Newspaper Page Text
No. 43 Vol. IV.
DESCRIPTIVE.
From the Kichiuoud Evan, and Lit. Magazine.
A JOURNEY IN NEW ENGLAND.
July 10 -th, 1822.
‘•* And what do you think of Boston?”
Ihis question has been proposed to a>e
.more than a hundred times; but the brief
answer which satisfies the inquiry here,
would be very unsatisfactory to you. i
must therefore enter into particulars, and
thus show you my opinion and the reasons
on which it is founded. I shall, however,
in very few words, depose of the locality
and the brick and mortar of the City. My
attention was not particularly directed to
matters of this son ; the state of mind and
heart iu Boston, was the subject of most in
teresting; inquiry.
I must, however, say that the situation of
Boston is, according to my taste, one ofsu
pereuiioent beauty. It is very advanta
geously seen from more than a hundred cm
inences iu the surrounding country: and
had the city been skilfully laid out, there
would not he a street ol any importance,
without a beautiful prospect, either of the
harbour, or of the country. But every
body knows that most of the streets are
crooked and narrow; and that the ancient
part of the city looks like a wilderness ol
bouses. Even now, I am obliged to etn
ploy ® guide to conduct me to such places
as 1 wish to visit, and back to my lodgings.
Yet 1 have no passion for squares and ritrht
angles. ‘I he perpetual recurrence of such
ungraceful figures and turnings, in my judg
ment, injures the beauty of Philadelphia.
But quemque trahit sua ~ voluptas. In inj
opinion, tuo, many of the streets in Boston
are of better width than those in Philadel
phia* or the wide streets in New York, un
less indeed double rows of trees are planted
on each side of the footways. A conveoi
eul space for the passage of vehicles and
sufficient room fur ventilation, is all that is
necessary. More than this allows our burn
ing summer sun to pour its flood of heat all
day on walls ansi pavements; which thus
become so heated as not to part during
night, with the calorick acquired iu the day.
And thus comfort is destroyed, and sickness
induced. Moderately narrow street-, big!,
houses, and narrow windows are, as 1 think,
adapted to our climate, and to all hot cli
mates.. Philadelphia is the hottest city in
the good old thirteen states, because it lias
the widest streets: I shall be thought quite
paradoxical, I know : but such is my opin
ion, and I throw it out for examination. In
our country, I am persuaded that every
measure which will shield us from rejlccted
•heat, tviii promote bolh health and comfort.
But there is reason in all things ; and in Bos
ton some ol the sheets are inconveniently
narrow, and unreasonably crooked.
There are many buildings of sufficient el
egance in this city : but most of the publick
edifices have nothing in them remarkable
The slate-house indeed is remarkable for
the beauty of its situation, and the prospect
of loveliness and grandeur which one has
from the top of its cupola. But the huild
r ing itself does not please my taste, and ihe
cupola is a perfect deformity. You know I
am no architect ; and I just speak of things
as they strike my own fancy. 1 have no
quarrel with the Bostonians about their pub
lick buildings; and although I Cannot praise
the architectural skill displayed in them, 1
cannot withhold my admiration of the num
ber of edifices consecrated lo objects of pub
lick utility. But of these I shall speak
hereafter. If you want more topical infor
inatioti concerning this metropolis of New-
England, yoi* will find it in ihe first volume
of Dr. Dwight’s Travels, recently publish
ed. I have not yet had the pleasure ol
reading the hook, hut on glancing over, 1
(ind he has devoted a number of pages to
Boston.
It was mentioned before, thal I arrived at
this place on the evening of the 3d I re
tired to rest about midnight so fatigued a
not to he able io get into a sound sleep un
til near daylight. And from this state of
profound repose, I was roused by the very
inopportune thundering of the bell of the
OH South Church almost over my head.
At first I thought that there was an alarm
of fire ; and determined to let the good peo
ple fight thi enemy themselves. But I was
soon convinced thal the fir-t impression was
erroneous—lt is the Fourth or July —said
I, and instantly sprung from iny bed. For
the dawn of this day alwajs brings such a
train of recollections, and awakens such
deep emotions, that as soon as its faint light
peeps through my casement, I am thorough
ly roused. My first business is to give thanks
• to the God of the whole earth, for the bles
sings & honour*, with which he has crowned
our country; and the next io recal to remem
brance the gallant deeds, and glorious ex
ploits of onr forefathers. And here I could
not but remember, that old Massachusetts
was even with the foremost in resisting the
claims of arbitrary power; that not far
from me was the field first stained with
blood in this contest; that much nearer was
the grave of Warren; that this state had
produced many men great in council, and
gallant in battle; that in those days of trial,
Virginia and Massachusetts were of one
heart and oue soul; —indeed thoughts cours
the missionary.
ed so swiftly through my mind, and feelings
rose so powerfully in my heart, that it
would be in vain to attempt a description of
the state in which I was placed.
After breakfast, I said, well I will turn
out and see how the Bostonians celebrate
the day of Independence. Some account
ot what I saw on this occasion may not be
unamusin#.
There had been a sort of levee— (Yes;
these descendants of the old Puritans use
the term)—there had been a sort of a le
vee at the residence of his Excellency— (!
am not sure that 1 have the court vocabu
lary hy heart, but I will avoid mistakes if
possible)—l say, there had been a sort of a
levee at the residence of his Excellency Ihe
Gov'ernonr, where were found bis Honour
the Lieutenant Governour, the Honourable
the Judges of the Supreme Court, Honour
able members of Congress, snperiour mili
tary officer-, &c. &c., who walked in pro
cession (o the Old South Church. At the
door of the church I joined the procession,
and we soon filled the house to overflowing.
In ihe first place, a hand of musicians vocal
atnd instrumental, performed sacred musick,
not equal lo vvliat we had heard at Spring
field—we next had a prayer, on which I
-hall offer no remark—then followed patri
olick and military musick. (Don’t think
now of Yankee-Doodle) —and finally an
oration by a Mr. Gray. The speech was
really well composed as regards language,
and contained many excellent sentiments.
But it was qu.te too local for my feeling-;
arid evidently had reference to u state of
things among the Bostonians, which I did
not veiy thoroughly understand. It was,
however, well received by the audience;
and the speaker sat down nmid-t thunders
of applause. I, however, heard one gen
tleman, who sat near me, exclaim—“ Bos
ton folks are full of notion-!”
From the Church the crowd proceeded
to the State house, where had been provi
ded an e.xceilent cold collation, sufficient
for five or jfix hundred persons. Alter due
honour had been shown to this provision,
wine of no mean flavour was served up, and
a number ol appropriate toasts, given bv
his Excellency, his Honour, and various lion
oiirablc gentlemen, were drunk, and applau-
Jed in the customary manner of stamping
with the feet and clapping with the hands.
Many ol the toasts, however, were in one
respect like the speech, they referred very
particularly to the g-od city of Boston.
There were several, however, who took
occasion to give sentiments, expressive of
great kindness lo Virginia. Hilarity arid
good feeling predominated, without the
least appearance of excess. And here I
must testify, to the praise of these people,
that, although I saw at least thirty thousand
of them on this day, I saw only one drunk
en man among (hem all. Would (hat I
could testify the same concerning the peo
ple of another good city, that you know!
Alter moderate indulgence in wine, the
company dispersed, and every man went
where it liked him best. In the evening.
His Honour, the Mayor of Boston, held a
levee. Some of our parly were desirous to
wait on him, and 1 accompanied them. On 1
arriving at ihe house, we found it crowded
io overflowing; hut we elbowed our way
through the crowd, made our bows, and pas
sed onr compliments to the gentleman and
lady, drank a glass of wine, partook of an
ice cream, and chatted the meanwhile, with
any who happened to be next to ns; and
then went to see the exhibition of fire work
got up at the expense of the corporation in
honour ol Independence. The envious
moon shone with an unclouded brightness,
which almost overpowered the light of the
fireworks, which otherwise woulJ have
been very brilliant. They were exhibited
in the large beautiful common which lies in
front of the state-house And here, as
nearly as 1 could conjecture, hven'y thou
sand person- were assembled to see Ihe
sight! 1 cared nothing for the exhibition,
hut I washed to see the people; and so I
walked through the immense crowd, heard
their good natured jokes, enjoyed the ir hi J
larily, ami did not return to rny lodging- un
til the whole multitude had dispersed. I
never saw so large an assemblage of per
sons before; and I rarely ever witnessed a
scene of greater order and propriety. I
could not help saying to myself, whatever
else the Bostonians may be, they are very
observant of publick decorum. By ten o’-
clock, all was as still and silent, as though
(here had been nothing to excite the popu
lation of the city.
Since the 4th, as opportunity has been
afforded, I have visited the publick institu
tions of the place, and examined the vari
ous means employed for promoting publick
improvement. One of the first objects to
which my attention is directed, on visiting
any of our cities, is the bookstores. Corn
hill then was, you may well suppose, an in
teresting place to me. It would be invidi
ous to distinguish individuals. On looking
over the shelves of many of the bibliopolists,
1 certainly saw reason to believe lhat hook
are in good demand in Boston, and that the
range of reading is pretty extensive. I,
however, found nothing here equal to (he
establishment of my friend Eastburu in
New York.
The New England Museum has a great
many objects; some were to me rare and
MOUNT ZION. (HANCOCK COUNTV, GEORGIA,) MONDAY, APRIL 7, 1823.
OO YE fWTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE.
cunous; but I think it quite inferionr to that
of reale m Philadelphia; the oldest per
haps, and certainly the most valuable in the
United States.
But ihe Boston Athenaeum is, bevond a
doubt, superiour to any other institution of
the kind in our country. It is kept in a
ui. ing very well adapted to the purpose,
and 19 particularly rich in Periodical Liter
ature; -t i.- also well supplied with works on
the history of our own country. I found
some books here, which I have not been
able to find any where else in the United
Mates A gentleman, whose name I think
is smith, not long ago, displayed his publick
spin!, and honoured himself by making a
donation lo the institution of $20,000. And
here, as well as elsewhere, I may observe,
that the people of 80-ton are remarkable
tor (his sort of munificence. It is quite
common tor wealthy men, either lo give
during life, or leave legacies, to institutions
designed lo promote publick improvement.
J he honour and psosperity of these estab
lishments are identified with the honour and
interest of individuals or families. And
there is no place in Ihe country where en
dowments are so common.
In addition to this, there is a roost merito
rious and beneficial attention paid'to schools
ol all kinds. At staled periods, examina
tions are held by committees appointed For
that purpose, and attended by the highest
officers of the state, and gentlemen most dis
tinguished tor abilities, attainments, and
standing in society. The calling of a teach
er is regarded as important; and the faith
lul and able are treated with much respect.
Men of character, then, are nota-hamed to
labour in Ibis vocation; and great encour
agement is given to men of talent to exert
themselves for the improvement of the
yoong. I think, that in this respect, Ihe
Bostonians are wiser than some of their
neighbours, who perhaps, are more solici
tous to get the thing done cheap than to get
it clone well.
I am not able to inform you what number
ot schools of all descriptions are supported
in Boston, i understand, however, that
there are enough lor (he education of all
the children, poor and rich, lhat live in the
city, i hat point, lo which I wish lo direct
jour particular attention, and which I there
fore menlidli again, although it has been ad
verted to before, is the cure that is taken io
the examination of the schools, A large
committee is annually chosen, and vested
with full powers for the due regulation and
improvement of these institutions; they are
required lo visit (he schools ever} 1 quarter,
and examine the pupils on the various
branches of study in which for the time,
they have been engaged; and the result of
this examination is laid before the publick.
this committee, I am informed, regularly
discharges the duly; so that both teachers
and pupils begin and go through the quar
ter with the expectation, lhat at Ihe close
their conduct and progress will be brought
under review. This has a powerful effect.
Indeed, it is not easy to see how a sctiool
system can be more efficient, than that in
Boston. This remark, with some qualifica
tions, applies to the whole state of Mass*,
chusetts. And it furnishes, in part, a solu
tion ofthe question, why primary sc'honls
have been hitherto, so inefficient in Virgin
ia. There is no responsibility in our sys
tem ; there are no regular examinations.
A poor child i put to school for three or
six months; and the order of the school
commissioner, the fee-hill of the teacher,
and the dralt on the county treasurer for
payment, are all the evidences ever laid
heiore the publick on this subject. The
child may have gone to school, or he may
have staid at home; may have been well
or ill taught; may have made good prog
ress in Ins learning, or no progress at all.—
How it is, we, the people, know not: All
that we know js, that $45,000 per annum
are appropriated to primary schools, and
that a great part of the money is not ac
counted lor. Surely, the wisdom of our
Legislature can find some remedy for this
evil. If not, the inefficiency of the system
w ill, ultimately, destroy itself; and another
example will be added to many others of
the want of enlightened perseverance id the
plans of Virginia.
The all important subject of religion is
closely connected with that of education,
and attracted much of my attrition. It is
one, however, of particular delicacy here;
because it has been made so much a matter
of controversy. I shall speak my mind free
ly, but I hope candidly, and without bitter
ness. For more than a century, Boston
was distinguished for its piety and ortho
doxy ; and was blessed with a number of
as able ministers of the gospel as ever
adorned any part of the American churches.
It was the fervent and active religion of
these men, that gave a cast to the institu
tions and habits of the citizens of Boston,
which even now is clearly perceived. They
are a church-going people ; they have a
very affectionate remembrance of their
forefathers, and are by no mean* fond of
change. The son loves to retain the pew
where his father and grandfather sat and
worshipped. I have never observed a
people among whom this feeling existed in
equal strength. Indeed, notwithstanding
the great changes which have taken place
io the manner #f preaching, and in the doc
trine of their religions teachers,! do believe
that qaaoy in that city and the country round
about, are unwilling to admit that there
has been any material change at all. The
preachers who have enlisted under the
standard of Unitarianism, have pot general
ly, and I believe not at all until lately,come
out openly against what we call orthodox
opinions. As they are distinguished rather
by what they do not, than by what they do
believe, so their preaching is said to be of
a negative character. What are called the
peculiar doctrines of the gospel, such as the
depravity of human nature, (he doctrines of
regeneration, of atonement, of sanctifica
tion by the Holy Spirit, are never mention
ed either for attack or ddfece. But what
are called the moral vMis, such as hou
esty,industry, gratitude, charily, &c. are
the subjects of brief discourses, composed
cyith elegance and delivered with a cold
propriety which southern hearers would
think soporilick. 1 must confess, however,
that what I state on this subject i- chiefly
the result of information, not of actual ob
servation. Indeed, 1 had the opportunity
ot hearing only one sermon while in Bos
ton. It was the Thursday lecture, which
I was told had been kept up for at least a
century, and was once attended by thou
sands. The morning when I attended,was
that of the 4th of July. And really I did
not find Ihe people more disposed to go to
church on that day than I had seen them in
many other places. The party which went
with us consisting of five persons, compos
ed the majority of the congregation. Ido
not think this a fair criterion, and indeed I
do not derive any inferences from this soli
tary instance. From Ihe very nature ofthe
system of Unitarianism, where it excites
no controversy, I think that it takes no
powerful grasp on Ihe affections. It is so
indifferent to modes of faith ; it represents
heaven of so easy attainment; it is so gene
ral in all its doctrines ; so vague iu its de
votional exercises, that l see not how it can
lay hold on the human heart and exert a
mighty efficiency there. Indeed it seems
hardly worth while to support religions
worship, and be at Ihe trouble of going lo
church, when the whole affair has so little
connexion with salvation. And should Ihe
effects of former discipline and former hab
its be worn out, or should the Unitarians
ever be placed in a stale of society subject
only to their own system, I do verily believe
that the affairs of religion would excite
very little interest, and he found lo produce
very little effect. lam satisfied of Ihe
soundness of the reasoning which has led
me to this conclusion : but if not greatly
misinformed, I am supported by the testi
mony of ecclesiastical history. On the
same authority, I feel warranted in saying,
that deviations from the path of ojthodoxy
however slight at first, grow wider and
wider, uotil revealed truth was entirely for
saken.
But great, and in my judgment lamenta
ble, a? are the changes which have taken
place in this part of the country, it is by no
means to be supposed that the majority are
on the side of Unitarianism. My inquiries
on this subject have been very particular,
and I am supported by facts in saying, that
of nearly 460 preachers in Massachusetts,
not 100 are of that denomination. And even
in Boston, taking in all societies and all
preachers, not one half belong to them. —
But whether they are gaining or losing
ground, i am not determine ; and I
fiffl diflpreot men of different opinions. I
cannot hut hope that there is a redeem
ing spirit in orthodoxy, and in the genius of
the age, which will retard, and finally slop
the progress of this errour. There is cer
tainly a very great degree of Missionary
spirit and of enlightened zeal in this region,
and in this city. There is here much nc
tive aud fervent piety. Perhaps nowhere
do the professed disciples of Christ, with a
more prompt and cheerful good will, de
vote themselves and their substance to the
service of the Church, and the best inter
ests of mankind. In this state probably
more is contributed every year to the mis
sionary cause than in any other in the union.
And since the controversy with Unitarians
has become open, I believe that they have
contributed very liberally for the purpose
of extending through the country their pe
culiar opinions.
1 have much more to say respecting this
place and its vicinity, aud as this letter has
already run to an unreasonable length, 1
will task your patience no longer for the
present. Truly yours, H.
STATE OF THE JEWS AT JERUSA
LEM.
Extract from the Travels of Robert Richard
son,, M.D. along the Mediterranean, frc. re
cently published.
Many of the Jews are rich, and in com
fortable circumstances, and possess a good
deal of property in Jerusalem, but they are
careful to conceal their wealth, and even
their comforts from the jealous eye of theit
rulers, lest by awakening their cupidity
some vile, indefensible plot should be de
vised to their prejudice. In going to visit
a respectable Jew in the Holy City, if is a
common thing to pass to his house over a
ruined foreground, and up an awkward out
side stair, ponstrocted of rough, unpolished
Price, ) ¥ T ‘ * nn - 0 M
7 1 so,oo in advance. >
stones lhat totter under the foot; hot it im
proves as you ascend, anffNt the fop has a
respectable appearance, as it ends in an
agreeable platform in front of the honse.
On entering the house itself it is found to
he clean and well furnished, the sofa* are
covered with Persian carpets, and the peo
ple seem happy to receive you. The visi
ter is entertained with coffee and tobacco,
as is the custom in the houses of the Turks
and Christians. The ladies presented th. m
selves with an ease and address that sur
prised me, and recalled to my memory the
pleasing society of Eorope. Thi9 differ
ence of manner arises from many of the
Jewish families in Jerusalem having resid
ed in Spain or Portugal, where the females
have rid themselves of the cruel domestick
fellers of the east, and on returning to their
beloved land, had very properly maintain
ed their justly acquired freedom and rank
in society. They almost all speak a broken
Italian, so lhat conversation goes on without
the clumsy aid of an interpreter. It was
the feast ofthe Passover, and they were all
eating unleavened bread; some of which
was presented to me as a curiosity, and I
partook of it merely that I might have the
gratification of eating unlpavened bread
with the sons and daughters of Jerusalem ;
it is very insipid fare and no on would eat
it from choice. For the same reason 1 went
to the synagogue, of which there are two
in Jerusalem, although I only visiled one.
The form of worship is the some as in this
country, and l believe, in every country,
which the Jews inhabit. The females have
a separate synagogue assigned to them as
in the synagogues in Europe, and in the
Christian churches all over the Levant.—
They are not, however, expected to be
frequent or regular in their attendance on
publick worship. The ladies generally
make a point of going on the Sunday, that
is, the Friday night or Saturday morning
after they are married ; and being thus in
troduced in their new capacity, once a year
is considered as sufficient compliance on
their part, with the ancient injunction to as*
semble themselves together in the house
of prayer. Like the votants of some Chris
tian establishments,the Jewesses trust more
to the prayers of their priests than to
theirown. The syuagogucs in Jerusalem
are both poor and small, not owing to the
poverty of their possessors, but lo the pru
dential motives above mentioned ; yet it
was delightful to mix with them in your de
votions, and to see performed before your
eyes that ceremonial worship by the des
cendants of those very people to whom it
was delivered by the voice of God. I
should look at the ceremonies of pagan
temples as a matter of little more than idle
curiosity, bat the ceremonies of Jews dip
into Ihe heart. This is the most ancient
form of worship in existence—this is the
manner in which the God of heaven was
worshipped by Abraham and his descend
ants, when all the other nations in the
world were sitting in darkness, or falling
down to stocks and stones. To the Jews
were committed the oracles of God ; this id
the manner in which Moses aud Eli as, Da
vid and Solomon worshipped the God of
Iheir fathers. This worship was instituted
by God hiineelfiand in Jerusalem his chosen
and appointed city ; and on the rock of Sion,
God’s holy hill, to sing a psalm of David,
in company with the outcast race of Judah,
winds to ecstacy the heart.
The Jewesses in Jerusalem speak in a
decided and firm lone, unlike the hesitating
and timid voice of the Arab and Turkish
females, and claim Ihe European privilege
of differing from their husbands and main
taining their own opinions. They are fair
and good looking ; red and auburn hair are
by no means uncommon in either of the
sexes. 1 never saw either of (hem with
veile ; and I was informed that it is the ge
neral practice of the Jewesses at Jeru.a
lem to go with their faces uncovered. They
are the only females there who do. They
seem peculiarly liable to eruptive diseases ;
and the want of children is as great n heart
break lo them now as it was in the days of
Sarah.
In passing up to the Synagogue, I was
particularly struck with the mean and
wretched appearance of the houses on both
sides of the streets, as well as with the
poverty of the inhabitants. Some of the
old men and old women had more withered
and hungry aspects than any of our race i
ever saw, with the exception of the cav
erned dames at Gurnow in the Egyptian
Thebes, who might have sat in the stony
fields as a picture of the famine the year
after the flood. The sight of a poor Jew
in Jerusalem has something in it peculiar
ly affecting. The hearts of this wonderful
people, in whatever clime they roam, still
turn to this as the city of their promised
rest. They take pleasure in her ruins,and
would lick the very dust for her sake. Je
rusalem is the centre around which the ex
iled sons of Judah build) in airy dreams, the
mansions of their future greatness. |q
whatever part of the world he may live,
the heart’s desire of a Jew when gathered
to bis fathers, j, to be buried in Jerusalem.
Thither they return from Spain and Porle
gal, from Egypt and Barbary, and other
countries among which they have been
scattered, and when,after all their longing
and all their struggles up steeps oflif^