The Dickinson press., 1894-06-23
Historic Boston.
8 June l8. "a,

Historic Boston.
BOSTON, June l8, "a.
EDITOR PREss:-Perhaps your read
ers, most of whom are accustomed to
the newer cities of the country, may
like to hear something about the cele.
brated landmarks and old places of
this city. One comes upon them
everywhere.
On our way from the Highlands
down town, we pass one of the old
cemeteries ut the intersection of two
streets. 1t is high walled and its old.
est stone bears the date 1853. Here
lies buried the celebrated Rev. John
Eliot, the apostle to the Indians.
Speaking of old cemeteries, there
are two upon fremont street, right in
the midst of the busy, eager life of
the last decade of the nineteenth CEN
fury. They are the Kings Chapel
and the Granary burying.grounds, the
first and second oldest of the Boston
burial places, where lie many famous
in the history of the colonies and in
the early history of the United States.
But we are lingering too long. I
did not tell you, but ~ objective
point is the Old State House and that
portion of the city where occurred the
"Boston Massacre We will leave
the car at Milk street and go down
Washington past the famous Old
South church until we come to State
street. The building we are looking
for is situated at the head of the
street. In a moment one is borne
from out the jostling multitude. in
tent upon the ~ceaseless round of
business to the scene of the provincial
councils. and finds himself surrounded
with articles worn and used by Gov.
Winthrop. the Adams family, Lafay.
cite, and famous people too numerous
to mention.
This house was built in las and
was the official headquarters of the
royal governors, and the provincial
council. in early days emblems of
royalty adorned the west front. These
were torn down, and, with other Tory
reminders. burned in a bonfire after
the Declaration of independence.
When the building was being restored
to its original appearance, these EN-.
blems were replaced and because of
the indignant protests Of citizens a
gorgeous gilt eagle was placed upon
the Washington street front.
We will go into the Council Cham
Der, sit at the presiding officers desk
and register our names, gaze upon
Gov. Winthrop's dining table-and
we haye read Or been told that he
prided himself upon his good din
ners-and examine the extensive mt.
scum of antiquities upon this and
the floor above.
Perhaps there can he no greater
contrast than to 90 from this old
building, filled with musty reminders
Of the past. to the present State
House upon Beacon Hill, which with
it's large gilt dome. is visible from al.
most every part of the city.
Ifyou have never been there before,
l think you will be a bit disappointed
in the building, and the hall of repre-.
sentatives especially will seem small
There are galleries on all four sides
but not connected.
AS we take seats we become aware
that something of interest is under
discussion; and in moment we ascer'
tain it is the question of rapid transit
for Boston. We have lodged across
streets. crowded with electrics, drays
cabs, carriages, mail wagons. express
carts, delivery wagons, and hosts OF
people; and we + at n interested
The discussion axe warm, and il
also wakes long and we cannot heal
it through. So we will leave thu
learned house to discuss the merit.
and dement's of the Meigs bill while
we refresh ourselves in the cool shade:
of the common. TRAVELLER.