field, or what is now Manchester, some land and mill privileges, since known as the Webster mills, on the outlet of Lake Massabesic, but a short distance from the present pumping station of the Manchester water works. Here he lived many years, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Some of his his descendants of the fourth generation served their country in the late rebellion, and gave their lives as a sacrifice on our country's altar for liberty. As Major Webster lived but a short distance from General Stark and in the same town they often exchanged visits with each other, and related the scenes through which they passed; of the hair-breadth escapes and privations, interspersed with anecdotes full of mirth.

Like

Major Webster was a kind, genial Christian gentleman one of old, he erected an altar where he went three times a day and offered his prayers to Almighty God. This altar was under some large trees near his residence, and for many years when the weather would permit, he was seen to go and offer his petitions. Major Webster lived to be a nonogenarian and died in the year 1827, aged 91 years.

In one of the suburban cemeteries of the city of Manchester may be seen the grave of the departed hero, beneath the humble mound covered with grass he rests. If the name of Major Webster is not inscribed on monumental shaft or obelisk, still the principles he espoused will be handed down in history in all coming time, and we should do honor to all those worthy heroes by remembering their noble deeds.

THE STORY OF LAKE MASSABESIC.

BY FRANCIS B. EATON.

At the beginning, so far as white folks are concerned, it was a pond and nothing more, defined by Webster as a body of water somewhat less than a lake. The Indians, who probably first discovered and appreciated its uses, may have called it "great water," which may well be interpreted "lake." Potter in his history of Manchester gives it thus: "Massa nipe sauke," and Charles Bell, in the history of Chester, writing previous to 1856, has "Massa peseag"-great water. A writer in Willey's Book of Nutfield says Massabesic is from "Massa, or, as it is sometimes expressed, misi (large) or mamsi (vast), and nebe (lake or pond) and ik, which gives it its local term." Thus the historians all profess to derive their interpretation from Rolle's dictionary of the Abernaque tongue.

Mr. William Graham of Auburn, born in 1776, and familiarly known as "Old Grimes," writing in 1860, says: "Indians plenty round the great pond. Deacon Leach of the Presbyterian church in Cheshire sold rum in those days. One little Indian came out from great island, called Deer island, wanted some occupee. 'Who for?' said the deacon. Massa be sick, want it for him.' That's the origin of the name to the great and little pond." It is said that Massa died and was buried on the island.

This story seemed probable enough to be adopted by the popular fancy. As there are, however, several ponds by that name in other states of the Union, and as "Massabeseck" is found on old deeds much antedating the time of Mr. Grimes's story, it will have to be thrown out of court.

At all events, Massabesic is a good name, as sings our wellknown local poetess, Mrs. Clara B. Heath, who has lived near its beautiful shores.

"One legacy they left thee, was it chance?

A quaintly sounding name most dear to me,
That seems to whisper of some old romance,
Some pleasant tale blown over from far seas.

Two broad blue bays, that stretch out east and west,
Dotted with fairy isles of living green,

And midway where the waters seem to rest

In narrow bed two curving shores between
A time-worn bridge that long has stood the test
Of stormy winds and restless tides is seen."

That this admiration is not a mere matter of local pride, the words of Mrs. Harriet Prescott Spofford in a story written for the Atlantic Monthly some years since will show. She says: "Among the many lakes in New Hampshire there is one of extreme beauty. A broad shadowy water some nine miles in length, with steep thickly wooded banks, and here and there as if moored on its calm surface an island, fit for a bower of bliss."

Other than this little or nothing of legendary lore has come down to us from its shores. Thoreau once came within reach of the Massabesic, but his ship passed by, just lapping the waters of the Cohas, and he spun no web about its unconscious waves. The two well-defined sheets of which the lake consists are very irregular in shape, and if joined end to end would measure about seven miles in length by one mile in width. The eastern division, with about one half of the other, is within the boundaries of Auburn. The shores are varied and picturesque. Numerous beaches strewn with fine white sand furnish material much prized by housewives in old time for