Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 9.djvu/290

266 of Newcastle, dated at Whitehall, Aug. 10, 1745, acquainting him that his majesty had sent a patent from Hanover creating him a baronet of Great Britain,—an honor never before conferred on a native of America. Commodore Warren was also promoted to the rank of admiral.

A trophy of the capture of Louisburg lies almost at our own doors. The visitor, on approaching the massive and stately building known as Gore Hall, at Cambridge, may see a gilded cross over one of its doors, which was taken from a French church and eventually found a resting-place there. The granite pile stands for learning and progress. The cross may well remind the students and all friends of the university of its motto, "Christo et Ecclesiæ," that its meaning may never be forgotten in our onward march.

Sir William embarked in Admiral Knowles's squadron for Boston, Sept. 24, 1746, and arrived there on the 2d of October, after a stormy passage. The ships then dropped down the harbor, and anchored in Nantasket Roads. Many of Knowles's men having deserted here, he thought that Boston should make up the deficiency. He accordingly sent press-gangs—an infamous practice sanctioned, or at least submitted to, in those days—to the merchantmen and wharves, and carried off many poor fellows, including a few landsmen. A mob of several thousand people soon collected at the head of King (now State) Street, and even threw missiles into the windows of the Province House. Speeches were made from the balcony by Sir William, and also by Gov. Shirley; and the former, by his tact and popularity, avoided any further trouble (as Knowles agreed to release the citizens), but the cowardly Shirley had meanwhile taken the precaution to go to the castle in the harbor.

On Dec. 9, 1746, the Province House (now the Old State House) took fire, and all but the walls were consumed. It was rebuilt shortly after, and still stands in the heart of our busy city, a fitting link between all that was noteworthy in our Colonial history, and all the good that has been accomplished since we became a nation. The lion and the unicorn represent the puissant British race from which we sprung; while the Indian, facing to the west, illustrates the onward march of our great Republic.

Sir William set sail for London in September, 1749, and was cordially received at court by his Majesty King George II. He was also the recipient of many attentions from the Prince of Wales and Lord Halifax. The mayor of London waited on him, and presented him with a set of plate in honor of his distinguished services. Sir William was a man of fine appearance, somewhat inclined to be portly, and his dignified and elegant bearing made him noted, even at the Court of St. James. A description of the dress which he wore when presented has not come down to us, but he ordinarily dressed in the rich apparel customary for gentlemen in his day; viz., a suit of scarlet cloth trimmed with gold lace, silk stockings, and silver shoe-buckles, and the usual powdered wig. He also wore lace ruffles at his wrists, and the long vest then in fashion. There is extant a full-length portrait of him by the gifted Smibert in the Essex Institute at Salem. It belongs to, and was formerly in, the Portsmouth Athenæum, where it should have remained.

He lived in great style at Kittery,