Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-05-30
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
BosToN, NAV 90, 1868,

EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
BosToN, May %, 1868.
This city of notions, centre of literature
and hub of the universe, as it is sometimes
designated, is not calculated to make the
most favorable impression during the rainy
season, or the wet and disagreeable weather,
which we have had during the entire month
of May. One of the great advantages Of
New York is the fact of its easy access, by
land and water, to all parts Of the world, by
steamships and by railways. The travel and
trade between New York and Boston is
lines Of the finest steamers in the world are
running on Long Island Sound, carrying
passengers and freight to Boston and other
Eastern parts, as well as intermediate cities
on the Sound. The Bristol and the Fall
River lines make wha. is called the outside
passage, which, when the weather is rough,
will give one a taste of sea.sickness, espe.
cially as you approach Point Judith.
The Bristol line, within the last year,
have put on new steamers, which, in point of
elegance and comfort, are not surpassed in
the world, certainly not in the lavish ex-
penditure Of money. took passage in one
of these, tue "PrOriaence," at New York, at
8 P. NJ, and arrived at Bristol at A. H.,
took the train at 4.80 and arrived in Boston
at o'clock in the morning. The engine of
this splendid steamer is rated at $500 horse
power with Ito inch cylinder, and cost about
100000. The entire cost of the two ves-
sells, the Proridence and the Bristol with
their splendid equipments, was about two
and half millions Of dollars. These ships,
for such they are, are 375 feet in length and
SO feet in width, or across the beam, and
have 240 state rooms, including eight bridal
rooms.
Boston has greatly improved since last
saw it, some ten or twelve years since. In
the old city there is scarcely a single
straight street, and Washington street, is the
only one of respectable width. But the new
or upper part of the city has its regular
wide streets and beautiful parks There is
one popularity in the structure OF most of
the private residences that is seldom seen
in New York or Philadelphia, which is a
semi.circular, or what they call a swe'led
front. 1t has, in some measure, the advan-
tages Of bay window, and enables the in
mates to look up and down the streets. One
of the great institutions of Boston, of which
the citizens are justly proud, is their grand
organ, made in Europe In power and com
pass it is not exceeded in the world. 1t is
open to visitors and played every Wednes-
day and Saturday, from 12 to o'clock. Mu-
sic Hall, which contains the organ, is ca
pacious building, with lofty ceilings, and
will seat nearly three thousand persons. The
cost of the organ was fifty thousand dollars
in gold. The dimensions of some Of the
large pipes are such that q man might crawl
through, the tones of which resemble dis.
tant thunder, and as Bostonian informed
me, could be more readily felt than heard.
To show the varied powers of the instrument,
the organist played that beautiful and pop
ular air, the "Last Rose of Summer" in
tones that resembled the melliluous caden-
ces of a lady singing at distance In an
instant after the organist, seemed 10 throw
his whole force on the various key boards,
and like perfect Jupiter tOnans, command
ing Eolus to loosen all the winds of heaven,
the powers of this grand instrument were
developed and put in motion. To those who
appreciate the deep, solemn and impressive
tones of the organ, the effect was truly
grand and sublime.
The Massachusetts, legislature being in ses.
sion embraced the opportunity to visit the
State House and take look at the body of
lawgivers of this enlightened Common
wealth. Stating to the single door, keeper,
seated outside the hall, that was a Penn.
sylvsnian, and desired to enter, he intro
duced me to member just going in, who
cordially placed me in a members vacant
seat, as there were apparently but few
other seats provided. From member at
my side learned that there were only 240
members of the House and 40 in the Senate.
Formerly there were about 400, when the
galleries were necessarily occupied by mem
bers. In the Senate chamber, across the hall'
there is a small space behind the railing,
which affords standing room for about one
fourth as many as can be accommodated at
Harrisburg. Contrasted with the numerous
door keepers, &C., of our own legislature,
the Democratic simplicity of this body was
most obvious. There are no desks for mem
bers, who sit closely in rows, with small Ia.
blets in front for the convenience of writing.
But even this is an Improvement on their
British ancestors. Pitt, Fox and Sheridan
had no better facilities than what their laps
afforded TO take notes, in the House of Com.
mona, seated, as they were, on benches.
The State House is an old, substantial
building, lately remodeled spd improved
inside, az an expense Of 100000. II 10 not