Page:Recollections of John Howard Redfield.djvu/16

 To My Descendants: After some hesitation, I have been induced to record some reminiscences of my early days. For though such a quiet and uneventful life as mine has been (even though extended beyond three-fourths of a century) can present few incidents to interest a later generation, it may furnish recollections of a state of society which has passed away, of a mode of life which has given place to one more artificial, and may present glimpses of a period which antedates the wonderful changes which steam and electricity have introduced. How did our grand- fathers live in the absence of so many conveniences and appliances now deemed essential? The picture of my early village life which I shall present may enable my descendants to answer this question for themselves.

And I would fain hope that they may have a desire to know something of the history and surroundings of their progenitors. Old age likes not to be forgotten, and we who are so soon to leave would gladly have a green place in the memory of those who are to succeed us. In the words of the old gladiators, we say Morituri salutamus.

Moreover, ought I not to leave on record some expression of gratitude to my heavenly Father, for a life which has been so full of mercies, which has flowed so evenly and smoothly, disturbed by few