The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1884-10-29
BOSTON AND THE BOSTON,
IANS.
Editorial Correspondence
BosroN, Oct. %, 1884.

ny oCSdLuSI 10 IoulOuS OHS, as Une
boats, which are primarily designed for
freight do not make more than 10 or
II knots an hour, and having strong
head wind, our first night out we made
only eight, so that it took us 81 hours
to get to Boston. The Allegheny,
however, in which we travelled is an
exceedingly steady boat, and the ac-
commodations were excellent.
went on Sunday morning in Boston
to hear DR.. Duryea at the Central (Con-
gregationaD church, corner of Berkeley
and Newbury streets. This church
building is one of the handsomest L
know anywhere; everything is in such
excellent taste, and there is something
so especially pleasing about the color
ing and tone Of the church. 1t was
erected in 1867, and cost 1926, 900. Dr.
Duryea's name is pronounced Du-re-ay.
He wore a gown, and part of the ser
vice consisted in reading from the
Psalms, with responses from the con-
gregation. L did not regret going to
hear him. He is a man of very decided
ability, with wonderful precision and
richness of language, and withal very
impressive and forcible speaker. L
have not heard better sermon. or a
more evangelical one, anywhere for a
long time. He preached fifty minutes
on the text, at is [; be not afraid"
The church was not more than two.
thirds filled. The service commenced
at halfpast ten, and the Sunday School
met after church. There was no col
lection, and no notice for afternoon or
night service.
Boston is far more crowded than
Richmond; is, in fact, much bigger
place. Cambridge alone (across the
Charles river) has ifty-odd thousand
inhabitants. 1t is matter of some
difficulty to thread ones way through
the mass ofhuman beings on the streets,
and these streets, which seem to radi-
ate from so many centres, like so many
star-fishes, are so complicated that the
stranger is continually at loss to find
his way. The number of street-cars
is beyond computation; never saw as
many street-cars in my life; they re
mind me ofthe omnibuses in London
Frequently you see half-a-dozen in a
line blocked on one track They have
a one-horse cab here called herdtc
fare % cents for single course, IS
cents by the hour The Boston hotels
and restaurants, unless you go to the
Vend6me or the Parker House, and
pay So day as a minimum, are very
poor. The restaurants charge first
class prices, and have poor kitchens
The oysters here do not equal ours in
flavor.
The shops are superb, and remind
one of the London shops One great
place here dixie Wanamaker's in Phil.
adelphia) is Jordan, Marsh & Co, and
next door to this Washington, Sum.
mer, and Avon Streets, is Hovey's,
equal to it as an emporium of dry goods
and female finery. I was particularly
struck with the furniture and china
stores. At one of the latter saw some
plates at 1925 each. At another place
saw mantel piece of milk onyx
price $4,000.
Boston is more like an English town
than any of our cities with which am
acquainted. The people are extremely
civil and obliging to strangers.
The leading newspaper is the Herald
which has daily circulation of owe
100000. Other papers are the Journal
the Advertiser, the Post, the Transcript
The pride of the city is its Public
Library, which has now 100000 vol
umes, and over 100000 pamphlets, and
which, next to the Congressional Iii
brary in Washington, is the largest in
the country. The growth is 25OOC
; volumes per annum. This noble insti
tuition is not only free to all, but any
resident of Boston can carry book.
away from the building; and expert
ence has proved that ouly one book /.
lost in 5000 thus taken away. Nor i.
this all if any citizen of Boston want,
to see a book which is not in the libra
ry, all he has to do is to leave the It'll,
r with the librarian and II ,viII no ;,,,,..o