duces good crops of grain of all kinds. And as the lands are excellent for orcharding, many farmers pay particular attention to raising all kinds of fruit, which they have in plenty and of the best quality. Harvard is like other hilly, rocky places, not dry but moist land and well-watered indeed by numerous springs and rivulets running about among the hills, and which cause them to rejoice on every side. Nashaway River flows along the confines of Harvard for upwards of six miles. This river, an humble imitator of the Nile, overflows its banks at certain seasons and greatly fertilises the bordering lands. . . . The inhabitants are chiefly farmers who are frugal and industrious, and some are become wealthy. This town discovers great solicitude for the good education of its children."

No one visiting this charming village previous to the August of 1855 could have failed to observe, just within its southern limits, two avenues of stately elms, the one leading from the burial-ground on the

object of interest in the immediate region about, but was the property as well as the home for more than half a century of the subject of our paper, it merits more than a passing notice.

Tradition dates its erection in 1733. It was erected by the first settled minister of Harvard, Rev. John Seccomb, the author of the witty poem, Father Abbey's Will. According to a published letter from the second minister, the avenues of trees were planted at the same time. Tradition also says that the father-in-law of Mr. Seccomb, Rev. William Williams of Weston, Mass., offered to furnish as large a house as the son would build. However this may be, excellent taste directed its design; and although constructed of wood and almost entirely without external ornamentation, its proportions and outline were extremely pleasing and entirely in harmony with its surroundings. There was that air of home comfort, and that indescribable hospitable aspect about it, which was at once recognized by the most careless observer, —

northern boundary of a large estate, and the other from the public road on the eastern. These, meeting at a right angle, completely enveloped in their shadows a large gambrel-roofed house. As this old mansion was not only in itself the chief

conditions which can alone be imparted by the mellowing hand of time, and which no art can imitate. At all seasons, upon whatever side might be the approach, the smoke from its generous chimneys could be seen curling above the tree tops, and

Beneath these was a carpet of the softest and most verdant turf, worn in the middle into a narrow, somewhat circuitous footpath, which led by a gentle ascent to a turnstile, passing through which, entrance was gained to the burial-ground. Beyond this the spire of the village church was plainly visible, the whole presenting a picture of rare beauty, as viewed through this vista of overarching trees.

The southern door opened upon a partially enclosed piazza, in front of which and separated by a smooth sward indented by wheel-tracks, indicating thereby the usual carriage approach to the house, was a garden devoted to fruit and flowers. This was protected on three sides by a hedge of English hawthorn, which, left untrimmed for several years, had attained an ungovernable height. Overshadowing this southern frontage was a magnificent button-wood, which had scattered its leaves upon the ground for many autumns before they fell upon the roof of the first pastor's home. To the southwest the eye rested upon a tract of forest, conspicuous in which were several noble pines which towered far above their surroundings. Beneath these a cart-path led to the lake with its well-wooded shores and islands, while be

mostly brought from the mother-country, representing members of the royal families of Great Britain and France, as well as noted commanders on sea and land, celebrated scholars and divines. Among these last, Samuel Cooper, Benjamin Colman, and John Moorhead were preachers in New England, while Edward Vernon and Sir William Pepperell had distinguished themselves on these shores, and their portraits were the work of our own Pelham. Then there were views of Rome, after Panini ; the children of Charles I., engraved by Strange after Vandyke; Le Retour du Marché, by Strange after Wouvermans; also Le Vent, and many others.

Of the various apartments of the old house the southeast parlor merits special mention. Its low ceiling with huge beams, the panelled wainscoting with concealed closet, the deep window-seats and shutters, its generous fireside with tall steel andirons, and above all its sunny aspect, contributed to make it the most comfortable and charming room possible. Add to these family portraits by Smibert and Copley, a bookcase containing among other choice volumes one of the first editions of the Spectator, dark mahogany tables, and carved chairs with seats embroidered by delicate

Edward Bromfield, father of Henry Bromfield. FROM A PORTRAIT BY SMIBERT.

hands, a buffet filled with old plate and rare china, an eight-day clock in a stately, highly ornamented, claw-footed case, bevelled mirrors in curiously wrought frames, a sumptuous Turkey carpet, and it possessed almost everything that even modern æstheticism could suggest.

The ample kitchen, with its enormous chimney and hearth of stone, upon which the embers were rarely or never extinguished, and at its side the high-backed settle, the cupboards and dressers resplendent with pewter, and in autumn garnished with pumpkin and squash, with long strings

of dried apples hanging in festoons, denoted that the bodily wants were not neglected.

Nor should the attic be forgotten, with its hewn oaken timbers of immense proportions, its dark and mysterious recesses, receptacles for castoff and forgotten effects, as well as for the cobs and nuts carried into them by industrious rodents that made night hideous with their toils, its small windows with panes obscured by spider-webs and the dust of ages. The old garret, at once the loved as well as dreaded retreat of childhood, -how many happy associations are brought up by the mere name! What fun to listen to the pattering of the summer shower upon the roof, as in perfect security the garb of grandparents was donned, or the unlucky portrait of some more or less distinguished ancestor, banished to these precincts, was riddled by arrows from childish bows, or noisy games were enjoyed until darkness closed all sports.

And then, to descend into the cellar, with its peculiar musty smell, required nerve in the youthful heart, even in the daytime, and how much more during the shades of night, when the candle dimly lighted up its obscurities. That musty smell was not at all unpleasant; it was suggestive of the good cheer which had gone out from the wine-vault built in the foundations of the big chimney, and from the old ale and cider barrels which it had contained in days gone by.

Again, what fascination lingered about a certain underground passage-way, which was known to run somewhere, but which no one living could exactly locate, much less explain the reason of its existence. After years, in the destruction of the house by fire, solved the mystery; it was a convenient means of subterranean access to the adjacent barns.

To this village and mansion, upon a farm

of one hundred and twenty acres, came, in 1766, Colonel Henry Bromfield, at the age of forty. Originally of Welsh origin, the Bromfields settled in the New Forest, in Hampshire, England, where, at Haywood House, Edward, the first representative of the family on this side of the Atlantic, was born, January 10, 1648, and was baptized in the Church at Chancroft, January 16 following. He emigrated to this country in 1675. Successful in business enterprises, he found the religion and morals of New England eminently congenial to his tastes, and he resolved to make Boston his future home. Once established, his fellow-townsmen were not long in finding out the character of the man who had come among them, and he was chosen for many years to fill places of responsibility. He was a distinguished ornament of the South Church, and was a bright example of strict piety, of extensive charity, and of great public spirit, He married for his second wife Mary, the daughter of Rev. Samuel Danforth, pastor

His eighth child was Edward, who also became an eminent merchant. "The town of Boston, his native place, observed his accomplishments and called him to fill some of its most important places of trust, all of which offices he discharged with great honor to himself and advantage to the public. In the House of Representatives he appeared the firm, uncorrupted patriot, careful to assert the just prerogative of the crown, and to defend the invaluable liberties of the people. Though zealous for the doctrines and institutions of the churches of New England, yet with a truly catholic charity he embraced goodness of every denomination."

He married Abigail

Coney, and built a house in Beacon Street, nearly opposite the present Athenæum, where he resided until his death in 1756.

The first of their eight children was Edward, who graduated at Harvard College, and who died at the early age of twentythree, having given remarkable promise of future distinction in the arts and sciences;