undred years--escaped being lost forever, our minds travel again over
the often told story.

The manuscript, penned in Governor Bradford's fine old hand, in a folio
with a parchment back, and with some childish scribblings by little
Mercy Bradford on the cover, passed at the Governor's death to his son,
and at his death to his son. It reposed in the old house at which we are
now looking until 1728, doubtless regarded as something valuable, but
not in the least appreciated at its full and peculiar worth. When Major
John Bradford lent it to the Reverend Thomas Prince to assist him in his
"Chronological History of New England," he was merely doing what he had
done many times before. In these days of burglar-proof safes and fire
protection it makes us shiver to think of this priceless holograph
passed from hand to hand in such a casual manner. But it seems to have
escaped any mishap under Dr. Prince, who deposited it eventually in the
library of the Old South Church. Here it remained for half a century,
still in manuscript form and frequently referred to by scholars. Thomas
Hutchinson used it in compiling his "History of Massachusetts Bay," and
Mather used it also. At the time of the Revolution the Old South was
looted, and this document (along with many others) disappeared
absolutely. No trace whatever could be found of it: the most exhaustive
search was in vain, and scholars and historians mourned for a loss that
was irreparable. And then, after half a century, after the search had
been entirely abandoned, it was discovered, quite by chance, by one who
fortunately knew its value, tucked into the Library of Fulham Palace in
London. After due rejoicing on the American side and due deliberation on
the English side of the water, it was very properly and very politely
returned to this country in 1897. Now it rests after its career of
infinite hazard, in a case in the Boston State House, elaborately
protected from fire and theft, from any accidental or premeditated harm,
and Kingston must content itself with a copy in Pilgrim Hall at
Plymouth.

Kingston's history commences with a manuscript and continues in the same
form. If you would know the legends, the traditions, the events which
mark this ancient town, you will have to turn to records, diaries,
memoranda, memorial addresses and sermons, many of them never published.

It is rather odd that this serene old place, discovered only two or
three days after the landing of the