The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-11-28
a. INrEnEsrINo LErrER.
Boston a. seem through wheeling
Eyes.
RnsrnN. Nov. %. 1867.

BosroN, Nov. %, 1867.
Editors LnteiIigencer:
In spite of hard times, we are at the
commencement OF what promises 10 be
the Eayest season for years. The peo-
pie are fond of musical and literary
entertainments. Parepa and De Mey-
er huve Just closed u series of crowded
concerts. The season of Italian Opera
has just begun. Then comes En-
glish opera; then the French Opera and
Drama and Ballet. Tue symphony Con-
don Society are rebearsing the OraLo-
rio of St. Paul and Samson. Christ
mas will bring the Messiah. The tick
cts for Dickens Readings were all sold
before his arrival. and two weeks be-
fore the Readings commence. Lectures
are too Numerous to mention. Win
these and balls and parties and sleigh
rides, we can continue to pass the win
ter. Who says we are not gay peO-
A drive through the circle of cities
and villages, that surround Boston,
enables one TO verify the remark ot
celebrated writer and traveller, there
is no city in the country that has such
beautiful surroundings as this" IL
would be folly 10 attempt 10 describe
them, yet one cannot but notice the In:
dustry aud energy that have removed
rocks, leveled hills, narrowed the llm-
its of the sea, and literally made THIS
barren region TO blossom like the rose.
This line of cities and villages Is broken
only on the East by the narrow harbor.
The roads lead frequently through
orchards of fruit trees, or groves of oak
and maple, through which may now
be seen neat cottages, or large
mountains, which, in the heavier tol1-
age of June, would be quite concealed;
The hum of numerous factories ana
workshops give constant evidence OF
thrift. Everywhere is seen comfort and
competency; poverty Is the rare excep-
lion. From every direction the city IL
visible, The three small hills upon
which It was first built, have been re.
duced by time and labor to one, and
this one, rising from the cen.
crowned by the gilded dome OF
the capitol, looks from II distance not
unlike the hub of a gigantic wheel.
From the highlands on the South, the
whole panorama of sea, city, and coun-
try is seen at once, and Is by lar the
finest view in the vicinity. Inc snall
territory of the city was formerly a
peniDsula, the neck as u Is sun caile1J Is',J
being SO narrow that the tide, In east
erly storms, washed clear over 1t. NOW
the neck is the widest part of the city
and is covered with blocks of elegant
residences, and Is the most tashiona Die
quarter OF the town. The back bay, too,
Is rapidly disappearing, and even IhnI
part where the inmates can step from
the houses into their Igondolas, as IN
Venice, is yielding to the demand tor
dwellings.
cal, u very noticeable fact is the great
mum ber of fschoolhOuses, ana there cal
be no doubt that the early adoption OF
{ anh L..
had u most stbeneticial effect upon the for
nation of the character OF this people,
There is nothing for which they tax
themselves SO much or so Willingly as
for schools; nothing over Whlch they
watch with greater care. Ihe schooi
houses are generally nne pFlck stIuc-
tuTes, arranged with special regard TO
tha hanlth and comfort of the pupils.
Competent teachers are selected and
oaid good salaries, and no occupation
or profession Is better or more permA-
pent than this. A faithful teacher has
lust resigned after 81 years of continued
service. To be upon the school com
mittee is an honor equal 70 oeing l an
alderman, and generally men OF hlgher
aItainments hold the office. "A great
educator Is honored equally with
great statesman. The statue of Horace
Mann stands beside that of ID anieI
Webster in the State House yard:
y Besides lnSLTuCtlOh III tAV S-%tAA'ss-J
branches, familiar talks upon current
events are given by the teachers, adapt
ing the IN to the age or capacity OF Ihe
pupils, a lad of tiftesn gave me a very
pO5d account of the dOlngs OF Carl
baldf, and another described Inc pre-
vailing theory OF the shooting stars.
Physical culture Is not neglected. Inc me
girls are taught calisthsntcs, and the
bows military drill, and all are taught
music. One of the most pleasing coln-
pIiments shown TO distinguished Vlsi-
tors. Is a musical concert by the chill
Ciren of the public schools. Not only
ara there liberal means of education
provided, but there is a law OF the city,
cnlled the truant law, which renuers
children liable to arrest II they desert
school. This Is enforced with mild
ness, but q case seldom arises under 1t
40 generally is it acknowledged 10 be "a
wise law. -.
that studies are forced upon children 10
the injury of their health. believe
nTomine1t teacher in our own city con-
cInEies that whole generations are
SvSent away by overtaxing the brain,
oD5 that as play IS the normal occupA-
tJ.,,, 6f children, their studies should
nj conmence until they reach their
sicai growth. We may fairly ques-
hon the correctness of these conctu-
sions 40 long as statistics show that the
sysrsve age Of life is increasing, esPe-
otaIIy in those counties where euuca-
lion il most universal. There Is, no
JorIIr anincreass OF brain and nervous
diseases In this country, but there are