The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1868-03-06
Correspondence Of the Vermont Transcript
Letter from Near Hampshire.
PORTSMOUTH, n. H., |
March Sd. 1868. {


relics of the olden time than any other
city of New England. One cannot
walk through the streets without being
constantly reminded of the generations
that for more than two centuries have
passed to and fro among them. 1t is
quite a new sensation in an American
city, where one expects to find only
that which is fresh and modern. Even
the dress of the ladies looks many fash
ionable ages old, and recalls Quebec
more wildly TO mind than any younger
city. Itappears to be arranged for com
fort and convenience, and less is sacri-
feed for the sake of exhibiting the very
latest thing out.n The residences
even those of recent date-have an old
world air of responsibility about them,
which says as distinctly as ifthey could
utter the words, "To be old is to be aristo-
cratic, while all that is modern il yul-
gar. If one has not the good fortune to
they can be Pdinted." But there are
many houses here that have no need to
affect age for they are as old as one
ever expects TO see in this variable ell
mate. This hotel is one of the best
specimens of American architecture Of
its date-l7S3-tha have seen. Itwas
an elegant private residence built by
Judge Langdon, who having had a
wooden house burned by lightning upon
this site, said that he would build an
other that the Lord could not burn
down, and this ponderous, substantial,
rare old house is the consequence of that
effort. Much of the material used in its
construction, was imported from Eng
land. Tradition reports that the very
bricks were brought TO Philadelphia and
from thence here, each separate brick
wrapped in paper. That they came
from Philadelphia here, is fact, but il
they ever crossed the ocean they must
have made very large cargo; for not
only are all the outer walls Of brick, but
the ms de ones as well. In the endeay-
or to make the building as nearly fire.
proof as possible, the plaster throughout
is laid upon brick 1t is large three
story house standing back from, and
hicn above the street, reached by long
iight of stone steps. Originally, on
line and level with the street, on either
side ofthe house, stood Porter's Lodge
in fine old English style-one, still
keeps grand whild the other was re-
moved half a dozen years since, to make
room for more cOmmOdious wing at
tached to the hotel. Tho rooms on the
firstand second floors, are large and lofty,
being fourteen feet high and spacious
in proportion, and are all finished with
an elegant nicely that is captivating to
a modern antiquarian. The wooden
cornices are quantity carved and over all
the doors and pieces are elabor-
ate tableauX in bass-relief ofmythologi-
cal scenes and characters, with busts of
the old poets.
1t is now thirty-four years since this
house was purchased of the Langdon
family to be used as All hotel-when a
large wing was added in the rear-yet it
was so well built and so much care has
been taken to keep il in perfect repair,
that ii is TO day in better order than
most modern hotels are after couple OF
years ofpublic service.
The oldest house in the placc has still
N lffrh gnft - IL.
placed il.
Another old residence on pleasant
street, (Which was considered by Wash
ington to be the handsomest in Ports
MOUTH was built by Gov Langdon in
1871 and occupied by him until his death
1919. Washington, Lafayette, Tally
rand, the three sons of the Duke of Or
lea =, Louis Philippe and his two broth
ers, and many other celebrities have
there been entertained by the Governor.
Louis Philippe ever remembered his
visit to Portsmouth. When on the
throne of France, he made enquiry of
Portsmouth lady who had obtained an
introduction, "ls the pleasant mansion
of Governor Langdon still standing. y
This mansion has since 1919. been the
property of the Rev. DR. Burroughs,
who was for As years Rector of the st.
Johns Episcopal Church of this city,
and who is now lying so i'll that his
friends feel that every hour may be his
last.
Though it is a number Of years since
he resigned the parish into younger
hands, he will be greatly missed. Hav-
ing an Independent private fortune, these
AS years Of his ministerial service have
been gratuitous, and he has supported,
encouraged, and given most freely to all
worthy objects. The Rev. Mr.. Davis,
the present incumbent of ST. Johns. has
Just received and accepted a very loud
call to the rectorship of St. Peters, at
Philadelphia. The call amounts to 50, 900
a year, the use Of handsome house and
a number Of perquisites
Il may not be generally known that in
Portsmouth was built probably the first
pauper work-house erected in this or
any other country. At meeting held
April 9Th, III, it was voted to build an
and the house was built and |
occupied previous TO 1716. 1t was not
until 1928, that an act was passed in |
England, authorizing the establishment |
Of the parish work-house, after which |
time they came into use in the old coun- |
try, as well as in this.
Daniel Webster became resident of |
Portsmouth in 1907, and looking upon
this as his future location, he arranged |
for those domestic relations which make |
a residence a home; and in June 1908, |
was married to Grace Fletcher, who re-
manned his partner for nineteen years. /
Mr.. Webster came here as a young law
yer of twenty five years of age, yet his |
of intellect readily commanded |
the attention and respect of more adj
ganced years. Here were developed |
those peculiar qualifications which after |
wards exhibited him as the statesman,
who would do honor to any nation. 1t |
was while residing here that his own