Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1843-05-04
Coggeshall, and were afterwards dis
played on the pulpit Immediately in
front Of the Orator.

Among the many interesting incidents
attending tho proceedings upon vacat-
ing the Chartcr-Government, was one,
which, even in the hurry Of election
week, we cannot omit to mention. The
OLD CHAIR OF STATE--the identical
chair in which Governor b. ARNOLD
sat, one hundred and eighty years ago,
and received and displayed the Charter
of 1868, in presence of all the ireemen
of the Colony-was introduced into the
Senate Chamber and well and appro-
priately filled by our late deserving
Chief Magistrate, Gov. S. w. KING.
In connection with this event, friend
has handed US the following cornmuni-
cation on the subject Of this venerable
relic which will speak for itself.
For the Herald OF the Times.
The old Chair of State iH which Governor
B. ARNOLD sat at the reception Of the Char
ter of 1868, when it was proclaimed in pres
ence Of oil the freemen Of The Colony at
Newport, is still in being, though somewhat
shorn of its pristine honors. Ii be longs, we
believe, to the Historical Society Of this
State, but is now in the keeping Of our re-
spcc,ed fellow -ci,izfn, Isaac GOULD, Esq,
at whose store in Thames street it mny a,
any time be seen. This last remark will ex.
plain the a!lusion in the concluding line Of
the following admirable s,anzos, for which
we are indebted to distinguished officer OF
the Revenue service lately on this station.
THE OLD CHAIR OF STATE,
tale of times past in the days of old Governor Bone
dict Arnold
"Dld Chair, no longer aches the head
OF him who safe in stately pride
On thy oak seat, whilst herads read
What moderns now derde-
The CHARTER :"
Twas on summers day, ms warmly shone the sun,
Old Newport streets resounded trumpet, drum and
gun,
And bravely looked each squire in pointed beard and
And lovely seemed each damse too,-al Of the oldcn
place.
ARNOLD war horse strobe, which proudly champd the
bit,
And pursuvants in tahsrds bright looked decorous and
Loud cheers ascending high woke summers tranquil
! day,
A troop troop OF soldiers grim passed by in wars
array
i,anner rnd pcnnon waving wide DER arquebuss and
blade
Looked wondrous brave and grnced right well old New
ports gay parade.
Upon a ias covered DER with crimson cloth and gold
On which was wroush, by skilful hands heradic en-.
blens bold,
Stood this old chair OF the oden me-,he CHARTER s
OAKES CHAIR,
whercon emblazoned rich and deep did Engands arms
appear.
sen, with fitting panoply. high backed and strong and
good
The old oak chair looked ssy there dais as it stood
The Charter House H House then were filed will
II scnlles rarc
who ever and anon did greet with loud huzzas III,
II CHAIR.
MiGst din OF cannons' laundering roar aud trumpets
n brazen clans
Loud swelled the SHOUT uiumphantly as long the lin
/ IL rang
"Lorg live King Charles"the herads cried, and thou
II sands answered it,
Whilst Arnold with goodly grace did in the old chair
II Sit
Lady high aud humble dame, knight, squire and png,
H were seen,
Dsportine that gala day in garments rich and sheen
The heavens smiled bright, the birds sang clear and
\ music filed The air,
In that thy day Of pageantry-thoU oLDEN CHARTER
4 CHAIR
| But many year has long gone by, and "all their
glores fcj,"
Whilst he who sat upon thee then now sumbcrs with
the dend,
And his crumbng grave stone drenr with tall rank
grass oergrown,
With letters dim tell of him,-oLD CHAIR, thou eri
alone
All is DER and gay more, the world sweeps careless
by,
The hair of State, 10 longer great, or serns to the
! eye,
As here in neat and snug unlike thy days Of yore
You're doomed whit decays sad fate and grace friend
l. GouLDs store