Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-03-12

Tho elevated railroad fever has broken out
here with added fury. It's all nonsense.
Boston. doesn't need an elevated road and the
majority Of the people don't want it, and
those who do, want TO run by ''somo other
fellers" house and not their own. 1t is alb
surd to compare Boston with New York, for
in that city the railway stations are either
in jersey or away up town, but hero where
nearly every depot is within ten minutes
walk of the heart of the business portion of
the city, and where all the roads run local
trains, taking in every suburb, it doesn't
seem to me that there is any need Of distig-
uring our streets. The trouble is We are i'll
altogether too much of hurry. Why can't
we take things more quietly. There is one
result of the agitation which everybody will
be thankful for; it has induced the Cambridge
horse railroad company to put on some new
cars-at least l suppose that was the cause
at any event the cars are on, and Cambridge
residents are stupcfod with astonshment;
they have scarcely yet recovered their senses
"Beastly' is IL mild term to apply to the cars
on that road they would have been a dis
grace to poverty stricken corporation, and
yet they have been persistently used by this
the richest street railroad in Massachusetts,
simply because they had no competitors, and
people must use their cars or walk. Now
they are threatened with All elevated road
and the residents of Cambridge have been
making love to the managers of the Highland
roud, trying to induce them to run their cars
to Cambridge, so they have concluded it is
D. -. tl,oir hIi
and not like animals. don't go to Cam
bridge unless it is absolutely necessary, for
I've no special desire to perish of asphyXia-
ton, and l always stand in mortal terror of
it when 1 enter a Cambridge car, I'm not
sure on the whole, that l wouldn't admit the
need of an elevated road in that direction,
but in no other.
We are to have cat show next week, in
Music Hail, and it is going far ahead of the
one that was held two years ago. Many more
entries have been made, and according to the
owners there are to be some wonderful fe-
lines exhibited. For. all. next week INlusic
Hall will be given over to them, even Mr..
John l.. Stoddard giving way to them and
lccturng on Monday week, instead of next
Wednesday. This is Mr.. Stoddards second
course of lectures here this winter, and every
seat in Music Hall is sold. Mr. Stoddard has
made a wonderful quick jump into popular
ity. | think it is his pictures, for they are
wonderfully fine, and seeing them is next to
going to the places which they represent.
Then be is an improvement on the guide
book, for although what he says is nccessari-
ly very like what is said in the guide book,
yet he has a very taking way Of saying it. l
said lis second course in Boston, l should
have said in Music Hall, for he has given
them in other places, and think this is his
fifth course in the city.
Apropos OF Europe and European travel,
the TourjtG oXcursioniAts had a reunion at
the Revere House last Wednesday evening,
aud it was genuine jolly time. Between
two and three hundred were present; they
had n nice dinner and plenty of brilliant
! speech making and fine music People came
| from far and near to attend it. During the
day DIR. Tourjee held a reception at his Office
in the Conservatory, and there were about as
many there as at the Revere House in the
evening. l believe they intend to Lold these
reunions yearly. 1t is the only practical
way Of keeping up friendships so pleasantly
made.
Morning lectures are the fashionable di-
version through Lent, and the dainty Haw-
thorne rooms are in constant demand. After
all, there is nothing peasanter. when one has
the leisure, than 10 pass an hour or two lis
tening 10 some one who talks well, discourse
Oh subjects with which lie is perfectly famil-
lar. For instance, take Mr.. James I. Fields
| Wednesday morning talks on Modern Eng
lsh Literature Mr.. Field not only knows
about the men of whom he speaks, their
works and the chief events of their lives but
he knows the men themselves with many
he has enjoyed an almost lifelong intimacy
so what he says is full of their personality,
aud somehow, after hearing him one feels rs
though he understood these authors and
their moods as he had never understood d
them before. Mr.. Henry n. Hudson, one Of
the most thorough Shakesperian scholars Of
the time, is delivering IL course on Shakes
| pcarr, and Miss Laura Poor is repeating her
lectures Oh the Literature of the Ancicnts,
which she gave with such success last yAlr
| These lectures are among the most interest
ing which are g.gen. Miss Poor is very
charming personally, and is very finely edu-
Gated her lectures are very much enjoyed.
Rev, Phillips Brooks is also giving a series of
Wednesday afternoon lectures at Trinity
church, GU subjects suitable for the Lenten
season. 1t is remarkable how generally Lent
is observed now. All gaites seem to have
ceased and one hears nothing of parties,
balls or weddings. Tea-fghts, kettle-druns
and theatre parties, with no supper after
ward are the widest designations in which So
cety INDUCES. OF course not nearly all the
people who observe the penitential season do
50 from any religious scruples. it serves them
as a time when they may, with perfect pro-
priety, neglect any social duty they please
without fear of giving offense. There is al
ways the excuse of Lent to offer if called
to account for any social sin of omission. It's
well to have a season Of rest and there is as
much physical Ms spiritual good obtained by
observance of the season. We are looking
forward TO Easter and grand charity ball
which is to occur on Easter Monday and for
which the gowns are now being made
SApAu 1py WuuTp