expulsion of the British from the New
England capital." And surely this same verdict justifies the perpetual
distinction of this unique and beautiful hill.

This, then, is the story of Dorchester Heights--a story whose glory will
wax rather than wane in the years, and centuries, to come. Let us be
glad that out of the reek of the modern city congestion this green hill
has been preserved and this white marble monument erected. Perhaps you
see it now with different, more sympathetic eyes than when you first
looked out from the balcony platform. Before us lies the water with its
multifarious islands, bays, promontories, and coves, some of which we
shall now explore. Behind us lies the city which we shall now leave. The
Old Coast Road--the oldest in New England--winds from Boston to
Plymouth, along yonder southern horizon. More history than one person
can pleasantly relate, or one can comfortably listen to, lies packed
along this ancient turnpike: incidents closer set than the tombs along
the Appian Way. We will not try to hear them all. Neither will we follow
the original road too closely, for we seek the beautiful pleasure drive
of to-day more than the historic highway of long ago.

Boston was made the capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1632.
Plymouth was a capital a decade before. It is to Plymouth that we now
set out.

[Illustration]

Chapter II

MILTON AND THE BLUE HILLS

[Illustration]

Milton--a town of dignity and distinction! A town of enterprise and
character! Ever since the first water-power mill in this country; the
first powder mill in this country; the first chocolate mill in this
country, and thus through a whole line of "first" things--the first
violoncello, the first pianoforte, the first artificial spring leg, and
the first railroad to see the light of day saw it in this grand old
town--the name of Milton has been synonymous with initiative and men and
women of character.

Few people to-day think of Milton in terms of industrial repute, but,
rather, as a place of estates, too aristocratic to be fashionable, of
historic houses, and of charming walks and drives and views. Many of
the old families who have given the town its prestige still live in
their ancestral manors, and many of the families who have moved there in
recent years are of such sort as will heighten the fame of the famous
town. As the stranger passes through Milton he is captivated by glimpses
of ancient homesteads,