Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-03-07
BOSTON "BACK BAY" NOTES


tFrom PHGNIx correspondentl
II is not many years ago that this psrt of
the city was a waste Of mArshy or sandy land,
in places covered by water; but the "blue
blood" of Boston has encroached upon the
limits of the ocean, until now the land is re-
deemed and covered with splendid public
buildings, churches, schools and fine resi-
dences. Upon the spot where Gilmore held
his first Peace Jubilee tower the magnificent
Brunswick hotel and Trinity ohurch-the lat
ter considered one OF the finest churches in
the United States and OF which Phillips Brooks
is pastor. Mr.. Brooks's residence is only
short distance from the scene of his Sunday
labors. II is a handsome brick building with
brownstone trimmings, built after the Eng
li4h style. In person Mr.. Brooks is tall
thick set, and of very commanding presence
Near Trinity church is the Museum of Fine
Arts devoted to collections embracing every
branch of art, together with a school for art
ists) the Chauncy Hall school, where many a
youth has received his early training, and the
new Old South Congregational church. Be-
yond this church, on Boylston street, stands
the handsome new building of the Harvard
medical school. The Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, occupying two large buildings
on Boylston street, nearly opposite the Hotel
Brunswick, next arrests attention. This in
stitution has a large number of students, who,
under the efficient direction of Gen. Francis
A. Walker and his able corps of assistants
have excellent opportunities for securing
liberal education. The Natural History
Rooms, Just beyond the Institute contain
collection which it will well repay ono to visit.
There are two "free days" in each week.
Next in order is the new building Of the Bos-
ton Young Mems Christian Association, stu
ated at the corner of Boylston and Berkeley
streets. The building was only recently com
pieted, and cost about $4,000 The entire
front part of the lower story is to be occupied
| by stores, while the back part is used as a
| gymnasium. The rooms on the upper floors
are fitted up in excellent style for their varied
purposes. A reading-room containing all the
leading newspapers and magazines is open to
all also a room for games, whore an evening
may be pleasantly spent. There is fine IL
brary and study, for members only. Scarcely
an evening passes that there is not gather
ing for some purpose in the lecture room.
Concerts have been given at intervals during
the winter by celebrated artists, with free ad-
mission to members. The future Of this old
est Association in the United States-and,
with the exception of the Y. NJ. @. A. of
Montreal, which was organized about week
earlier the oldest in North America-looks
very bright. The membership fee has lately
been increased from one dollar TO two dollars
year, the officers hoping by this method ia
be able to pay expenses without relying SC
much upon subscriptions as heretofore.
On Newbury street is the new building Of
the Boston Art Club, whose annual exhibition
of oil paintings, just closed, has attracted the
elite of the city in large numbers. This clut
is an association devoted to art and literature
and has its social gatherings and receptions
in common with other clubs. The old socia
question of "wine or no wine" at reception
recently came up at one of their business
meetings, and it may be said for the encour
agement of temperance people that the olul
decided by large majority for ''no wine"
d.