The Portland daily press., 1867-07-10

et---iHe bouru. OF Jug ana i5rItt0nt fgrO-
technic Scene.
New YORK, July 8, 1867.
To the Editor Of The Press:
The shootings in Mexico, the meeting of
Congress- and the Fourth of July have con-
stituted tho great topics of conversation and
excitement for week past. Poor Maximili-
an; he should have known better than to come
over here and plant monarchy in America.
But the Mexicans got tired of a Republic and
invited him to come. And now, this restless
and changeable people coolly shoot their EN-
peror and evince disposition to do the same
thing to most everybody else. 1t is pity. 1t
would have been magnanmous to send Maxi
milan back to Europe with an admonition to
the crowned heads to let America alone-a
credit to the civilization of the age and en-
lightened and liberal Christianity. But Mex
leo is not up to the responsibility and dignity
Of her position-she adhercs to the bloody and
relentless policy of a past age, and the prestige
and glory Of victory is marred by shameless
exhibitions of cruelty and revenge.
The Dunderberg, which has been the great
nautical curiosity of New York for some
months, and which, proving to be an elephant
Or, left the harbor on the Fourth of July for a
French port. She has, however, got back
again, having as is said, deran ged her machin-
cry. sprung leak, ,-or something worse. The
contract of Mr.. Webb, the builder, is to deliver
the vessel in French port safe and sound,
which it is hoped ho will be able to do
The present season, thus far, has been one
of the most healthy ever known in New York,
Notwithstanding the long-continued wet spell
The sanitary reports show an unusual degree
Ct health. Only two cases of cholera have ap-
peared, and probably there will be no return
of the epidemic this season. A slight scare
has existed lately lest yellow fever may get
here from New Orleans or some of the South
ern ports infected, but the stringent regula-
tions of the Board of Health inspire confidence
in the people and really prompt to better per-
sonal care and attention. The Board has lust
made known the important fact that, in New
York and Brooklyn, for the first half of 1867
there have been one thousand less deaths than
for the first half of 1865.
Summer travel is in full operation. "Of"
to the country-to the seashore to the White
Mountains to Moosehead Lake-to the noun
tains of New Jersey, New York and Penusyl-
vania-to Saratoga, to Niagara-to Montreal
up the Hudson down the Jersey coast-are
the exciting and inspiring themes. A consid-
cradle portion of the city will be depopulated
for month or two to come, and some of the
churches even shut up. The theatres, howev-
er, continue in full blast. The hegira is good
thing. The citizens bring back good degree
off ,trU md yirfr, o,d tba Of 10
essentially beneficial in this meridian of con-
centrated looseness.
The Fourth of July passed off as usual in
New York, with military display, music, guns,
bell clangor, squibs, crackers, and an internal
noise generally The military consisted of
four brigades of Infantry and one of Cavalry,
and the music of thirteen bands sounded in the
evening at various points for the enjoyment OF
the citizens. The best part of the entertain
ment of the occasion was the display of fire.
works. From an elevated point overlooking
large part of New York and Brooklyn, the
view from to O'clock in the evening was
magnificent. The northeast was darkened by
Immense clouds, from which lightning gleam-
ed out at intervals with dazzling brilliancy.
As far as the eye could reach over the net
work of streets and avenues and walls Of brick
and mortar, rockets in continuous showers
shot upward and spangled the zenith with ar
tificial stars. The whole scene was q canopy
of fire in which the power of God and the art
of man were combined to impress upon the OBJ
server the tremendous Importance Of the anni-
versary of the Birth of the Republic of the
Western World! 1t was the most gigantic py-
rotechnic display our eyes ever witnessed-a
fitting and gorgeous testimonial to the value of
the civil blessings vouchsafed through the ex-
ertions of the valient originators and defenders
of Republican Freedom. May the priceless
blessings thus signalizing never be surrender
ed, but for ages to come continue the inheri-
tance of the thronging millions of Free Amer
lea. 0s6 L 5aori- =. rs NASSAU.