l of the lower orders.
Artisans and mechanics soon found ample employment, and various
manufactures were ingeniously contrived to supply the ordinary wants of
the colony. The natural products of the soil gradually yielded a
superfluity, which was exported to the West Indian and other
islands;--the commencement of that extensive traffic, which has since
raised Boston to a high rank among the commercial cities of the world.
It was also sent in exchange for the commodities of the mother country,
who, indulgent to her children while too feeble to dispute her
authority, then generously remitted those duties which afterwards proved
a "root of bitterness" between them. The fisheries, also, were even then
an object of consideration; and many found employment in that craft,
which has now become a source of national wealth. Vessels of
considerable burthen were launched from the shores of the wilderness,
and their light keels already parted the waters of distant seas. Nations
which then viewed our hardy navigators with contempt, have since seen
their white sails flutter in the winds of every climate, and their
adventurous ships braving the dangers of every rugged shore. The
proudest have acknowledged their rights in each commercial port, and the
bravest have struck unwillingly to their victorious flag.

The advancement which the colony had made within fourteen years from its
settlement, was indeed surprising. The germ of future prosperity seemed
bursting from its integuments. The principles of a free government were
established; the seed which was "sown in tears," though it appeared "the
least of all seeds," was preparing to shoot forth and spread its
branches into a mighty tree. As yet, however, the future was "hid under
a cloud;" and what had already been done, could only be justly
appreciated by those who acted and suffered from the commencement. But
the fruits of their labor were evident, even to the most indifferent
observer; and Stanhope's thoughts were forcibly drawn from the subject
of his own anxiety, and fixed on the scene before him.

The scene, glorious as it appeared in the simple garniture of nature,
and softened by the adornments of art, charmed the eye and awakened the
enthusiasm of a refined and imaginative mind. But the high moral
courage, the stern yet lofty impulse of duty, which had achieved so
great an enterprize; which had burst the strong links of kindred and
country, and exchanged honor and affluence for