Year: 1872




of the Yorkville Enquirer.


LETTER FROM "DOWN EAST"


BosroN, Mass, Sept. 27, 1872.


Now is the autumn of our discomfort made
anything but glorious by the furry Of the
equinoctial storms for the food-gates of rain
seem to be open to their full extent, and the
fall season has opened anything but auspi-
cously for the advent of our usual splendid
Indian Summer, which Iregard as the pleas
antest portion of the year in this chilly East
crn latitude. Rain, rain, with the most chill
ing, disagreeable weather is upon us, destroy
ing for the present all outdoor recreation.
But humanity is never satisfied with the wealth
hot or cold, wet or dry, somebody
will find fault. So what "cannot be cured
must be endured )" and as it seems utterly
useless to demonstrate with the clerk Of the
weather, I will proceed with the task before
me and try to tell you something of the public
institutions of this city. In my last letter l
was on the Common, but if you will kindly
accompany me we will cross over to


THE PUBLIC GARDEN,


A large portion Of which, few years ago,
was covered by the tides, and the rest was
known as the "marsh. at the foot Of the Com
mon." During the past few years much has
been done to make the Public Garden attract
i've, and although it has not the diversified
surface and elegant shade trees of the Com
mon, it has already become favorlte resort
for all classes. The area Of the Garden is
only about twenty acres, and not exctly rec
tangular in shape, as it seems to be when you
first approach it. 1t contains pond or artl-
fetal lake in the centre, which is irregular and
quite picturesque, on the waters Of which can
generally be seen a flock Of splendid black
and white swans gliding gracefully on its
bosom, while here and there many little water
crafts are fitting to and fro with their cargoes
Of pleasure-seekers; sail or row around the
pond costing the nominal sum of five cents
per passenger. To cross this pond we will
take stroll down the central walk, where
there is substantial.iron bridge resting upon
massive stone piers, the whole being strong
enough to support the weight Of an army on
q march. There are several interesting works
Of art in the garden, among which may be
mentioned, very pretty statue Of "Venus
rising from the sea-" which has a fountain
with it, so arranged as to throw,
when it is playing, a fine spray about the figure
Of Venus, producing a remarkably beautiful
effect. Further on stands a monument to the
discoverer of anasthetics. In the centre, on
the Beacon street side, stands the bronze stat
ue of the late Edward Everett. The great
orator is represented with his head thrown
back and right arm extended as if in the act
Of making one of his favorite and graceful
gestures as was his wont while addressing an
audience. But the most conspicuous of these
works of art is the equestrian statue of Wash
ngton, which is regarded by many as the fin
est, as it is the largest of the kind, in the Uni
ted States It was cast at Chicopee, Mass,
and all the artists and artisans employed in
its construction were furnished by Massachu-
,etts. This statue is noticeably different from
those usually seen throughout the country, as
it represents the "Father of his country" at a
different period of life from that usually cho-
sen in representing Washington, and is much
more attractive for that reason the outline
being graceful and natural from every point
Of view. 1t was cast in fourteen pieces, but
the joints are invisible. The height of the
statue and pedestal is thirty-eight feet, the
statue itself being twenty-five feet.


AS brief notice of some Of the public iu-
'titutions and buildings may not prove unin-
teresting to many Of your readers-especially
those that have never visited Boston-with
your permission we will walk up Boylston
street and take look at


THE PUBLIC LIBRARY,


Which is one of the most benefcent institu-
lions that has ever been projected and COM
pleted by any community. This splendid Ii
brary is not only valuable for the variety,
number and excellence Of the works which it
contains, but from its accessibility being
open to all without any charge whatever to
persons making use of its privileges, and is
conducted upon the most liberal principles.
If book not in the library is called for, and
it can be purchased, it is Immediately ordered,
and the person making application for the
same is notified as soon as the book is secured.
Having spent many pleasant hours within its
nospitable walls, I know something Of the
benefits to be derived, and, consequently,
speak of its merits from actual experience.
The original fund for the establishment Of
this library was contributed by wealthy and
citizen named Bates, who gave
to the city $4,000, with the understanding
that the income Of the same should be used
in the purchase of books, and the generous
donations of many liberal people has swollen
,he permanent fund of the institution to $780,
300. The city also makes liberal appropria-
ions for the purchase of books and periodi-
Gals, and for the payment of salaries of at
;endants. According to the last annual re-
port of the officers of this institution, the IL
orary contained 192,958 books and 100,3S3
It is said to be the largest and
best library of the kind in the United States,
md is only exceeded in the number of its
volumes by the library of Congress.


A few steps further up the street, and we
ire in front of


MASONIC TEMPLE,


Situated at the corner of fremont and Boyls-
;on streets. This building is of very fine
yranite and was dedicated June %, 1867, on