period. The halls have the same floors and ceilings, and on three
sides the same walls, that they had in 1747. One end wall in each of
the two chambers is new, but it rests upon the same spot as the old
wall. The balcony of the second story has been restored upon the
model of the still-existing attic balcony, and it is reached through a
window of twisted crown glass, out of which have looked all the latter
royal governors of the Colony and the early governors of the State.
The windows of the upper stories are modeled upon the small-paned
windows of Colonial days ; but f our-paned windows have been put in
the first floor and basement to satisfy the tenants, these portions
being let for business purposes. On the second floor are two main
halls and several ante-rooms. The whole of the second floor, the
attics, and cupola are leased by the city to the Bostonian Society.
The terms of the lease provide for an annual payment by the society
of $100, and the maintenance of the rooms for public exhibition. An
interesting collection of antiquities, relating to the building itself, and
to the early history of the city and State, with several portraits, and
76 HANDY GUIDE TO BOSTON.
quaint, crude paintings of ancient date, is exhibited here. Admis-
sion free.
Old South Meeting-House, on Washington Street, corner of Milk
Street, has been called the "Sanctuary of Freedom." The ground
on which it stands was the place where Governor John Winthrop had
his home, and here he died in 1649. The land was afterward owned
by Madam Mary Norton, M'ife of Rev. John Norton, who gave it in
trust ' ' forever for the erecting of a house for their assembling them-
selves together publiquely to worship God." The Old South Society
worshiped here from 1669 to 1875, when they moved to their new
place of worship on Boylston Street. The first meeting-house was a
small cedar building, erected in 1670, and in this building Benjamin
Franklin was baptized. In 1730 the present brick structure took the
place of the first meeting-house. Although a place of worship, the
old meeting-house had, at times, served other purposes. In the stir-
ring times that preceded the Revolution, when Faneuil Hall was too
small, to hold the town meetings, the church opened its doors to the
patriotic crowds.
"When the British occupied the town they desecrated the place and
injured the building by using it as a place for cavalry drill. The fire
of 1872 came very near to the precious building, but it escaped de-
struction, and it then served as a post office until the completion of
the post office wing of the Government building. In 1876 the build-
ing was sold to be torn down and replaced by a business block. But
the "Old South Preservation Committee," composed of twenty-five
Boston women, came to the rescue and purchased it conditionally for
$430,000. The meeting-house is now used as a loan museum of
historical relics, which include many interesting portraits, quaint old
furniture, flags, and weapons. It is open daily, and the entrance fee
(25 cents) becomes a part of the preservation fund. It is still some-
times used for public meetings ; and the regular ' ' Old South Lectures
to Young People," on local history, given by eminent men, are
features of the winter seasons. The tablet on the tower was placed
in 1867:
Old South
Church gathered 1669
First House built 1670
This House erected 1729
Desecrated by British Troops 1775^.
OLD LANDMARKS. 77
The Old Corner Book Store.— After leaving the Old South it
would be well for the visitor to cross Washington Street, and, going
one block to the north, on the corner of School Street, he will find the
oldest building now standing in Boston. On this ground was once
the dwelling of Ann Hutchinson, the strong-minded woman who was
banished for heresy in 1637. The present building bears the date of
1 712, and was the property of Thomas Crease, who used it as a dwelling
and apothecary shop. It was occupied by different tenants, as a
dwelling or for offices, until 1816, when Dr. Samuel Clarke, whose son,
Rev. James Freeman Clarke, was born here, restored the old building
to its original purpose of a drug store. Doctor Clarke was succeeded in
1828 by Messrs. Carter & Hendee, who first used the front as a book
store, and it has been devoted to this purpose ever since. It has been
occupied successively by the firms of Carter & Hendee, Allen &
Ticknor, William D. Ticknor & Co., Ticknor & Fields, E. P. Dutton
& Co., A. Williams & Co., Damrell & Upham, and lastly by the Old
Corner Book Store, Inc., who have removed to 27 Bromfield Street,
one block south. Through some of these firms it may be said to
have become the progenitor of the great publishing houses of
Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Roberts Brothers, and of the music busi-
ness of Oliver Ditson. Here James T. Fields, James -R. Osgood,
and Benjamin H. Ticknor began their careers as clerks, and here
many of the famous writers and students of Boston love to gather
and exchange greetings and ideas.
King's Chapel, on Tremont Street, corner of School Street, is a
plain and solid edifice of dark granite, with a massive square tower,
surrounded by wooden Ionic columns. The interior of the church,
with its rows of columns supporting the ceiling, the richly painted
windows of the chancel, the antique pulpit and reading-desk, the
mural tablets, and quaintly sculptured marble monuments that line
the walls, will impress the visitor with its likeness to old English
churches.
The first King's Chapel was built in 1689 by the first Episcopal
Church Society of Boston. This society had previously worshiped
first in the town house and then in the Old South, under the protec-
tion of Governor Andros, and to the great sorrow of the Congrega-
tionalists. The first chapel was built of wood. In 17 10 the building
was enlarged. Pews were reserved for the Governor and British
army and naval officers. The walls and pillars were hung with the
78 HANDY GUIDE TO BOSTON.
escutcheons of the king and royal governors, and upon the pulpit
stood an hour-glass to mark the length of the sermons. An early
description of Boston states that ' ' King William and Queen Mary
gave them a pulpit-cloth, a cushion, a rich set of plate for the com-
munion table, and a piece of painting, reaching from the bottom to
the top of the east end of the church, containing the Decalogue,
the Lord's Prayer, and the Apostles' Creed."
The present chapel was completed in 1753. The plan embraced a
steeple, but none was ever built. During the reign of Queen Anne it
was called Queen's Chapel, and for a while after the Revolution the
name was changed to Stone Chapel; but in time the love of the people
for ancient local names caused them to return to King's Chapel, which
has been retained ever since. After the evacuation the chapel re-
mained closed until late in the year 1777, when the Old South Society,
whose meeting-house had been so nearly destroyed by the British
troops, occupied it, using it for nearly five years, while its own
meeting-house was undergoing repairs. In 1782 the church was
reopened by the remnant of the old society, with James Freeman as
" reader;" and under his teaching the Unitarian faith was professed
by the congregation, so that what had been the first Episcopal church
in Boston became the first Unitarian. In 1787, Doctor Freeman was
ordained rector, and thereupon the connection of the church with the
American Protestant Episcopal church was terminated.
Christ Church, Salem Street (North End), was built by the second
Episcopal Society in Boston, and is the oldest church edifice now
standing in the city. It was dedicated December 29, 1723, and its
first rector was Rev. Timothy Cutter, D. D., who served until his
death, August 7, 1765. This old church is a very interesting land-
mark, as it retains, generally, its original appearance. This is the
church from whose steeple it is supposed the lanterns of Paul
Revere were hung out to warn the country of the march of the
British troops on Lexington and Concord. A tablet on the front of
the church, placed there October 17, 1878, bears this inscription :
The signal lanterns of Paul Revere displayed in the
steeple of this church, April 18, 1775, warned the country
of the march of the British troops to Lexington and
Concord.
But some very good authorities claim that this is a mistake, and
that the North Church referred to by Paul Revere, in a narrative
CHRIST CHURCH, OLD NORTH '-Salem Street.
(79)
80 HANDY GUIDE TO BOSTON.
c^hich he prepared twenty years after the events, was the North
Church, then standing in North Square. But Christ Church was also
known as the " North Church," and, to support its claim, brings evi-
dence which shows that Capt. John Puling, one of the wardens of
the church, received the signal to display the lanterns, and that
Robert Newman, the sexton, hung them out.
The original steeple was blown down in the great gale of 1804;
but the present one was built immediately after the fall of the old,
and is an accurate reproduction of that. Aside from the steeple there
is nothing in the plain exterior of the church to attract attention.
The interior retains most of its ancient fixtures and the original
decorations have been reproduced. The high, small-paned windows,
with deep seats; the balcony supported by pillars, the top " slaves'
gallery," and the old-fashioned pews, have all been preserved. The
bottom of the old pulpit, of hour-glass shape, is still there; but the
upper part was given away by one of the church officials in 1820, and
a modern affair fills its place. The organ is not the original one,
which was imported from London in 1756, but it is inclosed in the
original antique case. The clock below the rail has been doing duty
since 1746. The figures of the cherubim in front of the organ and the
chandeliers were taken from a French vessel by the privateer
"Queen of Hungary," in 1746, and presented to the church by Captain
Grushea ; its Bible, prayer books, and communion service, still in
use, were given to it by King George II in 1733, and the silver
bears the royal arms. The chime of bells, the sweetest and most
musical the town has ever had, was brought from England in 1744.
It is said to be the first chime in America.
Old Burying Grounds.
The four oldest burying grounds in the city proper are still pre-
served and faithfully cared for, though for several years they have
been unused as places for burial. They are among the most interest-
ing of the landmarks of early times, and speak eloquently to us of
many of the founders of Boston. )
King's Chapel Burying Ground, on Tremont Street, between
King's Chapel and the building of the Massachusetts Historical
Society, is the oldest of these ancient cemeteries, and for thirty years
was the only burial place of the town. The exact date of its e*>tab-
•ishment is not known, but according to Shurtliff's " Topographical
OLD LANDMARKS. 81
and Historical. Description of Boston," the first burial here was on
the iSth of February, 1630. The following reference to it is found in
John Winthrop's record : " Cap' Welden, a hopeful younge gent &
an experienced souldier dyed at Charlestowne of a consumption, and
was buryed at Boston w*** military funeral." Here rest the remains
of Gov. John Winthrop and his son and grandson, who were
governors of Connecticut; of Governor Shirley, Lady Andros (the
wife of Governor Andros); John Cotton, John Davenport, the founder
of New Haven, Conn.; John Oxenbridge and Thomas Bridge, pastors
of the First Church, and other well-known personages of the early
days. In one of the tombs here were deposited the remains of the wife
of John Winslow, who, as Mary Chilton, according to tradition, was the
first woman to touch the shore at Cape Cod, springing from the boat
as it approached the shore. There are many quaint old gravestones
in the yard; but some of them have been moved from their original
positions and set up as edgestones to paths. One of these stones has
a most remarkable history. At some time the stone was removed
from the grave it marked and was lost. In 1830, when some excava-
tions were being made near the Old State House, it was found sev-
eral feet below the surface of State Street. It is of green stone and
is inscribed :
HERE : LYETH
THE : BODY : OF : MR
WILLIAM : PADDY : AGED
58 YEARS : DEPARTED
THIS : LIFE : AUGUST THE [28]
1658.
On the reverse is this singular stanza of poetry :
HEAR . SLEAPS . THAT
BLESED . ONE . WHOES . LIEF
GOD . HELP . VS . ALL . TO . LIVE
THAT . SO . WHEN . TIEM . SHALL . BE
THAT . WE . THIS . WORLD . MUST . LIUE
WE . EVER . MAY . BE . HAPPY
WITH . BLESED . WILLIAM . PADDY.
Copps Hill Burying Ground, on Hull Street, a short distance
from Old Christ Church, was the second burial place established in
Boston. It was first used for interment in 1660, and was several
times enlarged. Here are the graves of Doctors Increase, Cotton
and Samuel Mather; Rev. Dr. Andrew Eliot of the New North
Church, Mrs. Mary Baker, a sister of Paul Revere ; Chief Justice
L
82 HANDY GUIDE TO BOSTON.
Parker, and many who were prominent in the early history of the
town. During the Siege the inclosure was occupied by the British
as a military station. The soldiers used the gravestones as targets,
and the marks of the bullets may yet be seen on some of them, A
stone which seems to have been particularly sought out by the sol-
diers in their desecration of the ground bears the following record :
Here lies buried in a
Stone Grave lo feet deep
Capt. DANIEL MALCOM Mercht
who departed this Life
October 23d 1769
Aged 44 Years
A true Son of Liberty
a Friend to the Publick an
Enemy to oppression and
one of the foremost in
opposing the Revenue Acts
on America.
Captain Malcom would be called a i^'.muggler at the present time,
for the above inscription refers to his landing a valuable cargo of
wines without paying duty upon it. But as the tax was regarded
as unjust and oppressive, the citizens approved and lauded the act.
The oldest stone in the graveyard is believed to be one bearing date
of 1661, erected to the memory of the grandchildren of William Copp^
for whom the hill was named — an industrious cobbler who lived
near by. Several stones bear earlier dates, but these were altered
from the original, the date 1690 in one case having been changed to
1620, and 1695 to 1625. One of the oldest stones records the death of
" Captain Thomas Lake, who was perfidiously slain by ye Indians
at Kennebec Aug. 14, 1676." Captain Lake was a commander of the
Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company in 1662 and 1674, and,
according to the story, the slit deeply cut in his gravestone was filled
with the melted bullets taken from his body. The metal was long
ago chipped away by relic hunters. There are several slabs bearing
armorial devices, which the superintendent of the yard is always
ready to point out to visitors. During the summer months the gates
are thrown open, and the people are allowed access to the cool,
shaded grounds. At times, when the gates are closed, admission can
be obtained by application to the superintendent, who lives in the
neighborhood. The high, rough stone wall was placed when it
OLD LANDMARKS. 83
became necessary, in the improvement of this section of the city, to
cut down that portion of the hill without the limits of the burying
ground.
Old Granary Burying Ground, on the north side of Tremont
Street, between Park Street Church and the site of the old Tremont
House, is the most interesting of the old burying grounds of Boston.
It was established in 1660, at the same time that the Copps Hill Bury-
ing Ground was laid out. The ground was formerly a part of the
Common, and it received the name it bears because of its proximity to
the old town granary, which stood where the Park Street Church
now stands. The list of the distinguished dead who rest here
includes nine governors of the Colony and State ; three of the signers
of the Declaration of Independence ; Paul Revere, the patriot ; Peter
Faneuil, the donor of the market house and hall that bears his
name ; Judge Samuel Sewall, six doctors of divinity, the first
mayor of Boston, and many others. Upon the front of one of the
tombs, on the side next to Park Street Church, was once a marble
slab with the inscription, " No. 16, Tomb of Hancock ;" but nothing
now marks the resting-place of the first signer of the Declaration of
Independence, and the first Governor of Massachusetts under the
Constitution. In another part of the yard is the grave of Samuel
Adams, "the father of the Revolution." Near the Tremont House
corner are the graves of the victims of the "Boston massacre of
1770." The most conspicuous monument here is one erected in
1827, which marks the graves of the parents of Benjamin Franklin.
It contains the epitaph, composed by their illustrious son, "in filial
regard to their memory." This is the inscription :
They lived lovingly together in wed
lock fifty-five years, and without an
estate, or any gainful employment, by
constant labor and honest industry
maintained a large family comfortably,
and brought up thirteen children and
seven grandchildren respectably. From
this instance, reader, be encouraged to
diligence in thy calling, and distrust
not Providence.
He was a pious and prudent man ;
She a discreet and virtuous woman.
The names of some of the distinguished persons buried here are
84
HANDY GUIDE TO BOSTON.
displayed upon the bronze tablets fixed upon the gates of the main
entrance to the yard. The high, carved gateway, in the summer
time, is picturesque in a mantle of ivy. Entrance to the yard may
be obtained upon application to the superiiitendent. Inquire at health
office. No. 12 Beacon Street.
The Central Burying Ground, on -the Boylston Street side of the
Common, is the least interesting of the ancient cemeteries of the
town. It was laid out in 1756, but the oldest stone, wnth the excep-
tion of one which was removed from some other ground, is dated
1761. Stuart, the portrait-painter, was buried here, and Monsieur
Julien, the inventor of the famous soup that bears his name. Julien's
public house was for some years on the corner of Milk and Congress
streets. He died in 1805, but his soup is still flourishing. It is sup"
posed that several of the British soldiers who died from wounds
received at Bunker Hill, or from disease in the barracks during the
Siege, were buried here; but there is nothing to prove this, and the
statement is questioned. Drake says that they were buried in a
common trench, and that many of the remains were exhumed when
changes in the northwest corner of the yard were made. This bury-
ing ground formerly extended to Boylston Street, and it was con-
tracted to its present dimensions when the Boylston Street mall was
laid out in 1839.
HORTICULTURAL HALL - Corner HuMtm^-ton and Massachusetts Avenues.
V.
THEATERS AND OTHER AMUSE-
MENTS.
Boston is known to the theatrical world as one of the best show
towns in the country. This is the more remarkable, as it was many-
years after the play-house was flourishing in other cities before the
Puritan City consented to its establishment in her midst. In 1750
an act was passed ' ' to prevent stage plays and other theatrical enter-
tainments," imposing heavy fines on the owmer of the premises in
which such entertainments should be given in defiance of the law,
and upon the spectators and actors as well. Several unsuccessful
attempts were made to secure the repeal of this act, during the years
succeeding, before it finally disappeared from the statute books.
During the past few years, theaters have multiplied with marvel-
ous rapidity. Twenty years ago, the Boston, the Globe, the Museum,
the Howard, and a few cheap variety houses, were the only theaters
in the city. To this list have since been added the Tremont, the
Columbia, the Park, the Bowdoin Square, the Castle Square, and
Keith's. Boston now has about fifteen theaters, properly so called,
besides several places where similar entertainments are given.
Alphabetical List of Theaters.
Bijou Theater-, 543 Washington Street. Light attractions.
Globe Theater, Washington and Beach streets, opened in
(85)
86 HANDY GUIDE TO BOSTON.
September, 1904, playing the best of high-class musical shows at
medium prices; situated very conveniently to all car lines.
Majestic Theater, Tremont Street, near Boylston, one of
Boston's newest theaters and one of the most handsome; strictly
fire-proof; playing first-class dramatic attractions only.
Boston Theater, 539 Washington, between West and Avery
streets. This theater was opened in 1854, and it was, for many
years, the largest and most magnificent play-house in America. The
exterior of the building is unpretentious, and almost buried from
sight behind the adjacent buildings ; but within it is, in every respect,
substantial and imposing. The lobbies are spacious, the staircases
broad, and every convenience for the comfort of the audience is sup-
plied. The auditorium is 90 feet in diameter, and reaches a height
of 54 feet. The stage is 85 feet deep, and 66 feet high to the fly-floor.
The curtain opening is 48 x 41 feet. The house seats 3,000 persons.
There is a wide front entrance on Washington Street, and a rear one
on Mason Street, and the means of egress are so ample that 1,000
persons can be dismissed in a minute. The prices range from $1.50
to 50 cents.
Bowdoin Square Theater. — This theater is located in Bowdoin
Square, and was opened to the public in February, 1892. It has a
broad, handsome lobby and Auditorium decorated in old ivory and
gold. The stage is large, and the proscenium opening is 36 feet
wide by 32 feet high. It will seat 1,500 people, and the prices range
from |i,5o to 25 cents.
The Castle Square Theater, opened in November, 1S94, occupies
the fortress-like building at 421 Tremont Street. This theater is ab-
solutely fireproof, and, in comfort and beauty, it has no superior.
Fronting on the square formed by the junction of Tremont, Ferdi-
nand, and Chandler streets, with electric cars to all parts of the
city and suburbs passing its door, it is one of the most accessible
places of amusement in Boston. The stage combines every improve-
ment at present known to the theatrical world. The space is ample,
providing for 40 feet proscenium opening, 50 feet to back wall, 70
feet between walls, and 85 feet high, and, in addition, broad en-
trances on each side of the stage lead to the streets adjoining. A
THE A TERS A ND O THER A M U SEMEN TS. 87
cavalcade of horses can enter at one side, make the circuit of the
stage, and go out without that jostling which has spoiled so many
stage pictures. The theater cost $1,500,000. It seats 1,700 people.
Prices are popular, and a good seat can be had for 50 cents.
The Columbia Theater occupies an entire block on Washington
Street, and comprises the numbers from 978 to 986, inclusive. In de-
sign it follows the Moorish style, and its towers rise above the sur-
rounding buildings. The interior finish and the furnishings are in
harmony with the exterior architecture. The line of sight through-
out the house is perfect, so that it matters not w^hether the spectator
occupies the front row of the orchestra or a corner in the upper bal-
cony, a complete view of the stage is had in either place. The Co-
lumbia will seat 1,600, and the prices range from $1.50 to 25 cents.
Dudley Street Opera House, 113 Dudley Street. Devoted to
private entertainments and other special uses.
Grand Museum. — This is located on the corner of Washington
and Dover streets. It is a variety theater with continuous perform-
ance from I to 10.30 p. M. Popular prices, 10 and 20 cents.
The Grand Opera House is at 11 76 Washington Street, on the
corner of Ashland Place. This is the chief South End theater, and
performances are given by a stock company and-by combinations.
Prices range from $1 to 25 cents.
The Hollis Street Theater occupies the site of the old Hollis Street
Church, at No. 10 Hollis Street. It was reconstructed from the church,
and was opened November 9, 1885. It is one of the most thoroughly
built edifices of its kind in the city, and it is especially well arranged
in the particulars of safety from fire and means of quick and easy
egress. It has a large auditorium, beautifully decorated and well
lighted. The stage is spacious, and the pieces produced here are well
mounted. The auditorium has a seating capacity of i ,600. The prices