The New Order

 

If Thucydides is

North of Xenophon

As mentioned earlier, these names appear on the front of the Boston Public Library. Why include the library in the puzzle at all? It’s over two miles from Langone Park and the Puopolo Baseball Fields. I think the library is part of this puzzle not so much because of its location, but because of its motto—Omnium Lux Civium (Latin) "The Light of All People.”

A green tower of lights

…

Lit by lamplight

…

With metal walls 

As noted earlier, The Statue of Liberty’s official title is “Liberty Enlightening the World.” The statue's name comes from the Goddess Libertas, a Roman deity personifying freedom. Lady Liberty’s torch is a symbol of enlightenment. The broken Chains at her feet symbolize the breaking of the chains of oppression. We sometimes forget just how important this little experiment in freedom and democracy was and is to the rest of the world. Those who founded this country called our form of government “The New Order.” Most governments today and the United Nations have followed, for the most part, this American model. The word green can also refer to something that’s new and inexperienced. At its inception, when it first gained independence, the United States of America was seen by many as a green towering light of liberty in the world. 

All the letters

Are here to see

The word letters can also refer to telegrams, like the ones written by Horace Walpole. Maybe we should look further into Walpole’s letter. Here is a larger portion of the letter alluded to in Byron’s poem. 

Horace Walpole to Horace Mann November 24, 1774:

Don't tell me I am grown old and peevish and supercilious—name the geniuses of 1774, and I submit. The next Augustan age will dawn on the other side of the Atlantic. There will, perhaps, be a Thucydides at Boston, a Xenophon at New York, and, in time, a Virgil at Mexico, and a Newton at Peru. At last, some curious traveller from Lima will visit England and give a description of the ruins of St. Paul's, like the editions of Balbec and Palmyra; but am I not prophesying, contrary to my consummate prudence, and casting horoscopes of empires like Rousseau? Yes; well, I will go and dream of my visions.

What does this letter have to do with The Secret of The Secret for Boston? Everything, absolutely, positively, everything! This is a fascinating perspective of the early parts of the rebellion. Walpole was a prominent member of the British government and yet seems here to think very highly of these rebels. He contends that there are no great minds of his time, not like those he references, giants of history, literature, and science. He’s saying that he believes that it is in the Americas that the next great enlightenment will occur, a time of great advancement in history, science, and the arts, the next Augustine Age. But why does he think this?

Walpole most certainly had read the writings associated with the rebel movement. He seems to admire their beliefs regarding individual rights and self-governance. But it’s more than that. He’s saying that it is these beliefs that will bring about enlightenment, that the beliefs are the source of enlightenment and, in turn, prosperity. 

Walpole’s letters are famous among historians. They ogle over them and reference them often. What makes them so rare? Almost all historical documents prior to the American Revolution lack a singular, very important quality—candor. Prior to 1776, documents were carefully worded so as to appease those in power. In other words, they were propaganda, to varying degrees. There were no individual rights, no freedom of speech, thought, belief, or religion. Most everything written publicly was done so through the filter of politics or religion. Any words that offended the hierarchy of power were met with punishment. 

Walpole’s letters were kept secret among his close friends, which allowed him to be completely honest. His letters are invaluable to historians because they are untainted by oversight. Thucydides and Xenophon also wrote with candor because they were powerful Generals and had leadership that allowed them the freedom to speak their minds.