a common purse, to defray the expence of a jovial supper for the principal performers.

The pageant was exhibited on a stage, mounted on wheels and drawn by horses. In front of the stage, was a lantern six or eight feet high, made with oiled paper, and covered with satirical inscriptions, alluding to the political characters or events of the day; and sometimes a boy was placed inside of it, accoutred and dancing in an antic manner. Next to the lantern, was a small figure meant for the Pretender, suspended to a gibbet. In the centre was the Pope, preposterously dressed, and made as corpulent as possible; and in the rear was a figure of the Devil, with an enormous tail, a pitchfork in one hand, and a lantern in the other. Beneath the floor, boys were placed, who held poles that went up through the principal figures into the head, so that they could turn the heads round, or raise them up to a level with the chamber windows of the houses. Occasionally some political character, obnoxious to popular ill will, was exhibited between the figures of the Pope and the Devil. Thus the marquis of Bute was caricatured by a boot suspended

to a gallows: Commissioner Paxton, who was a remarkably polite man, but very unpopular, was represented by a figure with this label-"every man's humble servant but no man's friend"—Governor Bernard was personified by a tomcod, a small fish he was very fond of catching, and consuming in his family, a fondness that was attributed to his parsimony. The pageants of the two parties were paraded about in the day time quietly; but in the evening they met in Union Street, which was the line of demarcation between them. A struggle ensued with all the force they could respectively muster, and the object was to capture the "Pope" of the other. This was commonly effected at the expence of some broken heads; and if the South succeeded, the trophies of the contest were carried to the Common and there consumed; if the North was victorious, they were taken to Copps Hill, where a bonfire was had, followed by a jovial supper. The sailors, mechanics, young men and boys of all classes, took part in these scenes. A story is related of one of them, that interested the feelings of the whole town at the time, and was productive of much chagrin to one side, and of many a hearty laugh to the other. The South-end had been unlucky for several years in the contests, when some young men, resolved to retrieve its reputation. This they effected

Charles Paxton was one of the Commissioners of the Customs, and actively discharged the duties of a very unpopular office. He was remarkable for the finished politeness and courtesy of his manners: but this, which might have been considered a merit at other times, was in the bitterness of party struggles, turned sarcastically against him,

chiefly by stratagem. They went down in considerable numbers in the evening to the lower part of Middle Street, and vociferated the usual cry, "Northend forever!" Deceived by this watch-word, the Northend Pope was brought out, when only a few of its real partizans were present, who joined this convoy of the enemy, as soon as they had carried it a little way, the disguised party, being joined by a number of their friends, threw off the concealment, assumed their own cry of South-end forever! and carried the prize to a triumphal bonfire, in the Common.

The termination of these Pope days, exhibits a characteristic trait of those times, and the docility of what might be considered a thoughtless, mob. The patriots of the town saw the mischief of these dissensions, when they wanted the feelings of the citizens to be united in the great object of opposition to the measures of the British Ministry they therefore brought about a reconciliation, and in 1774, had what was called an Union Pope, when the two parties, after great preparations, met with their pageants, and exchanging amicable saletes, proceeded to make a common bonfire, and terminated the frolic by supping together. This was in November, 1774. The next spring, the affairs of Lexington and Bunker Hill took place, and this foolish and turbulent practise, a striking mark of colonial subserviency, was never repeated.

Chapter XX.

Extracts from the Professional Correspondence of Otis.

THE following extracts from a letter book containing copies of letters on business, are cited, because so few fragments of Otis's manuscript can now be found. In the absence of more interesting correspondence, they may throw some light on his professional character. The deep feeling of respect and affection for the mother country, is exemplified in a very expressive word, that was commonly used in speaking of it, before the Revolution. England was called home, not only by those officers whose appointment from thence made their responsibility center there, but even by those who had never seen that country, and had derived their descent through several generations of colonial residence. The word occurs several times in these business letters. -Thus in one dated in 1764, there are these phrases: "but has the cause continued, to know from home, if he is chargeable" and again "since the matter was concluded by them, and the terms sent home for approbation." In a letter to his sister, Mrs. Warren, in 1766 "the enemies of our peace entertain hopes that we shall get no relief from home." But the course of events a few years after, made this distant home a foreign country; and in defending their real home from the encroachments of

arbitrary power, they found, that this only could be the true object of their attachment.

The extracts from these letters are taken in the order of their dates. It will be shewn by them, that his political engagements, and interest in public affairs progressively increased, till he speaks of giving up his professional pursuits altogether. The first extract is from a letter to "Mr. Francis Rybot, London," dated November 22, 1763.—“ I pray that your orders may be explicit, that I may come under no blame, for when gentlemen send powers with orders to make demands, and in their letters express fears least a suit should be brought, as you seem to do in yours, the consequence is, that all severities are to be laid to those they employ, which is a thing no man could run the risk of. I shall never take upon me to exercise my lenity at another man's expense, nor run the risk of involving myself for other people. If therefore at any time you would have compliance with your orders, please to let me know whether I am only to demand, or in default of payment to sue, expressly."

"To Messrs. Johnstone and others, assignees," &c. he writes May 16, 1764. "I am sorry to tell you the London Gazette you send me, for the proof of the bankruptcy of Wright and Graham, and as an evidence that you were assignees, is of no more value than an old almanack in my opinion. If our courts would receive such a paper as evidence, it don't appear by the advertisement, when the commission issued, &c." To the same, "September