The burning of Falmouth, the pride of Maine, was a prominent event at the beginning of the revolution. The central part was the ancient Casco, now Portland, called the Neck, which had been permanently settled more than 145 years. There were upon the peninsula at this time about 250 dwelling houses, as many shops and stores, and about 2,000 inhabitants. On Oct. 16, 1775, Capt. Mowett, with a squadron of four vessels, arrived in the harbor. After he had moored his vessels in a line near the compact part of the town, he sent a letter on shore, charging the inhabitants with rebellion; he stated that he was sent to execute a just punishment, and that he them two hours to remove the "human species" out of the town. The town convened forthwith, and appointed Gen. Preble, Dr. Coffin, and John Pagan, a committee to learn of Mowett the cause of his letter and threats. "My orders," said he, "are to burn, sink and destroy, and this without warning." On the morning of the 18th of October, Mowett offered them some respite, if they would deliver up their arms and ammunition; the town voted not to comply with his

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"About nine in the same morning, the firing was opened from all the vessels, and being urged with great briskness, a horrible shower of cannon balls, from three to nine pounds weight, carcasses, bombs, live shells, grape-shot, and even bullets from small arms, were thrown upon the compact part of the town, which was much more exposed and injured by reason of its inclined situation toward the harbor. Armed parties, under the cover of the guns, set fire to the buildings: and though some of them were saved by the watchfulness and courage of the inhabitants, others were blazing in every part of the village. The cannonading was continued between eight and nine hours; and the conflagration was general. St. Paul's Church, the new court house, the town house, the public library, the fire engine, about 130 dwelling houses, and 230 stores and warehouses, and a great number of stables and out-houses, were all in a short time reduced to ashes. Two vessels only escaped the flames, to be carried away by the enemy.'

Portland received a city charter in 1832. The church of the first parish or society was built in 1825. Their original meeting house is said to have been the first erected in the state. The first Episcopal Church was formed in 1763; the first society of Methodists was formed in 1795; the first Baptist Church was constituted in 1801; the Catholic Church was erected in 1828. The Seamen's Church, or Bethel, was first organized in 1827; the first society of Friends was collected in 1743; in 1790 the present society was established.

The eastern cemetery, near which the observatory is erected, was the ancient graveyard of the place. The remains of Commodore Preble, and those of Rev. Dr. Payson, so celebrated for his devotional spirit, are interred in this yard, each of which have on their monuments, a simple inscription to their memories. Here also are interred, side by side, Capt. Burroughs, of the U. S. brig Enterprise, and Capt. Blythe, of the British brig Boxer, who both fell in a naval conflict in 1813, at sea near Portland. The following inscriptions are on their monuments, with that on the monument of Lieut. Waters:

In memory of CAPT. SAMUEL BLYTHE, late commander of his Britannic majesty's brig Boxer. He nobly fell on the 5th day of September, 1813, in action with the U. S. brig Enterprise. In life, honorable; in death, glorious! His country will long deplore one of her

bravest sons! His friends long lament one of the best of men! Aged 29. The surviving officers of his crew offer this feeble tribute of admiration and respect.

Beneath this stone moulders the body of WILLIAM BURROUGHS, late commander of the United States brig Enterprise, who was mortally wounded on the 5th of September, 1813, in an action which continued to increase the fame of American valor, by capturing his Britannic majesty's brig Boxer, after a severe contest of forty-five minutes. Aged 28. A passing stranger has erected this monument of respect to the manes of a patriot who, in the hour of peril, obeyed the loud summons of an injured country, and who gallantly met, fought and conquered the foemen.

Beneath this marble, by the side of his gallant commander, rest the remains of Lieut. HERVIN WATERS, a native of Georgetown, District of Columbia, who received a mortal wound, Sept. 5, 1813, while a midshipman on board the United States brig Enterprise, in an action with his Britannic majesty's brig Boxer, which terminated in the capture of the latter. He languished in severe pain, which he endured with fortitude, until Sept. 25, 1813, when he died with Christian calmness and resignation, aged 18. The young men of Portland erect this stone as a testimony of respect for his valor and virtues.

"The Boxer, a British brig of 18 guns, carrying 104 men, and commanded by Capt. Blythe, had been ordered to cruise off Portland, for the purpose of bringing the American brig Enterprise, of 16 guns and 102 men, Capt. Burroughs, to an engagement. They discovered each other on the morning of Sept. 5; and at a quarter past three in the afternoon, the action commenced within half pistol shot. For thirty-five minutes the firing was animated and incessant, when the Boxer struck her colors, having lost 46 men in killed and wounded. Only two of our men were slain, though 12 others received severe, if not mortal wounds; also, both commanders fell early in the action. The Enterprise, arriving at Portland the next day with her prize, was greeted with great and heart-felt exultation, damped only by the death of the intrepid Burroughs and his brave companions. He was interred with every demonstration of attachment, respect and grief; and a fort, afterward erected for the defense of the harbor, was called by his name. The capture of the Boxer was an event which excited more universal joy among the inhabitants upon the eastern coast, because of the great annoyance she had been to our coasting. She had also been a troublesome visitant at several of the islands."

[The engraving shows the appearance of the principal business part of Augusta, as seen from the east bank of the Kennebec River. On the left is seen the railroad train for Portland; the Kennebec bridge is shown on the right; the court house, the First Baptist and Episcopal Churches appear on the elevated ground above the railroad cars; the First Congregational, the Free-will Baptist and the Catholic Churches In the central part, above the business portion of the city."]

AUGUSTA, the capital of Maine, is at the head of sloop navigation on the Kennebec River, 43 miles from its mouth. By railroad, it is

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60 miles N. N. E. from Portland, 67 S. W. from Bangor, 175 N. N. E. from Boston, 146 N. E. from Concord, N. H., and 182 E. N. E. from Montpelier, Vt. The city limits embrace both sides of the river, but the principal part is built on the west side. The bridge over the Kennebec at this place is 520 feet long; about one fourth of a mile above, the river is crossed by the railroad bridge, 900 feet in length. A few rods distant from the river, the ground rises abruptly to a considerable elevation, on the summit of which, most of the public buildings and residences are built on a wide and commodious street. state house, a noble structure of whitish granite, is situated at the southern extremity of the city, in rather of an isolated, though commanding, position. Directly in front, is a spacious park, adorned with walks and shade trees. On the east side of the river, opposite, contiguous to the U. S. Arsenal grounds, stands the Maine Insane Hospital, a fine granite structure. On the morning of Dec. 4, 1850, most of the building was destroyed by fire, in which 27 of the unfortunate inmates perished. The state, true to the call of humanity, promptly rebuilt the hospital, at the expense of some $65,000, adopting all the modern improvements which the original architectural arrangement would allow.

Through the construction of a dam, 584 feet in length, above the city, a vast hydraulic power has been created for manufacturing purposes. By this means, the navigation of the river above, to Waterville, 18 miles distant, is much improved, so that during the summer season, steamboats daily ply between Augusta and Waterville. Shipbuilding is carried on to some extent. The facilities at this place for transportation are of great value to a manufacturing town. Cotton and other raw materials may be transported, by water and the cars, to and from the very doors of the mills. Population of Augusta is about 11,000.

"Augusta is the ancient Cushnoc, a very noted place upon the Kennebec. Soon after the patent upon that river was granted to the Plymouth Colony, in 1629, the patentees, it appears, made settlements, and erected a trading house near the head of the tide. In their institution of government, A. D. 1653, within the patent, under a commissioner, Mr. Thomas Prince, the people residing at Cushnoc were included therein, and took the oath of fidelity. The settlement was laid waste in the second Indian war, and resumed, with partial success, after the peace of 1713, when Dr. Noyes built a stone fort at Cushnoc. But the place was again depopulated, and remained without inhabitants till Fort Western was built there in 1754, by the Plymouth proprietors. Soon after the French war was closed, a resettlement was permanently effected and gradually increased, yet it is said that there were only three families,' in what is now the village of Augusta. * The settlement was known by the name of the Fort,' till it was separated from Hallowell. In 1794, the town was divided into three religious societies, called the South, Middle, and North parishes. The two latter are embraced by Augusta. * * *The first meeting of the legislature was in Jan. 1832."- Williamson's Hist. of Maine.

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Hallowell is beautifully situated, two miles below Augusta, on the west side of the Kennebec, in fair view of the State House. The streets run parallel with the river, and the ground ascends about 200 feet from the lower street or business part of the city. Most of the

dwellings are on the back or elevated streets, and are built, as are the churches, with taste; and being surrounded by groves make a fine appearance. There are various factories in the town. Ship building is also carried on, and the granite quarries here have been worked with great success. The Kennebec and Portland Railroad passes through the place; vessels drawing nine feet of water can come up to the wharves; and steamboats ply between this place and Boston. It was incorporated a city in 1850, since which time its business affairs have been much increased. Population of the township about 5,000.

Hallowell was incorporated in 1771, and at that time embraced the present Augusta, the ancient Cushnoc. It received its name from the Hallowell family, who were among the Plymouth proprietors. The village of Hallowell is situated at a place called the Hook. Here had been inhabitants or resident traders for 120 years before its incorporation. The place was depopulated during the first Indian war, and again after the peace of 1713; though the inhabitants were unable to defend themselves against the bold tribe of Indians seated at Norridgewock. "The original lots in Hallowell, on the west side of the river were four, each a mile wide, extending from the river to Winthrop Pond. Two were granted, in 1760, to Dr. Gardiner, one to Mr. Pitts and one to Mr. Hallowell, two of the Plymouth proprietors. The same year Dr. Gardiner erected a grist-mill at the mouth of the Cobbessecontee River; at which the inhabitants on the river above, were able to procure the grinding of their corn and grain.”

Gardiner lies on the Kennebec, six miles south from Augusta, and four miles below Hallowell. It is located at the head of large navigation, and is quite a flourishing place. It was incorporated as a town in 1803, and was named in honor of Dr. Sylvester Gardiner, one of the proprietors of the old Plymouth patent, who, in 1760, erected a mill here, and began a settlement. The Cobbessecontee River enters the Kennebec at this place, and within the limits of a mile there are eight stone dams across this stream, upon which are establishments for sawing boards, etc., paper, and other mills. About 6,000 tuns of shipping are owned here, more than half of which are employed in the southern and foreign trade. Gardiner was incorporated a city in 1849; it contains eight churches, and about 5,000 inhabitants. Gardiner, Hallowell, and Augusta, lie in a favored section of the state on the same side of the river, and are united by similar interests, and connected by a railroad passing between them.

Waterville, 18 miles north from Augusta, is situated on the west bank of the Kennebec, at the Ticonic Falls. It was incorporated as a part of Winslow in 1771, and as a separate town in 1802. It is con

nected with Bangor, by the Kennebec and Penobscot Railroad, and it is also the terminus of the Kennebec and Portland Railroad. The water power afforded by the Titonic Falls, and others in the vicinity, is very great, and might easily be made available to almost any extent; but a part of it is at present employed. There are numerous mills for sawing lumber, grinding grain, etc.; also various manufacturing establishments, principally of machinery, castings, etc. From Augusta, goods are transported to Waterville in large flat boats, some of which carry 40 tuns. The village contains four or five churches,

and about 4,000 inhabitants. The Liberal Institute, a seminary founded by the Universalists, and the Waterville College, founded by the Baptists, are in this place. The college has two edifices for rooms, a chapel and commons hall. It was founded in 1813, as a theological school; in 1821, it was converted into a college. It is open to all denominations, and has facilities for manual labor.

Norridgewock, the chief town of Somerset county, is 30 miles north of Augusta. It is a small village on both sides of the Kennebec, containing the county buildings and a Female Academy. The Indian village of the Norridgewock or Canibas tribe, was situated partly in Norridgewock, and extended along the banks of the river to the foot of Norridgewock Falls, in Madison. The Jesuits established a mission here, and in 1646, they erected a rude chapel at Old Point. In the war of 1674, their chapel was burnt; and after the war, was rebuilt of hewn timber, which remained till the tribe was destroyed by a military force sent for that purpose, by Massachusetts, commanded by Capts. Moulton and Harman, Aug. 1724, when their chapel was burnt. Among the slain was Father Sebastian Rasles, or Ralle. A monument was erected to his memory, on the 23d of Aug. 1833, by Bishop Fenwick, of Boston, at an expense of $200. It was a plain granite pyramidal shaft standing on a base of the same material, having the following inscription:

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"Revs. Sebastianus Rasles, natione Gallus, e' societate Jesu missionarus, per alliquot annos Illinois et Huronibus premum evangelans, dunder per 34 armos Abenaques, fide et charitate Christi verus apostulus, periculis armoram interritus, se pro suis ovibus mori tum sæpius testificans inter arma et cædes ac Pagi Narantsouack (Norridgewock) et Ecclesiæ surae ruinus, hock in ipso loco cecidit tandem optimus pastor, die 23d Augustii, Ann. Dom. 1724.

Ipsi et filiis in Cheristi defunctis, monumentum hoc posuit Benedictus Fenwick, Episcopus Bostoniensis, dedi caoit que die 23d Augustii, A. D. 1833, a. M. D. G."

This monument was thrown down by mischievous persons, in 1835, but was immediately re-erected by contributions of citizens of the town, and stood till 1849, when it was again thrown down by persons actuated by a spirit to be deplored in a civilized community. The first of the following accounts of the destruction of the Norridgewock is from Mr. Drake's Hist. of the North American Indians:

"Determined on destroying this assemblage of Indians, which was the headquarters of the whole eastern country, at this time, the English, two years after, 1724, sent out a force, consisting of 208 men and three Mohawk Indians, under Capts. Moulton, Harman, and Bourne, to humble them. They came upon the village, the 23d August, when there was not a man in arms to oppose them. They had left 40 of their men at Teconet Falls, which is now within the town of Winslow, upon the Kennebec, and about two miles below Waterville College, upon the opposite side of the river. The English had divided themselves into three squadrons: 80 under Harman, proceeded by a circuitous route, thinking to surprise some in their corn fields, while Moulton, with 80 more, proceeded directly for the village, which, being surrounded by trees, could not be seen until they were close upon it. All were in their wigwams, and the English advanced slowly and in perfect silence. When pretty near, an Indian came out of his wigwam, and, accidentally discovering the English, ran in and seized his gun, and giving the warhoop, in a few minutes the warriors were all in arms, and advancing to meet them. Moulton ordered his men not to fire until the Indians had made the first discharge. This order was obeyed, and, as he expected, they overshot the English, who then