The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-07-04
Growth and Enterprise of Portland.

Correspondence of the Newburyport Herald.]
PORTLAND, June 25.
GeoOglsts tell us of the shores and islands
aionS the coast changing from year to year
nom the effects of storms and currents, so
tlat In some cases vessels that have been alb
sent on long whaling voyages can not enter
port on their return with the same chart and
sailing directions with which they left. This
phenomenon in the material world has its
parallel in civil history, in the rapid growth of
towns and cities, as you may have perceived
on reVlslting, after lapse of time once ia
inlilar place. was particularly struck with
tne rapid growth and improvement in every
direction that characterizes this down East
metropolis, so that all absence of very few
years puts one at fault In some localities, as he
LOOKS IN vain for the former familiar landmarks,
that nave given place in the march of pro-
gress to something more substantial, and
more IN accordance with the demands of the
times.
NOW being Massachusetts man of course
peleve 10 Doston, Club" and "Great Organ"
included, but must admit that an examina-
ton OF the situation, business facilities and
other elements of growth, together with
consideration of its actual progress within the
present generation inclines me to the belief
that Boston, aye, and New York too, have
more ground tor their jealousy of Portland
than tor their ridicule OF its pretensions to ri
yalry. Indeed it would only be repetition of
history, only the old story Of Tyre and Rome
az aga Venice, if change in the great eslEEents
NC many generations hence, second to the
"Forest City,"
The harbor Of Portland was described by
the great French navigator Du Mont as the
best on the Atlantic coast, and CHRISTOPHER
Leyett who visited it in the seventies nth CEN
Jury spoke OF 1t as the best, safest and most
commodlous he ever entered. What those
Old navigators described it has remained to the
present day, there being no possible condition
OF WIND, TIDE or current but it is safe and ac-
ceSslDle Tor the very largest Ships When Bos-
ton and other harbors are frozen over this Is
seldom obstructed by ice, which consideration
caused its selection for the terminus of the
Grand Trunk Railroad.
1t IS this road in connection with the n North-
ern racine road that may. make Portland the
metropolis oil the Western Continent. The
trade OF China, Japan, India and the Sand
witch Islands will enter the Golden Gate of
California, and crossing the continent over
these roads, may pour itself into Portland,
winch may be the great centre of distribution
fOrsthe Atlantic States, the British Provinces
and Europe. The distance from Eastern Asia
to the Atlantic States will be lessened one
hall and the time three quarters, and the dis
tanae between England and her Asatic colo
mics will be diminished one-third by this route.
and the time at least one-half-the expense
beirg about the insane ratio. -
The value of foreign exports week bef,re
last was in round numbers S65,O00; and the
importation OF moiasses tor the present
year alone exceeds $4,000 hogsheads, which is
great increase over last year. The lumber
operations, ship building, sugar making. loco
motive and fire engine works of all sorts are
increasing their capital and the number of es-
tabshments on every hand. The glass works
are to be enlarged Immediately, as the orders
are now iar ahead OF the present ability of the
company to fill them. The foundations of a
new sugar refinery are laid, some two thous-
and piles having been driven, and the work is
rap lly progressing The buildings now going
up measure two hundred and sixty-ei feet
by abundred and ffty-fve and one to be five
stories high. -
The Portland Rolling Mills have lust gone
into operation at Cape Elizabeth. When we
were there the ground now occupied by the
mills was camp; and the transition from the
pomp and circumstance of war to the hustle
Of peaceful industry is indeed an aareeshle.
change. The establishment is quite city of
itself, covering IS acres, and beautifully laid
out INTO avenues, streets and lots, ON which
houses aud stores are being erected. The ay-
enueS are broad and planted with shade trees.
ahesverythiDg is admirably contriyed for tho
sii1oyancnt OF the operatives. The
null has ten furnaces, ana w1I1 employ TWO
hundred men, turning out about ten thousand
tons year. We must not omit to mention
the horse railroad, which has gone into oper-
alton since our last visit, and which succeeds
beyond the most sanguine expectations of it's
projectors
But with all the attention to the utile the
dutce is not neglected. The Society OF Natur-
al History have opened their rooms to the pub
lie, and the greatest interest is felt in it's pros
perity by the citizens. who find leisure-many
OF them-for the cultivation of science, in adj
dition to their business pursuits. At the last
meeting OF the Society one of the finest and
most powerful microscopes in the world. of
American manufacture, was exhibited. 1t re-
vealed distinctly lines a sixty-two thousandth
part of an inch in diameter.
The Evergreen Cemetery is noticeable
among the beauties of the city, which has
been rendered as attractive as a CITY of the
dead, as Portland itself is as city of the. liy-
ing We may mention in this connection
that the rate of mortality for the last thirty
years has been less than in any other city in
the Union, being one in sixty-fye, while the
average OF the Atlantic cities is one in torty.
which is sufficient proof of the healthineSs
OF its situation.