Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1891-04-24
BOSTON LETTER.
The Hubs IlluStriouS Visitors
AN Old Entablature
Preserved.
Another New Theatre--Notes
and Gossip.

guests recently, in the persons of Mrs
Elizabeth B. Custer. wife of the dash.
ing cavalry leader, General George +.
Custer, and cx-confedcrate general
and ex-governor of Virginia, Fitz
Hugh Lee. Mrs. Custer was the guest
uf the Woman New England Press As
sociation and all the notabcs of the Hub,
including Governor Russell and portion
Of his staff and Lieutenant Nell of the
Italian army, were informally received
by Mrs. Merrill, president of the aSSo-
citation. aided by Mrs Custer. who APP
pcarcd in deep mourning and wore the
conventional widows long veil. Mrs.
Custer is slender in stature and rather
frail in appearance, but she possesses u
face which bctokcns unusual strength oi
character combined with Il sweetness Of
disposition which no doubt die
good service in carving her
through tn" many terrible scene,
Sic witnessed during the years spent
with her gallant husband on the plains
of the West. General Lee came here
on invitation of the New England CLUB,
who entertained him in princcly style
and in turn were greatly entertained by
their genial guest. General Lee is a
man whom any one would delight to
honor, and j. A. sincere ia his desire to
build up and p,rpcIuatc the tnion today
rs he was Jealous in trying TO overthrow
it thirty wears ago. In the course of hia
frlicitous speech before the New Eng
Land Club, among other things, he said
"All the differences Of the past are now
swept away. The duty of Virginia, as
we'll as of Massachusetts, is to make
this great and glorious republic. and
in this We are now forever united.
There seemed to be no way to settle ouI
differences hut hy the conflict of arms.
The poison under the wing of tho Am
crican eagle could only be- touched by
the sword" General Lee comes of that
old.timc stock of patriots. who laid the
corner stone of this republic and CO.
mcntcd it with their blood This ac-
counts for the grace with which he ac-
ccptcd the situation after defeat. in
marked contrast with some of the lost
causcrs who are still howing for gore,
but who were careful to avoid shedding
any in the attempt to establish u South
crn contcd"racy. Al honor to the brave
soldiers of the North and south. >av |.
It's the army of dishonest and selfish pol
iticanS that : to be- feared
| Many of your Reader, are mdouhtcd-
Iy familiar with the appearance of the
old postofice buildiu" ON state street,
which was last year demolished to make
room for the imposing syndicate build
Ing which now occupies the site. II so,
they have probably admired the fine
cStabliturc in the gable which was for
81 many years the subject of the most
| favorable criticism as a work of art
1t was cut ina solid granite block weigh
NJ eight tons. and represents huge
American eagle Surmounting globe,
surrounding which are horns of plenty
and The symbols of trade and commerce.
Many have no doubt wondered what had
become of this fine piece of sculpture
after the raZing Of the old building. and
will he gratitiCd to learn that It has been
littingly preserved Last July it was
hauled to the new chamber Of commerce
building, at the junction Of India and
'uStom House streets, where it has lain
until within the past week. when it was
hoistcd into place in that regal structure
The stone was presented by Norcros.
Bros, the well known builders anC
contractors, To the Boston Chamber Of
Commerce, whose members txrncd on
in a body and commcmoralcd the eif
with speeches and music
1t is a fact quite patent that the pub
lies familiarity with dime museum fake.
and freaks has bred well mcrtcd con
tempt for everything in the line of cheal
shows, and recognizing this fact, Mr.
VIM. Austin of the Nickclodcon is nov
Transforming that institution into
temple to he devoted to the Legitimate
drama, The premises will be rcmodclr'
throughout and made tirst-class in nj
respects. with appointments an'
| H'tPSSOIlpN SttOllV lO III
theatre in Boston. In making thi
change Mr.. Austin is mcctinga popua
demand Of the busy West End, as iha
locality has never, within my recollcc
tion. enjoyed anything in the amuscmcn
line of an elevated character. 1t ha
always been the haunt of transformers
hamfattcrs and the bummcst element o
the vaudeville stage; but within tn
past two or three years the police hav
closed every disreputablc concert saloon
and the places that knew them once ar
now filled by more desirable class O
citizens, who will appreciate and sur
port a good theatre. That the ne,
playhouse will be success is an assure
fact
The snubbing General Butler receive
at the hands Of Judge Carpenter in III
United States district court here la,
week has caused no little comment, O
all sides 1t was peculiar proceeding
to say the least and one which cannC
be viewed in any other lioht than tn;
the judicial crminc was tincturcd wit
personal dislike for the noted attolnc,
Unless there is something with Will,
the public has not been made ~
quainted in oxtcnuaion of his arbitra,
action, Judge Carpenter may be fair
accused of conduct unbecoming one
I his high position, if nothing worse.
West End street railway legislation
again occupying the attention of Beac,
Hill statesmen, and it's evidently Qui
, | intnrnstino IN some nf tbpm yho I'm