New-York tribune., 1904-09-24

author. and numerous photographs. Svo. pp.
xii. S67. G. p Putnams Sons.
The romance Of history is nowhere more
abundantly illustrated in America than in the
picturesque reaches of Narragansett Bay and the
region Immediately surrounding it, which COM
prises almost the entire State of Rhode Island
and part OF Massachusetts. Even IL we leave
out the legends of it's discovery by the Morse
men in the eleventh century. which Mr..
Bacon throws the cold water OF doubt. there re-
mains ample material 70 furnish forth a fasci-
mating narrative, Of which the author OF this
book has freely availed himself. His method is
at once geographical. historical. descriptive and
anecdotal. 1t is with something OF a shock that
at the very start we realize that the author
framples on the most cherished traditions of
the Rhode Islander In his country's his
torical antiquity. Under Mr.. Bacons ana
lytical scalpel the Skeleton in Armor."
famed in song and story, becomes an Indian
chief with the copper breastplate and belt
peculiar 10 the natives Of that vicinity, buried
sitting. after the customary Indian fashion. The
sculptured rocks at Hopeworth. Dighton, Tiver-
ton and Portsmouth. he seeks to prove with
footrule and mathematical calculation, could not
possibly have been carved nine hundred years
ago. The "Old MIL" at Newport he contemptu-
ously dismisses unquestiOnably built by Gov
ernor Benedict Arnold who ruled the colony
from 1868 to 1866. STILL ne has to face the old
Morse Saga. and is forced to admit that. the de-
scription OF the landing place and settlement Of
Left and his Mortimer certainly suggests
Mount Hope Bay as well as II does any spot
upon the New-England coast-perhaps little
better" and seeks refuge in the Scotch YER
diet, mot proven" He may demolish the proof.
but he will have hard work 90 eradicate the
Rhode Islanders belief that they are living in
the "vineland" Of Left the Lucky, and to substi-
tute therefor his theory that the F1orentine Cor
sair, Verrazani. was its first discoverer in 1924.
They would rather give the credit to Adrian
Block and be done with t. The Dutch naviga-
tor made exhaustive soundings of the bay and
all it's arms and tributaries. and prepared a
chart that could leave no chance for controversy
as TO what waters he explored.
Expelled from Massachusetts because he was
troublesome fellow" Roger Williams came to
Rhode Island and brought his trouble with him
The principles OF liberty which he preached
seem 10 have attracted number of ungovern-
able fellows, who gave the early settlement Of
Providence a somewhat unsavory reputation
Many Of those who settled there and along the
shores OF the bay were descendants of the early
mariners OF England. Finding IL Impossible to
conform to the rules made by the ironbound
theocrats Of Massachusetts, Bay, with
dne amphibious instinct they laid the founda-
tions Of a State that is about one-third tide
water" The then wooded shores furnished
material for their ships. and they and their sons
became some of the boldest captains that have
ever commanded American vessels. Many were
merchantmen who sailed TO the East and West
Indies and 90 Africa, and slaves formed no
small part Of their cargoes. Many, too, were
priyateersmen. polite name for buccaneers.
who. with their letters OF marque and re-
prisal" harried the Spanish Main and further
seas for the glory Of the colony, the protection
OF it's commerce and the filling of their own
pockets. One OF these men. by a bold exploit
attracting the attention OF some British officers
was induced 10 enter the navy OF the mother
country. and rose 20 become Sir Charles Wager
First Lord OF the Admiralty. Among the most
prominent OF these early families of merchants
legislators and shipmasters were the .Wantons.
They were ouakers. but good fighters and Mr.
Bacon gives characteristic incident Of their
mettle and manners. One william Wanton, a
young fellow. fell in love with a Presbyterian
lass but the match was opposed by the parents
on both sides on account OF the religious differ
enees. which appear to have had more weight
In matrimonial than In political matters.
AZ last William resolved to end the difficulty
loys h ooe s, stroke % Entering the home Of his lady
sternaton: Ruth we are yaaee FOR each OTHER
ana an cannot I'VE apart Let US settle this matter
the ouaSers. and We viii iein The " Esniseonsiisns
and go 70 the devil together
second only to Roger williams. John Clarke |
was undoubtedly the citizen to whom Rhode
1s'ai'a OWED most in her formative years. for it
was thfoush ms Efforts that the colony secured
..e yer 'nat was the basis OF Rhode Islands
government until lss3, long after She had be- |
come State, and OF which staDben Bonltins |
said 1T doubtless contained mora lfhsral nro-