Laban's address, "Come in, thou blessed | which has undergone so many changes, or of the Lord," was the ordinary Oriental rather complete revolutions, should precompliment, while the inclusion of the serve so many traces of its original life camels in the invitation to come into the and thought. We suspect, however, that house is still kept up. The water to wash with the new interest in Palestine there the feet, the mode of negotiating the mar will be large accessions to this store of riage contract, the presenting of the gifts, parallels between the former times and and the management of the whole affair the present. We observe in this new by the parents, with the advice of the eld- edition of Dr. Thomson's work that the est son, however, are all in precise accord publishers have provided it with an enwith the customs of our time in Syria and tirely new set of illustrations, derived from Mesopotamia. fresh observations in Palestine. Having In taking leave of this first installment | been for nearly half a century an Amerof the new edition of Dr. Thomson's work, we can not forbear to express our admiration for his great fidelity to his original plan of tracing the truth of the Scriptures in the Oriental life of the present times, and for the important additions he has made to his group of evidences. Were it not for his array of indisputable facts, it would seem almost incredible that a land ican missionary in Palestine, Dr. Thomson has had better opportunities than any man now living for close observation of the life and habits of the people. In addition, he has made wise use of the labors of Warren, Wilson, Conder, and all the recent explorers sent out by the exploration societies of Great Britain, France, Germany, and America. THE IRON PEN, MADE FROM A FETTER OF BONNIVARD, THE PRISONER OF CHILLON; 66 THE HANDLE OF WOOD FROM THE FRIGATE CONSTITUTION," AND BOUND WITH A CIRCLET OF GOLD, INSET WITH THREE PRECIOUS STONES FROM SIBERIA, CEYLON, AND MAINE. I THOUGHT this Pen would arise From the casket where it lies Of itself would arise, and write When you gave it me under the pines, That this iron link from the chain Of Bonnivard might retain Some verse of the Poet who sang That this wood from the frigate's mast As it used to write on the sky But motionless as I wait, Like a Bishop lying in state Lies the Pen, with its mitre of gold, Then must I speak, and say That the light of that summer day I shall see you standing there, With the shadow on your face, I shall hear the sweet low tone Of a voice before unknown, Saying, "This is from me to you- And in words not idle and vain I shall answer, and thank you again For the gift, and the grace of the gift, O beautiful Helen of Maine! And forever this gift will be As a blessing from you to me, As a drop of the dew of your youth On the leaves of an aged tree. SEA-DRIFT FROM A NEW ENGLAND PORT. HE JEAVY and regular, like the recurrent strokes of a sledge-hammer, the hoofs of Sheriff Joshua Hempstead's horse strike the Norwich turnpike, and horse and rider, alike stout of heart and strong of limb, go lumbering on through the darkness. The dwellers in the scattered farm-houses, as they turn in their beds, recognize that steady thud, thud, and it gives them a sense of security, for they know that all rogues must flee before the valiant sheriff of New London. Every three miles he passes a tavern. At Dodge's, nearest the town, they are putting up the shutters, and a colored valet is endeavoring to persuade an inebriated gentleman to leave the basset table, and venture on what is sure to prove a tempestuous voyage, to his home just around the corner. At Fink's tavern, further on, fiddles and bassoon still keep up a jovial din, and flying silhouettes are OLD HEMPSTEAD HOUSE. thrown upon the window-shades, a kaleidoscopic panorama of ribboned queues and high combs on cushioned hair, for Fink's is the favorite tavern to which to drive for dances. The horses waiting in the shed, and harnessed to quaint sulkies, gigs, chaises, one-horse chairs, and phaetons-very different vehicles from those which bear the name nowadays (for this was during the war of the Revolution)—neigh to the powerful horse that strides over the road; and the sleepy hostlers and grooms shake themselves, and wonder what rascal is doomed now. Then they note the good points of the sheriff's horse, and tell how when a thief sprang down an "off-set" eight feet high, the horse leaped after him, and pinned him down by the clothing with his forefeet until his master could alight and secure him. At Horton's tavern all is dark and quiet, but Hempstead refreshes his horse at the trough, and the landlord, unbolting a shutter, first shows a nightcapped head, and then brings out a stirrup-cup to strengthen the arm of the law. On through the night, till at Norwich the sheriff secures his prisoners-two runaway sailors, who, having pocketed the bounty paid for enlisting, have determined to quit the service while they are still in a condition to enjoy it-and at early dawn he sets out again for New London, tying his prisoners together, and driving them before him. While still at a distance from the town he notices that the fastenings have become loosed, and that the sailors are free. He springs from his horse, but the men at the same instant exchange glances: their only safety is in separation, and they set out at a run in different directions. The sheriff plunges after one, but the other is already out of sight in the wood, and his escape seems very probable. Joshua Hempstead has returned to the place where he alighted from his horse, holding the arm of the unlucky sailor in his powerful clutch, but the animal which he neglected in his haste to fasten is no longer there. The captive grins at this contretemps; but a whinny is heard a little further on, and the sheriff drags his unwilling companion toward the sound. There stands the black horse, with his teeth in the collar of the other runaway. When his master had given chase to the first, he had comprehended the situation, and dashed after the other. Sheriff and deputy-sheriff return in triumph with their prisoners, and deputy is after this a public character in New London. He carried the dispatches between Boston and New London during the war, bringing the news of the battle of Bunker Hill in one day and night-a distance, as the road was then travelled, of one hundred and ten miles. And Joshua Hempstead was no light weight: "there were giants in those days." When lately the sheriff's bones were removed from one cemetery to another, men gazed with wonder at his colossal frame, whose huge jaw-bones would have fitted easily as a visor over any modern countenance. The work of New London during the Revolution was very much the same as Sheriff Joshua Hempstead's-that of furnishing sailors, willing or unwilling, for the American navy. The antiquarian, turning over snuff-colored files of the Connecticut Gazette, a little sheet published in New London during the Revolution, will be struck by the frequent insertion of notices such as the following: "All Gentlemen Volunteers who are desirous of making their fortunes in 8 weeks' time are hereby informed the fine Privateer called the New Broome, mounting 16 pieces and 4 Pounders, besides swivels, is now fitted out for an 8 weeks' cruise near Sandy Hook, in the Sound, and will have the best chance that there has been this War of taking Prizes. She only waits for a few more Men, and then will immediately sail for her cruise. The The call is repeated again and again, with very little variation except in the names of commanders and vessels. In the latter a grim humor is often displayed. New Broome, already mentioned, was evidently designed to become a "besom of destruction." The Wilful Murder and the Sturdy Beggar, both authentic names of privateers, strike a somewhat piratical key-note, but they were regularly commissioned vessels of war sailing under letters of marque and reprisal issued by the government, and stand in the relation of great-grandfathers to our present navy. The official history of the navy of the Revolution is comprised in the corsairlike exploits of these privateers. In December, 1775, Congress chose a committee for carrying into execution its resolutions for fitting out armed vessels. New London became the head-quarters for the Connecticut quota. Its fitness as a naval station is demonstrated by a re A REVOLUTIONARY RECRUITING OFFICE-PRIVATEERSMEN IN NEW LONDON. port made to the British government in 1774, before the breaking out of the Revolution: "New London, the best harbor in Connecticut, from the light-house at the mouth of the harbor to the town is about three miles, a breadth of threefourths of a mile, from five to six fathoms of water, and entirely secure and commodious one mile above the town for large ships. The principal trade is to the West India Islands, excepting now and then a vessel to Ireland and England, and a few to Gibraltar and Barbary. There are 72 sail now belonging to this district, in which there are 406 sea-faring men employed, besides upward of 20 sail of coasting vessels. Almost every sort of British manufactures are here imported, of £150,000 or £160,000 sterling per annum. The custom-house officers here are attentive to their duty, besides which this harbor is so situated that the coming in from the sea is between the east end of Long Island and Block Island, and by the west end of Fisher's Island, where the king's cruisers are generally upon the look-out, and very critical in examining the vessels they meet with," etc. Blank letters of marque were sent to the Governor of Connecticut, vessels were built and remodelled, notices requesting Gentlemen Volunteers" began to appear in the Gazette, and the work of enlisting went merrily on. Four captains' commissions were issued by Congress at this time-one to Dudley Saltonstall, of New London, who afterward rose to the rank of commodore. Among those receiving the rank of lieutenant at the same date was the famous John Paul Jones. Twenty-six vessels were fitted out from Connecticut, and sailed away to dispute the arrogant boast: "The winds and seas are Britain's wide domain, And not a sail but by permission spreads." Prizes as they were brought in were announced in the Gazette, and referred to the decision of the Maritime Court, where the owners of the property seized were summoned to appear and claim their goods, first having proved themselves loyal to the new government. The following summons is taken at random from a score of similar ones, and will serve as an example of the established procedure: "State of Connecticut, ss., To whom it may concern: County of New London. S "KNOW YE that Libels are filed before the Honorable Richard Law, Esq., Judge of the Maritime Court of New London, in Favour of John Murow, Commander, Elias Parshal, Owner, and the Men on board the Sloop Hulker, against two Whale Boats laden with British Goods taken on the 18 of March, 1781....In Favour of Amos Judson, Commander of Boat Revenge, and his Associates, against two trunks and a Box of European and India Goods seized and taken on Long Island....Which Whale Boats and Goods the Libellants claim as Lawful Prizes. The hearing of said Libels will be at New London the 17 Day of April, 1781: of which all persons claiming Property are to take due notice. Per Order of the Judge. WINTHROP SALTONSTALL, Regr." |