But when they saw the British soldiers preparing to embark on
board of the ships of war, then they knew that they had lost their
country. Could the patriots have known how bitter were their regrets,
they would have forgiven them all their evil deeds, and sent a blessing
after them as they sailed away from their native shore."
In order to make the children sensible of the pitiable condition of
these men, Grandfather singled out Peter Oliver, chief justice of
Massachusetts under the crown, and imagined him walking through the
streets of Boston on the morning before he left it forever.
This effort of Grandfather's fancy may be called the Tory's Farewell.
Old Chief Justice Oliver threw on his red cloak, and placed his three-
cornered hat on the top of his white wig. In this garb he intended to go
forth and take a parting look at objects that had been familiar to him
from his youth. Accordingly, he began his walk in the north part of the
town, and soon came to Faneuil Hall. This edifice, the cradle of
liberty, had been used by the British officers as a playhouse.
"Would that I could see its walls crumble to dust!" thought the chief
justice; and, in the bitterness of his heart, he shook his fist at the
famous hall. "There began the mischief which now threatens to rend asun-
der the British empire.
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