The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1877-12-27
Letter from Boston.
Correspondence of the Journal
ROSrON Dec u

Santa Claus will be completed, and the
joyful Christmas festivities of the depart
ing year will he numbered among their
tender remembered predecessors we
are forced to present our ''A1erry Christ
mas greetings a little prematurelv to
| kind readers of the journal. There is
little else discussed with us at home or on
the streets. ENpectant faces, and anxious,
worried ones, all minglc in the uncom-
Portable crowd which makes our thorough
fares at this time anything but desirable
place for promenades We are especially
afflicted this year. for the horse-cars are
in full possession of every inch of space
| between the pavements, and police yigi-
| lance is constantly in demand to prevent
! panic and disaster.
At five O'clock. one day the past week,
the time when business people and weary
shoppers were impatently waiting at the
different points for the desired car home,
there was line OF the provoking con-
yeyances stretched from Eliot street to
| Cornhil, q distance of over a mile, and
nearly every car empty, and all unable to
get pointed the right way. Thus we suf-
fer from over much public comfort.
I 1t is source of regret with all this
year, that our city should be so wanting
| ;,, e., hnc haap cInh a n
attempt made by enterprising dealers to
rival in holiday displays. The merry
faced Santa Claus, holding such con-
spicuous position amid his wintry sur
r0undings in the immense show window
of Z. H. White * Co., attracts thousands
daily, and adds another laurel to the
popular store. We were one of the many
untOrtlnates in search of wonders there a
few days since; and i'll spite OF bruised
toes, almost broken shoulders, and aching
head, we found space for Jolly laugh.
Standing in the centre Of the densely
crowded store, after 4 satisfactory pur-
chase which we held tightly, lest oul
near neighbor might be one who "steals
awhile away" We looked about for some
possible place of exit. The foor-walkel
saw the anxious look, and readily mis-
took it for yealning for some of the
enticing 1inery, SO blandly remarked -
"What can | show YOU, madam ~ "a
way out, if you please" Cant DO it ono
way is Just as good as another" and he
pushed his way among the down trodder
trains, in search of some one who WAS not
50 desrons OF leaving the bewilering
scene.
\ coasting party III a clothing house
window on Washington street is 4 work
Of art. and unites bit Of wholesome adj
vertising, too. The snow banks are GOV
cred with cotton, frosted, and the icy
hangings are pieces Of scenery borrowed
from some theatre The children enjoy
ing the coaSting are large dolls, elabO
rately attred in the firms very best repre-
sensations of ready made suits. Dollar
stores are radiant: the numerous toy
houses We're never so beautiful; in fact
there has been an unprecedented effort
made by all to have a most brilliant
Christmas. Only one firm refuses to hang
it's banners on the outer walls. Amid al
the gala attire the large show windows 0
Jordon Marsh & Co have been carefully
screened by blinds half way up, in the
style of Stewart in New York. GOSSIP
says that White labored 50 hard that the
others did not care to compete There is
one marked feature among buyers. Use
full and inexpensive articles are far more
in demand than heretofore, and jewelrl
houses art stores and fancy goods firms
are feeling the depression Of the times tC
an alarming extent. Though purses arc
lighter than usual, it is a pleasure to note
that amid all the bright scenes our worthy
poor are not forgotten The members anC
workers of the Young Mems Christian
Union have been earnestly at work, and
over $50 children and some mothers are
invited to a festival given by the institll-
ton at their pleasant rooms on Boylston
street Clothing of all kinds, books, toys
and material to be made into garments,
have been literally donated, and the little
waits are to be warmed and fed by the
blessed hand of charity Other charitable
societies are doing good work, though il
would be almost an impossibility to meet
the wants Of all the suffering poor of our
city. Scarcely a day passes that some
pitiful tale of restitution and misery does
not find its way to our door; but wants
and crime are so closely blended in the
trampng company it is hard to discrimi-
nate between the classes.
The places Of amusement are almost
overlooked these busy days; the news
papers are filled with pithy advertising
and Christmas items, and what wonder
that our pen has rambled over the all
absorbing topic Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher drew a crowded house at his re-
cent lecture here, in defiance OF the the
DRY that his day of popularity is over.
Curiosity amply fills the vacancy made
by prejudice and the great speaker will
long hold a conspicuous position in the
lecture field.....We are to have one more
Kellogg and Cary concert,....The Old
South fair closed the regular season al
lotted on Wednesday, but there has been
a daily sale ever since. Miss Cary pre-
sided over the New England table one
afternoon. 1t has been a most brilliant
success. The handsome sum Of $40, 200
has been realized beside the fun and
frolic enjoyed by all in attendance....
The pckpocket trade has been busy
during the crowded days. One ambi-