Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-04-10
he E,i;tor Of the EsHnebec Journal.

| An experiment with Professor Bells wonderful
teleph lne was tried in Boston few days since,
the extremes Of the line of communication being
| the Professors rooms in Exeter Place and house
on Pearl street. Professor Damon, musician,
and Professor Bell were at the Pearl street room,
and eight pieces of the Boston Cadet Band were
at ESeter place. The "Star Spangled Banner
was played and the Professors were able to dis
tinguish the harmony, and the parts performed.
One of the members Of the band played correct
solo, "Od Folks at Home" which was distinctly
heard in the Pearl street room. The band played
for a concert in Providence the same evening, u.s.
| ing the telephone TO communicate the sounds.
| The instruments used were two comets, q clario
| net, piccolo, two alto horns, two tenor horns,
bass horn and tuoa. The first telephone line
ever established has jist been constructed between
the office of Mr.. Charles Williams, electrician, in
Boston, and his house in Somerville, four miles,
perhaps. distant.
| Who can help being amazed at the march Of
progress What would our Puritan fathers have
said to the telephone? Now that we are able TO
have concerts in one city, while the music neces-
| sary for it is performed in another we need not
be astonished at anything which may be discovered
in the future. la a few years we shall doubtless
have flying machines, and be able to fit about at
our own sweet will wherever we list-every one
on his own machine. Indeed, after while, we
will find it no trouble at all to live. Everything
will be done for us by our machines. Every year
which rolls over our heads brings to US some new
labor saving invention. Men too lazy to live"
will be asking after awhile that some one shall
invent machine to do their living for them
| at so much year-and with reasonable pros
pect of having their request granted.
The Quarterly meeting of the Mass achusetts
Charitable Mechanics Association was held on the
evening of the 81 inst. The report opened with
the early desire of the association to hold grand
exhibition the present year, committee appoint
ed for the purpose, having studied with much
care the arrangements at the Centennial Fair at
Philadelphia. Plans had been considered for
suitable building, and for the use of the Common
on which to erect It, The men who opposed the
petition to the City Government to grant the use
of the Com non, were severely criticised. 1t was
considered unjust that the petition should not be
granted the Common having been used in 1918 by
tie Apprentices Association, and on several occa-
sions for horticultural shows, which led to the be-
lief that it had been originally intended for gen.
| eral use. The report recommended that no fair
be held the present year, which was finally agreed
upon, one of the members hoping that when the
| next fair was to be held the ociation would
| again petition for the of the Common.
A petition is now in circulation among the MEM
bers of the Mechanics Exchange Association, to
the effect that the boys may be allowed the priv
l,,a Df ,.la, cnnt hal 10. kon IL slo.
games on the parade ground of the Common.
Every one to whom the petition has been present.
ed has willingly added his signature, headed by
Joseph F. Paul, chairman of the Association.
The Dedication Of st. Luke's Home for Conva-
lescents on Roxbury street, Boston Highlands,
took place on the 81 inst, Rt. Rev. Bishop Pad
dock of the Episcopal Church conducting the ser
vices, which were of a solemn and interesting
character, embracing singing, prayer, readings
from the Scriptures and br.ef addresses. The
building. formerly Ionic Hall, commands a fine
view of Boston and surburbs, and contains TWEEN
ty-three rooms well arranged for their future pur
poses. Forty patients can be comfortably accomo-
dated, and will be received from the hospitals,
without regard to religious denomination, although
it is under the supervision Of members of the
Episcopal Church. A number of efficient physi-
Clans have been engaged. Bishop Paddock is
President of the board W it'll over twenty lady As
sociates.
This is an institution which will receive the
blessings of thousands who will in the course Of
years enjoy its benefits. The sick and ailing will
appreciate duly the kindness and care which will
here be shown them, and much good Will doubt
less be accomplished.
The work of distribution Of soup among the
poor was concluded March 3lst and covered pc
Rod of ninety-four days, the supplies being fur
nshed by contract. 1t is estimated that two thirds
of those who have been "souped" were children.
and the number of families who have been fed
reached 50,5iS, which plainly shows that there
must be more suffering than is generally supposed
for man is too proud to 90 to a soup station un.
less driven there by hunger, and inability to find
the wherewlthal to appease il. The condition OF
each family applying for meals or aid in any man
ner has been most carefully looked into, and their
most pressing necessities relieved. Not in any
case has soup been furnished to tramps. Lber-
al contributions of money have been received
from generous people who have taken an interest
in this excellent charity and all such contributions
have been expended for groceries, fuel clothing
and medicine for the sick. 1t is earnestly to be
hoped that this charitable enterprise will be revived
next Winter; and that generous don atoms will be
male by those who wish to lend helping hand
to all on whom the iron hand of poverty lies heay.
| lily.
The annual fat mems ball took place few even
ings since at Boylston Hall What kind of ball.
will we have next = The hall was finely decorated
with Gags and notices. No gentlemen weighing
less than two hundred pounds were permitted to
dance, therefore only about seventy five tripped
the light fantastic toe. The galleries were filled
TO overlooking by the uniortunates who lacked
perhaps but few POUNDS Of the required weight
TO enable them 10 join on the floor their Tcrpsicho-
rean brothers. The efforts of the fat men to dance
ia graceful and easy manner were most ludc-
rous, sffordng much amusement TO those who were
watching them. After only few moments trip
ping, the perspration poured in streams from the
fat faces of the devotees to Terpsichore. An Off
Ger attached to station was the heaviest man
present. weighing three hundred and five pounds,
which must be anything but comfortable in the