Rambles about Portsmouth. Sketches of persons, localities, and incidents of two centuries: principally from tradition and unpublished documents. By Charles W. Brewster.

122 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH.
Moderator, (the Hon. Jonathan Warner,) upon the acceptance and adoption of them, "Who shall execute these
laws?" When profound silence had for sometime pervaded
the meeting, the Moderator spoke again, and said, " Who
will you trust with this important business? Who will
faithfully carry your object into effect?" Silence again for
a short time prevailed, when it was broken by a simultaneous announcement from different parts of the meeting,
of the name of Edward Hart! Edward Hart!! and thus
nominated he was thereupon unanimously elected Police
Officer for the then current year. Some sketches are given
of him in Ramble 99.
The power which that officer then possessed was similar to those with which our City Marshal is now clothed,
and his duties were analogous. A call was then made for
Mr. Hart, but he was not present. A constable was
sent to announce to him his election, and to request his
attendance. In a few minutes he presented himself, and
addressing the Moderator said, "Mr. Moderator: I have
been informed by your messenger, that the town has unanimously elected me Police Officer for the current year.
The duties of the office are of the highest importance and
responsibility, and it will require much labor and persevering effort to perform its duties to. your satisfaction.
No one, ten or tiventy men can succeed acceptably, if at all,
without the cordial co-operation of his good feeling townsmen: but with such aid, much may be, effected even by
one man. I will accept the office to which the town has
elected me, and perform its duties according to the
best of my abilities, upon one condition. That condition
is, that in discharging my duties all my good fellow townsmen will LIFT THE HELPING HAND! " And rising on " tiptoe,' suiting the action to the word, extended his right
hand as high as he could reach. In an instant, as if by the
power of magic, all hands present were zup-liftcd; which