Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-04-06
Newport, N. H.


William Knapp, of Lowell, sends copy of the
New Hampshire Spectator" printed at Newport N H.,
August 7, 1927 from which, py his request we copy
he following, written by old of that town, in
which Mr. Knapp also lived, it having been writ
Ten as an acknowledgement of the respect and benev-
olent treatment the writer had uniformly received,
from all classes of the citizens while he lived among
them ::
The editor of the paper says it was written, it
nurports to be- by old man. nearly eighty years old
and adds f any of readers disposed to cavil
1t the old mans poetry all have sayis let them
set about and write something better, if they
Ye muses. of the 1owery nine
Assist this clumsy hand of mine
To paint with colOrs black or brown
The charming scene of Newport town.
This site was once forest drear,
The dwelling of the wolf and deer
The bear and fox rang'd round and round,
The lynx and beaver here were found.
Mosquitoes and the singing gnat,
Red squirrels and the flying bat,
Together with the striped race,
Were plenty i'll this dreary place.
The pricl,ly hedgehog here did dwell
And made.the barren rocks his cell
(fIe emblem is of enviOus mood,
That shoots its quilts at all that's sood.)
But when the sounding AK was heard
The gloomy forest disappear'd-
The hills and plains began to shew,
pleasing prospect to the view
Of those who first the work began,
The hardy soon found their pains
Repaid with plenty and great gains.
The virtuous few began to spread
The wolves, and bears in terror fled
And left the fields-the hardy
Spread round-and occupied their place.
A brothers. love each soul did guide
And kind affection did preside
To help each other was their care
Nor grudg'd, to give to need, share.
Religion seemed to guide each soul
No quarrels did their hearts control
But harmony triumphant reignd,
And love and union, peace maintaind.
From this small few. this virtuous band
A hearty race spread DER the land
beauteOus town does now appear
Where once twas gloomy, waste and drear.
Here science spreads its cheering rays
To guide youth in wisdom's ways
Mechanics, too, in various stands,
Employ multitude of hands.
Here merchandise with all its train.
Now fills the town with store of gain,
And agriculture here finds,
market in its various kinds.
Here is a house for courts to meet in,
And three or more to drink and eat in,
All fitted up i'll style and state,
The stranger to accommodate.
If any wish lawsuits race
Here's lawyers, learned, to plead their case,
None need to fear-like lawyers true,
They'll do their best to help them through.
We have doctors here well skilled in physick-
Oh!-eo4ld they cure the gout and phthsic!
They're onest-hearted friends to man,
And aim to do the best they can.
Some iustices-near half score
For lawyers, bright, to plead before.
If just conclusions they can draw,
They judge and sentence by the law.
They're men of wisdom and of sense
And law and justice they dispense,
They guard our rights and liberty
And while it's thus, we're safe and free.
We preachers have with wisdom blest
Sent to direct souls to rest
May all be wise and well improve,
The labors of their christian love.
Three houses here for sacred use,
Long may they stand, free from abuse
Long may religion here endure
And every sect be blest and pure.
And here we have printing press,
TO spread the news be it more or less
The work is neat. the press is free,
For him or her, for You or me.
Here is lodge of masons true
Though the secret never knew
Yet those that do, think may find,
band of brothers free and kind
Here is n-ofice for our letters
Sent from our fTiends-frOm worse or 5etters;
And We, again, in turn may send
To brother, sister, foe or friend.
Now, by tn Assembly's noble bounty,
This is the shire town of the county,
And II resources do not fail.
We soon shall have handsome jail.
The people here are free and kind
Good cheer good treatment. and Kind care
And housewives neat as we'll as fair.
Here Sugar River lends its force
Where mills and factories grace it's course,
Through charming meads its current IS tost,
Till (the1 Connecticut tits lost.
Here centers trade from towns around
Here eVrY article is found.
That's needfu for the health of man.
To lengthen ont his mortal span
Should attempt to seribble down
Each charming scenery of the town,
And give each beauty in detail
1t would fall short-th attempt would fail
o may heavens blessing from above
Unite all hearts in peace and love-
May health and wealth long here abound
May friendship pure spread far around.
MAY pure religion gnide each soul
And heavenly bliss in torrents roll;
May all be happy i'll Gods Love-
And rise at last to bliss above.
And now. to close, may Newport rise
In splendor pure clOudless skies,
And shine till time earth shall end
Thus prays the towns sncerest friend.
BENJAMIN TRALL.
Newport. N H July "a 1927.