Page:Scenes in my Native Land.pdf/181

Rh And when we pass On, with our generations to the tomb, When age on age, like tossing bubbles break, Stand thou, and mark the dim decay of time. Yea, though the Sun, like wounded Cæsar, fold His mantle darkly round him, be thou firm, Even till the last flame wraps the wrinkled Earth.

This noble monument is erected on the spot, where the fortifications were hastily thrown up by the earliest soldiers of the Revolution, June 16th, 1775, the night preceding the battle of Bunker Hill. It is an obelisk two hundred and twenty-one feet in height, having a spiral staircase within, of two hundred and ninety-four steps, and at the top, an elliptical chamber, eleven feet in diameter, lighted by four windows, from whence is a glorious prospect of earth and sea. Its material is the beautiful sienite granite from the quarry at Quincy, and it is constructed with the utmost mathematical precision, and regard to durability. Some hindrance in the progress of the work, arising from the financial depression of the country, allowed the ladies the honor of more immediate cooperation; and the avails of a Fair held in Boston, aided by some liberal donations, were sufficient for the completion of the object.

Not far from the base of the monument, a small portion of the ancient breastwork remains, and must