Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-03-08
FROM BOSTON.
Interesting Letter from a For
mer Local Man of the Re-
publican Leader, Recent
ly Published in the Kali
amaZoo college
Index"


Index
Since Boston is considered the hub OF
the universe, it will not be inappropriate
to take trip about the city on "a wheel
We will find 1t cheap comfortable and
kind of conveyance Those
readers OF the Index who have not visited
Boston. may fni it worth their while to
accompany me on short visit TO a few of
the many interesting places in and about
this wonderful and beautiful city.
a boy born and bred in Michigan finds
something of interest AT every turn. but
we cannot stop to notice the minor points
for we have but "a few hours in which To
visit some of the most noted features of
tins Modern Athens.
While we are getting our wheels ready,
| will make few Introductory remarks.
First Boston streets are not laid out &C
cording to the western rod and chain. II
YOU find street running north and south
or east and west you may make up your
mind that it was not made so Intentional
w. If YOU find single street running in
the same direction for more than 80 rods,
and with the same name attached 10 it all
the way, you have struck an exception TO
the rule. For this reason we Will not at
tempt 10 name the streets over which we
pass in getting from one point to another,
for if we did the Index would have copy
enough TO complete the remanirg num-
bers of this volume. Secondly, the streets,
especially 10 the business portion, are
quite narrow, so that, on busy days, travel
is very slow and difficult.
Perhaps as convenient a place to begin
our visit as any is old Faneuil Hail, so
well known to the student Of American
History AS the Cradle Of Liberty. II Is
not exactly modern IN architecture for it
was built in 1850. In color IT is dull gray
looking, as though it was conscious OF ITS
age and dignity. The first floor of the
building is occupied by busy markets, and
above Is the hall itself which is reached by
stairway from without. The hall IN
side is quite plain. decorated for the most
part with white paint, and on either side IA
row Of columns supporting the gallery
which extends around three sides of the
room. If these walls could reverberate and
Give back the words which have been
spoken in their presence. they would re
peat the thrilling oratory of Revolutionary
! leaders. of Daniel Webster Charles sum
ner, Louis Kossuth and others OF world
note. But although the voices are mol
heard. the faces of many are present, fol
upon the walls are portraits OF Faneull
Hancock. Warren, Everett, Andrew, tn,
Adamses. Lincoln and Washington, Will
many others, while back Of the platform
Is the great painting Of webster Reply
ing to Hayue" 1t does not take long Il
catch the spirit of the place. and we fnC
ourselves running over in our minds Tn
historical events connected with this CRANE
old hall. But after we have entered on
names in the visitors register we mus
leave. for there are other places TO visi
|
We will next ride over to Copley Squar
and visit the Boston Museum of Fine Arts
In architecture the building is OF ltalla
Gothic, unique and attractive. Here
the principle art collection of New Enc
land. The first floor is devoted TO sculp
ture including a fine collection OF EgyI
tan antiquities with casts of Egyptla
sculpture. There are also over hundre
casts of Grecian and Italian sculpture
many pieces of Etruscan and Ph9nlcia
wares and cast of the Ohiberti bronl
gate of the baptistry in Florence.
splendid opportunity is given to stud
from casts the masterpieces OF Phidia
, Michael Angelo and other old MASTER
! Mummies and mummy cases with the
hieroglyphics, ancient coins, canoplc vase
amule,s, and sepulcbral figures furnish
collection of great educational importanc
There are thirty casts from the walls of Il
Alhambra and many antique and medl'
, val fragments
| On the second floor is "a large collectiC
+ of paintings. There are pictures OF Coro
Coutre,s Francois, Millit, Dore, Nedd
and Bridgman. Here will be four
. Stuar,'s magnificent picture of Washn
! ton and several paintings 10y celebrate
@ Venetian artists Reubens, Ruysdael, ar
s Kalb are represented by their work.
the collection of textiles and furnitu'
n there are some fine specimens Of Fleml'
> tapestry, once the property OF Louis In
A ippe; Gobelin tapestry OF the Flfteen
r Century; Persian fabrics; Italian, Mooris
Greek. Japanese Turkish and Americ'
h embroiderles. Many days might be spe
n with profit in this Interesting building b
= we must again mount our wheels.
+ No one visiting Boston should negle
seeing the Public Garden Once mar
y. that was an eyesore to Bostou's populaiio
20 it is now, believe, the most beautiful sp