rise from the waters in the evening. Much more might
be added, but I would not tire the reader.
It appears by the following that the first form of
government, under the King, was accepted by the people in
1686.
May 14, 1686. Arrived from England, His Majesty's Commission
to divers worthy Gentlemen, to be a President and Council
for the management of his Majesty's Government here, and
accordingly on the 25th of May, '86, the President and
Council being assembled in Boston, the exemplification of
the Judgment against the Charter of the Late Governour and
Company of the Massachusetts-Bay in N E together with His
Majesty's Commission of Government were publickly read, and
received by persons of all conditions with general
Acceptance.
It will appear by the following advertisement that a market
was then first appointed by authority to be kept in Boston.
Advertisement. There is Appointed by Authority a Market to
be kept in Boston, and a Committee is ordered to meet and
state the place, and days, and other circumstances relating
to the good settling thereof: Of which a more particular
Account may be speedily expected.
This Almanack was published only 67 years from the
settlement at Plymouth, and 59 from that of Salem.
In the eyes of the old New England people the almanac stood next to the
Bible in importance. Almost the only knowledge we have of many events of
those early days has been obtained from diaries kept in interleaved
almanacs. It is true, important facts are often found recorded in
connection with trifling or quite unimportant matters.
* * * * *
The venerable Dr. Holyoke, of Salem, president of the Massachusetts
Medical Society, who died in March, 1829, at the age of one hundred
years and eight months, wrote a letter, a few months before his death,
in answer to a request that he would furnish some particulars of his
mode of living. Dr. Holyoke was through life noted for being remarkably
temperate in all things. After his death it was reported that some
physician said (perhaps in fun) that if Dr. H. had not been in the
habit of using intoxicating liquors he might have lived to a _good old
age._
We give here a copy of this interesting letter.
Salem.
SATURDAY MORNING, AUGUST 1, 1829.
DR. HOLYOKE. The Medical Society of thi
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