The Portland daily press., 1867-01-01
Letter from BOSTON,


To THE EpIroR OF THE Press:
A more beautiful and auspicious day could
not have dawned, than that which usbered in
the great festival of Christmas; mild and
sunny. the most confirmed dyspeptic could
not dream OF being blue
You can imagine how many hundreds of
impatient and delighted young folks, in demi-
tone. at the first peep o. day, were peeping
INTO tne welltlled hose, where Santa Claus
had bestowed his tribute of remembrance.
ohristmas trees hung heavy with their rare
iruits, and many OF the Sunday schools had
iestivais and trees. Many friendly gatherings
OF churches and societies resulted in the
pleasant surprise to pastors and others of mu-
niiieent gifts, and the little boys and girls OF
the Childrens Aid Society had festival.
where gifts were freely distributed, and mora
than two hundred poor children of the North
Street Union Mission received good dinner
and appropriate presents, besides food to car
ry to their homes. This mission comprises a
day and Sunday school, which are represent
ed as in very fourishing state
The gift books this season are of the rich
est styles of art. Dores illustrated works are
attracting much attention. The papers, with
supplements, have been crowded for weeks
by advertisements from scores of merchants. of
the best articles for holiday gifts" and some
cynic who fancies something besides adyer-
tisements for his evening reading. suggests
that during the holiday season all The papers
be called Advertisers"
The proprietor of the @Old Curiosity Shop
issued an order to his female clerks to discaro
erinoline during the holiday trade, and door
keeper admitted only few at time of the
crowd who came to purchase the odd and Gu
rious trinkets gathered there. His advertise
ments appropriately appear in the papers up
side down.
Inc annual musical treat at Music Hall
was given on Sunday night-the grand Christ
mas Oratorio Of the "Messiah"-and notwith-
landing the inelemency of the evening, the
Hall was quite filed by an appreciatiye audi
ence. Presumptive critics have decried this
masterpiece of the great master, called it
dorid, monotonous, tiresome, but under the
able leadership of Carl Zerrahn il assumes
not only its own majesty, but variety and
grace that quite enchant the audience The
orchestral part was performed in very fine
manner, the great organ scarcely being called
into requisition, except for 8 slight solo ac-
compartment.
MISS Houston rendered the song, Il know
that my Redeemer liveth," with truthful and
sublime Interpretation of its lofty sentiments
while the delicious warbling of Mrs. Smith in
Rejoice Greatly" and her exquisite sweet
ness OF expression in "Come unto Him.
elected rapturous applause. Her voice ia
wonderfully flexible and bird-hke, while that
OF Miss Houston resembles more the clear, full
notes OF the flute. They were true artists in
the full sense OF the most cultured yocalism
and line appreciation of the oratorio. The
audience were pleased and delighted, vet
th,re Is general regret freely expressed that
Mrs. Long has retired from the stage She
not only had the soul to understand, but the
power OF voice to give the fullest and most
satisfactory rendering o. these classic songs.
Upon the highest notes she overpowered your
utmost expectations with floods OF melody.
yet her greatest po Ter of expression seemed
to be in her deep and rich contraIto tones.
Here she had no equal. Not even Miss Rs-
metti, the new and young contlalto, whose
voice possesses great depth ard power, but no
sweetness, could equal Mrs. Longs lowest
notes; yet she rendered she was despised and
rejected" with much pathos and fine taste.
The high storm Of Thursday night made
considerable havoc among the shipping in the
haIbor, and unrooied several buildings. The
high tides undermined the railroads in several
places. Some imaginative persons aver that
Bunker fiiil monument rocked in the gale
with considerable unsteadiness. But little
snow ieli here, and the pleasure seekers who
were so disappointed of their sleigh ride on
Christmas, have no promise OF it yet
Wishing you all a happy New Year,
| sm yours truly,