Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-12-28
LETTER ERON BOSTON.

BOSTON, Dec. 70, 1870
To tie Editor oftAe Journal:
Saturday, Sunday and Monday were the coolest
DAYS of the season, and seemed TO foreteIl snap
ping cold Christmas, recalling to the oldest inhab-
liant, memories Of frosty Christmas tides, when
the huge fire place was heaped high with logs,
and the blazing fire and heat made the bounteous
cheer the more enjoyable, in contrast with the
outward discomfort. Cold it certainly was. listers
were buttoned snugly up, and no belts allowed 10
dangle at will. The long cloaks, and fur lined
capes that ladies have commenced to wear, were
found decidedly comfortable on those days. No
lingering on the streets you may be sure and on
Monday morning there was not person up for
breaking the laws the night before--a fact almost
unprecedented in court records. Such shiverings,
and relating experiences as there were Monday
morning at the breakfast table! Our landlady de-
cided that we would not have been comfortable in
We olden time when with blazing fire in the
stove or fire place, apples and cider IN the back
part of the room froze and nobody minded orto have
slept in the attic when chinks were convenient,
that the snow sfted in to that extent il might be
made up in balls. The temperature was decided
~ Arctic Sunday uight, and heap the clothes as
high as you might, if you SO much as put your
nose ont of bed, all the stories Of Arctic travel
you had ever read.would be wildly recalled "Ihe
journey to the North Pole" ''Field of Icie" &C.
&C.. assumed a cold reality. One could but won
der how people survive climate, where the mer-
curv ranges 400 and 500 below zero all the time,
with variations even colder. How eagerly we all
waited for the postman to bring the Daily Bulle-
tin from "Old Prob" it is unnecessary to say! sui
fee it, that our hearts were made glad by the as
surance that we should soon have milder weather,
as indeed we did, for between Monday morning
and Tuesday P. NJ the thermometer showed a dlt-
ference of some 500; and now the atmosphere is
decidedly spring -like-the streets also.
Notwithstanding the unclean streets they pre-
sent busting appearance; for Christmas is near
ly here, ard the presents must all be got soon.
There is little ripple Of excitement over the
| event in the most out-of-the-way places in our
city. Everybody that has any enthusiasm or De-
nevolence is busy. All sorts of Christmas rhymes
are jngling in our ears, and secret sessions
are being held in divers places, which you are in
constant danger of intruding upon. Such mystic
rious whispelings whiskiug away OF bundles, or
putting work out Of sight, and such pleasant
suspense of expectation as is experienced by those
who look to good St. Nicholas for donation
Nearly all the churches have trees and festivals at
this time, as do the different public institutions,
asylums, homes, etc At the rooms Of the Young
Mems Christian Union, good dinner, and tree
with useful presents is provided for such needy
and deserving people as are recommended by
committee of ladies and gentlemen. Last year,
Christmas coming on Fri,,ay, and the majority OF
those assisted being Catholic, the turkeys and
meats remained for the most part uneaten The
schools will have vacation Of one week. so that
the children will be made twice glad.
Speaking of schools-the new year will inau-
guraie different order Of things in the depart
ment Instead of the hundred or more who com
posed the committee formerly, only twenty-four
were chosen at the recent municipal election, and
they with six so-called supervisors. are to door
are expected to, the work of the former large COM
mittee. The supervisors are to receive salary,
but the subordinate members Of the board will re-
ceive nothing for their services, therefore the
question arises, will twenty four unpaid persons
do the work Of over one hundredf The origina-
tors of this new scheme seem very sanguine OF its
success and it is to be sincerely hoped that it may
be, for excellent as our school system is, it can
still be improved.
Explosions are getting to be very common, and
last night there was one on the Federal street
bridge, South Boston, which proved fatal to sever
al persons killing some instantly, and badly injur-
ing others. The cause is said to have been from
a leakage in the gas pipe at that place, which ig-
nited, thus causing the disaster. But just how so
large . quantity Of gas could have been generated
when there seemed abundant means of escape, is
not easily accounted for. Search is still being
made for the bodies of the missing.
Christmas night, Handers oratoro Of 1.-THE
Messiah" will be given in Music Hail. with Mile.
Titiens as leading vocalist Sunday evening "The
Creation will be given with the same vocalist.
There is every reason to anticipate crowded
houses and fine performance with such an artist
for an attraction. Next Thursday evening the
Apollo Club will give the first concert Of the
son. in Music Hail. NJ. p T.