Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1874-09-12
Our New York Letter.
NEW YoRK, SErT. 7, 1874.
Editor of ODiniOn:

NEW boHNt tcfi'
Editor Of Opinion:
Residents of large cities become
so accustomed to tho luXuries of
this life, in season and out of it as
well, that it is difficult to appreci.
ate the labor, expense and trouble
necessary to place them before U.S.
Take for instance the California fruit
which the Pacific Rail Road has
made possible for us. Ten days
since it was hanging and ripening
thousands of miles away, and to-
day we sec it offered tor sale at
nearly every street corner Skillful
hands packed and sent it Eastward
in refrigerator car constructed for
the purpose, These cars have d0u-
bic walls of wood with cork between
the intervening space. In the roof
is placed an immense ice chest hav-
ing II capacity of several tons. When
the Car is closed, air is admitted
only through passages just under
the caves. This air coming III con-
tact with the ice becomes cooled,
and descending, finds it's way to
the fruit through the intrrstices Of
| the boxes IN which it is packed,
pressing ont through vcnIiiators air
which may nave become heated,
which cooling again, huriitS back to
return the compliment. The door
is provided with lock of peculiar
construction to which the cOnSi gnee
holds the duplicate key, thus pre-,
serving the valuable contents from
being tempered with during the long
journey. The process of packing
and selecting the fruit is one requir-
ing the most careful supervision, as
single blemish would destroy an
entire box of pears or plums, which
contain each about 600 OF either
fruit. To prevent abrasion of the
skins each pear and plum has to be
wrapped in paper, and taking all in
all, it is no little matter to trans
port these delicious luXuries to the
Eastern market.
But such fruit! 1t will thrust
q mans hand into his pocket quick.
er than Jack Frost ever thought to
do, although the unlimited Califor-
MIA pear is 10y no means infallible-
a statement which calls up such
painful "reminiscences of q recent
vigil of a night spent in sitting up
with myself after the general man,
ner of those who have a "silent sor.
row here" about this season, that [
hasten to change the subject.
CHURCH CHoIRs.
1t is now many years since the
universal volunteer choir associa-
ton was in existence, and although
the good old fashioned deacon has
labored hard and earnestly to show
the people the sin of doing their
singing by proxy, and the more
modern reformer has lent his fanat-
ic aid to back him up, still the quar-
tette choir is heard in our principal
churches, and will be to the end of
the chapter and as popular preach
ing commands it's own price so too
does the successful choir singer re-
ceive salary which, in We olden
time, would have suf1iced to ruin the
whole church establishment. A
short time since, when Rufus Hatch,
Vice President of the Pacific Mail
s. s. Co., was prominently connect
ed with the music at Christ church
this city, he accumulated an array
of talent which must have had some
effect upon the congregation if good
singing could do it. He secured the
services of Mrs. II. M. Smith and
Myron Whitney of Boston, who
used to report from that city every
Mrs. S. soon gave out,
but not long before Hatch did, or
was compelled to; for the church
called Hugh Miller Thompson Of
Chicago, to supply the pulpit, and
there ensued q musical and wOrdy
war between chancel and choir
Dominic Thompson didn't care to
have the church styled "Hatch's
Opera House," and so Mr.. Ii. and
his troupe departed. Soon after this
ne fell into the panic, and doesn't
spend at the rate Of $4,000 year
IN music any more.
What may be termed good, sub
'tantial choir, can sing about-So-
orano S 900, Tenor $500, Bass 5000,
Jontralto $500 out of the commit
;ee's pockets, although some choirs
'un on the strength of the soprano
llone, securing a star performer at
Jay $1,000, or even $500 and filling !
n with such singers as are willing !
o attend for little or nothing, to- !
;etner with all the ice water they l
AN drink. Here is where the toll
worm and weary can rest from the
abors of the week and listen 70 the
arias from all the operas
With words to suit the occasion
md if you drop the cent carefully
nto the box when it comes round
o it wont touch bottom, that is all
he whole thing will cost. Snow.
BORES. The most vigilant con.
I n hv, 1opxy 10 No fanuopI s,rn;.,ck