The Portland daily press., 1870-03-08
Letter from Augusta.

0O0OSxA3 Z, lOtVs
To the Editor Of the Press:
The most interesting feature of the past week
was the grand ball at the Augusta House last
Thursday evening, given by Hon. Charles X.
Gibbs, of Bridgton, and Hiram Bliss, Esq, OF
Washington. Indeed a more brilliant affair of
the kind never took place at the capital, and
those who had the good fortune to be present
will long remember it among the pleasant rec
elections of their lives.
Over three hundred invitations were issued
to their friends in different parts of the State,
and when the evening came nearly that num-
Der Of "souls were made happy" by being pres
emit toparticipate in the festivities. The par
lors, dining hall and all the best rooms in the
house were devoted to the purposes of the par
ty, and Major Baker fairly outdid himself in
the excellent arrangements made for the COM
fort of all present. At half past 8 the recep-
ton took place in the ladies' parlor, where Mr..
Gibbs and his accomplished wife, and Mr..
Bliss, assisted by Miss Morse and Miss Perry,
of Bath, welcomed their guests with grace and
cordiality. Berry's Band was in attendance,
and after the formalities of the parlor had been
gone through with, the dancing members of
the company lsometimes facetiously called ''de-
voices of Terpischore," y commenced their ex-
ercises, wherein they performed various evo-
lutions and revolutions to their very great de-
location, no doubt, but which were totally in
comprehensive and not even known by name
to your Correspondent At eleven a superb
collation. was served in the dining hall, after
which slight fantastic toe went at it again
and it soon became evident that there was to
be
No sleep till morn here youth and pleasure meet,
To chase the slowing hours with flying feet
The dancing continued until after four in
the morning, when the assembly adjourned
sine die, the guests going their several ways to
repose brim full of enjoyment and feeling I'M
der immense obligations to Messrs. Gibbs and
Bliss for their delightful entertainment
THE FREsHET.
The damage inflicted by the late freshet is
more serious than was at first supposed. 1t is
now certain that considerable portion of the
dam has been carried away, and it will require
very nearly the whole summer to repair the
damage. This disaster will prevent the run
ming of the mills on both sides of the river and
totally suspend work in the factory, thus
people, and working great injury to the COM
munity. The work on the railroad bridge will
be commenced as soon as the condition of the
river will permit, but it will be some months
before it will be ready for use. 1t is now con-
templated to build an lion bridge which shall
be proof against future rampages of the Ken
nebec, and one Of the directors of the road is
now in Pennsylvania making arrangements
for its construction. The toll bridge has been
repaired and passengers and freight are now
conveyed across the river free of expense and
withxery little detention or Inconvenience.
-..se, THE ICE CROP.
From Hallowell to Richmond the banks of
the river are lined with temporary structures
for the reception of ice, and the river is cover
ed with men engaged in cutting and storing it.
It is estimated that over two thousand men are
now employed in this business, and that there
will be at least 1900 vessel loads shipped from
the Ksnnebec the coming summer. The wealth
er for the last few weeks has been favorable to
their operations, and nearly all the concerns
are working night and day to fill their houses.
ADJOURNMENT.
1t seems to be the opinion of the best inform.
ed that the great and general Court will be
prepared to close its career of usefulness by
the last of the present month. The attempt to
adjourn over to the middle or last of April
doesn't find much favor, particularly among
the farmer class of members and those living
at great distances from the capital. 1t ia now
believed that all the public business can be dis
posed OF in the time mentioned. BoABD1L.