The Republican journal., 1871-02-09
LETTER FROM BOSTON.
Correspondence e of the Journal.
BosToN, Feb. 6, 1871

the most beautiful and most perfect of all
Gods wondrous creations Who does not
admire them2 Who will pass them slight
ingly and without notice? Not many are
there, even amidst the hurres of life, who
will not stop to scent their fragrance, and
take fresh inspiration from the blended har-
monies of their glowing brightness Flow
ers at the bridal, flowers at the tomb What
filter tribute could be brought to these most
sacred of all life's changes? None And
this the world has recognized and from time
mmemorial flowers have played an import
ant part in all such occasions. They are the
poor mans jewels-the rich mans bower of
delight. But Nature-though ever willing
and kinds not always able to supply as
many Jewels as the poor man wants, or
sweet scented bowers as the rich could afford
to pay for. Thus ready Art has been sum
moned to the work. And in all the large
cities and tlourishing villages of our cold
northern climes greenhouses have sprung
up to cheat winter of its dreariness, and to
force into quicker bloom these natural child
rem of warmer shores. In this way the de-
mand and supply have created large bust
ness. and a large part of this Towering
traffic is carried on in Boston. Many acres
of territory outside of the limits of the city
proper are covered with these hot. houses,
flowers of all kinds and hues. and in every
stage of deyelopement, from the gentle blue
eyed violet up TO the richly blushing rose.
These are gathered as fast as ready, by care
morning fresh to market. Thus the florists
get their supply, and Just how they in return
dispatch them to their proper aest nations is
best seen at the beautiful greenhouse OF
William Doogue. in Floral Place, Just off
from Washington street. Happening in there
one bitter cold morning. not long since, we
found Mr.. Doogue. his gentlemanly CLERK
and two lady assistants hard at work filling
q multiplicity of orders that had come from
New York and other intermediate cities, so
we sat Ourselt down and watched the pro-
gress of affairs. The empty unstrapped
boxes upon the floor, and the huge heaps of
long table proclaimed that the out of town
tratficers had already come. Here were or
ders for funerals. weddings, receptions, balls
and reunions, to be filled as speedily as pos
At little table in the corner two men We're
wiring the carnations, yiolets and smilax.
Near at hand was a bunch Of wire cut in
strips OF proper length, and in large shallow
dishes the flowers. How rapidly they affixed
the artificial stems. Then down from the
hooks in the wall and ceiling were taken the
green painted wire frames and willow bask-
cts. The frames were in all forms, represent
ing crowns, crosses, anchOts, harps, Wheels
circles and various other figures. These are
quickly covered with moss from the adoin-
ing room and into this the flowers having
wire stems attached are firmly and expedite
ouslv fastened When completed they are
safely packed in boxes with Innings of cotton.
to protect the flowers from cold or other in
jury, labelled, and then delivered to the
waiting expressman. This is the mechanical
part, but it requires skl'ful fingers and ap-
preciatve eyes to make experts in the bust
spray should so, or where the delicately
tinged rosebud should be ahixed-at Just
what place the creamy white camelias shall
unfold their pureneSs, Cr beside what vines
ha olo ,bnn A.
of its presence. Every person, it is said, is
designed for some particular vocation. What
ever may have happened 10 the rest OF the
world. Doogue seems to have found his prop
sorts, clips, and arranges his beautiful treas
ures, or steps aside to note with loving and
artistic eye their combined effects can doubt
his fitness for 4 florist. In the other apart
found large collections of rare exotics,
beautiful ferns, tall palms, green, glossy
leaved arcanthus, trailing ivys. delicate
tlchias, sweet-scentel jessamines, and gor-
geousy blooming hyacinths. Here are rustic
baskets and rare vases filled with dropping
vines ready for somebody's home, together
with glass-covered ferns of rare beauty and
foreign extraction. In long, wide bed of
sand in one Of these apartments, where the
heat is almost sitting. are thousands Of little
slips in all stages of life. Some are droop-
ing sadly for the parent stem from which
they have been torn others have died. lack
ing courage and confidence to start in their
new life, whilst still others are lifting up
their heads confidently and bravey to the
warm rays of the sun rs if rejoicing in their
new sense of freedom, and their own gigor-
ou9 powers. We come away thinking how
much OF humanity there is in them, after all
A GRAND BALL
was given by the city police this past week
with 4 result of over 5000 added to their
fund, which is for the support and relief of
sick and disabled policemen and their iami-
lies. The affair came off at Music Hall, and
the floor, platform and balconies Of this
spacious receptacle Were crowded The
floor presented most curious spectacle, and
unsophisticated persons could only think Of
the enjoyment Of dancing in Il pint dipper or
between two firmly fastened posts; for the
immense throng gave not much spare space
in which to whirl through the gidiv waltz,
or circle in the redowa
THE ADELPHi THEATRE
Il loot, ~