The Columbian fountain., 1846-01-28
ITEMS AND SKETCHES OF TRAVEL
BY MRS. NJ. L. GARDINER.

and was very dark. i gave III ySoi uP W i',iVo
ton, while we flew along In the cars, waiching
the fire from the windows, as 1t literally ieli IN
showers AS we entered Boston, the thousahd
lights that CLEANED in various directions, assured
us that we had reached our place OF destination.
We went from the depot, to the United States
Hotel, which is nearly opposite. Had some dii-
fculty in getting accommodated, as the house
was full owing to the Commencement of Cam
bridge College 1.-The house is spacious and nd has
every requisite convenience--th parlors commu-
nicate through large folding doors. In the CEN
tire of the rooms, are two very handsome chan
deliers suspended over marble tables -sofas--ot-
tornans- rocking chairs for the weary, while
there--the rooms were filled with bright and
joyous faces all appeared happy, while a very
interesting and lovely girl was playing and sing
ing very sweetly After good supper, we re-
tired to our rooms; the rain pattering against
the windows, acted, after long ride, like a de-
lightfal opiate, lulliug us into forgetfulness On
awaking, | asked f it was pleasant? was an
swered, ga perfectly fair morning." the induce
ment was sufficient for early rising, and we has
tened to 90 out, and view the city and the shr-
rounding country. After breakfast, carriage
being ready, we were soon seated, and a prettier,
easier one, never was in, just room enough for
ty. The driver very cheerfully gave us all the
information he could, which was not slight, for
he seemed acquainted with every spot we pas
sed, 5yis We'll, this is Boston, y thought to my
self, as we rode through the principal Streets
Boston, a name farniliarfr from my childhood
ton, where the Royalists quartered, where pa
triot hearts beat high and wildly for freedom
where liberty fingered in her airy fight, and
.Beston, where the richest blood Of our country
was split; where the voice Of freedom upon the
whispering breeze, came home to every honest
heart, sitting the pulses more quickly, urging
men 70 claim those rights now. inherited by their
children. AS we rode along, every object
was new, and interesting. 1t was halowed
ground, from which associations sprung up con
tinually--the Navy Yard, the ships, Quincy
market, old Faneuil Hall, whose very appear
ance awakened the spirit of '76, all passed be-
fore my eyes. As we rode along, we deserted in
the distance, a noble spire, the pride and glory of
Boston, rising in the sun light and peering up the
blue heavens, a monument to the immortal
dead. II drew lis, as with magnet to its base,
although the ascent was great, being two hun
dred and twenty feet in height; the place, the
spot, the associations connected with it, gave
strength to- the feeble, and we assembled. AL
though wearied, and nearly fainting, we reached
the top, yes, reached the top Of this proud spre
and gazed from the windows with feeling mex
pfessible. The beautiful language Of Pierpont,
"Oh, is not this favored spot'
i9 'Tis the high place of freedoms birth
-339 Gpd of our fathers, is itnot
bne The holiest spot Of all the earth I"
burst from my lips; rather unseemly perhaps,
Bunker Hill Hallowed, consecrated spot
Where heroic souls, till their last breath, fought
for liberty! Where the noble Warren bled and
died. Well may the earth around be green, for
the choicest blood of America was shed here to
enrich. and fertilize the soil. Every spire of
grass that lifts its timid head, sends up song
Of praise; the dew drops that glisten in the sun
hight, are chrystalized tears the tears of wild
ows and orphans, whose fathers, husbands, and
brothers fell in the deadly onset, and left the
earth mourning their exit. e,
.f,ii Here was Freedoms stormy birth, E
4gt Here she drew her vital breath; 4U..
4 ~ Rocked by whirlwinds in their mirth, set.
5i6l ljNnrsd by carnage, fire and death
Vic Here, she dug th' oppressor's grave,
t,e Burst the fetters ofthe brave. s
a Bunker Hill! Do indeed stand upon this
holy spot, gaze from the top of this proud monu
ment, where every object seen, anilnates the
soul. and carries the mind back, or brings the
past near, kindling in the bosom the pure indy
ing love Of country. The Bay of Islands seen
from the top of the monument, is probably un-
iuaYalled in the world; even the celebrated Bay
or Naples, or the Archipelago Of the East, will
hafdlv compare with it, The palace like dwell
linGs IL the merchants, are scattered like pearls
over the surrounding landscape. forming beau
tiful and sublime panorama, which the fancy can
hardly admit to be real Never, was finer
day: the air was clear and Serene, not clond
was seen.q One vast sea of azure lay above
our heads, the sun, in his full strength, was
casting halo Of almost insuflerable brightness,
ever, perhaps, the most beautiful scenery in the
world. Far away in the distance, like an un
ldulating cloud around the horizon, lay the white
mountains Of New Hampshire. The city of
Boston looked finely with It's roads and streams,
itsgs Thousand vessels filling the harbor, or COW
ering the neighboring sea-" 1t was delightful to
gaze oh the fair city, 9 the abode Of so much
diffussd wealth, 80 much general happiness, and
comfort, go much personal Independence and
general knowledge Oh, could have looked
atihours upon its hundred temples, where its
citizens worship the living God-until the
scene deepening upon my mind had become
craven, as with the point of diamond. Fare
we'll Bunker Hill! Farewell, thou noble spire
When this earth, reeling to and fro, shall crum-
bls.at the fiat of the Almighty, mayest thou be
the last to fall amid the mighty ruins As long
A the eve Of man shall awake, may he view