HIS MARRIAGE : REMINISCENCES OF GOV. TRUMBULL. 235 



The house at Lebanon had ample literary resources. 

 A large library in the office, and a smaller select collec 

 tion in the house afforded abundant means of entertain 

 ment and instruction, especially in the long winter even 

 ings, and in the many days of the same season when cold 

 and snow gave almost undisturbed quiet in a country vil 

 lage of sparse population, and whose principal street was in 

 fact a wide common across which it was not always easy 

 to pass. It used to be said, sportively, that the people on 

 the opposite sides of the street had so little intercourse that 

 they spoke different languages. 



The physical comforts of the family were also abundant. 

 The apartments had a cheerful, hospitable air ; the table 

 was spread with the best food, prepared with skill and 

 taste ; the table furniture was in keeping with the dignity 

 of the house, and Mrs. Trumbull, by her provident care 

 and energy, managed to obtain the more rare articles of 

 food, and even the treasures of the seas. 



Kindness to the poor and the humble was a bright trait 

 of this family. Not only was charity extended to the needy 

 and suffering, but plain and obscure neighbors were re 

 ceived with a gentle welcome, and made to feel happy in 

 the society of those whose social position was so much supe 

 rior to their own. Some persons of this description, per 

 haps coming from a more distant home, were received as 

 visiting friends, and remained for several weeks at a time 

 in the family, but they were always distinguished for per 

 sonal worth. 



With the dignity of elevation there was no family pride. 

 A sense of religious duty, and the mild but prevailing effect 

 of Christian feeling, shed a happy influence over the do 

 mestic scenes ; and family worship, always attended with 

 seriousness and punctuality, seemed both a fair exponent 

 and a happy result of the living religion of the house. 



It was usual to anticipate the arrival of the Governor, 



