

rian, Bancroft, a citizen of Massachusetts, biased by no Con- 

 necticut predilections says, in language as striking as that of 

 Dr. Bushnell, "There is no State in the Union, and I know not 

 any in the world, in whose early history, if I were a citizen, I 

 could find more of which to be proud and less that I should 

 wish to blot." 



The sentiment that honors and cherishes one's birth-place 

 is noble and ennobling. I am aware that a popular prejudice 

 associates weakness and effeminacy with such taste and refine- 

 ment. But this sentiment has ever characterized the greatest 

 and best of men and is a prime element of true manhood. 

 The cold and selfish soul is sterile in heroic virtues. There is 

 an American railway king, now a millionaire, who seldom 

 visits his native town, takes no interest in it, does nothing for 

 it, and leaves even the old homestead and grounds, though still 

 owned by him, neglected and forlorn. This fact alone natu- 

 rally suggests a selfish, soulless character. Indeed such exam- 

 ples are too common. On the other hand, the greatest grandeur 

 of intellect accords with fervor of filial feeling, with fondest 

 home attachments and with refinement and delicacy of taste. 

 It is perfectly in keeping with the intellectual greatness of 

 Daniel Webster to find him fondly cherishing and beautifying 

 the old homestead, enriching and improving the paternal acres 

 and eloquently discoursing on the sacred associations of home, 

 the transcendent sweets of domestic life, the happiness of kin- 

 dred, and parents and children. Washington was as delicate, 

 courteous and affectionate in his domestic relations and attach- 

 ments as he was wise in council and courageous in war. A 

 beautiful trait in Bryant's character was evinced by his devo- 

 tion to the old homestead and the little secluded town of 

 Cummington among the Hampshire hills, hallowed to him by 

 the memories of father and mother, and the sacred associations 

 of childhood. To that little town which he did so much 

 to adorn and enrich and educate, he ever deemed it a privi- 

 lege to make an annual visit a summer visit with his house- 

 hold, often prolonged for weeks and months. That the early 

 associations might remain, raising the old house, he built 

 beneath and around it a stately mansion, so that the paternal 

 rooms remained intact. 



