Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-07-10
Letter from Boston.
Boston, July 9, 1873.

Boston, July 9, 1878.
Messrs. Editors There Is something In the
very name OF this city which Ia intimately related
to the pride and affection OF all jewellers in New
England, insomuch that almost anyone finer sons
and daughters would feel much as | did to hear
the encomiums pronounced on Boston, by a re-
tired English colonel, who Ia most loyal subject
OF the Queen. He first said that Boston was more
like the English cities than was any other In
America. Then noticing the new streets and
buildings on the Back Bay, he greatly admired
the New South and Trinity churches, the Art
Museum and some Of the private residences till
he gave the palm in architecture to Boston,
saying that better taste was displayed here than
could be seen in London. This and many re-
marks which he made are OF some value az COM
Ing from an intelligent man who has travelled ex-
tensively, and who has, with some Of the infirmi-
ties Of age upon him, proved himself thorough
Briton by saying, Should war break out be
tween England and Russia should once more
connect myself with the army and fight for Old
England" Thus he instances his patriotism.
With us the Glorious Fourth is passed, the night
previous being made hideous by small boys with
horns and larger ones with trumpets; but cannon
were not fired under the windows Of private houses
as n rule and bells were rung only at certain
hours, for which many thanks may be paid by
nerves TO municipal laws. Horns, crackers and
torpedoes seem exempt from all regulations. Must
we have another Portland Tor some other) fire
before learning wisdom9
The papers have been full ofthe wonderful flying
machine, and It's flying away with Its passenger
whittier he would not, without serious results.
The fireworks are stated to have been successful,
though the necessity for standing In the crowd
and heat deferred many from taking post OF OBJ
servation-not that any were missed. The for
tunate ones at such a time are the jewellers on the
summit Of Beacon Hill who can quietly take seats
on their roofs, and look, like Carlyle's Professor
Town, on their fellows all heaped and huddled
together-crammed in like sailed fish in their bar
rels, or weltering like an Egyptian pitcher of
tanned vipers, each struggling to get his head
above the Others" But they sit above 1t all -
they are "aone with the stars" They can
well moralize on human nature in general, its
weaknesses and imperfections; but let them once
more mingle with their fellow-men and they sink
into like insigni6cance
Just now the city Ia in state of transition Many
are emigratng to the beaches and mountains A
large number are already In the old world, and, in
the meantime, people from the country are com
ing in, 10 that the character and appearance Of
the crowds has greatly changed within the past
month, In one respect, however, Boston does
not change. suppose it is generally admitted
that no other city can be compared with it in the
| safety Of its streets during the day or evening
Ladies' go out alone through nearly all the streets
| feeling entirely safe from all annoyance Thi'
contrast is very striking between Boston and New
York or any Western cities, and it is particularly
| fortunate in this region of superluous women
| As it IL, they being left without escorts may rely
on themselves with the full assurance that sucl
agreeable and ornamental companions are wholly
unnecessary. Keeping this in mind, woman
may choose freely whether to go to the wide Yves
and be comparatively a novelty, or to come here
where she is well off in taking care of herself
This applies only to those who are sure Of support
Many have been turned away during the pas
year, and with lack Of homes much suffering
has ensued. One very excellent provision hai
been made for women in the Home established b!
the Young Womans Christian Association, which
while in no sense a charitable institution, has sup
piled homes to many at a low rate
Until the breaking up for the summer, which
has taken away more than half the number, Their
were more than two hundred women in thei
clearinghouse The association have also an In
telligence Office, and are quietly accomplishing
much good.
Boston has seen a little hot weather, but a de
lightful sea breeze moderates the heat of the sun
80 the air is much less oppressive than farthe
inland. The harbor excursions, too, are
pleasant change, and good relief from tn
heat RUTH