streets and squares. Near the center of this tract, and about two miles from the City Hall, are the memorable "Dorchester Hights," famous in revolutionary history, which rise 130 feet above the sea, furnishing from their summits a magnificent view of Boston, its harbor, and the surrounding country. One of these elevations is now occupied by a capacious reservoir of the Boston water-works. On these hights the Americans under Washington, in 1775, erected a fortification, which soon compelled the British to evacuate Boston.

The State House, crowning the summit of Beacon Hill, the most elevated spot in Boston, has a most commanding situation. It gives character to the distant view of the city from whatever direction it is approached. The site was purchased from the estate of JOHN HANCOCK, the patriot, and is called in the deed "Governor Hancock's pasture." The venerable mansion of Gov. Hancock is hard by, and is the only relic which has withstood the march of modern improvement in this part of the city. The corner-stone of the State House was laid on the 4th of July, by the venerable Samuel Adams, who succeeded Hancock as governor of the commonwealth. It is 173 feet in length, and 61 in breadth, and its foundation is 110 feet above the level of the The hight of the lantern on the top of the dome is 110 feet: the dome itself is 50 feet in diameter, and 30 in hight. It is ascended by a spiral stairway on the inside, and from its top is presented one of the most interesting and magnificent spectacles in this country, comprising the harbor, bay, and surrounding cities, towns, villages, and places of historic interest.

sea.

The old State House still stands on State and Washington streets. On this spot was the seat of government in Massachusetts for 140 years. The first building was constructed in 1659, the second in 1714, and the present in 1748. Since the removal of the capitol to Beacon Hill in 1798, the old State House has been used for a city hall and postoffice, and more recently for stores and offices for men of business. A few rods from this building, fronting State street (formerly King street) on the night of the 5th of March, 1770, the "Boston massacre" took place. The presence of an insolent military force, sent over to overawe the inhabitants, was extremely irksome to a free people, and it could not be expected that harmony could long subsist between the inhabitants of Boston and the British troops. A slight affray took place between them on the 2d of March; but on the night of the 5th the enmity of the parties burst forth in violence and blood. To commemorate the bloody tragedy which ensued, an anniversary oration was instituted in Boston, which was annually pronounced by some distinguished citizen until the close of the revolution. The following details of the "Boston Massacre" are from "Snow's History of Boston:

"The officers were apprehensive of difficulties, and were particularly active in their endeavors to get all their men into their barracks before night. Murray's Barracks, so called, where the 14th regiment was principally quartered, were in Brattle street, in the buildings directly opposite the little alley which leads from the bottom of Market street. The 29th regiment was quartered in Water street and in Atkinson street. As a measure

of precaution, there was a sentinel stationed in the alley before mentioned (then called Boylston's alley), and this very circumstance led to the quarrel which terminated in the Boston massacre. Three or four young men, who were disposed to go through the alley, about nine o'clock, observed the sentinel brandishing his sword against the walls and striking fire for his own amusement. They offered to pass him and were challenged, but persisted in their attempt, and one of them received a slight wound on his head. The bustle of this rencounter drew together all those who were passing by, and 15 or 20 persons thronged the alley, and 30 or 40 more, gathered in Dock square, were attempting to force their way to the barracks, through Brattle street (which was at that time so narrow that a carriage could, with difficulty, pass). Being foiled in this attempt, the party, which was continually increased by accessions, gathered in Dock square round a tall man with a red cloak and white wig, to whom they listened with close attention two or three minutes, and then gave three cheers and huzzaed for the main guard.

“The main guard was regularly stationed near the head of State street, directly opposite the door on the south side of the town house. To this place all the soldiers detached for guard duty were daily brought, and from thence marched to the particular posts assigned them. On this day the command of the guard had devolved on Capt. Thomas Preston, and Lieut. Basset under him.

"As the party dispersed from Dock square, some ran up Cornhill, others up Wilson's lane, others up Royal Exchange lane, (now Exchange street.) These last found a single sentinel stationed before the door of the custom house, which was the building now occupied by the Union Bank, and then made one corner of that lane, as the Royal Exchange tavern did the other. As the sentinel was approached, he retreated to the steps of the house, and alarmed the inmates by three or four powerful knocks at the door. Word was sent to Lieut. Basset that the sentinel was attacked by the town's people. He immediately sent a message to his captain, who instantly repaired to the guard-house, where Lieut. Basset informed him that he had just sent a sergeant and six men to assist the sentry at the custom house. 'Well,' said the captain, I will follow them and see they do no mischief. overtook them before they reached the custom house, where they joined the sentinel and formed a half circle round the steps.

He

"By this time the bells were set to ringing, and people flocked from all quarters, supposing there was fire. The soldiers were soon surrounded; many of those nearest to them were armed with clubs and crowded close upon them; those at a distance began to throw sticks of wood and snow-balls, and pieces of ice at them, while from all sides they were challenged to Fire, fire, if you dare! At last they thought they heard the order given, and they did fire in succession from right to left. Two or three of the guns flashed, but the rest were fatal. Crispus Attucks, Samuel Gray, and James Caldwell, were killed on the spot, Samuel Maverick and Patrick Carr received mortal wounds, of which the former died the next morning, and Carr, on the Wednesday of the next week. Several other persons, were more or less injured: the greater part, persons passing, by chance, or quiet spectators of the scene. The people instantly retreated, leaving the three unhappy men on the ground. All this transpired within 20 minutes from the time of Capt. Preston's joining the guard.

"On the people's assembling again,' says Capt. P., 'to take away the dead bodies, the soldiers, supposing them coming to attack them, were making ready to fire again-which I prevented by striking up their fire-locks with my hand. Immediately after, a townsman came and told me that 4 or 5,000 people were assembled in the next street, and had sworn to take my life, with every man's with me; on which I judged it unsafe to remain there any longer, and, therefore, sent the party and sentry to the main guard, where the street is narrow and short, then, telling them off into street firings, divided and planted them at each end of the street to secure their rear, expecting an attack, as there was a constant cry of the inhabitants, 'To arms, to arms, turn out with your guns!' and the town drums beating to arms. I ordered my drum to beat to arms, and being soon after joined by the several companies of the 29th regiment, I formed them, as the guard, into street firings. The 14th regiment also got under arms, but remained at their barracks. I immediately sent a sergeant with a party to Col. Dalrymple, the commanding officer, to acquaint him with every particular. Several officers going to join their regiment, were knocked down by the mob, one very much wounded and his sword taken from him. The lieutenant gov ernor and Col. Carr soon after met at the head of the 29th regiment, and agreed that the regiment should retire to their barracks, and the people to their houses; but I kept the piquet to strengthen the guard. It was with great difficulty that the lieutenant governor prevailed on the people to be quiet and retire; at last they all went off except about 100.' This 100 was composed of some of the most distinguished inhabitants, who volunteered to form a citizens' guard.

"A justice's court was forthwith held, and Capt. Preston surrendered himself, and was

committed to prison, at three the next morning; the eight soldiers also were committed early in the forenoon.

"At 11 o'clock a town meeting was held. Various persons related to the assembly what they had witnessed of the events of the preceding day. A committee of 15 was appointed to wait on the lieutenant-governor and Col. Dalrymple, and express to them the sentiment of the town, that it was impossible for the soldiers and inhabitants to live in safety together, and their fervent prayer for the immediate removal of the former. The answer received to this application was not such as was wished; and in the afternoon, seven of the first committee, viz: John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Wm. Molineux, Wm. Philips, Joseph Warren, Joshua Henshaw, and Samuel Pemberton, were again deputed with the following message: It is the unanimous opinion of this meeting, that the reply made to a vote of the inhabitants presented his honor this morning, is by no means satisfactory; and that nothing less will satisfy them, than a total and immediate removal of the troops.' Samuel Adams acted as 'chairman of this delegation,' and discharged its duties with an ability commensurate to the occasion. Col. Dalrymple was by the side of Hutchinson, who, at the head of the council, received them. He at first denied that he had power to grant the request. Adams plainly, in a few words, proved to him that he had the power by the charter. Hutchinson then consulted with Dalrymple in a whisper, the result of which was, a repetition of the offer to remove one of the regiments, the 14th, which had had no part in the massacre. At that critical moment Adams showed the most admirable presence of mind. Seeming not to represent, but to personify, the universal feeling, he stretched forth his arm, as if it were upheld by the strength of thousands, and with unhesitating promptness and dignified firmness replied, If the lieutenant-governor, or Col. Dalrymple, or both together, have authority to remove one regiment, they have authority to remove two; and nothing short of the total evacuation of the town, by all the regular troops, will satisfy the public mind or preserve the peace of the province.' The officers, civil and military, were in reality abashed, before this plain committee of a democratic assembly. They knew the imminent danger that impended; the very air was filled with the breathings of compressed indignation. They shrunk, fortunately shrunk, from all the arrogance which they had hitherto maintained. Their reliance on a standing army faltered before the undaunted, irresistible resolution of free unarmed citizens.

"Hutchinson consulted the council, and they gave him their unqualified advice, that the troops should be sent out of town. The commanding officer then pledged his word of honor that the demand of the town should be complied with, as soon as practicable; and both regiments were removed to the castle in less than 14 days.

"The funeral solemnities, which took place on Thursday, the 8th, brought together the greatest concourse that probably had ever assembled in America on one occasion. Attucks, who was a friendless mulatto, and Caldwell, who also was a stranger, were borne from Faneuil Hall; Maverick, who was about 17 years old, from his mother's house in Union street, and Gray from his brother's in Royal Exchange lane. The four hearses formed a junction in King street, and thence the procession marched, in columns of six deep, through the main street to the middle burial ground, where the four victims were deposited in one grave."

Boston Common, situated partly on the north-western declivity of Beacon Hill, comprises about 75 acres of land. With its beautiful malls or walks upon its whole border, shaded with majestic elms, some of which are over 100 years old, and its numerous cross-paths, graded and adorned with variegated shade trees, this spot is among the most delightful promenades in this country. One of its greatest charms is in its diversified natural surface. This fine park is inclosed by a costly iron fence one mile and 217 yards in length. Near the center is a beautiful little pond, from which a fountain throws up a jet of water from 80 to 90 feet. The public garden of 25 acres, is at the western border of the common.

Faneuil Hall Market is situated immediately east of Faneuil Hall, fronting on what was formerly called town dock. It extends 535 feet in length, and is 50 feet in width; the center part of the building 74 feet by 55, rises to the hight of 77 feet, and is surmounted by a beautiful dome. The wings are two stories in hight, and the lower floors

are exclusively appropriated as a meat, fish, and vegetable market. The upper story, called Quincy Hall, is one vast room or hall, so constructed as to be divided into several compartments for warerooms, or all thrown into one for large sales, fairs, or exhibitions of mechanical or agricultural products.

Faneuil Hall is three stories high, 100 feet by 80, and was the gift of Peter Faneuil, Esq., to the town in 1742. The building was mate

rially enlarged by additions to its width and hight in 1805. Before the new market was built, the lower part was used for meat stalls; it is now improved for stores. The great hall is 76 feet square and 28 feet high, with deep galleries on three sides, and capable of containing 6,000 persons standing. It is adorned with superb paintings of patriots, warriors, and statesmen, among which is the original full length portrait of Washington by Stuart. On the 14th of March, 1763, a speech was pronounced in the hall by James Otis, Jr., Esq., in which he dedicated it to the cause of freedom, a cause in which he labored and suffered, and it has since received the appellation of" The cradle of liberty."

The Merchants' Exchange is a magnificent structure, completed in 1842. It covers 13,000 feet of land. The Custom House is one of the most magnificent and elaborately finished buildings in the United States: it was commenced in 1837, and not fully completed until 1849. The whole cost, including the site, was about $1,076,000. It is situated between Long Wharf and Commercial Wharf, and is in the form of a Greek cross, surmounted over the transept by a dome, which, like the whole roof of the building, is entirely of granite tile to the sky-light. Its foundations rest on 3,000 piles driven in the most effective manner.

The Massachusetts Historical Society was incorporated in Feb. 1794. The object of this society is to collect, preserve, and communicate materials for a complete history of this country, and accounts of all valuable efforts of human ingenuity and industry, from the beginning of its settlement, etc. "The library consists principally of printed books and MSS. on American history, though by no means exclusively confined to it. It numbers near 6,000 articles, many of which are precious. The most ancient MSS. are, probably, a fragment of the laws of Hoel Dha, in Welsh, and a specimen, in a medical treatise, of the English language in the reign of Richard II, with an illuminated missal, and a few similar productions. Then follow autograph letters and treatises of several of the fathers of New England. A large collection of these, and of documents of a more recent date, had been made by Gov. Trumbull, of Connecticut, and are now bound in 23 volumes folio, the property of this society." The publications of the society have consisted almost entirely of their "COLLECTIONS.' These now extend to two de

cades, and six volumes of a third. Among the collections of the society, are a number of ancient and modern paintings of distinguished persons. Among these is a portrait of the first Gov. Winslow, supposed to have been painted by Vandyke.

The Boston Atheneum originated in 1806, and has now become a most valuable and splendid library, with all desirable conveniences for literary pursuits. There are more than 1,000 shares, and the privileges attached to them are so great that the institution is virtually almost a public one.

The imposing edifice now occupied by it, on Beacon street, with the land on which it stands, cost nearly $200,000. It contains the library, reading-room, picture gallery, and statuary gallery. One of its halls is occupied by the American academy of arts and sciences, whose library is accessible for consultation by proprietors of the atheneum; and this, added to their own library of about 60,000 volumes (in 1856). makes the largest collection of books, under one roof, in New England. The corner stone of the present building was laid in 1847, and the inscription on a silver plate, deposited beneath it, is the following:

"The corner stone of this building, dedicated to letters and the arts, by the proprietors of the Boston Atheneum, was laid on the 27th day of April, in the year of our Lord, 1847, and in the 41st year of the institution; which, founded by the exertions of William Smith Shaw, and other members of that association of ingenious scholars, 'the Anthology Club,' has, in later days, been enlarged and adorned by the generosity and public spirit of many contributors, and especially by the munificence of James Perkins, Thomas Handasyd Perkins, his brother, James Perkins, his son, and John Bromfield. Whenever this stone shall be removed, may it be only to improve and perpetuate the institution."

The Lowell Institute is one of the munificent institutions of Boston, established by the princely liberality of John Lowell, jr., Esq. By a legacy of $250,000, he has provided for the maintenance of public lectures, of the highest order, which are to be free to all the citizens, on the great subjects of natural and revealed religion, on literature, sciences, etc. The Massachusetts general hospital is one of the best institutions of the kind in the country. The McLean asylum for the insane; the Perkins institution for the education of the blind, and the Massachusetts school for teaching idiots, are all flourishing institutions. There are also a very large number of charitable societies of almost every kind.

There are about 120 churches in Boston, more than 100 of which have their regular places of worship. The oldest church edifice is that of Christ's Church [Episcopal], at the north part of the city, built in 1723. In the steeple of this church is a peal of eight bells, with an inscription on each. Two of these are as follows:

"We are the first ring of bells cast for the British empire of North America, A. R. 1744. God preserve the Church of England, 1744."

The old South meeting-house on Washington street, is the next building in age, having succeeded two others of wood on the same spot. It was opened for worship in 1730. Here Warren delivered his fearless oration on the anniversary of the massacre of 1770. When the British occupied Boston, the interior of this church was dismantled and converted into a riding school.

Boston is supplied with water from Lake Cochituate, conveyed in an aqueduct 20 miles to the city, and is capable of supplying from