The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-03-24

In Boston the past week we have had a time be-
tween snow and mud-a sort of saucy intrusion of
Winter into the domain Of Spring, and desperate
contest between the two to see which should have
the best of it, The bright Spring sun has made
such warm attacks upon the solid surface of the
snow as to leave it in very demoralized condition
So that when you fancy yourself about to cross
dry-shod, huge heap of the same, you suddenly
| find yourself like the boy
''With one foot up, and 'tother foot down."
| The hOrse-cars have ceased to run at all o II for
only part of their respective routes. To that
portion of the community dependent upon this
mode of conveyance, it has been often times anus
ing as we'll as aggravating to hear the conductor
shout ''ter-mine-us of the route"-when only
about half Of their journey was accomplished
There has been help for it, but to preserve ones
temper and wad!e-through sop, through slush,
through snow, through mud,-coming out at the
terminus of your pleasant though somewhat meand-
ering walk with wet feet and soiled socks The
mishaps of the week have been not few and
some of the incidents by the wayside most laugh
| able to those disposed to see the merry side To
those young ladies who are fond of clcvatne their
skirts TO display their weturned ankles it has
proved god-send, though somehow the ankles
|
| loots and mud despatched stockings.
Thursday was st. Patrck's Day. and as was pre-
dicted the city was iubilant, Notwithstanding the
unhappy condition of the streets. The sons and
daughters of Erin filled the streets at n very early
hour, and the sprigs of green which they almost
invariably very noticeable. The buX ON
matrons and stout lasses from the Emerald Isle
are very fond of the bright coorS blended in a
sh,,,ar oF
very conspicuous on st. Patrick's Day. | did not
notice that the display was any less than usual on
this particular occasion. The various Hibernian
Societies that to take part in the festivities of
the day early took up the line of march, very
long, large and handsome procession they made,
Standing i'll the snow just opposite the Transcript
Office. on Washington Street. where accidentally
encountered the procession, and watching them as
they marched by with their bright uniforms CAV
decorations and elegant banners-noticng with
what strong. sturdy, resoute air they bore them
selvcs-seeing with what pride and reverence they
carried the Star Spangled Banner side by side
with their own loved fag-listening to the STIR
ring strains of the music, and thinking of the Wild
passionate love of liberty inherited by this people,
of their oppression at home and of how they had
always stood foremost in the battles for freedom-I
and felt like dotiing my little brown cap in SYM
pathy with and honor fol them.
When tired of gazing a the procession couldn't
help casting my eyes alOft to the upper stories of
the Transcript and Journal buildings where the
bi;tn-forceS of these two papers supposed to be
located-and wondering to myself il all the heads
protruded from the org rows of windows sat on
the shoulders OF Editors. If so, may say to YOU
PRIVATELY my dear readers that as to good looks, it
is drawn game between the two establishments.
Editors generally, believe, are considered to be
good-looking, though there are Somc exceptions
and some of the exceptions came to the Jubilee
last summer.
Messrs. Fields & Osgood seem determined to
keep the reading public well supplied with reading
matter, and have published in rapid succession
Hedgcd IN by Miss Phelps-Societv and Solitude,
by Ralph Waldo Emerson--Rattle About The
Books, by Gail Hamilton, and the Old Fashioned
Girl, by Louisa NJ. Acott. IIedgea In is the story
of fallen woman, and strives in an earnest way
| TO point out the m:nner IN which true Christians
should deal With III class. 1t is very entertain
ing and an excellent book. but VIII probably not
gain so great notorety as Gates Ajir, which has
now reached its tflicth edition, Miss Phelps reaz-
ing about $4,000 from the sale of them Hedgcd
is reproduction of some of Mr. EmerSons old
essays, Joined will some new ones. Like all Of
EmerSon's books, it is the verv very best of read
ing. Every sentence contains thought and beauty
take itup when vol will, you always discover some
new paragraph-some fresh idea that will rouse
and stir you into a higher life and nobler action.
And what pray shall say about Gail Hamilton's
new book?-the spiciest one Of them all,-which
the Boston Post says is Il compound of chain
lightning and lunar callstc." [ lack words to ex-
press my admiration Of it, but I do like it very
much. And Gail herself, too. | have an earnest
desire to take her by the hand and say. ''Gail,
Ike you--like you because you honest-like
you because you are smart-like you because you
| are independent-hut above all things | like YOU
because you don't go whining and complaining
and snarling over what is wrong; but resolutey
and determlnedy set to work TO right the wrong.
and make others better and happier for your
counsel. Would that we had more writers who
looked at life i'll the strong, resoute CHEEKY manner
| i'll which You do--fOr then shouldn't have so
many people gliding through life on the down
grade"
| Just at this point in my letter I was suddenly
called 10 go and see fire which raging in the
immediate neighborhood, and complied without
|
Gore Block in Green Street. The fire was confined
mostly to the upper story of the block but was of
sufficient magnitude to require the third alarm for
| help. As the flames broke through The windows
and roof they lighted up the surrounding buildings
wonderfully and made, with the huge volumes of
| black smoke from the engines, 4 very grand and
| impressive picture. At times the Old gray stone
church in Bowioin square would be so enyeoped
| i'll the dense clouds of smoke as to leave only the
| tops OF the square towers visible Suddenly this
would be lifted and changed rs if moved by human
agency, ana ever and anon the engines with a
quick angry snort would send up such shower of
| sparks to make one almost start with alright
On the left flashed the angry Jameson the right
cleaned out the gasiights-in the centre shone the
glittcring cngneS-aboye all the stars in 4 cloud
less sky. Do you wonder that it made grand
| picture? But like great many other grand
| pictures it cost somebody great deal OF money.
| The Spring fashions are yet not very decided,
but The indications are that suits will be rs general
| ~ worn as in previous seasons They viii vary
only i'll this particular, that they will he trim
med more with the same material as the suit itself
them formerly. More than two coors will not be
admissible, and one will be considered in better
!