BOSTON (ante), the capital of thecommonwealth of Massachusetts and of the county of Suffolk, the largest city in New England, and, of American cities, second only to New York in the extent of its commerce, is situated ou Massachusetts bay, at the mouth of the Charles river, in lat. 42' 21' 28' n., long. 3' 52' w, from Greenwich.
The spot was first visited by Europeans in 1621, when a party of pilgrims frdm Plymouth, on an exploring expedition, entered the harbor and regretted that thev had not made their own settlement where the city now stands. At about 1625, William Blanton or Blackstone, an Episcopal clergyman, established himself on the w. slope of Beacon hill, not far from where Louisburg square is now situated. In 1627, certain men of fortune and religious zeal, merchanis and " country' gentlemen," in Lincolnshire. England, began to consult regarding planting a colony in New England, to spread the Gospel and advance the glory of God. On Mar. 4, 1629, Charles 1. signed a charter con stituting a body politic by the name of "The governor and company of the Massachu setts bay in New Euglanil." Charles II. at a later date stated that "the principle and foundation of the charter of Massachusetts was the freedom of liberty of conscience." On Aug. 26. in the same year, 12 men of large fortune and extensive cultivation in Cam bridge, Englaud, entered into an agreement to emigrate to the new country, provided the place of holding the courts should he removed from London to Massachusetts before the end of the following September. Among the men who joined in this agreement were John Winthrop and Richard Saltonatall. The government was transferred with the patent in Aug., and the commercial corporation became the germ of the present com monwealth. In the spring of 1630. the emigrating party sailed from Southiunpton in the ship Arbella, and entered the harbor of Boston June 17. Winthrop first settled at Charlestown, but subsequently removed to Boston, which received its name Sept-17 (N. S.). The name was taken from Boston in Lincolnshire (which is a corruption of Botolph's Town). from its patron saint, whose church was founded in the 7th century.
Orieinally but a small peninsula connected with the mainland by a narrow isthmus eqlled the "Reck," the city now embraces nearly 23,000 acres, 800 of which were formed by filling in adjacent low lands. The territory has been increased also by the annexa tion of South Boston (a portion of Dorchester), in 1804; of the island of gut Boston, in 1832; of Washington village, in 18•6; of Roxbury (Boston Highlands), in 1867: of the remainder of Dorchester, in 1899, and of Charlestown, Brighton and West Roxbury, in 1873. The city contains 8,50 nt. of streets, which have cost, since the incorporation of the city, in 1822, more than $31,000,000. In the older portions many streets are narrow and crooked; but after the tire of 1872. advantage was taken of this feature to make arelii• tectural effects in the new buildings, which are very pleasing, and would have been impossible had the streets been more regularly laid out. After the revolution the names of streets which were reminders of royalty were, in many cases. changed for more rcpub Bean appellations, though ninny continuo reminders of the old country, both in their name:: and in their appearance. The city is connected with its suburbs by many bridges, which are noted rather for their convenience than for their elegance, though that leading to South Boston is more pretentious than the others. The Mill-dam, begun in 1618 and completed in 1821, at a cost of $700,000, is a continuation of Beacon street, and orini nally inclosed 600 acres of " flats" which were overflowed by the tide. These, Iinvimg been filled in, constitute the "Back Bay lands," and the district contains some of the most elegant dwellings and churches of the city. In the sleighing season the 'Mill-dam was formerly the scene of much hilarity and fast driving, but advance of population has driven the horsemen to the Brighton road. a little further from the center of the town in the same direction. The suburban region lying about Boston is remarkable for the beauty of its varied scenery. as well as for the elegance and taste displayed in the private dwellings with which it is adorned.