Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 5.djvu/48

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��THE GRANITE MONTHLY.

��which is a poem in decoration and an essay in convenience. With a scarcely perceptible motion one glides from the depot, and is only aware of the speed attained by the panoramic changes in the landscape. The easy motion is attributable to the extraordinary size of the car wheels, the perfect road-bed, and the steel rails. But one stop, — of a moment, — is made between Boston and Stonington to exchange engines, and the connecting steamboat is board- ed in the early evening. Thence on- ward through the Sound the way is land- locked, and after a refreshing sleep in a well-ventilated state-room one awak- ens at an early hour to watch the approach to the modern Babylon, and by breakfast time steps upon the wharf, pier 2,2,y North River.

One is especially pleased by the ' courtesy of the employes of this line, from the conductor and brakeman on the train to the officers and waiters on the steamboat ; even the ticket agent and clerk are evidently gentlemen.

One has to visit New York occasional- ly to appreciate the gigantic strides of progress with which our civilization is booming ahead. The elevated railroad winds in and out through the older part of the city, with it? double track constantly in use. A gigantic bridge, beside the towers of which the largest ship seems a toy, and man but a pigmy, spans the East River and connects the metropolis with the great suburb of Brooklyn. At midnight the building of the massive blocks continue under the noon-'day glare of electric lights. The elevator in an instant raises one story above story to a dizzy height. The number of wires sus- pended in the streets is legion, con- necting this heart of commerce with the most remote extremity of the nation, and the most distant people. One realizes that New York is unri- valled in the race to control the trade and commerce of the world. In a few years the city will be preeminently ahead in wealth, population, and influ- ence.

��The attention of our readers is invit- ed to the attractions offered by the New England Manufacturers' and Mechanics' Institute, at their new building on Hunt- ington Avenue. This Grand Exhibition is contributed to by over one thousand exhibitors, from all parts of New Eng- land, comprising nearly every branch of manufactures, many of them in active operation, showing methods of making Boots and Shoes by machinery, Pottery, Glass Manufactory, Looms for Weaving, etc., etc. All classes of Sewing Ma- chines, Artistic work of all kinds. It is estimated that there are in all ten acres of shops and factories. At night this exhibition is lighted by thirty electric lights, and three thousand gas burners. Horse cars from all railroads make con- nections direct with the exhibition. Excursions will be arranged for from all the principal cities and towns in New England, and the total attendance is estimated at not less than a half a million.

Will Carlton is the author of a new l)Ook of poems entitled Farm Festivals published by Harper and Brothers. In some of his earlier works he touched the popular heart ; and this book will be received by its many admirers, and welcomed for its many gems of senti- ment and pathos. Among the many good things offered are : — " Eliphalet Chapin's Wedding," "The Death Bridge of the Tay," " The Lightning Rod Dispenser," "The Tramp's Story," and "The Song of the Reapers." Like all of Harper and Brothers' publica- tions, the book is very attractive in the make up, and is a model of artistic work in book making.

Will some interested party, conver- sant with the facts, contribute to the Granite Monthly an account of the Norwich University company, who offered their services to the government during the Rebellion? Let it be a companion picture to the " Dartmouth Cavalry," by John Scales.

This number of the magazine is the first of the fifth volume.

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