Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1860-04-07
F tFcr tho Delaware Inqulrer.l
Letter from PHILADELPHIA.

and then, and the ice In the cutters, of on un-
usually severe morning Qke this very cold I'd
of April) serves to keep our imaginations in
check, and grass butter at very disagreeable
distance. Still the signs como on. For in
stance, we have peach tree in our garden lit
is not every Philadelphian who has a peach
tree in his garden,) which is putting out its
buds and blossoms in very encouraging style
and raspberry bush up against the fence is
exhibiting signs not a whit more bashful in
its nature than its neighbor. Then the blue
birds that were so scarce while ago, are hunt
ing up their mates and materials for house
building; and the grass is getting ambitious
and the -dandelines are beginning to throw up
their long slender necks--which boys love to
break off to make noise through, especially
when they have nervous grandmothers whose
teeth are easily set on an edge; and in about
week we expect to start OH an expedition in
search of buttcrcupS. Forty times Il day do
we read Thonson's
'comc gentle Spring, ethereal mliness GOMEZ
aud SO familiar has it become TO us that we
could tell you exactly how many letters there
are in it, especially If you give us time to count
them.
In our last weeks letter. we mentioned that
our gifted Painter Poet, Buchanan Read, would
shortly leave Philadelphia for another visit of
some length, TO Italy. We have since learned
that Il number OF our most eminent Democratic
citizens have commissioned him, as he goes by
way of London, to paint the portrait of our
distinguished townsman, the Minister to Eng
land Hon. Vice President Dallas. The COM
pliment is double one-both the paintsr and
the painted sharing in ft-and is exceedingly
honorable to the spirited gentlemen who are
movers in the testimonial.
Another revolutionary hero is gone. On
Thursday last the remains of Michael Coon,
Esq, who died two days previously, at the very
great and singular age OF lO5 years, months
ana ilve days, were Inferred with military
honors. Ihe body was conveyed to lndepen-
dence Hall, attended by the Scott Legion and
various military companies, and thousands OF
people viewed the remains as they lay there in
state. An address was made to the multitude
by Col Philip y. White, after which the coffin,
enveloped in the national colors, was borne TO
It's last resting place. Amongthe distinguished
monrners present, were that veteran Commo-
dore stewart, Major burns and others. A
large detachment OF United States marines from
the Navy Yard, and the irish Brigade attended
as the guard OF honor.
AS We predicted IN our last, the Walnut st.
line OF omnibuses have been withdrawn from
circulation within the week, and now there is
not Vestlge lett IN our streets OF this once
popular institution n. Il. We see the same
busses running on another street but 10 wont
40 Messrs. Stlck-to-lt! Although II IS April
FOOLS day, we havn't seen any one patronzing
the institution. The days OF coaches in Phila-
delphia are numbered. As the coaches expire
cars spring into life. There is scarcely a street
in the city now not occupied by track inter-
secting and being intersected at every corner.
Philadelphia is like an immense gridiron, and
the cars are as thick as figures on chess
board at the opening of game. The reader
may carry the smile further if he will
Our splendid Academy on Broad St. is bril-
liant with Italian Opera this week. Pate,
Brgnoli, Colson, and other stars are of the
troupe; and the Opera Martha, The Sicilan
Vespers, and Don Pasqnale, are underlined for
performance during the next three nights.
We have before alluded TO the progressive
character OF the new board of directors of our
Mercantile Library. This fine old institution
was never so popular as now, and the efforts
of the aforesaid managers are largely appre-
ciated. Their last colps comprise the mpor-
tUnt moves OF u new newspaper renulnE room,
n chess room, etc. OF all the institutions in
the city, You may believe there is no one we
more heartily enjoy thnn the Mercantile Lii
brary
This weeks number of Lntelrs Liring Age,
begins new volume, and is an excellent spe-
cmen of the variety and quantity of matter
contained in lis capacious pages, and of the
quality and flavor Of that matter. There is nm
interesting letter from Lord Brougham to Ma
caulay; and letter from Macaulay to Hannah
More, connecting us with past age an inter-
cstng descriptive article on the Island of Cey-
Ion a paper on Marriage with Wife's sister
Palmcrston on Marian War; two delightful
tales, complete; and an article on Cotton Spin
ming, The old iavoritc appears in new TYNE.
closer, quite as readable as before and was
never more deserving of popular favor than
now.
Next week Mcssrs. Dick 4 Fitzgerald, New
York, and Peterson Brothers. will issue an at
tractiye dollar volume, The BiJLcat Reason VIM
a hand book for bible students, and guide to
scripture and family reading, finely illustrated.
This work gives reasons founded upon the
Bible and assigned by the most eminent Di-
vines and Christian Philosophers for the events
recorded in the Sacred Word, including the
Old and New Testaments We should think
from the plan OF the work which VIC have care
iully examined, that II VIII become tavorite
" "as; u "uA.y W .nu s'ury OF the