Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-03-07
A stranger on Rurlington-A Flatterina
Report.

Correspondence of the Boston Transcript
l. is both amusing and surprising
idea some people, jewellers in cities, have of
Vermont. The very name is Synonymous in
the minds Of certain class with the idea of
remotcne-s from civilization. Some one has
crate fr0m," and emphasized the remark by
pointing to such men as William NJ. Evarts
and Frederick Billings, President Arthur
and the late Matthew Carpenter. For an
swcr we might point to President Buckham
# the University of Vermont If we might
succeed in establishing in the minds Of such
people an impression that Vermont is not
farther removed from Boston than the Des-
ert of Sahara or totally destitute of any sign
Of advancement or refinement, we might lay
down our pen with good conscience.
A few months since as quartette of Bos-
tons famous singers were about 10 leave the
Lowell depot, a iriCGd accosted them with
"Where are you all going?"
up to Burlington" was the reply, 'to
sing in Elijah tomorrow"
Burlington what Burlington y the puz-
lied inquirer asked.
burlington, Vt. Zerrahn is there, leading
four days convention.
vermont " calculated the dazed inteTlocu-
tor. You don't mean to say they sing ora
torios up in I'0mont"
And added Mr.. Zcrrahn, when he was
| told the story, you might have told him
there are but two musical societies in New
Eugand who can render oratorios better
| than the Philharmonic society Of Burlington.
One of those is at Worcester, and the other
is the Handel and Haydn society of Boston.
| Those Of US who have once or twice in
our lifetime escaped from our native wilds
and roamed-wlthout a kecper-the streets
of some Of our large cities are constantly
amused aud provoked by the evident aston
shmert Of our metropolitan friends should
VIC beray ourselves as familiar with finger
bowls and napkins, neglect TO say ''naouw'
and "aournn with a nasal twang, and are
uCt uttCrly overcome by the magnifcence-
aud wickcduess-of a theatre. These peo-
| p!e seem 10 forget that, in these days Of
| cheap tlave, the ubiquitous daily papers
and illust. ated periodicals, country folks of
any natural intelligence whatever cannot
help being familiar with the progress of an
| advancing civilization, and OF their nearest
cities OF Importance in particular.
| Ore is qu!'e as ATT to find the best stand
arG literature in village houses, and even
| farm hOua, a. on city shelves. And they
are cltcnst read.
oh, you're from Vermont = was the ex.
clamol:cn OF Cambridge lady to whom
| aas lat odu'd several Years ago. "Ihel
yuu must X pn my TREAD Mrs. -. Sht
went t. Vermont live or SIX years since
Ard her asst nisAnent was as great, wher
tud hcr yhat her friend near Bennington
wa. ;. hGujr,ei miles distaut from my home
rs tLou4h she had never known that Yer
lmout VAS hundred aud fifty miles long arc
!srrartt,a from Massachusetts only hy
boundary line
I'll &c who have visited Burlington vii
need 10 description OF mine TO reveal il:
h.au,ies \ certain distinguished traveller
mas said that Switzerland contains no more
beautiful or picturesque view than can be Oh
tanned on College hill in Burlington looking
Howard the Adrondacks across the lake
The fact that Colonel Legrand b. Cannon
and DR.. Webb of New York have elegan
summer residences on this hill shows tina
New Workers at least begin to appreciate it
beauties. The University Of Vermont
"beautiful for situation" is educating Yer
mon,'s sous-and daughters-for wide field
, 90. frlness and though there is no flour
ish OF ;. mpcts' or sounding brass (unlcs
1.-THE COLLEGE boys can furnish the latter, tn
r cd solid work done in this institution i
yearly becoming better recognized ousid
he State This city has been siDgularl
fortunate in private DcquestS Tor the puDIl
3D. Tie Mary Fletcher Hospital -name
for its founder-standing on the hill just bsc
of the city, deserves more than passin
lmention. The Fletcher Free Library COZ
tains several thousand volumes and the popu
lar periodicals and was donated to the city b
| the same generous givers John Il. Howar
If New FORK, native Of Burlington
has given hundreds of thousands for he
public good The roctory ard chapel OF s.
Pau's church, The statue of Lafayette on III
lcol,ge green, the new University buildin
and, finest Of all, the Howard Opera HOUSE
are all monuments to his generous benefat
lions. The opera house, by the way, is pr
nounccd by competent judges to be une'
collcd in richness, good taste and interi(
decoration by any other in the country
Though, of course, it is smaller than those {
larger cities. The best dramatic talent OF II
country is seen there very year, thong
usually "tor one night only" and the nun
| hers # people from the country village
along tho Inns Of the different railroad