Daily Republican., 1879-06-04
QUE PHILADELPHIA LETTER.
Summer ON Hand-The Steamboat
FeIt0n-COucertH Hall-The BOard
OF HeaIth-Parr the Murderer.
Special Correspondence Of the Republican.

"
PHILADELPHIA, June I'd, '78.
Summer has come at last, and this
time not in name only, but with all the
characteristics of the season, which
may be summed up with perspiration,
ice cream and an exodus to the various
summer resorts. Another characteris-
tic is the parasol. 1t was originally in
vented for protection from the sun, and
was at one time deemed a real bless
ing, but it has since degenerated into a
weapon for gouging the eyes and ears
Of unwary people or sending their head
gear into the streets with the best imag
Unable skill. This, however, is civil
lied custom, which most men have
grimly learned to put up with; but one
thing still puzzles them, namely, why
women will carry open parasols and
umbrellas on the shady side of the way,
and particularly Of such crowded thor
oughfares as Chestnut and Eighth
streets.
During these Affections the thermom
eter adds its little mite and finally
stops somewhere up in the nineties to
take breath and survey the situation.
The weather to-day was little more
moderate than yesterday, but it was
anything but comfortable. The highest
degree of heat to-day was 93-two de
krees lower than yesterday. About 7
p. M. appearances overhead indicated a
change Of weather, and soon after a
drenching rain began to fall, which con.
tinued in lesser quantity, up to a late
hour at night, which caused a most
delightful change in the temperature.
The steamboat "Felton," which will
shortly Resume its trips between this
city and Wilmington, will in all proba-
bility carry hundreds ofvisitors desirous
Of seeing the Brandywine. Quite a
number Of persons whe have conyersed
with me about this famous stream have
expressed their admiration for its beau
ty. but at the sane time complain
ed of the absolute want of personal COM
fort attending trip along its banks
Benches are the thing needed. Even if
your city doesn't own the property,
surely it could come to some understand
ing with propretors whereby this
want could be supplied; that is to say
if the city would furnish hundred or
so of benches, it is hardly likely the
owners would object to having them
scattered along the grounds.
Concert Hall from to-day drops from
the list of our places Of amusement be
ing destined for transformation into
stores. The Hall was built about 1851 +,
and the first performance given in it
was by Madame Sontag and M. Julien,
the violinist. Here, in 1868, Charles
Dickins read his wn immortal creations;
aud Fanny Kemble and Chalotte Cuslf-
man cl armed their audiences by their
fine histronic accomplishments. Blind
Tom and Van Bulow, the musicians;
magicians, elocutionists and singers
have al won the praise here that their
merits deserved. 1t was here that the
great National Greenback Labor farce
sprang into existence, which at first
electrified then amused every body, and
finally collapsed into imbecility. Latter
ly the Hall has been devoted to walk
ing matches, which are said to have at.
tracted a grand total of $4,000 visitors.
The building had contracted means of
egress, and was condemned as being
unsafe, by the Building Inspectors. 1t
adoins the Chestnut Street Theatre.
To-day the Board of Health began its
daily session during the quarantine
season. A resolution was adopted re-
questing Councils to allow the use of
the city ice boats for free excursions of
sick children and their parents down
the river. Directions for the resuscita-
tion OF persons apparently drowned are
to be posted along the river fronts. 1t
is to be hoped that the Board will make
the street contractors toe the mark and
keep the streets and cutters clean dur
ing warm weather, anyway.
Parr, who it will be remembered,
murdered his daughter Susan, on the
9Th of May, was put on trial to-day
A verdict of guilty in his case seems a
foregOne conclusion.
Last week 23l persons died here from
various causes.
During the month of May 427 build
ing permits were issued, Of which IS
were for two story and SO for three
stnrv honses