OLD CARVINGS. THE FATHER LAND. 125 



off or blown away) is boldly projected, and your attention 

 perhaps invited to it by ornamental carving. Porches, bow- 

 windows, dormers, galleries (in the rows), and all the promi 

 nent features of the building are generally more or less rudely 

 carved. One house near us is completely covered with 

 figures. C. says they represent Bible scenes. There is one 

 compartment which he supposes a tableau of the sacrifice of 

 Isaac, Abraham being represented, according to his exeyesis, 

 by a bearded figure dressed in long flapped waistcoat and 

 knee-breeches. 



Another house has these words cut in the principal hori 

 zontal beam : God&quot; 1 s Providence is mine Inheritance 1652. 

 It is said the family residing in it was the only one in the city 

 that entirely escaped the great plague of that year. 



You may imagine how intensely interesting all this is. 

 We cannot keep still, but run about with a real boyish 

 excitement. We feel indeed like children that have come 

 back to visit the paternal house, and who are rummaging 

 about in the garret among their father s playthings, ever and 

 anon shouting, &quot; See what I ve found ! see what I ve found !&quot; 

 If we had been brought here blindfolded from America, and 

 were now, after two days visit, sent back again, we should 

 feel well repaid for the long sea-passage. If we were to stay 

 here a month, we should scarcely enjoy less than we now do, 

 rambling about among these relics of our old England.* 



* Some months later than this we were at a supper party, after some 

 old English ballads and songs had been sung, when one of the company 

 apologized for it, saying, &quot; We forget our American friends. It is selfish 

 in us to sing only these national songs in which we are peculiarly interested. 

 Have you nothing American, now?&quot; &quot;Excuse me, sir,&quot; I replied, &quot;those 

 are our national songs as much as yours. You forget that we are also 

 countrymen of Will Shakspeare, and Eobin Hood, and Eichard the Lion- 

 hearted. Our mothers danced with your fathers under that same green 

 wood, and around the May-pole. Our fathers fought for their right in 



11* 



