which has fallen into desuetude, although, once, almost universal in
New England, and may be said to bear some relation to the vesper-bell,
in Roman Catholic countries. Its avowed object, indeed, was not, as
in the case of the latter, to call the people to prayers, but, its
effect, perhaps, was the same; for, it marked the hour at which the
population of the village were in the habit of retiring to rest; and,
in those days of simple faith, many were the families whose members
united together, before seeking their pillows, to return thanks
for the blessings of the day, and ask for protection during the
defenceless hours of the night. Luxury and dissipation have since
crept in, and parties assemble, now, at an hour when they formerly
broke up. We call ourselves more refined, but, it may admit of a
doubt, whether all our show and parade are not purchased at too dear a
rate, at the price of substantial comfort and happiness.

The shore was lined with spectators, when the little party approached
the scene of the freshet. We do not know that we have succeeded in
conveying a clear idea of the river we have attempted to describe. It
may be recollected, that it was spoken of as one of the tributaries of
the Severn, coming in from the East, and sweeping round that side of
the town. The banks, on the side opposite, were high and precipitous;
but, on the hither side--with the exception of the narrow passage
through which the river poured itself into the Severn, and for a
short distance above--the ground rose gently from the stream before
it reached the foot of the hill, interposing a piece of comparatively
level land. The road that ran on this flat spot, and connected the
eastern portion (which, from the extempore character of its buildings,
as well as from other causes we do not choose to mention, was called
Hasty-Pudding), with the rest of the town, was, usually, in very high
floods, overflowed. Such was the fact in the present instance, and