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Page 30
"Yes," said Grandfather; "but there was a stern warlike spirit in them,
from the beginning. They seem never to have thought of questioning
either the morality or piety of war."
The next event, which Grandfather spoke of, was one that Cotton Mather,
as well as most of the other inhabitants of New England, heartily
rejoiced at. This was the accession of the Elector of Hanover to the
throne of England, in 1714, on the death of Queen Anne. Hitherto, the
people had been in continual dread that the male line of the Stuarts,
who were descended from the beheaded King Charles and the banished King
James, would be restored to the throne. In that case, as the Stuart
family were Roman Catholics, it was supposed that they would attempt to
establish their own religion throughout the British dominions. But the
Elector of Hanover, and all his race, were Protestants; so that now the
descendants of the old Puritans were relieved from many fears and
disquietudes.
"The importance of this event," observed Grandfather, "was a thousand
times greater than that of a Presidential Election, in our own days. If
the people dislike their president, they may get rid of him in four
years; whereas, a dynasty of kings may wear the crown for an unlimited
period."
The German elector was proclaimed king from the balcony of the
town-house, in Boston, by the title of George the First, while the
trumpets sounded, and the people cried Amen. That night, the town was
illuminated; and Cotton Mather threw aside book and pen, and left
Grandfather's chair vacant, while he walked hither and thither to
witness the rejoicings.
CHAPTER VI.
"Cotton Mather," continued Grandfather, "was a bitter enemy to Governor
Dudley; and nobody exulted more than he, when that crafty politician was
removed from the government, and succeeded by Colonel Shute. This took
place in 1716. The new governor had been an officer in the renowned Duke
of Marlborough's army, and had fought in some of the great battles in
Flanders."
"Now, I hope," said Charley, "we shall hear of his doing great things."
"I am afraid you will be disappointed, Charley," answered Grandfather.
"It is true, that Colonel Shute had probably never led so unquiet a life
while fighting the French, as he did now, while governing this province
of Massachusetts Bay. But his troubles consisted almost entirely of
dissensions with the legislature. The king had ordered him to lay claim
to a fixed salary; but the representatives of the people insisted upon
paying him only such sums, from year to year, as they saw fit."
Grandfather here explained some of the circumstances, that made the
situation of a colonial governor so difficult and irksome. There was not
the same feeling towards the chief magistrate, now, that had existed,
while he was chosen by the free suffrages of the people. It was felt,
that, as the king appointed the governor, and as he held his office
during the king's pleasure, it would be his great object to please the
king. But the people thought, that a governor ought to have nothing in
view, but the best interests of those whom he governed.
"The governor," remarked Grandfather, "had two masters to serve--the
king, who appointed him, and the people, on whom he depended for his
pay. Few men, in this position, would have ingenuity enough to satisfy
either party. Colonel Shute, though a good-natured, well-meaning man,
succeeded so ill with the people, that in 1722, he suddenly went away to
England, and made complaint to King George. In the mean time,
Lieutenant-Governor Dummer directed the affairs of the province, and
carried on a long and bloody war with the Indians."
"But where was our chair, all this time?" asked Clara.
"It still remained in Cotton Mather's library," replied Grandfather;
"and I must not omit to tell you an incident, which is very much to the
honor of this celebrated man. It is the more proper, too, that you
should hear it, because it will show you what a terrible calamity the
small pox was to our forefathers. The history of the province, (and, of
course, the history of our chair,) would be incomplete, without
particular mention of it." Accordingly, Grandfather told the children a
story, to which, for want of a better title, we shall give that of
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