The Portland daily press., 1864-10-27
Letter from the Seat of Government.

AUGUSTA, October 20, 1854.
Yesterday witnessed quite an extensive raid
upon the .Seat Of Government" from the ssNat-
ural Seaport" and all along the line of the X.
d P. Railroad, including no small company of
invasionists from the spindle City" on the
Androscoggin. A large train came thunder
ing in near mid day, and soon its thousand of
adventists made regular set-to upon the pub
lie houses, and all other places where refresh
ments are provided, and by the activity with
which they handled their weapons of attack
one might suppose they had just escaped from
a land of sterility and famine to gorge them
selves upon the fat things with which this in
land city abounds. The STANLEY HOUSE,
the nearest to the depot, was the first to feel
the assault, and though In some of its depart
ments it was left little better than wreck,
with the evidences of destruction all about,
Mr.. SAWYER, the proprietor, in his white apron
and bland countenance, didn't seem to mind
1t, but upon the whole appeared pleased, and as
though repetition of the assault daily, for the
next six months, would not put him out of hu-
NOR. The Stanley House must be doing an
immense business at the present time, when so
large proportion of the hotel Accommodations
OF the city Is shut up and undergoing repairs.
A stroll about town at this russell October
season, cannot fail to satisfy the mind of the
sight-seer. Many marks of Improvement are
visible on all sides. The principal business
street wears city-like aspect, and shows evi.
dence of much activity. Fine blocks take the
place of old and inferior buildings which lined
the river bank few years since. Fire has been
good friend to improvement in clearing off
the rubbish which numbered good lots, and the
military operations of the place having made
every second man millionaire, it has been
found easy to build up substantial edifces
where the fire has opened the way for such i'm
provements. I
On Of the business street are seen many in
dlcatlons Of thrift The old Dr. Tappan man
sion, on State street, having been purchased
by A. B. Farwell, Esq, has been literally made
over, showing no more resemblance to the old
structure than full moon does to the crooked
ring of fight which precedes the first quarter.
1t Will be one OF the finest and most noticeable
structures upon this great thoroughfare.
On Western Avenue, about fourth of a
mile from State street, an elegant establish
ment has been erected by John L. Stevens,
Esq, OF the Kennebec Journal, and 1t is now
receiving its finishing touches. This shows
mat state printing is not altogether barren of
iruits' and may indicate good prospects for
the proprietors of the Press should the State
House slide off to Portland some odd winter
ana should the Press be made State paner
and Its proprietors the State printers. Rnt
pleasantly aside, Messrs. Stevens and Saw.
ward are Woodworking men, good calculators,
ana II they have saved up few thousands
from the large business heaped upon them by
the exigencies of the times, 1 sincerely re-
Joice, ana feel quite sure that they have not
only served the State well but that will make
good use Of their profits.
But the greatest improvement in Auousto
of the season, is in her hotels. The Auousta
House has had fifty feet added to its front, and
a French roof placed above it, thus increasing
its capacity about thirty-three per cent. 1t has
been thoroughly overhauled throughout, and
when completed, as it will be before January,
1t will be one of the most commanding, we'll
constructed and wel-contrived public houses
10 new England. 1t viii be credit to the
Guy, ana we dare say, with the new landlord
yet 70 be selected, will become a favorite re-
sol. LOT the fashion that gathers about the seat
ofGovernment.
Ane mansion House is undergoing improve-
menus scarcely inferior to those mentioned-
II has been enlarged, revamped. tborougblv
overhauled, its capacity greatly Increased and
with the new landlord, who will brino - -
good reputation, 1t will be most 5as;,ot,o
place for the temporary ledger or the narno,
nent boarder. EnE
The Stanley is as it was. Probably it was
deemed good enough without improvement,
and Its landlord-Mr. Sawyer-probably com
ulnea elements enough of popularity to meet
tation. =
HuSA wil be well provided for in the ho-
tel line, and with her private boardino bouses
Will absorb the legislature without that nm
comfortable crowding which has b.sn evDor;.
enced the two last seasons.
The Representatives Hall has hoon o.u.,.
ed up" and is clean and tasty. Paint. vsrn;.h
and the scrub-broom have done their antH
Al looks bright and attractive-a very neca.