The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-10-25
A Maine Carnival.

Under the above head correspondent of the
Christian Register writes to that paper over
the initials "B. G. b." pleasant letter con-
corning the meetings of the American Board
and the Women's Congress in this city, We
make the following extracts:
The last foofall of the summer guest had
hardly died away when Maine was again stirred
with new life and activity. Hundreds and
even thousands found their way to Portland
last week to attend the missionary meetings
The largest hall was filed to OVERLOOKING and
the eager listeners who Were crowded out
gathered in churches and had separate ser
vices. There we're speakers from all parts of
the world, and the interests of foreign mission
airy work were thoroughly discussed. Friday
and Saturday saw the heavy laden trains de-
part. and Portland had peace for Sunday On
Tuesday, however, her hospitable doors were
again flung open; and one or two hundred
women were welcomed as honored guests. The
PRESS heralded their coming with sketches of
the most prominent among them, names IA
miliar to every one who has watched the pro-
gress Of women for the past score of years.
The gathering OF the feminine clan was in
answer to summons of the Association for
the Advancement of Women, that was to hold
its tenth session in Portland. Like the Ameri-
can Board which held its meeting here last
week, this society vibrates between East and
West in its sessions, thus awakening an inter
est in its aims wherever it goes, and affording
an opportunity for women in different parts Of
the country to attend its meetings. Two years
ago the society, Familiarity known as the A. A.
w. or the Women's Congress, assembled at
Boston. One year ago, it met warm welcome
and appreciation at Buffalo. Yesterday it
closed its sessions in beautiful Portland
The attitude of Portland toward this
women's gathering has most friendly. The
papers have given excellent reports. The PRESS
has devoted column after column to faithful
and unbiased reports, guiltless of that fulsome
hattery which the average reporter seems to
think will best please the feminine mind.
Even when compelled to touch upon the mat
ter of dress, to meet the curiosity of thousand
readers, the work has been done with unusual
delicacy. 1t would have done no harm to have
gone farther, and suggested to some of these
reformers that a sober apparel would best befit
such dignifed occasions.
The hospitality of Portland, proverbially
abundant and graceful, was never better dis
played. Open houses and generous hearts
abounded. This virtue is carried SO far that 1
even saw a fruit-vender decoying a flock of
pigeons down to the pavement by scattering
corn around his feet, and his face wore the
habitual smile of welcome that P6rtiaDd's hosts
all wear. The street cars creep lazily up these
long hills; and the conductors time and again
pause for people off and people on the car to
take long rewells, including "love to all the
folks without shade of impotence crossing
their faces, and then drive on leisurely when
the last good-by is said. It is beautiful old
town, full OF kind hearts, made tenderer and
kinder by association with the poet beloved of
all, whose plain old house still stands among
them-not child in the street but will proud
ly show you Longfellow's honse.