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 Sketches of persons, localities, and incidents of two centuries: principally from tradition and unpublished documents.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

342 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH.
On those walls, in invisible letters perhaps, are written
many a legend which if compiled would swell to a volume
as large as "Greeley's Conflict," and some of them perhaps
quite as thrilling. We had come to think it fire proof,
Four times it was enveloped in the flames of its more
stately neighbors, and like Moses' bush it consumed not.
It had seemed to mourn since the demise of its old companions, the North Church and Court House. It was the
retreat of a little band of Patriots who used to gather
around the midnight lamp, in that quiet ante-room, for the
double mission of social improvement and political reform:
which latter, was at that time much needed. Sometimes
those sessions were continued into the small hours; not
from want of harmony, but solely from press of business. Imbued with the spirit of the times, selfrdenying and earnest,
they were bold to do and dare. On its roll were New Hampshire's most honored sons. Sad to say, most of them have
passed away. How much of this recent glorious triumph
had its germ in that little gathering I will not say. I suppose there may be some mischief-loving persons who as
they pass will laugh at its destruction. Well! let them
laugh-so did Nero on another occasion. For one, I shall
mourn its loss, and with Mrs. Partington take our cup of
tea and recite its story in our own humble way."
To those anniversaries of the " Gilman Blues," where,
after the evil spirits the bottles contained had disappeared,
the bottles were arranged in a pyramid on the table to be
mace a target for those who were able to aim a blow at
themn-and the appearance of the sedate landlord to know
what the "pesky fellows" were doing with his glass
ware,-it would be well to pass over in silence-and with
aany other like scenes bury with the ruins of the old
taverin.
It will be recollected that here were held the corporation
meetings-here in that front parlor, the probate courts