conclusion: if Coleridge "could write a treatise in praise of Rabelais' work which would make the church stare and the conventicle groan," I feel quite assured that our new world philosopher and humorist, while not possessing such shocking merits, will not be received with disfavor by those who may now know him for the first time.

THE AMES FAMILY, AND THE TOWN OF DEDHAM.

THERE

HERE were three men of the name of NATHANIEL AMES; grandfather, father and son. They were descended from Richard Ames of Bruton-Somerset, England, whose son William Ames was born at Bruton, 6 Oct., 1605, and who settled at Braintree, Mass., as early as 1640, where his eldest son John was born May 24, 1647. He (John) removed to West Bridgewater about 1672. The first Nathaniel was the second son of John, and was born Oct. 9, 1677. He was known as CAPT. NATHANIEL AMES, and was reputed as learned in astronomy and mathematics. He died at Bridgewater, Mass., in 1736, aged

59 years.

The second NATHANIEL AMES, son of CAPT. NATHANIEL AMES, was born at Bridgewater July 22, 1708; moved from thence to Dedham in 1732, and was married Sept. 14, 1735 to Mary, daughter of Capt. Joshua Fisher of Dedham, by the Revd Samuel Dexter. This Nathaniel was a reputable physician, and by a biographer is described as "a man of acuteness and wit, of great activity, and of a cheerful and amiable temper. To his skill in his profession he added a knowledge of natural philosophy, astronomy and mathematics."

Upon his marriage he added the business of tavern keeper to his professional pursuits.

His son Fisher Ames was born Oct. 24, 1737, and on the 11th of November the same year, his wife died, the son surviving her only until Sept. 17, 1738.

In the settlement of this estate a lawsuit developed; the Doctor claiming inheritance through his son according to the Province Law, and being opposed by others who claimed under the English common law.

The case was many years before the courts and was finally decided in favor of the Doctor; this being the first time the principle was established that the estate ascended to the father as next of kin to the son, notwithstanding the intervening life estate in Hannah, widow of Capt. Joshua Fisher.

This being a cause célèbre and the Doctor being much annoyed at the law's delay, could not resist the temptation to lampoon the Court, the source of his annoyance. The following account is given in Worthington's History of Dedham, 1827, note p. 92:

"The Supreme Court, (two judges dissenting) decided that it did ascend. Dr. Ames, although the successful party, expressed his dislike at the conduct of the dissenting judges, (one of which was Paul Dudley, the Chief Justice,) by causing the whole Court to be painted on the large sign-board of his tavern, sitting in great state in their large wigs, each Judge being clearly recognized. An open book was before them, underneath which was written "province laws." The dissenting judges were represented with their backs turned towards the book. The Court hearing of the sign, sent the sheriff to bring it before them. Dr. Ames heard the order given, being then in Boston, and by good luck and hard riding, had just time enough to pull down his sign before the sheriff arrived at Dedham.1

1As stories never lose anything, but are liable to be elaborated, contrary to the general custom of devastating time; it is further related in connection with this incident, that the Doctor had sufficient margin in his race with the sheriff, to not only take down the offensive "bush," but to substitute in its place a board with the legend "A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign, and there shall no sign be given unto it." If not for the incident related, the Doctor might have died and made no sign.