The Portland daily press., 1893-02-23

new country "The clearings," says the
historian cited, Except near thesfort
and along the river banks, were enclosed
with rough log fences, and Still abound
ed with stumps and trees; few, or no
gardens or orchards were to be seen, and
there was an absence of cultivated fruits
except an occasional clump of cherry
trees or currants.' This comparative
wilderness Knox determined should
sbud and blossom like rose.n
Besides pacifying the old settlers, it
was the studied policy of Knox to at
tract new ones. His widely published
advertisements commend the patent for
the fertility ofsits soil and the salubriety
OF its climate, the latter of which he at
tributes to the virtues of the balsamic
frs. To encourage immigration, he
commenced at Thomaston various
branches of business which afforded a
market for the products of the soil and
forest. Stores for the sale of merchan-
disc, marble quarries. brickyards, lime
kilns, shipbuilding, the erection of
houses and the manufacture of lumber
We're among the varied industries. He
also introduced improved breeds of cat
tie and sheep. Wild game, also. was not
beneath his attention, and he imported
quails from Massachusetts,, which, how
ever, did not survive our cold winters.
80. W. The Hospitality of Knox
in his new abode was unbouuded. On
the Fourth of July after arriving, the
stownspeople were Toasted at bis mansion
and subsequently he invited the whole
Penobscot tribe of Indians to pay him a
visit which continued :, several days
Guests from far and near came to make
their obeisance of respect. to the warrior
and patriot. although the throng of
visitors is passed." he writes in famil-
iar letter, ''yet we generally have eight
OF ten per day, and commonly from five
to ten at night During
the summer, brilliant parties
from Philadelphia and elsewhere,
enlivened the scene, and the house re-
sounded with enjoyment. During the
close of the last century, America was
the asylum for many distinguished for
eigners, exiled by the French revolution.
Among them were Louis Philippe, af-
wards King of the French, and his two
brothers; the Viscount de Troailles, the
Duke de Liancourt, and the celebrated
Talleyrand. All these received a warm
welcome within his doors. s'It is men,
toned, as indicative of the well known
char cter of the latter, that he affected
ignorance of the English language, and
too great stupidity to acquire it for the.
purpose, as a gentleman who knew him
assured Mrs. Knox, of observing the I'M
guarded conversation of individuals who
were not aware that he understood
( them Everything was provided for,
guests that could contribute to their en-
tertainment. Although the statement
which originated with Sullivan, and
which has found its way into history,
that sit was not unusual for the master
of this superb establishment, when visit
ed by a great number of friends, to kill
morning, and to have an hundred beds
made up in the house, must be received
with a large abatement, it is certain
that horses, carriages and barge were
provided for outdoor recreation, while
an extensive library, a billiard table and
a piano, the latter said to be the first in
troduced into Maine, awaited those who
preferred more retired amusements. I'M
agination fondly stoops to trace the
festivities which took place at
Montpelier, during the life of its
proprietor. Fancy" says one who
wrote many years ago, those old forests
invaded by the gay and beautiful ladies,
the elegant and polished gentlemen who
were the ornaments of the Republican
court Think of the summer evenings,
when the house, Illuminated throughout,
was the scene of mirth and festivity;
when the genial host and his stately wife
entertained their guests, among whom
were some noble names, and other lesser
lights, quite as refined and agreeable, no
doubt, if less distinguished. Converse
ton, music, dancing and cards occupied
the evenings, and probably the moonlight
tempted some of the younger and more
romantic members to stroll out upon the
lawn among the shrubbery, or perhaps;
to row upon the neighboring river where,
doubtless, they engaged themselves as
younger members of the present genera
ton do under similar circumstances.
Perhaps Louis Philippe himself was one
of a strOlling party, and derived pleasure
/ from i
A Quiet Filtration;
if they had such things in those days,
with Miss Willing, the beautiful sister of
Mrs. Bingham, to whom he is said to
have been engaged during his sojourn in
the United States. Such is "a faint echo
of the splendors of Montpelier in it's
prime, but now, Ichabod. Ichabod! the
glory of thy house has departedr'
Neither the absorbing nature of his
private affairs. nor the pecuniary and other
obstacles which constantly impeded his
extensive plans for the improvement and
settlement of the country, could prevent
Knox from performance of those pub
lie duties, which his fellow citizens from
time to time imposed upon him.
In 1901, and for several succeeding
years, he represented Thomaston in the
General court of Massachusetts,, where,
says contemporary, no man command
ed more attention and respect than were
willingly yielded as an homage to his I'M
questioned ssincerity. magnanimity and
grandeur of soul.
Although not an orator, he spoke
clearly and foreibly, throwing upon the
points at issue the strong light OF au-
thority and illustration. Occasionally
his remarks had natural eloquence as
in the following instance: A petition
/ from citizens of .Marblehead, h wing
been presented for the charter of bank
met with opposition from fellow mem
Der, who ridiculed the idea that the ig-
norant. fishermen Of that town, as lie
termed them, were entitled to such a
l ny i -