Margaret Smith Journal, vol 5,
part 1
Project Gutenberg EBook, Margaret Smith's Journal, by Whittier Part 1,
From Volume V., The Works of Whittier: Tales and Sketches #32 in
our series by John Greenleaf Whittier
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Title: Margaret Smith's Journal Part 1, From Volume V., The Works of
Whittier: Tales and Sketches
Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
Release Date: December 2005 [EBook #9587] [Yes, we are more than
one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on October 18,
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Language: English
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK,
MARGARET SMITH'S JOURNAL ***
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MARGARET SMITH'S JOURNAL TALES AND SKETCHES
BY
JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER
The intelligent reader of the following record cannot fail to notice
occasional inaccuracies in respect to persons, places, and dates; and, as
a matter of course, will make due allowance for the prevailing
prejudices and errors of the period to which it relates. That there are
passages indicative of a comparatively recent origin, and calculated to
cast a shade of doubt over the entire narrative, the Editor would be the
last to deny, notwithstanding its general accordance with historical
verities and probabilities. Its merit consists mainly in the fact that it
presents a tolerably lifelike picture of the Past, and introduces us
familiarly to the hearths and homes of New England in the seventeenth
century.
A full and accurate account of Secretary Rawson and his family is
about to be published by his descendants, to which the reader is
referred who wishes to know more of the personages who figure
prominently in this Journal.
1866.
MARGARET SMITH'S JOURNAL IN THE PROVINCE OF
MASSACHUSETTS BAY, 1678-9
TALES AND SKETCHES
MY SUMMER WITH DR. SINGLETARY: A FRAGMENT
THE LITTLE IRON SOLDIER PASSACONAWAY THE OPIUM
EATER THE PROSELYTES DAVID MATSON THE FISH I DID
N'T CATCH YANKEE GYPSIES THE TRAINING THE CITY OF A
DAY PATUCKET FALLS FIRST DAY IN LOWELL THE
LIGHTING UP TAKING COMFORT CHARMS AND FAIRY
FAITH MAGICIANS AND WITCH FOLK THE BEAUTIFUL THE
WORLD'S END THE HEROINE OF LONG POINT
MARGARET SMITH'S JOURNAL
IN THE PROVINCE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY
1678-9.
BOSTON, May 8, 1678.
I remember I did promise my kind Cousin Oliver (whom I pray God to
have always in his keeping), when I parted with him nigh unto three
months ago, at mine Uncle Grindall's, that, on coming to this new
country, I would, for his sake and perusal, keep a little journal of
whatsoever did happen both unto myself and unto those with whom I
might sojourn; as also, some account of the country and its marvels,
and mine own cogitations thereon. So I this day make a beginning of
the same; albeit, as my cousin well knoweth, not from any vanity of
authorship, or because of any undue confiding in my poor ability to
edify one justly held in repute among the learned, but because my heart
tells me that what I write, be it ever so faulty, will be read by the partial
eye of my kinsman, and not with the critical observance of the scholar,
and that his love will not find it difficult to excuse what offends his
clerkly judgment. And, to embolden me withal, I will never forget that
I am writing for mine old playmate at hide-and-seek in the farm-house
at Hilton,--the same who used to hunt after flowers for me in the spring,
and who did fill my apron with hazel-nuts in the autumn, and who was
then, I fear, little wiser than his still foolish cousin, who, if she hath not
since learned so many new things as himself, hath perhaps remembered
more of the old. Therefore, without other preface, I will begin my
record.
Of my voyage out I need not write, as I have spoken of it in my letters
already, and it greatly irks me to think of it.