The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-01-06
From the Essex Register.
THE FESTIVAL AT PLYMOUTH.
PLYMOUTH, Dec. %. 1915.

The extensive arrangements made by the
Pilgrim Society, for the commemoration Of
the 225th anniversary of the landing OF the
Fathers. has drawn 10 this memorable spot
"A vast concourse of people from all quarters
and numbers, who never before trod the
soil of the Old Colony, have been attracted
hither to-day, the opening Of the new rail-
road furnishing a speedy and convenient
means of transportation, Having, fortunate
~, participated in the delights of the cele-
bration, it may be that some of our readers
will not be uninteI ested in a few gimpses
of the place and the feslival-more especially
jfihey have never made a pilgrimage TO the
spot consecrated by so many and such en-
dearing associations, and SO fondly rever-
enceG.
Aside from the associations of the place,
Plymouth is by no means unattractive, nor
does one see here so many ofthose marks oil
age and decay as he is accustomed TO expect
in the old settlements OF New England
The aspect ofthe town is fresh and cheerful,
and many of the dwellings display much
taste and beauty in their construction and
adornment. The territorial limits extend TO
sixteen miles in length. and from five 10 six
teen in breadth. The principal village,
where the iorefathers landed and formed
their settlement, stands in the valley along
the shore, beneath hill one hundred and
sixty five feet in height, on whose summit
is tine burial ground where the ashes of sres
and sons for many generations lie mingled,
and their grave stones overtop the town.
presenting a very novel and striking picture
The country in the immediate vicinity is
billy, and every emnence and almost every
foot of ground is memorable as the scene o.
some marked and important event. Stand
ing upon the Burial Hill Just mentioned.
where the Pilgrims erected their first rude
fort 10 protect them from the savage foe,
one takes in at glance all the historic points
OF interest. The bay lies out before him as
It was when the Mayflower first appeared in
its waters. You can trace her course as she
entered the harbor-discern the strange
island comprised about with many rocks
where the Pilgrims passed their first Sab
bath of rest-the little running brooks and
delicate springs of water-and distinguish
all The landmarks forever memorable in the
momentcus history of that heroic band. Far
beneath you on the sea shore lies the imper-
shabIe rock which first received their feet as
they stepped from the shdllop, TO brave new
perils on the bleak and desolate shore. The
remembrance of this spot is preserved by
no faltering or broken tradition, and il viii
never perish. A wharf has been built eut
from the landing place, and there is not, rs
there should be, any peculiar monument TO
mark the spot, but it will ever live in the
hearts OF the people. A portion OF the rock
mas been removed from IFS original location.
and now lies. surrounded by an iron railing,
inscribed with the names oil the Pilgrims. in
front Of the Hall built by the Pilgrim Socie
ty The account of its removal given by
Thacher, is that, in IVA, ''the inhabitants Of
the town, animated by the glorious spirit OF
Liberty which pervaded the Province, and
mindful of the precious relic Of our forelaih-
ers, resolved 10 consecrate the rock on which
they landed, to the shrine of Liberty. Col.
Theophilus Cotton and a large number Of
inhabitants assembled, with about 30 yoke
Of oxen, for the purpose OF lis removal. The
rock was elevated from the bed by means OF
large screws; and in attempting 10 mount !;
on the carriage, it split asuEder without any
violence. AS no one had observed flaw,
the circumstance occasioned some surprise.lt
is not strange that some of the patriots the
day should be disposed 10 indulge little in
superstition. when in favor of their good
cause. The separation of the rock was con
strued to be ominous of division Of the
British Empire. The question was now
10 be decided whether both parts should be
removed; and being decided in the mega
tive, the bottom part was dropped again In
TO its original bed, where it still remains,
few inches above the surface oil the earth al
The head of the wharf. The upper portion
weighing many tons, was conveyed 10 the
Liberty pole square, in front ofihe meeting
house, where, we believe, waved over ii a
flag, with the far famed motto, Liberty or
Death To-day the surface oil The rock IN
its original location was Invested OF the lew
inches ofsnow and soil that coveredit, flag
was raised over it 10 mark the spot, and the
company marched in procession
over the sacred place with uncovered heads
and in reverential silence.
A short distance from this locality is Coles
Hill, small square on the sea bank. where
tradition says the remains of them who per-
ished inthe dreadful winter of l620-21
were buried, and the soil levelled and plant
ed, 10 conceal from the savage foe the weak
ness of the Pilgrims, consequent upon the
ravages which death had made in their num-
bers. Ii is related that in 1735, an enor-
nous freshet rushed down the hill By which