Reproduced from a 7¼"x 4¾" Steel Engraving from a Drawing by W.H. Bartlett
Faneuil Hall is Print # 53 of 53 on page 94104 from Volume II
"AMERICAN SCENERY" or LAND, LAKE, AND RIVER Published in 1839
by George Virtue, 26 Ivy Lane, London
This is an exact copy of the original 1839 text
describing the above Print, from "AMERICAN SCENER
Two noble streets, and a market, perhaps the finest in the world, have been projected in front of the old Faneuil Hall, which stood a very few years ago close to the water's edge. The new land was made, and the plan carried into effect during the mayoralty of Josiah Quincy, Esq., to whose enterprise and sagacity the city is indebted for these great improvements.
Faueuil Hall, which in the view from the water stands in the rear of these fine structures of granite, is the dearest spot connected with American freedom. It was used as a town-hall in the time of the Revolution; and within its walls arose the first murmur, which, stirred by the daring eloquence of Adams and Otis, terminated in the Declaration of Independence. The name by which it is best known, is, " the Cradle of Liberty."
In the year 1740, Peter Faneuil (a Huguenot) made an offer to build, at his own expense, " an edifice on the town's land in Dock Square, to be improved for a hall and market, for the sole use, benefit, and advantage of the town, provided that the town would authorize it, and lay the same under such proper regulations as should be thought necessary, and support the same constantly for said use." A vote of thanks was immediately passed to Mr. Faneuil, the work was commenced, and two years afterwards, " Mr. Samuel Ruggles, who was employed in building said house, waited on the select-men, by order of P. Faneuil, Esq., and delivered them the key of said house." A meeting was then held in the hall, and a motion was made that the thanks of the town be given to Peter Faneuil, Esq., for his generous benefaction of the Market-House to the town; and resolutions were drawn up and passed to that effect. A large committee of the first citizens waited on him, " and, in the name of the town, rendered their most hearty thanks for so bountiful a gift, with their prayers that this and other expressions of his bounty and charity might be abundantly recompensed with the divine blessing."
Another vote was then passed unanimously, " that, in testimony of the town's gratitude to Peter Faneuil, Esq., and to perpetuate his memory, the hall over the market-place be named Faneuil Hall, and at all times hereafter be called by that name." And as a further testimony of respect, it was voted " that Mr. Faneuil's picture be drawn at full length, at the expense of the town, and placed in the hall; and the select-men were charged with the commission, which was accordingly executed."
" The building was of brick, two stories in height, and measured one hundred feet by forty. It was esteemed one of the best pieces of workmanship, and an ornament to the town. The hall would contain one thousand persons; there were convenient apartments for the officers of the town, besides a room for the naval office, and a notary public."
Mr. Faneuil did not long live to enjoy the gratitude of his townsmen. He died suddenly, a year after the completion of the building. His funeral oration, delivered by Mr. John Lovell, Master of the Grammar School, was the first specimen of eloquence uttered in the " Cradle of Liberty." It was, in some of its sentiments, very unlike the orations which followed, and far from prophetic.
" What now remains," he concludes, " but my ardent wishes (in which I know you will all concur with me) that this hall may be ever sacred to the interests of truth, of justice, of loyalty, and honour. May no private views nor party broils ever enter within these walls; but may the same public spirit that glowed in the breast of the generous founder influence all your debates, that society may reap the benefit of them.
" May liberty always spread its joyful wings over this place—liberty, that opens men's hearts to beneficence, and gives the relish to those who enjoy the effects of it; and may loyalty to a king, under whom we enjoy this liberty, ever remain our character—a character always justly due to this land, and of which our enemies have in vain attempted to rob us."
The family of Faneuil had been more than fifty years in America, and had fled from persecution in France to find a refuge in the wilderness. The Faneuil arms were subsequently placed in the hall, elegantly carved and gilt.
Eight or nine years after the erection of Faneuil Hall, it took fire from a neighbouring conflagration, and was nearly burnt to the ground. It was on one of the coldest nights of January, and the water froze so rapidly, that it was impossible to work the engines. The walls were left standing, and it was rebuilt and enlarged soon after.
Just against the end of Faneuil Hall, in a broad dock, now filled up and built upon, used to lie a cluster of oyster-boats, that were half house, half vessel, floating oyster-shops—in short, of the most canonical rudeness and simplicity. It was as necessary to go to them to eat oysters in perfection, as it is to go to Blackwall for white-bait; and no true gourmand pretended to have elsewhere found the relish. They are gone, alas! and with the old hulks are gone the amphibious venders— the rude, high-booted, superannuated oyster-openers, dressing, for years after they had given up the vocation, just as if they were embarking for the mud-bank, and talking in the same hoarse tone as if their words were meant to struggle, as of yore, with a nor'wester. So flee away before the advances of improvement all that reminded us of other days ; and it is by this resolute plucking up of old associations, and resolute modernizing and improving, even upon the most sacred habits and usages of our forefathers, that this new nation keeps its unchecked headway, with neither rooted superstition nor cherished prejudice to restrain it. When it ceases to be so, we shall have the age of poetry; but adieu, then, to the age of improvement!
Another vote was then passed unanimously, " that, in testimony of the town's gratitude to Peter Faneuil, Esq., and to perpetuate his memory, the hall over the market-place be named Faneuil Hall, and at all times hereafter be called by that name." And as a further testimony of respect, it was voted " that Mr. Faneuil's picture be drawn at full length, at the expense of the town, and placed in the hall; and the select-men were charged with the commission, which was accordingly executed."
" The building was of brick, two stories in height, and measured one hundred feet by forty. It was esteemed one of the best pieces of workmanship, and an ornament to the town. The hall would contain one thousand persons; there were convenient apartments for the officers of the town, besides a room for the naval office, and a notary public."
Mr. Faneuil did not long live to enjoy the gratitude of his townsmen. He died suddenly, a year after the completion of the building. His funeral oration, delivered by Mr. John Lovell, Master of the Grammar School, was the first specimen of eloquence uttered in the " Cradle of Liberty." It was, in some of its sentiments, very unlike the orations which followed, and far from prophetic.
" What now remains," he concludes, " but my ardent wishes (in which I know you will all concur with me) that this hall may be ever sacred to the interests of truth, of justice, of loyalty, and honour. May no private views nor party broils ever enter within these walls; but may the same public spirit that glowed in the breast of the generous founder influence all your debates, that society may reap the benefit of them.
" May liberty always spread its joyful wings over this place—liberty, that opens men's hearts to beneficence, and gives the relish to those who enjoy the effects of it; and may loyalty to a king, under whom we enjoy this liberty, ever remain our character—a character always justly due to this land, and of which our enemies have in vain attempted to rob us."
The family of Faneuil had been more than fifty years in America, and had fled from persecution in France to find a refuge in the wilderness. The Faneuil arms were subsequently placed in the hall, elegantly carved and gilt.
Eight or nine years after the erection of Faneuil Hall, it took fire from a neighbouring conflagration, and was nearly burnt to the ground. It was on one of the coldest nights of January, and the water froze so rapidly, that it was impossible to work the engines. The walls were left standing, and it was rebuilt and enlarged soon after.
Just against the end of Faneuil Hall, in a broad dock, now filled up and built upon, used to lie a cluster of oyster-boats, that were half house, half vessel, floating oyster-shops—in short, of the most canonical rudeness and simplicity. It was as necessary to go to them to eat oysters in perfection, as it is to go to Blackwall for white-bait; and no true gourmand pretended to have elsewhere found the relish. They are gone, alas! and with the old hulks are gone the amphibious venders— the rude, high-booted, superannuated oyster-openers, dressing, for years after they had given up the vocation, just as if they were embarking for the mud-bank, and talking in the same hoarse tone as if their words were meant to struggle, as of yore, with a nor'wester. So flee away before the advances of improvement all that reminded us of other days ; and it is by this resolute plucking up of old associations, and resolute modernizing and improving, even upon the most sacred habits and usages of our forefathers, that this new nation keeps its unchecked headway, with neither rooted superstition nor cherished prejudice to restrain it. When it ceases to be so, we shall have the age of poetry; but adieu, then, to the age of improvement!
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