feet and two inches in height, of remarkably muscular and vigorous mold, with a Roman nose, light hair, and the fair complexion of the Gilmans. Grave and sober in his look, we can imagine the fear with which he was regarded by the urchins who used to pilfer his fruit. His older brother, Senator Nicholas, was the most elegant man of his day in New Hampshire. He had the fine physique of Ezekiel Webster, and the winning grace of Aaron Burr. His height was five feet and ten inches, the height of a gentleman, according to Chesterfield. He had a nearly straight nose, mild blue eyes, a handsome chin, and wore his hair in a queue. Blonde, superb in carriage, of striking dignity, he was the perfect ideal gentleman of the old school.
Nicholas, like his brother, John Taylor, was a soldier of the Revolution. His whole term of service included six years and three months. During the latter part of the war he was deputy adjutant general, and in that capacity was at Yorktown, where he received from Lord Cornwallis, to whom he was sent for the purpose, by Washington, the return of exactly 7,050 men surrendered. He held the commission of captain, and was for a time a member of Gen. Washington's military family. After the suspension of hostilities, Nicholas Gil man was a delegate, from his state, to the continental congress for two consecutive years,—1786 and 1787. Under the new constitution he was a member of the house of representatives in congress eight years, and a United States senator for nine years. He died before the completion of his second term, at Philadelphia, while returning from Washington, May 2, 1814. He was never married. He resided all his life with his brother Col. Nathaniel.
At the death of the latter the house and estate came into the hands of one of his sons, Joseph Taylor Gilman. He married Miss Mary E. Gray, daughter of the late Harrison Gray, Esq., a well-known publisher of Boston. In 1862 Mr. Gilman died, comparatively a young man. His widow, after due time, married again—a man not unknown to fame,—Hon. Charles H. Bell, at present the chief executive of New Hampshire. Gov. Bell is a son of Hon. John Bell, who was governor of the state in 1828. He bears a noble name, a name scarcely second to that of the Gilmans in age and honor. Two brothers of the name have been governors of the state during a period of five years; one was a United States senator from New Hampshire for twelve years, and a justice of the supreme court for three years. Another of the name was chief justice of New Hampshire from 1859 to 1864, and one of the most eminent lawyers in the state. They have been speakers of the house, presidents of the senate, and congressmen, filling every office with ability, honesty, and honor. That one of the name should become master of this historic home seems every way fitting and appropriate.
Let us enter the ancient domicile. It is well worth a visit, and its hospitable guise is inviting. The hall is wide and lofty, and its walls are dadoed. The paneling is very broad, and the molding is deep and ornamental. On the right is the parlor, which also has elaborate moldings around the ceiling, and an ornamented mantel. On the opposite side is the library. The front side of this room was used by Col. Nathaniel Gilman as a business office. The room is thirty-six by sixteen feet. One side is completely lined with book-shelves, which are filled with books, many of them rare volumes, collected by Gov. Bell. Among them are several ancient Latin books, "The Golden Book," printed in 1415, and the "Book of the Virgin," with illuminated pages, printed in 1510. There is also a copy of the first book ever published in New Hampshire, namely, "Good News from a Far Country," by Rev. Jonathan Parsons, printed by Fowle, 1756. What is quite as interesting is a tragedy, written by Major
