With "massive sentences, amid whose rugged strength poetic beauty bloomed like Alpine roses," the venerable Dr. Hopkins congratulated his fellow-townsman upon this achievement, worthy to be classed in character and magnitude with that of the world-seeking Genoese. The tale of his struggle and success has been told ably and at length by his brother, Dr. Henry M. Field, in "The History of the Atlantic Cable." A park near the Congregational Church in Stockbridge,
and numerous gifts to Williams College, —the more generous because he was not an alumnus himself,— further connect Cyrus W. Field with Berkshire.
Stephen Johnson Field, eminent as one of the judges of the United States Supreme Court, was born in Haddam, Conn., in 1816, but was not three years old when his father removed to Stockbridge. He stood first in his class at Williams, where he graduated in 1837; and he received the degree of LL. D. from the college in 1864. He studied law with his brother, David Dudley, whose partner he became; but in 1849 he went to California and entered upon his notable career in that state.
There remains a fourth member of this remarkable family, he who has been for forty years editor of the New York Evangelist, a traveller over many seas, a writer both gracious and winsome. One need only mention at random, from a familiar series of books of travel, "Summer Sketches from Copenhagen to Venice," "From the Lakes of Killarney to the Golden Horn," "Among the Holy Hills," to recall the name of Dr. Henry M. Field. Perched on Prospect Hill, the very choicest site of all, —with "Bonnie Brae," "Eden Hall," the Blakemans, the Choates as neighbors,— stands an elegant summer home, Mr. Field's country residence for somewhat more than twenty years. It stands high, exposed to the four winds of heaven, whence its most appropriate name, "The Winds in War." Through a long summer season, this hilltop, with its charming homes, is one vast, uninterrupted garden. But the view, —how unsurpassed in loveliness this outlook, southward, down over the village! Here is the "ox-bow" of the Housatonic, which winds in and out through the valley, "lingering like a lover among the vines, trees, and flowers that fringe its banks." And such elms in the meadows, softening and enriching the landscape with their delicate tracery, while far beyond, not soft and blue, like the dome of Washington Mountain, but white, distinct, and jagged in profile, stands the beetling crest of Monument Mountain, which rises full five hundred feet from the level, peacefully framed valley below. "There is not a finer view in all Scotland!" exclaimed Dr. McCosh, one among many of Mr. Field's distinguished visitors.
In treating of the Field family, even unawares, we have come quite distinctly down to modern times. It has been said that the glories of Berkshire lie in the past; yet they lie not wholly in the past, for the present, too, has its associations. These are not as stirring, not as classic, perchance, yet they are rich with promise and attractive by virtue of that indeterminateness which ever clings to the "living present" and the future. It would be strange indeed, with such a wealth of classic lore as invests these hills, for the literary impetus, now long gathering, suddenly to cease. The same inspiration of hill country and mountain stream, with the same invigorating atmosphere, even now call busy men of letters hither.
Pittsfield is the new literary centre of the county. In the same old-fashioned country seat, where Longfellow used to spend his summers, now lives Mrs. Thomas F. Plunkett, a well-known and old-time resident of Berkshire. She is an occasional contributor to various magazines. A series of articles on "Berkshire Homes," among them that of Ex-Senator
Dawes and others, is from her pen.
Near by lives Miss Anna L. Dawes, daughter of the ex-senator, and president of the Wednesday Morning Club. This successful literary club was organized by the ladies of Pittsfield in August, 1879. Each summer the club has enjoyed the presence of many distinguished lecturers. Miss Dawes has been its efficient president from the first. Her latest book, the "Life of Charles Sumner," reveals the
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