Years ago it was a famous seaport.

Princely fortunes were made in the West India trade; and in 1812, when we were at war with Great Britain, any number of privateers were fitted out at Rivermouth to prey upon the merchant vessels of the enemy.

Certain people grew suddenly and mysteriously rich.

A great many of "the first families" of today do not care to trace their pedigree back to the time when their grandsires owned shares in the Matilda Jane, twenty-four guns.

Well, well! Few ships come to Rivermouth now.