[Book review].

Date:
1868
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: [Book review]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    the acquisition of land had become common, and there was much ill-blood within the bounds of the City of Peace. The independence, the mode of life, and the pride of the yeo¬ men made them excellent citizens, however, when war broke out with the Indians or with any other foe; and the military spirit of the aristocracy was well sustained by that of the Farmers. The dignity of the town had been early secured by the wisdom of the Company at home, which had committed to the people the government of the districts in which they were placed ; and every citizen felt himself, in his degree, concerned in the rule and good order of the society in which he lived; but the holders of land recognised no real equality between themselves and men of other callings, while the artisans and labourers were ambitious to obtain a place in the higher class. Artisans of every calling needed in a new society had been sent out from England by the Company; and when all the most energetic had acquired as much land as could be had in recompense for special services to the community—as so many acres for ploughing up a meadow, so many for discover¬ ing minerals, so many for foiling an Indian raid,—and when the original grants had been broken up, and finally parcelled out among sons and daughters, leaving no scope for new purchasers, the most ambitious of the adventurers applied for tracts in Maine, where they might play their part of* First Families in a new settlement. The weaker, the more envious, the more ill- conditioned, thus remained behind, to cavil at their prosperous neighbours, and spite them if they could. Here was an evident preparation for social disturbance, when opportunity for grati¬ fying bad passions should arise. There had been a preparation for this stage in the temper with which the adventurers had arrived in the country, and the influences which at once operated upon them there. The politics and the religion in which they had grown up were gloomy and severe. Those who were not soured were sad ; and, it should be remembered, they fully believed that Satan and his powers were abroad, and must be contended with daily and hourly, and in every transaction of life. In their new home they found little cheer from the sun and the common daylight; for the forest shrouded the entire land beyond the barren seashore. The special enemy, the Red Indian, always watching them and seeking his advantage of them, was not, in their view, a simple savage. Their clergy assured them that the Red Indians were worshippers and agents of Satan; and it is difficult to estimate the effect of this belief on the minds and