said that had the intelligence been early it would have been more
certain. But every student of history knows that _late_ intelligence is
often more reliable and authentic than _early_; and if it be asked from
what source did Morton obtain his information, we can only suggest that,
up to 1664, New Netherlands remained under the dominion of the Dutch,
and the history of that colony was in a great measure secret to the
English. But several of the prominent settlers of Plymouth had ere this
removed to Manhattan--as Isaac Allerton and Thomas Willet--and after the
reduction of the country and its subjection to England, from these
persons the _late_ and _certain_ intelligence may have been received, or
from access to documents which were before kept private.
The harbor in which the Mayflower now lay is worthy of a passing glance.
It is described by Major Grahame as "one of the finest harbors for ships
of war on the whole Atlantic coast. The width and freedom from
obstructions of every kind, at its entrance, and the extent of sea-room
upon the land side, make it accessible to vessels of the largest class
in almost all winds. This advantage, its capacity, depth of water,
excellent anchorage, and the complete shelter it affords from all winds
render it one of the most valuable harbors upon our coast, whether
considered in a commercial or a military point of view."
If to the advantages here enumerated could have been added a fertile
soil, and an extensive back country, suitably furnished with timber and
fuel, the spot to which this gallant bark was led would have proved as
eligible a site for a flourishing colony as could possibly have been
desired. But these advantages were wanting; and though our fathers
considered it an "extraordinary blessing of God" in directing their
course for these parts, which they were at first inclined to consider
"one of the most pleasant, most healthful, and most fruitful parts of
the world," longer acquaintance and better information abundantly
satisfied them of the insuperable obstacles to agriculture and commerce.
The Pilgrims were now ready to pass to the shore. But before taking this
step, as the spot where they lay was without the bounds of their patent,
and as signs of insubordination had appeared among their servants, an
association was deemed necessary, and an agreement to "combine in one
body and to submit to such government and governors as should by common
consent" be selected and chosen. Accordingly, a compact was prepared,
and signed before landing by all the males of the company who were of
age; and this instrument was the constitution of the colony for several
years. It was as follows:
"In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal
subjects of our dread sovereign lord, King James, by the grace of God,
of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, defender of the faith,
etc., having undertaken, for the glory of God, and the advancement of
the Christian faith, and honor of our King and country, a voyage to
plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do, by these
presents, solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God and one another,
covenant and combine ourselves together unto a civil body politic, for
our better ordering and preservation, and furtherance of the ends
aforesaid, and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame such
just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices, from
time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the
general good of the colony; unto which we promise all due submission and
obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names, at
Cape Cod, the 11th of November, in the year of the reign of our
sovereign lord, King James of England, France, and Ireland, the 18th,
and of Scotland the 54th, A.D. 1620."
While on the one hand much eloquence has been expended in expatiating on
this compact, as if in the cabin of the Mayflower had consciously and
for the first time been discovered in an age of Cimmerian darkness the
true principles of republicanism and equality; on the other hand, it has
been asserted that the Pilgrims were "actuated by the most daring
ambition," and that even at this early period they designed to erect a
government absolutely independent of the mother-country. But the truth
seems to be that, although the form of government adopted by the
emigrants is republican in its character, and remarkably liberal, at the
same time its founders acknowledged suitable allegiance to England, and
regarded themselves as connected with the land of their nativity by
political and social ties, both endearing and enduring. Left to
themselves in a wilderness land, apart from all foreign aid, and thrown
upon their own resources, with none to help or advise, they adopted that
course which commended itself to their calm judgment as the simplest and
best; and if, under such circumstances, their compact was democratic, it
seems chiefly to intimate that self-government is naturally attractive
to the mind, and is spontaneously resorted to in emergencies like the
present. It is as unwise to flatter our ancestors by ascribing to them
motives different from those which they themselves professed as it is
unjust to prefer charges against them to which they are not obnoxious.
They were honest, sincere, and God-fearing men; humble in their
circumstances, and guided by their own judgment; but endowed with no
singular prophetic vision, and claiming no preternatural political
sagacity. They could penetrate the future no farther than to confide in
the justice of God and the power of truth. The latter they knew must
ultimately prevail, for the former was pledged to secure its triumph.
The first care of the exiles, having established their provisional
government, was to provide for their shelter. Cautiously, therefore, for
fear of harm, on the same day that the compact was signed, fifteen or
sixteen men, well armed, were set ashore at Long Point to explore the
country; and returning at night with a boat-load of juniper, which
delighted them with its fragrance, they reported that they had found
"neither persons nor habitations."
The stillness of the Sabbath was consecrated to worship--the first,
probably, ever observed by Christians in Massachusetts--and on the
morrow the shallop was drawn to the beach for repairs, and for the first
time the whole company landed for refreshment. As the fitting of the
shallop promised to be a difficult task, the adventurous, impatient of
delay, were eager to prosecute a journey by land for discovery. "The
willingness of the persons was liked, but the thing itself, in regard of
the danger, was rather permitted than approved." Consent, however, was
obtained, and sixteen were detailed under Captain Standish, their
military leader, who had served in the armies both of Elizabeth and
James; and William Bradford, Stephen Hopkins, and Edward Tilly, being
joined with him as "advisers and counsellors," the party debarked at
Stevens' Point, at the western extremity of the harbor, and marching in
single file, at the distance of about a mile, five savages were espied,
who, at their approach, hastily fled.
Compassing the head of East Harbor Creek the next day, and reaching a
deep valley, fed with numerous springs, the exhausted travellers, whose
provisions consisted but of "biscuit and Holland cheese, with a little
bottle of aqua vitæ," eagerly halted by one of these springs, and "drank
their first draught of New England water with as much delight as ever
they drunk drink in all their lives." Passing thence to the shore, and
kindling a beacon-fire, they proceeded to another valley, in Truro, in
which was a pond, "a musket-shot broad and twice as long," near which
the Indians had planted corn. Further on graves were discovered; and at
another spot the ruins of a house, and heaps of sand filled with corn
stored in baskets. With hesitancy--so scrupulous were they of wilfully
wronging the natives--an old kettle, a waif from the ruins, was filled
with this corn, for which the next summer the owners were remunerated.
In the vicinity of the Pamet were the ruins of a fort, or palisade; and
encamping for the night near the pond in Truro, on the following day
they returned to the ship "weary and welcome" and their "Eschol" was
added for their diminishing stores.
Ten days after, another expedition was fitted out, in which twenty-five
of the colonists and nine or ten of the sailors, with Jones at their
head, were engaged; and visiting the mouth of the Pamet, called by them
"Cold Harbor," and obtaining fresh supplies from the aboriginal
granaries, after a brief absence, in which a few unimportant discoveries
were made, the party returned. Here a discussion ensued. Should they
settle at Cold Harbor or seek a more eligible site? In favor of the
former it was urged that the harbor was suitable for boats, if not for
ships; the corn land was good; it was convenient to their
fishing-grounds; the location was healthy; winter was approaching;
travelling was dangerous; their provisions were wasting; and the captain
of the Mayflower was anxious to return. On the other hand, it was
replied that a better place might be found; it would be a hinderance to
move a second time; good spring-water was wanting; and lastly, at
Agawam, now Ipswich, twenty leagues to the north, was an excellent
harbor, better ground, and better fishing. Robert Coppin, their pilot,
likewise informed them of "a great and navigable river and good harbour
in the other headland of the bay, almost right over against Cape Cod,"
which he had formerly visited, and which was called "Thievish Harbor."
A third expedition, therefore, was agreed upon; and though the weather
was unfavorable, and some difficulty was experienced in clearing
Billingsgate Point, they reached the weather shore, and there "had
better sailing." Yet bitter was the cold, and the spray, as it froze on
them, gave them the appearance of being encased in glittering mail. At
night their rendezvous was near Great Meadow Creek; and early in the
morning, after an encounter with the Indians, in which no one was
wounded, their journey was resumed, their destination being the harbor
which Coppin had described to them, and which he assured them could be
reached in a few hours' sailing. Through rain and snow they steered
their course; but by the middle of the afternoon a fearful storm raged;
the hinges of their rudder were broken; the mast was split, the sail was
rent, and the inmates of the shallop were in imminent peril; yet, by
God's mercy, they survived the first shock, and, favored by a flood
tide, steered into the harbor. A glance satisfied the pilot that it was
not the place he sought; and in an agony of despair he exclaimed: "Lord
be merciful to us! My eyes never saw this place before!" In his frenzy
he would have run the boat ashore among the breakers; but an intrepid
seaman resolutely shouted, "About with her, or we are lost!" And
instantly obeying, with hard rowing, dark as it was, with the wind
howling fiercely, and the rain dashing furiously, they shot under the
lee of an island and moored until morning.
The next day the island was explored--now known as Clarke's Island--and
the clothing of the adventurers was carefully dried; but, excusable as
it might have been under the circumstances in which they were placed to
have immediately resumed their researches, the Sabbath was devoutly and
sacredly observed.
On Monday, December 11th, O. S., a landing was effected upon
Forefather's Rock. The site of this stone was preserved by tradition,
and a venerable contemporary of several of the Pilgrims, whose head was
silvered with the frost of ninety-five winters, settled the question of
its identity in 1741. Borne in his arm-chair by a grateful populace,
Elder Faunce took his last look at the spot so endeared to his memory,
and, bedewing it with tears, he bade it farewell. In 1774 this precious
boulder, as if seized with the spirit of that bustling age, was raised
from its bed to be consecrated to Liberty, and in the act of its
elevation it split in twain--an occurrence regarded by many as ominous
of the separation of the colonies from England, and the lower part being
left in the spot where it still lies, the upper part, weighing several
tons, was conveyed, amid the heartiest rejoicings, to Liberty-pole
Square, and adorned with a flag bearing the imperishable motto, "Liberty
or Death." On July 4, 1834, the natal day of the freedom of the
colonies, this part of the rock was removed to the ground in front of
Pilgrim Hall, and there it rests, encircled with a railing, ornamented
with heraldic wreaths, bearing the names of the forty-one signers of the
compact in the Mayflower. Fragments of this rock are relics in the
cabinets of hundreds of our citizens, and are sought with avidity even
by strangers as memorials of a pilgrimage to the birthplace of New
England.
On the day of landing the harbor was sounded and the land explored; and,
the place inviting settlement, the adventurers returned with tidings of
their success; the Mayflower weighed anchor to proceed to the spot; and
ere another Sabbath dawned she was safely moored in the desired haven.
Monday and Tuesday were spent in exploring tours; and on Wednesday, the
20th, the settlement at Plymouth was commenced--twenty persons remaining
ashore for the night. On the following Saturday the first timber was
felled; on Monday their storehouse was commenced; on Thursday
preparations were made for the erection of a fort; and allotments of
land were made to the families; and on the following Sunday religious
worship was performed for the first time in their storehouse.
For a month the colonists were busily employed. The distance of the
vessel--which lay more than a mile from the shore--was a great
hinderance to their work; frequent storms interrupted their operations;
and by accident their storehouse was destroyed by fire, and their
hospital narrowly escaped destruction. The houses were arranged in two
rows, on Leyden street, each man building his own. The storehouse was
twenty feet square; the size of the private dwellings we have no means
of determining. All were constructed of logs, with the interstices
filled with sticks and clay; the roofs were covered with thatch; the
chimneys were of fragments of wood, plastered with clay; and oiled paper
served as a substitute for glass for the inlet of light.
The whole of this first winter was a period of unprecedented hardship
and suffering. Mild as was the weather, it was far more severe than that
of the land of their birth; and the disease contracted on shipboard,
aggravated by colds caught in their wanderings in quest of a home,
caused a great and distressing mortality to prevail. In December six
died; in January, eight; in February, seventeen; and in March, thirteen;
a total of forty-four in four months--of whom twenty-one were signers of
the compact. It is remarkable that the leaders of the colony were
spared. The survivors were unwearied in their attentions to their
companions; but affection could not avert the arrows of the Destroyer.
The first burial-place was on Cole's Hill; and as an affecting proof of
the miserable condition of the sufferers it is said that, knowing they
were surrounded by warlike savages, and fearing their losses might be
discovered and advantage be taken of their weakness to attack and
exterminate them, the sad mounds formed by rude coffins hidden beneath
the earth were carefully levelled and sowed with grain!
However rapidly we have sketched, in the preceding pages, the history of
the Pilgrims from their settlement in Holland to their removal to
America, no one can fail to have been deeply impressed with the
inspiring lessons which that history teaches. As has been well said:
"Their banishment to Holland was fortunate; the decline of their little
company in the strange land was fortunate; the difficulties which they
experienced in getting the royal consent to banish themselves to this
wilderness was fortunate; all the tears and heartbreakings of that
ever-memorable parting at Delfthaven had the happiest influence on the
rising destinies of New England. All this purified the rank of the
settlers. These rough touches of fortune brushed off the light,
uncertain, selfish spirits. They made it a grave, solemn, self-denying
expedition, and required of those who were engaged in it to be so too."
Touching also is the story of the "long, cold, dreary autumnal passage"
in that "one solitary, adventurous vessel, the Mayflower, of a forlorn
hope, freighted with the prospects of a future state and bound across
the unknown sea." We behold it "pursuing with a thousand misgivings the
uncertain, the tedious voyage. Suns rise and set, and winter surprises
them on the deep, but brings them not the sight of the wished-for shore.
The awful voice of the storm howls through the rigging. The laboring
masts seem straining from their base; the dismal sound of the pumps is
heard; the ship leaps, as it were, madly from billow to billow; the
ocean breaks, and settles with engulfing floods over the floating deck,
and beats with deadening, shivering weight against the staggering
vessel."
Escaped from these perils, after a passage of sixty-six days, and
subsequent journeyings until the middle of December, they land on the
ice-clad rocks of Plymouth, worn out with suffering, weak and weary from
the fatigues of the voyage, poorly armed, scantily provisioned,
surrounded by barbarians, without prospect of human succor, without the
help or favor of their king, with a useless patent, without assurance of
liberty in religion, without shelter, and without means!
Yet resolute men are there: Carver, Bradford, Brewster, Standish,
Winslow, Alden, Warren, Hopkins, and others. Female fortitude and
resignation are there. Wives and mothers, with dauntless courage and
unexampled heroism, have braved all these dangers, shared all these
trials, borne all these sorrows, submitted to all these privations. And
there, too, is "chilled and shivering childhood, houseless but for a
mother's arms, couchless but for a mother's breast."
But these sepulchres of the dead!--where lie Turner, Chilton, Crackston,
Fletcher, Goodman, Mullins, White, Rogers, Priest, Williams, and their
companions--these touch the tenderest and holiest chords. Husbands and
wives, parents and children, have finished their pilgrimage, and mingled
their dust with the dust of New England. Hushed as the unbreathing air,
when not a leaf stirs in the mighty forest, was the scene at those
graves where the noble and true were buried in peace. "Deeply as they
sorrowed at parting with those, doubly endeared to them by the
remembrance of what they had suffered together, and by the fellowship of
kindred griefs, they committed them to the earth calmly, but with hope."
No sculptured marble, no enduring monument, no honorable inscription,
marks the spot where they were laid. Is it surprising that local
attachments soon sprung up in the breasts of the survivors, endearing
them to the place of refuge and their sorrows? They had come "hither
from a land to which they were never to return. Hither they had brought,
and here they were to fix, their hopes and their affections."
Consecrated by persecutions in their native land, by an exile in Holland
of hardship and toil, by the perils of the ocean voyage and its terrible
storms, by their sufferings and wanderings in quest of a home, and by
the heartrending trials of the first lonely winter--by all these was
their new home consecrated and hallowed in their inmost thoughts; and
forward to the future they looked with confidence in God and a cheerful
reliance upon that beneficent Providence which had enabled them with
patience to submit to his chastenings, and, Phoenix-like, to rise from
the ashes of the dead and from the depths of the bitterest affliction
and distress, with invincible courage, determined to subdue the
wilderness before them, and to "fill this region of the great continent,
which stretches almost from pole to pole," with freedom and
intelligence, the arts and the sciences, flourishing villages, temples
of worship, and the numerous blessings of civilized life, baptized in
the fountain of the Gospel of Christ.
BIRTH OF MODERN SCIENTIFIC METHODS
BACON AND DESCARTES
A.D. 1620
GEORGE HENRY LEWES
Three centuries of modern thought have not sufficed to settle
the dispute as to its own origin. Many Englishmen still claim
insistently that Lord Bacon, in his _Advancement of Learning_,
and still more positively in his later and greater work, the
_Novum Organum_ (1620) started modern scientific method.
Present scientists themselves seem inclined to smile somewhat
scornfully at the laurels thus placed on Bacon's brow. And as
for Frenchmen, they simply refuse to hear the pompous Lord
Chancellor mentioned at all. To them René Descartes is the only
genuine originator of all modern philosophy. The publication of
his _Discourse on Method_ (1637) marks for them the epoch which
separates two worlds of thought.
Fortunately, George Henry Lewes, himself a celebrated English
critic and the author of a system of philosophy, presents us
the two rivals side by side, seeking to explain and balance the
honors due to each.
It is very certain that somewhere about this period did
originate that mathematical exactitude of method in both
thought and experiment which has produced modern science. And
modern science has, in its brief but marvellous career of three
centuries, altered the face of the globe. It has taught man
more than ancient science did in all the preceding centuries;
it has touched even our deepest faiths.
Whether its success has been due mainly to the abstract
reasoners like Copernicus and the philosophers, or to the
practical experimenters like Galileo and Harvey, is perhaps
scarcely a practical question.
In the evolution of philosophy, as in the evolution of an organism, it
is impossible to fix with any precision a period of origin, because
every beginning is also a termination, and presumes the results of a
whole series of preceding evolutions. As Mr. Spedding felicitously says,
our philosophy "was born about Bacon's time, and Bacon's name, as the
brightest which presided at the time of its birth, has been inscribed
upon it:
"Hesperus that led
The starry host rode brightest."
"Not that Hesperus did actually lead the other stars; he and they were
moving under a common force, and they would have moved just as fast if
he had been away; but because he shone brightest, he looked as if he led
them." Bacon and Descartes are generally recognized as the "Fathers of
Modern Philosophy," though they themselves were carried along by the
rapidly swelling current of their age, then decisively setting in the
direction of science. It is their glory to have seen visions of the
coming greatness, to have expressed in terms of splendid power the
thoughts which were dimly stirring the age, and to have sanctioned the
new movement by their authoritative genius. The destruction of
scholasticism was complete. They came to direct the construction of a
grander temple.
There are in these two thinkers certain marked features of resemblance,
and others equally marked of difference. We see their differences most
strikingly in their descendants. From Bacon lineally descended Hobbes,
Locke, Diderot, D'Alembert, Condillac, Cabanis, and our Scotch school.
From Descartes descended Spinoza, Malebranche, Leibnitz, Fichte,
Schelling, and Hegel. The inductive method predominated in one school,
the deductive in the other. These differences we shall recognize more
fully later on; at present we may fix our minds on the two great points
of resemblance: 1st, the decisive separation of philosophy from
theology; 2d, the promulgation of a new method.