The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-11-21

AHHUhS hc Dlue-uOsPSs
ATRIP OVER THE NEW RAILROAD.
To the Editor Of the Press:
Having but recently returned from a visit
to our provincial neighbors now linked to us
oY the iron bands that will shortly be extend
ed SO as to unite in loving embrace the At
lahtic and Pacific coasts, 1 thought brief
description OF the trip might perchance prove
interesting to your many readers, and serve
10 point ont some errors and glaring abuses if
IL ialled to interest the general reader.
Our party left the city by the regular train
over the Maine Central, starting from the sta
ton on West Commercial st. at P. M. PIE
cisely. Comfortably ensconced in the luxuri-
Gus Pullman drawingrcom car Jupiter
which was thoroughly warmed without being
overheated, and well ventatei-we viewed
the beautiful scenery Of the valley of the Ken
nehec for the three or four hours preceding
sunset with the interest that attaches 10
strange localities, for-wouderful as il NAV
appear-although we were all Portlanders
not one OF us had ever travelled over the road
before. The day was charming one. the
sun shone brightly from out OF a heaven O {
unclouded blue, causing the waters of the
river to dance in sparkling ripples as they
wound in and out, around and about the
course of the railway like festoons of cerulean
hue upon an immense carpet of some soft
dark-brown material, or, with its declining
rays, FLASHED on village windows that glim-
mered red" and tipped the weathercocks ON
the steeples with FURNISHED gold. Copy
right secured according TO law, as Mark
Twain saYs.) In some of the towns the cars
ran directly past the door-steps of many of
the dwelling-houses, obviatIng the necessity
of the occupants investing fifty cents scrip in
hack-hiIe whenever they wished to travel, and
giving the passengers glimpses of the home-ife
of many staid, well-to-do citizens, while at
points here and there on the route would peep
forth first the two tall graceful towers of the
ehapel of Bowdoin College at Brunswick,
then, airily perched ON lofty eminence like
some Rhenish castle, the State House at Au-
gusta caught the eye, next the Eat buildings
OF Colby University attracted attention, while
factories, waterfalls, ice-houses, long freight
trails, and booms of logs added variety 10 the
picture as the train swept along, testifying to
the industry OF the people, and sisnifying
much as to the freight business of the road.
All this and much more the spectator obsarv-
ed lazy reclining in his great velvet.cushion-
ed lolling chair until the night drew its sable
folds over the landscape, when he was forced
to turn 10 social chat 70 relieve the tedium Of
the few hours that must pass before reaching
his destination.
BANGOR.
Arriving at Bangor at eight O'Clock, having
been detained about half an hour, as we were
informed by the conductor owing to the fail
ure of the train via Lewiston 10 connect at
Kendall's Mills, we we've met at the Station
by prominent citizen who insisted that we
should go 10 his house, and would not take
no for an answer. His team-a span Of fiery
buckskin eolored animals with flowing white
names and tails-stood uneasiy paving the
ground and champing their bits in the cool,
crisp, night breeze, and as soon as we were
seated darted off at a three minute gait, CALI
ing forth the remark from our host that
Grant remarked on his recent visit ''that he
had rode behind as fast horse before, but
never behind such fast pair driven by a
deacon"
Bangor is live place and its citizens are up
to the times. Wh.n they think any enterprise
will benefit their city they don't begiu to call
up all the objections to il that they can think
ofas some people in others cities we could
name do, but they put their shoulders to the
wheel and push it through. During the past
few years the city has been embelli,hed by
architectural Improvements such as the erec-
tion of the elegant block occupied by S. IL.
Dale & Co., the Adams Block, and several
others. The Bangor House has been vastly
improved by the removal Of IFS ugly flight OF
steps and the formation of new entrance
from the basement. All the hotel requires
now TO lender it attractive is some large
shade trees to relieve the baroness of its sur.
roundings. We understood that the plan
in contemplation of removing the old wooden
structures across the Kenduskeag and replac-
ing them by light ornamental iron bridges
which will add greatly to the appearance OF
the city.
We were very much pleased to meet with a
young artist who bids fair to take high rank
among the distinguished members of his pro-
fession in this country. We refer to Mr.. Geo.
E. Dale, son of Hon. S. Fl. Dale. who has
laely returned from four years residence in
Antwerp where he made great progress Ia
his studies. Prior to entering the academy
at Antwerp Mr.. Dale was student with
Hicks the celebrated portrait painter OF New
York, and also OF White the great figure paint
er, and has caught many of the best features
of both. A painting Of the head of an OLD
friar-which was ON exhibition for a shors
time in Bangor-is especially to be commended
for the excellence of the coloring as well as
the failhfuness of the drawing, the hair pa;-
tcularly which is a most difficult subject ta
treat, being soft and wavy instead of ropy as
too many artists are 50 apt to paint it. The
face is one OF marked power and we regret
that Hale or Schumacher has not been able
to secure il for exhibition. Mr.. Dale has ia.
ken studio in the city and we hope before
long to see further results of his residence
abroad.
FROM BANGOR TO ST. JOHN.
The distance by card from Bangor to st.
John over the recently completed European
& North American railroad is POS miles. Tho
train in which We took passage for the chi,f
city of New Brunswick consisted of freighe,
smoking, two Monitor passenger cars and
Pullman sleeper, the latter used as drawings
room car The Monitor cars were well filed
but not taxed to their utmost capacity, while
eyery seat in the Pullman was occuped bv A