History of Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts, including Lynnfield ...

286 Conclusion.
"To the deliverer of an injured land,
He gives a tongue to enlarge upon, a heart
To feel, and courage to redress her wrongs.
To monarchs dignity, to judges sense,
To artists ingenuity and skill."
The great body of mankind fall into niches but poorly fitted for
them, and become entangled among cares and vexations that
cramp and enervate their very souls
It is believed that in the foregoing pages, abundant evidence
will be found that Lynn has produced her full share of worthies
in the different walks of life. True, perhaps, she is not able to
number among her children any specially illustrious examples
in statesmanship, philosophy, or literature ; but on a slightly
lower level she can firmly stand. The writer has much enjoyed
the companionship of the genial ones with whom he has trudged
along the historic way ;
and will feel disappointed if the reader
has not likewise been pleased.
It is always a pleasant road that
is travelled with agreeable companions.
Here and there suggestions have been made, not always in the
direct line of narrative, which it is hoped will not appear obtrusive
; at all events, devotion to supposed duty, and innocency
of purpose, will be the excuse if one seems necessary. Any
kind of a history ought to embrace something more than a mere
narration of past events. And when treating of individuals, an
author's preferences, sympathies, or prejudices, should never lead
to
invidious condemnation nor to such a tender veiling of imperfections
as to conceal true characteristics.
Perhaps the reader may have occasionally noticed in the
foregoing pages an item which appeared to him to relate in no
special manner to the history of Lynn. But he will find such
subservient to the general purpose. It may be asked. What has
the appearance of a comet, a dark day, or any similar natural
.'
phenomenon to do with the history of a town — a question
rather cavilling than comprehensive ; for is it not true, for instance,
that the last comet or eclipse visible here, or the "yellow
day," belonged as much to Lynn as any other place ? It is often
as impossible to clearly set forth a matter or elucidate a principle,
without a seeming divergence for
illustration or comparison,
as it is to gather the rarest flowers without an occasional detour.