stretch away to the Catskill ridges and the rugged wildness of the Stony
Clove; and then, in the fall of 1779, when the boy patroon had reached his
fifteenth birthday, it was determined to send him, for still higher
education, to the College of New Jersey, at Princeton. Of that eventful
journey of the lad and his half-dozen school-fellows, under military
escort, from the hills of the Upper Hudson to the shot-scarred college on
the New Jersey plains, a most interesting story could be told. I doubt
whether many, if any, boys ever went to school under quite such
delightfully exciting circumstances. For their route lay through a
war-worried section; past the dismantled batteries of Stony Point, where
"Mad Anthony Wayne" had gained so much glory and renown; past the Highland
fortresses, and through the ranks of the Continental Army, visiting
General Washington at his headquarters at West Point, and carrying away
never-forgotten recollections of the great commander; cautiously past
roving bands of cruel "cow-boys" and the enemy's outposts around captured
New York, to the battered college buildings which had alternately been
barracks and hospital for American and British troops. And an equally
interesting story could be told of the exciting college days when, almost
within range of the enemy's guns, the boom of the distinct cannon would
come like a punctuation in recitations, and the fear of fusillades would
help a boy through many a "tight squeeze" in neglected lessons. But this
was education under difficulties. The risk became too great, and the young
patroon was finally transferred to the quieter walls of Harvard College,
from which celebrated institution he graduated with honor in 1782, soon
after his eighteenth birthday.
[Illustration: "THE THRONG OF TENANTS GREETED HIM WITH A ROUSING BIRTHDAY
CHEER."]
The quiet life of an average American boy would not seem to furnish very
much worth the telling. The boy patroon differed little, save in the way
of birth and vast estate, from other boys and girls of the eventful age in
which he lived; but many instances in his youthful career could safely be
recorded. We might tell how he came home from college just as the great
war was closing; how he made long trips, on horseback and afoot, over his
great estate, acquainting himself with his tenantry and their needs; how,
even before he was twenty years old, he followed the custom of his house
and married fair Mistress Margery, the "brave girl" of the Schuyler
mansion; and how, finally, on the first of November, 1785, all the
tenantry of Rensselaerswyck thronged the grounds of the great manor-house,
and, with speech and shout and generous barbecue, celebrated his coming of
age--the twenty-first birthday of the boy patroon,--now no longer boy or
patroon, but a free American citizen in the new Republic of the United
States.
His after-life is part of the history of his State and of his country. At
an early age he entered public life, and filled many offices of trust and
responsibility. An assemblyman, a State Senator, a lieutenant-governor, a
member of Congress, a major-general, and the conqueror of Queenstown in
Canada in the War of 1812, one of the original projectors of the great
Erie Canal, and, noblest of all, the founder and patron of a great school
for boys,--the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Troy,--he was, through
all, the simple-hearted citizen and the noble-minded man. But no act in
all his long life-time of seventy-five years became him better than the
spirit in which he accepted the great change that made the great lord
patroon of half a million acres the plain, untitled citizen of a free
republic.
"Though born to hereditary honors and aristocratic rank," says his
biographer, "with the history of the past before him, in possession of an
estate which connected him nearly with feudal times and a feudal ancestry,
and which constituted him in his boyhood a baronial proprietor, he found
himself, at twenty-one, through a forcible and bloody revolution, the mere
fee-simple owner of acres, with just such political rights and privileges
as belonged to his own freehold tenantry, and no other." And though the
Revolution, in giving his country independence, had stripped him of power
and personal advantages, he accepted the change without regret, and
preferred his position as one in a whole nation of freemen, to that feudal
rank which he had inherited from generations of ancestors, as the Boy
Patroon, the last Lord of the Manor of Rensselaerswyck.
* * * * *
From the patrician emperor of old Rome to the patrician citizen of modern
America these sketches of Historic Boys have extended. They represent but
a few from that long list of remarkable boys, who, through the ages, have
left their mark upon their times,--lads who, even had they died "in their
teens," would still have been worthy of record as "historic boys." The
lessons of their lives are manifold. They tell of pride and selfishness,
of tyranny and wasted power, of self-reliance and courage, of ambition and
self-conquest, of patience and manliness. History is but the record of
opportunities for action availed of or neglected. And opportunities are
never wanting. They exist to-day in the cities of the New World, even as
they did ages ago with young David in the valley of Elah, with the boy
Marcus in the forum of Rome, or with the valiant young Harry of Monmouth
striving for victory on the bloody field of Shrewsbury.
Whenever or wherever a manly boy says his word for justice and for right,
or does his simple duty in a simple, straightforward way, regardless of
consequences or of the world's far too-ready sneer or frown, the stamp of
the hero may be seen; and however humble his condition or contracted his
sphere there is in him the mettle and the possibilities that may make him,
even though he know it not, a worthy claimant for an honored place on the
world's record of Historic Boys.
THE END.
[Illustration]
FOOTNOTES:
[AL] The Fuyck, or fish-net,--an old Dutch name for Albany.
[AM] Commissioners and sheriffs.
[AN] Mush and milk.
[AO] A kind of chopped meat.
[AP] One of the old Dutch "show houses" of Albany 100 years ago.
"A better collection of juvenile books it has not been our
privilege to examine. A robust and healthy tone pervades their
pages; and while stirring adventures, deeds of daring, and
self-sacrifice form an important factor in the stories,
information, historical or otherwise, constitutes a primary
feature."--_Christmas Bookseller_, 1885.
BLACKIE & SON'S
BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
_The New Season's Books._
BY G. A. HENTY.
THE YOUNG CARTHAGINIAN:
A STORY OF THE TIMES OF HANNIBAL.
WITH WOLFE IN CANADA:
OR, THE WINNING OF A CONTINENT.
THE BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE:
OR, WITH PETERBOROUGH IN SPAIN.
A FINAL RECKONING:
A TALE OF BUSH LIFE IN AUSTRALIA.
BY G. MANVILLE FENN.
DEVON BOYS: A TALE OF THE NORTH SHORE.
YUSSUF THE GUIDE:
BEING THE STRANGE STORY OF THE TRAVELS IN ASIA MINOR
OF BURNE THE LAWYER, PRESTON THE PROFESSOR, AND
LAWRENCE THE SICK.
BY HARRY COLLINGWOOD.
THE LOG OF THE "FLYING FISH":
A STORY OF AERIAL AND SUBMARINE PERIL AND ADVENTURE.
BY ALICE CORKRAN.
DOWN THE SNOW STAIRS:
OR, FROM GOOD-NIGHT TO GOOD-MORNING. _With 60 illustrations
by Gordon Browne._
BY DOUGLAS FRAZAR.
PERSEVERANCE ISLAND:
OR, THE ROBINSON CRUSOE OF THE 19TH CENTURY.
BY J. PERCY GROVES.
REEFER AND RIFLEMAN: A Tale of the Two Services.
BY JOHN C. HUTCHESON.
THE WHITE SQUALL: A Story of the Sargasso Sea.
TEDDY: The Story of a "Little Pickle."
BY E. S. BROOKS.
HISTORIC BOYS:
THEIR ENDEAVOURS, THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS, AND THEIR TIMES.
BY EVELYN EVERETT GREEN.
THE EVERSLEY SECRETS.
BY R. STEAD.
THE LADS OF LITTLE CLAYTON.
STORIES OF VILLAGE BOY LIFE.
BY LAURA E. RICHARDS.
THE JOYOUS STORY OF TOTO.
TALES OF CAPTIVITY AND EXILE.
BY CAROLINE AUSTIN.
DOROTHY'S DILEMMA: A Tale of the Time of Charles I.
BY ROSA MULHOLLAND.
THE LATE MISS HOLLINGFORD.
BY AMY WALTON.
THE HAWTHORNES.
OUR FRANK, AND OTHER STORIES.
GORDON BROWNE'S SERIES OF OLD FAIRY TALES.
HOP O' MY THUMB.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.
#Also, New Books in the Shilling, Ninepenny, and Sixpenny Series.#
By F. BAYFORD HARRISON,
Mrs. GEO. CUPPLES, MARY C. ROWSELL, ANNIE S. FENN,
EMMA LESLIE, and other favourite Authors.
_DOWN THE SNOW STAIRS:_
Or, From Good-night to Good-morning. By ALICE CORKRAN. With 60
character Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. Square crown 8vo,
cloth elegant, gilt edges, 6_s._
[Illustration]
This is a remarkable story: full of vivid fancy and quaint originality. In
its most fantastic imaginings it carries with it a sense of reality, and
derives a singular attraction from that combination of simplicity,
originality, and subtle humour which is so much appreciated by lively and
thoughtful children. Children of a larger growth will also be deeply
interested in Kitty's strange journey: and her wonderful experiences
amidst the extraordinary people whom she meets. The work is profusely
illustrated by an artist whose facile pencil has portrayed alike the
graceful and the grotesque, the images of goblin and fairy land and the
semblances of child life.
#BY PROFESSOR CHURCH.#
_TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO:_
Or, The Adventures of a Roman Boy. By Professor A. J. CHURCH,
Author of "Stories from the Classics." With 12 full-page
Illustrations by ADRIEN MARIE, in black and tint. Crown 8vo,
cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6_s._
Prof. Church has in this story sought to revivify that most interesting
period, the last days of the Roman Republic. The hero of the story, Lucius
Marius, is a young Roman who has a very chequered career, being now a
captive in the hands of Spartacus, again an officer on board a vessel
detailed for the suppression of the pirates, and anon a captive once more,
on a pirate ship. He escapes to Tarsus, is taken prisoner in the war with
Mithradates, and detained by the latter in Pontus for a number of years.
While boys will follow with the deepest interest the career of Lucius,
they will gain a clear insight into the history and life of the ancient
Roman world.
"Adventures well worth the telling. The book is extremely
entertaining as well as useful, and there is a wonderful
freshness in the Roman scenes and characters."--_The Times._
"Entertaining in the highest degree from beginning to end, and
full of adventure which is all the livelier for its close
connection with history."--_Spectator._
"We know of no book which will do more to make the Romans of
that day live again for the English reader."--_Guardian._
#BY PROFESSOR POUCHET.#
_THE UNIVERSE:_
OR THE INFINITELY GREAT AND THE INFINITELY LITTLE. A Sketch of
Contrasts in Creation, and Marvels revealed and explained by
Natural Science. By F. A. POUCHET, M.D. Illustrated by 273
Engravings on wood. 9th Edition, medium 8vo, cloth elegant,
gilt edges, 7_s._ 6_d._; morocco antique, 16_s._
The object of this Work is to inspire and extend a taste for natural
science. It is not a learned treatise, but a simple study. The title
adopted indicates that the author has gathered from creation at large,
often contrasting the smallest of its productions with the mightiest.
"We can honestly commend this work, which is admirably, as it
is copiously illustrated."--_Times._
"As interesting as the most exciting romance, and a great deal
more likely to be remembered to good purpose."--_Standard._
"Scarcely any book in French or in English is so likely to
stimulate in the young an interest in the physical
phenomena."--_Fortnightly Review._
"The volume, and it is a splendid one, will serve as a good
pioneer to more exact studies."--_Saturday Review._
#BY G. A. HENTY.#
"Surely Mr. Henty should understand boys' tastes better than
any man living."--_The Times._
_THE YOUNG CARTHAGINIAN:_
A Story of the Times of Hannibal. By G. A. HENTY. With 12 full-page
Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND, R.I. Crown 8vo, cloth
elegant, olivine edges, 6_s._
When boys at school read of the history of the Punic Wars their
appreciation of the merits of the struggle between the Romans and
Carthaginians is usually slight. That it was at first a struggle for
empire, and afterwards one for existence on the part of Carthage, that
Hannibal was a great and skilful general, that he defeated the Romans at
Trebia, Lake Trasimenus, and Cannae, and all but took Rome, and that the
Romans behaved with bad faith and great cruelty at the capture of
Carthage, represents pretty nearly the sum total of their knowledge.
To let them know more about this momentous struggle for the empire of the
world Mr. Henty has written this story, which not only gives in graphic
style a brilliant description of a most interesting period of history, but
is a tale of exciting adventure sure to secure the interest of the reader.
_THE LION OF THE NORTH._
A Tale of Gustavus Adolphus and the Wars of Religion. By G. A.
HENTY. With 12 full-page Illustrations by JOHN SCHOENBERG, in
black and tint. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6_s._
In this story Mr. Henty gives the history of the first part of the Thirty
Years' War, a struggle unprecedented in length, in the fury with which it
was carried on, and in the terrible destruction and ruin which it caused.
The issue had its importance, which has extended to the present day, as it
established religious freedom in Germany. The army of the chivalrous King
of Sweden, the prop and maintenance of the Protestant cause, was largely
composed of Scotchmen, and among these was the hero of the story. The
chief interest of the tale turns on the great struggle between Gustavus
and his chief opponents Wallenstein, Tilly, and Pappenheim.
"As we might expect from Mr. Henty the tale is a clever and
instructive piece of history, and as boys may be trusted to
read it conscientiously, they can hardly fail to be profited as
well as pleased."--_The Times._
"A praiseworthy attempt to interest British youth in the great
deeds of the Scotch Brigade in the ware of Gustavus Adolphus.
Mackay, Hepburn, and Munro live again in Mr. Henty's pages, as
those deserve to live whose disciplined bands formed really the
germ of the modern British army."--_Athenaeum._
"A stirring story of stirring times. This book should hold a
place among the classics of youthful fiction."--_United Service
Gazette._
#BY G. A. HENTY.#
"Mr. Henty as a boy's story-teller stands in the very foremost
rank."--_Glasgow Herald._
_WITH WOLFE IN CANADA:_
Or, The Winning of a Continent. By G. A. HENTY. With 12 full-page
Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant,
olivine edges, 6_s._
In the present volume Mr. Henty has endeavoured to give the details of the
principal events in the struggle between Britain and France for supremacy
on the North American continent. The importance of this struggle can
scarcely be overrated, as on the issue of it depended not only the
destinies of North America, but to a large extent those of the mother
countries themselves. The fall of Quebec decided that the Anglo-Saxon race
should predominate in the New World, that Britain, and not France, should
take the lead among the nations, and that English commerce, the English
language, and English literature, should spread right round the globe.
While thus of the greatest significance, this episode from the world's
history lends itself pre-eminently to the romantic style of treatment of
which Mr. Henty is master.
_WITH CLIVE IN INDIA:_
Or the Beginnings of an Empire. By G. A. HENTY. With 12 full-page
Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE, in black and tint. Crown 8vo,
cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6_s._
The period between the landing of Clive as a young writer in India and the
close of his career was critical and eventful in the extreme. At its
commencement the English were traders existing on sufferance of the
native princes. At its close they were masters of Bengal and of the
greater part of Southern India. The author has given a full and accurate
account of the events of that stirring time, and battles and sieges follow
each other in rapid succession, while he combines with his narrative a
tale of daring and adventure, which gives a life-like interest to the
volume.
"In this book Mr. Henty has contrived to exceed himself in
stirring adventures and thrilling situations. The pictures add
greatly to the interest of the book."--_Saturday Review._
"Among writers of stories of adventure for boys Mr. Henty
stands in the very first rank, and Mr. Gordon Browne occupies a
similar place with his pencil.... Those who know something
about India will be the most ready to thank Mr. Henty for
giving them this instructive volume to place in the hands of
their children."--_Academy._
"He has taken a period of Indian History of the most vital
importance, and he has embroidered on the historical facts a
story which of itself is deeply interesting. Young people
assuredly will be delighted with the volume."--_Scotsman._
#BY G. A. HENTY.#
"The brightest of all the living writers whose office it is to
enchant the boys."--_Christian Leader._
_THROUGH THE FRAY:_
A Story of the Luddite Riots. By G. A. HENTY. With 12 full-page
Illustrations by H. M. PAGET, in black and tint. Crown 8vo,
cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6_s._
The author in this story has followed the lines which he worked out so
successfully in _Facing Death_. As in that story he shows that there are
victories to be won in peaceful fields, and that steadfastness and
tenacity are virtues which tell in the long run. The story is laid in
Yorkshire at the commencement of the present century, when the high price
of food induced by the war and the introduction of machinery drove the
working-classes to desperation, and caused them to band themselves in that
widespread organization known as the Luddite Society. There is an
abundance of adventure in the tale, but its chief interest lies in the
character of the hero, and the manner in which by a combination of
circumstances he is put on trial for his life, but at last comes
victorious "through the fray."
"Mr. Henty inspires a love and admiration for
straightforwardness, truth, and courage. This is one of the
best of the many good books Mr. Henty has produced, and
deserves to be classed with his _Facing Death_."--_Standard._
"The interest of the story never flags. Were we to propose a
competition for the best list of novel writers for boys we have
little doubt that Mr. Henty's name would stand
first."--_Journal of Education._
_TRUE TO THE OLD FLAG:_
A Tale of the American War of Independence. By G. A. HENTY. With 12
full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE, in black and tint.
Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6_s._
In this story the author has gone to the accounts of English officers who
took part in the conflict, and lads will find that in no war in which
British soldiers have been engaged did they behave with greater courage
and good conduct. The historical portion of the book being accompanied
with numerous thrilling adventures with the redskins on the shores of Lake
Huron, a story of exciting interest is interwoven with the general
narrative and carried through the book.
"Does justice to the pluck and determination of the British
soldiers during the unfortunate struggle against American
emancipation. The son of an American loyalist, who remains true
to our flag, falls among the hostile redskins in that very
Huron country which has been endeared to us by the exploits of
Hawkeye and Chingachgook."--_The Times._
"Mr. G. A. Henty's extensive personal experience of adventures
and moving incidents by flood and field, combined with a gift
of picturesque narrative, make his books always welcome
visitors in the home circle."--_Daily News._
"Very superior in every way. The book is almost unique in its
class in having illustrative maps."--_Saturday Review._
#BY G. A. HENTY.#
"Mr. Henty's books never fail to interest boy
readers."--_Academy._
_IN FREEDOM'S CAUSE:_
A Story of Wallace and Bruce. By G. A. HENTY. With 12 full-page
Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE, in black and tint. Crown 8vo,
cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6_s._
In this story the author relates the stirring tale of the Scottish War of
Independence. The extraordinary valour and personal prowess of Wallace and
Bruce rival the deeds of the mythical heroes of chivalry, and indeed at
one time Wallace was ranked with these legendary personages. The
researches of modern historians have shown, however, that he was a living,
breathing man--and a valiant champion. The hero of the tale fought under
both Wallace and Bruce, and while the strictest historical accuracy has
been maintained with respect to public events, the work is full of
"hairbreadth 'scapes" and wild adventure.
"Mr. Henty has broken new ground as an historical novelist. His
tale is full of stirring action, and will commend itself to
boys."--_Athenaeum._
"It is written in the author's best style. Full of the wildest
and most remarkable achievements, it is a tale of great
interest, which a boy, once he has begun it, will not willingly
put on one side."--_The Schoolmaster._
"Scarcely anywhere have we seen in prose a more lucid and
spirit-stirring description of Bannockburn than the one with
which the author fittingly closes his volume."--_Dumfries
Standard._
_UNDER DRAKE'S FLAG:_
A Tale of the Spanish Main. By G. A. HENTY. Illustrated by 12
full-page Pictures by GORDON BROWNE, in black and tint. Crown
8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6_s._
A story of the days when England and Spain struggled for the supremacy of
the sea, and England carried off the palm. The heroes sail as lads with
Drake in the expedition in which the Pacific Ocean was first seen by an
Englishman from a tree-top on the Isthmus of Panama, and in his great
voyage of circumnavigation. The historical portion of the story is
absolutely to be relied upon, but this, although very useful to lads, will
perhaps be less attractive than the great variety of exciting adventure
through which the young adventurers pass in the course of their voyages.
"A stirring book of Drake's time, and just such a book as the
youth of this maritime country are likely to prize
highly."--_Daily Telegraph._
"Ned in the coils of the boa-constrictor is a wonderful
picture. A boy must be hard to please if he wishes for anything
more exciting."--_Pall Mall Gazette._
"A book of adventure, where the hero meets with experience
enough one would think to turn his hair gray."--_Harper's
Monthly Magazine._
#BY G. A. HENTY.#
"Mr. Henty is the prince of story-tellers for
boys."--_Sheffield Independent._
_THE BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE:_
Or, With Peterborough in Spain. By G. A. HENTY. With 8 full-page
Illustrations by H. M. PAGET. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 5_s._
There are few great leaders whose lives and actions have so completely
fallen into oblivion as those of the Earl of Peterborough. This is largely
due to the fact that they were overshadowed by the glory and successes of
Marlborough. His career as General extended over little more than a year,
and yet, in that time, he showed a genius for warfare which has never been
surpassed, and performed feats of daring worthy of the leaders of
chivalry.
Round the fortunes of Jack Stilwell, the hero, and of Peterborough, Mr.
Henty has woven an interesting and instructive narrative descriptive of
this portion of the War of the Spanish Succession (1705-6).
_THE DRAGON AND THE RAVEN:_
Or, The Days of King Alfred. By G. A. HENTY. With 8 full-page
Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND, R.I., in black and tint.
Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 5_s._
In this story the author gives an account of the desperate struggle
between Saxon and Dane for supremacy in England, and presents a vivid
picture of the misery and ruin to which the country was reduced by the
ravages of the sea-wolves. The hero of the story, a young Saxon thane,
takes part in all the battles fought by King Alfred, and the incidents in
his career are unusually varied and exciting. He is driven from his home,
takes to the sea and resists the Danes on their own element, and being
pursued by them up the Seine, is present at the long and desperate siege
of Paris.
"Perhaps the best story of the early days of England which has
yet been told."--_Court Journal._
"A well-built superstructure of fiction on an interesting
substratum of fact. Treated in a manner most attractive to the
boyish reader."--_Athenaeum._
"A story that may justly be styled remarkable. Boys, in reading
it, will be surprised to find how Alfred persevered, through
years of bloodshed and times of peace, to rescue his people
from the thraldom of the Danes. We hope the book will soon be
widely known in all our schools."--_Schoolmaster._