Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-12-28
BosTo8 CORRESPONDENCE.
Bosgas, Msss.. De-. p, !

BosTsx, Mass, Dee p, 1858
10 The Editor Of the Onion md AmerieqQ:
Boston is the centre not only Of New England
commerce, but ASP Of New England customs and
peculiarities In whatever part Of YankeedOm you go
you will find no one who has nos real interest
in the city who has not friend relative either
actually in business or about to enter into business
within the city limits. To discover Yankee, sound
in body and mind, and of mature sge, who had not
visited the City of NOtions would be almost IS great
curiosity as the Feejee Mermaid which can now
be seen in the Museum.
That the great peculiariiies Of the should be
prominent here is what we might reasonably ex@
peet They are Of course very naturally modified
BY the civiIizng influences of large city. But this
genuine leve Of the marvellous this determined rad
icsIism and insane pursuit Of one ides keeping
eye always to the main chance though, is not less
seen in Boston than elsewhere. This natural enthu
siasm and restlsssness ofsen leads to unmiGgated
hutnbug. But while it is exposed it is sought with
avidiiy. Where else than in New England would
you ind such thorough aud persistent deVOteea 10
spirilualism? Vino but Yankee with all the varis-
tons in religious faith from Parkerites to rigid or
thoioxy would have called into being the "0rthodo1
Catholic Churot," faith which embraces some cid
sosialistic ideas and includes the expectancy of
speedy approach of the millennium
This gullibility has recently appeared in The at
tempt to make an old leather-dresser represents
tive man. This man, DOwse by name, lived in
CanbridgepOrt and collected large library Of well
bound books. While quite young he drew in a lot
terry q collection of psintiugs-copies Of the old
nj h al Of
success was The demand to pay the charges and du-
ties at the custom house, amounting to thousand
dollars. he at FIRST hesitated, but on advice psid
the bill His library and collection Of paintings he
beoueahed 10 the Massachusetts Historical Society.
The Society accordingly invited Mr.. Edward Everett
to deliver an Grafton on Mr.. DOWse. The invitation
was accepted and the Grafton was delivered. 1t
does not appear that Mr.. Dowse ever read the books
be bought He certainly exerted no more influence
upou the world than any other fortunate merchant.
Yet We Bostonians listened 10 MF Everetts elegant
Grafton, admired and wondered at his eloquenoe snd
his perfect style, and pronounced Mr.. Dowse to be
a "representative man"
Just now we are enjoying the somewhat unusual
delights of an excellent operate company. The
Boston Thes,re is really magnificent building 1t
is large, spacious, and eOmmodious. Bat the opera
has failed to pay here that for the last two years
dramatic representations have alone allured the peo
ple That an excellent company with such artists
as Carl FOrmss, BriguOlli, Mesdames LabOrde GhiOni
and the arch enchautress PioeoOmini, is little to be
at. With the prices four times the ordi-
nary theatrical charges the theatre has been filed
for two successive weeks The enthusiasm still cons
.inuss, though Mr.. Ullnann has announced his
'flast week" rl
Piceolomini has made a decided success Yet it
Is difficult to soy in what her charm consists. Her
voice, though clear and musical. has not The depth
and strength of many who have before elsimed the
Dlaudits of Boston audience, Indeed by mary
Laborde wbcsings on alternate evenings, IS thought
. excel her as musical artist. But there is never
, siagle moment when she is on The sisge that she
Ices rot attract one She throEs her very self into
he character, and possesses the greatest Vvaetyof
manner. She is continually varying her expression,
Each one in the audience at establishes per
topsl sympathy with her. Whether she advances to
he foot lights and sings esDz'nstta, or pousingly
efuses some preferred attention, il is all the same
7Ou feel as if it we're done chiefly for your benefit