The incident which this picture represents is thus described in Lessing's "History of the United States" (p. 226. Fifth Period, Chap. 1). "Even the children seemed to lose their timidity, and became bolder. They nobly exhibited it on one occasion. They were in the habit of building mounds of snow in the winter on Boston Common. These the soldiers battered down, so as to annoy the boys. This being repeated, a meeting of larger boys was held; and a deputation was sent to General Gage to remonstrate. 'We come, sir,' said the tallest boy, 'To demand satisfaction.'--'What.' exclaimed Gage, 'have your fathers been teaching you rebellion, and sent you here to exhibit it.'--'Nobody sent us here, sir,' said the boy, while his eyes flashed with indignation. 'We have never insulted nor injured your troops; but they have trodden down our snow-hills, and broken the ice on our skating-grounds. We complained; and, calling us young rebels, they told us to help ourselves if we could. We told the captain of this, and he laughed at us. Yesterday our works were destroyed for the third time; and we will bear it no longer.' Gage admired the spirit of the boys, promised them redress; and, turning to an officer, he said, 'the very children here draw in a love of liberty with the air they breathe.'" [Pp. 10-11; exhibited under heading: "Oil Paintings."]
Massachusetts Centennial Art Exhibition, at the Galleries of the Boston Art Club, No. 64 Boylston Street, and at No. 48 Boylston Street, commencing April 3, 1876--Hours from 9, a.m. to 10, p.m.
