Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-06-08
orr BOSTOy LETTER.

THE COMMON AND PUBLIC GARDENS.
The Common and Public Gardens were never
looking more beautiful than now. Every tree
wears fresh green robe. the grass is already long
and thick, aud the thousands of little birds in the
branches of the trees seem as if they were trying
to break their little hearts for joy at the sweetness
and beauty of the world in which they live so wild
aud loud is their story. The fountain in the lake
on the Common plays all day long and cools the air
delightfully."-. 10 their large and commodious park,
the six deer gsmbol, and run continually to the
iron fence TO receive the Of those who stop
10 look at them. The new Superintendent of the
Public Gardens has been very painstaking in his
work, and displays great taste in the arrangement Of
the beds Of flowers. On each side of every path is
border of tulips and hyac inths of every shade and
hue, and each statue is surrounded with these
brilliant and snowy flowers. The lake in the
tire Of the gardens is great attraction TO those
who take evening stolls after the fatigues OF bust
ness hours is over. On the bridge which spans it
NAV be seen every evening crowd ofBen women
aud children engaged in watching those who have
ventured out in the boats for a row. A trip can
be taken around the entire lake by paving the
small sum of five cents. and it is pleasure of
which hundreds avail themselves every evening.
Some of the beats are made in the shape of
large swan and are propelled by wheel which the
occupant works with his feet. ! saw few even
ings ago several boats rowed by Young al lies who
seemed to enjoy vastly this healthful and nvigor
ating exercise. and some of the fair rowers were
quite expert with the oars.
1t is interesting to ar observsnt person to note
the many people Of the poorer class who are try
ing to earn livelihood on the Common. They
are not allowed in the Public Gardens. and there
fore congregate on the Common, which is large
enough 10 accommodate them all. Here is the
Punch and Judy show, around which there is all
day dense crowd of laughing and eager specta-
tors. These curious little autom atoms go through
a series o quarrels and love scenes, murders and
suicides. They are as black black can be,
though believe they not meant to represent
our brothers Of color" Near by is large easy
chair which is intended for the ropose Of the in
dividual who wishes to have his boots BACKED.
On a card over the chair is the announcement
that "Prof. Turner gives a regular California
Shine for cents" Then we next come to the
old gentleman with the electric battery. Here he
stands, matter what the weather, in an Overcoat
with muifier Of an antiquated style about his
neck He seems to have very few customers in
spite Of the announcement that he charges only
five cents for a shock. When no one else is TAX
ing electric shocks, he takes them himself. Per
haps they take the place OF food and drink, and
don't cost snythiug, which. unhappiy, food does.
Further on Is the stand where cigars are sold"
Fry our pure llavsnas; they are boss" is the
inlueemeal held oot to smokers, There are half
dozen apple women, mostly those who are al
ready in the decline of life, and st silently by
their baskets from mornlng to night, unheedrg
the rain, snow, or scOrching sun, though TO be
snre, thew are sheltered from the latter by the
thick foliage of the large trees beneath which
they sit. "Dck" announces that he gives a Boss
SHINE ora Metropolitan for FIVE cents and he like
the Professor is provided with an cay chair, and
stool, having 10 addition to these clothes brush
and looking glass for the accumulation of his
patrons Anything, you know to attract cus tom
and earn a title Of the "6'thy 1ucie, =" which no
one despises 30 " A. CONSTANCE sryptrSa.
May I, 1873.