The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-03-19
PHILADELPHIA LETTER.
PHILADELPHIA. March 8. 1876


MIR. EDTToR:-After q winter "only
in warm" during which there mas
scarcely been any snow or even frost,
March has opened so lamb-like, that
stoves and overcoats are often burden
some. AS an evidence of the mildness
OF the past winter hereabouts, it NAV be
remarked, that the lowest point of
the mercury has marked at the u. s.
Signal Office in this city, was lie
above zero, but Notwithstanding all
this, March may yet present fitful and
scowling aspect before its close.
Since the great Grant reception and
ovation, the "Quaker City" has been
been comparatively quiet in relation to
matters allied to that sort of thing.
Although the Grant boom since the
Pennsylvania state convention seems
yet to reverberate among the hill tops
and valleys, of not only the Keystone
state, but of the empire state, yet il
may in the near future, thunder all
around and from shore to shore.
Vermont did well to pay deserved
compliment TO Senator Edmunds, as an
abler or more profound statesman and
jurist is not found in New England, il
in the entire country. A leading daily
of this city which processes to be
neutral, or rather, independent, con-
cedes the above in speaking of Mr..
Edmunds, but rather saucily remarks,
"Snch man is not the kind the ma
chine wants." 1t is said the "Sage of
Cipher alley is about engaging a
cooper to repair that barrel, but i
reckon all will not avail, should the
hero of Appomatox be the Republican
nominee at Chicago, as his stately tread
will overturn all such appliances and
unhorse all such political riders.
The hard times will apparently at
least, soon be classed among the things
of the past. The immense manufacture
ing interests of this state and city, per-
haps more especially the iron interest
is rapidly becoming in the ascendent.
Many large establishment are running
both day and night. The great Bald
win Locomotive works of this city are
again moving on full time and with
full force. One of the leading partners
in that prominent firm is Mr.. Williams,
of Woodstock, Vt, whose father, the
late Norman Williams, during my
earlier life, was secretary of state, as
then thought from time immemoral.
IL may be known by many if not all
yonr readers that at Washington in
this state, there is cemetery furnace
for the incineration of the dead of all,
who during life, may choose that means
of having all that is mortal disposed of.
DIR. Lemoyn, the builder and during
his life time, the owner of the furnace.
was cremated soon after his death, a
few months since. A short time since,
the remains of a lady of Pittsburg, who
died of phthislc, at her urgent request
while in health, was incinerated. This
manner or mode of disposing of the
dead was formerly practced to some
extent in the Orient, and perhaps is to
limited extent at the present dav.
Such a disposal of the human form
divine, seems scarcely compatible, or
in keeping with the present status of
western civilization.
Among the various public religious
observances of the past week in this CITY,
was that of the Hebrew Feast of Purim,
being holden in the spacious and beau
tiful Jewish Synagogue OH North Broad
street. The Jewish Purm or Feast of
Esther is thanksgiving festival, which
dates back over 5000 years before
Christ, the event from which it takes
its rise being chronicled in the book of
Esther. Harmon, the Counsellor of
King Ahasureus of Persia, had ar
ranged with the kings consent, to mur-
der all the Jews in his kingdom; the
plot was frustrated by Queen Esther
and Mordccai, who informed the Jews
OF their peril, and this enabled them to
be on the defensive. The result was
that the attacking Pcrsians got the
worst of the fight.
AS an instance of rapid transit, a
circumstance might be named, which
occurred few days since on the New
York division Of the Pennsylvania rail
road. At the day referred to, at ten
minutes before eight, the yard master
in Jersey City, received telegram in
forming him that the locomotive which
took out the fast moving express from
Philadelphia for New York, had been
disabled at Trenton, and directing him
20 have another locomotive there in
time. In few minutes the engine was
en- route. In torty-five minutes after
the first pun from the snorting steam
horse, he proudly strutted into the
depot at Trenton, having made the run
of sixty miles in forty-five minutes. 1t
would require the lightning to be har-
messed to perform n quicker or faster
feat. Some idea may be formed of the
hlHOuHb VI tiaNcI ny ldil, between tnlS
city and New York, from the fact that
twenty-five passenger trains are run
each way daily, between the two great
cities, each train numbering from four
to seven passenger coaches.
Spring vegetables have been finding
their way into market for nearly a
month past. Cauliflowers appeared
from Florida nearly three weeks earlier
than ever before. Green peas, beens,
radishs, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc., are
on sale, but are mostly displayed in
wealthy neighborhoods or localities.
Bermuda is sending new potatoes at
Sc to IS per barrel.
During the past year the inspectors
have issued 1888 permits for the erec-
ton of buildings. The present year
will probably largely increase that
number, as already new brick, and
stones, and marble structures are aris-
ing in every direction throughout the
city pretty sure indication of return
ing prosperity, silver lining already
fringes the dark cloud that has so long
hung over the industries and business
+ of the country. p. w. G..
APPLEToNs' JOURNAL for April COLI
, tains paper giving an inside history