= On the Forts around Boston, 347 
21. At Nook Hill, near South Boston | bridge, may be 
seen the last breast-work which was thrown up ‘by the for- — 
ces of America, during this arduous contest. Its appear- — 
ance on the morning of March 17, 1776, induced the de- 
parture of the British troops from Boston in a few hours, 
and thus placed the seal to the independence of the New- 
England States. But those who would wish to see this ioe | 
trenchment, must visit it soon. The enemy have attacked — 
it on three sides, and are proceeding by sap and by mine; 
part of the fosse is oe destroyed, and the rampart nods 
to its fall. 
im 
ee 
: 
test, besiege, Bid the plans fot the Independence of A Amer- 
ica were matured under the shelter of these ramparts. 
In a military point of view it presents conspicuous fea- 
tures: an island, or rather a peninsula, besieged from the 
continent. Accomplished generals, and brave and discip~ a 
lined troops on one side, and undisciplined, but numerous a 
’ forces on the other. At the same time, the arm of Ex 
; land did all that men, in such a situation could attempt. it 
they had obtained possession of any part of the lines, by the 
| sacrifice of an immense number of lives, still no advantage 
could have been gained by advancing into a country where 
every man was a foe, every stone wall a rampart, and every 
hill a fortress. When we examine the extent of the lines, 
o (more than twelve miles,) the numerous forts covering eve~ 
‘ ty hill, redoubts and batteries erected upon every risi 
ground, ramparts and entrenchments defending every v 
ley, we are surprised at the immensity of the “works 
‘Structed, and the labour required to complete them. Ni 
‘ing but the enthusiasm of liberty could have — 
_ men of America to construct such works. I 
| to surround the army of Pompey, of which the description 
“in Lucan’s Pharsalia will justly apply to the lines hebre 
on: a 
