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the late Geo. A. Ward, Esq., of Salem, in the Appendix to his Journal 

 and Letters of Samuel Curwen, and to a more elaborate biography by 

 the venerable Dr. Usher Parsons, now the sole surviving officer of 

 Perry's brilliant naval victory on Lake Erie, who was expected to be 

 present on this occasion, but, unfortunately for the Institute, was pre- 

 vented from attending. To these works, and to Charles W. Brewster, 

 Esq., the editor of the Portsmouth Journal and author of "Rambles 

 about Portsmouth," who personally accompanied the party and con- 

 tributed greatly to the interest of the visit by his knowledge of the 

 localities and the historical associations connected with them, we are 

 indebted for our facts. 



The ride to the Point, through Kittery Foreside, though rough and 

 in crowded vehicles, was full of interest. The road follows the course 

 of the Piscataqua and affords views of Portsmouth on the opposite side 

 of the river, and of the Navy Yard close at hand, and passes by the old 

 garrison-house, now modernized, built for protection against the In- 

 dians ; the ancient graveyard containing many quaint inscriptions, 

 affording material for curious study ; the antique parsonage, where the 

 mother of Rev. Joseph Stevens Buckminster was born, with the 

 church adjoining; the dilapidated mansion built by Lady Pepperrell 

 after her husband's death, and the Sparhawk mansion erected by Sir 

 William for his daughter upon her marriage. Just before reaching 

 the Point, Spruce Creek is crossed, and the new Fort McClary comes 

 into view, a massive fortification not yet completed, which, with Fort 

 Constitution on the other side (plainly in sight with Newcastle in the 

 background and the Isles of Shoals nine miles seaward), will protect 

 the mouth of the river and the enti'ance to the Navy Yard. 



The Pepperrell Mansion shows but little of its former grandeur. 

 One room and the spacious hall, or entry, remain pretty much as they 

 were in Sir William's day, and indicate the courtly style in which he 

 lived ; but the house has been curtailed in its dimensions, and its sur- 

 roundings are not what they were. It is still a comfortable residence, 

 however, and a most interesting relic, and nothing could exceed the 

 kindness and courtesy of Mrs. Bellamy, in welcoming this intrusion 

 of strangers into her family mansion, and in her efforts to make their 

 visit agreeable and satisfactory. She exhibited to them several arti- 

 cles of interest, and seemed never weary of answering questions and 

 giving explanations. Her politeness was highly appreciated. 



Mr. Ward describes the old mansion as plain in architecture, but 

 containing a great many rooms, and well adapted to the extensive do- 

 mains and hospitalities of its former owners. The lawn in front (now, 

 in part, a kitchen garden) extends to the sea, and the restless waves, 

 over, which Sir William sought fortune and fame, still glitter in the 



