64

GARDINER

BANGOR.

worth, not an individual could be found who had courage enough to put himself foremost in the cause of what he believed to be truth. Perceiving what

turn things would take, or rather that they would take no turn, but remain as they were, wisdom suggested to me to settle up my bills for board, room, fire, attendance, et cetera, before they mounted up beyond my reach, and betake myself to another sphere. This I did at once, carrying with me this morceau of useful experience, that though the 'workman may be worthy of his meat' he does not always get it, and that there is such a thing as 'going a warfare at one's own charges.' Passing through those lovely Towns on the beautiful Kennebec - Hallowell and Augusta- my next point of destination was Bangor, where I remained four weeks.

Bangor is not a very striking city. I describe it with its latest improvements having been there within a few months. It is situated on either bank of the Kenduskeag (a river emptying into the Penobscot) and on the western bank of the latter. The Banks of the Kenduskeag are bold and precipitous, and as slippery after a rain as soft clay can make them. The streets are irregular and the houses, with a few exceptions, display no particular architectural taste. Formerly they were here and there and everywhere, and had the appearance, as was quaintly said by some one, of having been shaken from a pepper-box. Of late there has been much improvement.

CHARACTER OF THE INHABITANTS.

6,5

in

The first day I was there the Sabbath quired after the state of the Thermometer and learned to my astonishment that it was 10 below zero. This circumstance however is not worthy of notice. It is the trifle of trifles. For the mercury has the finest of sport here. Its race-course is the longest in the States. In the Summer it runs to 96 degrees or more above, and in Winter to 39 degrees below The evening air is fearfully penetrating. A smart gymnastic trot was the only expedient by which I could keep myself from being chilled to ice.

zero.

The Bangoreans are intelligent, enterprising and ambitious as every body knows. They are generous and hospitable. They make money without much effort, and spend it freely. Light come -light go. They are fond of display. The chastened and refined tastes of some of the older cities, Boston and Philadelphia, have not yet been reached, This is not to be expected in a city of sudden growth. Though this remark is true of the city as such, there are many well educated, polished,and excellent families. The social circle,however, is yet in an unformed,unamalgamated state. Reader, have you never been to this city of the East? There is a spectacle you have yet to witness — a Bangorean riding through the streets. To say that he rides. faster than the Bostonian, New-Yorker, or Philadelphian, would be saying little would be doing him manifest injustice. His velocity has not yet been calculated. You must get a glimpse of him

66

A LONG SERMON.

as he passes you, if you can, and judge for yourself. The Bangoreans are proud of their city, and indeed they deserve much credit for their unexampled enterprize and unwearied energy. Still one cannot but think they are inclined to cherish an overweening estimate of themselves. They have been intoxicated, and no wonder they should be, with unexampled success. They will however grow sober betimes, if they have not become so already.

The Lyceum could not be made to flourish a few years ago. It is otherwise now I believe. This small fact is an indication of some re-action from entire absorption in business in favor of intellectual cultivation, and attention to science and literature.

The first week I was in the city my mind was much perplexed upon the subject of the Atonement to which I had devoted more attention than usual. The more I studied, the more obscure and unsatisfactory were my views. After unwearied examination and reflection, my anxiety was relieved towards the close of the week, and it occurred to me that it would be an useful effort to preach an extempora. neous sermon on the subject, the afternoon of the approaching Sabbath. I prepared myself, putting on paper a few notes to help my memory, and when the hour arrived went into the desk, fearing I should be brought to a full stop in a very few minutes. But let the consequence be what it might, my determination was fixed to trust myself (and it was the first time) to a few scanty notes. I began. My sub

RELIGIOUS MEETINGS.

67

ject, as I proceeded, enlarged before my vision. It had occupied my attention so much the previous week and I felt the importance of it so deeply that, if ever, I was then enthusiastic. The passage of time I did not realize. The current of my thoughts flowed on on — until the short day of Winter began to decline. Some went to the Post-Office and returned with letters and papers. Ladies' gloves, accidentally dropped upon the pew floor, could not be discovered in the darkness that began to gather fastand thick. This latter fact I do not take upon me to vouch for, having received it by tradition. from others. One thing, however, I can vouch for, that the homily, for godly length, would have done no discredit to a full bottomed wig of the last century, measuring an hour and twenty minutes. firmed it a deal longer

near two hours.

Some af

But kind reader, beware how you believe everything that everybody says. You have my word for it that this is an extravagancy, a foul aspersion, a hyperbolical vituperation of the Bangoreans. However I never expect to hear the last of my Bangor Sermon,' as it is called.

During the four weeks I remained in the city, religious meetings were held in one church or another the whole time night and day. Some diseases prevailed extensively and created considerable alarm, erysipelas and puerperal fever. By these many were sent to their long home, and clerical duties became somewhat trying. The religious meet

63

EASTWARD IN A PACKET.

ings, I understood,originated, in part,in consequence of the fatality of these complaints. Liberal Christianity, notwithstanding mnch opposition, was flourishing and has continued to flourish more and more.

On the whole there is much to like in the Bangoreans, and their thriving city.

My return to Boston and, after a few months, second visit to the East, furnish nothing of interest. My third visit however must not be passed over in silence. Having heretofore tried other modes of journeying I was persuaded to try, with a friend, a passage in one of the best Belfast Packets -- the Comet. With such a name, no wonder we were tempted within the sphere of its influence, and caught within its sweeping trail. We expected of course to leave the steamboat an infinite distance in the rear; to advance with a velocity hardly to be brought within the limits of measurement. Our freight was the fall and winter goods of eastern traders, and our passengers some thirty in number. The wind had been contrary for a week, and the passengers who, almost every hour of every day, went down the wharf to talk with the Capt. about starting, had become extremely uneasy, and at length were for putting out --- wind or no wind. The Captain reasoned with them, and refused for a long time, but unfortunately after much solicitation yielded; and now behold us at sunset our anchors weighed and sails set- going out of Boston Harbor! The Captain saw no prospect of a wind, hut