The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-07-01
FOURTHSOFLONGAGO
SOME OLD TIME CELEBRATIONS IN
HISTORIC BOSTON.

the Observance of the Day-Four Hogs
heads Of Free Punch In IsiO-Man an
Bear Fight ON the Common.
The files of old eastern newspaper
contain descriptions of striking celebra
tions and queer events which have occur
red on the natal day Of the nation. Tn
following, taken from tho yellow ant
musty files. were reproduced in the Bos
ton Globe, in the language Of f,lose wht
witnessed the scenes aud incidents:
July 4, 1877, was noticed by eyery
mark of Joy. In the forenoon tho Rev
DR.. Gordon Of Roxbury, at the desir,
of the assembly, sitting here, preached
an excellent discourse from | Kings
xii, Is, after which the general court
having given previous orders for making
every preparation for drinking success e
the 13 United States, sent az invitation
to General Heath and the officers of the
continental army and navy, and many
other gentlemen. While "The Congress-
and other toasts were drunk the guns on
Fort Hill, Castle Island, Hull and the
vessels Of war in the harbor fired grand
salute.
July 4, 1898, there was grsat excite
ment in Boston. The Jay treaty of amity,
commerce and navigation between the
United States and Great Britain had
just been concluded. The people of Bos.
ton believed that our rights would be
surrendered If the treaty were ratified.
Petitions for mass meetings 10 denounce
the action of Mr. Jay We're being circu-
lated on the streets during the celebra-
tion.
July 4, 1901, was time particularly
calculated TO excite the most intense
patriotic memories and emotions. The
informal but vigorous war with France
had scarcely ceased The young repub-
lies merchant marine was between the
fires OF what has been Of late termed
French "spoliation, and British ag-
gression and confscation of ships and
imprisonment Of seamen. Then, too, the
Mediterranean pirates were TO be at
tended to, and the preparation of fleet
for the purpose of bringing the Bar
barry rovers" to task occupied attention.
All the bells We're rung, flags display.
ed, salutes fired by the artillery, by the
Constitution and Boston frigates, Fort
independence and by the French COR
vet Berceau, which last was fancifully
decorated with colors.
The cadets, under Colonel Welles. as
usual, did the escort duties Of the day.
The fusiliers, under Captain Brazer,
paraded, performed variety of evolu-
lions and firings with intelligence and
sxactness and dined together at Dor.
chester.
July 4, 1906, there was q man and
bear fight on the Common. The report
rs of tho day failed to record the num-
,cr OF rounds or the winner
July 4, 1910, the town furnished four
logsheads of punch, free to all
July 4, 1922, from dawn till nearly
was a jubilee, and the entire
population Of the city, "clad in their
'est attire, were in the streets or on
he Common, visiting the various deco |
ated halls or witnessing the parade Of |
Military corps of horse and foot, and |
professions, and no scene of |
umult CT indecorum was anywhere TO |
@ seen.
His excellency the governor held the
sual leyee in the senate chamber
Among those who called to pay their
espects wero the consul of the king of
rance, John jacob Astor Of New York,
hief Justice Parker, Rev President
Kirkland OF Harvard university, the So
ety of Cincinnati in a body (about 90
the remnant of the Massachusetts line
the Revolutionary army were present
4 the occasion), Brigadior General Sui
van and the officers of the Third bri-
ide, First division (the officers were in
FRY neat and mostly in new and rich
Informs and were upward of 100 in
lmber), members of tho senate and
)use, mayor, aldermen, clergymen and
10 officials of the Mechanic Charitable
ciety.
The Society of the Cincinnati held
eir annual meeting at the Exchange
)ffco house, and "a gray haired veter.
is Of the Revolution and their sons sat
'wn TO the dinner. The president of
g society read letter from the Mar.
Iis Lafayette, and toast was drunk
the health Of the Frenchman.
July 4, 1926, tho fiftieth anniversary,
ne Centinel appeared in mourning and
inted this Introductory note:
An extraordinary occurrence makes
n duty 20 give our columns tho re.
octful garb of mourning, although
~ are devoted 10 the records of the
,st festive celebration Of our country's
dependence since the interesting era Of