Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-04-08

fora. In It's lnhnlte variety OF form and color
attracted the eye; and the ear was filed with
the harmony of numerous and joyous Fauna,
We felt that nature had not been partial in
her gifts, but that everywhere there is beauty
and harmony in the constant working Of all
her laws. The sen, the desert, the mountain,
the vale. the frigid and torrid cline, are all
the handiwerk of perfection, and must, if any
| thing can, awake the beautiful in the soul of
man.
On reaching the brew of the hill the valley
OF the Skungamug River, in the town of Cow
entry, lay before us, where within a few miles
Of each other were the homes of Harlan Page,
Lorenzo Dow, and Nathan Hale
The home Of
HARLAN PAGE
is situated but few rods from the west bank
of the river. and about one mile east of the
village of North Coventry The house, small
one story frame, has not changed its appear
ance for the past twenty years. 1t is painted
red, and faces the road towards the south
Even the plants that bloomed beside the front
door when Harlan was youth, still blossom
each returning season The yard and build
ings were always very neat and pleasant look.
ing, and although the estate has forever passed
from the Page family, its appearance is un-
changed.
In this neighborhood was the beginning Of
that great personal interest in the happiness
OF others, that afterwards found and appro.
Pristed a much larger field in the city of New
York; and although Harlan died in the prime
Of manhood, he endeared himself to all his
acquaintances, and made his name a house.
hold word among all Prcsbyterians This visit
to the home of his childhood, after an absence
of many years, was great pleasure to us.
few miles southeast from this place, is the
birthplace of
LORENZO Dow.
He lived to benefit his race, but from his
wa n L.
acter than Page. His sayings are to-day treas
uied by millions. At an early age he was
peculiarly affected with dreams and mental
perturbatlons, during which he seemed to be
under the control of strange religious power
He allowed himself to be guided by these in
fuences, believing they came from God: and
against the wishes of his relatives and friends
he left bis native town, and travelled for more
than forty years, preaching where he thought
be might be useful. He was licensed by the
NJ T. Church, but was in reality independent
of creed
He made some most remarkable prophecies,
which have since been fulfilled He once said
that "the United States would cease TO be q
government In the year 1861" and certainly
recent events are Of such q nature, to say the
least, as to remind US of Dow's prophecy His
remains lie in cemetery at the north end of
Twentieth street, Washington, d C and are
visited by great numbers Of people every year
MIDWAY between these noted places was the
birthplace Of
NATHAN HALE,
martyr to American liberty. The old two.
story frame building is still standing, and is
known as the Hale House. 1t stands at some
distance from any other building, and has in
front beautiful maple orchard. planted by
the Hale family. This mansion, which has
long been occupied by strangers, faces the
north, and is a cold, bleak place but no Amer
ican home nurtured a truer heart
Hale did not devote weary years of service
to his country, but lived long enough to i'm
mortalize his name. He was prepared for the
ministry at Yale College, but wrote TO his
fa:her that ga sense of duty urged him to sac
ilnce everything for his country" and he
Joined the army. How strange these words
sound to-day. We have now a new vocabulary
-"Sece eSsion." "Anti-coerciOn, state Sow
ereignty, " "Accursed Upion,'' &C.
Would we had some Of the spirit Of our fore
fathers. Hale's words, sacrifice everything
for his country" are like apples of gold
What moro could a patriot say? What more
40! 1t was left for this same great man to
answer the question. When condemned as a
spy, and about to be executed under the most
eTuel and oarbarous circumstances, denied a
biole, and having even the letters to his mother
burned, with his last breath he said " only
regret have but one life to lose for nv coun-
try" About ten years since a fine granite
monument was erected to his memory by the
contributions of his grateful countrymen 1t
Is simple shaft, about 80 feet high
Ihe day was drawing TO n close, and though
we could have spent weeks with the people of
this section, we were compelled to leave the
quiet town ef Coventry, and turn eur horse to-
wards Manchester, where we arrived early in
the evening V. LAURENT.