The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-09-13
PLYMOUTH OF THE PILGRIM
Peeps at the Oldest Town In New Eng
land and Its Curiosity.

PLYMOUTH OF THE PILGRIM.
Peeps at the Oldest Town In New Eng.
land and Its Curiosity.
mo; haye never been to Plymouth,
I'm ashamed to own it-but it's the
truth. OF course it is a place where we
all ought to CO. and that early in life.
l travel one-third the distance there
every night at present, for am living
with my family at Nantasket during the
summer. Although I'm a native of
Massachusetts,, have never seen Plym-
outh Rock!'
Thus exclaimed an active business
man of Boston to the writer when visit
ing his Office on the return from Pill
grim's land,
1t IS something more of an effort for a
Rhode Islander than for Bostonians to
visit Plymouth yet all Americans should
esteem it duty to utilize the first OPP
portunity to tread the soil where reli-
gious liberty was born and nurtured.
But perhaps, Mr.. Editor, you do not
consider that every visitor at the shrine
of our forefathers is obligated to send
you a column of nonpareil stating the
fact. Possibly you prefer that contrib
ulOIS III Day Dldtt SuOulu care lol
their own territory. What ia more to
the point, probably all the topics here
matter introduced have previously re-
ceived better treatment at the hands of
your many correspondents. Butmy pen
is growing rusty in your service, and has
performed no labor since our spring
elections. Since someone has recently
ventured to send you letter upon New
VI fnr in
vasion of Massachusetts.
He who finds himself in Boston With
the hours between $3.50 a. m. and pm.
at disposal, can easily inspect Plymouth.
That is to say. the trip can be made by
steamer within that period. Probably
the railway time tables cover about the
same hours, but in summer the dusty
cars bear no comparison with the pleas
ures of sailing for those not averse to a
little motion of the vessel.
Embarking on the new steamer,
Shrewsbury, delightful views are soon
obtained of the beautiful islands of Bos.
ton harbor, after which Nantasket
Beach, the noted Minot's Ledge Light
house, MaIshiield and Duxbury succeed
each other in claiming the travellers at
tention, Upon rounding Gurnet twin
lights at the extremity Of Clark's Island
the
CHARMING TOWN OF PLYMOUTH
challenges the eye. The village is Only
five miles away, but treacherous shoals
at the upper end of the harbOr force the
steamer to thread a circuitous route of
eight miles to reach the wharf. Once
landed the excursionist may proceed
past the Plymouth Rock Hotel to the
of nd iV,r,
north soon find at his left hand the i'm
posing Court House on Court Square.
One day might well be spent in this tenn
pie of justice examining the ponderous
records OF Plymouth Colony, which
silently reveal the first transactions of
the hardy pioneers, and are in the hand
writing of Bradford, StandIsh and 9TH
er worthless. But if return to Boston.
Is proposed by the afternoon boat, these
may only be glanced at. The will OF
Miles Standish, the original patent and
Indian signatures must also be left after
hasty inspection, while the traveller
hastens on to
PILGRIM HALL.
which is just beyond and on the oppo-
site side of the street. Admission tickets
cost twenty-five cents. On presenting
the same one ia confronted with the
mammoth register, which all visitors
are requested to sign, Entering the
museum a distractng display of May.
flower and other relics causes the stran-
ger to halt and gaze hesitatingly about.
Rare paintings of mammoth proportions
cover central spaces on the sides Of the
hall. The remaining surface is embel-
lished with equally meritorious works of
art Of lesser dimensions. Capital por.
traits of the chief actors in our earliest
history look down upon the spectator
while the fatherly countenance Of Wash
ingtOn and the austere face of Webster
show that due prominence has been
given to leaders in subsequent days.
Antiquities crowd the many show cases
and one could pass hours in studying the
identity of each by consulting the CO
pious catalogue, Each exhibit in the
various departments has a number at
taChed to guide the student in bis search
But time flies and permits only an ex
animation Of a full model of the May
flower, the Bible of John Alden, the
cradle in which the first Pilgrim child
was rocked, sword of Miles Standish
chairs of Brewster and Governor Brad
ford, and the patent granted to the
Plymouth colonists which is the oldest
State paper in the United States. In the
lower hall are relics of older day bespeak
ing both warlike and peaceful pur.
suits.
NATIONAL MONUMENT TO THE FOREFATH
ERs.
After returning TO the shady sidewalk
one may sumter along a few blocks
turn to the left and in few minute,
AZ vtrh al,
has been erected upon a conspicuous
eminence of the town. Work upon thit
monument was commenced by laying
the cornerstone in 1859; it has nov
nearly reached completion; only few
tablets and reliefs remain TO be placed In
position. 1t is hoped these will be ready
the present season. The total height Of
the structure is eighty feet Above the
principal pedestal towers a figure Of
Faith with the open Bible in the lef
hand, while the right hand appraised
points with the index finger to the Goo
of our fathers. This representation oi
Faith is said TO be the largest and finest
piece of granite staJuary in the world
IL was designed by Billings and present
ed by Oliver Ames, a native Of Plymouth
the expense being $4,000. Some idel
of its proportions may be gained from
the statement that it is two hundred anC
sixteen tunes life size. The site of thu
monument commands a wide view o.
the surrounding country, Directly
across the bay may be seen the twir
lights of Gurnet. A little to the lef
and between Clark's Island and til,
mainland, the Mayflower swung a
anchor during the eventful first Sunday
Still further to the left and eight mile
distant rise the outlines of Captains Hill
Duxbury, the home of Miles Standish
The monument reared in honor Of tn,
doughty chieftain can be plainly seen
it is now ready for the statue which 4
to surmount it.
BURIAL HILL.
should next be visited. A short journey
southwark leads 10 Leyden street, N,
first thoroughfare laid out in New Eng
land. The upper end Of this street i
called Town Square On the hill abov
the square lie the bones of many Pit
grims and their descendants. Tablet
inform visitors Of the location of the ole
Fort and Watch Tower. Strollinl
among the graves Of historic person.