The Portland daily press., 1870-09-02

full supply of conveyances for the commit
tee Of the Maine Historical Society was provid
ed by the unceasing attention of the citizens Of
York, to take them and the invited guests t.
Kittery, where they arrived in ample season
for gratifying inspection of the Navy Yard, 10
| many of its details. The view of the new
steamer California" was perhaps the most in-
teresting, now being FASTENED to completion
at an expense, as stated, of more than 50, coo,
| 900. The engines alone cost about fourth part
of that amount, showing one of the outlets
| through which the motley goes. After dinner
| the committee, through their efficient chair
man, Francis Bacon, Esq, supplied carriages
to take the company to the old mansions of the
early, leading residents in this ancient town.
| The Cuts mansion was first visited, which had
been built at the expense of Lady Pepperell.
after the death of her husband, Sir William,
for her use, which after her death was purchas-
| ed by the head of the Cults family. 1t is now
occupied, in its almost entirely ruined condi-
ton, by the last survivor of that branch i'm des-
ti1ution and voluntary loneliness, whose Ian
| guage and manner at the age Of nearly four
score years, shows that in her early life she I'D
shared in the culture and wealth which had
Hldue Tue uWeIIluH OuCc Tue aDOuc OF n0Spttal-
ity, com fort aud refinement. Little of the in
terest of the structure remains, beyond its age
and origin, and the finish of its walls. Eng
lfsh tiles around one of the parlor fire places,
and the curiously wrought bausters on the
broad front stairs. The lonely occupant of
this "runated' habitatiOn, was specimen of
the antique, even more antique than her now
decayino shelter. The next house in order of
visit was the "Sparhawk House, built also by
the Pepperell family, and in state of excel
lent preservation, aud now in the possession of
a gentleman who has thoroughly repaired it in
the inner aud outer parts, without altering its
model, in every part showing Il lavish expense
in its elaborate finish, and a thoroughness
of workmanship that would lie creditable
to any artisan of later day. De-
tails, if given at length, would occupy too
much space. The tiles, the bausers, the
wanscoting, the demi- canopy of the beaufet,
were all complete in design and execution,
and a few manuscript papers OF the Pepperill
family added interest to the visit, made more
interesting by the autograph of Pepperell.
written with diamond pencil on one of the
panes of glass. The refined courtesy of the
the days of the first owners, and called out, in
oehalf OF the company, an expression of thanks
from Prof Packard of Bowdoin college, which
was replied to by the occupant in the name of
his lady and himself, in brief response couch
ed in most delicious language
The next place visited was the original PEN
perell mansion, much ialtered iu its exterior.
diminished in size, and outwardly much
changed; large but not pretentious abode,
into which the committee was welcomed by
the present residents, with a readiness that
added pleasure to the inspection, and evoked
an expression of thanks at the suggestion of
the chairman. The sites of these several build
ings, were selected with an eye to the beauti-
full; for more lovely scenes in the sca-ward
part of the picture are rarely presented to the
eve of the tasteful. The Pepperell tomb,
built by Sir William after the death of his IA
Their and the achievement of his actions that
gave him his renown, was then sought and
viewed. 1t is plain in structure on natural
mound, a little retired from the street on
which the house is placed; surmounted with
a broad and thick slab, on which, below the
family coat of arms, with its shield, chevron,
heimet, wreath, crest and mantelet, is eHgrav-
eu on Tue monumental marble, the inscription,
designating the family, ana the sacred pur-
poses for which it was erected.
The plain building of the Bape family.
whence came the mother of Sir William. had
already attracted the attention of the corners
remarkable for this interesting fact, and its
erection at a date anterior to the erection of the
dwelling where her son was born.
On returning call was made at the man.
sion of the Rev. Mr.. Austin, placed in the