resuming the Charter of that Colony, and reestablishing the
government under it, was immediately canvassed in all the settlements.
Agreeably to some general understanding, a number of principal men, most
of them elected as Deputies by their respective towns, assembled, on the
eighth of May, at Hartford, to consult together on the expediency of
taking that step. They determined to submit, the next day, to the
decision of the assembled freemen three questions, namely: 1. "Whether
they would that those in place and power when Sir Edmund Andros took the
government should resume their place and power as they were then; or, 2.
Whether they would continue the present government; or, 3. Whether they
would choose a Committee of Safety."

The adoption of any one of these proposals disposed of the others. The
first of them was first submitted to a vote, and prevailed. A General
Court after the ancient pattern was constituted accordingly. The persons
just deputed from the towns made the Lower House. Governor Treat and
Lieutenant-Governor Bishop resumed their functions, with ten Magistrates
elected with them two years before, besides others now chosen to fill
the places of Magistrates who had died meanwhile.

The first measure of the Court was, to order "that all the laws of this
Colony formerly made according to Charter, and courts constituted in
this Colony for administration of justice, as they were before the late
interruption, should be of full force and virtue for the future, and
till the Court should see cause to make further and other alteration and
provision according to Charter." The second vote was, to confirm "all
the present military officers." Justices of the Peace were appointed for
the towns. The armament of the fort at Saybrook was provided for. The
Governor was charged to convene the General Court, "in case any occasion
should come on in reference to the Charter or Government." It was soon
convened accordingly, in consequence of the arrival of intelligence of
the accession of William and Mary to the throne; a day of Thanksgiving
was appointed; and the King and Queen were proclaimed with all
solemnity.

Again Englishmen were free and self-governed in all the settlements of
New England.

* * * * *

SOME ACCOUNT OF THE EARLY LIFE OF AN OLD BACHELOR.

Allusion was made in "The Schoolmaster's Story," told in these pages
last month, to two old bachelors. I am one of them. Early this