The Portland daily press., 1877-07-04
THE DAY WE CELEBRATE.


The Fourth Of July will be observed in this
city today by the ringing of the bells of the city
at sunrise, noon and sunset. There will be
about thirty special policemen on duty tc
guard the city from fire and no one will be
allowed to celebrate with guns, pistols or fire
crackers until sunrise The following is the
exact language of the Mayor on this subject
1t is found by experience that one of the
greatest sources of danger is the reckless hand.
ling and discharging of firearms during the
night preceding the Fourth, gun-wads being
particularly liable to communicate fire. On
that account and for the sake of the sick and
feeble to whom the night is absolute torture,
and to relieve our citizens generally from what
has grown to be an intolerable nuisance, the
police have been especially directed to put q
stop to the firing of guns and pistols throughout
the night, and until the bells begin to ring the
next morning.
The regular and special policemen will be
on duty the entire day and will take their
meals at the police station. MT. Robinson, the
well-known caterer on Congress street, will
furnish the food and it will be serveiby Officer
Bell, who is an accomplished cook.
AS Chambers Band is not engaged for the
afternoon and evening, the city authorities
have decided to engage them for two outdoor
concerts. The first will be given in Congress
Square from to o'clock p. m. In. the even
ing the band will play in front of City Hall
from 80 to 10 o'clock
Some one who is intert sted in the entertain
ment of the children has provided for two ex-
hibtiJns of Blacks stereopticon views free to
all children. The first entertainment, to be
given at II o'clock, is for children residing east
of Preble street. Children residing in other
parts of the city will be admitted at o'clock.
The excursion of the Odd Fellows to the Old
Orchard Beach Association grounds, will be
one Of the events of the day There will be a
number of extra trains run to accommodate
the vast crowd. The morning will be devoted
to bathing football, croquet and other amuse-
ments. At 2 o'clock John o. Winship will de-
liver an Grafton. This will be followed by the
reading of the Declaration of Independence by
James E. Haseltine, Esq.,, select reading by
Hon. j. II. Drummond and singing by the
Portland chorus and choir. The Central Park
Tower will be open to visitors. Admission ten
cents. The receipts, after paying attendants,
will be placed in the hands of the committee of
Odd Fellows soliciting aid, for their brothers
ohu ehoiA iduiiCss HhO ahO ouAlVlihS iLOm tuC
late conaagration at St John, N, B
The Montgomery Guards have arranged to
60 to Sebsgo Lake, and they provide very
pleasant days amusement They are to have
regatta and the oarsmen have been hard at
work training for the races, aud very ex-
citing time may be expected. The Emerald
Boat Club, the Portland Rowing Club and the
Unions are TO contest for the four cared races
The prizes for four-oared are: LIST prize, $50;
I'd prize, $25. Tho single scull races promises
to be very exciting, as there is number of
competitors in the field, notably, Kennedy and
O'Donnell.
The friends of temperance are to have a
grand rally at the Islands under the auspices
of the Portland Temperance Union. There
will be no city parade as was intended; but
from 9 to 10 a. m. concert will be given in
front of Congress Hall by the Mechanic Falls
band. At the latter hour they will embark on
the steamer John Brooks, which will leave
Franklin wharf. There will be long sail in
the harbor, after which landing will be made
for picnic dinner, when addresses will be
made. Tickets are for sale at d. II. Young's,
266 Middle street, :andIat the boat
The citizens of Peaks Island have arranged
for a grand display of fireworks at Jones'
Landing in the evening. Steamers will leave
Custom House Wharf every few minutes dur
ing the evening to convey the multitude.
There will, of course, lie crowd and the
managers promise fine display.
Mr.. Bailey offers an attractive bill at Pre-
sumpscot Park this afternoon. There will be
double team race for purse of 800. -Four
we'll matched teams are entered for this race.
The second race is for horses that have never
beaten 2.44, and also for purse of $100. There
are eight entries in this race. There will be a
stallion race between Messenger Knox and
Mllnockett, to be trotted between the other
heats This will make an afternoon full of
amusement.
John Murray will give two entertainments at
Music Hall. supported by Miss Grace Garland
and the Metropolitan Company. In the after
noon they will present "The Two Orphans"
and in the evening the play of Grip Van
Wrinkle" This will be well worth seeing, as
Mr.. Murray has established very enviable
reputation in the role of Rip.
The steamer City of Richmond will leave
Railroad wharf at 2 o'clock for sail in the
bay. This is one of the finest steamers in the
harber, and she will give those who go fine
sail.
There is to be..a fine celebration by the citi-
zens of Westbrook at Saccarappa during the
day. Chambers full band has been engaged to
furnish music in connection with the other
bands. In the evening there will be a grand
ball at Browns hall, Cumberland Mills. Chan
dler will furnish music
The ladies of the Second Parish will, as
usual, serve hot dinner in the vestry of their
church. Also ice cream and refreshments dur
ing the day and evening.
The steamers Magnet, Charles Houghton
and Gazelle will also make frequent trips
down the harbor, as may be seen by consulting
their time tables in this paper.
The public offices will be closed, and the
banks as usual, and no Papers will be issued
Thursday morning.
Those who intend to celebrate with fire.
works will find a good assortment at C. Day,
Jr, s. Co.'s at "a Exchange street