The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-01-28
Letter from Boston.
correspondence
Wintry Weather. A Fine Building. The
Sears Estate. Relief of Rev. Henry
Giles. The F:ashiOns
BosToS. January IS, 1859.

Giles. The Fashions
Boston. January %, 1859
"The wind bites shrewdly, 1t is very cold.
This expresses graphically and in decisive
terms the state of the atmosphere to-day,
though we hardly need to go back to the reign
of Elizabeth to find words to express our opin-
ion. This bitterly cold weather, which let US
hope is merely sandwich between softer days,
came SO Unexpectedly upon US that in receiv-
ed but chill greeting in return for its own of
the same kind So msny days of comfortable
weather as we have enjoyed make US incredu-
lous on the subject Of such a season as winter
having any existence, but presto, before we
Know 1t, Boreas appears, raging and roaring
from his icy caverns, and down goes the Their
mometer, and up go stiff hands to protect freez-
ing ears, and people go rushing about, red as
to the nose and watery as to the eyes. And
all this notwithstanding the wild geese, those
romantic harbingers Of the vernal season, have
wended their flight back from their mysterious
Southern retirement. But it is to be feared
that these adventurous birds will find out that
one goose cannot make spring any more east
air to-day has been very much like your Maine
winter weather, crisp and dry and clear and
so collaborating that q few degrees more or less
are hardly noticeable, and though 50 ''ShreWd-
ly' cold, far more healthy and inyi9orating and
easy to endure than the chilliness and change
ableness and capricious freaks of our Boston
climate, proVerbial for its raw east winds and
upc liall n.,,,
realize i'll these frosty days which sometimes
seem to make the mind torpid as the feet and
hands Jingle, that it is by no means strange
that the Inhabitants Of extreme Northern eli
mates the Lapps and Esquimaux, Should be as
they are, unenlig hteEed, uncultivated, and
hardly civilized. And if, according to the
great principles of philosophy, cold surely con-
tracts, why not apply the effect Of it to the
mind as we'll as to material things, and also &C
count in this way for the shortness Of The days
in winter? The clear, bright comprehensive
minds of the Northern races their strength of
body and of character, their energy and ca
pacity, are doubtless owing in part to the ma
ture Of the climate, and we can well appreciate
the line 50 often quoted, that,
''Souls are ripcned in these Northern Skies
Above certain parallel of latitude however
ii cannot apply-so let us hope that the Gulf
Stream, that wonderful agency to which is at
tributed SO many changes and phenomena in
nature, may not exert Its mysterious influence
over us and bring Us suddenly the cold which
shall maize US too congenial with our more
Northern brethren, whom we prefer to regard
at q distance rather than as companions
The new edifcc on the corner Of Court and
Washington Streets, whose handsome proper
tions are rapidly assuming prominence, is gem
orally conceded to be one Of the most useful
and ornamental buildings IN the city. 1t is be-
ing erected without regard to expense, is of
marble, anl is under the direction of the trus.
tees Of the Sears estate. The estate embraces
a large amount Of property and is valued at an
enormous sum. Joshua Sears was success
full Boston merchant who died in 1857, leaving
property valued at $1,600,O00. He came to
this city from Yarmouth rs poor lad of seven
teen, and by dint OF industry and energy COM
bined with shreWdnesS, perseverance and
remarkable business talent, accumulated n
large fortune. He left, at his death, one son,
who is now fourteen years old and is popularity
supposed TO be the richest boy IN America.
After bequeathing SlO7 900 to his brothers and
relatives, and Sl5 900 to Yarmouth for the es-
tabishment Of nautical school, Mr., Sears ar
ranged That his son should have a certain
amount every year-and no more But though
the sums are strictly limited, they are liberal
arOupb SgtiSfV demands no
remains in the hands OF three trustees who
have q salary Of five thousand dollars each,
anG has Increased threefold The heir to all
this wealth is at present in Europe httina him
self for the active duties of life
Last Monday evening u very interesting lee
was delivered in the Music Hall, by Rev VIII
liam r. Aieer. for the benefit of Rev Henry
Giles-so well known as talented lecturer and
writer His physical infrmities, against which
he struggled so long, now render him unable
to help himself, and his contributions to our
literature entitle him to the kind consideration
of all cultivated people. The subject of the
lecture was 'Sthe old chiyalry and the new; or
the medieval knight and the modern AS
such title might promise, it was full of inter
est, and treated by the able lecturer in scho-
arly. entertaining and instructive manner
| had intended to descant somewhat upon the
fashions, but time and space are wanting this,
week | will mention by way Of q h7n Jouche,
however, that The Isabella bouquet" is the
last Partisan novelty. BY gently touching q
secret spring, a butterfly springs from rose
hud and hOyprs over the flowers
Legislative
Petitons-of the seectmen Of surry for re-