papers converted into cartridges. His paper money depreciated
and soon became worthless and the consequences may be imagined. He,
however, found a refuge for his family among some friends of my mother
(who was of the New England stock) at Greenwich, Conn., while he made himself
useful as captain of the alarm list on the debatable ground. My first recollections
are those of playing on the shores of the Sound, building little huts among
the rocks and roofing them with sea weed, delighted with everything around
me. My brother and myself, however, were under the rigid government of
my mother, whose talents enabled her to give us some instructions. For
want of ink she would dissolve indigo in water and the drawing of faces
and flowers made their appearance and amused us during the evenings. Some
pieces of type-metal ornaments which had escaped the wreck of the printing
office became interesting objects to me. The grotesque vignettes in old
editions of books done when the artist had not the fear of criticism before
his eyes had charms for me, and I am not ashamed to say something of that
taste still remains with me. The old Dutch tiles around the fire place
were so execrable that I remember looking at them with a mixture of curiosity
and disgust.
