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Less than a century ago Charles River flowed at high tide from the southeast corner of Cambridge Street and Anderson Street across intervening streets to Beacon Street, up which it flowed one hundred and forty-three feet easterly across Charles Street to No. 61. When Mr. John Bryant dug the cellar for that building he came to the natural beach, with its rounded pebbles, at the depth of three or four feet below the surface. It also flowed over the Public Garden, across the southern portion of the parade-ground, to the foot of the hill, upon which stands the Soldiers' Monument. A son of H.G. Otis was drowned, about seventy years ago, in a quagmire which existed at that spot. It also flowed across the westerly portion of Boylston Street and Tremont Street, and Shawmut Avenue, to the corner of Washington Street and Groton Street, where stood the fortifications during the American Revolution, across the Neck, which was only two hundred and fifty feet in width at that point, and thence to the boundary of Roxbury. A beach existed where now is Charles Street, and the lower part of Cambridge Street, on both sides, was a marsh.

Less than a century ago, land on Beacon Hill was as cheap as public documents. Ministers are enjoined not to be worldly minded, and not to be given to filthy lucre. But the Reverend James Allen would furnish an excellent pattern for a modern real-estate speculator. In addition to his pasture on the south side of Cambridge Street, he had also a twenty-acre pasture on the north side of that street, between Chambers Street and Charles River, extending to Poplar Street, for which he paid one hundred and forty pounds, New-England currency, equivalent to four hundred and sixty-seven dollars, equal to twenty-three dollars per acre. He was thus the proprietor of all the territory from Pinckney Street to Poplar Street, between Joy Street and Chambers Street on the east, and Grove Street and Charles River on the west; for which he paid the magnificent sum of nine hundred and sixty-seven dollars! It was called "Allen's Farm." The Capitol lot, containing ninety-five thousand square feet, was bought by the town of Boston of John Hancock (who, though a devoted patriot to the American cause, yet in all his business transactions had an eye to profit), for the sum of thirteen thousand three hundred and thirty-three dollars; only twenty times as much as he gave for it! The town afterward conveyed it to the Commonwealth for five shillings, upon condition that it should be used for a Capitol. In 1846, the city of Boston paid one hundred and forty-five thousand one hundred and seven dollars for the reservoir lot containing thirty-seven thousand four hundred and eighty-eight square feet. In 1633, the town granted to William Blackstone fifty acres of land wherever he might select. He accordingly selected upon the south-westerly slope of Beacon Hill, which included the Common. Being afterward compelled by the town to fence in his vacant land, he conveyed back to the town, for thirty pounds, all but the six-acre lot at the corner of Beacon and Spruce Streets, and extending westerly to Charles River, and northerly to Pinckney Street, where he lived until 1635, when he removed to Rhode Island, and founded the town which bears his name.

It will thus be perceived that the portion of Beacon Hill, included between Beacon Street, Beaver Street, Cambridge Street, Bowdoin Square, Court Street, Tremont Row, and Tremont Street, containing about seventy-three acres, was sold, less than a century ago, at prices ranging from twenty-two to nine hundred dollars per acre, aggregating less than thirty thousand dollars. It now comprises the ninth ward of the city of Boston, and contains within its limits a real estate valuation of sixteen millions of dollars. Its name and fame are associated with important events and men prominent in American annals. Upon its slopes have dwelt Josiah Quincy, of ante-Revolutionary fame, and his son and namesake of civic fame; and also his grandson and namesake, and Edmund, equally distinguished; Lemuel Shaw, Robert G. Shaw, Daniel Webster, Abbott Lawrence, Samuel, Nathan, and William Appleton, Samuel T. Armstrong, Mrs. Harrison Gray Otis, J. Lothrop Motley, William H. Prescott, Charles Sumner, John A. Andrew, John C. Warren, Mrs. Sarah J. Hale, Lyman Beecher, William E. Channing, and Hosea Ballou. Lafayette made it his temporary home in 1824, and Kossuth in 1852. During the present century, the laws of Massachusetts have been enacted upon and promulgated from its summit, and will probably continue so to be for ages to come.

BRITISH FORCE AND THE LEADING LOSSES IN THE REVOLUTION

[From Original Returns in the British Record Office.]

COMPILED BY HENRY B. CARRINGTON, U.S.A

At Boston, in 1775, 9,147.

At New York, in 1776, 31,626.

In America: June, 1777, 30,957; August, 1778, 33,756; February, 1779, 30,283; May, 1779, 33,458; December, 1779, 38,569; May, 1780, 38,002; August, 1780, 33,020; December, 1780, 33,766; May, 1781, 33,374; September, 1781, 42,075.

CASUALTIES.

Bunker Hill, 1,054; Long Island, 400; Fort Washington, 454; Trenton, 1,049 (including prisoners); Hubbardton, 360; Bennington, 207 (besides prisoners); Freeman's Farm, 550; Bemis Heights, 500; Burgoyne's Surrender, 5,763; Forts Clinton and Montgomery, 190; Brandywine, 600; Germantown, 535; Monmouth, 2,400 (including deserters); Siege of Charlestown, 265; Camden, 324; Cowpens, 729; Guilford Court House, 554; Hobkirk's Hill, 258; Eutaw Springs, 693; New London, 163; Yorktown, 552; Cornwallis's Surrender, 7,963.

HISTORICAL NOTES

BIRD AND SQUIRREL LEGISLATION IN 1776

"Whereas, much mischief happens from Crows, Black Birds, and Squirrels, by pulling up corn at this season of the year, therefore, be it enacted by this Town meeting, that ninepence as a bounty per head be given for every full-grown crow, and twopence half-penny per head for every young crow, and twopence half-penny per head for every crow blackbird, and one penny half-penny per head for every red-winged blackbird, and one penny half-penny per head for every thrush or jay bird and streaked squirrel that shall be killed, and presented to the Town Treasurer by the twentyeth day of June next, and that the same be paid out of the town treasury."

BARRINGTON, RHODE ISLAND

At the meeting of the town held on the fourteenth of March, 1774, James Brown, the fourth, was the first on the committee to draw up resolves to be laid before the meeting respecting the infringements made upon the Americans by certain "ministerial decrees." These were laid before a meeting held March 21, 1774, and received by the town's votes, as follows:—

"The inhabitants of this Town being justly Alarmed at the several acts of Parliament made and passed for having a revenue in America, and, more especially the acts for the East India Company, exporting their tea into America subject to a duty payable here, on purpose to raise a revenue in America, with many more unconstitutional acts, which are taken into consideration by a number of our sister towns in the Colony, therefore we think it needless to enlarge upon them; but being sensible of the dangerous condition the Colonies are in, Occasioned by the Influence of wicked and designing men, we enter into the following Resolves;

"First, That we, the Inhabitants of the Town ever have been & now are Loyal & dutiful subjects to the king of G. Britain.

"Second, That we highly approve of the resolutions of our sister Colonies and the noble stand they have made in the defense of the liberties & priviledges of the Colonys, and we thank the worthy Author of 'the rights of the Colonies examined.'

"Third, That the act for the East India Company to export their Tea to America payable here, and the sending of said tea by the Company, is with an intent to enforce the Revenue Acts and Design^d for a precedent for Establishing Taxes, Duties & Monopolies in America, that they might take our property from us and dispose of it as they please and reduce us to a state of abject slavery.

"Fourth, That we will not buy or sell, or receive as a gift, any dutied Tea, nor have any dealings with any person or persons that shall buy or sell or give or receive or trade in s^d Tea, directly or indirectly, knowing it or suspecting it to be such, but will consider all persons concern^d in introducing dutied Teas … into any Town in America, as enemies to this country and unworthy the society of free men.

"Fifth, That it is the duty of every man in America to oppose by all proper measures to the uttermost of his Power and Abilities every attempt upon the liberties of his Country and especially those mentioned in the foregoing Resolves, & to exert himself to the uttermost of his power to obtain a redress of the grievances the Colonies now groan under.

"We do therefore solemnly resolve that we will heartily unite with the Town of Newport and all the other Towns in this and the sister Colonies, and exert our whole force in support of the just rights and priviledges of the American Colonies.

"Sixth, That James Brown, Isaiah Humphrey, Edw^d Bosworth, Sam^l Allen, Nathaniel Martin, Moses Tyler, & Thomas Allen, Esq., or a major part of them, be a committee for this town to Correspond with all the other Committees appointed by any Town in this or the neighboring Colonies, and the committee is desir^d to give their attention to every thing that concerns the liberties of America; and if any of that obnoxious Tea should be brought into this Town, or any attempt made on the liberties of the inhabitants thereof, the committee is directed and empowered to call a town meeting forthwith that such measures may be taken as the publick safty may require.

"Seventh, That we do heartily unite in and resolve to support the foregoing resolves with our lives & fortunes."

JOHN ROGERS, ESQUIRE

A descendant of John Rogers, of Smithfield farm, came to America in the early emigration. Can any one give any information as to the life and death of a son, John Rogers, Jr., of Roxbury?

Answer.—John Rogers, Jr., or second, was born at Duxbury, about February 28, 1641. He married Elisabeth Peabody, and, after King Philip's War, removed to Mount Hope Neck, Bristol, Rhode Island, about 1680. He again removed to Boston in 1697; to Taunton in 1707; and to Swansea in 1710. He became blind in 1723, and died after nine days' sickness, June 28, 1732, in the ninety-second year of his age, leaving at the time of his death ninety-one descendants, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was buried at Prince's Hill Cemetery, in Barrington, Rhode Island, where his grave is marked by a fine slate headstone in excellent preservation.

M.H.W.

PUBLISHERS' DEPARTMENT

We propose to make THE BAY STATE MONTHLY an interesting and valuable addition to every library—prized in every home—read at every fireside. We want all who sympathize with our work to express their goodwill by ordering the publication regularly at their book-seller's, or at the nearest news stand, or, better yet, remit a year's subscription to the publishers. After all, financial sympathy is what is needed to encourage any enterprise. Next in importance is the contribution of articles calculated to interest, primarily, the good citizens of this Commonwealth.

And one feature will be to develop the Romance in Massachusetts Colonial and State History. Articles of this character are specially desired. In the meanwhile, the publishers invite contributions of works upon local history, with view to a fair equivalent in exchange. New England town histories and historical pamphlets will be very readily accepted at a fair valuation.

The encouragement given to THE BAY STATE MONTHLY warrants the publishers in assuring the public that the magazine is firmly established. Many of the leading writers of the State have promised articles for future numbers.

IF you have a son settled in California, farming or cattle-raising, or among the Rocky Mountains, or in some wild mining camp exposed to every temptation, or, perhaps, on some lonely prairie farm, away from neighbors, send him THE BAY STATE MONTHLY for one year. It will come to him like a gentle breeze from his native hillside, full of suggestive thoughts of home.

In the announcement of THE BAY STATE MONTHLY, and the issue of the first number, it was perfectly understood that the enterprise was a bold piece of magazine work.

The purpose was to begin the year with the first number, and that was carried out. No apology is made for neglect of notices, whether of review, or otherwise. In fact, it was not supposed that the readers would care for editors, if, only, they had fresh matter for their perusal.

It is also perfectly understood by the editors of THE BAY STATE MONTHLY, that every author, and publisher, will look at the numbers, with keen outlook, for immediate recognition. That is quite right; but recognition is not less valuable, when it comes in due turn; and no patron will be overlooked.

It may have been an error, that the editors did not more fully elaborate their plan, in their Prospectus. The intent was right. The real plan is this:

(1) "THE BAY STATE," in its memorial biography, illustrated by portraits and historical notes, takes a new field.

(2) "THE BAY STATE," in its revolutionary and historical record; illustrated by maps, mansions, and local objects of memorial and monumental interest, invites support.

(3) Historical articles, of national value, which illustrate the outgrowth of the struggle for national independence, which had its start at Concord and Lexington, was developed in the siege of Boston, and culminated at Yorktown. In this line we obtained from General Carrington, the historian, an article and maps to start this series.

(4) The best historical, educational, and general literature, with no exclusive limitation of authorship or subject; but with the aim at a high standard of contributions, so that the magazine should be prized, as a specialty.

Perchance a dearly-loved daughter is carrying New-England ideas to some dark corner of the South or West, leading the young idea, or surrounded by ideas of her own,—what more appropriate present to the absent one than THE BAY STATE MONTHLY?

In the old-fashioned farm-house where your youth was passed so happily, there may be the dim, spectacled eyes of the good father and mother—perhaps one without the other—awaiting the approach of spring and summer, to welcome home their child. Herald your coming by sending to them THE BAY STATE MONTHLY, to relieve the monotony and awaken reminiscences of their youth.

There are indications that the unjust postal law, which provides that THE BAY STATE MONTHLY can be delivered in San Francisco, New Orleans, or Savannah, for less than half the money required to deliver it in Boston and its suburbs, will be repealed by the present Congress, and a more equitable law established.

SUBSCRIBE FOR THE BAY STATE MONTHLY.

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JOHN N. MCCLINTOCK, of THE BAY STATE MONTHLY, has written and has in press, a History of the town of Pembroke, New Hampshire. Modesty prevents our dwelling at too great a length upon the merits of the book. The historical student will find within its covers a wealth of dramatic incidents, thrilling narrative, touching pathos, etc.

Apropos of town histories, the publishers of THE BAY STATE MONTHLY would be willing to confer with authors upon the subject of publishing their manuscripts.

We copy, by permission, from the Boston Daily Advertiser, the following

RECORD OF EVENTS IN JANUARY.
1. President Clark of the New York and New England Railroad appointed its receiver.
Successful opening of the improved system of sewerage in Boston.
2. James Russell Lowell declines the rectorship of St. Andrew's University, to which he was elected.
3. Inauguration of the Hon. George D. Robinson as governor.
7. Inauguration of the Boston city government, and of the new governments in the cities of the Commonwealth.
8. Appointment by the governor of Mrs. Ellen C. Johnson, of Boston, as superintendent of the Sherborn reformatory prison for women.
12. Close of the foreign exhibition in Boston.
15. Minister Lowell accepts the presidency of the Birmingham and Midland Institute for 1884.
17. Francis W. Rockwell elected to Congress from the twelfth Massachusetts district to succeed Governor Robinson.
Mr. Robert Harris elected president of the Northern Pacific Railroad, in place of Mr. Henry Villard, resigned.
18. Steamer City of Columbus of the Boston and Savannah line wrecked off Gay Head, Martha's Vineyard, with the loss of one hundred lives.
28. The State Senate votes to abolish the annual Election Sermon.
DEATHS IN JANUARY.
3. The Rev. Lawrence Walsh, of Rhode Island, treasurer of the American National Land League.
9. Brigadier-General James F. Hall, of Massachusetts.
10. The Rev. George W. Quimby, D.D., of Maine.
12. John William Wallace, president of the Pennsylvania Historical Society.
13. The Hon. Francis T. Blackmen, district attorney of Worcester County, Mass.
16. Amos D. Lockwood, of Providence, R.I. Dr. John Taylor Gilman, of Portland, Me.
19. General William C. Plunkett, of Adams, Mass.
21. Commodore Timothy A. Hunt, U.S.N., of Connecticut.

The History of Georgia, by Charles C. Jones, Jr., LL.D. (Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co., 2 vols.) This is one of the most important recent contributions to American history. Mr. Jones has done for Georgia what Palfrey did for New England. The first volume deals with the settlement of the State, while the second covers its history during the war of the Revolution. With the single exception of omitting to give a picture of the manners and customs of the people, which is always essential to a comprehensive history of any community or nation, the work merits the high praise it has already received.

The first volume of Suffolk County Deeds was published more than two years ago, by permission of the city authorities of Boston. The second one, upon petition of the Suffolk bar, was also printed and distributed at the close of 1883. These volumes contain valuable original historical information of the county, and of the city itself. Among other historically-famous names appear those of Simon Bradstreet, John Endicott, John Winthrop, and Samuel Maverick. The Indian element of the colony, also, is shown here several times. The local topography of Boston and its suburbs, as they existed more than two centuries ago, are all preserved in this second volume. Other volumes will no doubt follow in time, thus preserving records that are indeed precious.

The advanced state of our civilization, and the general prevalence of intelligence, naturally leads to the desire to contrast the past with the present; and to trace to their origin, the laws, customs, and manners of the leading civilized nations of the world. Much research and strength have been expended in this direction, with gratifying results. Two such accomplishments have been recently published, which discuss the early history of property. The first is entitled The English Village Community, by Frederic Seebohm, (London: Longmans, Green, & Co. 1 vol.) The other, by Denman W. Ross, PH.D., treats of The Early History of Landholding among the Germans. (Boston: Soule & Bugbee. 1 vol.) It is generally admitted that the earliest organization of society was by family group, and that the earliest occupation of land was by these same family groups, and it is with the discussion of the theories growing out of these two that both books are occupied.

An Old Philadelphian contains sketches of the life of Colonel William Bradford, the patriot printer of 1776, by John William Wallace. (Philadelphia. Privately printed, 1 vol.) "He was the third of the earliest American family of printers, and his memoir serves as an admirable account of the interesting period in which he was one of the prominent figures in Philadelphia, and when that city was, in every sense, the capital of the country." It should be printed for public sale.

The initial volume of American Commonwealths, edited by Horace E. Scudder, and published by Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston, was Virginia: A History of the People, by John Esten Cooke. This is followed by Oregon: The Struggle for Possession, written by William Barrows. The books are intended to give a rapid but forcible sketch of each of those States in the Union whose lives have had "marked influence upon the structure of the nation, or have embodied in their formation and growth, principles of American polity."

A History of the American People, by Arthur Gilman, published by D. Lothrop & Co., Boston, I vol. Illustrated. This is a compact account of the discovery of the continent, settlement of the country, and national growth of this people. It is treated in a popular way, with strict reference to accuracy, and is profusely illustrated.

History of Prussia to the accession of Frederick the Great, 1134-1740, by Herbert Tuttle. Published by Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston, I vol. The author, who is Professor of History in Cornell University, "spent several years in Berlin, studying with the greatest care the Germany of the past and present. The results are contained in this volume, with the purpose to describe the political development of Prussia from the earliest time down to the death of the second king."

The Magazine of American History, No. 30 Lafayette Place, New York. Terms, $5 per annum, single numbers 50 cents. Mrs. Martha J. Lamb, editor.

This is the only periodical exclusively devoted to the history and antiquities of America; containing original historical and biographical articles by writers of recognized ability, besides reprints of rare documents, translations of valuable manuscripts, careful and discriminating literary reviews, and a special department of notes and queries, which is open to all historical inquirers.

This publication is now in its seventh year and firmly established, with the support of the cultivated element of the country. It is invaluable to the reading public, covering a field not occupied by ordinary periodical literature, and is in every way an admirable table companion for the scholar, and for all persons of literary and antiquarian tastes. It forms a storehouse of valuable and interesting material not accessible in any other form.

Mrs. Lamb is the author of the elaborate History of the City of New York, in two volumes, royal octavo, which is the standard authority in that specialty of local American history.

We welcome The Magazine of American History, and thank the accomplished editor for her appreciation of our own more especially New England enterprise.

The Magazine of American History, has one element which insures its merit and its permanence, and that is its list of contributors. Its previous editors have included John Austin Stevens, the Rev. Dr. B.F. DeCosta, and others. Its contributors include such names as Bancroft, Carrington, DePeyster, George E. Ellis, Gardner, Greene, Hamilton, Stone, Horatio Seymour, Trumbull, Walworth, Rodenbough, Amory, Cooper, Delafield, Brevoort, Anthon, Bacheller, Arnold, Dexter, Windsor, etc.

Historical students will find that the facile pen, the painstaking research, and the scholarly taste of Mrs. Lamb, assure her a place with the first of American female writers; and that she deserves most considerate and enthusiastic support. Steel engravings, historical maps, and many illustrations, add beauty, character, and dignity to the work.

ERRATUM. In the January number, on pages 39 and 41 the word "Gates" should read "Gage."

ORATION,

PRONOUNCED AT

HANOVER, NEW-HAMPSHIRE,

THE 4th DAY of JULY,

1800;

BEING THE TWENTY-FOURTH

ANNIVERSARY

AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.

BY DANIEL WEBSTER,

Member of the Junior Class, DARTMOUTH UNIVERSITY.