The Portland daily press., 1863-05-20
COMMUNICATIONS.
Boston Corr. spondence,

Boston Corres spondence.
Changes in on-Repolutiondry Relics
Sale of the Old Hancock Estate "A Quiet
Week-Ihe Cot0red Regiment = Hiustra-
tons Of Human onsistency--Abuadanc
of Money-Redl Estate Mutters-P Portlan-
ders changing their Base = Benefits =
Antusements.
BosToN, May 10, 1863.
To the Editor Of the Press:
This city is rapidly changing. The peculiar
interest in the many places rendered sacred by
the memory of Revolutionary heroes, which
has always animated the minds of stra, ,Vkers.
Is lessened as one after Of those places becomes
disguised and irrecognizable. The spirit of
Improvement Is relentless in its progress, and
ere long that Boston so prominent in Ameri-
can history will have become a thing of the
past. Could those heroes visit in the body
this city, the theater of their lives, they would
look as much out of place as would Feiee
Islander ia native costume. The place which
now falls prey to ambition and full purse is
the old Hancock Estate on Beacon street The
grand old house is to be removed and its site
Is TO be covered by two paIatial residences for
It's purchasers two merchant princes, and
that Is called Improvement! | deprecate
such mprovement-sacrilege rather. 1t was "A
great pity the State did not purchase the es-
tate, as was proposed few years since, for
her Governors residence. 1t was then offered
for 100000. The heirs now receive Si25OOO
The house will be carefully removed and re-
erected in some locality near the city. The
public will previously be allowed to take last
look at Its Interior. An interesting history of
this relic VIII appear in the June Atlantic,
The 54th Massachusetts regiment-the first
eoiored regiment from this State-is nlII and
will take its departure on Wednesday. This
regiment has attracted considerable att ention
for its military proficiency, and when it passes
through the city will make as creditable an
appearance as any regiment that has preceded
it. fine flag Of blue silk with gilt fringes,
the State arms emblazoned thereon, splendidly
mounted and suitably inscribed, has been pur-
chased by the colored ladies of Boston, and
will be formally presented to them to-day at
their camp.
sad and striking illustration of the blind
and unequal manner in which public praise
and sympathy are meted out to the equally de-
serving, was seen on State street Saturday,
A poorly clad soldier, a cripple for life, having
been shot through the thigh, so that both of
his legs were useless. seated fiat upon a
rickety old hand-cart in charge of a boy,
standing in front of the State House, acishinq
charity but not asking it, was a sad sight, yet
l saw no one manifest sympathy by aid
ing him. l turned away, filled with unpleas-
ant reflections, aud had gone but few steps
when met the Colombian almost Brgadier
IL.
ing ieisurely along, finely dressed and attract
ing the eye and receiving the praise of all.
He passed on without noticing the poor sol
dier, unaided and Stunned by the public, who
had risked his life under him and nearly lost
it. Although this may be but one instance in
a thousand, could not help noticing it, as it
occurred in the benevolent city OF Boston and
on her most public street.
Money IS so plenty and at such low rates,
that capitalists are turning their attention TO
real estate as the best paying and safest in
vestment, and large amount of property will
change hands in the course of the summer.
1 have noticed several solid Portlanders here
seeking some quiet retreat near this city, and
one or two are on the point of purchasing.
Now do not wish TO lure any one from your
beautiful city, yet think any who are looking
Bostonward will thank me for naming a relia-
Bile, honorable and thoroughly posted man,
through whom to negotiate. Without dispara-
ging any one else In the real estate business, /
name Mr.. L. III. Leavitt, 40 tongress street, as
such mana gentleman in every sense of
the word. have learned this in my peram-
bulations, and know am doing your readers
favor in giving them the benefit of my knowl-
edge.
The benefit of the poor of Ireland was a
grand affair in its results. The Boston Thea
ter contained the largest audience ever admit
ted within its walls, numbering 3700 and net
ting over $1,000. for that worthy object The
complimentary benefit to p. S. Gilmore who
raised by his late concerts $1,000 for the bene-
fit of Boston regiments, occurred SATURDAY. eve
ming and was deservedly fattering TO the ben
ehciary. The colleen Bawn' will be PLAYED
one week longer at the Boston Theater. Mr..
Chas. Wheatleigh of New York sustaining the
part lately rendered by w. J. Florence. The
Howard opens tonight, Mr.. F. S. .Chanfrau
appearing as Lord Dundreary in sour Ameri-
can Cousin at Home" He is excellent i'm this
character and irrepressibly funny The Hol-
man Opera Troupe, who have just visited your
city, commenced an engagement last night at
the New fremont and will draw full houses
Perham's Seven Mile Mirror is exhibited
every afternoon and evening during the week.
Perham has issued 100000 family tickets at
one dollar each, the profits of which are to
establish National Home for Invalid Soldiers
This is apatriotic object and should receive
the support of the public, as it undoubtedly
will.
Last week was one of unusal quiet-a calm
sometimes .fottotos storm-and the weather
was more like April than May. Umbrellas
were constant companions, showers being fr,s
quent. The parks and squares are donninp
their summer garb. The Public Garden with
its beautiful walks and promenades and the
Common are gathering their shade for the
heated brows that will ere long seek its de-
lightful presence. ARLINGTON.