Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 1.djvu/273

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CITY AND COUNTRY.

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��was paralyzed on one side. He resumed his residence in Fitzwilliam, where he married for his second wife Molly Far- rar of the same town. About the year 1800 he removed to Fitchburg, where he spent the remainder of his days. He died at Fitchburg, February 13, 1807, aged eighty-three years, and was buried with military honors. In the old bury- ing ground at Fitchburg stands his mon- ument, quite elaborate for the times,

which bears the following quaint inscrip- tion :

"In the various military scenes in which his country was concerned from 1755 to the superior conflict, distinguished in our history as the Revo- lution, he sustained commissions in that Revolu- tion. At the important post of Lake George he totally lost his sight. From that period to his death he received from his country the retribu- tion allowed to Pensioners of the rank of Briga- dier General."

In all the relations of a long and useful

life, Gen. Reed sustained the highest

character for honesty and integrity. In

the numerous records relating to him

there is naught found but words of praise.

Wherever his name is mentioned by his

comrades in arms, from Washington

down, it is in terms of commendation

and eulogy. He was emphatically a

Christian warrior. In the church records

of the various towns where he resided

��his name is enrolled among the records of each, and his military orders bespeak the Christian as well as the soldier. Upon the records of the Congregational Church in Fitzwilliam we find the fol- lowing :

"James Reed, admitted March 27,1771. Dis- missed to church in Keene, June 29, 1783. Abi- gail Reed, admitted September 22, 1771. Dis- missed to church in Keene, June 29, 17S3."

Gen. Reed's family consisted of six sons and five daughters. His descend- ants are quite numerous, and among them are found brilliant names in differ- ent parts of our country. Two of his sons, Sylvanus and James, served in the war of the Revolution. Sylvanus was an ensign in his father's regiment. His commission, which is still preserved, bearing date January 1, 1776, is signed by John Hancock, President of Congress. He was adjutant in the campaign of 1778, under Gen. Sullivan, and was afterwards promoted colonel of a regiment. He served through the war, and died at Cam- bridge, Mass., in 1798. James Reed, Jr., also served through the war. He was disabled in service, and died a pensioner at Fitzwilliam, February 19, 1836, at the age of eighty-nine years.

��CITY AND COUNTRY.

��BY C. C. LORD.

��The idea has been advanced that a pos- sibility in natural economy implies that within the area of the vast watery do- main in the farther part of the Eastern hemisphere was once a continent. Its place is now marked only by the inter- spersed islands in the otherwise present wide waste of waters. The suggestion is reached through an indirect process of reasoning. An element of implied thought recognizes the fact that the iso- lated inhabitants of the scattered islands mentioned have not kept pace with the continental nations in the vicinity, in the direction of mental and moral improve- ment. Assuming, as some do, that all human races are essentially consanguin- eous, it rationally follows that isolation

��is the harbinger of barbarism and associ- ation the friend of civilization.

Dropping the geological phase of the above theory as of no particular value to our proposed train of thought, there is consistent room for the assertion of the practical emphasis of the social part. Social community is essential to culture in its highest and truest aspect. The groping instincts of dawning intelligence unmistakably recognize the incontrovert- able fact.

In this vicinity, it is becoming the chronic complaint that the young and vigorous masses are rushing into the cities. The common statement is indis- putably true. The popular interpreta- tions of the phenomena are, however,

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