The Portland daily press., 1865-03-29
Letter from Boston.
Boston, Mar. 81, 1856;


$50 49,
ID Letter from Boston.
os BosroN, Mar. 81, 1865. b
To the Editor of the Press:
8 The popular novelty at present seeus to be
the Presentation Concerts Of the New Y rk
Manufacturing Jewellers Association. These
concerts are given at Music Hall by some of
the best musical artists. The tickets are sold at
l02 Washington street at dollar each, and
the ticket-holder receives herewith valuable
articles of iewelry, silver plate, etc.; the list
of presents includes pianos, sewing machines,
and breakfast sets. The store has been throng-i
ed for many days even the side walk in front
has been nearly impossible, on account OF this
Boston lottery mania. A quiet. unconcerned
looking man, with melancholy countenance,
and a weed on his hat, drew an opera. glass
yesterday, which he passively allowed the eager
throng to examine. Some ill-tempered person
asserts that he has been very much in the hab-
it of drawing ice-pitchers, sewing-machines,
and silver ware throughout the sale, but the
buyers seem generally satisfied. The fortu-
nate recipient of ring of elaborate workman
ship, massive proportions, and exceeding brill
liancy, showed the prize to a jeweller across
the way, and casually asked the worth Of 1T.
Picture his disgust, when the envious jeweller
replied, "about ten cents.'' NO wonder, f..
the jewelry business has been considerably
damaged thereby-for who will pay good
prices for articles they can get for dollar? q
The piano was said to be drawn by citi-
zen of Dorchester, and disappointed indiv-
idual tells very incredulous story about TAX
ing the piano out in state at the front door,
and delivering it at the back door of the same
place. 1t is generally thought, however, that
these are vile and envious ISLANDERS.
II Boston is being swinded, is it anybody's
business. if the victims don't complaint? At
least, the grand Presentation Concerts display
the most unrivalled enterprise, and have reap
ed very pleasant harvest of one dollar green
backs. ea =
The fall in gold is felt keenly among the i'm
porters here. Dry goods dealers are selling
at any price, without regard to the cost. All
the shop windows are filled with flaming bills
Of reduced prices, and the advertising papers
are crowded to overlooking with their adver-
tisements. The merchants are in despair, and
the working people only wash their hands in
the waters Of complacency, and read the bull
letin, "Gold 1,43,n with visible smil, of exul-
tation. l.,r sfoF.aes =
Sapient prophets, who told us year ago or
less, that it was utterly impossible for gold to go
below 200, on account of the flood of Govern
ment paper currency, now knit their brows
and look puzzled; and it has actually been q
fortnight since my excellent friend, the banker,
has said to me with his patronizing air to-
ward my ignorance of financial matters) "My
dear young woman, this generation will never
live to see the resumption of specie currency"
This hal been his weekly greeting to me all
winter. Now he looks little be-fogged, and
says one cannot tell how things will go in war
times; it seems like dream. Perhaps it is a
dream for -
Life Is Oft so like a dream, we know not where
Wa are''
Your lady-readers, no doubt, are as interes.
ed as ever in the fashions, so pardon me if 1
encroach little upon your patience.
3 At last hard times has apparently touchel
the fashions The streets are no longer clean
ly swept with uncleanly lengths of costly bro
cades. Madame Demorest's patent skirt sup
porter is the rage, and festoons the skirt just
above some elegant pattern of founced or
embroidered petticoat. The spring cloaks are
made half as long as formerly, consisting of
the least possible little jaunty loose jackets,
trimmed astonishingly with pearl buttons in
squares, diamonds. septagons or octagons-a
remarkable piece Of economy. Bonnets are
not worn at all. The milliners would be en-
tirely thrown out of employment, were it not
for the mar ufacture of species of head-dress
which is now in vogue upon the street. and is
made in the form of halfhandkerchief tied
loosely over the head and adorned with rib
bons and flowers in various grotesque devices.
This unheard Of abandonment of an article of
dress upon which women hare so long dotted
above all others, could only have been brought
about in one way, i. e., by making a greater
vanity supersede it. This vanity of vanities
consists of wigs. bag-wigs"" waterfall curs,"
"crow's nests" 'p1ffs," Grizzlies" etc. 1t is
astonishing to see the amount of hair that del
icate women coptrive to carry on their heads,
not to mention cushions, rats and mice, and
heavy combs. With the head in full fashion
it will at once be seen that the bonnet as it
was, is entirely out of the question. Nothing
but the half handkerchief would harmonize
with the art Of the hairdresser A boquet
Just over the waterfall curls," is very much
admired. "Bag-wigs" are tied up with white
ribbons instead of red, as heretofore.
Hoping the ladies Of Portland may be able
to CLEAN few ideas for their toilette, from
this hasty sketch, I would respectfully refer
them to the fashion plates for details.
Yours truly, l.. A. b.
~ The Bangor Wing says: sAs an indica-
uon OF increasing confidence in the Federal
government We are pleased to learn that General