New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-16
BUNKER HILL CELEBRATION.
LETTER FROM BAYARD TAYLOR.

CITY JuBIANT-THR wOMEN's COLLECTION OF
CENTENNIAL REIICs-THE MAYOR FULLY PRE-
PARED FOR THE DAY OF CELEBRATION.
trRoMA SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF Tue TRIBUNEl
BosToN, June 14.-My experiences Of travel be-
esn before leaving the Grand Central Station IN
Ncw-York. One who buys his ticket at the agency
IA the Fifth Avenue Hotel and pays for the telegram
vbich il to secure him berth in the sleeping
ear naturally expects to find berth awaiting him
INIT such was not my fortune. Inasmuch as
xhis is my second experience of the kind
this Spring, my case is probably one of many
hundreds-or thousands. Have any redress
I merely ask for information. An Obliging con-
ductor made the matter good, and when saw our
cheerful vicePresident enter the knew that our
train could meet with accident Oh the way. He had
heen overturned and wel-shaken the very evening
before and the doctrine of chances which secured
him against q second accident within twenty-fOur
hours covered the fates of his fellow passengers
so the train rolled smoothly through the night, and
we all slept in peace
When morning and Boston broke together upon u.s.
was glad 10 see several Southern faces among the
travellers One gentleman, in fact, boldly pro-
claimed his Texan citizenship 1 am sure
chat he and that pair of dark-eyed,
dreamy Carolina faces which / noticed will not
be the least welcome among the Centennial guests.
There will be no formal receptions until Tomorrow
,ky. air and sum- to-day, a single broad welcome
20 everybody.
This staid old town was fair so sparkling.
The streets have been clean washed by Saturday
nights RAIN the foliage the Common shows the full
est tropical flush of June, banners arc beginning to
bud and unfold from the masts and housetops, and
holiday abandon already creeps over faces wont to
be rigidly prim and serious. The gildcd dome of
The State-house does not blaze like those OF
1xf &c nd.v n
warm. mellow luster against the sky. The entire
front of the building has been draped with flags dur
ing the day; and very charming effects are being pro-
duced in the Common by hanging strings OF the
banners of all nations across the arches OF the elm
trees In fact color will be chief feature OF the
celebration and il will quite transform the aspect OF
Boston,
There was very interesting little celebration of
sem-public character this afternoon The Womens
Centennial Committee for 1876 have taken house
on Beacon-st., and filed it with truly wonderful
collection of family relics of the Revolutionary times
This is to be exhibited during the week, and after
wards for the benefit of the Centennial Fund. 1t
was formally opened at o'clock, and the kindness
NJ old literary friends enabled me to be pres
emf The ladies of the Committee crowded the
two spacious rooms, where the portraits OF their
ancestors, painted by Copley and Stuart, looked
down from the walls; and the silver and crockery.
the swords and samplers, autographs and locks OF
hair, stood around the walls in glass cases The
Rev. L. +. Bale made brief opening
address introducing the Rev. Dr. Ellis, whose speech
or rather brief essay-was model of its kind 1t
was picture of Old Boston. and the changes made
by a hundred years. delivered with quiet grace
which took away nothing of vividness from
the most delicate touches. Then Oliver
Wendell Holmes read his "Grandmothers Story
with dramatic power which effectually dsproved
the assertion that poet is not good reader of his
own verses Like Goethe, he warmed himself at
his own fire." and there were abundant tears III the
room when the pathetic close was reached.
hardly know whether the collection OF relics
which entirely fills the house, was more interesting
than the company of ladies present. As l
turned from the contemplation of Warrens
sword and his Doctors account book.
friend presented me to the hero's stately
granddaughter, who took from her finger and
showed me the ring which he still wore in
death, on the slope of Bunker Hill. With her
came her nephew, bright youth OF hf-
teen, who enjoys the distinction OF having
both Warren and Israel Putnam for great-grand-
fathers. He is to have place in the procession on
Thursday, The families of Adams. Quincy Win
throp and Sullivan, were also represented.
lean only mention few of the most interesting
obiects The writing-dcsk upon which the Dec
laration of Independence was signed Is
the most precious. There is bedstead
of carved mahogany made for Lafayette
spinet of the period family portraits pierced with
bayonet stabs purposey left unhealed; a fine half
length of Paul Revere, nearly as substantial as
4 Quentin Matsys; a silver sugar-basket,
made by Paul himself; remarkable sampler,
worked by Mrs John Hancock, containing straw
berries and sheep of nearly equal size and an I'M
usual amount of kitchen ware, from the collection
Of Major Perley Poore.
The ladies of the Committee wore badges and
rosettes of Continental buff and blue The
Rround-1oor, however, was the fairest sight
Of all. Here some 40 or so young la
dies. in the costume of 1775, served straw
berries and ice-cream to the company. L took the
liberty of entering the kitchen, in order not to
miss a single face or form of them all. The
plain gowns of dark stuff, high white aprons,
BOSOM kerchefs and white rufted caps
with ribbons of the patriotic colors, were
vision of delight! How much younger, fresher, love
her the ladies seemed than in our modern costume!
There was not gentleman present who did not take
away the same IMPRESSION Is it not time that some
thing ike this was undertaken in New-Yorki
l had the pleasure of meeting the Mayor
this evening and find that he is fully pre-
pared for all the important duties OF the
week The tone and temper of Boston are
wholly hopeful and jubilant The people know that
much Is expected of them, but they feel themselves
equal " the occasion. b. l.
ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION OF THE MARY
LAND REGIMENT.
yHE GREAT NUMBER OF VISITORS IN BosToN-THE
FrFru MARYLAND REGIMENT TAKEN BY STORM
ITS HEARTY WELCOME BY TIE PEOPLE AND
MrITIA-PREss COMMENTS on THE OCCASION