The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-08-16
As Others See Us.

Impressions OF the capital city in your val
liable paper?
"backwoods" country and community,
rude, rustic and half civilized. had heard
OF the Vermonter's alleged remark that
1.-THE great drawback to the Green Noun
tain state was the fact that we have to drag
around on wheels for two months in the
year" Instead of "backwoods" country
and community found highly cultivated
farms, good roads and polished, intellig-
ent people, whose clothes and manners are
as "up-to-date" as those OF our central
states. | found the climate more equable,
more healthful and far more enuurable
than that of Massachusetts and Connecti-
cut found excellent graded schools, hos
pitfalls and public libraries, literary clubs
and reading circles, and a general spirit of
thrift and intelligence far in advance Of
many OF the states in which have ojourn-
ed. In word, am delighted with Yer
mont and Vermonters.
No people are more loyal to the Union
than Vermonters, and yet they have State
pride which would be ridiculous if it were
not well founded; II it had no real and
genuine "raison d'etre." They take pride
in the fact that Vermont was never subject
to foreign power; that from its first set
Element to 1898, when it Joined the Union,
it WAS sovereign and Independent repub-
lic which WAS not and could not be CO.
creed by New Hampshire, New York, Mas
sachusetts, Congress or Great Britain.
They take pride in the fact that the first
blood shed for American independence was
shed in Vermont" and that the only battle
fought within the borders in the struggle
for independence was an American victory.
or these things, and more that / might
mention, Vermonters are proud, as well
they may be.
The whole appearance of the city of
Montpelier, from outskirts to center, is
a
lawns, macademized streets, with clean
CUTTERS, elegant residences, and fine solid
public buildings dispell any "backwoods"
ideas which the writer may have imbibed
before coming here. Among the latter /
may mention the Capitol built OF Vermont
granite, small, but INTELLECTUALLY correct
In all its proportions; the federal building,
of Vermont marble, in which are domiciled
the United States courts and post-offi CO.,
the Heaton Hospital, the two public liz
braries, one OF which contains we'll
appointed gymnasium and picture gallery,
the latter the gift OF Thomas Wood, the
celebrated artist of New York city; the
Episcopal church, an elegant granite struc-
ture; the Montpelier Seminary; the opera
house block; ETC., etc.
Among the more elegant private resi-
dences. the following are worthy of men.
ton; "Red Stone," the palatial summer
mansion of Professor Burgess Of Columbia
University, the Brock house, the Houghton
residence and the houses of Hon. Charles
and Captain Edward Dewey.
have explored all the streets and al
legs, and thus far have not found a single
dwelling that is shabby or out Of repair
which is more than can be said of most
American cities.
The church edfces are all neat and well
kept. Bethany (CongregationsD church is
large Gothic structure, more elegant and
costly than one would expect TO find in
city of the size Of Montpelier.
On Easter day l attended divine service at
Christ church, and was surprised to find q
welldrilled vested choir" of thirty-six
voices. Though was born and bred a Pu-
ritan OF the Puritans, / could not help en-
loying the sublime ritual of the Episcopal
church as carried out in this congregation.
1t is high" but not too "high'; with none
of the ritual eccentricites which Ito mel
seem as much out OF place in an Episcopal
as in Congregational church. The rector
preached a "gospel.sermon," in which he
presented, in characterization" tie argu.
ments for, and answered the objections
against the resurrection. The music by the
ywhite,robed choir was better than that
have been accustomed to hear in our large
cities home and abroad. The boys
voices Gas L heard worshiper remark),
were mot only tuneful, but in tune"
There was an expression, also, in their
singing, which delighted me, and 1 am no
uOVlC6 III music.
The choirmaster $50 was informed), was
for several years musical director in large
Chicago church. The boys land girls) who
are under his instruction are indeed for
tunste. We're a parent would gladly
pay TO have child Of mine a member OF
his choir. l was glad. also, to notice a
sprinkling Of girls, in perfectly feminine
costume, in the procession. There be those
who object to "women-singers," but If re-
member rightly, they formed part of the
Temple choir which was organized under
the direction of the Almighty Himself.
That. surely, is good authority How much
more edifying and inspiring is such singing
than the faultless execution of classical, I"
operate music by professional qusrtette,
who
Display TO congregations wide
Deveton's every grace except the heart:"
There are seven churches in Montpelier;
Catholic, Episcopal, Congregational, Meth
odist, Baptist, Unitarian Tor Independent }
and holiness" congregation. They are
all well attended and seem to be prosper
ing.
In my next may speak OF divers and
sundry other things which have attracted
my attention. STRANGER.
'Tbe Battle of Bennington, in III,