New England

a term applied to the Northeastern States of the American Union. It comprises Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, a total area of about 65,000 square miles. It is a part of the original grant made by James I in 1606 to the Plymouth Company. The name was given to this region by John Smith, who prepared a map of the coast in 1614. Twenty-one thousand persons came to New England from 1620 to 1640, the twenty years preceding the assembling of Cromwell's Long Parliament. Of these one person in 200 was a graduate either of Oxford or Cambridge. It is perhaps superfluous to add that New England has had an influence on the educational, religious, and public institutions of this country entirely out of proportion to its area and population. Without a doubt the common people of New England have formed the most intelligent peasantry, perhaps yeomanry is a better word, in the world. Immigration of the enterprising elements to the West, the abandonment of many old farms, and the infiltration of people of foreign descent has changed the character of the inhabitants of many sections seriously. See articles on the several states, rivers, chief cities, etc.