Colonial Children | ||
20. Delights of New England
BY REV. FRANCIS HIGGINSON (1630)[89]
THE variety of the soil of New England is to be admired. It appears in the abundance of grass which grows everywhere, very thick and very high
In our plantation we can already buy a quart of milk for a penny. The abundant increase of grain proves this country to be a wonder. Thirty, forty, and Sixty fold harvests are ordinary here. Our planters hope to have more than a hundred-fold here this year. Our children, by planting corn, may earn more than their own support.
This country abounds with roots of great variety which are good to eat. Our turnips, parsnips, and carrots are both bigger and sweeter than those ordinarily found in England. Barberries grow in plenty, and pennyroyal, sorrel and water-cress, leeks and onions. There also is an abundance of other wild herbs, delightful to smell, whose names we do not know. There is a plenty of single damask roses, very sweet; and two kinds of herbs which bear two kinds of flowers, which they say are as good to make cordage or cloth as our hemp or flax. We have mulberries, plums, raspberries, currants, chestnuts and walnuts, all of which grow in plenty here.
New England has water enough, both salt and fresh, as the Atlantic sea runs all along this coast. We have a number of excellent harbors, such as Cape Ann and Massachusetts Bay and Salem. The abundance of sea-fish is almost beyond believing, and usually I can scarce believe it with my own eyes. I often see a great number of whales, mackerel, and codfish taken in. Then there is a fish called bass, as
The air of New England is one special thing that commends this place. Experience shows that there is hardly a more healthful place to be found in the world, or one that agrees better with our English bodies. Many who were weak and sickly in Old England, by coming hither, have been safely healed, and grown healthful and strong. A sup of New England's air is better than a whole draught of Old England's ale.
Colonial Children | ||