The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-01-28

Quaker Eiiy Correspondence.
PHILADELPHIA. Jan. 18th 1873

Ms EDITOR Since my last, another
cycle or period Of time as we reckon, mas
been rounded up, and has been incorpor-
a,ed into the history Of the past. During
the last year undoubtedly, many aniicipa-
lions, hopes and even expectations have
been realized fully but quite likely Il
still larger number, have been withered
and blasted. as efectually as the icvered
Sirocco of an Eastern desert, would de-
stroy the bursting petal Of a spring
floweret, that had just sprung forth under
the vivifying influence Of vernal sun.
The past is fixed and secure. The pres
cnt We have only virtually and practical
ly to do with ; and yet, the wheel of the
new year has already commenced revolv-
ing and like Brcwstcr's Kaleidoscope is
already strcwing FURNISHED points along
our wavering pathway. Some of the
pearls perchanco may be seized, secured
and appropriated, while many will fit
past us like phantom, or like tho flash
or namo of the "Wil'oWisp." Strike
for il, and it is not there 1t proves as
deceptive, and unreliable as the "Wand
Of an Enchantcr." Such is, always has
been. and probably ever will be Il COM
pouent part Of human experience
In my last cnrrnspo pdonon ct.toa that
the weather had been mild FOR winter, but
the quality was soon changed, and an ap-
pendix or supplement is required. The
Sunday preceding Christmas, the sun
shonc in its full winter strength, but not
withstanding the shining, it was reckon
ed here, that a back door" must haye
been carelessly lett opsn, within the Are
tic circle ; the keen and frosty breath Of
"Old Boreas' cut through like two
edged sword. The streets indicated a
weak attendance at churches. Conduc.
tors on street cars were not visible on
platforms, but took an inside berth with
the passengers. The breath ofhorses con.
densed so quickly, that they appeared tc
be led on by spouting pillars of fog. The
Thursday succeeding, down came the
feathery snow, one foot in depth, the
largest snow fall mere since 1856. Be.
fore the storm was over, the ponderous
snow-plow trucks were out, with four
span Of horses attached, parting and roll.
ing up winrows of the clean white snow on
either side of the track. Soon the great
sweeping machines made their appearance
with four. and sometimes FIVE spans Of
horses, under smart trot the way the
snow flies is caution, especially to ped.
estrians, as it hurts clouds of snow either
way, sometimes nearly reaching the
buildings. The brooms are of a cylindri
cal shape,and rotate outwardly, in rapid
manner. The snow afforded fine sleigh
ing for four or five days, on streets where
there were 10 railway tracks, especially
on Broad street, where there was ample
room to operate on that broad and beau
tiul thoroughiare, the sleighriders held
"high carnival" for three or four days
There were TO be seen the flashing turn
outs of four IN hand, with colored groomi
or drivers in livery, with gold plated
trimmed harnesses, sleighs and robes tC
match. The richly upholstered sleigh
containing the Millionaire, Bank Presi
dents, Lawyers, Doctors, Merchants, dash
ing young "counter jumpers" AMI hos
of Philadelphia's fairest ones, whose jew
elled wardrobes, sparkling eyes, and ros
cate and flushing cheeks, lent an addition
al charm TO the great panoramic scene
and transiixed the eyes, and absorbed thu
senses of many a "snob" who could ONLY
be "looker on in Venice" And theI
the gradation in teams, equipage, style
and personal physique, Of sleighs, wa
interesting to an observant eye. Ever
conceivable style Of Sleighs and machine
on runners, were in line, down to thu
veriest Torn pung," that ever wallowe(
through tho drifts, over the hills, ant
through the valleys of my native State
drawn by ordidary English horses, dowl
to the 'ehunked' aud nervous stopper, who's
hairy ietloek, told plainly, that he was
cannuck of the purest Canadian type
The air was resonant with the music 0
bells, from the sharp tinkle of the tin,
one, TO The big globular brass ones, as larg
as good sized coffee cup. The latte
made music in good earnest, and remind
a ed me Of the days Of my boyhood, anon
the hills OF East Bristol, Policemc
were stationed at the principal ntersec
tion Of streets, or crossings. to keep back
or assist persons in crossing between tn
flying sleeds Althou ,h locker on.
appeared mystery TO me. how they coul
drive so thickly and iuriously, in boil
directions, and not run into, or over eac
. other but | saw hut ono ..sn, tsh nm" an