Year: 1874

ST. JOHN, N. b., Aug. 8.


/ had always heard about this old place
and wanted to visit it. As long ago as
when was romping schoolgirl of very
small statue, learned that st. John was
situated at the mouth of the river bearing
the same name, that it was the principal
seat of commerce and the largest city In
the province OF New Brunswick, whose
shores are washed by the Gulf of st.
Lawrence and the Bay of Fundy. and this
fund of Information included almost every
thing ever knew about it until the pres
charm about the name which caused me
to cherish strong desire TO come and
view the country, so this summer when
vacation-time came and l knew that
mnst join the innumerable throng and go
somewhere, this place was suggested. and
no urging was needed for a decision In
favor of the trip, so the journey was at
once planned. and there has been no cause
to regret it, for the ride to this place is.
taken as a whole. an exceedingly lovely
one. for all through the fields and long
woodlands are beautiful little lakes.
riy ulets aud rivers, scattered here aud
there in every direction which relieves the
scenery that would otherwise be mono,o-
nous. Who, In his sober senses, could
start on such trip by water, and be
Obliged to succumb to the awful influences
nf - xxhf L.
all those disagrceable swells. and finds
his way here in much less time than he
would by boat


The Victoria Hotel is a fine large house
built four years ago at a cost of about
s2i0.oo0 1t is finely kept on the Ameri-
can plan, and every attention is paid to
their patrons. The house has every mod
ern convenience aud is at the present
time filled with guests, the majority OF
whom are from the States, and more es-
pecially from Massachusetts. 1t Is quite
surprising to note the many arrivals of
Americans here in day, for 1t is only a
few years since the tide of travel turned
its face this way, and to think of going to
St John in search OF pleasure then, would
have been considered prepostereu.. The
American ladies here are very busy, buy
Ing up stock of Kids. laces and silks
readily taking the risk OF having them
taken from them by the Custom House
officers. The best quality of goods can be
bought there at about one-half the cost
which would be charged at home. but
nothing is gained bv purchasing articles
OF a cheaper quality. Tor they can DC OBJ
tained in Boston at even a cheaper price
than here.


The stranger finds ST. John as he walk :
through the streets rather dingy looking
city, with old dark houses which are oddly
shaped and ill-built, and IL he proceeds no
farther, would probably feel hardly repaid
for the long journey he had taken, but IL
he will take a drive over the hills. that
loom up In the distance he will be delight
ed with the picturesque scenery which sur.
rounds him. The situation is fine and the
cool weather delightful here. and Ii only
needs little Yankee pluck and enterprise
to enliven II and make the city a very de-
sirable place In which 10 live, but now
everything seems about half a century be-
hind the times.


Miss Carloua LeClercq Is now filling 4
series OF engagements at the Academy OF
Music with great success. II. ;. Murdoch
Of the Boston Theatre, Is also here, ard Is
winning laurels very rapidly, ia fact, he
has already become quite a star in this
place, and plays TO crowded houses.


Anv one wishing 10 snend thar """~'i""
where the facilities for :rouiins are good,
cannot do better than to visit st. John.
Tor every little stream and brook in the
place are filled with these fish, which are
large enough TO satisfy the most craving 2
ambition OF any sportsman.


There is not mach TO see here after you
have visited the suspension bridge and
seen very few OF the public buildings
and private residences. for everything else
looks all alike, as though one mans brain
had planned the whole. The public
squares are not particularly noticeable for
their beauty although they each contain a
very pretty fountain, but they are filed
with weeds-no grass IS TO be seen. and
they are surrounded by such dusty streets
As TO make 1t almos; impossible to walk
there, when any wind is astir. In short
the trip to ST. John is a very pleasant one
TO take in summer, and you can spend two
days there in a very delightful manner,
but when that time shall have passed
away, you will find yourself pining for
other scenes, and will 90 any where for
the sake of change. Boston always
seemed TO be, the city to live in. and now
more so than ever. II seems like Paradise
in comparison, and l hope TO write you
from there next week E