Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-07-28
Over the Border.
ICoRRsPoNDENoR OF THE DAILY sPY.l
FFOm Boston 20 POrtland-POrGland 10
MOntrenl-scenery along the Route.
ST. LAWRENCE HALL, MONTREAL, /

OuAJ S1J Aoi4s
A year ago last winter sent a few lines to
the Spy from my present place of writing.
Then it was in the "dead" depth of winter,
when the streets of the Canadian metropolis
were piled high with adamantine SHOWS; when
the mercury Averaged about zero, snow
and ice everywhere-a senIi-arctic scene.
The chief amusements were snow-shoe
races and the carnivals at the skating Kinks,
and the merry sleigh bells jingled instead of the
caroling of the birds. Nearly every one was
wrapped close in furs and the heaviest OF wool
ems.
How changed the scene! At present hotels
are crowded with visitors from warmer climates
Steamers and rail cars go crowded with tour
lists. The atmosphere is exactly at the comforta-
Bile point most of the time. As far as the eye
can reach up and down and across the length
ening and broad valley of the lovely st. Law
renee the deepest and richest tinted emerald is
seen, forming charming borders for the silvery
river, shimmering and glimmering in the sun.
Comparing winter and summer, it seems as
though the Montreal of the summer time could
not be the Montreal of the winter. Then, the
only hospitality seemed to be the cordially of
its people. To-day man and nature combine to
extend a joyous welcome. l came hither,
then, via the Vermont Central, the short
est line. This time l tried longer
way via Portland - taking the Eastern
railroad from Boston, along through the lovely
villages and cities that dot the bay shore. The
Pullmans, whose name is now synonymous
with the luxury of rail ride, determined that
the east shall ride as easily and pleasantly as
the west, have placed on the Eastern road a
line of their palace cars, running from Boston
to Portland and Bangor, and from Portland
through via the Grand Trunk railroad to De-
troit.
Leaving the Club" one morning, the Pull
mans land the travellers here the next, with lit
tie fatigue. Arm chairs and couches by day,
and easy beds at night, make the journey at
tractive rather than repelling. l trust the time
is not far distant when every line in the country
will adopt them.
Mr.. Prescott, for many years the accomplished
and efficient superintendent of the Eastern,
goes west Sept. to assume the SUPPLEMENTARY
of the Northern Pacific. Thus, one by one, the
LEADERS" in all departments of our busy life
miniOns blossom with civilization.
Five years ago, soon after the great fire that
swept tornado like through the Forest City,"
was one of many thous ands that went thither
to view the smouldering ruins, crumbling walls
toppled chimneys and the nameless ct cetera ac-
companying the desolation. As far as the eye
could reach up over the city from the wharves
and harbor shor., nothing was visible save the
debris the fire monster had either mostly eaten,
or lust nibbled in his swarth-like march through
the most prosperous and finer portions of the
city. Every visitor wondered as to the then flu
ture. Would the place rise anew, or become
the rendezvous of owls and bats2
The country at large sympathized and pitied,
drew its generous purse, depleted by the war
loans and gifts; insurance companies were bank
rnpted by paying Portland policies. These
sources of aid and the indomitable energy and
undaunted courage of her citizens united in the
herculean work of restoration, until, as at pres
ent, scarce trace of the historic confagration
remains.
Save the beautiful elms adjoining the streets
and avenues which gone, robbed it of its ro-
mantle title of the Forest City," the CONNER
cial capital of Maine looks far better than of
yOre. Fine structures, built in modern STYLE
and finished with the "modern improvements"
supplant the antiquated and inconvenient build
ings erected in the plain, substantial and inele-
CANT days. Looking back to the July of 1866
and threading the new-built thOroughfares of
to-day, to gigantic forces and comprehensive
business systems of this rapid and working-day
age must be given reward. The past seems a
dream, the present prosperous, the future prom
ising and assured.
The city hall, built on the old site, may serve
in some respects as an example for Worcester,
viz: The land is owned by the county and
leased to the city for ninety-nine years, on con-
dition that the latter furnish rooms for county
courts and the various county officers and
business.
This brings city and county business con-
yeniently together on advantageous and eco
nOmical terms. The building cost Ss5O,OOO In
it is public hall, equaling Mechanics"
When Worcester gets new city hall, now
much needed, in place of the present pigmy one,
why not take a hint from Portland and bring
the Getty and county of Worcester" together?
1t would save the professionals many hur-
ried and inconvenient walk to Court hill, and
court-goers many vain wishes that the houses
of 'Justice" were nearer the common, or centre
Of business. The post office, built entirely by
the government at Washington, is of Vermont
marble, and would be an ornament to any
place, no matter how large or fine. The custom
house just completing corresponds.
Nature and steam are powerful co-workers
for Portland; one Of the finest harbors on the
coast, with wharves that accommodate steamers
running In numerous directions railways d.
verging to every quarter, managed by able
meI
Not fifty miles out from Portland on the
Grand Trunk, and we are on the confines of the
+.5-s-. N. $50