The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-06-01

to return to the city in time to attend the at
ternoon services at the City Hall.
Much credit is due to Mrs. Bean, Mrs Ole
son, Mrs Lindsey and Miss Winslow for effic-
lent service in arranging the floral decorations,
and 1t was touching and beautiful sight to
see the soldiers who have survived the shock
OF battle and returned home bear upon their
arms the wreaths and crosses as they passed
along the streets under the bright and unusual
(of late) light of a June sun to place them
upon the graves of their fallen comrades.
AFTERNOON SERVICE.
The meeting at the City Hall in the after
noon attracted very large congregation, the
services at the churches being generally omit
ted Owing to the delay in the return of the
procession from Evergreen Cemetery, the ex-
ercses had to be greatly shortened. They were
to commence at o'clock, but it was past be-
fore all was ready. Chaplain Merrill made an
| explanatory statement of the object of the
meeting, and Rev. Mr.. Frink, of Central
| Church, offered prayer. The choir of the First
Parish Church then sung that very appropri-
ate and familiar ode by the poet Collins, known
as "The Heros Requiem" commencing:
l"low sleep the brave who sink to rest
| By all their countries wishes best"
Mr.. Kotzschmar set this ode to music and
| accompanied the choir.
Rev. DR.. Carruthers then followed in very
| able address, which all wished he had contin-
| ued for longer time. 1t was happy state
| ment of the relative merits of the European
| and American soldier. The Band then play ed
strain of music, and Rev. Mr.. Reyes gave
the benediction.
1t was expected that other gentlemen would
| speak, and it was much to be regretted that
they did not, but as the military had been on
| duty in the heat without refreshment since an
| early hour, it was thought best not to continue
the exercises too long. The G. A. R. and
Army and Navy Union were then escorted to
their hall by the Blues.
| On the whole, as this was the first occasion
of the kind ever observed here and consider
| ing the many unfavorable circumstances under
which the order labored we think that they
may we'll feel satisfied at the success of this
| first service of decorating the soldiers graves
OPENING OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.-On Sat
urday evening the rooms of this institution
were thrown open to the life-members and few
| invited guests, in order that these gentlemen
| might see what has been done towards organ
izing library for the people. So far as we
| could ascertain it was the sentiment of those
| present that the efforts of the management
| have been crowned with no equivocal success
The rooms were finely lighted, and the books
are seen to great advantage in the main hall
which is really beautiful apartment. Just
what xuas naaIad fny
reading and the delivery of books, has been &C.
| quired by the addition of the adjacent room
The energy by which the arrangements have
| been carried through in so short a time and
with so little expense is worthy of the man.
| agement, which from the beginning has pushed
on over all obstacles in the most plucky spirit
and to-day placing more than five thousand
| volumes before the reading public, may be said
| to have fairly organized victory. We be-
| lieve that these volumes are only the nucleus
of the great collection to come, and that ou1
| citizens have here laid the foundation of a
| great public library, which shall be one of the
| chief honors of the city. Now is the time fol-
| everybody to contribute money books, pic
| lures and statuary. The rooms are fire-proof
and books and valuable pieces of art are safer
| here than in private houses We are glad to
| see already the beginning of an art collection
and we hope that all our native artists and
amateurs will contribute something, if nc
more than sketch. 1t is satisfactory to know
that we shall have place where we may con.
suit all our best periodicals, as well as some OF
the foreign contemporary literature which
concerns us. We hope the buying committee
will roll -
from abroad, or because it is in a foreign Ian.
guage. Give us something we cannot get at
| all the counters. Give us knowledge of for
eign literature, art and science, as well as the
loads of trash which people must have. Give
us-well, gentlemen, we are delighted with
what you have done, and willingly leave the
future with you, convinced that your oppor-
tunities will not be wasted The hours, regu-
lations, &C., of the Library are to be fully ex-
planned in the advertisements.