Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-07-15
Affairs Down East.
IMPROVED BUSINESS PROSPECTS,
ICnrresnnnGHnce nf The Sfnr
PORTLAND, MAINE, July 10,

PORTLAND, MAINE, July 10, 1879.
Leaving Washington for New England by the
rather circuitous way Of Harrisburg and Lam
caster, the travelleris well repaid for the extra
miles during the harvest season, In witnessing
the varied scenery of the old Keystone state.
The extensive grain fields, ripe for the sickle,
stretching for miles in the distance, constrast
pleasingly with the green corn, tobacco, and
other growing crops. The evenly laid tracks
On this road, especially between Harrisburg
and Philadelphia, and the commodious cars,
enabling travellers to read or sleep by the way
with equal ease, are not the least among the
pleasures OF this route.
One thing especially pleasing, not only on this
but other northern railroads, Is the neat man
Fer In which the grounds surrounding the way
careless manner of keeping these places under
past management. The fashion has become
quite prevalent OF constructing neat parks,
planted with flowers and shrubbery, laid out in
gravelled walks, and in some cases having
fountains and water sprays playing in full view
Of the dusty travellers, and always attracting
attention.
Another Improvement noticeable is that OF
levelling down and SOdding the hundreds of
unsightly embankments which for years have
met the gaze OF many travellers In the neigh
bOrhood of stopping places where grades occur
These bluffs, washed into deep cutters by
heavy rains and Overgrown with coarse weeds,
are dismal objects cOntraSted with smoothly
1ecng ace 0y way OF
Jim Fisk, the founder OF the celebrated Fall
River steamboat line. well understood how to
popularze his business by adding attractions
to travellers. Not only are the DOatS-th0
"Bristol" and OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES In the
way OF marine architecture, but 80 magnificently
fitted up, Oricered and manned, as to win the
Boston In them. The travel, at the present
season, this way, is fast increasing, many
going to Newport and the many summer resorts
OF New England this way.
of manufacturing interests In New England,
especially In the cotton mills and the boot and
shoe business, draws travel from all parts OF
the country in that direction, and the dawn of
better times may be said to have set in. The
shoe manufacturing business in Lynn and other
cities and towns surrounding Boston Is quite
lively, and, Judging from the advance In all the
raw materials entering into this manufacture,
the indications are thought by both manufac-
turers and merchants to be very flattering for
an immediate prosperous future The extent
the eastern cities, in search Of both pleasure
and articles Of merchandise, is q subject of
agreeable comment in these cities.
EASTERN PLEASURE RESORTS.
The innumerable places OF summer resort on
considerable activity, and q lively season is
anticipated. Boston harbor, Nantasket beach,
Hull, bingham. DOwner landing, Melville gar
we're, Winthrop, swampscott, Saugus and many
other towns, all have many pleasure resorts
and are generally we'll patronized. Portland
halbor and its surroundings, including the
famous Old Orchard beach, are every year be-
coming more frequented by travellers from a
distance. During the Warmest days OF summer
the evenings are always bracing and the air
pure here.
The citizens OF Portland are noted for hospl-
tality, and all take pride In their newly built
city and its surroundings. The travel over the
Maine Central railroad towards Moosehead and
Rangeley lakes, and Mount Desert has already
commenced, The 1St OF July ia generally the
beginning OF this travel. Much Of the southern
travel to the White Mountains comes this way,
and the railroad men are alert to accommodate
1t. At Lewiston Falls and Auburn, manufacture
ing towns some forty miles In the interior, busl-
Less has had marked revival this spring. All
the cotton mills with one exception, are rum
ming at full power. The shoe business is also
meut and seem haDDy n