The Portland daily press., 1864-02-16

0pera-Forrest-C Canonicus.
BosToN, Feb. Il. 1854.
Tothe Editor Of the Press
The general lul in politics and war-that
fearful and portentous calm which we all feel
to be but the precursor OF new and greater
conflict in the coming martial and presiden-
tial campaigns - broods heavily over the
HUB The papers pine for sensation, and
the sleepy and desponding newsboy at ten
O'Clock makes night Lideous with his unceas-
ing howl,-"Heres yer Rerald extr-e-e-fiver
clo-r-ck-only two ce-r-nts."
fawning in sympathy with the universal
languor, we must depend upon our own re-
sources for amusement-so let us try Wash
ington Street. When all the world subsidies
into humdrum, here is always life and hustle
and amusement. Here we read the signs of
the great familiar names whose fame is broad
as the sea-Boston Journal Office; Atlantic
Monthly-Ticknor & Fields; Chickering, &c.
Shop windows are filed with the riches of all
lands and seas, silks and sables, gold and gems
rare bijouterie of art, paintings, statuettes,
medals; here is window where is displayed
as II to mock our rich memories of the past
large quantity OF gold and silver coin. guard
ed and gloated over by satisfed-looking ma
bob, Mho sits in an easy chair grim and un-
moved, watching the hnrrying throng. This
morning, as we passed him, he still sat in his
easy chair, facing the street, but varying the
nonotony of his employment by grayely par
ing his c0rns.
But one cannot be staring at signs and shop
windows in this hurrying throng, we must
move on with the surging tide of humanity.
The phases of life vary at different hours of
the day. AT early morning, Washington street
Is filled with the working people; young men
intent on business hurrying along; girls, scan
THY clad, with little bundle of dinner, disap-
pearing suddenly in clothing establishments.
printing offices, book-binderies, ETC., boxes of
coal-ashes are set upon the sidewalk, waiting
Tor the city carts to remove the contents. and
about these are gathered women and children
hurriedly searching with bare and sometimes
shapely hands for the bits of coal that are their
only hope for warmth and comfort-a pitiful
sight! Later in the morning, wel-dressed and
well-fed gentlemen lesurely smoke their c-
gars, or stand exchanging greetings with their
friends, while the street is blocked up with
teams, and the cars wait in patience for the
police to exercise their ready skill in unlock
ing the ENHANCEMENT.
But for display Of fashion, fur cloaks, vel
vet bonnets, plumes, silks and graces, saunter
down Washington street at O'Clock P. NJ.
but on no account venture here if you are in
hurry. You can no more pass the expensive
crinollne, three abreast, than you can singly
force your way through line of battle; though
II you are given to sly revenge, improve the
opportunity by accidentally stepping upon the
siiken trains that sweep the pavement, and
smile, remorseless, in your sleeve, at the rips
aud rents that ensue.
In the evening this mass OF human life turns
toward the various places of amusement, as
careless and happy as if war were thing of
history and olden time instead of our present
curse. Here is youth with lady upon each
arm, in the highest stages of ecstasey. Secure
from the rush and crowd, between the kindly
shelter, he is quite obliyious of the fact that
they are exposed to the crush and jostle of
the throng, and for the time is certainly
happy.
The theaters have been doing a wonderful
business this season. The Boston sustains a
high reputation for first-class novelties. Mag
gle Mitchells "Fanchon" was probably one of
the sweetest things ever given to the drama
loving public, and crowded that spacions the
ater for many nights. This star actress left
while her fame was brightest, and her return
is eagerly anticipated. The Italian Opera,
Max Maritzex, with Medodi Bellini Beach,,
DC, DC, served four weeks engagement
here, going through with all the old favorite
operas, in style that quite charmed the Bos-
ton elite, who eagerly embraced the opportu-
nifty TO display their fine wardrobes and mu-
sica taste. This is again succeeded by the
great tragedian Edwin Forrest, who is doing
Shakespeare in severely frantic manner, and
Boston has turned tragedy-mad for while.
The Museum is still playing the new sensa-
tion drama, the "ricket tofLeaye Man, with
Kate Reignolds for the fair and faithful "Mav
Edwards This is her last season before
I leaving for Europe, and she will be greatly
missed.
Mrs. Barrow's theatre, the fremont. was
the first to bring out this new play, and it is
played here in a very attractive manner with
strong caste.
Howard's Athen@um has been havngan op-
era season, while the dramatic corps have
been playing in Portland.
The new monitor, "Canonicus," made heI
trial trip last week, with perfect success. This
vessel was built under contract by Mr.. Loring
aud is said to be superior in sea-going quail
Ties to anything in the service. Her hull /:
deeper and more pointed, having all the quail
ities OF fast-sailer-she will better brave the