PREFACE.

THE following papers, though never before published in a volume, have appeared in the Journal, of which the author is Editor. They were "editorials"- "articles" written, that is to say, at one sitting, and printed from ink scarce dry. This will justify the name under which they appear-hurry-graphs-for the invention of which much wanted word, the author begs pardon till it comes into general use.

One other apologetic difference between this and books written at leisure the subjects have been chosen from nearness at hand, or from their occupancy of public attention at the moment, or from being apt to the interest or conversation of the passing hour. Some allowance should be made, perhaps, for the journalist who thus takes topics as they come, and writes without the advantage of prepared taste or previous attention.

They aro

One extraneous value may attach to these sketches. copies from the kaleidoscope of the hour. They are one man's imprint from parts of the world's doings at one place and time. New York, and what interested it in the middle of the nineteenth

century, will be a chapter for History to which this volume will contribute. The author, long ago, made up his mind that the unreal world was overworked-that the Past and Future were overvalued—and that the Immediate and Present, and what one saw occurring, and could truthfully describe, were as well worth the care and pains of authorship as what one could only imagine or take from hearsay. He has written, therefore, upon topics as the Hour presented them; and though his impressions and opinions might have been modified by keeping and re-considering, they have the value, as he hopes they will be allowed the apology, of hurry-graphs from life as it went by.

NEW YORK, March, 1851.

CONTENTS.

LETTER FROM PLYMOUTH.

PAGE

Politic Principle of Progress-Daniel Webster at table-Reason for

Midsummer Dinner at Plymouth-Description of Guests-Peculiarity

of "Influential Bostonians"-Their Contempt for Two Extremes-

Complimentary Speech to a certain Charming Person—Octogenarian's

Gallantry-Mr. Webster's "Hay-fever"-Picture of the Table-Judge

Warren-Webster's Speech on the Removal of the Cloth, its Topics

and Manner-Change of Tone and Feeling in the Parting Address—

Sketch of Mr. Webster's Countenance as left by Illness-Speeches by

Everett, Winthrop, Wayland and Others-Drive to Mr. Webster's

house at Marshfield-Its Good Example in one Point-Propriety of

Rural Retirement to distinguished Old Age-Look of Plymouth-The

Warren Homestead-Spirited Letter of John Adams-Letters of

Chippeway Chief and of King Philip.
11

LETTER FROM NEW BEDFORD.

Effect of Steamer Starting from the Wharf-Piece of a Town afloat-

The Phenixed Boat-Cost of Empire State-Vocation of Captain-

Spectacle of Supper in a Cabin Two Hundred and Fifty Feet Long-

Effect on Manners-Sumptuous Entertainment for Fifty Cents-Ex-

cuse for Statistics-New Bedford and its Wealth-Climate and Indus-

try-Geographic Peculiarities-"Placer" for Beauty-The Acushnet

-Old Fashioned Prejudices and Modern Luxury-Statesmanlike

Remedy for Decline of Local Trade and Industry-Proposed Visit to

the Raised Leg of New England, etc., etc.

24

vi

CONTENTS.

PAGE

LETTER FROM CAPE COD.

System and Monotony-Booted Leg of Massachusetts-First Step below

the Garter-Yarmouth and its Vertebral Street-Sentiment on Cape

Cod-Stage-driver's Plenipotentiary Vocation-Delicate Messages de-

livered in Public-More taste for Business than Rural Seclusion-

Sameness and Plainness of Building-Republican Equality-Cute Lad

-Yanno the Handsome Chief-Cape Cod Poetess-Comparative

Growth of Trees and Captains-Boxed Gardens-Misfortune of too

Good Company-Centenarian Servant known as "The Old Gentle-

man"-Man One Hundred and Nine Years Old, who had never been

out of Temper, etc., etc.

LETTER FROM CAPE COD.

Down the Ankle of Cape Cod to Heel and Instep-Amputated Limb of

a Town-Look of Thrift-Contentment on Barren Sand-Primitive

part of the Cape, unreached by Steam and Rails-Ladies' Polkas-

Statistics of Mackerel Fishery-Three Prominent Features of the

Cape, Grave Yards, School Houses and One other-Praiseworthy

Simplicity of Public Taste-Partial Defence of "Dandies"-The

"Blue Fish"-Class of Beauty on the Cape-Comparative Vegeta-

tion and Humanity, etc., etc.

LETTER FROM CAPE COD.

Lagging Pen-Sketch of Cape Cod Landladies-Relative Consequence

of Landlords-Luxury peculiar to Public Houses in this Part of the

Country-Old friend of "Morris and Willis"-Strap of the Cape Spur

-Land like "the Downs of England-Sea-farming and Land-farming

-Solitary Inn-Double Sleep-Hollow of Everett's Cape "Arm”—

Pear tree over two hundred years old-Native Accent and Emphasis

-Overworked Women-Contrivance to Keep the Soil from blowing

away-Bridge of Winds-Adaptability of Apple-trees-Features of

this Line of Towns-Curious Attachment to Native Soil-The Venice

of New England, etc., etc.