The Republican Journal

LETTER FROM BOSTON.

Correspondence of the Journal.

Capt. Hall and his Arctic Explorations--Historical Lecture by Dr. Lord--Assembling of the Legislature--Fair at Music Hall--A New Journal--New Books--Fashions.

BOSTON, Jan. 8, 1870.

The excitement of Christmas and New Years over, Bostonians are settling down again to the usual routine of lectures, concerts and theatre going. At Tremont Temple a fine collection of Arctic views are on exhibition, in connection with which is a lecture by Mr. Wasson on the Arctic Regions.

Capt. C. F. Hall, the distinguished Arctic explorer, delivered a lecture upon the same subject, and in the same place, on Monday evening last, before the Young Men's Christian Association. Capt. Hall started from New London in 1860, as a passenger on board a whaling ship and landed near Frobisher's Straits, from whence he intended to proceed directly northward, but having lost his expedition boat he was obliged to remain there two years, where he made some interesting discoveries before returning to the United States. In the spring of 1861, he again started from New London, this time accompanied by some Esquimau friends. He landed on the shores of Hudson's Bay, where he discovered traces of Sir John Franklin's expedition, and of the first officer connected with it. His name was well known to all the tribes in that region, who believed that he would return, though the Captain ascertained that he perished near Chesterfield Inlet from the inhumanity of the natives, who are sometimes very false and cruel. The speaker narrated the capture of a whale, which he stated furnished them no less than sixty barrels of fresh provision. He had become very used to the Esquimau diet, and thought there was no part of the whale that was not excellent eating. He further said that he believed the great mistake of Sir John Franklin's expedition was in attempting to carry provisions sufficient to last three years, instead of allowing the men to subsist upon the common food of the northmen. He had a large collection of silver ware and various utensils belonging to Sir John Franklin, some of which bore the family crest, these he exhibited in a glass case in front of the platform. Across the platform were stretched two immense colored maps, showing upon a large scale the geography of the Arctic regions.

At the conclusion of the lecture he introduced an Esquimau family, consisting of a man, woman and child, who had accompanied him to this country. They looked strangely enough in their queer garments, and with their brown complexions. The little girl was smart and wide awake, and made a host of acquaintances among the large audience.

A course of twenty-five historical lectures was commenced on the same day at Horticultural Hall. They are to be given by Dr. Lord, the well known and interesting lecturer.

The State House was lively on Wednesday with the assembled branches of the Legislature. Those who were abroad on the afternoon of that day, might have seen the august body proceeding to the old South Church where the election sermon was preached by Prof. Seelye, of Amherst College. Your correspondent looked in vain for Jefferson Scattering Batkins, the member from Crumberry Centre.

Music Hall is again occupied with a grand fair this time in aid of the Carney Hospital, at South Boston. The Hall is beautifully decorated, and contains twenty different tables for the sale of articles, of which there is an elegant and attractive display. The fair is to continue two weeks.

The new year always brings changes in newspapers as in everything else. And in addition to the enlarging, and changing and rearranging of our principal papers, we have one more added to the list. It is the Woman's Journal, edited by Mary A. Livermore, Julia Ward Howe and others. Mrs. Livermore is the managing editor, and certainly gets up a very readable paper. It is of course devoted to Woman's Rights and the Suffrage question. It is published weekly at 3 Tremont Place, at $3.00 a year.

Among the interesting new books recently published in this bookish city is Tennyson's new poem, "The Holy Grail," which the admirers of the poet will read with pleasure though possibly with not so much interest as some of his former productions. Ouida has a new novel entitled "Puck, His Adventures, Friendships and Philosophies." It is a capital book, abounding in sharp and witty sayings, and with a thread of romance running through it to make it interesting. It is by far the best production of this author, and amply makes up for some of her former shortcomings. William White & Co., at the Banner of Light office, have published a little volume called "The Voice," by N. S. Barlow. The book has no literary merit whatever, and yet I confess to its affording me considerable amusement in the perusal. Some are bold enough to say that it contains more truth than poetry. I make some extracts, that your readers may judge for themselves. In reference to God's calling after Adam and Eve he says:

"His voice walked forth upon the balmy air

Till died its echoes 'mid the fragrant flowers.

In search of Adam whom He did not see,

Because he hid from God behind a tree!'

Of Cain's fleeing into the land of Nod, he writes-

Who there should greet him, and extend her hand.

But charming woman, in his state forlorn,

Before a daughter ever had been born.'

Jacob's wrestling with God he describes as

"A preposterous thought, yet true as the book,

A wrestle with God he next undertook,'

Whether it is well to thus attack and hold up to ridicule the absurdities of the Old Testament, is a question of much importance, and one which I do not propose to discuss. Lady Byron Vindicated, is Mrs. Stowe's new book, in which the authoress has made a very strong argument in favor of her friend. The book will of course be widely read and will doubtless find many believers.

The ladies now wear long tissue veils attached to their hats. These are passed around the neck, the end slipped through the noose thus formed, and then allowed to float over the shoulder. The New York fashions chronicle a return to the puffed over-skirts similar to those worn last winter. Percale.

A little boy of Provincetown, four years old, anxious for a drum, the evening preceding Christmas Eve, on going to bed, made the following prayer: "Now I lay me down to sleep, I want a drum, I pray the Lord, I want a drum, my soul to keep, and if I should die before I wake, I want a drum." His prayer was answered.

The Ellsworth American learns that B. W. Hinkley, Esq., of Bluehill, died Dec. 18. His age was 67. Mr. Hinkley was one of the oldest members of the Hancock bar, a man of ability and a graduate of Dartmouth College.