PLYMOUTH MAYFLOWERS 137 



on the dark point and brought the simple record 

 of faith and courage for our loving remembrance. 

 But whether these things are so or not I know 

 that the very first rays of the morning sun pass in 

 level neglect over the bay and the town to lay a 

 wreath of light on the brow of Burial Hill and 

 touch with celestial gold the simple granite shaft 

 that stands over the grave of William Bradford, 

 historian of Plymouth Colony and writer of the 

 first American book. Such is the unfailing cere- 

 mony of sunrise in Plymouth, and such it has been 

 since the first Pilgrim was laid to rest on the hill 

 which lifts its head above the roofs and spires to 

 the free winds of the world. 



Plymouth is fortunate in this hill. It bears the 

 very presence of its founders above the enterprise 

 and ferment of a modern town which grows rap- 

 idly toward city conditions, a hill which is set 

 upon a city and cannot be hid. Factories and city 

 blocks and all the wonders of steam and electrical 

 contrivance which would have astounded and 

 amazed Bradford and his fellows are common in 

 Plymouth to-day as they are common to all cities 

 and towns of a vast country, yet the graves of the 



