I have now the pleasure to inform you that I have not only, since that time, seen Mr. Rugg, but have sitten by the side of him, and conversed with him in his own chair.

In the autumn of 1825, I attended the races at Richmond in Virginia; as two new horses of great promise were run, the race-ground was never better attended, nor was expectation ever more deeply excited. The partisans of Dart and Lightning, the two race-horses, were equally anxious, and equally dubious of the result. To an indifferent spectator it was impossible to perceive any difference. They were equally beautiful to behold, alike in color and height, and, as they stood side by side, they measured from heel to forefeet within half an inch of each other. The eyes of each were full, prominent and resolute, and when at times they regarded each other, they assumed a lofty demeanor, seemed to shorten their necks, project their eyes, and rest their bodies equally on their four hoofs. They certainly discovered signs of intelligence, and displayed a courtesy to each other, unusual even with statesmen. It was now nearly twelve o’clock, the hour of expectation, doubt and anxiety. The riders mounted their horses; and so trim, light and airy they sat on the animals, they seemed a part of them. The spectators, many deep, in a solid column, had taken their places; and as many thousand breathing statues were there as spectators. All eyes were turned to Dart and Lightning and their riders. There was nothing to disturb this calm except a busy woodpecker on a neighboring tree. The signal was given, and Dart and Lightning answered with ready intelligence. At first they proceed at a slow trot, then they quicken into a canter and then to a gallop. Presently they sweep the plain; both horses lay themselves flat to the ground, their riders bending forward and resting their chins between their horses’ ears. Had not the ground been perfectly level, had there been any undulation, the least rise and fall, the spectator would have lost sight of both horses and riders. But while these horses, side by side, thus appeared, flying without wings, flat as a hare, and neither gained on the other, all eyes were diverted to a new spectacle. Directly in the rear of Dart and Lightning, a majestic black horse of unusual size, drawing an old weather-beaten chair, strode over the plain; and although he appeared to make no effort, for he maintained a steady trot, before Dart and Lightning approached the goal, the black horse and chair had overtaken the racers, who, on perceiving this new competitor pass them, threw back their ears and suddenly stopped in their course. Thus neither Dart nor Lightning carried away the purse. The spectators now were exceedingly curious to learn whence came the black horse and chair. With many it was the opinion that nobody was in the vehicle. Indeed this began to be the prevalent opinion, for those at a short distance, so fleet was the black horse, could not easily discern who, if anybody, was in the carriage. But both the riders, whom the black horse passed very nearly, agreed in this particular, that a sad-looking man with a little girl was in the chair. When they stated this I was satisfied it was Peter Rugg. But, what caused no little surprise, John Spring, one of the riders, he who rode Lightning, asserted that no earthly horse, without breaking his trot, could in a carriage outstrip his race-horse; and he persisted with some passion that it was not a horse, he was sure it was not a horse, but a large black ox. “What a great black ox can do,” said John, “I cannot pretend to say; but no race-horse, not even Flying Childers, could out-trot Lightning in a fair race.”

This opinion of John Spring excited no little merriment, for it was clear to everyone that it was a powerful black horse that had interrupted the race; but John Spring, jealous of Lightning’s reputation as a horse, would rather have it thought that any other beast, even an ox, had been the victor. However, the horse-laugh at John Spring’s expense was soon suppressed; for as soon as Dart and Lightning began to breathe more freely, it was observed that both of them walked deliberately to the track of the race-ground, and putting their heads to the earth, suddenly raised them and began to snort. John Spring said “These horses have discovered something strange; they suspect foul play. Let me go and talk with Lightning.” He went to Lightning and took hold of his mane, and Lightning put his nose to the ground and smelt of the earth without touching it, and then reared his head very high and snorted so loudly that the sound echoed from the next hill. Dart did the same. John Spring stooped down to examine the spot. In a second he raised himself up, and the countenance of the man was changed; his strength failed him, and he sidled against Lightning. When he recovered he exclaimed “It was an ox! I told you it was an ox. No real horse could beat Lightning.” And now, on a close inspection of the black horse’s tracks in the path, it was evident to every one that the forefeet were cloven. Notwithstanding these appearances, to me it was evident that the strange horse was in reality a horse. Yet when the people left the race-ground, I presume one-half would have testified that a large black ox had distanced two of the fleetest coursers that ever trod the Virginia turf. So uncertain are all things called historical facts.

While I was proceeding to my lodgings, pondering on the events of the day, a stranger rode up to me and accosted me thus, “I think your name is Dunwell, sir?” “Yes, sir,” I replied. “Did I not see you a year or two since in Boston, at the Marlborough Hotel?” “Very likely, sir, for I was there.” “And you heard a story about one Peter Rugg?” “I recollect it all,” said I. “The account you heard in Boston must be true, for here he was to-day. The man has found his way to Virginia, and for aught that appears, has been to Cape Horn. I have seen him before to-day, but never saw him travel with such fearful velocity. Pray, sir, where does Peter Rugg spend his winters? for I have seen him only in summer, and always in foul weather except at this time.” I replied, “No one knows where Peter Rugg spends his winters; or where he eats, drinks or lodges. He seems to have an indistinct idea of day and night, time and space, storm and sunshine. His only object is Boston. It appears to me that Rugg’s horse has some control of the chair; and that Rugg himself is in some sort under the control of his horse.” I then inquired of the stranger where he first saw the man and horse. “Why, sir,” said he, “in the summer of 1824 I travelled to the North for my health, and soon after I saw you at the Marlborough Hotel, I returned homeward to Virginia, and, if my memory is correct, I saw this man and horse in every State between here and Massachusetts. Sometimes he would meet me, but oftener overtake me. He never spoke but once, and that once was in Delaware. On his approach he checked his horse with some difficulty. A more beautiful horse I never saw: his hide was as fair and rotund and glossy as the skin of a Congo beauty. When Rugg’s horse approached mine, he reined in his neck, bent his ears forward until they met, and looked my horse full in the face. My horse immediately withered into half a horse; his hide curled up like a piece of burnt leather; spell-bound, he was fixed to the earth as though a nail had been driven through each hoof. ‘Sir,’ said Rugg, ‘perhaps you are travelling to Boston, and, if so, I should be happy to accompany you, for I have lost my way, and I must reach home to-night. See how sleepy this little girl looks; poor thing, she is the picture of patience.’ ‘Sir,’ said I, ‘it is impossible for you to reach home to-night, for you are in Concord in the County of Sussex, in the State of Delaware.’ ‘What do you mean,’ said he, ‘by State of Delaware? If I was in Concord, that is only twenty miles from Boston, and my horse Lightfoot could carry me to Charlestown ferry in less than two hours. You mistake, sir; you are a stranger here; this town is nothing like Concord. I am well acquainted with Concord. I went to Concord when I left Boston.’ ‘But,’ said I, ‘you are in Concord in the State of Delaware.’ ‘What do you mean by State?’ said Rugg. ‘Why one of the United States.’ ‘States,’ said he in a low voice, ‘the man is a wag, and would persuade me that I am in Holland.’ Then raising his voice, he said, ‘you seem, sir, to be a gentleman, and I entreat you to mislead me not; tell me quickly, for pity’s sake, the right road to Boston, for you see my horse will swallow his bits, for he has eaten nothing since I left Concord.’ ‘Sir,’ said I, ‘this town is Concord, Concord in Delaware, not Concord in Massachusetts; and you are now five hundred miles from Boston.’ Rugg looked at me for a moment, more in sorrow than resentment, and then repeated, ‘five hundred miles! unhappy man! who would have thought he had been deranged! But nothing is so deceitful as appearances, in this world. Five hundred miles! this beats Connecticut River.’ What he meant by Connecticut River, I know not. His horse broke away, and he disappeared in a moment.”

I explained to the stranger the meaning of Rugg’s expression, “Connecticut River,” and the incident at Hartford, as I stood on the door-stone of Mr. Bennett’s excellent hotel. We both agreed that the man we had seen that day was the true Peter Rugg.

Soon after, I saw Rugg again, at the toll-gate on the turnpike between Alexandria and Middleburgh. While I was paying the toll, I observed to the toll-gatherer that the effects of the drought were more severe in his vicinity than farther south. “Yes,” said he, “the drought is excessive; but if I had not heard yesterday by a traveller, that the man with the black horse was seen in Kentucky a day or two since, I should be sure of a shower in a few minutes.” I looked all around the horizon, and could not discern a cloud that could hold a pint of water. “Look, sir,” said the toll-gatherer, “you perceive to the eastward, just rising that hill a small black cloud not bigger than a blackberry, and while I am speaking it is doubling and trebling itself, and rolling up the turnpike steadily, as if its sole design was to deluge some object.” “True,” said I, “I do perceive it; but what connection is there between a thunder-cloud and a man and horse?” “More than you imagine, or I can tell you; but stop a moment, sir, I may need your assistance. I know that cloud, I have seen it several times before, and can testify to its identity. You will soon see a man and black horse under it.” While he was yet speaking, true enough, we began to hear the distant thunder, and soon the chain-lightning performed all the figures of a country dance. About a mile distant, we saw the man and black horse under the cloud; but, before he arrived at the toll-gate, the thunder-cloud had spent itself, and not even a sprinkle fell near us. As the man, whom I instantly knew to be Rugg, attempted to pass, the toll-gatherer swung the gate across the road, seized Rugg’s horse by the reins, and demanded two dollars. Feeling some regard for Rugg, I interfered, and began to question the toll-gatherer, and requested him not to be wroth with the man. He replied that he had just cause, for the man had run his toll ten times, and moreover that the horse had discharged a cannon-ball at him to the great danger of his life; that the man had always before approached so rapidly that he was too quick for the rusty hinges of the toll-gate; but that now he would have full satisfaction. Rugg looked wistfully at me, and said, “I entreat you, sir, to delay me not. I have found at length the direct road to Boston, and shall not reach home to-night if you detain me: you see I am dripping wet, and ought to change my clothes.” The toll-gatherer then demanded why he had run his toll so many times. “Toll!” said Rugg, “why do you demand toll? There is no toll to pay on the King’s highway.” “King’s highway! do you not perceive that this is a turnpike?” “Turnpike! there are no turnpikes in Massachusetts.” “That may be, but we have several in Virginia.” “Virginia! do you pretend that I am in Virginia?”

Rugg then appealed to me, and asked how far it was to Boston. Said I, “Mr. Rugg, I perceive you are bewildered, and am sorry to see you so far from home; you are indeed in Virginia.” “You know me then, sir, it seems, and you say I am in Virginia. Give me leave to tell you, sir, that you are the most impudent man alive, for I was never forty miles from Boston, and I never saw a Virginian in my life. This beats Delaware!” “Your toll, sir, your toll!” “I will not pay you a penny,” said Rugg, “you are both of you highway robbers; there are no turnpikes in this country. Take toll on the King’s highway! Robbers take toll on the King’s highway.” Then in a low tone he said, “Here is evidently a conspiracy against me; alas! I shall never see Boston! The highways refuse me a passage, the rivers change their courses, and there is no faith in the compass.” But Rugg’s horse had no idea of stopping more than one minute, for in the midst of this altercation, the horse, whose nose was resting on the upper bar of the turnpike gate, seized it between his teeth, lifted it gently off its staples, and trotted off with it. The toll-gatherer, confounded, strained his eyes after his gate. “Let him go,” said I, “the horse will soon drop your gate, and you will get it again.”

I then questioned the toll-gatherer respecting his knowledge of this man, and he related the following particulars: “The first time,” said he, “that man ever passed this toll-gate was in the year 1806, at the moment of the great eclipse. I thought the horse was frightened at the sudden darkness, and concluded he had run away with the man. But within a few days after, the same man and horse repassed with equal speed, without the least respect to the toll-gate or to me, except by a vacant stare. Some few years afterward, during the late war, I saw the same man approaching again, and I resolved to check his career. Accordingly I stepped into the middle of the road, and stretched wide both my arms, and cried, ‘stop, sir, on your peril!’ At this, the man said, ‘Now, Lightfoot, confound the robber!’ At the same time he gave the whip liberally to the flank of his horse, who bounded off with such force that it appeared to me two such horses, give them a place to stand, would check the diurnal motion of the earth. An ammunition wagon which had just passed on to Baltimore, had dropped an eighteen-pounder in the road. This unlucky ball lay in the way of the horse’s heels, and the beast, with the sagacity of a demon, clinched it with one of his heels and hurled it behind him. I feel dizzy in relating the fact, but so nearly did the ball pass my head that the wind thereof blew off my hat, and the ball bedded itself in that gate-post, as you may see if you will cast your eyes that way. I have permitted it to remain there in memory of the occurrence, as the people of Boston, I am told, preserve the eighteen-pounder which is now to be seen half-bedded in Brattle Street Church.”

I then took leave of the toll-gatherer, and promised him if I saw or heard of his gate, I would send him notice.

A strong inclination had possessed me to arrest Rugg, and search his pockets, thinking great discoveries might be made in the examination; but what I saw and heard that day convinced me that no human force could detain Peter Rugg against his consent. I therefore determined if I ever saw Rugg again to treat him in the gentlest manner.

In pursuing my way to New York, I entered on the turnpike in Trenton; and when I arrived at New Brunswick I perceived the road was newly Macadamized. The small stones had just been laid thereon. As I passed this piece of road, I observed, at regular distances of about eight feet, the stones entirely displaced from spots as large as the circumference of a half-bushel measure. This singular appearance induced me to inquire the cause of it at the turnpike gate. “Sir,” said the toll-gatherer, “I wonder not at the question, but I am unable to give you a satisfactory answer. Indeed, sir, I believe I am bewitched, and that the turnpike is under a spell of enchantment; for what appeared to me last night cannot be a real transaction, otherwise a turnpike gate is a useless thing.” “I do not believe in witchcraft or enchantment,” said I, “and if you will relate circumstantially what happened last night, I will endeavor to account for it by natural means.” “You may recollect the night was uncommonly dark. Well, sir, just after I had closed the gate for the night, down the turnpike, as far as my eye could reach, I beheld what at first appeared to me, two armies engaged. The report of the musketry, and the flashes of their firelocks were incessant and continuous. As this strange spectacle approached me with the fury of a tornado, the noise increased, and the appearance rolled on in one compact body over the surface of the ground. The most splendid fireworks rose out of the earth and encircled this moving spectacle. The divers tints of the rainbow, the most brilliant dyes that the sun lays on the lap of spring, could not display a more beautiful, radiant and dazzling picture. In the midst of this luminous configuration sat a man, distinctly to be seen, in a miserable-looking chair drawn by a black horse. The turnpike gate, ought by the laws of nature, and the laws of the State, to have made a wreck of the whole, and have dissolved the enchantment; but no, the horse without an effort passed over the gate, and drew the man and chair horizontally after him without touching the bar. This was what I call enchantment—what think you, sir?” “My friend,” said I, “you have grossly magnified a natural occurrence. The man was Peter Rugg on his way to Boston. It is true, his horse travelled with unequalled speed, but as he reared high his forefeet, he could not help displacing the small stones on which he trod, which flying in all directions struck each other and resounded and scintillated. The top bar of your gate is not more than two feet from the ground, and Rugg’s horse at every vault could easily lift the carriage over that gate.” This satisfied Mr. McDoubt, who is a worthy man late from the Highlands, and I was pleased at this, as otherwise he might have added to the calendar of his superstitions. Having thus disenchanted matters, I pursued my journey homeward to New York.

Little did I expect to hear anything further from Mr. Rugg, for he was now more than twelve hours in advance of me. I could hear nothing of him on my way to Elizabethtown. I therefore concluded that during the night he had turned off and pursued a westerly direction. But just before I arrived at Powles’s Hook, I observed a considerable collection of passengers in the ferry-boat all standing motionless and steadily looking at the same object. One of the ferrymen, Mr. Hardy, who well knew me, observing my approach, delayed a minute in order to afford me a passage, and coming up, said, “Mr. Dunwell, we have got a curiosity on board that would puzzle Dr. Mitchill.” “Some strange fish, I suppose, has found its way into the Hudson.” “No,” said he, “it is a man who looks as if he had lain hid in the ark, and had just now ventured out. He has a little girl with him, the counterpart of himself, and the finest horse you ever saw, harnessed to the queerest looking carriage that ever was made.” “Ah, Mr. Hardy,” said I, “you have indeed hooked a prize; no one before you could ever detain Peter Rugg long enough to examine him.” “Do you know the man?” said Mr. Hardy. “No, nobody knows him, but everybody has seen him. Detain him as long as possible, delay the boat under any pretence, cut the gear of the horse—do anything to detain him.” As I entered the ferry-boat, I was struck at the spectacle before me. There indeed, sat Peter Rugg and Jenny Rugg in the chair, and there stood the black horse, all as quiet as lambs, surrounded by more than fifty men and women, who seemed to have lost all senses but one. Not a motion, not a breath, not a rustle. They were all eye. Rugg appeared to them as one not of this world; and they appeared to Rugg as a strange generation. No one spoke, nor was I disposed to disturb the calm, satisfied to reconnoitre Rugg in a state of rest. Presently Rugg observed in a low voice addressed to no one, “A new contrivance, horses instead of oars. Boston folks are full of notions.”

It was plain that Rugg was of Dutch extraction. He had on three pairs of small-clothes, called in former days of simplicity, breeches, not much the worse for wear; but time had proved the fabric and shrunk each more than the other, so that they discovered at the knees their different qualities and colors. His several waistcoats, the flaps of all which rested on his knees, gave him an appearance rather corpulent. His capacious drab coat would supply the stuff for half-a-dozen modern ones. The sleeves were like meal-bags—in the cuffs you might nurse a child to sleep. His hat, probably once black, now of a tan color, was neither round nor cocked, but much in shape like the one President Monroe wore on his late tour. This dress gave the rotund face of Rugg an antiquated dignity. The man, though deeply sunburnt, did not appear to be more than thirty years of age. He had lost his sad and anxious look, was quite composed, and seemed happy. The chair in which Rugg sat was very capacious, evidently made for service and calculated to last for ages. The timber would supply material for three modern carriages. This chair, like a Nantucket coach, would answer for everything that ever went on wheels. The horse, too, was an object of curiosity—his majestic height, his glossy mane and tail, gave him a commanding appearance, and his large open nostrils indicated inexhaustible wind. It was apparent that the hoofs of his forefeet had been split, probably on some newly Macadamized road, and were now growing together again, so that John Spring was not altogether in the wrong.

How long this dumb scene would have continued, I cannot tell. Rugg discovered no sign of impatience. But Rugg’s horse, having been quiet more than five minutes, had no idea of standing idle; he began to whinny, and a moment after, with his right forefoot, he started a plank. Said Rugg, “My horse is impatient, he sees the North end. You must be quick, or he will be ungovernable.” At these words the horse raised his left forefoot, and when he laid it down every inch of the ferry-boat trembled. Two men immediately seized Rugg’s horse by the nostrils. The horse nodded and both of them were in the Hudson. While we were fishing up the men the animal was perfectly quiet. “Fret not the horse,” said Rugg, “and he will do no harm. He is only anxious like myself to arrive at yonder beautiful shore. He sees the North Church, and smells his own stable.” “Sir,” said I to Rugg, practising a little deception, “pray tell me, for I am a stranger here, what river is this, and what city is that opposite? for you seem to be an inhabitant of it.” “This river, sir, is called Mystic River, and this is Winnisimet ferry, we have retained the Indian names, and that town is Boston. You must, indeed, be a stranger in these parts, not to know that yonder town is Boston, the capital of the New England provinces.” “Pray, sir, how long have you been absent from Boston?” “Why, that I cannot exactly tell. I lately went with this little girl of mine to Concord to see my friends, and, I am ashamed to tell you, in returning lost the way and have been travelling ever since. No one would direct me right. It is cruel to mislead a traveller. My horse, Lightfoot, has boxed the compass, and it seems to me has boxed it back again. But, sir, you perceive my horse is uneasy. Lightfoot, as yet, has given only a hint and a nod. I cannot be answerable for his heels.” At these words Lightfoot raised his long tail and snapped it as you would a whip-lash. The Hudson reverberated with the sound. Instantly the six horses began to move the boat. The Hudson was a sea of glass, without a ripple. The horses from a smart trot soon pressed into a gallop; water now ran over the gunwale, and the ferry boat was soon buried in an ocean of foam and the noise of the spray was like the roaring of many waters. When we arrived at New York, you might see the beautiful white wake of the boat across the Hudson.

Though Rugg refused to pay toll at turnpikes, when Mr. Hardy reached his hand for the ferriage, Rugg readily put his hand into one of his many pockets, and took out a piece of silver which he handed to Hardy. “What is this?” said Mr. Hardy. “It is thirty shillings,” said Rugg. “It might have once been thirty shillings, old tenor,” said Mr. Hardy, “but it is not at present.” “The money is good English coin,” said Rugg, “my grandfather brought a bag of them from England, and he had them hot from the mint.” Hearing this, I approached near to Rugg and asked permission to see the coin. It was a half-crown coined by the English Parliament, dated in the year 1649. On one side “The Commonwealth of England,” and St. George’s cross encircled with a wreath of laurel. On the other, “God with us,” and a harp and St. George’s cross united. I winked to Mr. Hardy and pronounced it good, current money; and said loudly, I would not permit the gentleman to be imposed on, for I would exchange the money myself. On this, Rugg spoke, “Please to give me your name, sir.” “My name is Dunwell, sir,” I replied. “Mr. Dunwell,” said Rugg, “you are the only honest man I have seen since I left Boston. As you are a stranger here, my house is your home; dame Rugg will be happy to see her husband’s friend. Step into my chair, sir, there is room enough; move a little, Jenny, for the gentleman, and we will be in Middle Street in a minute.” Accordingly I took a seat by Peter Rugg. “Were you never in Boston before?” said Rugg. “No,” said I. “Well, you will now see the queen of New England, a town second only to Philadelphia in all North America.” “You forget New York,” said I. “Poh, New York is nothing. Though I never was there, I am told you might put all New York in our Mill Pond. No, sir, New York I assure you is but a sorry affair, no more to be compared to Boston than a wigwam to a palace.”

As Rugg’s horse turned into Pearl Street, I looked Rugg as fully in the face as good-manners would allow, and said, “Sir, if this is Boston, I acknowledge New York is not worthy to be one of its suburbs.” Before we had proceeded far, Rugg’s countenance changed, he began to twitter under the ears, his eyes trembled in their sockets, he was evidently bewildered. “What is the matter, Mr. Rugg? you seem disturbed.” “This surpasses all human comprehension. If you know, sir, where we are, I beseech you to tell me.” “If this place,” I replied, “is not Boston, it must be New York.” “No, sir, it is not Boston; nor can it be New York. How could I be in New York which is nearly two hundred miles from Boston?” By this time we had passed into Broadway, and then Rugg, in truth, discovered a chaotic mind. “There is no such place as this in North America, this is all the effect of enchantment; this is a grand delusion, nothing real; here is seemingly a great city, magnificent houses, shops and goods, men and women innumerable, and as busy as in real life, all sprung up in one night from the wilderness. Or what is more probable, some tremendous convulsion of nature has thrown London or Amsterdam on the shores of New England. Or possibly I may be dreaming, though the night seems rather long, but before now I have sailed in one night to Amsterdam, bought goods of Vandogger, and returned to Boston before morning.” At this moment a hue-and-cry was heard, “Stop the madmen, they will endanger the lives of thousands!” In vain hundreds attempted to stop Rugg’s horse: Lightfoot interfered with nothing, his course was straight as a shooting star. But on my part, fearful that before night I should find myself behind the Alleghanies, I addressed Mr. Rugg in a tone of entreaty, and requested him to restrain the horse and permit me to alight. “My friend,” said he, “we shall be in Boston before dark, and dame Rugg will be most exceeding glad to see us.” “Mr. Rugg,” said I, “you must excuse me. Pray look to the west, and see that thunder-cloud swelling with rage as if in pursuit of us.” “Ah,” said Rugg, “it is all in vain to attempt to escape. I know that cloud, it is collecting new wrath to spend on my head.” Then checking his horse he permitted me to descend, saying, “Farewell, Mr. Dunwell. I shall be happy to see you in Boston. I live in Middle Street.”…

It is uncertain in what direction Mr. Rugg pursued his course, after he disappeared in Broadway; but one thing is sufficiently known to everybody, that, in the course of two months after he was seen in New York, he found his way most opportunely to Boston.

It seems that the estate of Peter Rugg had recently escheated to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for want of heirs, and the legislature had ordered the Solicitor-General to advertise and sell it at public auction. Happening to be in Boston at the time, and observing his advertisement, I felt a kindly curiosity to see the spot where Rugg once lived. Taking the advertisement in my hand I wandered a little way down Middle Street, and, without asking a question of any one, when I came to a certain spot I said to myself, “This is Rugg’s estate, I will proceed no further; this must be the the spot, it is a counterpart of Peter Rugg.” The premises, indeed, looked as if they had accomplished a sad prophecy. Fronting on Middle Street, they extended in the rear to Ann Street, and embraced about half an acre of land. It was not uncommon in former times to have half an acre for a house lot; for an acre of land then, in many parts of Boston, was not more valuable than a foot in some places at present. The old mansion-house had become powder-post, and been blown away. One other building, uninhabited, stood ominous, courting dilapidation. The street had been so much raised that the bed-chamber had descended to the kitchen and was level with the street. The house seemed conscious of its fate, and as though tired of standing there the front was fast retreating from the rear, and waiting the next south wind to project itself into the street. If the most wary animals had sought a place of refuge, here they would have rendezvoused. Here under the ridge-pole the crow could have perched in security, and in the recesses below you might have caught the fox and weasel asleep. “The hand of destiny,” said I, “has pressed heavily on this spot; still heavier on the former owners. Strange that so large a lot of land as this should want an heir! Yet Peter Rugg at this day might pass his own door-stone and ask, ‘Who once lived there?’”

The auctioneer, appointed by the Solicitor to sell this estate, was a man of eloquence, as many of the auctioneers of Boston are. The occasion seemed to warrant, and his duty urged him to make a display. He addressed his audience as follows: “The estate, gentlemen, which we offer you this day, was once the property of a family now extinct. It has escheated to the Commonwealth for want of heirs. Lest any one of you should be deterred from bidding on so large an estate as this, for fear of a disputed title, I am authorized by the Solicitor-General to proclaim that the purchaser shall have the best of all titles, a warranty deed from the Commonwealth. I state this, gentlemen, because I know there is an idle rumor in this vicinity, that one Peter Rugg, the original owner of this estate, is still living. This rumor, gentlemen, has no foundation in the nature of things. It originated, about two years since, from the incredible story of one Jonathan Dunwell of New York. Mrs. Croft, indeed, whose husband I see present, and whose mouth waters for this estate, has countenanced this fiction. But, gentlemen, was it ever known that any estate, especially an estate of this value, lay unclaimed for nearly half a century, if any heir ever so remote was existing? For, gentlemen, all agree that old Peter Rugg, if living, would be at least one hundred years of age. It is said that he and his daughter with a horse and chaise were missed more than half a century ago; and because they never returned home, forsooth, they must be now living, and will, some day, come and claim this great estate. Such logic, gentlemen, never led to a good investment. Let not this idle story cross the noble purpose of consigning these ruins to the genius of architecture. If such a contingency could check the spirit of enterprise, farewell to all mercantile excitement. Your surplus money, instead of refreshing your sleep with the golden dreams of new sources of speculation, would turn to the nightmare. A man’s money, if not employed, serves only to disturb his rest. Look, then, to the prospect before you. Here is half an acre of land, more than twenty thousand square feet, a corner lot with wonderful capabilities; none of your contracted lots of forty feet by fifty, where in dog-days you can breathe only through your scuttles. On the contrary, an architect cannot contemplate this extensive lot without rapture, for here is room enough for his genius to shame the temple of Solomon. Then the prospect, how commanding! To the east, so near the Atlantic, that Neptune freighted with the select treasures of the whole earth can knock at your door with his trident. From the west all the produce of the river of Paradise, the Connecticut, will soon, by the blessings of steam railways and canals, pass under your windows; and thus, on this spot, Neptune shall marry Ceres, and Pomona from Roxbury and Flora from Cambridge shall dance at the wedding.

“Gentlemen of science, men of taste, ye of the Literary Emporium,—for I perceive many of you present,—to you this is holy ground. If the spot over which in times past a hero left only the print of a footstep is now sacred, of what price is the birthplace of one who all the world knows was born in Middle Street, directly opposite this lot; and who, if his birthplace was not well known, would now be claimed by more than seven cities. To you, then, the value of these premises must be inestimable. For, ere long, there will arise, in front view of the edifice to be erected here, a monument, the wonder and veneration of the world. A column shall spring to the clouds, and on that column will be engraven one word that will convey all that is wise in intellect, useful in science, good in morals, prudent in counsel, and benevolent in principle; a name, when living, the patron of the poor, the delight of the cottage, and the admiration of kings; now dead, worth the whole seven wise men of Greece. Need I tell you his name? He fixed the thunder and guided the lightning!

“Men of the North End! Need I appeal to your patriotism, in order to enhance the value of this lot? The earth affords no such scenery as this. There, around that corner, lived James Otis; here, Samuel Adams—there, Joseph Warren—and around that other corner, Josiah Quincy. Here was the birthplace of Freedom; here, Liberty was born, nursed, and grew to manhood. Here, man was new-created. Here is the nursery of American Independence—I am too modest—here commenced the emancipation of the world. A thousand generations hence, millions of men will cross the Atlantic just to look at the North End of Boston. Your fathers,—what do I say? yourselves, yes, this moment I behold several attending this auction who lent a hand to rock the cradle of Independence.

“Men of speculation! Ye who are deaf to everything except the sound of money, you, I know, will give me both of your ears when I tell you the city of Boston must have a piece of this estate in order to widen Ann Street. Do you hear me? do you all hear me? I say the city must have a large piece of this land in order to widen Ann Street. What a chance! The city scorns to take a man’s land for nothing. If they seize your property, they are generous beyond the dreams of avarice. The only oppression is, you are in danger of being smothered under a load of wealth. Witness the old lady who lately died of a broken heart, when the Mayor paid her for a piece of her kitchen-garden. All the faculty agreed that the sight of the treasure, which the Mayor incautiously paid her in dazzling dollars warm from the mint, sped joyfully all the blood of her body into her heart, and rent it in raptures. Therefore let him who purchases this estate fear his good fortune, and not Peter Rugg. Bid then liberally, and do not let the name of Rugg damp your ardor. How much will you give per foot for this estate?” Thus spoke the auctioneer, and gracefully waved his ivory hammer. From fifty to seventy-five cents per foot were offered in a few moments. It labored from seventy-five to ninety. At length one dollar was offered. The auctioneer seemed satisfied, and, looking at his watch, said he would knock off the estate in five minutes, if no one offered more. There was a deep silence during this short period. While the hammer was suspended, a strange rumbling noise was heard which arrested the attention of every one. Presently it was like the sound of many shipwrights driving home the bolts of a seventy-four. As the sound approached nearer, some exclaimed, “The buildings in the new market are falling.” Others said, “No, it is an earthquake, we can perceive the earth joggle.” Others said, “Not so, the sound proceeds from Hanover Street, and approaches nearer.” This proved true, for presently Peter Rugg was in the midst of us.

“Alas, Jenny,” said Peter, “I am ruined; our house has been burnt, and here are all our neighbors around the ruins. Heaven grant that your mother dame Rugg is safe.” “They don’t look like our neighbors,” said Jenny, “but sure enough our house is burnt, and nothing left but the door-stone and an old cedar post—do ask where mother is.”

In the mean time more than a thousand men had surrounded Rugg and his horse and chair; yet neither Rugg personally, nor his horse and carriage, attracted more attention than the auctioneer. The confident look and searching eyes of Rugg, to every one present, carried more conviction that the estate was his, than could any parchment or paper with signature and seal. The impression which the auctioneer had just made on the company was effaced in a moment: and although the latter words of the auctioneer were, “Fear not Peter Rugg,” the moment he met the eye of Rugg his occupation was gone, his arm fell down to his hip, his late lively hammer hung heavy in his hand, and the auction was forgotten. The black horse, too, gave his evidence. He knew his journey was ended, for he stretched himself into a horse and a half, rested his cheek-bone over the cedar post, and whinnied thrice, causing his harness to tremble from headstall to crupper. Rugg then stood upright in his chair, and asked with some authority, “Who has demolished my house in my absence? for I see no signs of a conflagration. I demand to know by what accident this has happened, and wherefore this collection of strange people has assembled before my doorstep. I thought I knew every man in Boston, but you appear to me a new generation. Yet I am familiar with many of the countenances here present, and I can call some of you by name; but in truth I do not recollect that, before this moment, I ever saw any one of you. There, I am certain, is a Winslow, and here a Sargent; there stands a Sewall, and next to him a Dudley. Will none of you speak to me? Or is this all a delusion? I see, indeed, many forms of men, and no want of eyes, but of motion, speech and hearing you seem to be destitute. Strange! will no one inform me who has demolished my house?” Then spake a voice from the crowd, but from whom it came I could not discover: “There is nothing strange here but yourself, Mr. Rugg. Time, which destroys and renews all things, has dilapidated your house, and placed us here. You have suffered many years under an illusion. The tempest which you profanely defied at Menotomy has at length subsided; but you will never see home, for your house and wife and neighbors have all disappeared. Your estate, indeed, remains, but no home. You were cut off from the last age, and you never can be fitted to the present. Your home is gone, and you can never have another home in this world.”