The Portland daily press., 1864-09-14
Wednesday Morning, Sept. IA, 1864.
Portland Viewed by a Friendly "Bluenose.'

Portland Viewed by Friendly "Bluenose."
j. V. Ellis, Esq, editor of the St. John
Globe-a paper which has ever sympathized
with our loyal people-was recently in this
city, and thus wrote to bis paper:
"Having few hours to spare here, with
that spirit OF fraternity which everywhere
charaetelizes the profession, seek out some of
its members, and fortunately light upon Mr..
Gilman, editor-in-chiei of that able and enter
prisng, and, as | find, very popular journal
here, the Daily Press. He kindly placed
couple of hours at my disposal-this is an
enormous sacrifice for an ediior-and we
made complete tour of the city, driving first
around what is called the Eastern prone
pade,n a well laid out and even road planted
with young trees which have not grown to
sufficient height TO intercept the view. This
road runs round what may be termed the low
er end OF the city, From its eastermost point
you get magnificent view of Portland Har
Dor, or rather the entire Casco Bay, which
stretches out from below your feet, and which
is studded with islands, whose green swards
reach down 10 the calm waters, and whose
tops look purple and hazy iu the bright sun
shine that glistens upon them. Portland har-
Dor, stratagelically, is capable of being very
strongly fortified, and the United States is now
doing that same, which causes great deal of
money to be expended ia the Forest City,
There are three iorts: Scammell, Preble, and
Georges-the latter, think it is, win have
three tiers of guns, and the position of all of
them will give the British or the BIuenoses,
or any other BIS that attempt to effect hos
tile entrance, pretty tough work. The Port
landers think that in case of war between
Great Britain and the United States, that the
first thing England would attempt would be
10 capture Portland, and then get possession
of the Grand Trunk Road to Canada, and thus
cut Off as it were the State of Maine from the
other States. don't know that the taking
81 Portland would give us control of the en-
TIRE road, but IL our Maine friends can per-
suade the United State purse-holders that 1t
will do so, We ought not at least object TO
their getting their share of public money be-
cause Of it.
Perhaps it Is worth while TO note that
whilst the United States Is preparing to keep
the british, and their enemies out, private
citizen of New York, is projecting good
scheme TO bring them In. This gentleman
whose name is Day, was in st. John with the
Congressional OoIAmittee, and participated in
the reception which they received, has per-
ceiyed that the number of Canadians who
spend the week along the shores of Portland
Is gradually increasing, and that the hotel ac-
eomiaodation 70 not near sulhcient, proposes
TO erect, Just behind Fort Preble, monster
hotel. where visitors OF this description will
have all the comforts they may want, He owns
about three hundred acres OF land In the yicini-
ty. aud believes he will have room enough 10
spare for that purpose. He does not do this
70 make money, but for purely patriotic rea-
soas. He thinks the more she tsso people are
brought together, the more they are made ac-
quainted with each other, the more mutual
respect they will entertain, the more they will
appreciate each others good qualities, and the
less likely will they be~to be hostile. He
hopes 10 afiect the Mother Country through
her Colonies, and thinks that as every man
Gan do more or less good, he will do his
share. Every good man can wish him sue
cess.
After feasting my eyes on the beauties Of
Casco Bay, we proceed towards the western
promenade, which Is really the west end OF
Portland. Here are fine edifices without num-
Der, all OF them private residences, and exhib-
iting taste, luxury, and thorough apprecia-
ton OF the beautiful In architecture. As we
pass along observe that Portland Is almost
an island, and that in two or three places a.
long the shore there are some efforts at ship
building. The scene from the western prom
enade is one of the greatest beauty and scope,
and combines an amphitheatre in shape, whose
shady outlines are the distant mountains which
seem TO dance in the hazy distance. Hills and
dales, woody slopes and grassy lawns, quiet
villages embosomed In foliage, innumerable
spires pointing heayenward, suburban residen-
ces, the windings OF the river, Camp Berry,
flied with impatient oonRcrlpts, the State Re
form School-are all before me, and crowd up
on the vision in scene that | have not time
10 describe. Itmust be seen TO be understood.
Returning TO the city, / am shown with pride,
the magnificent High Sehool-it is high in
many ways, being three stories, and il cost
100000 when dollar was gold; the child,
male or female, OF the poorest man can get an
education to fit him for college, without mo-
ney or without price. Is not this splendid
Can this help being great countrys A has
ty glimpse OF the City Building, built OF free
stone from the Albert quarries, with its hand
somely furnished suites of rooms for the Com.
mon Council, the Board of Aldermen, and foI
the Mayor; with its varied accommodations
for all the city officials, including the Chic
Marshal Of Portland, who inquiries after Chic
Marshal of st. John-and last of all, its splen.
did public hall, where the public can be ac
commodated either to lecture or dance, as
they may be inclined, and note, as did in
the other chambers, that there are tables fol
the press,-this glimpse is all can take before
bid by courteous friend adieu. | look in al
"the Exchange, nanusone news hoom, aDil
presided over By Mr.. NJ. n. Rich, of Portland
Price Current notoriety, where the ever va
rying gold kilograms, received hourly, are look
ed al With eager anxiety, aud where yarmouth
papers are filed under the head New Bruins
wick, and New Brunswick papers are not t
be found at ALL 1t is nearly o'clock, and
hurry to the depot; last farewell is made I
the courteous Superintendent of the Portland
Saco and Portsmouth Railroad, y. Chase, Esq
and We are away for Boston, deeply regrettin
that had not longer time to stay and visi
places Of interest, and to see in detail the sight
in this progressive and enterprising city.