The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-09-04


WooNsooKET, r l., Aug. 8, 1876.
Journey from Boston to this ptaee--Rer. Theodore
Parker's Residence in TVest Rorbmy-Dedhan,-
Medfeld- Dfed,cay-7he Uidow of Charles T.
Torrey-The First Cotton Factoies-B eiinghan,
Hotel of Mr.. Crooks, tohere Col. Blodget dis
tinguisted himself Woonsocket-7he Crops, &C.
Having occasion to visit this place, left Boston
one fine morning last week, mounted on stage
coach by the side of Mr. Fuller, an experienced
and gentlemanly driver. The sun beat down with
great power, but there was cool breeze which
constantly famed the cheek, and made our situa-
ton quite comfortable. The stage passes through
the new city of Roxbury, growing and flourish
ing place, which includes within its limits many
elegant country residences and fine farms
| We passed the residence of the cele brated Rev.
Theodore Parker, at West Roxbury, about seven
ton in q very quiet little village, surrounded on
every side by highly cultivated and productive
farms. His house presents neat and student
| like outward appearance, with trees in the front
yard, and other tokens of taste and refinement
| around the premises Near by is the village
| church in which he officated as a preacher, be-
fore his name and fame became SO extensively
nosed abroad yet here his splendid talents and
somewhat novel doctrines attracted little atten-
ton, and he soon emerged from the comparative
obscurity which usually attends young couRtry
|
After leaving the village Of West Roxbury, a
ride of three miles brought us to Dedham, the
shire town of Norfolk county. This is quiet and
( handsome. village, ornamented with large and
noble shade trees, which render the walks plea
SAINT, and impart cooling and agreeable aspect
to the whole place. short branch from the Pro-
violence railroad, affords the residents of this
village frequent and easy communication with
Boston, and induces many to take up their resi-
dence here whose business is in the city. Among
/ the number is Mr.. John Doggett, an extensive
i LII. 4
&c., and father Of the gentleman who is familiar
to your citizens the author of Doggett's Direc-
tory of New York. Edmund Quincy, the famous
abolitionist, and brother to the present Mayor of
Boston, has delightful situation here, where he
spends his time in dreaming about theories which
are generally pronounced Utopian. He is
finished scholar, "a rank abolitionist, NONRESIDENT
a come-outer, disunionist, and, in short, regu-
lar Garrisonian reformer.
The next town on the road is Medfield. 1t is
small but excellent agricultural town, containing
extensive meadows, in which the farmers were
These meadows yield good crop of grass, and
| they also produce an abundance Of cranberries,
which always command good price, and are OF
much more value than the hay. A cranberry
meadow is about the most profitable piece OF land
a farmer can have in this vicinity. The contem-
plated line of railroad from Boston to New York,
by way Of Woonsocket known here the pet
tee route" will pass through this town, and will
probably be of some advantage to 1t.
We next passed through Midway, much
larger town, in which are several manufacturing
villages, where few men have acquired fortunes
within a few years past. These men, it is not
difficult 10 ascertain, are opposed to the new ia
riff. 1t will undoubtedly curta the profits ofther
business The new railroad will also pass through
this place.
| Mrs Torrey, the widow of Rev. Charles T
Torrey, who died recently in the Maryland Peni-
tertiary, is supp Jrting herself and children here,
| am told, by industriously plying the needle Her
father, Rev. DR.. Ide, is very respectable ortho-
dox clergyman of Medway.
One of the first cotton factories ever built in
! this country was erected in this town by Mr.. ].
| Blackburn, who came over from England in the
same ship with Mr.. John Slater, brother to
Samuel Slater, the pioneer in the manufacture
OF cotton cloth by machinery on this side of the
Atlantic. He Samuel SlateT erected the first
cotton mill at Pawtucket, r.. l., having obtained
| the means to do so OF some capitalists in Provi-
dence, who had faith in the success of the scheme
Mr. Blackburn is now living in the town Of Wal
pole, Mass, having acquired handsome pro-
perry.
From Midway we passed into Bellingham, an
agricultural town, and not one of the most thriv-
ing The soil is not of the best description, but
/ it is near this great manufacturing village Of
Woonsocket, which affords good market for the
surplus produce of the farmers We passed the
renowned hotel of Mr.. Crooks, two miles from
this place, (being within the limits of Massachu-
setts,) where Col. Blodget and his associates, of
the law and order" army, made forcibe
prisoners of several Dorrltes, during the recent
war in this St ate. For this act, committed in vio-
lation of the laws of Massachusetts,, the gallant
Colonel and two others were indicted by. the
grand jury OF Norfolk county, and a requisition
was made upon the Governor of Rhode Island for
them. They were arrested, tried and convicted,
| but their sentence was delayed for some cause,
and what has been done with the case l know
not.
After leaving the scene of Col. Blodcet's heroic
and valiant exploit, we were soon in sight Of
w oonsocket. This is the Manchester Of Rhode
Island. 1t has already beaten Pawtucket. A dey
scrption OF tie place, with some observations re-
speeding it, as well as some interesting matters
connected with the manufacturing business, !
will embody in future letters from this village,
which may not be altogether devoid ofnterest.
have made particular enquiries in regard to the
anticipated effect of the new tariff; in many in
stances these enquiries have been addressed to
the manufacturers themselves, and their views
at the present time, may be entitled to some at
| tention.
The fields of corn which I passed in coming
from Boston to this place, distance of forty
miles, look remarkably well. The potato vines,
in some places, are dying, in consequence of the
rot, as was told. There is something, singular
about this potato rot. Some fields are affected by
it badly, while other fields, in the immediate VI
cinity, appear not to have been touched. There
are but few apples, this year, the trees in this
part Of the country Rye, oats and hay, full Ia an
the barns, and the farmer will now have little
resting spell.
Etiquette In a city,
| SIR I'll fear your fair correspondent" The
Beauty"-is one of those spoiled beauties whom
the American people pet and indulge entirely
too much.
Politeness, forsooth! When did lady ever
acknowledge by look, word, or sign, any mark Of
civility or pollteness shown to her by gentle
man Never. They will permit you to relinquish
your seat in stage coach omnibus, land if
full, to stand upon the outside steps, as have
often done, but will never do agan) to pass their
fare, open,the door, help their children in and out,
without the slightest smile, or bow, in acknow.
Judgement. Nay, they will even particularly if
| they are prettYl toss their heads in disdan, and