The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-07-02
THE "HUB- AND HUBBUB.

Boston is the metropolis of all New
England, the Athens of all America, and
the s'hub" of all creation. 1t is bounded
on the north by the Atlantic ocean, on the
south by the Atlantic ocean, on the east
by the Atlantic ocean, and on the west by
the Atlantic ocean. 1t used to be an island
at high water, a peninsula at low water,
and the chief part of the continent at all
waters. But to prevent its insular charac-
ter from damaging its reputation and linn
iting its growth, it bridged the Atlantic
ocean in each of the directions in which it
is bounded, and, in one direction, perma
nently dyked itself with the continent,
which it proceeded to annex to Boston as
apart of its rightful sovereignty. This
gave rise to the expression GAN Boston,"
meaning the insular part at high water, the
peninsular part at low water, and the con-
tinental part 10y dykipg) at all waters.
The history of Boston has always puzzled
the antiquist. BY some it is regarded as
antediluvian, if not antemundane by 9TH
ers it is supposed to have been settled by
the three sons Of the great Bible navigator,
Ham taking possession of the central
mountain for Boston is tri-montanic in ge-
ologic formation and structure, and calling
it Breeds Hill, from the lapidity with
which his descendants multiplied in that
city. Be this as it may, it is the oldest
city in America, and the most conspic-
uously advanced in all that makes city
great in the estimation Of its own people.
The territorial possessions Of Boston are
extensive, if not numerous. 1t owns Nan.
tucket, Marblehead, Rainsford Island
Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod, Bafiin'S
Bay, Nootga Sound, and, at one time
held a questionable possession of Belle
Isle in the James river. The world being
SO largely tributary to Boston, in the di
rection Of its different possessions, is wha
gave it the name of the "Hub," its numer-
Gus territories, dykes, bridges, etc., (anG
subsequently railroads. running out in al
directions, like so many spokes to wheel
the rotary motion of which has perplexet
philosophers in all ages, who did not thor.
oughly understand the idiosyncracies oft
hub. Such is Boston geologically, histor.
ically, and geographically described.
But Boston has just added anothe
browning glory to its cap of historic re
nown. 1t has long had its Lyceum, it,
Athen@um, its Odeon, its Pantheon, its
Melodeon, etc., and now, with an immens,
braying of trumpets, it has added its Coils
cum, or grand musical amphitheatre of tn,
universe, at which all the melodous tumul
and choral clangor of the world has beer
exhibited for the last two weeks, and il
still exhibiting. The object was to solve
mighty musical problem that has long
vexed the spiritually minded mind of Bos.
ton. The doctrine long taught in the pan
theological circles of that city in regard t,
harmony is this: That God has made tn
universe (of which Boston is the hub o
choral CENTER on a grand scale of musca
harmony, with every sound, however acut
or grave, mathematically proportionate
harmonious, and symmetrical am
that it only required some heaven-boq
genius of Boston, endowed with musca
requirements as Shakespeare was will
dramatic, to bring out the true possibilitie,