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troy the general belief of their writings. In the pages of Livy and Plutarch the grossest absurdities are mingled with that luminous narration of truths, which constitutes the excellency of their history. Is it any wonder that grave and pious men, in this secluded part of the world, should mention as facts in their narrative, what men of a wiser age cannot receive, and know to be absurd? But it does not deprive them of their reputation even for judgment, when we make proper allowance for the times in which they lived, and the prejudices of people in the early state of society. We may consider likewise what passed in the old countries of Europe, at this very period. There were men in Eng. land, and other places in that civilized part of the globe, as much the slaves of a credulous imagination, as the people who settled these plantations. No exception is made to the abilities and character of chief justice Hale, who lived years after Mr. Winthrop, yet, in certain parts of his writings, he discovers as much imbecility of mind, as we see in the pages of the New-England Jour nal.' p. 30.

A synod of our Congregational churches is a religious assembly, called on special occasions, for giving advice and counsel in case of difficulty. It consists of the ministers and lay messengers, such as each religious society chooses to send, who debate upon the subject before them, and present the result for the approbation of the brethren of the several churches. No synod is allowed to pass censures, or to exert authority, jurisdiction, or discipline ; but the weight of their opinion is very considerable, and had no small influence in the early settlement of Massachusetts.' p. 32.

In the same year, three very eminent divines of this country were invit ed to the famous assembly of Westminster. The letter, which was sent to them, is preserved in Hutchinson's History, signed by several of the nobility and members of the lower house, as well as the ministers, who then made a figure in England, and had influence among the members of that ecclesiastical body. Mr. Cotton, minister of Boston, was first of the three, to whom probably the letter was directed, and who thought it a call of God, which he ought to obey. Mr. Hooker

and Mr. Davenport, both of Connecticut, were joined with him; but did not receive the invitation with the same lively and impressive force. One supposed it unnecessary to go so far upon a business of this nature, and the other could not feel it his duty to leave his church, where he certainly was very useful. These gentlemen had all written upon church government; they differed in some opinions of discipline, but were all sound in the faith of what were then called the doctrines of the Reformation.' p. 39.

In the year 1646 was the second sy. nod at Cambridge. This year also was a body of laws composed; and that they might be agreeable to the scriptures, there were appointed in every county two magistrates, two ministers, and two able persons among the people; these were confirmed by the General Court in 1648. p. 49.

In page 32, the first synod is said to have been in 1677. Such mistakes, in writing or printing, ought to be avoided with extrem

est care in the volumes of a learned society.

Art. 2. Memoir and poem of Stephen Parmenius of Buda.' p. 49. This is a Latin composition, celebrating the voyage of Sir Humphrey Gilbert, in 319 hexameter verses. Though many of the lines run with ease, and some few rise to elegance, yet we cannot but infer a plentiful lack' of materials, when such a poem, and still more such a translation, are imposed on the purchasers of Historical Collections.' Of the latter, if the rea

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der can find any ten lines, which have either the sense we expect in prose, or the sound we seek in poetry, he will be more successful than we have been. The memoir

prefixed is a neatly written and satisfactory morceau; as is that of the Moheagan Indians,' which forms the succeeding article of this volume. p. 75.

'On the authenticity and correctness of this account you may entirely rely ;

for, in passing through Moheagan, the last of September, I obtained it of James Haughton, Esquire, one of the Overseers of this tribe, who lives within its limits. To this paper, which is exactly copied, I have nothing to add, respecting the present state of the Moheagans, but what that gentleman related to me : That the land belong. ing to these Indians, consists of about 2700 acres; that it was holden by them in common, till the year 1790, when it was divided to each family, by the legislature of Connecticut; that a convenient school house has been built for the benefit of their children by the le

gislature; that John Cooper, the rich-
est man in the tribe, possessing a yoke
of oxen and two cows, was then their
religious teacher; that there were not
more than 80 persons of this tribe re-
maining; and that, with all their ad-
vantages for improvement in agricul
ture and other useful knowledge, they
were still distinguished by the charac-
teristick indolence, intemperance, and
improvidence of Indians. A. HOLMES.
Feb. 1, 1804.'
p. 75.
Extract from an Indian his-

4. tory.' p. 99.

5. Journal of the siege of York, in Virginia, by a chaplain of the American army.' p. 102. At this distance of time to republish the hasty memoranda made by zealous, though honest and well-meaning partizans, seems to have no

excuse.

The virulent hatred of Britain, and devotedness to France, which appears in this paper, does not argue the good sense, if it consist with the christian character of the writer.

6. Memoir of Ebenezer Grant Marsh, from Dr. Dana's funeral discourse.' A judicious commendation of a man of much value and vast promise.

6

7, 8, 9, 10. Topographical descriptions of Catskill, N.Y. (p. 111), Newton, N.Y. (p. 120), and of Brimfield, (p. 127) by Rev. Clark Brown; and of Waterford, (p. 137) by Rev. Lincoln Ripley.' These articles, displaying considerable local knowVol. V. No. I.

F

ledge, contain no striking excel-
lencies, or gross faults.

11. Chronological and topo-
graphical account of Dorchester,by
Rev. T. M. Harris.' p. 147. This
is a production of an higher char-
acter than either of the former,
No. 1 excepted; and with that it
may be considered, as disputing
the palm, for industrious research
and successful inquiry concerning
events and characters. Compar-
ed not only with the other pages
of this volume, but with similar
tracts in those preceding, it must
be pronounced one of the three
most complete, ingenious, and ele-
gant pieces of topography. Let
our readers decide for themselves
between the descriptions of Dor-
chester, Newtown, and Cambridge.

In giving an account of Dorchester, I propose beginning with some particulars respecting the first settlement and subsequent history of the town, extracted from authentick records, and recited principally in the words of those who relate the facts; next describe the ancient boundaries and present situation of the town, interspersed with such topographical remarks as seem worthy of notice; and then furnish some brief biographical anecdotes of the former ministers, and others, whose talents and virtues claim a grateful remembrance.' p. 147.

These several topicks are treated
in order; all judiciously, the last
It is diffi-
with peculiar felicity.
cult to exhibit, in such short ex-
tracts as are allowable, the features
and colouring of a piece like this.
A few scraps only can be given as
specimens.

This settlement was formed a month or two before Governour Winthrop, and the people that came in ships with him, arrived at Charlestown; so that Dor

chester is the oldest town in the Massachusetts colony, except Salem and Charlestown. p. 149.

'After the departure of the first settlers, [they removed to Windsor, Connec

ticut, in 1635] there was an essay towards gathering a new church in Dorchester, April 1, 1636; but as the messengers of the churches convened for the purpose were not satisfied concerning some that were intended members of that foundation, the work was deferred until August 23, when a church was constituted according to the order of the Gospel, by confession and profession of faith, and Rev. Mr. Richard Mather was chosen teacher.

At this period the records of the church begin; and they not only contain many minute particulars respecting the discipline of its own members, and entries of admissions, deaths, baptisms, &c. but, as Mather was a very eminent man and employed at all the synods, councils, and ordinations in the province, the annals of the church of Dorchester, during the time of his ministry, more than thirty years, are a brief ecclesiastical history of this part of the country.' p. 154.

1695. October 22. A church was gathered in this town, and Mr. Joseph Lord (who had been sometime employed as a school-master) was ordained to its pastoral charge. The church was formed with a design to remove to South-Carolina, "to encourage the settlement of churches and the promotion of religion in the southern plantations." The assisting churches were from Boston, Charlestown, Roxbury, Milton, and New-Cambridge. Mr. Lord preached from Matth. v. 15. Ye are the salt of the earth. Mr. Morton gave the charge, and Mr. Hobart the right hand of fellowship.' p. 156.

In honour of the place from which they emigrated, they named their new settlement Dorchester. It is situated on the north-east bank of Ashley river, and about eighteen miles west northwest of Charleston.' p. 157.

The first mill built in Dorchester, and the first in the colony' was erected by Mr. Stoughton, by leave of the plantation, on Neponsit river, in the you 1033.

There are now belonging to the town ten mills; viz. three paper mills, two chocolate mills, three grist mills, and two fulling mills, situated on Neponsit river, and a grist tide-mill on a creek which runs up from the mouth of the river on the easterly part of the town,' p. 164.

When a new church was gathered

at Dorchester, Rev. Richard Mather was installed the pastor. He was born at Lowton in the parish of Winwick and county of Lancaster, in Great-Britain, in the year 1596. p. 170.

'He sailed for New-England, May 23, 1635. Two of his sons, who were ministers, came with him, also Jonathan Mitchil, then only a child of eleven years of age; afterwards the famous pastor of the church at Cambridge. The ship encountered a most violent and dangerous hurricane on the American coast, but providentially arrived safe in Boston harbour, August 17, 1635.

Mr. Mather tarried some months with his wife and family in Boston. Immediately several invitations were made to him from Plymouth, Roxbury, and other towns to settle with them; but by the advice of Messrs. Cotton, Hooker, and other friends, he accepted the request from Dorchester, and began the gathering and forming a church there (the first church having moved with Rev. Mr. Wareham to Connecticut) in August, 1636; and on the 23d of that month was constituted their teacher.

Notwithstanding many pressing invitations to return to his people in England, he continued in Dorchester till his death.' p. 171.

'As he was attending the synod at Boston, of which he was chosen moderator, he was taken with a violent fit of the stone, which in five days put a period to his life, April 12, 1669, in the seventy-third year of his age.' p. 172.

He left four sons in the ministry, one of whom, Eleazer, pastor of the church at Northampton, died about three months after his father. Samuel was teacher of a church in Dublin in Ireland; Nathaniel minister of Barnstable in Devon, Great-Britain, and afterwards of Rotterdam in Holland; and Increase, minister of Boston in New-England.' p. 172.

. 1650. William Stoughton, A.M. son of Col. Israel Stoughton. "A person of eminent qualifications, honour able extract, liberal education, and singular piety." For a number of years he was a preacher of the gospel, with great acceptance. His sermon at the annual election (April 29, 1668) has been ranked" among the very best delivered on that occasion."

He was ambassador from the province of Massachusetts to the court of Great-Britain, chief justice of the su

periour court; lieutenant governour under Sir William Phipps, and after him commander in chief till the coming of his excellency Richard Earl of Belmont; lieut. governour with him during his stay in the country; and after him commander in chief again till his death. He deceased July 7, 1701, aged 70. He was interred at Dorchester, July 15, "with great honour and solemnity, and with him much of New-England's glory."

The incription on his monument is published in the Collections of the Historical Society, vol. ii. page 10.

He was a generous benefactor to Harvard College. Stoughton hall was erected at his expense. He also left a tract of land in Dorchester for the support of scholars at the college, and another for the benefit of publick schools in the town. p. 180. Graduated This gentleman was a descendant from one of the most ancient and pious families in New-England; and inherited and exemplified their simplicity of manners, sincerity, purity, and piety.

Noah Clap, A. M.

For several years he was excercised in various places as a preacher of the gospel, but on account of the precarious state of his health never settled in the ministry.

For eighteen years he kept the grammar school in Dorchester; for more than thirty was treasurer and selectman: and for forty-seven was town clerk.

He was a great antiquarian, and had stored up a vast fund of information respecting the early settlement and history of this country. The late Dr. Belknap found great assistance in his most interesting researches from consulting him.

He deceased April 10, 1799, aged 82; leaving behind him a widow and six children.

A tribute of respect was paid to his memory, by the writer of this, on the Lord's day after his decease, in a sermon from those words, 2 Corinthians i. 12, in themselves strikingly descriptive of his manners, his conversation, his life, and his hope.' p. 187.

12. Notes on Compton.' p. 199. Passable.

13. Biographical memoirs of William Fisk, Esq.' p. 206.

14. History of Penobscott Indians, by Hon. J. Sullivan.' p. 207. In this are contained many facts; and as the composition passed under the inspection of a committee of literary character, it probably underwent much correction; it is not so incorrect as the other publications of the writer. More ought, however, to have been done by the censors of the press.

How the nations of American savages found their way from the other continent to this, remains in the common field of conjecture, where every antiquarian has a right to rove as his imagination shall prompt him, and will, no doubt, for ever remain there.' p. 229.

Quere. What or who will remain there? Imagination, or antiquarians ?

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ternoon, on the sabbath, the first of March, 1801, we had an earthquake of considerable extent. The sound, which lasted about twenty, or possibly thirty seconds, appeared to come from the north-west. From its strength and rumbling nature, it could not easily be distinguished from the noise of a coach passing moderately over frozen ground. Some, who were in their houses, at first, thought that their chimnies were on fire and directly their windows began to clatter, as, in that case they sometimes do. Scarcely any, however, by the time the noise ceased, doubted its real cause. A tremulous motion was perceptible in all parts of Portsmouth. It was more so, I believe, at the Episcopal church, which stands on a considerable eminence nigh the river, than at any of our churches. In the south church,this tremulous motion was noticed by people who were sitting, although it was not sufficient for me to perceive it, as I stood in the pulpit. At one house, standing on our highest land within the town plat, it threw down a waiter, which stood edgewise under a table. At another house, where the situation was much lower, the jar was great enough to strike a little bell, which was fixed in such a manner that the tongue rested on its side. In various instances, there was a gentle clattering on shelves of crockery ware. Cattle and fowls exhibited signs of fear, as is common in time of an earthquake. The shock was noticed on board of vessels in our harbour. At Durham the people immediately retired from the house of worship.' p. 233.

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The abundant production of mineral ores, and the important manufacture dependent upon their discovery, have not frequently been the subject of investigation in our country. The art of metallurgy and the discovery of iron may probably be classed among the antediluvian events, and from high antiquity iron has been held in estimation, as the most useful of all the metals. We have in the writings of Moses, who was born more than 1500 years before the christian era, ample proof, that even prior to his days furna

ces

were constructed, by the aid of which iron was extracted from its ores, and by the skill of the artists converted into swords, knives, axes, &c.* Since that period men have acquired the art, not only of converting iron into the ordinary instruments of agriculture and utensils of domestick life, but into the more formidable weapons of war. It is from the discovery of iron, that we are indebted for the rods, which shield our dwellings from lightning, and for the compass, that invaluable guide to the mariner. p. 253.

The generating principle and process of nature in producing iron ore in these ponds afford a phenomenon, which will probably elude the assiduity of philosophical research. The period of its growth is supposed to be about twenty five years; and it is found in various depths of water from two to twenty feet. A man accustomed to the employment being in a small boat, with an instrument similar to oyster tongs, can raise from its watry bed about half a ton of this ore in a day.' p. 254.

The first furnace for melting iron ore, known in the county of Plymouth, was erected in the year 1702, by Lamly of Barkers, his associates, at the bert Despard (a founder) and the famimouth of Mattakesset pond in the town of Pembroke, but the wood in the vicinity being exhausted, the works were long since abandoned.' p. 258.

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