The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-12-19
LETTER FROM BOSTON.

bosroN December II, 1850.
To the Editor of the Natioml Era:
The weather for some weeks has fairly given
.ae s-S4 ., mus aus, - a4.,N sus+ ,ow-
ering skies, and pouring rains, We have been ut
tery at a loss to guess the season of the year
the thermometer indicating an April tempera-
ture and the "book" as loudly proclaming that
it was December. Yesterday, however, the dis
pute ceased-the differences were fairly cement
cd yes frozen together-and the result is, winter,
and no mistake On Thursday evening the ther-
mometer began to knock under" and has con-
tinued to follow the promptings Of gravity ever
since. This morning the mercury stood at ten
degrees above zero, and the fine, clear, frosty air
leaves nothing to wish for except few inches of
snow, evenly spread upon our capital roads
Seighing is par excellence the winter amusement
of New England, and Yankee boys would consid-
er winter without it as much out of character as
Thanksgiving without turkey and pies, or f" indie
pendence day" without fire crackers
The health of the city for the past season has
been almost unparalleled, and for many months
nothing of an epidemic character can be said to
tally for the year show greatly diminished per
centage of deaths from last year, both among the
native and foreign population.
The cause of the decreased mortality is with
out doubt owing in great measure to the better
arrangements for furnishing the inhabitants with
a full supply of pure water for drinking and pur-
poses of cleanliness. Since the Introduction of
fhou q rroS ~ ~ r
sicans of the city have had occasion to notice a
marked change in the character of several forms
of diseases which are most common in this locality
Bowel complaints have lessened considerably in
frequency and severity, especially those incident
to young children and persons advanced in age
Calculous diseases also are becoming less common
among persons residing here and as this class of
affections are 50 manifestly influenced by the
character of the water used, the cause of their
dimuntion is sufficiently obvious The import
ance of good water in our large cities has been
greatly overlooked and could the facts be ascer-
tanned, there is but little doubt that much of the
sickness and suffering, as well moral and phys
ical degradation, Of the lower classes would be
found referable to this cause alone
The election of mayor and city officers took
place last Monday and funny time we had of
it. The candidates were about as plenty rs the
voters. Tickets of every description were thrust
in the face Of the voter as he wendell his way to
the polls. Free Soil Democratic, Regular Wing,
Independent Wing, Temperance, Union, &c,
met his astonished gaze on every side. The re-
suit however, was the election of the regular
Wing ticket throughout, with one or two excep-
tons. The present worthy mayor, John p Bige-
low, Esq, was reelected by one of the largest
majOrities ever given to mayor in the city, his
deserved popularity carrying him high above the
futile attempts Of Beacon street clique to defeat
his election
Among the distinguished persons now in the
city are the three gentlemen who were the candi-
dates for the office of Governor at the late cleo.
ton, viz Gov. Briggs, and Messrs Boutwell, and
Stephen c. Phillips These gentlemen are all
staying at the Adams House and are on terms Of
personal intimacy and friendship
Ii is said that the Adams House, which has
been for some time favorably known as a first
class temperance house is about to change hands,
and at the same time to lose its distinctive char
scter as n temperance hotel If true this is
much to be regretted for this house together
with that excellent establishment, the Marlboro
Hotel, have been wont to afford an agreeable re-
treat for strangers in town who desired to protect
their senses from the redolent fumes Of the bar
room. c. +. b.