The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1873-12-11
Letter from Portland.


PORTLAND, Dee. )
Al present The al-absorbing theme for dis
cusSion in our city is the weather. All signs
have failed this season. all pro@nosticatorS
have been at fault--eyen 'Old Probabilities
may hang up hi, fiddle, feeling that there can
be no success in his line in New England.
Winter being literally but live days Old, we
should be, by good rights, Just beginning to
freeze; when in fact our Indian summer this
year presented itself in the stolen garb of Win
ter, giving Us instead Of haze and soft winds
and pretty imitation of June. good foot of
snow with the mercury below zero Having
= sOld'' us III this manner, November takes his
leave, and enters Winter, Il vcritable wolf in
Sleeps clothing, coming on tip-toe in the mild
est manner, and beginning to undo the work
of November; melting the snow and sending
il of the roofs in immense slides upon the heads
of unhappy pedestrians, making iced porridge
for them to wade knec-deep in through the
streets. playing the mischief generally with
peoples calculations. and fingin@ colds at their
heads at every step.
Despite it all Portland is unusually gay, and
night after night the lecture room or Music
Hall may be found crowded with seekers after
instruction and pleasure. Socially, people are
ENJOYING themselves with the usual round of
Germans, parties, amateur theatrical>, &c. The
nOvice>, (and this season has launched quite Il
fresh and sparkling beyy of gay little damselS
on the waves of society with the aid Of sever
al gallant young officers of the Coast Survey,
and new and agreeable Lieutenant or two 1T
Fort Preble, make quite a brilliant addition 70
the circle Of jewellers, and altogether the
grumblers who pronounce Portland gayety "a
thing Of the past" and consider ii dull slow
and stupid, will not find much sustaining
ground for their arguments among the Young
people.
Invitations are Just out for Il very elegant
and fashionable Wedding in High Life"
which is to take place on the eth Of this month.
The contracting parties being one Of our Port
land bellies, daughter of 4 wealthy and prom-
nent citizen, and 4 young gentleman whose po-
sition and reputation make it what every body
pronounces "a splendid match"
Last evening the Army and Navy tnion gave
one of the finest entertainments of their always
brilliant course for the season. Mis- Cllra
Doria, Mrs. Barry and MeSsr>. Fc>>cndcn and
Rudolphsnn are all too we'll known in the world
Of song to make comment neees>ary-thcir
names guarantee 4 sucreSS-;ud to Prof.
Waach'S performance on that supposcd-to-br
absurd little instrument, the harmonica, ii
reached the marvellous. Next week we are to
have i'll the same course concert by Theodore
Thomas world renowned orchestra. which is
always the richest OF treats to the musical. 1t is
said this will he our last opportunity for hearing
them. As they are soon to reorganize in another
lately from Nienna-where is said to be given
the best music in the Worli-aftcr hearing
Strauss, orchestra led by himself. declares that
there is nothing finer in Germany than the
Thomas Troupe. And ~ She is authority in
such matters. there could not be higher praise.
Iou see | have ycntured TO give in my letter
of to-day merely the iriiing gossip that is float
ing on the surface of affairs the eastern part of
the state having done the heavy tragedy bu>i-
ness to such fearful extent lately in the way
of murders and suicides and kindred horrors,
that our one poor little excitement seems quite
feeble and unintcresting by comparison. 1t is
the story of young lady poisoned and nearly
killed by powders of corrosive -ublnnae in i'm
mense doses, administered by quack doctor,
who has . fled the scene" pursued by an officer
of Justice armed with Il warrant for arrest. As
the matter stands at present, the Young lady
has recoNered-the officer has searched all one
night in vain for the villain who at last ac
counts was seen at the wharf of the Liverpool
steamer and heard to enquire the price Of 4
trip across the Atlantic. Al present the
scamp is supposed to be cooling his hcels--or
his head-in Canada. But more anon. w.