a new building covered a period 
 of years, but in 1887 the preparation of plans was 
 begun by McKim, Mead & White, <^^-'^ ^'^"^ iviilJina 
 was ready for occupancy in 1895. 
 
 Looking at the library one might fail 
 hallmarks of Puritanism. Its exterior outlines are 
 softened by much gracious and appropriate orna- 
 mentation. The great windows above relieve the 
 facade of bleakness, if those in the lower row art a 
 little uncompromising. Much may be said in praise 
 of the sculptural decorations above the triple-arched 
 entrance, in spite of early criticism by certain good 
 people of Boston — and that was indeed Puritanism. 
 Yet, you will admit that a little stone boy may be 
 a good Puritan, even wanting his pinafore. 
 
 Nor shall a lithe brown Bacchante flaunt her 
 
 ,T8i|ui3 ,10 HoauHO TZsiK .3HT XQ sMoG. |iiT .cfvioYaa 
 may tnank the shade oi John Wmthrop lor^^^^jiQg
 
 AVENUES OF THE NEW CITY. 
 
 
 -**M~-- 
 
 4- 
 
 '■•fi'^i.S^'^'' 
 
 --., ;:^>.ssr!s?'as^ 
 
 i
 
 i-r I 
 
 A\ 
 
 'ff^n^~ 
 
 
 1 ^ '.!<«'
 
 T N many to\N 
 
 with the sticei 
 from them by direciic 
 so in Boston, where i 
 or any avenue a stree! 
 sponsors. Thus, chnr; 
 streets, is indiviHn ' 
 Harrison a\<jr 
 served to be eaten 
 peril" is nu 
 ington aveniii , lim 
 to Brookhne, with i 
 Commonwealth b.\ 
 residents; and M 
 contravention of f' 
 others at rit/ln 
 
 Observe 
 
 ods are 
 
 md the** yellow 
 
 momic; Hunt- 
 
 pley square. 
 
 ;aic ol show-places; 
 
 commonly wealthy 
 
 -"•iiie, in apparent 
 
 _ ,^ lie, crossing the 
 
 journey through Dor- 
 
 chester, Roxhurv and the Back Bay, and bridging 
 the Ba- aibridge, whence, after nosing 
 
 10 nomjuD xaai'I anf ^n tt/oQ 3b.t ^avio/aa |jjaH 
 
 .xaiTViaioS jsismD
 
 Symphony Hall, Huntington Avenue; Horticultural 
 Hall; beyond, the Dome of the First Church of 
 Christ, Scientist.
 
 II. 
 
 AVENUES OF THE NEW CITY. 
 
 TN many towns, the avenues run at right angles 
 with the streets, or in some way differentiate 
 from them by direction or arrangement. This is not 
 so in Boston, where any street may be an avenue, 
 or any avenue a street, according to the whim of its 
 sponsors. Thus, character in avenues, as well as in 
 streets, is individual, rather than collective. Observe 
 Harrison avenue, where odd Oriental foods are 
 served to be eaten with chop-sticks, and the" yellow 
 peril" is more gastronomic than economic; Hunt- 
 ington avenue, from Trinity Crossing, Copley square, 
 to Brookline, with more than its share of show-places ; 
 Commonwealth avenue and its uncommonly wealthy 
 residents; and Massachusetts avenue, in apparent 
 contravention of the rules of the game, crossing the 
 others at right angles in its journey through Dor- 
 chester, Roxbury and the Back Bay, and bridging 
 the Basin to Cambridge, whence, after nosing 
 about Harvard College, it disappears among the 
 
 25
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 distant hills of Arlington — a well educated, broad- 
 minded and cosmopolitan highway, though devious. 
 
 Then regard Beacon, Marlboro, Newbury and 
 Boylston streets, all seemly and well-conducted 
 routes, which, if the term "avenue" connoted any 
 distinction, should bear that euphonious title. In 
 the intended meaning of the chapter head, these 
 fall naturally under the classification of avenues. 
 
 If you were a sight-seer, Huntington avenue 
 would keep you busy for a day or a month, according 
 to the thoroughness of your purpose and persistence, 
 by reason of the numerous notable institutions along 
 the greater part of its length. Yet its name dates 
 back only to 1864, five years before the great Peace 
 Jubilee and Musical Festival, the vast Coliseum of 
 which overlooked the avenue at its cityward end, at 
 Copley square. 
 
 The Peace Jubilee, celebrating a reunited, if not 
 reconstructed country and the prevalence of national 
 peace, was conceived by the late P. S. Gilmore, the 
 famous band master. The Coliseum, a temporary 
 structure of wood, stood where later the old Art 
 Museum was built, and where today stands the 
 Copley-Plaza hotel. Photographs show that the 
 immense building, three hundred feet wide by five 
 hundred feet long, overlooked a network of newly 
 graded streets and unfilled building lots. It shel- 
 tered fifty thousand persons. Ten thousand sang 
 in the trained festival chorus, and a thousand 
 
 26
 
 The Harvard University School of Medicine, Long- 
 wood Avenue.
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 distant hills of Arlington — a well educated, broad- 
 minde<i and cosmopolitan highway, though devious. 
 
 Then regard Beacon, Marlboro, Newbury ajid 
 Boylston streets, all seemly and well-conducted 
 routes, which, if the term *' avenue" coimoted any 
 distinction, should bear that euphonious title. In 
 the intended meaning of the chapter head, these 
 fall naturally under the classification of avenues. 
 
 If you vvei ht-seer, Huntington avenue 
 
 would keep you busy ior a day or a month, according 
 to the thoroughness of your purpose and persistence, 
 by reason of the numerous notable institutions along 
 the greater part of its length. Yet its name dates 
 back only to 1864, five years bf fnrr- the great Peace 
 Jubilee and Musical .Festival ^st Coliseum of 
 
 which overlooked the avei. i Is citywar^ 
 
 Copley square. 
 
 The Peace Jubilee, celebrating a reuru'ted, if not 
 reconstructed country and the prevalence of national 
 peace, was conceived by the late P. S. Gilmore, the 
 famous band master. The Coliseum, a temporary 
 structure of wood, stood where later the old Art 
 Museum was built, and where today stands the 
 Copley-Plaza hotel. Photographs show that the 
 immense building, three hundred feet w^ide by five 
 hundred feet long, overlooked a network of newly 
 graded streets and unfilled building lots. It shel- 
 tered fifty thousand persons. Ten thousand sang 
 
 '^i^J^\mLMmmlt6^i^(m^^ ^m^mvmw' <ii*AvyAii 3«t 
 
 .auMavA aoow 
 
 ^^6
 
 ]f^ r~"- ir- »■•"• 
 
 ^^ 
 
 ^^^^ 
 
 / 
 
 "5 - 
 
 ^^*«4^^-'- 
 
 
 1^^. 
 
 5.n 
 
 ^l@i]^ 
 
 
 rir^ 
 
 §r''^^^!fc- 
 
 ^ 5 
 
 fai 
 
 hi.
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 musicians composed the orchestra and bands. Pres- 
 ident Grant was the most distinguished of the 
 guests, and Doctor OHver Wendell Holmes wrote a 
 hymn of peace for the occasion. 
 
 The musical program was made up largely of 
 standard, classical works, and, according to the 
 newspaper reports, was very beautifully rendered. 
 Try to imagine ten thousand persons singing "The 
 Anvil Chorus," "The Star Spangled Banner" and 
 "America," each with "Organ, Orchestra, Military 
 Band, Drum Corps, Bell and Cannon Accompani- 
 ment." 
 
 Along Huntington avenue lies the "Quartier 
 Latin" of Boston, a sort of expurgated Montmartre, 
 a very real and red-blooded world of student life. 
 Here lodge the boys and girls of the schools and 
 studios. The Institute of Technology, Boston Uni- 
 versity, the medical departments of Harvard and 
 Tufts, the Conservatory of Music and lesser insti- 
 tutions where one may study to become an artist, 
 an orator, an actor, or a virtuoso, contribute a 
 floating population and an agreeable atmosphere of 
 youth and ambition. 
 
 One might speak, accurately enough, of a "Uni- 
 versity of Huntington avenue," with its narrow, 
 asphalt campus. It owns no blanketing traditions, 
 but a sunny, hopeful Bohemianism, perfectly com- 
 patible with baths, barber shops and mannerly 
 behavior. With the advantages of the great Library,
 
 The Boston Opera House, Huntington Avenue.
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 musiciaas composed the orchestra and bands. Pres- 
 ident Grant was the most distinguished of tlie 
 guests, and Doctor Oliver VVciv'"'' it..!,>. > ..„,v. . 
 hymn of peace for the occasion. 
 
 The musical program \vn> made up largely of 
 standard, classical works, according to the 
 
 newspaper reports, was very beautifully rendered. 
 Tiy to imagine ten thousand persons singing "The 
 Anvil Chorus," "The Star Spangled Banner" and 
 *' America," each with "Organ, Orchestra, Military 
 Band, Drum Corps, Bell and Cannon Accompani- 
 ment." 
 
 Along liiiiiliii^iA_;ii nwiin'.- : m T^ luv ^YU<irtier 
 
 Latin" of Boston, a sort of expurgateti Montmartre, 
 a very real nnd red-blooded world of '^fndent life. 
 Here lod,; boys and girls «>f ti Is and 
 
 studios. The Institute of Technology 
 versity, the medical department^ 
 Tufts, the Conservatory of Musi 
 tutions where one may study to becume an artist, 
 an orator, an act< irtuoso, contribute a 
 
 floating population ana an agreeaf)le atmosphere of 
 youth and ambition. 
 
 One might speak, accurate!., .._.., ,. a, "Uni- 
 versity of Huntington avenue," with its narrow, 
 asphalt campus. It owns no blanketing traditions, 
 but a sunny, hopeful Bohemianism, perfectly com- 
 patible with baths, barber shops and mannerly 
 beha^do^.j With the advantages of the great Library, 
 
 .auMavA MOxoMiTKuHg^auoH A^a^O vioxaoa anT
 
 -^'^^'^^^^^^M-^^^ 
 
 i?r^^-??r?'r:.-'A::'^-29r-^.7- .. 
 
 **^v 
 
 3!...ii' 
 
 . w ll P^ f^-- 
 
 
 
 
 ^^- 3r 
 
 
 •7MIS: 
 
 \-r 
 
 fj,^ 
 
 
 ! 

 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 the Art Museum, the Symphony, the Opera and 
 countless freely opened doors to recitals and lectures, 
 this "University" makes the educating process an 
 agreeable pastime instead of a period of drudgery. 
 It is characteristic of Boston that unenrolled thou- 
 sands, of all ages and classes, profit by its tuition with 
 delight, not only on weekdays but on Sundays as 
 well. From the corner of Tremont street, along 
 Boylston street and out Huntington avenue nearly 
 to Brookline Village, one finds almost every second 
 portal ready to swing inward to the explorer for 
 truth, and though you seek theology or theosophy, 
 medicine or melody, religion or relaxation, you will 
 decipher "welcome," woven under foot or shining 
 overhead, and someone inside who knows more about 
 the subject than you do. For further particulars, 
 consult the Evening Transcript's "Going on To- 
 night" tabulation. 
 
 And now consider the Symphony, an orchestra of 
 master soloists, housed in a great building whose 
 simple dignity and reserve within and without 
 render democratic the richness of its design ; consider 
 the Symphony, incomparable galaxy, playing like 
 condescending angels, at the annual spring "Pops," 
 and alternating Wagner and Cohan, so that no taste 
 may go away unappeased. Through a thin blue 
 fog of tobacco you see the distinguished conductor 
 bow to a storm of applause, while waiters scurry 
 among the tables, and women of gentle breeding peer 
 
 30
 
 The New England Conservatory of Music, Hun- 
 tington Avenue; enrolls Three Thousand Pupils 
 Annually. "The Nursery of Opera"; among its 
 Graduates are Mesdames Nordica, Homer, Amsden, 
 and many other American Artists of Note.
 
 Random : Boston 
 
 lupiioii Opera 
 
 coanliesfc irceiy op ^nd lectur:-.. 
 
 Uiis ''Univ^ersity" auxt^^- m. -.,..-....... ..,. 
 
 agreeable pastime iastead oi .. ,. . 
 
 It is characteristic of Boston that i 
 
 sands, of all nnies and classes, profit b: 
 
 delight, not vveekdays but on Sunday. •> as 
 
 well. Froi 'Orner of Tremont street, along 
 
 Boylston streei [Iimtington avenue nearly 
 
 to Brookline Village, one finds almost every second 
 
 portal ready to swing inward to the explorer for 
 
 truth, and though you seek theology or theosophy, 
 
 medicine or melody, religion or relaxation, you will 
 
 decipher '* welcome," woven imdc^r foo? -^f >^ln'riin.> 
 
 overhead, and someone inside who kno\T 
 
 the subject than you do. I 
 
 consult the Evening Transcript's ''G< 
 
 night'' tabulation. 
 
 And now consider the Symphony 
 master soloists, housed in a great i>sAjidiiig wiiuse 
 simple dignity and reserve within and v-vithout 
 render democratic the richness of its design; consider 
 the Symphony, incomparable galaxy, playing like 
 condescending angels, at the annual spring "Pops," 
 and ait cm a I in rr Wagner and Cohan, so that no taste 
 may ippeased. Through a thin blue 
 
 fog of tobacco ue distinguished conductor 
 
 -h^M [3i2HrMiiia»'. Y!!J[0S^yiiD3^WQ0\vir?i^J§>\^eMa%u}^*T 
 
 axi ovi6ma ;"AaaqO 10 yaaaiiu^ toT**^ .yjjatjMA 
 
 j/iaaaMA ^aaMoH .poiasioVL afji^AaaaM a^A aaxAUOAflO 
 
 .axoM '10 8T2iTaA T^Di^aMA aaHTO ymam cmA
 
 m 
 
 4'^ 
 
 ■ft-- 
 
 .V^^^. 
 
 ^^^/^:^^ 

 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 down at the throng from the high balconies. 
 
 For the regular Symphony concerts, season tickets 
 for preferred sittings fetch great prices at auction, 
 but the same concerts are available for those of 
 moderate means who crave music of the classic sort. 
 The orchestra is composed of one hundred salaried 
 performers, recruited from all over the world; it 
 is in fact, the largest permanent organization of its 
 kind. The season of 1913-1914 will be the thirty- 
 second of its history. 
 
 Old Jed Prouty, of tender memory, used to 
 recall the day when Little Eva couldn't die in 
 Bucksport because the opry house was full o' hay. 
 Similarly, the heroes and heroines of grand opera 
 were obliged, up to the year 1909, to limit their 
 activities, moribund or otherwise, to an occasional 
 period of three weeks in Boston and to the inadequate 
 accommodations of an ordinary theatre, or to sur- 
 mount, as best they might, the acoustic difficulties 
 of Mechanics Hall. But with the building of the 
 new Opera House on Huntington avenue, came 
 the organization of the Boston Opera Company 
 and the inauguration of an annual season of 
 opera by artists of recognized talent, in Italian, 
 French and German. Public spirit has made 
 opera in Boston possible, but music lovers have 
 especially to thank Mr. Eben D. Jordan, whose gen- 
 erosity, like that of Colonel Henry L. Higginson 
 touching the Symphony, has smoothed the rough 
 
 32
 
 place:; ndorofl finaiu ial rii^of liti'ihle fon- 
 
 sideratio: 
 
 And : across the dreai*\ flats of the 
 
 Back Bay b ?» > ad will continue to be an advance 
 
 of the Boston >pint, typified in brick and "stone and 
 asphalt. Tr nng touch of tini .ady in 
 
 some evidence, pafticularly wher oi, template 
 
 the churches. Tlie venerable society • i the South 
 Church, forn; ^ ■" 1669, after worshipping for over 
 a century ii loved Old South Meeting House 
 
 at MHk ?iris; i-rtriT streets, orid forced by the 
 
 noriii present 
 
 li It niething of the 
 
 Fenway Court, ihe Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum 
 
 OF Art. 
 
 33
 
 ], X' 
 
 1 )«JM UiN 
 
 down at the throng from the high balconies. 
 
 For the regular Symphony concerts, season tickets 
 for preferred sittings fetch great prices at auction, 
 but the same concerts are available for those of 
 moderate means who crave music of the classic sort. 
 The orchestra is composed of one hundred salaried 
 performers, recruited from all over the world; it 
 is in fact, the largest permanent organization of its 
 kind. The season of 1913-1914 will be the thirty- 
 second of its history. 
 
 Old Jed Prouty, of tender memory, used to 
 recall the day when Little Eva couldn't die in 
 Bucksport because the opry house was full o' hay. 
 Similarly, the heroes and heroines of grand opera 
 were obliged, up to the year 1909, to limit their 
 activities, moribund or otherwise, to an or ' 
 
 period of three weeks in Boston and to the iua. i. . » t . 
 accommodations of an ordinary theatre. *<r t .,>: 
 mount, as best they might, the acoustic 
 of Mechanics Hall. But with the buildinc 
 new Opera House on Huntington avenue^ came 
 the organization of the Boston Opera Company 
 and the inauguration =i annual season of 
 
 opera by artists of recugriized talent, in Italian, 
 French and Cfcrman. Public spirit has made 
 opera in Boston possible, but music lovers have 
 especially to thank Mr, Eben D. Jordan, whose gen- 
 erosity, like that of Colonel Henry 1/. Hifft'inson 
 
 .thA 10
 
 Avenues of the New City 
 
 ^ ^, _ _ ^i" >^;VMi 
 
 
 places and rendered financial profit a negligible con- 
 sideration. 
 
 And so the march across the dreary flats of the 
 Back Bay has been and will continue to be an advance 
 of the Boston spirit, typified in brick and stone and 
 asphalt. The softening touch of time is already in 
 some evidence, particularly when you contemplate 
 the churches. The venerable society of the South 
 Church, formed in 1669, after worshipping for over 
 a century in the beloved Old South Meeting House 
 at Milk and Washington streets, and forced by the 
 normal increase of its years, built its present 
 home on Boylston street in 1875. Something of the 
 dignity of its age seems to have been imparted to the 
 
 33
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 graceful lines and soft, vine clad arches of the newer 
 structure. It is in this visible and tangible quality 
 of the Boston spirit, made manifest in the monu- 
 ments destined to speak for us to the generations of 
 the future, that our individuality is to be preserved. 
 Let them say of us that we builded, if not better 
 than we knew, at least as well, and surely with 
 loving regard for the Boston of other days, both past 
 and yet to dawn. 
 
 ^^^tiS^' 
 
 -%*>. 
 
 ■ ^r
 
 oaAWOT oziaooj ,av 
 
 auO; jaqAn3 s'omi3 
 
 xaail aHT laMAjviOTSoS yjiiA^-I 'a.HT 
 
 '"!t8 TZOMaaT 
 ivoO Taaii 
 
 lo ¥i»Jam qua 
 
 >iooAaa ^^^OMMO'J T<OT2oa T40 MiATVFJo'i ^awaafl 3HT 
 
 .aq;oj8 jjiH
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 graceful lines and soft, vine clad arches of the newer 
 structure. Tt is in this visible and tangible quality 
 of the Boston spirit, made manifest in the monu- 
 ments destined to speak for us to the generations ot 
 the future, tliat our individuality is to be preserved. 
 Let them say of us that we builded, if not better 
 than we knc least as well, vith 
 
 loving regard for the Boston of other days, both past 
 and yet to dawn. 
 
 King's Chapel BitrRYiNG Ground, looking toward 
 Tremont Street; Resting Place of John Winthrop, 
 First Governor or Massachusetts Bay Company, 
 
 AND MANY OE THE EaRLY BoSTONIANS; THE FiRST 
 
 Burial Place in Boston. 
 
 The Brewer Fountain on Boston Common, Beacon 
 
 Hill Slope.
 
 BEACON HILL 
 
 
 
 '■>/ 
 
 / 
 
 
 i\
 
 \ ^ 
 
 ^ 1 

 
 III. 
 
 QOV 1 
 
 he Furititi 
 
 i nt Uieir nrsi '"' 
 
 .!i nj'-tit-l, I'j.s-w 
 
 ^rlestown, whviv n , uhn ^ 
 
 and the drinki 
 
 ■:ir eombine-l i,. .-w^r .^mIj n- 
 
 illness and, in 
 
 ises, deati 
 
 noons they usei' 
 
 e longinglv 
 
 river at the thr 
 
 top of Shawi: 
 
 tory, where tht 
 
 I { e verend Wil liam B 1 
 
 made his homr 
 
 iad cool drinkiru; 
 
 numerous springs 
 
 Uicil flowed mys! . 
 
 the hillsides; aiad there was usii 
 
 breeze to temp - 
 
 ' summer heat. 
 
 Blackstone thai ., 
 
 ■lOad slopes of :~ 
 
 promising orn. rt 
 
 unities for d^'-^'f' 
 
 suggested 
 
 n?r of th' 
 
 Accordingh 
 
 autumn, th 
 
 tiock move- 
 
 in thro I 
 
 the poii 
 
 cupied by th' 
 
 mg. They .>«\ 
 
 ^listress ' 
 
 vl.)03Z/H ilT 10 'dXl'S. 3IIT a/ 
 (SVIA 3000ZAH VillO\ KOnSLgffO
 
 Top or Beacon Street near the Site oe the Hancock 
 House, where lived Governor John Hancock and 
 HIS Wife, Dorothy Quincy.
 
 III. 
 
 BEACON HILL 
 
 (Governor Winthrop and the Puritan found- 
 ers of Boston spent their first Massachusetts 
 summer, 1630, in Charlestown, where the chmate 
 and the drinking water combined to cause serious 
 illness and, in many cases, death. In the hot after- 
 noons they used to gaze longingly across the Charles 
 river at the three-peaked top of Shawmut promon- 
 tory, where the Reverend William Blackstone 
 made his home. He had cool drinking water from 
 numerous springs that flowed mysteriously out of 
 the hillsides; and there was usually a pleasant 
 breeze to temper the summer heat. It occurred to 
 Blackstone that the broad slopes of Shawmut offered 
 promising opportunities for development, so he 
 suggested something of the sort to Winthrop. 
 Accordingly, in early autumn, the governor and his 
 flock moved over. W^inthrop eventually located at 
 the point today occupied by the Old South build- 
 ing. They say Mistress Winthrop went daily 
 
 37
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 with her bucket to a spring a little farther east where 
 now you find "Spring Lane," a thoroughfare that 
 has maintained its ancient identity to this day, while 
 the fount itself is said to flow seaward, through a sub- 
 terranean channel. 
 
 In 1633 the Town of Boston set aside for William 
 Blackstone fifty acres of farm and woodland. 
 Blackstone's home was in the vicinity of the present 
 Louisburg square. Where today the dignified old 
 streets on the western slope of Beacon Hill drop 
 sedatel}^ down towards Charles River Basin, he 
 raised apples and roses. Blackstone has been 
 called the "First Inhabitant" of Boston, and some 
 have referred to him as the "Hermit of Shawmut. " 
 Oxford bred, and in the neighborhood of thirty-five 
 years old, one wonders how this shy young clergyman 
 found courage to leave home and take up a solitary 
 life in the wilderness, and why. He must have been 
 a sort of Puritan Robinson Crusoe. 
 
 The Winthrop party found him "monarch of all 
 he surveyed," a frockless pastor, preaching tender 
 sermons of friendliness to the wild creatures and 
 living the simple life alone among his orchards and 
 rosebushes. When the newer settlers had built 
 their houses and established town government and 
 a market, Blackstone used to ride over from home 
 on a steer, broken to saddle, to chat with the towns- 
 folk, and to do a little shopping. No doubt a pleasant 
 spoken young bachelor found it easy to get a few 
 
 38
 
 •m 
 
 LouiSBURG Square; Blackstone's Spring once flowed 
 here; at Number Ten lived Louisa M. Alcott; at 
 Number Four, William Dean Howells; Jenny Lind 
 
 was married, in 1852, AT NuMBER TWENTY.
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 with her bucket to a spring a little farther east where 
 now you find "Spring Lane," a thoroughfare that 
 has maintained its ancient identity to this day, while 
 
 the fount itself is said *' ^' - ••••">"V '^ \^h a sul)- 
 
 terranean channel. 
 
 In 1633 the Town of Boston set aside for William 
 Blackstone fifty acres of farm and woodland. 
 Blackstone's home was in the vicinity of the present 
 Louisburg square. Where today the dignified old 
 streets on t?stern slope of Beacon Hill drop 
 
 sedately down towards Charles River Basin, he 
 raised apples and ros^ 'lackstoue has been 
 
 called the "First Inhabiiaiu 4)f Boston, and some 
 have referred to him as the "Hermit of Shawmut. " 
 Oxford bred, and in the neighborho^xl '>f if ^^> -five 
 years old, one w^onders how this shy vo -ao 
 
 found courage to leave home and = ■aty 
 
 life in the wilderness, and why. ii /en 
 
 a sort of Puritan Robinson Crusoe, 
 
 The Wlnthrop party found hiiv all 
 
 he surveyed," a frockless pastor, preitidung Lender 
 sermons of friendliness to th^ ' creatures and 
 
 living the simple life alone among dis orchards and 
 rosebushes. When the newer settlers had built 
 their houses and established town government and 
 a market, Blackstone used to ride over from home 
 on a steer, broken to saddle, to chat with the towns- 
 folk, and to do a little shopping. No doubt a pleasant 
 
 cmiJ Y;iM3i; ;2JJ3woH KAag^^AijjiV/ ,^o1. aaanuVl 
 .YTM3WT aaaMuM -fX' ,s^8i m .am^^Aii 8aw
 
 ".ii^ .
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 stockings mended or a button sewed on. He was 
 certainly entitled to some consideration, since he had 
 been unquestioned proprietor of the seven hundred 
 acres of dry land on Shawmut promontory. 
 
 Some vision of the future growth of urban Boston 
 prompted the town fathers to look twice at the 
 acreage allotted to Blacks tone, for within a year 
 they bought all but six acres back from him for one 
 hundred and fifty dollars, and reserved it as a 
 "common" for pasturage, and a "training ground." 
 In 1640 the town decided that no portion of it should 
 ever be granted to an individual for homestead or 
 garden. 
 
 On or near the Blacks tone property on West Hill, 
 later lived Copley, the painter, John Phillips, first 
 Mayor of Boston, John Lothrop Motley, the his- 
 torian, the Reverend Doctor Channing, and the 
 patriots Otis and Prescott. Much of West Hill — 
 or Copley's Hill — one of the original three knolls 
 that gave the height its name, Tri-mount (Tremont) 
 was dug away to help extend the dry land at the 
 edge of Back Bay and make possible the building of 
 Charles street. 
 
 On the eastern slope of another of the three 
 peaks dwelt the Reverend John Cotton, and with 
 him, for a time. Sir Henry Vane, "boy governor" 
 of the Massachusetts Bay Company at twenty-four. 
 Sir Henry presently went back to England, where, 
 in time, he died violently from too much mixing of 
 
 40
 
 Park Street; at the Extreme Left, Ticknor House 
 i«04. Lodgings of Lafayette m 1824. Oncf the 
 Home of George Ticknor, the Historian. Beyond 
 THE Spire of Park Street Church ^ '
 
 R 
 
 stockings rnendf buttoi He was 
 
 certainly entitled to some consideration, since he had 
 iinquestioned proprietor of the seven hundred 
 acit^s of dry land on Shawn lut promonto' ^ 
 
 Some vision of the future growth of url'in oo-uin 
 prompted the town fathers to look twice at the 
 acreage allotted to Blacks tone, for within a year 
 they bought all but six acres back from him for one 
 hundred and fifty dollars, and reserved it as a 
 "common" for pasturage, and a "training ground." 
 In 1640 the town decided that no portion of it should 
 ever be granted to an individual for homestead or 
 garden. 
 
 On or near the Blacks tone property or '' "Ti - 
 later lived Copley, the painter, John "'' 
 Mayor of Boston, John Lothrop Mi.u ;u— 
 
 torian, the Reverend Doctor Channiri;., ....:. the 
 patriots Otis and Prescott. Much of West Hill — 
 or Copley's Hill — one of the original three knolls 
 that gave the height its name, Tri-mount (Tremont) 
 was dug away to help extend the dry land at the 
 edge of Back Bay and make possible the building of 
 Charles street. 
 
 On the eastern slope of another of the three 
 
 peaks dwelt the Reverend John Cotton, and' with 
 
 him, for a time, Sir Heury Vane, "boy governor" 
 
 of the Massachusetts Bay Company at twenty-four. 
 
 ^F^JFSii5P^MfntT^a^t^¥^^* t^Er^^aaW^ei^Aq: 
 amx. aoMU .hsSj ra , axxsYAiA J lo aoraqaoJ. ..j^o8i,.
 
 ,s,-. 
 
 '(^ 
 
 •.r^^'^'' 
 
 %, 
 
 . "^. 
 
 ^ ; 
 
 
 4 &) 
 
 /■ 
 
 ^ \^m 

 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 religion and politics. Cotton Hill, later called 
 Pemberton Hill, was, like the other two peaks, 
 dug away in time. 
 
 Park street, as we know it, came in 1640 by the 
 name of "Gentry" or "Sentry street," and led up 
 to the third, or "Sentry Hill," which stood some 
 six or seven score feet above harbor level. About 
 this time the powers back home talked of lifting 
 the Massachusetts Bay Company's charter, but 
 when demand was made for it, shrewd John Winthrop 
 fashioned sundry excuses, to wit, he had lost the 
 key to his desk, or had mislaid the document, or 
 some such sufficient cause of delay; and meanwhile, 
 against the day when the King should send an 
 armed agent to require the charter, the colonists 
 set up a "beacon" on the height — a sort of mast, — 
 with a great suspended kettle near the top, and 
 rungs to climb it withal. Guards watched the ocean 
 for the mastheads of unfriendly ships, and planned 
 to kindle a fire, not under, but in the kettle, to warn 
 the countryside. But so long as the beacon stood — 
 certainly until 1789 — no alarm fire is recorded. 
 
 Charles Bullfinch, architect of our present State 
 House, designed a monument to replace the old 
 beacon, and this was set up in 1790, and stood 
 until 1811, when "somebody moved the hill." It 
 ought not to have been done, but gravel was at a 
 premium. On July 4, 1795, the corner stone of the 
 new State House was laid with Masonic ceremonies 
 
 42
 
 Derne Street Terraces of the State House, Beacon 
 Hill. Top of the Beacon Memorial, set up to 
 commemorate the Old Beacon or "Gentry."
 
 IVmberton liiM 
 
 Talk .^aeel as we know it, came in KJJ-' 
 namr ' '■ ' " or *' Sentry street 
 
 to the liuiu; ui .-i^entry Hill,*' whicu m.u.mi ,v.i:r- 
 six or seven score feet above harbor level. About 
 this time the powers back home talked of lifting 
 vlassachusetts Bay Company's charter, but 
 when demand was made for it. shrewd John Winthrop 
 fashioned sundry excii \'.i he had lost the 
 
 key to his desk, or had mislaid the document, or 
 some such sufficient ff delav ii while, 
 
 against the day whti *' ^ an 
 
 armed agent to requii 
 set up a "beacon" on tu 
 with a great suspended k, , , . 
 rungs to climb it withal. Guards wat 
 for the mastheads of unfriendly shij) ilanned 
 
 to kindle a fire, not under, })ul 
 
 the countryside. But so long as the beacon stood — 
 certainly until 1789 — no alarm, fire is recorded. 
 
 Charles Bullfinch, architect of our present State 
 House, designed a monument to replace the old 
 beacon, and this was set up in 1790, and stood 
 until 1811, when "somebody moved the hill." It 
 ought not to have been done, but gravel was at a 
 premium. On July 4, 1795, the corner stone of the 
 ii©SA:Saa|aaft)iitlse™'B8 tod m{h3M^i93fRcTsmii^cmm(I 
 
 OT qu T38 ,JAIiIOMaM MOOASa SHT 10 qoT .JJlH 
 
 ''.YaxMaO'' ao vooA^Q qjO sht axAiioMaMMOo
 
 
 ^-^ 
 
 
 ^>^4; ;^ 
 
 
 : -..^^^/i*^ 
 
 
 ^ >) 
 
 ?^- 
 
 f 
 
 
 ■fv. 
 
 ?Cr 
 
 m 
 
 '~^T 
 
 
 
 ,,^4 
 
 
 
 il«'; 
 
 J.'~-i 
 
 ^v^M 
 
 ^^' 
 
 
 
 
 J 

 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 and when the monument came down its memorial 
 tablets were filed away in the State House basement. 
 Later, public spirit reincarnated the monument and 
 set the tablets in its base. It stands today on a spot, 
 which, in everything but altitude, corresponds with 
 the location of its original. 
 
 House-lot prices languished in those early years 
 on "Tri-mount. " One would hardly care to build 
 on a lot while one's next neighbor industriously dug 
 and hauled away his land to help fill up a Mill Pond 
 or a Great Cove, until one's home stood on the verge 
 of a gravelly precipice. Beacon (Sentry) Hill so long 
 as it stood constituted a commanding lookout. Here 
 came the people in crowds to watch Lord Percy's 
 honey-combed battalions trail back pver the distant 
 roads into Charlestown, after "A Day in Concord 
 and Lexington," April 19, 1775. Here a few weeks 
 later, June 17, the same throng stood with strained 
 and anxious eyes to note the powder-and-bayonet 
 argument on Breed's Hill and the burning of Charles- 
 town. In those days, too, the early " seeing-America- 
 first" enthusiasts admired Massachusetts Bay from 
 the foot of the beacon, and compared it with the 
 well-know^n bay of Naples, to the great disadvantage 
 of the latter. 
 
 John Hancock, supposed by many young persons 
 to be the inventor of the autograph for use in the 
 manufacture of Important Documents, lived mag- 
 nificently on Beacon Hill in a house built by his 
 
 44
 
 Rear of thei Athenaeum, overlooking Old Granary 
 Burying Groltnd. Built as a Gallery and Library 
 Contains many Rare Books and Collections, in- 
 cluding a Large Part of George Washington's 
 Private Library. A Famous Literary Centre
 
 Random Noti Boston 
 
 vhen the moiiurneiit came down its memorial 
 till) It' is were filed away in the State House basement. 
 Later, public spirit reincarnated the monun>eiit and 
 set the tablets in its base. Jt stands today on a sp(jt. 
 which, in everything but a'*'^'*'l<v <-i»rr<^iw,i..k Aiin 
 the location of its origina] 
 
 House-lot prices languished in those early years 
 on "Tri-mount. " One would hardly care to t)uild 
 on ;i lot while one's next neighbor industriously dug 
 and hauled away his land to help fill up a Mill Pond 
 or a Great Cove, until one's home stood on the verge 
 of a gravelly precipice. Beacon (Sentry) Hill so long 
 as it stood constituted a commanding lookout. Here 
 came the people in crowds to wateli Lord Percy's 
 honey-combed battahon-^ Uu\\ ^5i<<l ,m , r f] ,• ,i;<tant 
 roads into Charlestow] i>r<I 
 
 and Lexington," April 
 later, Jui; he sani 
 
 and anxious ey- )wder-;- 
 
 argument on Breed's Hili and the burning of Charles- 
 town. In those daj^s, too, the early "seeing-America- 
 first" enthusiasts admired Massachusetts Bay from 
 the foot of the beacon, and compared it with the 
 
 well-known bay of Nap]' ^< '•■ ^ ^^ -Ifsadvantage 
 
 of tlie latter. 
 
 John Hancock, supposed by many young persons 
 to be the inventor of the autograph for use in the 
 
 -m ,8MOiT3ajJo3 oma a^ooa aiiAil yviam aviiAtMoD 
 
 a'viOTOraHaAW aoaoaO ^pi tslaI aoaAJ a ovnoujo 
 
 .aaxMaO Y^AaaxiJ auoMA'i A .Y^L^aaiJ aTAVia^
 
 ,^ ■«'^;-.v;. 
 
 //ff^^- 
 
 ,.«^'*i^''^"^~^ 
 
 ■' 'w 
 
 
 
 
 1 V'V ^-i^^^W^ 'F- 
 
 \<-:"^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 #^ 
 
 S»>i^ 
 
 ^•: 
 
 
 •IT-'i^ 
 
 ^^r^y'A''^ 
 
 V 
 
 
 t
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 uncle, Thomas Hancock, in 1737, one of the earHest, 
 if not the first, of the more pretentious edifices in the 
 vicinity. 
 
 It was the executive mansion from 1780 until 
 1793, excepting two years, for John Hancock became 
 first constitutional governor of Massachusetts. 
 Efforts to preserve the old house were unavailing, 
 and it was demolished, to be replaced by modern 
 dwellings, after having stood considerably over a 
 century. 
 
 In the face of the development of the Back Bay 
 as a select residential section, most of which has 
 taken place in the last fifty years. Beacon Hill 
 today retains its fine distinction, both of aspect and 
 atmosphere. There is always a certain scorn among 
 hill people for dwellers upon low ground. Heed the 
 words of the father of Phillips Brooks, who, himself 
 but recently come thither, wrote in 1868, in a letter 
 to his distinguished son: 
 
 "It is an old house and there is a good deal to do 
 to it. It is one you will feel just as much at home in 
 as at High street or Chauncy street. Nothing ' stuck- 
 up' about it; like all our other houses, 'neat but not 
 gaudy; not like the houses on the Back Bay, where 
 the people go out in the morning to find the door- 
 steps have sunk out of sight; but it is on the solid 
 hardpan of Beacon Hill, original soil; street named 
 from the old John Hancock."
 
 THE OLD CITY. 
 
 Rear of King's Chapel, School Street, built in 1754, 
 THE Official Chltich of the Royal Govt:rnors in 
 Provincial Days. The First King's Chapel, on 
 THIS Site, was the First Episcopal Church in New 
 England; now Unitarian.
 
 V n 
 
 n^iv 
 
 rhomas Hancock, in 1737, one of tne earliest, 
 if not the first, of the more pretentious edifices in the 
 vicinity. 
 
 It was the executive mansion from i/.?>o until 
 1793, excepting two years, for John Hancock became 
 first constitutional governor of Massachusetts. 
 Efforts to preserve the old house were unavailing, 
 and it was demolished, replaced by modern 
 
 dwellings, after having stood considerably over a 
 century. 
 
 In the face of the development of the Back Bay 
 as a select residential section, most of which has 
 taken place in the last fifty years. Beacon Hill 
 today retains its fine distinction, both of aspect and 
 atmosphere. There is always a certain scorn amon^g 
 hill people for dwellers upon low j^.t: ■ <; Jh^-A the 
 words of the father of Phillip* . self 
 
 but recently come thither, wrote in 18 i letter 
 
 to his distinguished son: 
 
 "It is an old house and there is a good deal to do 
 to it. It is one you wnll feel just as much at home in 
 as at High street or Chauncy street. Nothing 'stuck- 
 up' about it; like all our other houses, 'neat but not 
 gaudy; not like the houses on the Back Bay, where 
 the people go out in the morning to find the door- 
 steps have sunk out of sight; but it is on the solid 
 
 m. 'aiL0'/iSl3Y<^0 jIAYOSL 3HT U0,,H0iTUH3 JAIOIIlO aHT 
 
 waM MI HoaxruD JA«ioo2i«ia xaail anx 2aw ^axiS aiHx 
 
 .KALaAXmU WOM jOHAJOMa
 
 THE OLD CITY. 
 
 
 ^\ e 
 
 
 
 dp 
 
 — -.--K^Ifcr - .ii. - . t ii. ~ ' , w r v -ti..a.» - — ' — - 
 
 
 !iUj4 
 
 M 
 
 :'tv« 
 
 :^:„.
 
 
 -^:. Ill IL-
 
 TV 
 
 C EVER A J 
 
 were resiuenU of ike uid tov'. 
 land, and John Cotton, msnister o^ . 
 of Christ, in New Englatid, had b« 
 Botolph's church at home. The ne. 
 Shawmut promontory was named 
 official decision on September 7, IC 
 comfort in that, a sort of anchoring final 
 the colonists could assure themselves t; 
 they had gotten somewhere, 
 
 Winthrop had his first Boston hum 
 the path to the waterside from wh^ ' 
 (now State) street, but subsequently - ..,,.,..,- 
 
 ing on a lot at the present corner .hiivjlr.-n 
 
 and Milk streets. Beside it was r 
 South Meeting House. The "Greai 
 from the ground a few steps to th 
 
 10 MOiTMavaaS; 3HT iio-i Yxai'DoS STTaguTHOAaaAM am 
 
 ^Q .8JAMmA OT YTjauaD
 
 f ., 
 
 ir 
 
 Facade of the General Post Office-; Angell Memorial 
 Fountain, erected in Honor of the Founder of 
 THE Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of 
 Cruelty to Animals.
 
 IV. 
 
 THE OLD CITY. 
 
 Several of Governor Winthrop's followers 
 were residents of the old town of Boston, Eng- 
 land, and John Cotton, minister of the First Church 
 of Christ, in New England, had been vicar of St. 
 Botolph's church at home. The new settlement on 
 Shawmut promontory was named "Boston" by 
 official decision on September 7, 1630. There was 
 comfort in that, a sort of anchoring finality, whereby 
 the colonists could assure themselves that, at last, 
 they had gotten somewhere. 
 
 Winthrop had his first Boston home set up by 
 the path to the waterside from which grew King 
 (now State) street, but subsequently occupied a dwell- 
 ing on a lot at the present corner of Washington 
 and Milk streets. Beside it was reared the Old 
 South Meeting House. The "Great Spring" boiled 
 from the ground a few steps to the east. All the 
 dwellings were primitively rough. The governor 
 rebuked one of his neighbors who, for the sake of 
 
 49
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 warmth, lined his living-room with a sheathing of 
 plank, in the form of a wainscot. It savored of 
 waste, and sinful pride. The roofs were thatched, 
 very likely with the tough, rank grass or rushes from 
 the salt marshes, and the chimneys were of logs, laid 
 crosswise, and chinked with clay. Later a saw-mill 
 was built on Mill Creek, which connected the Mill 
 Pond with Town Cove, and, as were the grist mills, 
 was actuated by the current of the tide- water. The 
 promontory was not heavily timbered, so most of 
 the lumber must have been floated over from the 
 mainland. 
 
 The first volume of town records, so far as we 
 know, was started in September, 1634, in a hand said 
 to be Winthrop's. These records were destroyed 
 or so badly mutilated that no authentic vital statis- 
 tics of that early period are available. At the end 
 of seventy years the population of Boston did not 
 exceed seven thousand souls. There were disas- 
 trous fires, the first in 1654, which wiped out whole 
 groups of dweUings. That of 1678 destroyed eighty 
 houses, and other property, to the value of £200,000. 
 Afterwards, more heed was given the possibility of 
 fires, but brick and stone construction did not 
 become general for many years. 
 
 The development of the town followed a line 
 north and south, represented, approximately, by the 
 present Washington street. Naturally, too, the 
 settlement clung close to the harbor lip, for in so 
 
 50
 
 Washington Street, looking South. On the Lept, 
 THE Old South Meeting House, Corner of Milk 
 Street, built 1729. At Extreme Left is the Site 
 OF Governor John Winthrop's House.
 
 \oTKS OF Boston 
 
 Aannth, liiieti inn living-room with a sheathing of 
 plank, in the form of a wainscot. Tt savored of 
 waste, and sinful pride. The roofs were thatche<l, 
 very likely with the tough, rank grass or rushes from 
 the salt marshes, and the chimneys were of logs, laid 
 crosswise, and (chinked with clay. Later a saw-mill 
 was built on Mill Creek, which connected the Mill 
 Pond with Town Cove, and, as were the grist mills, 
 was actuated by the current of the tide-water. The 
 promontory was not heavily timbered, so most of 
 the lumber must have been floated over from the 
 mainland. 
 
 The first voluuje ni tuwii rti.'jL-a.s, ,s<» lar as we 
 know, was starte'^ ■' '"^-'">tember, 1^^'- * ■' a hand said 
 to be W inthrop . . -«- 
 or so badly mutilated I ' 
 tics of that early perio' 
 of seventy years the p* 
 exceed seven thou.san(i 
 trous fires, the first in lt)d4 
 groups of dw^ellings. That of 1<>78 destroyed eighty 
 houses, and other property, to the value of £i200,000. 
 x\fterwards, more heed was given the possibility of 
 fires, but brick and stone c^' >.! .v i^vj-j (jfd ^iqi 
 become general for many years. 
 
 The development of the town followed a line 
 north and south, represented, approximately, by the 
 pres^^l J W#*h i;0gtoisi-«t(D6eto>i rM&hinaM^^T^o&pT&m^^AlJ 
 
 re 
 
 f'OTv : 
 
 (U^<- 
 
 itroyed 
 statis- 
 
 
 ^ ailablt 
 
 
 "nd 
 
 
 =f Bosi. 
 
 
 
 
 
 ere 
 
 disas- 
 whole
 
 
 -^- 
 
 ,< -■' '«•(• ffl?SJ^_ 
 
 r..il '--■' 
 
 -^■v,« 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 k 
 
 
 
 
 ^1 
 
 
 % % J^^^p^- 
 
 • /.J 
 
 -it. 
 
 >. ^, 
 
 ^jl^ K^~ 
 
 Mf' '-% 
 
 ft ■ ' 
 
 fix p, .- Sx ■ • 
 
 
 n.^ 
 
 jp/'^^
 
 i-^^J^ 
 
 
 .v>T^? ':^-':: i:j,. 
 
 £' 
 
 
 :--./::^^i& 

 
 J 
 
 I 
 
 islanded a locaiiou 
 upon ma 
 
 for the aineiuLies 
 Roxbury and the S^'ui, 
 fi tenuous ii! anient ^»f 
 !he terror presunt 
 t<' ha • shed h 
 
 length. 
 
 alack. 
 . this poinl noii. 
 ■ : ijoylston street the 
 Washington street, wa- 
 to tiie head of Sunimei 
 section from Summer 
 and Corn Hill took i. 
 and carried it to the foot 
 which was then Market stre< 
 led to the market district abc 
 From a ten-story building 
 as high as the old Pembert<? 
 which it marks, you can look *> 
 portion of the old city. ^ 
 ofHc<' building- you see tlu 
 called \hv 0!.| ^^ate H<v: 
 King 
 
 stead, to be replace' 
 built by privat' 
 
 STATS QJO aHT ,THOI>i s^^i lA -JaAll JlJ.i'/iA'i ^ii^J
 
 The Old City from Pemberton Square. Brattle 
 Street, Cornhill and Court Street; at Distant 
 Left, Faneuil Hall; at the Right, the Old State 
 House. Beyond, the Harbor, and East Boston.
 
 The Old City 
 
 islanded a location the citizens must depend largely 
 upon maritime traffic for the necessaries as well as 
 for the amenities of life. Communication with 
 Roxbury and the South Shore lay over Boston Neck, 
 a tenuous filament of terra firma, with the stress on 
 the terror, presumably, since persons are known 
 to have perished in trying to follow its treacherous 
 length. Near what is now Dover street, the towns- 
 men set up a rough fortification in view of possible 
 Indian attack. No such assault ever occurred. 
 From this point northward to the present corner 
 of Boylston street the "Highway to Roxbury," now 
 Washington street, was named Orange street; thence 
 to the head of Summer, it was called Newbery; the 
 section from Summer to School was Marlborough; 
 and Corn Hill took up the burden at that point 
 and carried it to the foot of the Cornhill of today, 
 which was then Market street, so-called because it 
 led to the market district about the Town Dock. 
 
 From a ten-story building in Pemberton square, 
 as high as the old Pemberton Hill the location of 
 which it marks, you can look off across a considerable 
 portion of the old city. Pocketed by towering 
 office buildings you see the little Town House, since 
 called the Old State House, holding the head of 
 King (now State) street. There was the market 
 stead, to be replaced by the first Town House, 1657, 
 built by private subscription supplementing a legacy 
 of Captain Robert Keayne, who lived on the corner 
 
 53
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 of King street and Old Corn Hill, just south of it. 
 Captain Keayne commanded the Honorable Artillery 
 Company, today Ancient as well as Honorable, the 
 earliest of our citizen-soldiery. In front of the old 
 Town House you may drink at the city's expense 
 from an automatic fountain; but do not seek a 
 relationship between it and the Town Pump that 
 stood near this point in Colonial times. Fire de- 
 stroyed the first Town House, which was of wood; 
 and the second, a brick building on the same site, 
 was erected in 1713, to be burned in 1747, with 
 many of its priceless records. The town rebuilt it 
 on the ruins of the old structure, a substantial part 
 of the walls of which had remained in place. Here, 
 at different times, both town and state governments 
 held meetings. The city government used Faneuil 
 Hall for many years, and from 1830 to 1840 met 
 in the Old State House. 
 
 A portion of the North End appears in the view 
 from the top of the Boston Globe building, looking 
 north along Washington street. Again you have 
 a glimpse of the Old State House. Where, at the 
 extreme left, you see the Sears building, John Coggan 
 had a shop, the first in Boston. In those days, if a 
 shopkeeper inclined to elevate the cost of living, his 
 clientele found legal curbs to check his avarice; and 
 our friend Keayne, who was a tailor, "fell under the 
 censure of court and church for selling his wares at 
 exorbitant profits." 
 
 54
 
 Washington Street (Old Corn Hill) looking North. 
 Towers of St. Mary's. Beyond, the North End- 
 Bunker Hill Monument. '
 
 of King street and Old Corn Hill, just soutli of it. 
 Captain Keayne commanded the Honorable Artillery 
 Company, today Ancient as well as Honorable, the 
 earliest of our citizen-soldiery. In front of the old 
 Town House you may drink at the city's expense 
 from an automatic fountain; but do not seek a 
 relationship between it and the Town Pump that 
 stood near this point in Colonial times. Fire de- 
 stroyed the first Town House, which was of wood; 
 and the second, a brick building on the same site, 
 was erected in 171o ' burned in 1747, with 
 
 many of its priceless records. The town rebuilt it 
 on the ruins of the old structure, a substantial part 
 of the walls of which had remained in |)lace. Here, 
 at different times, both town and state governments 
 held meetings. The city goyernrn*^'''! -■•^^d Faneuil 
 Hall for many years, and from ! 1840 met 
 
 in the Old State House. 
 
 A portion of the North End appears in the view 
 from the top of the Boston Globe building, looking 
 north along Washington street. Again you liave 
 a glimpse of the Old State House. Where, at the 
 extreme left, you see the Sears building, John Coggan 
 had a shop, the first in Boston. In those days, if a 
 shopkeeper inclined to elevate the cost of living, his 
 clientele found legal curbs to check his avarice; and 
 our friend Keayne, who was a tailor, "fell under the 
 censure of court and church for selling his wares at 
 
 \(m^ HTiioVT aHT jCmGYaa .sVaAM .t8 to aiiawoT
 
 •'!.* :,.«r^'C:ri?^t-A^ 
 
 ^%',l«Uj|il«A^->>
 
 ■ >->>«^, . 
 
 ilti^f'^xD 
 
 \ '>^'^iCi^^(& 
 
 if" 
 
 '^i^ 
 
 V ^>^ 
 
 
 If- w 
 
 ,;i 
 
 y 
 
 1 »; 
 
 ffr^r" 
 
 
 :^!iiir^ 
 
 k 
 
 1 1 ' 
 
 &i: l->^- " i' 
 
 • L 
 
 
 ^■^^^ 
 
 -jd 
 
 „x. ;»«"'V
 
 T. 
 
 Court street 
 prison glooaied ^Micre ua: 
 the municipaHty has lateh 
 1719, Wilhai TX.-,v>ker, td 
 
 the Boston 
 
 and PT^iT 
 
 to print 
 
 pr^'^af'T- - 
 
 of the publi 
 
 
 C our ant. T) 
 
 rig anr- 
 
 Jamc^ 
 
 
 he beat the 
 
 
 yoimg Benj}^ 
 
 iomer. 
 
 f>ul)lisher. 1 
 
 4-L ;„.. 
 
 17^1. 
 
 
 The ''bigger, 
 
 r and b 
 
 lu 
 
 i MllS^l{"'^'? 
 
 years would have been equally app- 
 
 Franklin had thought to apply it to B- 
 
 columns of his paper, for thecommurn 
 
 fast, and, as rebuilding succeeded ear 
 
 conflagration, its architecture and arran 
 
 proved. The characterization '*busie " 
 
 been particularly happy. The colonist? 
 
 and warehouses, docks, wharves an*l ' 
 
 laid keels and launched ships, tra. . . 
 
 commodities of life, talked politics m 
 
 baited governors - in fact, conduc 
 
 much as w^e do in the matter of hu- 
 
 and, considering wliat they had i 
 
 plished more 
 
 Regard, as a sample citizen of Fr;-vtiu:iai i.t;i\:-. 
 aHT TA ,Taa^T8 aoviivoa*! oxra aqaxS xaaaxS Hxaowaoa 
 .asuoH 3.Dm<iosL^ ao axi8 anx ao aAail
 
 BoswoRTH Street Steps into Province Street, at the 
 Rear or the Site of Province House.
 
 The Old City 
 
 Court street was "Prison Lane," and the old 
 prison gloomed where the tall new office-building of 
 the municipality has lately risen. In this vicinity, in 
 1719, William Brooker, the postmaster, published 
 the Boston Gazette and employed James Franklin 
 to print it. Afterward, James harked to the buzz 
 of the publishing bee and started the New England 
 Courant. The buzzing annoyed the authorities, and 
 James was enjoined from publishing his paper, so 
 he beat the devil about the stump by permitting 
 young Benjamin, his brother, to attach his name as 
 publisher. This was the third newspaper in Boston, 
 1721. 
 
 The "bigger, better and busier" slogan of recent 
 years would have been equally appropriate if Ben 
 Franklin had thought to apply it to Boston in the 
 columns of his paper, for the community was growing 
 fast, and, as rebuilding succeeded each sweeping 
 conflagration, its architecture and arrangement im- 
 proved. The characterization "busier" would have 
 been particularly happy. The colonists built houses 
 and warehouses, docks, wharves and fortifications, 
 laid keels and launched ships, traflficked in the 
 commodities of life, talked politics and religion, 
 baited governors — in fact, conducted themselves 
 much as we do in the matter of hustle and bustle, 
 and, considering what they had to do with, accom- 
 plished more. 
 
 Regard, as a sample citizen of Provincial days, 
 
 51
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 Colonel Paul Revere. When you know him a little 
 better, you will see that, if lacking Franklin's great- 
 ness, he was in many respects not unlike him. Artist, 
 poet, printer, inventor, mechanic, soldier and patriot, 
 Revere was the Leonardo da Vinci of New England. 
 The versatile Leonardo invented the wheelbarrow. 
 Revere devised a gun-carriage; Leonardo painted 
 the "Last Supper," Revere drew rude but graphic 
 caricatures, cartoons of his time, comparable in 
 effect, if not in drawing, to those of Nast or Keppler. 
 Boston holds one thing against Franklin, namely, 
 his quitting it for Philadelphia; Revere stuck to it. 
 Franklin shed lustre upon Boston by being born here; 
 indeed, if all historians say truly, he doubly honored 
 his native town, since he was born once on Hanover 
 street, near Marshall's Lane and the Boston Stone, 
 and once in a small two-story house on Milk street. 
 Revere plausibly parallels this achievement, never- 
 theless ; for he twice rode to Lexington, and the first of 
 these journeys, though never set to music, was the 
 more important. On Sunday, April 16, he visited 
 Adams and Hancock at the home of Reverend 
 Doctor Clark, reporting what the Sons of Liberty 
 had learned about the British intentions. There 
 was no doubt that the supplies stored at Concord 
 would tempt General Gage, and it remained only to 
 warn the countryside of the exact time of the de- 
 parture of the troops. This Revere did upon the 
 occasion of the famous dash from Charlestown. 
 
 58
 
 Marshall's Lane; the Boston Stone, formerly Part 
 OF A Paint Mill, set ltp in 1737 as a Waymark. At 
 Right, Office of Ebenezer Hancock, Brother of 
 John Hancock, and Paymaster of the Revolution.
 
 B 
 
 nSTON 
 
 C'olouel Paul Revere. When you know him a little 
 better, you will see tha king Franklin's great- 
 
 ness, he was in many respecu not unlike him. Artist, 
 poet, printer, inventor, mechanic, soldier and patriot, 
 Revere was the Leonardo da Vinci of New England. 
 The versatile I^eoiiardo invented the wheelbarrow. 
 Revere devised a gun-carriage: Leonardo painted 
 the "Last Supper," Revere drew rude but graphic 
 caricatures, cartoons of his time, comparable in 
 efT' hi drawing, to those of Nast or Keppler. 
 
 Boston holds one thing against Franklin, namely, 
 his quitting it for Philadelphia; Jlevere stuck to it. 
 Franklin shed lustre upon Boston i>y being born here; 
 indeed, if all historians say truly, he doubly honored 
 liife native town, since he was born once on Hanover 
 street, near MarshalF' Larie and th-- Boston Stone, 
 and once in a small ^ilk street. 
 
 Revere plausibly parall • r- 
 
 theless ; for he twice red and the first of 
 
 these journeys, though vas the 
 
 more important. On Sunday 16, he visited 
 
 Adams and Hanco " Reverend 
 
 Doctor Clark, report, lag ivnai uif Sons of Liberty 
 had learned about the British intentions. There 
 was no doubt that the supplies stored at Concord 
 would tempt General Gage, and it remained only to 
 warn the countrvside of the exact time of^ the de- 
 
 .vioiTUJOva^ aHT 10 aaxaAMYAS; oka ^xoodkaH khoX 
 
 58
 
 ^N 
 
 i^n 
 
 
 » < 
 
 ,jj- 
 
 iff f- 
 
 
 % 
 
 
 
 «-4 « 
 
 f, 
 
 
 
 ''^,...J 
 
 I:
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 William Dawes, stealing out over Boston Neck, 
 reached Lexington half an hour })ehind Revere, and 
 together they went on, until halted by a mounted 
 British patrol. Dawes got away; so did young 
 Prescott, who had ridden with them from Lexington, 
 and, being a resident of Concord, knew a little-fre- 
 quented woods path, which he followed to safety, 
 and was so enabled to warn the people of the im- 
 pending invasion. It is fitting not to forget these 
 two, particularly since to do so subtracts no credit 
 from Revere. 
 
 As a matter of fact, Paul Revere made a specialty 
 of the " message- to-Garcia " business. When he had 
 anything to do, he did it, and seems to have been 
 singularly tongue-tied under conditions that would 
 have brought, from most men, protesting questions 
 of "why" and "wherefore." His ambition was to 
 hold a commission in the Continental army; he had 
 to satisfy himself with a militia appointment. When, 
 after the Revolution, under the new government. 
 Patriotism found it necessary to "do something" 
 for poor brother Patronage, Revere would have liked 
 a federal appointment. Congressman Ames, to 
 whom he applied, rendered him the polite equivalent 
 of our latter-day "nothing doing," so the Colonel 
 decided that being a sterling patriot was not nearly 
 so nourishing as the sordid pursuit of trade. 
 
 Besides the Midnight Ride, Paul Revere made 
 good his claim to useful citizenship by many and 
 
 60
 
 The Old City 
 
 varied activities and achievements. He made 
 copper-plate engravings, drew and engraved at least 
 two harbor-front views of Boston, practised den- 
 tistry, fitting false teeth " in such a manner that they 
 are not only an Ornament, but of real Use in Speaking 
 and Eating;'' served the patriot cause as official 
 messenger, commanded an artillery train in charge 
 of the Castle (now Fort Independence), invented 
 a gun-carriage at the request of General Washington, 
 imprinted "soldiers' notes," a form of continental 
 tender, kept a goldsmith's shop, established a bell- 
 foundry, engraved the seal of the Commonw^ealth, 
 manufactured the copper hardware for the frigate 
 "Constitution," and the sheathing with which she 
 was bottomed; also made many tons of copper 
 products for the government, and the sheeting 
 which covered the dome of the new State House on 
 Beacon Hill ; and he assisted, as Grand Master of the 
 Freemasons of Massachusetts, in laying the corner 
 stone of that building, July 4, 1795. He lived to be 
 eighty-four years old, and, dying, left a fortune of 
 $35,000, many examples of worthy craftsmanship, 
 an established business, and an honored name. 
 
 Revere's house in North square is today, with 
 one possible exception, the oldest standing edifice in 
 Boston; it was built in 1676, and was nearly a century 
 old when Revere became its .occupant. About North 
 square dwelt many of the "best families;" in its 
 vicinity were several churches, including the Old 
 
 61
 
 Ta^ 
 
 ■^^:^di^^^^^^ 
 
 ■f^ 
 
 .-:?-' 
 
 l^'lfi t 
 
 •, >J::=ftS5jff^ri 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ' f.S-f>A 
 
 j<- ._._.•-_. 
 

 
 North. Tod. 
 ter ■ 
 
 upcn j; ■• pi! ■ 
 Faneuil ] 
 head <»f the ^« 
 nectiiig the ; 
 later turmM 
 shipping, 
 mark' 
 to the cuiuni 
 
 i:Aii:-tuy/Xi. x.l. 
 burser' ' '-^ •■■ mi, h>u 
 of tht^ - . ..iental ir^ , 
 Louis Phihppe, future k 
 French lesvsons at the hd 
 And so every comei 
 and its associatioii 
 suggest, where liere or thei 
 imagination or starts tb 
 tracking aloj 
 streets tb* 
 Cb— -^ ■ 
 
 Groin 
 
 Mail. 
 ,^8i .YDrajp HAI80I, YK TJi'ja jaxsAM jjaH jiuaMAl 
 .xooQ. MwoT qjO aHT aaxADOJ p.aw yjaaMaoa aaanw 
 .ts^saM Yomup aajJAD YJTMaupa5['5
 
 Faneuil Hall Marxet, built by Josl^h Qthncy, 1825, 
 
 WHERE FORMERLY WAS LOCATED THE OlD TOWN DOCK. 
 
 Frequently called Qltlncy Market.
 
 The Old City 
 
 North. Today it forms a part of the ItaHan quar- 
 ter; is there a future president, think you, playing 
 upon its pavement? 
 
 Faneuil Hall was built by Peter Faneuil, at the 
 head of the Town Dock, in 1742. Mill Creek, con- 
 necting the Town Dock with the Mill Pond, was 
 later turned into a canal for the passage of small 
 shipping. In 1825 Josiah Quincy built a new 
 market, filling in the old dock, and adding vastly 
 to the commercial facilities of the city. 
 
 Near the Boston Stone, in Marshall's Lane, 
 Ebenezer Hancock, Revolutionary paymaster, dis- 
 bursed the gold, loaned by France, for the payment 
 of the Continental troops; and in this neighborhood 
 Louis PhiHppe, future king of France, in 1798 gave 
 French lessons at the house of James Ambard. 
 
 And so every corner in old Boston has its history 
 and its associations. A single chapter can but 
 suggest, where here or there an incident teases one's 
 imagination or starts the train of reminiscence back- 
 tracking along a path as devious as the tangled 
 streets themselves. What of Tremont street. King's 
 Chapel, and that neighborhood of fine estates on the 
 Pemberton slope ? What of the Granary Burying 
 Ground, where nine governors sleep, undisturbed 
 by the futile clatter of street noises above, or the 
 roar of the subway beneath.^ What of the great 
 Mall, the Haymarket, or the sober luxuries of 
 Colonnade Row.^^ What of the old slough near 
 
 63
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 Boy Is ton street, where the selectmen, deep mired one 
 day, heard the satirical voice of witty Mather Byles, 
 calling from his open door, 
 
 "Well, gentlemen, I'm glad to see you stirring in 
 that matter at last." 
 
 What, indeed? Let us hasten on, or ourselves be 
 mired in a welter of historic incident. 
 
 ■'■■V" .3Jr2 
 
 ■f-v 

 
 WATERFR<r 
 
 3M0H 3HT WOTd [ll^l (32U0H STAtS QJO 3HT 10 0^3 T8A3 
 
 OT 1 88 1 MI aasiMAoao .YxaiooS MAiMOxsoa sht 10 
 
 (MA Moxaoa 10 YJiOTaiH aHT 10 yctjtS anx axoMoaq 
 
 .aaixiupix^A axi ao MoiXAvaaaaa^ anx 
 
 jjiM anx 10 MOixAOoJ xm3iomA ;xaaax8 YAwaauAO 
 .MOixAxS HxaoPl anx ,a>ioYaa .omo?
 
 K AxroM Notes of Boston 
 
 Boylston street, where the selectmen, deep mired one 
 lieard the satirical voice of witty Mather Byles, 
 calhiig from his open door 
 
 ''Well, gentlemen, Fni gi;ui to see you stiniug in 
 that matter at last." 
 
 What, indeed? Lei ., / nx\r^(Avo^ 1.. 
 
 mirfd in n welter of historic incident. 
 
 East End of the Old State House, 17 13; now the Home 
 of the bostonian society, organized in 1881 to 
 
 PROMOTE THE StUDY OF THE HiSTORY OF BoSTON AND 
 
 THE Preservation of its Antiquities. 
 
 Causeway Street; Ancient Location of the Mill 
 Pond. Beyond, the North Station.
 
 WATERFRONT AND HARBOR 
 
 
 
 
 - ^-^ 
 
 ■j"> f'< ««'' 
 
 
 
 
 .^i^. 
 
 ' :>^ 
 
 
 
 j/iix^'*p^.
 
 
 ■^r>i 
 
 
 ■/
 
 TN his Wonder-i 
 
 Edward Jolt li- 
 the first decade <>; 
 fortified emiuenc 
 and Fort Hills, witi 
 the beacon on the tlurd iiii 
 means Beacon Hill, wil^ 
 pinnacled summit; the -■•:-- 
 wharves, which the ear-^ ^ 
 enough to build in the i 
 and finally, "the buildin, 
 fairly set forth with brir 
 orderly placed 
 enlargement presagei 
 
 We could forgive L1j< 
 brick, tile, stone an-! 
 
 •?Rr^'|^a. ya^pipiT jjoYaJl A ;WT2oa HTuoa .omajzI 
 aixaA ' .ao;fi8 anx omsiua naixma anx ya aaiTJooO 
 i^MiS¥jiA' ^ -^X' Ya aaMoaia^Ao .MOixAuoAva anx 
 
 .aaayail jua*I aaoKu aoao'I
 
 Fort Independence, formerly the Castle, on Castle 
 Island, South Boston; a Revolutionary Defence. 
 
 OCCUPLED BY THE BRITISH DURING THE SlEGE. AfTER 
 
 THE Evacuation, garrisoned by an Artillery 
 Force under Paul Revere.
 
 V. 
 
 WATERFRONT AND HARBOR 
 
 TN his Wonder-working Providence in New England^ 
 Edward Johnson gives some idea of Boston in 
 the first decade of its history. He mentions the two 
 fortified eminences at the north and south, Copp's 
 and Fort Hills, with the "Great Cove" between; 
 the beacon on the third hill, by which he doubtless 
 means Beacon Hill, without reference to its three- 
 pinnacled summit; the substantial character of the 
 wharves, which the early Bostonians were shrewd 
 enough to build in the interests of ocean commerce; 
 and finally, "the buildings, large and beautiful, some 
 fairly set forth with brick, tile, stone and slate, and 
 orderly placed with seemly streets, whose continual 
 enlargement presageth some sumptuous city.'' 
 
 We could forgive the slang, but how about the 
 brick, tile, stone and slate? Other chroniclers fail 
 to mention them, and even as late as 1803 the infre- 
 quency of brick buildings was noted by contem- 
 porary writers. 
 
 67
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 The southern fortification mentioned by Johnson 
 was the so-called Southern Battery, on the seaward 
 side of Fort Hill. This location corresponded to that 
 of the present Rowe's wharf, where you take the 
 boat to the beach. Fort Hill square is now as flat 
 as your hand, but in the old days Fort Hill was a 
 fair round knoll, crowned with a pleasant park and 
 fine trees. In the eighteenth century the streets 
 running up its sides were bordered with the homes 
 of well-to-do citizens. In that section of town 
 dwelt, also, many artisans employed in ropewalks 
 and shipyards. That they were a husky crew is 
 shown by the fact that only two days before the 
 Boston Massacre occurred a riotous encounter 
 between the "mechanics" and the British soldiers 
 quartered thereabout, in which the townsmen scored 
 a boisterous, if not very sanguinary victory. 
 
 At Grifiin's wharf, nearby, the three teaships 
 lay on December 16, 1773. Here came about a score 
 of spurious Indians, followed by a willing crowd of 
 excited men and boys, after an indignation meeting 
 in the Old South Meeting House. In short order 
 they boarded the vessels, siezed the three hundred 
 and forty-two chests of tea, and emptied them upon 
 the mud and ooze of the harbor-bottom, exposed by 
 the ebb tide. Some of the invading party clambered 
 down the piling and tramped the tea into the mud, 
 as it poured over from the decks. The returning tide 
 completed the work. 
 
 68
 
 The Lobster-Boat Fleet, Atlantic Avenue.
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 The soutiicni luruiKuunn iiMMitioiied by Johnson 
 was the so-called Southern Battery, on the seaward 
 side of Fort Hill. This location corresponded to that 
 of the present Howe's wharf, where you take the 
 boat to the beach. Fort Hill square is now as flat 
 as your hand, but in the old days Fort Hill was a 
 fair round knoll, crowned with a pleasant park and 
 fine trees. In the eighteenth century the streets 
 running up its sides were bordered with the homes 
 of well-to-do citizens. In that section of town 
 dwelt, also, many artisans employed in ropewalks 
 and shipyards. That they were a husky crew is 
 shown by the fact that only two days before the 
 Boston Massacre occurred a riotous encounter 
 between the "mechanics" and the British soldiers 
 quartered thereabout, in which the townsmen scored 
 a boisterous, if not very sanguinary victory. 
 
 At Griffin's wharf, nearby, the three teaships 
 lay on December 16, 1773. Here eanie about a score 
 of spurious Indians, followed by a willing crowd of 
 excited men and boys, after an indignation meeting 
 in the Old South Meeting House. In short order 
 they boarded the vessels, siezed the three hundred 
 and forty-two chests of tea, and emptied them upon 
 the mud and ooze of the harbor-bottom, exposed by 
 the ebb tide. Some of the invading party clambered 
 down the piling and tramped the tea into the mud, 
 as it poured over from the decks. The returning tide 
 completed the work. 
 
 .auMavA oitpiajtA ,t:^i'5 TAoE-iiaTaaoJ anT
 
 
 '#-; 
 
 V 
 
 — ^*^^ 
 
 iir;u 
 
 ifcl'Si. 
 
 " A^jy
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 One of the party, Thomas Melvill, found tea in 
 his shoes when he went home. This, sealed in a 
 bottle, was kept as a memento of the affair, and is 
 in the collection of the Bostonian Society today. 
 No one was permitted knowingly to carry tea away, 
 and if any tried to do so, he was promptly set upon. 
 One such lost his coat-tails, in the pockets of which 
 he had hidden a few handfuls of the herb. Next 
 day the coat-tails were nailed upon the whipping 
 post near their owner's house in Charlestown, with 
 an appropriate placard. 
 
 Paul Revere, as you might readily suppose, was 
 "among those present" at the Tea Party, and shortly 
 afterwards set out on horseback for New York, with 
 news of the occurrence, where it occasioned great 
 enthusiasm. This was only one of his numerous 
 official journeys in that direction. Seemingly, if a 
 message needed carrying, someone always cried, 
 "Where's Paul.?" 
 
 Another name for the Southern Battery was the 
 "Sconce," and from it Sconce lane led up to the 
 fort on the hillside. This fort was begun in 1632, but 
 the Sconce was the more strongly built and equipped. 
 In fact, in 1743, when the Sconce mounted thirty- 
 five guns, the fort seems to have disappeared. The 
 British occupied this fortification with a garrison of 
 four hundred men, and at the Evacuation left it in 
 badly damaged condition, but the American forces 
 repaired it. 
 
 70
 
 The Fishing Fleet, and the Wholesale Produce 
 District, looking past Atlantic Avenue from the 
 Water Front.
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 One of Uie party, Thomas MelviJl, found tea in 
 his shoes when he went home. This, scaled in a 
 bottle, was kept m^ a memento of the affair, and is 
 in the collection of the Bostonian Society today. 
 No one was permitted knowingly to carry tea away, 
 and if any tried to do so, he was promptly set upon. 
 One such lost his coat-tails, in the pockets of which 
 he had hidden a few handfuls of the herb. Next 
 day the coat-tails were nailed upon the whipping 
 post near their owner's house in Charlestown, with 
 an appropriate placard. 
 
 Paul Revere, as you might readily suppose, was 
 ''among those present" at the Tea Party, and shortly 
 afterwards set out on horseback for New York, with 
 news of the occurrence, where it <)ocasioned great 
 enthusiasm. This was only . umerous 
 
 official journeys in that direction. Seemingly, if a 
 message needed carrying, someone ried, 
 
 "Where's Paul .^" 
 
 Another name for the Sou ^ battery was the 
 
 "Sconce," and from it Sconce latie led up to the 
 fort on the hillside. This fort was begun in 1632, but 
 the Sconce was the more strongly built and equipped. 
 In fact, in 1743, when the Sconce mounted thirty- 
 five guns, the fort seems to have disappeared. The 
 British occupied this fortification with a garrison of 
 four hundred men, and at the Evacuation left it in 
 
 fi^^sl-iW^iavA oitmajtA xaAq ovioooj .xomTaiQ 
 
 70
 
 ii 
 
 f 
 
 V*'T 
 
 .j^'^^'-W
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 The harbor Hne extended irregularly from Fort 
 Hill toward the present junction of Kilby and State 
 streets, and it would be well to remember the hollow 
 conformation of the shore in the early days. Sconce 
 lane was afterwards called Hamilton street, and the 
 way along the beach the "Battery march," a name 
 that has come down to us, and which enables us to 
 determine the former beach line with a degree of 
 accuracy. 
 
 The indentation of the harbor known as Great 
 Cove or Town Cove was divided about equally by 
 Long wharf, a solid structure continuing the line of 
 King (State) street. From its landward end near 
 the present corner of Kilby street, it ran out two 
 thousand feet. It was built in 1709-10, and sup- 
 ported rows of stores and warehouses. With the 
 reclamation of the Cove, Long wharf sacrificed 
 most of its length to State street. 
 
 The present shore line from Battery street to 
 Rowe's wharf, as defined by Atlantic avenue, cor- 
 responds to the old Barricado, a stout defence of logs 
 or piles which effectually enclosed the inner harbor. 
 At the point where the Barricado cut Long wharf at 
 right angles, and on the northern side of the latter, 
 was Minott's T, a projection or offshoot of Long 
 wharf, and joined to the Barricado as well. Its 
 shape gave it the name, which has no reference to the 
 Tea Party. By extension and alteration, T wharf 
 became an independent jetty, having no connection 
 
 72
 
 Dewey Square, from the South Station.
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 The harbor line <'>itejided irregularly from Fort 
 Hill toward the present junction of Kilby and State 
 streets, and it would be well to remember the hollow 
 conformation of the shore in the early days. Sconce 
 lane was afterwards called Hamilton street, and the 
 way along the beach the "Battery march," a name 
 that has come down to us, and which enables us to 
 determine the former beach line with a degree of 
 accuracy. 
 
 The indentation of the harbor known as Great 
 Cove or Town Cove was divided about equally by 
 Long wharf, a solid structure continuing the line of 
 King (State) street. From its landward end near 
 the present corner of Kilby street, it ran out two 
 thousand feet. It was built in 1709-10, and sup- 
 ported rows of store- v Brehoii'^e«^. With the 
 reclamation of the ^ :^acrificed 
 most of its length to State str^ » ^ . 
 
 The present short street to 
 
 Rowe's wharf, as defines i avenue, cor- 
 
 responds to the old Barricado, a ;sloiil defence of logs 
 or piles which effectually ench>sed the inner harbor. 
 At the point where the Barricado cut Long wharf at 
 right angles, and on the northern side of the latter, 
 was Minott's T, a projection or offshoot of Long 
 wharf, and joined to the Barricado as well. Its 
 shape gave it the name, which has no reference to the 
 Tea Party. By extension and alteration, T wharf 
 became an independent jetty, having no connection 
 
 .moitatS HTU08 aHT 1!?q;ii ,asL^up8 YawaQ
 
 "t>" 
 
 Jltf^^
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 with Long wharf. 
 
 When you detrain today at the South station, 
 you issue upon a big, crowded plaza, named recently, 
 as its title indicates, Dewey square. Turn and look 
 back and up at the towering facade, surmounted by 
 an enormous clock, usually set two comfortable 
 minutes faster than standard time, a white and 
 justifiable falsehood. 
 
 Twenty years ago there was no South terminal, 
 but incoming travelers were set down at one or 
 another of several scattered structures. Today all 
 trains entering the city on the south side utilize 
 the South station. Until within two or three years 
 it was the largest railroad station on earth. Yet it is 
 even now scarcely adequate for the traffic passing 
 through it. 
 
 Our drawing of Dewey square was made from the 
 main entrance of the terminal, and shows a teeming, 
 sometimes congested, center of traffic. The elevated, 
 of more recent erection than the station itself, 
 sweeps past in a long curve, and apprehensive thou- 
 sands "duck" timidly when the trains grind roaring 
 and shrieking overhead. Several busy streets radiate 
 from Dewey square. At morning and evening it 
 is traversed by hurrying crowds, and a few souls 
 forget the two minutes' grace of the big clock and 
 run for trains with un-Bostonian abandon. 
 
 The location of the South station was formerly 
 marsh and Atlantic avenue as far as Rowe's wharf 
 
 74
 
 Waterfront and Harbor 
 
 was built upon low or marshy ground. It is parall- 
 eled by the Fort Point channel, which connects the 
 harbor with the South bay, an inner basin now 
 lined with wharves, coal-pockets and lumber docks. 
 
 Along the "old Barricado," now Atlantic avenue, 
 from Rowe's wharf to Battery wharf, a great number 
 of docks and quays jut out, with an irregular sug- 
 gestion of comb teeth. Long and T wharves are of 
 the number given over to the fishing industry. 
 Massachusetts surely feeds the nation on Fridays, 
 for the fisher-folk of Boston, Gloucester, Province- 
 town and lesser ports winnow the deep the year 
 around. Sometimes, after a storm at sea, the vessels, 
 big and little, that dock along Atlantic avenue come 
 in with every spar and strand thickly coated with ice. 
 But nothing daunts the "Captains Courageous" of 
 the New England fishing fleets. 
 
 From the elevated train you will see the fruit 
 company's "banana boats," in from Jamaica, dis- 
 charging cargoes for trans-shipment to points inland. 
 The bananas come to port green, but before you buy 
 them for your own use they will have been ripened in 
 dark, warm cellars. Finishing on the tree improves 
 an orange, but bananas are better if captured in a 
 green, undomeSticated state. Occasionally the 
 banana boat brings a stowaway, a big, fighting 
 tarantula, with a hairy body as large as a half-dollar, 
 and a dangerous bite. 
 
 It is said that the battle of Fort Hill, between the 
 
 75
 
 7^ §■• 
 
 l!' 
 
 
 
 
 ..■■■j....i,ii.','!>, -. kin,' i' v.&»-•p<»:■ 
 
 :;^.:4 
 
 " ,,''K' 
 
 iii>'''^.r::;;i»1>^-£;^'; 
 
 /i«v«»K
 
 Waterfront 
 
 "1''" V...,, ,... tiipitatc" 
 
 aPT)]i' r-H coat, by r- 
 
 bster h 
 ntributing largely 
 name finds no greater fav 
 iian when used for the patriotic purp^ 
 M.artiii^ Revolutionary rumpus. The lobsUr 
 
 Heet, coii.^i^iUig of many small craf ' 
 tiriven, should interest the gourmti vuu hk 
 know the origi?' -^^ '■< delicac'' - ^ • the gourr 
 '-ve recomnien<! atisfyii!;^ , ities of B; 
 
 hnked bear the New England boiled dinner, 
 
 lie huge masses of 
 iiarlestown and East Boston. 
 Most of the tonnage lying at the wharves of Atlantic 
 avenue is coast-wise. But, barring one German line, 
 the passenger boats and freighters of the foreign- 
 faring trade tie up at the farther shore. East Boston 
 is on Noddle Island, a part of the city proper, where 
 great manufactures thrive. From it we ^(^^ '"'^-^i "'< 
 lamps, ships, machinery and immigrants. 
 
 Back of the Charlestown docks rises Bunker Hill. 
 riie immediate vicinity of Bunker Hill is richer in 
 historic associatioi: in pictorial value, which 
 
 explains why it is artistically wise to show the thin 
 -haft of the Monument aspiring slenderlv 
 ifternoon sun, its tall shape emphasized by cou 
 vith the gray of the docks and ships. 
 
 Just beyond .Battery street, at Copp's Hfl? 
 TMaMuinoM jJiH aaxMua [WfroTz^jsiAHO ta aMooQ anT 
 
 77
 
 The Docks at Charlestown; Bunker Hill Monument
 
 Waterfront and Harbor 
 
 soldiers and the townsmen, was precipitated by the 
 term "lobster," applied to a red-coat, by one of the 
 mechanics. Since that day the lobster has become a 
 creature of fashion, contributing largely to the high 
 cost of livers, but his name finds no greater favor as 
 an epithet than when used for the patriotic purpose of 
 starting a pre-Revolutionary rumpus. The lobster 
 fleet, consisting of many small craft, mostly power 
 driven, should interest the gourmet who likes to 
 know the origin of his delicacies; to the gourmand, 
 we recommend the satisfying qualities of Boston 
 baked beans and the New England boiled dinner. 
 
 Across the harbor, bulk the huge masses of ele- 
 vator and dock in Charlestown and East Boston. 
 Most of the tonnage lying at the wharves of Atlantic 
 avenue is coast-wise. But, barring one German line, 
 the passenger boats and freighters of the foreign- 
 faring trade tie up at the farther shore. East Boston 
 is on Noddle Island, a part of the city proper, where 
 great manufactures thrive. From it we get electric 
 lamps, ships, machinery and immigrants. 
 
 Back of the Charlestown docks rises Bunker Hill. 
 The immediate vicinity of Bunker Hill is richer in 
 historic association than in pictorial value, which 
 explains why it is artistically wise to show the thin 
 shaft of the Monument aspiring slenderly in the 
 afternoon sun, its tall shape emphasized by contrast 
 with the gray of the docks and ships. 
 
 Just beyond Battery street, at Copp's Hill, the 
 
 77
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 settlers established the North Battery, which Edward 
 Johnson described as "a very strong battery built 
 of whole timber and filled with earth." It is first 
 mentioned in the records of 1644. Battery wharf 
 perpetuates its name. Major Pitcairn, of the First 
 Battalion of Marines, was one of the British officers 
 who embarked from the North Battery on the day 
 of Bunker Hill, a day upon which he displayed a fatal 
 gallantry. He, you will remember, was reported to 
 have stirred his grog with his finger at Wright's 
 Tavern, Concord, on April 19, stating as he did so, 
 that the damned Yankees' blood would be similarly 
 "stirred" before night. Viewing the bravery of his 
 death, we may charitably overlook that boast. 
 
 Soon after the settlement of Boston, the colonists 
 began to build ships. Oddly enough, the first of these 
 was launched on July 4, in the year 1631, at Medford, 
 a short distance up the Mystic river. The shipyards 
 of Boston were established along the North End 
 waterfront, and the shipwrights formed a group, 
 powerful in politics, whose opinion was always 
 seriously considered. Our term "caucus," applied 
 to a political meeting, is said to have sprung from, 
 the gatherings of "calkers" in the famous old public 
 houses of the North End. 
 
 Of the hundreds of vessels built in the palmy 
 days of marine construction in Boston, the most 
 notable was the frigate Constitution, "Old Iron- 
 sides," the pride of the American navy. Her keel 
 
 78
 
 Battery Street Station; near the Site of the North 
 Battery, and of Hartt's Shipyard.
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 Jolmson described as "a very strong battery built 
 of whole timber and filled with earth." It is first 
 mentioned in the records U. Battery wharf 
 
 perpetuates its name. Major Pitcairn, of the First 
 Battalion of Marines, was one of the British officers 
 embarked from the North Battery on the day 
 of Bunker Hill, a day upon which he displayed a fatal 
 gallantry. He, you will remember, was reported to 
 have stirred his grog with his finger at Wright's 
 Tavern, Concord, on April 19, stating as he did so, 
 that the damned Yankees' blood w^ould be similarly 
 "stirred" before night. Viewing the bravery of his 
 death, we may charitably overlook that boast. 
 
 Soon after the settlement of Boston, the colonists 
 began to build ships. Oddly enough, the first of these 
 was launched on July 4, in the year 1681, at Medford, 
 a short distance up the My sti' -le shipyards 
 
 of Boston were established alo North End 
 
 waterfront , and the shipwrights lurmed a group, 
 powerful in ^politics, whose opinion was always 
 seriously considered. Our term *' caucus," applied 
 to a political meeting, is said to have sprung from 
 the gatherings of "calkers" in the famous old public 
 houses of the North End. 
 
 Of the hundreds of vessels built in the palmy 
 days of marine construction in Boston, the most 
 notable was the frigate Constitution, *'01d Iron-
 
 J?\ 
 
 i: •'■;* 
 
 C I
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 was laid in Hartt's shipyard, the site of the present 
 Constitution wharf. No modern dreadnaught ever 
 aroused a fraction of the enthusiasm occasioned by 
 her planning and building. On the day set for her 
 launching, September 20, 1797, thousands of 
 people crowded the neighboring shores and wharves ; 
 but when the signal was given, she failed to take 
 the water. A second attempt, on the 22nd, proved 
 unsuccessful; but on Saturday, October 21, she slid 
 down the ways, observed by only a few people, since 
 many had declared her "ill-fated," and perhaps 
 thought she would never be floated. Her subsequent 
 career in the service, and long life, not yet at an end, 
 have shown the emptiness of that superstitious fear. 
 
 If the Constitution typified one aspect of the 
 Boston spirit, let us consider a modern example of a 
 different sort. On any summer day you may see, 
 either at anchor in the roadstead, or nosing unob- 
 trusively among the shipping, an odd-looking, many- 
 windowed craft of the house-boat order, cargoed 
 with sick babies and tired mothers. Her daily trips, 
 made possible by the generosity of hundreds of men, 
 women and children, sometimes expressed in pennies, 
 often in an individual contribution suflBcient for the 
 expense of an entire day, register the throbbing of 
 a great heart full of tenderness and pity for the 
 helpless. This is the Boston Floating Hospital. 
 
 "Peace hath her victories, no less renowned than 
 war."
 
 CAMBRIlx 
 
 The Washington Elm, Garden Street, Cambridge.
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 was laid iii Hartt's shipyard, the site of the present 
 Constitution wharf. No modern dreaduaught ever 
 aroused a fraction of the enthu'siasm occasioned by 
 her planning and building. On the day set for her 
 launching, September 20, 1797, thousands of 
 people crowded the neighboring shores and wharves; 
 but when the signal was given, she failed to take 
 the wall second attempt, on the 22nd, proved 
 
 unsuccessful; but on Saturday, October 21, she slid 
 down the ways, observed by only a few people, since 
 many had declared her "ill-fated," and perhaps 
 thought she would never be floated. Her subsequent 
 career in the service, and long life, not yet at an end, 
 have shown the emptiness of that superstitious fear. 
 
 If the Constitution typified one aspect of the 
 Boston spirit, let us consider a modern example of a 
 different sort. On any summer day you may see, 
 either at anchor in the roadstead, or nosing unob- 
 trusively among the shipping, an odd-looking, many- 
 windowed craft of the house-boat order, cargoed 
 with sick babies and tired mothers. Her daily trips, 
 made possible by the generosity of hundreds of men, 
 women and children, sometimes expressed in pennies, 
 often in an individual contribution sufficient for the 
 expense of an entire day, register the throbbing of 
 a great heart full of tenderness and pity for the 
 helpless. This is the Boston Floating Hospital. 
 
 "Peace hath her victories, no less renowned than 
 
 war." 
 .3oaiaaMA3 ^xaa^TS Maa^AO ,Mja motov[ih2aW 3hT
 
 CAMBRIDGE AND HARVARD COLLEGE 

 
 
 
 M' 
 
 ■■■••:■■, <-^*«WP*- 9f!W«*»**w«9««w^ji*«-ifc'(to4^ —
 
 \'L 
 
 CAMBKTDGE AV^^ tIAT;; 
 
 :Y rcu....... ... _..,.,.... 
 
 close kinship unite 
 Blood is thicker than 
 constitute a physical ban 
 
 bridge shares, and, if possibi< 
 
 sp;r: 
 
 individuaii 
 
 Some unceriiiii'l 
 minds of the PuritaiJ tn ^ /:, in ui' 
 
 permanency of their Shav. ■.■.,■-. ,■■,., — i he slopes 
 of Trimount offered n ••■'•'■' !ii-^"'.M! ■ic -.^ fcjr mo'i-I 
 cultural purposes; th 
 Upon a seven-hundre( 
 f !ompletel;S'^ engirdled 
 grov,Uiwas serious. "Dn Li^ ) - -•'^,U'!"^A•i^'llii^-^"• -j 
 
 ^^Mt^AMi ^OT^OS' 3HT. «0 8W[lT9lV aUT ; 4.£,t J' ' <3Qaj: , 
 
 ,jrjaMAi; aaxaH ^aoMaovraqaciMl ao "^oixAaAJoaa 
 
 it^'tairi[ '"^^d ^M^aW^.^^ iiaiiTO a>iA .aaavail J'ja^ 
 
 .3D>iaMTM0a4
 
 Entrance to Old Granary Burying Ground, Tremont 
 Street; here lies John Hancock, Harvard Col- 
 lege 1754; THE Victims of the Boston Massacre 
 are bltiied here; also several signers of the 
 Declaration of Independence, Peter Faneuil, 
 Paul Revere, and other Personages of Historic 
 Prominence.
 
 VI. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE AND HARVARD COLLEGE 
 
 II^Y reason of common ancestry and interest, a 
 close kinship unites Cambridge and Boston. 
 Blood is thicker than water, even though the water 
 constitute a physical barrier between them. Cam- 
 bridge shares, and, if possible, intensifies the Boston 
 spirit; yet it has its own unique and well defined 
 individuality. 
 
 Some uncertainty seems to have persisted in the 
 minds of the Puritan founders of Boston as to the 
 permanency of their Shawmut location. The slopes 
 of Trimount offered a very limited area for agri- 
 cultural purposes; the settlers needed elbow room. 
 Upon a seven-hundred-acre, tongue of land almost 
 completely engirdled by water, the problem of 
 growth was serious. On the promontory, geograph- 
 ical contour simplified the matter of defence; so, in 
 selecting a site for a town further inland, protection 
 must be considered, along with the gained advan- 
 tages of soil and space. 
 
 83
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 In December, 1630, the settlers decided to begin 
 a new town at a spot nearly coincident with the 
 present Harvard square, and "Newtowne" it was 
 called for eight years. Here is a contemporary 
 account of Newtowne, by William Wood, author of 
 New England's Prospect, 1633: 
 
 "This place was first intended for a city, but, 
 upon more serious considerations, it was thought not 
 so fit, being too far from the sea, being the greatest 
 inconvenience it hath. This is one of the neatest 
 and best compacted towns in New England, having 
 many fair structures, with many handsome con- 
 trived streets. The inhabitants, most of them, are 
 very rich, and well stored with cattle of all sorts, 
 having many hundred acres of land paled in with 
 general fence, which is about a mile and a half long, 
 which secures all their weaker cattle from the wild 
 beasts." 
 
 Many of the Bostonians agreed to establish 
 homes in the new fortified town, including Governor 
 Winthrop, Thomas Dudley, the deputy governor, 
 and the "assistants," who constituted the council, or 
 legislative aids to the governor. Not all kept this 
 promise. Dudley built his house near what is now 
 Dunster street, two blocks from the Square. Win- 
 throp, however, changed his mind, and though he 
 actually built a house in Cambridge, he subsequently 
 removed it to his lot on the corner of Milk street 
 and old Corn Hill, in Boston. This frame dwelling 
 
 84
 
 Elmwood, Mt. Auburn Street, Cambridge; Birthplace 
 OF James Russell Lowell.
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 '•' ifvvi'iiii)M-r, 1030, liir -,viij<"i,-> decided to begin 
 .. . w town at a spot nearly coincident with the 
 present Harvard square, and "Newtowne" it was 
 called for eight years. Here is a contemporary 
 account of Newtowne, by William Wood, author of 
 New Englarid's Prospect, 1633: 
 
 ''This place was first intended for a city, but, 
 upon more serious considerations, it was thought not 
 so fit, being too far from the sea, being the greatest 
 inconvenience it hath. This is one of the neatest 
 and best compacted towns in New England, having 
 manj^ fair structures, with many handsome con- 
 trived streets. The inhabitants, most of them, are 
 very rich, and well stored with cattle of all sorts, 
 having many hundred acres of land paled in with 
 general fence, which is about a mile and a half long, 
 which secures all their weaker cattle from the wild 
 beasts." 
 
 Many of the Bostouians agreed to establish 
 homes in the new fortified town, including Governor 
 Winthrop, Thomas Dudley, the deputy governor, 
 and the "assistants," who constituted the council, or 
 legislative aids to the governor. Not all kept this 
 promise. Dudley built his house near what is now 
 • Dunster street, two blocks from the Square. Win- 
 throp, however, changed his mind, and though he 
 actually built a house in Cambridge, he subsequently 
 removed it to his lot on the corner of Milk street 
 and old Corn Hill, in Boston. This frame dwelling 
 aQAjqHTaia jaoQiaaMAO ^Taa^xg wnjauA .tM ,aoowMj3[
 
 
 7 
 
 '!H5- 
 
 .V^""^.,')^' 
 
 
 j^- r.:.:Vi 
 
 
 
 ^;^..- -- 
 
 
 i -'■
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 was his second Boston residence. The first South 
 Meeting House was built beside it, and afterward 
 our own Old South, in 1729. When the British 
 occupied the church, they pulled the ancient mansion 
 to pieces and used it for fuel. 
 
 The "paling," a tall barrier of stout logs, extended 
 from the Charles river to the creek that formed 
 the north boundary of the town. It crossed the 
 land now occupied by the College, on a line passing 
 through or near the site of Gore Hall. No assault 
 upon the paling is recorded, and as a defence against 
 the Indians it need not have been built, since they 
 were not of a menacing breed or disposition. 
 
 In his Wonder -Working Providence, Edward 
 Johnson, whom we have had previous occasion to 
 quote, wrote: 
 
 "When they had scarce houses to shelter them- 
 selves and no doores to hinder the Indians access to 
 
 all they had in them yet had they none of 
 
 their food or stuffe diminished, neither children nor 
 wives hurt in any measure, although the Indians 
 came commonly to them at those times, much 
 hungry belly (as they used to say) and were then in 
 number and strength beyond the English by far." 
 
 This friendliness on the part of the aborigines was 
 due to the conciliatory attitude of the colonists 
 toward them; consider this injunction, which the 
 settlers made their rule in dealing with the Indians: 
 
 "If any of the salvages pretend right of inheri- 
 
 86
 
 The Vassall House, Headquarters or Washington, 
 
 177 5- 1776; ALSO CALLED CR.A.IGIE HoUSE AND LONG- 
 FELLOW House; in the Foregrol^nd, Longfellow 
 Park.
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 was his second Boston residence. The first South 
 Meeting House was built beside it, and afterward 
 our own Old South, in 1729. When the British 
 occupied the church, they pull^^'^ ^^ " "> •'""! .^^'».iLi,,n 
 to pieces and used it for fuel. 
 
 The "paling," a tall hnrrier of stout logs, extended 
 from the Charles rive i-reek that formed 
 
 i I ) 1 • ! ! < r I r I u oundary of the tow i crossed the 
 
 land now occupied by the College, on a line passing 
 through or near the site of Gore Hall. No assault 
 upon the paling is recorded, and as a defence against 
 the Indians it need not have been built, since they 
 were not of a menacing breed or disposition. 
 
 In his Wonder-Working Providence y Edward 
 Johnson, whom we have had previous occasion to 
 quote, wrote: 
 
 "When they had scarce houses to shelter them- 
 selves and no doores lo hinder the Indians access to 
 all they had in them bad they none of 
 
 their food or stuffe diminished, neither children nor 
 wives hurt in any measure, although the Indians 
 came commonly to them at those times, much 
 hungry belly (as they used to say) and were then in 
 number and strength beyond the English by far.'* 
 
 This friendliness on the part of the aborigines was 
 due to the conciliatory attitude of the colonists 
 toward them; consider this injunction, which the 
 ,8Kttl3MHi8U^e'gldtteKaa:iiiB^i]p»al^ffir^2wdli tJOEAiBAJfeii^T 
 
 wojjaio>io'J jawjo^oaLaoi auT ki ;a2uoH wojjai 
 
 86 -^^^"^
 
 
 
 ,^J^ 

 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 tance to all or any part of the lands granted in our 
 patent, wee pray you endeavor to purchase their 
 tytle, that wee maye avoide the least scruple of 
 intrusion." 
 
 In spite of the intention of its founders, Cam- 
 bridge failed to become the metropolis of Massachu- 
 setts. The Boston people did not flock thither; a 
 Boston man hates to leave home, and the feehng 
 seems to have taken shape very early in the history 
 of the city. Although the General Court convened 
 in Cambridge for a period, the town was never more 
 than a considered possibility as a permanent capital. 
 But as time passed, Cambridge came to occupy a 
 position of fine distinction among New England 
 cities. 
 
 In October, 1636, the General Court appropriated 
 ^400 "towards a school or college, whereof X^OO to 
 be paid the next year and ;£^200 when the work is 
 finished, and the next Court to appoint where and 
 what building." In 1639 it was "ordered that the 
 College agreed upon formerly to be built at Cam- 
 bridge shall be called Harvard College." This was 
 the year in which Stephen Daye started a printery 
 in Cambridge, on a borrowed capital of ^51, the 
 first printing establishment in New England. 
 
 John Harvard gave his library and half hjs estate 
 to the college, and in his honor the institution was 
 named. Nearby, Master Corlett conducted a public 
 grammar and preparatory school for fifty years. 
 
 88
 
 Cambridge and Harvard College 
 
 He is said to have "very well approved himself for 
 his abilities, dexterity and painfulness in teaching 
 and educating of the youth under him." Painless 
 education is a modern invention, like other anesthetic 
 procedure. 
 
 WilhamWood, 1654, said of Harvard: "The 
 edifice is very faire and comely within and without, 
 
 having in it a spacious hall a large library, with 
 
 some books in it.'* The Italics are ours. 
 
 Edward Johnson refers to the college enclosure 
 as "the yard," and today one seldom hears of the 
 Harvard "campus." In old Newtowne days, the 
 portion of the present quadrangle adjacent to the 
 market place (now Harvard square) was called the 
 "cow-yard." Today it is still the "yard." 
 
 The first three Harvard buildings were old Har- 
 vard, old Stoughton, and Massachusetts. The last 
 mentioned, 1720, is the oldest college building now 
 standing. To rebuild Harvard and Stoughton, mon- 
 ey was raised by lotteries, authorized by the General 
 Court, and of one such lottery the college itself won 
 the capital prize, $10,000. The last was in 1811. 
 
 In Revolutionary times old Cambridge was a 
 center for loyalists, many of whom were forced to 
 leave the country, and suffer confiscation of their 
 homes. One of these, Lieutenant-Governor Thomas 
 Oliver, dwelt at Elmwood, afterwards the home of 
 the poet Lowell. He signed an enforced resignation 
 in 1774. During the war the house was used as a 
 
 89
 
 
 .^^-' 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 <«*^ -^ 
 
 — _. V .1 -^v--^^ , ( 
 
 
 r'^-^;^ 
 
 "Vi^' 
 
 -«--> i 
 
 ■■■■« 
 
 "',4' 
 ■'«. ^ 
 
 
 '1^ 
 
 
 
 JP'i y 

 
 ( 
 
 , AMBRIl 
 
 iiat sui 
 wav aru; 
 
 hospital. Later i 
 
 one of the ** signers, w!.. niii 
 
 afterwards vice-preside- "■ 1 1 r 
 
 quired the property iv 
 
 The house was built i 
 
 Elmwood, dating back 
 
 Lowell. 
 
 On a night neither recen 
 citizen going belatedly 
 encountered the oval it 
 Washington Elm. Hv 
 circuit several times, then 
 "Help, help, I'm locked in! 
 The old tree still survi 
 our New England climate 
 avail, may live indefinitely. 
 the spreading canopy under which Washington took 
 command of the American 1 75. It shares 
 
 with the Craigie homestead the In ; having 
 
 sheltered the great Coomia; "^' > originally 
 
 the estate of a rich Tor in Vassall. 
 
 General Washington took the house 
 
 in July, 1775, and chose . i1 use the 
 
 southeast chamber, w^here afi Wads- 
 
 worth Longfellow lived anti ,joet 
 
 himself guided many a visito historic 
 
 rooms, answering questioi ourtesy. 
 
 ; J jaH aK4y^4fieri?^3J^"^ q^v^^^Oi M'iM aivi-i > aiO <3?^ ts 
 -xa aHT TA .; jjaH JAiapMaM lo ijawoT am azpyaa . 
 &t greater momen^^^n^.yr J^^^^ .xM'aiiikT^-^"^" 
 
 91 
 
 "^atod rigors of 
 
 i orestrj.' 
 
 t has lost much of
 
 -M-- 
 
 The Old Gate of Harvard College; Harvard Hall; 
 BEYOND, the Tower OF Memorl\l Hall; at the Ex- 
 treme Left, Holden Chapel, 1744.
 
 Cambridge and Harvard College 
 
 hospital. Later it was occupied by Elbridge Gerry, 
 one of the "signers," who became governor, and 
 afterwards vice-president. The poet's father ac- 
 quired the property at the death of Mr. Gerry. 
 The house was built previous to 1760, its name, 
 Elmwood, dating back to the days of the elder 
 Lowell. 
 
 On a night neither recent nor remote, a Cambridge 
 citizen going belatedly home along Garden street, 
 encountered the oval iron fence that surrounds the 
 Washington Elm. He felt his way around the 
 circuit several times, then, terror-stricken, shouted, 
 "Help, help, I'm locked in!" 
 
 The old tree still survives the repeated rigors of 
 our New England climate, and if the new forestry 
 avail, may live indefinitely. But it has lost much of 
 the spreading canopy under which Washington took 
 command of the American army in 1775. It shares 
 with the Craigie homestead the honor of having 
 sheltered the great Commander. This was originally 
 the estate of a rich Tory, Colonel John Vassall. 
 General Washington took possession of the house 
 in July, 1775, and chose for his personal use the 
 southeast chamber, where afterward Henry Wads- 
 worth Longfellow lived and worked. The poet 
 himself guided many a visitor through the historic 
 rooms, answering questions with gentle courtesy. 
 
 No American city has association with events 
 of greater moment in our history than has Cam- 
 
 91
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 bridge. Six men of Cambridge fell in the battle 
 of Lexington. It was for many months the head- 
 quarters of the Revolution, and its citizens have 
 helped shape the destiny of the nation. And in that 
 golden generation of American letters just passed, 
 the Cambridge immortals shared gloriously in laying 
 the deep foundations of our national literature. 
 
 "Amid these fragments of heroic days. 
 When thought met deed with mutual passion's 
 
 leap, 
 There sits a fame whose silent trump makes 
 
 cheap 
 What short-lived rumor of ourselves we raise. 
 They had far other estimate of praise 
 Who stamped the signet of their souls so deep 
 In art and action, and whose memories keep 
 Their height like stars above our misty ways." 
 
 James Russell Lowell.
 
 iMt 
 
 The Head House, Marine Park, South Boston.
 
 Random Notes of Boston 
 
 bridge. Six men ot Cambridge fell in the battle 
 of Lexington. It was for many months the head- 
 quarters of the Revolution, and its citizens have 
 helped shape the destiny of the nation. And in that 
 golden generation of American letters just passed, 
 the Cambridge immortals shared gloriously in laying 
 the deep foundations of our national literature. 
 
 '■ V :',; Ml, .0 fragments of heroic days, 
 
 ' .1 M Light met deed with mutual passion's 
 
 leap, 
 There sits a fame whose silent trump makes 
 
 cheap 
 What short-lived rumor of ourselves we raise. 
 They had far other estimate of praise 
 Who stamped the signet of their souls so deep 
 In art and action, and whose memories keep 
 Their height like stars above our misty ways." 
 
 James Russell Lowell. 
 
 .Moxaoa IITU08 ,2iiAl a^MAM ,aauoH gasH anX
 
 T 
 
 ^' .M 
 
 
 ■ W > :t^ .?> 
 
 
 ^^^■ 

 
 ACKNOWLEDGMENT 
 
 The writer desires to express his obhgation to 
 Mr. Charles F. Read, of the Bostonian Society, for 
 many courtesies, and for the privilege of access to 
 the Society's library in the Old State House. 
 
 The following books have been especially useful: 
 
 Old Landmarks and Historic Personages of Boston, by 
 Samuel Adams Drake. Boston; Little, Brown & Co., 1906. 
 
 Historic Mansions and Highways Around Boston, by 
 Samuel Adams Drake. Boston; Little, Brown & Co., 1899. 
 
 Rambles in Old Boston, by E. G. Porter. Boston; Cupples, 
 Upham & Co., 1887. 
 
 Life of Phillips Brooks, by Alexander V. G. Allen. New 
 York; E. P. Dutton & Company, 1900. 
 
 The True Story of Paul Revere, by Charles Ferris Gettemy. 
 Boston; Little, Brown & Company, 1906. 
 
 The Life of Paul Revere, by Elbridge Henry Goss. Boston; 
 George Cupples, 1891. 
 
 John Hancock, by Lorenzo Sears. Boston; Little, Brown 
 & Company, 1912. 
 
 History of the Old South Church, by Hamilton Andrews 
 Hill. Boston; Houghton, Mifflin & Co., 1890. 
 
 History of the National Peace Jubilee, by P. S. Gilmore. 
 Boston; 1871. 
 
 The Public Library of the City of Boston, by Horace G. 
 Wadlin. Boston; 1911, 
 
 History of Cambridge, by Lucius R. Paige. Boston; H. O. 
 Houghton & Co., 1877. 
 
 Boston, A Guide Book, by Edwin M. Bacon. Boston; Ginn 
 & Company, 1903,
 
 '1 6.6'/ 
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 Santa Barbara 
 
 THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE 
 STAMPED BELOW. 
 
 Series 9482
 
 3 1205 02528 5923 
 
 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 
 
 AA 000 874 602 6