The Portland daily press., 1878-01-03

OPENING OF THE FRIENDLY INN.-The new
lodging house aud restaurant, situated on the
corner Of Custom House and Fore Streets was
dedicated New Years morning by appropriate
exercises under the auspices of the Women's
Temperance Society. The house is one of the
| Oldest in Portland, a three-story structure
erected in the latter part of the last century and
forming part of the Widgery estate.
The buildiag has been put in complete re-
| pair and repainted. 1t has pleasant parlor
| with piano, and restaurant where a good
bill of fare will be served at the same prices as
at the coffee house on Temple street. In the
rear of the restaurant is large kitchen. In
the basement are the wash-rooms, water clos
cts, &c. The second story contains eight good
sized bedrooms, all comfortably furnished land
at the farther end of the hall is sink with con-
veniences.
The inn is intended as a good Samaritan to
those weak natures who find themselves over
come with liquor. in a strange city, and who
might otherwise fall into the hands of design
log persons
The order of exercises for the opening was
short but very appropriate The services com
menced with singing by the audience. Mrs.
George S. Hunt, the President of the associa-
ton, read the scripture and Rev. Mr.. Gibbs
offered prayer. Mrs. Hunt made few re-
marks upon the object Of the Inn, which were
followed by singing by Mrs. Davis Hon. w.
W. Thomas then made few remarks aud pre-
scented the society with check for 500. He
was followed by Ex-Gov. Washburn. Rev
Messrs Perkins, Gibbs and SOuthworth. At
ter the doxology aud benediction the guests
parsook of a fine collation.. A large number of
visitors inspected the house during the day.
IMPROVEMENTS AT THE AIMS HoUsE.-The
removal of the unsightly high board fence
arouud the Aims House is only one Of the
many noticeable improvements made Of late at
that institution. Within the house good work
has been performed at very slight expense to
the city. All the rooms have been painted,
which tends to tighten up the appearance.
This work has been done by the inmates and
the city has alone been to the expense of pur.
chasing the paint. The room formerly used for
the school has been finished off for chapel,
which is used for religious services on the Sab
bath. There are now about $50 inmates and
they are all apparently as comfortable as
could be expected The Overseers are now fit
ting up rooms in the upper story for number
Of imbucile patients now at the Insane Asylum.
The state authorities refuse to keep them as
they are not insane, end SO arrangements must
be made for them here. Mr.. and Mrs. Merrill
are as attentive to the wants of the inmates as
ever, and those who have Inspected the institu-
ton pronounce it model Of its kind. The
City Hospital is now and has been for some
time, well filled with unfortunates. There are
now ~ patients in the two wards and they are
all doing well under the skillfnl management
of DR.. Brooks, who is very attentive. Mr..
Smith Chase, who fell down between the YES
sci and the Grand Trunk wharf and was so
seriously injured, is now improving and prom
ises to be out again shortly. DR.. Brooks visits
the hospital every day, and when required sew
eral times day. He also attends all the cases
at the Aims House.