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A ROOM with a low Oak Bed, which our first fathers used. Two
chests also appear. We are presuming that the collections of a family
for a century are here drawn upon, with some articles which were newly
purchased about 1720.
The literature of the settlers would not, aside from the Bible, make
enlivening reading now. Although many of the books of the period are of
much historical value, and of present interest because of their quaintness.
In musical instruments they were especially poor. Music had charms
for them, but those charms were regarded as inspired from below, as so
much doubtless was in their English experience.
Hunting was an important occupation rather than a sport, because they
needed the spoils of the chase. Fishing was, after agriculture, the first
industry in importance. They became too weary for much athletic recre-
ation. There was before them the big job of conquering a continent.

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