l8 POPULATION AND GROWTH. 



They hail nets and boats for tishing and other purposes; but how un- 

 like those of the present day! Their highways were mainly water. There 

 were few roatls and no bridges. The sea, the sound and the bays were 

 the paths of their meagre trade and small social intercourse, ^rhev had 

 few books and no printed newspapers. 



The destitution and want of the early inhabitants of our county can- 

 not be understood, so greatly did their means of comfort differ horn our 

 own. 



But though their hardships were so severe, they made us their im- 

 measurable debtors. Their virtues and piety opened for us those living 

 fountains of liberty, prosperity and benign influences of many kintls, 

 which so greatly enrich and comfort us to-day, and which will continue to 

 afford intelligence, wealth and gladness to our descendants for ages to 

 come. There is no exact measure for the growth of comfort sine ■ their 

 day. But it is safe to say, that there are now more and better means for 

 it in hundreds of dwellings in Suffolk county than could be found two 

 hundred years ago in an}' ducal or royal palace. 



In the narrow conditions and sharp privations of their time, our an- 

 cestors here did their work faithfully and well. It becomes us to com- 

 memorate their deeds, and to celebrate their worth, not only: but also to 

 emulate their devotion to the welfare of posterity, and to increase the pop- 

 ulation, wealth and comfort of our countrymen through all future genera- 

 tions. 



