NE hundred and ten miles from Boston, Mass., situated in the southwestern part of New Hampshire, in the Connecticut valley, is Walpole, where, about as many years ago, a printing house was es

ment of the generation that was born during the Revolutionary period.

Some six years ago a research was begun and these facts concerning "the old corner printing house" and those connected with it, have been unearthed, which have been collected from various and reliable sources.

It was on April 11, 1793, that the publication of The Farmer's Museum was commenced by Isaiah Thomas, LL. D., and David Carlisle, Jr., with the distinguished Joseph Dennie, Esq., as editor. The paper was published in Walpole, on the upper floor of the building shown in the cut, while the lower floor was used for the bookstore and was then prac

The Old Tavern and Printing House Fifty Years Ago.

tablished which made that quaint, picturesque little town a literary centre for nearly fifty years from 1793.

There, amid the changes of a century, on the corner of Main and High streets (N. E.), has stood the building, not a modern sky-scraper, with elevators to the tenth floor, but a small common-place structure of two stories, in which, beyond doubt, some of the most talented and progressive men of their day commenced and conducted an enterprise devoted to the moral and intellectual develop

Old Corner Printing House and Bookstore as it is to-day.

tically the same in appearance as now. The periodical was known as The New Hampshire Journal and Farmer's Museum. "It was a remarkable publication," says The New Hampshire Book, "and became widely celebrated for its wit, talent and originality. Dailies were entirely unknown,

weeklies were uncommon and book publication was an art new and rare in the United States.

The Museum was of high class, for its regular contibutors were such men as the famous jurist, Royal Tyler, Esq., of Brattleboro, Vt., David Everett, Isaac Story, Rev. Thomas G. Fessenden, and others, whose literary abilities are unquestioned.

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Among the books written by them. and published by Thomas & Carlisle were "The Ferrago," "The Lay Preacher," "The Shops of Colon and Spondie," 'Peter Quince,' "Simon Spunky," "The Hermit," "Peter Pendulum," "The Desk of Beri Hesdew," "The Rural Wanderer," which, together with specimen copies of The Museum, may be found in the public library, Walpole, and the preservation of these early publications is entirely due to the forethought and efforts of Mr. Thomas B. Peck of that town. Copies of The Museum are also on file in the state library at Concord.

Among the books published in this establishment (a copy of which may be found in the library at Walpole) is one which deserves special mention, not only because it was published at such an early date, but because it was the first American novel to be honored with republication in England. The book was written by Royal Tyler, and was printed by David Carlisle, Jr., in the year 1797. Its title is The Algerine Captive, or Life and Adventures of Dr. Updike Underhill, Six Years a Prisoner Among the Algerines."

Isaiah Thomas, LL. D., was born in Boston, Mass., January 19, 1749, and was a well-known publisher in Colonial days. During the Revolu

Isaiah Thomas. LL D. 1749-1831.

tion he was editor of The Massachusetts Spy and during his life conducted extensive publishing houses in Newburyport, Boston, Worcester, Mass., and Walpole. He published the New England Almanac, familiar for years in almost every household before calendars were commonly used. He died in Worcester, Mass., April 4, 1831. An interesting sketch of his life was written by his grandson the late Benjamin F. Thomas, Esq.

David Carlisle, Jr., was born in Walpole, August 23, 1771, and when last seen was descending the stairs of a burning building during the great fire in New York city, December 16, 1835. The building collapsed and he perished in the flames. Mr. Carlisle was a son of Capt. David Carlisle of Walpole, formerly of Lunenburg, Mass., who was a commissioned officer of Col. Abijah Stearne's regiment, Co. No. 1, Worcester, Mass., 1776.

Opposite the printing house on Main street, on the site now occupied by the hotel, stood "The Old Tavern." The old stage-coach, the onehorse shay, the Colonial dress and customs, all familiar scenes a century ago, have passed away, and the contemplation of men and the manners of those who lived a hundred years ago, leaves an impress upon our minds like a grand spectacular play. If tradition can be relied upon

was suggested by the famous editor of The Museum.

Joseph Dennie, Esq., was born in Boston, Mass., August 30, 1768, and died January 7, 1812, aged 44 years, and is buried in St. Paul's churchyard, Philadelphia, Pa. An interesting account of his career may be found in the New England Magazine, August, 1896.

The publication of The Museum was suspended twice for a short period, but was revived the last time in 1827, with A. Godfrey as editor, and remained in Walpole about two years. From May 2, 1828, it was edited by Nahum Stone, and was then removed to Keene. The first few years of its existence The Museum was neutral in politics. In 1800 it became the exponent of the Whig party, and is now published in Keene, by Mr. Oscar Colony, under the name Cheshire Republican, and is the only Democratic newspaper printed in Cheshire county.

David Carlisle, Jr. 1771-1835.

"The Old Tavern " has been the scene of many social festivities. Among those gathered to celebrate July 4, 1797, was David Carlisle, Jr. During the evening he was informed that his wife had given birth to a little boy, whereupon a toast was offered, his health proposed and drank, and, at the suggestion of some eminent man present, the child was named Julius Quartus, in honor of the day. It is supposed the name

Joseph Dennie, Esq. 1768-1812.