Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/239

 putridity. Its remote and predisposing cause, says Belknap, is one of those mysteries in nature which baffle human inquiry. Respecting innoculation for the small pox we have already spoken, and need only refer the reader to what is there said. On the 29th of October, 1727, while the sky was clear and serene, and a deep stillness and tranquility pervaded the air, New England was suddenly shaken by a tremendous earthquake, which overthrew a considerable number of buildings, and prostrated many persons to the ground. On the same day, the Island of Martinique was threatened with entire destruction, from a similar convulsion of nature.

New England was still distinguished by the zeal in behalf of religion of the great body of its inhabitants. This zeal happily was less intolerant than in earlier days of the Puritan colonies; and when fanatical exhibitions broke out, they were content to treat them as they deserved, and did not attempt to put a stop to delusions and folly, by hanging, or burning, or mutilating the bodies of those, who, for the time, showed that they were not in their right minds. In 1725, a proposition was set on foot to hold a synod of all the Congregational churches in New England; but the design was abandoned, owing to the opposition of the government.

Notwithstanding a certain stiffness still remaining—the result of the long reign of strict Puritanism—the social and domestic condition of the people was vastly improved, and to a large extent there prevailed cheerfulness, refinement, and liberality. The royal governors often maintained a somewhat splendid style of living, and formed the centre of a society composed of "persons in office, the rich, and those who had connections in England, of which they were very proud." These were the gentry of the country, in those days. Modes of life, manners, and personal decoration, were the indications of superiority. Most of the gentry embraced the side of government, when those serious disputes began to arise, which ultimately drove a large portion of them from the colony; but the same indications continued among some who remained, and adhered to the side of their countrymen. There was a class of persons, no longer known, who might be called the gentry of the interior. They held very considerable landed estates, in imitation of the landowners in England. These persons were the great men in their respective counties. They held civil and military offices, and were members of the General Court. This sort of personal dignity gradually disappeared, as the equalizing tendency of the growth and fortunes of the country began to produce its effect upon the whole community. In early days, the stern old Puritans had endeavored to restrain extravagance and luxury, by sumptuary regulations; but their power was no longer felt, at least to any great extent, in such matters: and as wealth increased, display and even luxurious indulgence obtained place in New England. A picture like the following is decidedly instructive as well as suggestive: "In