OLD CARVINGS - FATHER-LAND. 105 



of that below. There is no finical vergeboard, or flimsy " dra- 

 pery" in the gable, but the outermost rafter (a stout beam that 

 you cannot fear will warp off or blow away) is boldly projected, 

 and your attention perhaps invited to it by 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 understands to be a tableau of the sacrifice of Isaac, 

 Abraham being represented, according to his exegesis, by a 

 bearded figure, dressed in a long flapped waistcoat and knee- 

 breeches. 



Another house has these words cut in the principal horizontal 

 beam: "God'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. > 



We cannot keep still, but run about with 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, " See 

 what I've found ! see what I've found ! " 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 thig 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, " 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 ?" " Excuse me, sir," I 

 replied, " those are our national songs as much as yours. You forget that we are also 

 countrymen of Shakspeare, and Robin Hood, and Richard the Lion-hearted. Our moth- 

 ers danced with your fathers under that same ' green-wood,' and around the ' May -polo.' 



