The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-03-17
From our BYston CsrrespsndeAi.

BOSTON, NlaTcu lSt, lOVo.
Ma. ED1ron AT the invitation Of a number Of oul
most prominent citizens, the Hon. G. b. Sargent, Of
Iowa, Gu gentleman who has spent many years In the
Western States,) delivered an extremely interesting lee
ture. last week, on The present condition and future
prospects Of the West His business, that OF an en-
xineer, has afforded him great opportunities for becom'
ing acquainted with that beautiful portion Of our coun'
try, be having scjourned for a greater or less time IN
almost every State. He described the unequalled adj
vantages which the soil and climate possessed, and pic
tured in glowing terms the magical rise Of towns and
cities, a~pringing up as it were like mushrooms, IN a
single night, and rivaling in belief the fabled stories Of
Aladdin. Iowa, more than any other State he had seen,
challenged his admiration, aud lie descanted on the
numberless attractions which she presented to the East
ern e~migrant and fortune seeker. He advised all who
were doing we'll in the East to be content with their
situation, but if otherwise, to make their homes in the
great West, where by u course of prudence and industry
there was a good prospect of happiness and success.
The lecture was interpreted with humorous and enter
tanning anecdotes, forming a very agreeable and prohta-
bic evenings entertainment.
The vicinity of Boston for the past month has pre-
sented a scene Of much Of interest and pleasure. Skat.
ing has been the great rage with almost everybody, aud
like an epidemic it has pervaded every portion OF the
community Persons of all sizes, and of both sexes,
old men and young men, middle aged men and maidens,
in fact all that could muster a pair of skates and a little
leisure, betook themselves at once to some Of the num-
erous ponds that surround our favored city, and With
all the gusto of children participated in this most de-
ightful and healthy amusement. Jamaica Pond IN
Roxbury has been the most popular place Of resort, and
as long as good skating lasted, the railroads derived a
heavy revenue from the crowds of Bostonians who fled
the turmoil Of the city for a few hours recreation on
the beautiful bosom of Jamaica. Wighsm Pond, at
Dedham, also attracted immense numbers of people; 80
great was the rush one Saturday afternoon, that the
Providence Railroad Company took four hundred dollars
from the skating public Of Boston who went to Dedham
by their trains.
The proceedings are frequently relieved Of their tedious
ness by a passage at arms between Caleb Gushing on
one side, aud the rest Of the House on the other.
Gushing, l think, is the only Democrat that has been
able to get inside of the State House this year, and he
stands ready to battle the opposing hosts on all and
every occasion. There is probably no man in the House
who is able to cope successfully with the cunning and
adroit member from Newburyport. The case Of Judge
Loring will come up in the course Of a few days, when
an interesting and animated discussion may be expect.
ed. Petitions for the removal Of Loring have poured
into the Legislature from all sides, showing plainly the
wishes of the people on this subject. Whether the
present representative body will have the maniiness TO
~decapitate the contumacious } Judge remains to be seen.
The result is looked forward to with much interest.
Wsshingtou's birthday, (Feb. 22d,) was celebrated
this year with more than ordinary vigor. The ringing
of bells and the booming Of cannon reminded one
strongly Of the Fourth Of July. The last Legislature,
| believe, made the 22d a regular State holiday. The
Banks and principal places Of business we're closed.
The Ravels still continue at the Boston Theatre
drawing immense crowds nightly, to witness their won.
derful performances. Another accident occurred a few
evenings since to a prominent member of the troupe
Mile Laufretta, the bold and graceful tight rope
danseuse, while performing one Of her startling feats,
tell FROM the rope to the stage, a distance of ten feet,
bruising herself considerably. Luckily no bones were
broken, and tonight she makes her first appearance
since the fall.
The Howard Atheneum has been recently fitted up,
by Mr.. Barrow, in an elegant and attractive style. A
company of great talent has been engaged, which under
the au-picessof Mrs. Barrow as directress, Mr.. Barrow
as lessee, and Henry Wallack as stage manager, bids
fair to prove y successful investment.
Yours truly, EaBERT.