The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-06-05
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

Portland in the Past with Historical
Notes of Old Falmouth, by William Goold.
Printed for the author by B. Thurston & Co.,
Portland, 1886. Cloth, 543 PIP. with 16 Illus
trations, SO. This book is everything that
can be desired in quality of paper, printing
and binding. The Illustrations are excellent
samples of photo-engraving, and even the
portrait of the author, which naturally is
compared with steel plates, is not only
strong likeness, but is fine, striking and sat
isfactory. The portraits of Commodore Ed
ward Tying, his wife, Ann Waldo, of Eliza
beth Ross, and William Tying, are from old
and valuable paintings by Blackburn and
Copley, and are Of great value and interest.
The pictures of Rev. Robert Jordan's bap-
tismal basin, Father Rasle's strong box, now
ty, the Bell of Rasle's Indian Chapel, the
Tying Silver Vase, and the pictures of
churches and other edifces will be appreci-
ated by every citizen, and more and more by
their descendants. The frontispiece, which
gives view of Christopher Levett steering
his shallop into Hog Island Roads in 1923,
having the Indian "King, Queen, prince,
bow and arrow, dog and kettle" on board,
''his noble attendance rowing by in their ca
noes with the ships of Governor Gorges at
anchor in the distance, is spirited concep-
ton, and looks as if it might be a faithful
representation.
Mr.. Goold starts out with description of
Levetts settlement, and thinks he estab
lished himself on Diamond Island about
where the Farm House now stands.
This is a new theory, as Peaks, House and
Cushing's Island have all been successfully
claimed as the original site, but his argu-
ment is very reasonable. He has also dis
covered that Levett met Gov. Gorges here at
that time, a fact not before noticed. He
goes on to describe the settlement at Rich
mond's Island, and Cleeve's and fuckers es-
adjustment at Machegonne, adding many
interesting points to those already given. A
continuous and spirited narrative carries the
history along to the King Philip war. The
fighting through these troublous days is well
described, and worthy tribute is given to
the character of Geo. Burroughs who was
hung as a witch at Salem. Chapter vi takes
up the second Indian war, which resulted in
the destruction of the town and total desola-
ton. Chapter VII gives the settlement, the
campaigns against the French and Indians,
and an excellent description of Father Rasle
and the raid on his mission at Norridgewock.
1t also contains biography of Col West
brook, and shows that he established pa
per mill here in 1873, which is the beginning
of what is now great industry in Maine.
Chapter VIII describes Governor Shirley's
visit in 1912, the Louisburg expedition and
ensuing warlike events. Parson Smiths
journal now becomes his leading authority,
and the author collates many facts from late
historic material gathered by the Maine His
torical Society. Excellent accounts are
given of the Preble, Tying and Waldo fami-
lies.
Chapter TX gives a statement of the popu-
lation of the town at different periods, its
condition at the time of the fall of Quebec,
an excellent sketch of the old First Parish
church from its erection until its removal in
1925, which latter event the author Wit
messed; with a description of st. Paul's
church and other places of worship.
Chapter X describes the condition OF the
town during the Revolution, the lombard
ment and destruction, and gives sketch OF
the Bagaduce expedition.
Chapter XI gives an account of the cree
ton of Fort Sumner the effects of the French
Revolution upon our people, the trouble with
the Barbary States, and the distinguished
part taken in it by Commodore Preble, and
contains an interesting love letter of that
distinguished man.
Chapter XII is the most interesting chap
ter in the book, as it describes the war of
1872, the building of Forts Preble and Scam
nell, the fight between the Enterprise and
Boxer, and gives an extended history of Port
land Privateers. On the last subject Mr..
Goold is the acknowledged authority, and
his material is largely original. Much of it
was first published in the PRESS, but every
body will be eager to secure it in book form.
Chapter XIII closes the volume with
description of early county buildings, ceme-
terks, lighthouses, etc. The sketch of Mar
ket Square has especial interest at the pres
ent time on account of its proposed dedica-
tion TO the Soldiers Monument.
He gives a fac smile of the inscription on
the Intel of the old stone jail, and says the
meaning of the odd character after the date
is not known. 1t is builders mark such as
masons have used for thousands of years,
such as are found on stones in old buildings
all over England and Europe, and in the
ruins at Jerusalem. 1t is st. Andrew
cross resting upon an inyerted Tau cross.