Lanterna Rally

Author: Josiah Gilbert Holland

Publisher: Theclassics.Us

Published: 2013-09

Total Pages: 172

ISBN-13: 9781230263977

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1855 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IV. Completion Of The First Line Of Settlements On The Connecticut River--Incidents Of Interest. There are some facts connected with the manner in which New England was settled, in its earlier days, that are worthy of mention in connection with the mode pursued in later times, and still followed in the advancing settlements of the West. In consequence of the isolated condition of the settlements at that day, and the danger from the surrounding savages, the settlers always planted themselves together, in villages. While this method answered the immediate purpose for which it was designed, the ends incidentally secured were of far greater importance than were then dreamed of. All the inhabitants were, in that manner, brought under the immediate influence of the ordinances of religion, the children lived by the side of the school, house, and the social features of civilized life were retained and cultivated. The Connecticut Valley now bears the marks of this ancient policy, not only in the accumulation of its inhabitants at scattered points, but in the morality, education and urbanity that, by a natural consequence, prevail among them. The influence of this policy can only be fully appreciated when standing by the side of the solitary settler's hut in the West, where even an Eastern man has degenerated to a boor in manners, where his children have grown up uneducated, and where the Sabbath has become an unknown day, and religion and its obligations have ceased to exercise control upon the heart and life. The appearance presented at 'this day, by the towns first settled on the Connecticut River, is unique. All the towns containing attractive interval lands are not occupied by farms, as the word is popularly understood. The...