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 Sketches of persons, localities, and incidents of two centuries: principally from tradition and unpublished documents.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

MARQUIS DE CHASTELLUX'S VISIT. 39
to Massachusetts and New Hampshire. His route brought
him through Andover, Haverhill and Exeter. He speaks
highly of the general appearance of the latter town, and
goes on to say:"We stopped at a very handsome inn kept by Mr. Ruspert,
which we quitted at half past two; and though we rode
very fast, night was coming on when we reached Pdrtsmouth. The road from Exeter is very hilly. We passed
through Greenland, a very populous township, composed
of well built houses. Cattle here are abundant, but not so
handsome as in Connecticut, and the state of Massachusetts.
They are dispersed over fine meadows, and it is a beautiful
sight to see them collected near their hovels in the evening.
This country presents, in every respect, the picture of
abundance and of happiness. The road from Greenland to
Portsmouth is wide and beautiful, interspersed with habitations, so that these two townships almost touch. I alighted
at Mr. Brewster's, where I was well lodged; he seemed to
me a respectable man, and much attached to his country.
"In the morning of the 10th of Nov. I went to pay avisit
to Mr. Albert de Rioms, captain of the Pluto, who had a
house on shore, where he resided for his health; he invited
me to dinner, which he advised me to accept, as the Comte
de Vaudreuil was in great confusion on board his ship, the
mizzen-mast of which had been struck by lightning five
days before, and which penetrated to his first battery; but
he offered me his boat to carry me on board the Auguste.
In returning for my cloak, I happened to pass by the meeting,
precisely at the time of service, and had the curiosity to
enter, where I remained above half an hour, that I might
not interrupt the preacher, and to show my respect for the
assembly; the audience were not numerous on account of
the severe cold, but I saw some handsome women, elegantly
dressed. Mr. Buckminister, a young minister, spoke with
a great deal of grace, and reasonably enough for a preacher.