New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-17
THE BATTLE OFBUNKER HILL

.cpNrs ON THE EVE OF THE CELEBRATION.
ivan TAYLOR's VISIT TO BUNKER HIII-THE
DECORATIONS IN CHARLEsT0wN AS COMPLETE
AND TASTEFUL As IN BOsToN-A BRITISH ENSIGN
nv THE SIDE OF THE STARS AND sTRIPEs-THE
CROSS or ST. GEORGE ON BUNKER HILI-THE
.nsrSCE OF NOTICES IN BOsTON-TNE SIGHT
on THE COMMON ONE NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN
r,y WEATHER PROPITIOus, AND EVERY ONE
HArPY.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuSE.l
posroN. June 1G.-I have just returned from
rn.,lestown. where everything seems to he now in
sadness The decoration of both public edifces
and pry ate residences is very complete, and exhibits
tny as much taste as the most successful efforts
~h;ch have yet been displayed in this city. The
.nnnlv If National bunting TO be running low,
and some few houses probably remain unadorned
far this reason-ccrtainly not on account OF their
Aeauty. AT the approach TO the City Square from
Charles River bridge there is neat triunphai arch,
rather scantiy hung with green wreaths. Boston
.hould have erected few such arches from the
boughs of her native pine trees. There are several
ponts along the line of march where they might be
introduced with admirable effect. The City Hall
in Charlcstown is profusely draped, and thence to
Nonnmsn nj Square there is almost roof of banners
The houses fronting on the Square, with Their little
window balconies and Ories, offer good chances Tor
display. and the occupants have shown rs much va
rety as individuality in the manner of their decora-
tons only buff seems to be color difficult Of attain
ment One sees the blue in combination with lemon,
yellow orange and even dark chocolate tint.
The red and white bars of signal flags some OF
thc houses suggest the Confederate colors and just
of one of the angles of the Square, in view of the
Monument n British ensign hangs lovingly beside
the Stars and Stripes. Why not That flag repre-
senis something more than the Government OF
George LII. Let it float in peace, even tomorrow,
~ a reminder of the millions of friends of our
land who live under the shadow of its folds. On the
Common and in different parts of the city have
seen French German, Swedish, Danish, and Italian
Hags hut the only Cross of ST. George is to be found
on Bunker Hill.
The great pavilion at the foot of the Monume mt
seems to be complete. 1t is necessarily rather too
near for the obelsk to appear with full effect and
the impressiyeness of the service will spring from
their charac;er-not from the opportunity of scenic
display Booths of "Ginger Ale" already abound in
the neighborhood and vacant lot at one corner of
the Square is crowded with showtents with flaming
signs of Surgical Featsr and The Wild Man of
BorneO.' Ipresume there was no legal way OF sup
pressing these mOuntebanks, and it is quite certain
that mutitudes will visit them. The streets of the
little town are crowded Like those of Boston, and the
Door car horses bend their beagged heads in despair
as they strive to drag the OvercrOwded cars up
the rising streets.
Here in Boston the decorations along the line OF
march are nearly completed. They consist almost
wholly of banners or broad bands of the National
and Continental coors, grouped i'll variety of in-
gcnious devices. Now and then you see a shield or
painting of a very wooden Goddess of Liberty.
Notices are scarce. In this respect the city does
not do Justice TO her literary reputation see little
evidence that tie native artists have been con-
suited. In fact, have been told that much of the
work has been intrusted to firm OF professional
decorators, and the latter have probably done as
well as was possible with the single material en-
ployed To-day all Boston is out of doors. and there
are from 10000 to $4,000 strangers added to the
population. The weather is perfect. light, diff
fused haze fills the air and tempers the
beams of the unclouded sun. II is neither too warm
10 walk too cool to sit in the shade. The stores
art open as usual but very little business is done
High and low ladies of the Oldest aristocracy and
shop-grls, bankers and bod-carriers mingle on the
sidewalks and linger from hour to hour as if unwi-
ing to lose any shifting feature of the great, bright
joyous panorama sit down to chronicle these i'm
pressions of it, and the sound Of music and the shouts
Of men call me 20 the street. 1t the Norfolk Blues
just landed They march in lane between two
carry fresh bouquets. The men march proudly and
erectly, and wish they allowed to turn their
heads and see their welcome A gentleman near me
says THANK God they are well received" But
he is probably new arrival, and has not yet learned
the generous temper of Boston.
The Common this afternoon is sight to be re-
membered for years. There is a splendor of emerald
light on the turf which no saw before; q
depth and richness of shadow under the elms which
they never before flung. for CLEANS of white and
scarlet bunting through the boughsfar and near give
the needful contrasts of light and color. Then tho
crowds of people in constant motion, filling every
avenue and walk. How they catch and carry the
sprnkled CLEANS of sunshine! How they give their
jublant mood to the trees and grass and waters !.
Standing at the fremont corner, could scarcely
tear my eyes from the picture, and doubt whether
shall see anything in tOmOrrow's pageant as
broadly cheerful and beautiful. The throngs in
crease from hour to hour Thousands Of persons
will sleep to night on the benches in the open air ;
but the weather seems secure for tomorrow, and all
are happy. II.