ANNIE’S JOURNEY
Her American Notebooks
1904 – 1908
Annie in 1904
Tuesday October 11th 1904
Had a good send off from Otley station at 9.14am. Left Leeds 10.40 am, arriving Liverpool at 12.25. 7 mile ride on overhead railway.
Visited
the Cunard office where we received a very cordial welcome from Mr
Keppie who was kindness itself in making all possible arrangements
for our comfort , on board ship.
At 3pm we got on board the RMS Ivernia, and spent the next hour looking round.
4pm father had to leave us, but stayed on the landing stage until we moved off.
Had
to wait for the tide. until 8.30pm. opposite New Brighton tower which
was brilliantly illuminated during the evening, a very pretty sight.
1.30pm
we started once more the scenery along the Irish coast being very
beautiful. Two or three days we had cold rain or fog. Sunday morning
attended Divine Service in 1st cabin Saloon and
enjoyed
very much. Monday was a cold raw day, did not stay out much but had a
good time inside reading and a concert in the evening.
Tuesday October 18th. A splendid day, fine and warm, able to be on deck all day. Saw a number of seagulls, when we were probably 1000 miles from land and sailor said they were probably stray gulls making their way home. They fly at a great rate, noticed one in particular passed us, and got a distance as far as we could see about 15 miles. In about five minutes, our boat all the time going at great speed.
Wednesday October 19th. A most delightful day, spent the whole morning on deck. At 12.30 went in to dinner found a notice up to the effect that all baggage must be up and packed and ready to take on deck by 2.00pm same day. For about 2 hours all was confusion, trunks, boxes, rugs & people all over the place. Teas at 5 o’clock went straight from the table & out on deck. What a transformation, I shall never forget it.
Whilst we had been at tea, land had been sighted and several miles passed, so that by the time we got out we were in full view of Boston Harbour and being dusk, both buildings and vessels of all description were lighted up, so that as we sailed along the effect was most beautiful. At 6 0’clock the boat stopped, having brought us to our destination.
There
followed the worst part of the whole business, all passengers having
to make a declaration and obtain baggage tickets. We got through at
last however, and about 7 o’clock left the S.S. for
the
US Customs on the docks where after a good deal of hunting we found
our baggage and got it passed. In the mean time Mr Brigham had
arrived with a very cordial welcome for us.
About
8.45 we started for home, carrying only our handbags, rugs and the
kitten, walked along two or three streets, got on a boat and crossed
the ferry from East Boston to Boston proper, took our places in the
car on the elevated railway then on the electric cars to the end of
our journey Salem Street, Malden, Mass., where we arrived about 9.30
and received a most hearty welcome from Mrs Hoare & her niece
Miss Webb.
Thursday
morning October 20th. As soon as we finished
breakfast,
Uncle & I started off to Boston to get our luggage from Customs
on the dock. Got there about 10.30, found the luggage which I
sat on till about 3 o’clock in the afternoon whilst Uncle
hunted for an expressman to take them home, but the time passed
quickly enough, for the 3rd class passengers
were just
coming off the boat 1829 of them and the piles of luggage being
brought in and banged down the people flying round to find their own,
was a most interesting sight. Once again we crossed the ferry and
home again by the underground and elevated railways.
After
tea, or supper as it is called here, we were very pleasantly
entertained by Mr Brigham (who I should have stated before is a very
intimate friend of my Uncle and Aunt Mr & Mrs S.W.Richardson),
singing
playing and reciting such beautiful pieces that the time simply flew,
and we nearly forgot to go to bed.
....................Laura ............................................................................American Sam .......................................................English Sam ................
Friday Oct 21st Have just discovered that it can rain a good deal faster here than in England. And start just as suddenly. Have started the grand act of unpacking the trunks, we hope to finish before Christmas. Had some grapes grown on the house side and a sort of corn from the garden.
Sat
Oct 22nd
Went to Boston, had a good time looking at the shops
Sunday.
Went to Malden Baptist Church in the morning also a nice walk before
dinner. Went to the Congregational church in the evening.
Monday. Stayed at home all day. Watched my Uncle at work, and took a good walk with him in the evening.
Tuesday.
Went to Boston Tremont Theatre to hear Wagner’s festival play
‘Parsifal’. But we were disappointed not to hear
our fellow townsman Ottley Cranston, who happened to be off that
evening.
(Ottley Cranston WAS ‘on’ that evening – see below, Dec. 1st)
Wednesday.
Started off from Malden City, went through Everett City, Boston City
to Cambridge City, a distance of 10 miles on three different cars,
the whole journey lasting 1 ½ hours & costing only 5
cents. Arrived at Cambridge, went to Methodist Church in order to
hear Mr Brigham give his famous recital of Enoch Arden with piano
accompaniment. Enjoyed recital very much also the pleasant company of
friends afterwards.
Thursday afternoon went to Boston to a musical recital of Mr Gilberte’s works at that gentleman’s home. The songs were sung by Miss Charlotte Guyer George, one of the Flower Maidens in the Opera Parsifal. All the flower maidens were present. We were introduced to Miss George, who told us Ottley Cranston had been playing the night that we attended the theatre, so we felt satisfied. After the recital, went to call on Madame Vars and stayed to supper got home around 10.30pm.
Friday afternoon. Walked into Malden, Visited the public library and several shops.
Saturday October 29th. Started at 1.30 with Mrs Hoare & Miss Webb for Boston. After doing some shopping we left Boston Union Station (in which there are 24 tracks) for Haggetts, a distance of 23 miles, out in open country.
Received
a very cordial welcome from Mr & Mrs Webb at the Station House,
and after a good night’s rest got up on Sunday morning feeling
well and bright. The weather was fine, so two of us set off for
church (Baptist) at North Tewkesbury, two miles away.
In the afternoon took a short walk by Hagget’s Pond, which is three miles round, and has two islands in it: the view from any side of the pond being very pretty.
Monday. Visited the cider mill, saw loads of apples and all the machinery. Tasted the cider, also the apples.
Tuesday Nov 1st. Went to Pierce’s Grove & through the Hermitage.
Wednesday.
Took the 7.40am train for the city of Lowell. Visited the laboratory
of C.J.Hood, where the famous Sarsasparilla is made, saw the
whole process of bottling, packing, calendar printing and packing.
Spent two to three hours looking at shops and got home about 5 o’clock fairly well tired.
Thursday. Went to Spaulding’s woods, gathered a lot of pretty leaves and berries also walnuts
Friday & Saturday. Popcorn (toothache)
Sunday. Went to church in the morning, saw 5 baptisms. Reached home about 1:45., had dinner, then a boat ride round the pond, then another walk. Saw lots of squirrels.
Tuesday.
Went to cider mill, helped ourselves to apples. Wednesday morning had
a ling walk in the groves. Afternoon had a lovely 7 mile ride to the
deer jump in Tewkesbury, A VERY PRETTY SPOT, AND WATERFALL, a little
like our own Bolton Woods at home, and while speaking of home, I may
say that I notice differences everywhere, the houses are all built of
wood, the odd building here or there of brick or granite, and trees
we find everywhere in great abundance, therefore the streets are all
covered with leaves from end to end, also the fields are a yellowish
drown instead of our beautiful green grass. From the Deer Jump we
drove forwards to J C Hood’s model farm, saw the beautiful
Jersey Cattle in their homes.
Thursday. Took long walks.
Friday.
Nov 11th. Took the 7.40
train to Boston
arrived at Maldon 10 o’clock & found everyone alive and
well including the cats.
Saturday. Uncle and I started off at 9 am to meet the Thornton’s children from Otley, coming on the SS Cymric.
Found them alive & well.
Went
through the Quincey Market & the Italian part of Boston, came
home for dinner went back to Boston to the Columbia Music Hall to see
Mlle Adgie & her marvellous performing lions, got home about
6.30
more or less tired out.
Monday stayed at home all day.
Tuesday
afternoon Mr Hoare & I heard Josef Hoffman, the great pianist
(Steinert Hall). Wiki
entry
Wednesday moring 10 am went with Auntie to the Malden musical club. Enjoyed the music very much.
Afternoon
Uncle & I went to Jordan Hall Boston to hear Mr David Bispham,
The American Basso.
Thursday evening went to a social at the Malden Congregational Church. Had a nice supper baked beans turkey mince pie squash pie pumpkin pie, brown bread, fresh rolls, coffee, celery, cheese. After which came the musical programme auntie played two solos (Impromptu of Schubert and Oriental Scene) and Uncle sang three songs. Saturday went to a Japanese performance at Steinert Hall.
Sunday
went to the Tremont temple, Boston, a very handsome building seating
3 – 4000 people, a splendid organ and chorus of 60 to 70
voices.
After
the service Mrs Hoar took me to the Boston Common, and public Gardens
and I think the monuments are really wonderful, especially
one
erected in memory of the soldiers and sailors who took part in the
Civil War -61 to -64 , also one to commemorate the discovery of
ether, first used in the Massachusetts
hospital.
Thursday
Nov 22nd. Mrs Carr and I went to hear music of
the olden
time , by Arnold Dolmetsch, who took as his subject the music of
Shakespeare; illustrated by instruments such as were used in the year
1550, namely the lute, virginals, viols and harpsichord, very sweet
music which I enjoyed very much.
Saturday 26th. Heard a piano recital by Charles Anthony, very good but different from Hoffman. After the recital, called on Mrs Carrol, then did some shopping in Boston. Sunday 27th. Mr Shannon, the minister in connection with Malden Methodist Church gave a lecture on Westminster Hall London, one of the great places of Europe and the eighth greatest wonder of the world. Uncle, aunt and myself had all been in Westminster Hall, so to us the lecture was very interesting. Tuesday 29th. Auntie & I went to a recital by Heinrich Gerhard (piano) and Miss Nina Fletcher (violin).(Potter Hall)
[then part of MIT, which was at that time still in central Boston]
Thursday
Dec 1st. Our fellow townsman Ottley Cranston
came out from
Boston to spend the afternoon with us, and between music and
recollections of Old Otley we had a most delightful time.
Sunday
the 4th. Mrs Hoar & I went to the Old
Christ Church,
the oldest church in Boston, where the first settlers worshipped.
This church was opened in 1723. The clock was brought over from
England in 1726 and is still going. The beautiful chime bells were
hung in 1744 and in 1733 George II sent over from England the silver
communion service that is still in use, and shown to visitors along
with the old English prayer book and bible (brought over by the
pilgrim fathers in 1717), called the Vinegar Bible because the
parable of the vineyard was printed the parable of the vinegar, also
after the War with England several of the prayers, especially those
for the King were pasted over and prayers for the president written
instead. From the steeple of this church, in 1775, signal lanterns
were hung out to warn the country of the march of
British
troops to Lexington and Concord.
From the church we went to Copp’s Hill burying ground, dating from 1666, saw some tombstones, which the English used as targets, also the grave of one of the Boston tea party, so called because the English sent over some tea and put a heavy tax on it, which the Americans were determined not to pay, and so instead of landing the tea, a party of Americans went on board disguised as Indians, and emptied it overboard.
Then to see the house of Paul Revere (1770) who ordered the lanterns to be put out of he church steeple, and when they appeared himself set off on horseback to warn the people.
After dinner, went to Boston Public Library, the outside of which is very plain but beautiful inside.
The walls of one room are devoted to paintings, illustrating the story of the Holy Grail, which story we ought to have read before seeing the Opera Parsifal in order to understand it.
We left the library at 5 o'clock, reached Malden about 6, had supper then set off once more to Malden Methodist Church to hear a lecture on Westminster Abbey, and even in England I never heard such splendid tribute paid to the memory of Mr Gladstone and his wife, also David Livingstone. (Mr Shannon was in London the day of Mr Gladstone's funeral).
Wednesday Dec 7th. Mrs Carr kindly brought in tickets for Mrs Hoar and myself to supper at the Maplewood Universalist church, we went and had a real good supper, the usual baked beans, cold ham, squash pie, pumpkin pie, lemon pie, mince pie, Washington pie, coffee , all kinds of cake and fruit and after supper a good concert,after the concert dancing. (anybody can go to these gatherings for 15c, supper and all)
Friday Dec 9th. Mrs Hoar and I went to the theatre in the afternoon on the kind invitation of Mrs Leach. The play was Monte Christo and we enjoyed it very much.
Saturday. Went to Symphony Hall to hear Madame Melba and was fortunate enough to get a seat on the platform (lowest tickets 1 dollar). This hall seats over 4000 people it was well filled with many standing besides over 100 seats on the platform. This concert more than exceeded my expectations, every one of the artistes, being better than any I had ever heard before.
The
party consisted of Melba, Miss Llewellyn Davies (pianist), Signorina
Ada Passoli, harpist, Mr Colin Van Hoos, tenor, Mons Charles
Gilibert, baritone, Mr K.C. North, flute. Wiki
link
After the concert Auntie and I did some shopping, and went to the Majestic Theatre to see the play Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hal. Reached home about 12pm well tired out.
Sunday. Had company, did not got out.
Monday evening, attended a very enjoyable concert at the Malden Baptist Church.
Wednesday. Had dinner with Mrs Arthur Carr, and spent a very pleasant afternoon.
Friday evening. Went with Mrs Bryant to a Ball at Maplewood and enjoyed it very much.
Saturday afternoon. Went with Uncle and Aunt to hear Ysaye, one of the greatest living violinists. The music was simply wonderful. After the concert, had supper with Mrs Arthur Bryant.
Sunday. Heard another lecture on Westminster Abbey.
Monday
afternoon went to Castle Square Theatre (got a box of chocolates) the
play was The School for Scandal,and very good too.
Friday evening spent with Mrs Towle and her daughter at their home.
Saturday went with Uncle round the Boston Markets to see the Christmas decorations. Evening spent with our neighbour Mrs Carr dressing a xmas tree at the house of her son.
Sunday. Malden methodist church in the morning, Faulkner in the evening.
Sunday Jan 1 1905. Mrs Hoar & I went to Everett to visit Uncle Colin's family had a very pleasant visit. Then to a vesper service at the Unitarian Church Boston and from there to the Methodist Church Malden.
Tuesday Jan 10th. Heard Fritz Kreisler, another great violinist whom I liked equally as well as Ysaye. The music was really splendid.
Wednesday 11th. Went to a supper at Maplewood. After supper, dancing.
Saturday Jan 14th. Went to Boston in the morning, spent about 2 hours in the public library, then to the Symphony Hall to a long recital by Madame Sembrich, after the concert, which I enjoyed very much, Uncle & Auntie & I had supper and spent the evening with Mr & Mrs Nethern at their home in Roxbury, so we had altogether a very pleasant day. Wiki link
Wednesday 18th at 10 am concert t the Malden Musical club. Sunday 22nd. spent an enjoyable evening at the home of Dr Saitelli.
Monday 23rd. Auntie and I went to Park Theatre to see Louie Mann, a famous comedian, in the second fiddle, a really splendid play.
Tuesday 24th. Went to a piano recital by Richard Platt in Steinert Hall.
Wednesday 25th. Paid a very important call in the middle of a heavy snowstorm, a regular blizzard. People froze to death in the streets of Boston.
Monday 30th went to a recital for two pianos by Harold Randolph & Ernest Hutcheson.
Thursday 2nd Feb. Violoncello recital at Steinert hall. Splendid.
Monday
Feb. 6th. Auntie & I went to the Tremont theatre to see the
Bank
Officer play the Filibuster. Had good seats and enjoyed it very much
indeed.
Wednesday 8th. Saw Nance O'Neill in the Jewess at the Malden Auditorium Wiki entry
Friday 10th Piano recital at Steinert Hall. Sunday spent the evening with Mrs Baldwin at her beautiful home in Dorchester, a ten mile ride for 5 cents.
Monday
13th. Cello recital by Anton Hecking at Steinert Hall.
Tuesday had dinner with Mrs Hamburger, afterwards went to hear Franz Von Vecsey, the wonderful boy violinist, in Symphony Hall, the performance of this child is simply marvellous.
Franz
Von Vecsey was a Hungarian prodigy, aged 12 when Annie saw him, who had
a successful subsequent career and was the dedicatee of the Sibelius
Violin Concerto. He is pictured here with Joseph Joachim.
Thursday 16th. Joint song recital in Steinert Hall by Miss Jeannie Faure, mezzo soprano, and Mr Kenny Cole, tenor. On the whole a very good performance.
Friday went alone to Trinity Court, Boston.
Sunday evening attended a concert by the Haydn and Handel Society. The soloist was Madame Nordica, who sang splendidly, far exceeding my expectation.
Friday
24th.
Reception at the home of Mrs Locke, Malden.
Eugen Francis Charles
d'Albert (10 April 1864 – 3 March 1932) was a Scottish-born German
pianist and composer.Educated in Britain, d'Albert showed early musical
talent and, at the age of seventeen, he won a scholarship to study in
Austria. Feeling a kinship with German culture and music, he soon
emigrated to Germany, where he studied with Franz Liszt and began a
career as a concert pianist. D'Albert repudiated his early training and
upbringing in England and considered himself German. D'Albert was married six
times, including to the pianist-singer Teresa Carreño, and was
successively a British, German and Swiss citizen. Wiki
entry
Wednesday March 1st. Auntie and I went in the afternoon to a piano recital by Mr Eugen D'Albert and same evening to the Majestic Theatre where we heard De Wolf Hopper in the Merry Musicale Wang Wiki entry
Friday March 3rd. Left home at 11.30 for Boston. Got to Symphony Hall at 12.30 doors . at 1, concert commenced at 2.30, ate my dinner and read my programme during the interval before the concert commenced. These concerts are given every Saturday evening by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Friday is the day of rehearsal and 500 seats are set aside for students. March 3rd Soloist was Mr Campanari, a very good baritone. March 10th soloist was violinist Fritz Kreisler.
Monday 6th. went to hear Piff.Paff.Pouff at the Majestic Theatre. Enjoyed it very much.
Tue.
7th. went to a piano recital in
Malden
Auditorium.
Friday 10th Orchestral Concert in the afternoon, tried to hear Madame Nordica in Grand Opera, but the crowd so great that I came home very disappointed. Saturday 11th. Tried again, was succesful in gaining admission and a good seat, heard Mme Sembrich, Plancon Scotte in Les Hugenots, a really splendid performance which I enjoyed very much.
Wednesday 15th 10am. Malden Musical club. 2pm same day. Auntie and I attended a musical performance at Providence House, Newton Boulevard a lovely ride through open country in a direction quite new to me.
Saturday 18th in the afternoon, went to Castle Square Theatre to see the play Coleen Bawn afterwards had supper with Mrs Towle and her daughter, had a very pleasant time. Sunday evening called on Mrs Carr next door. Monday attended a concert in Jordan Hall and enjoyed it very much.
Wednesday 22nd. Box party at the Majestic in the afternoon, Park Theatre in the evening to see Charles Hawtrey in The Mesage from Mars.
Wednesday 29th. Box party at the Majestic in the afternoon, evening concert at Potter hall.
Thursday 30th the Mikado at Potter Hall.
Monday April 3rd. At Holles Street theatre. saw Maude Adams in the Little Minister and " 'op of my Thumb", a marvellous piece of acting.
Tuesday 4th. concert in Steinert Hall.
Sunday 16th. Went to New Old South Church in Boston, afterwards through the Public Gardens where the flowers are splendid. In the evening heard the Creation in Symphony Hall and enjoyed it very much. Sunday 23rd went to King's Chapel Boston, afterwards to Tremont Temple, St Paul's Church and Church of the Advent. The Easter decorations in all these places were lovely.
Sunday 16th. Spent the afternoon and evening at Everett. Monday 24th. Concert in Mason and Hamlyn's Piano Rooms.
25th
concert by Malden Megatherian Club. Male chorus very good. 26th
Malden Musical club concert. Afternoon 25th at Tremont Theatre.
Dorothea Dix childrens' benefit. Afternoon 26th Woodland at Tremont
Theatre. Evening 27th Florodora at Majestic.
Sunday 30th. Went to Church
(Episcopal) in the
morning took a walk in the afternoon through Pine Banks. Evening went
to Universalist Church at Maplewood, had super with Mrs Bryant.
Sunday May 7th went to Malden Universalist Church in the morning and
in the afternoon to th beach at South Boston. Sat 6th. Box party at
the Majestic (Florodora). 9th saw Humpty Dumpty at the Colonial
Theatre. Sunday 14th. Climbed to the top of Waitt's Mount, from which
place the view is magnificent. Monday 15th. lecture in the Malden
Universalist Church on the Yellowstone Park.
Sunday 21st. Spent the afternoon in the Museum of Fine Arts, where there is a fine collection of pictures, statuary &c. Afterwards to a service in Trinity Church, then to the Public Gardens and Tremont Temple. Monday 22nd. went to Bell Rock dedication service in honour of the soldiers and sailors who took part in the American Revolution. Wednesday 24th. Saw the Knight Templar's parade in Boston(7000). Sunday 26th. Went to Revere Beach with my uncle, and thoroughly enjoyed the walk along the shore, as well as the delightful ride in open cars.
Friday 26th. went with Mr A Carr to the schools to hear the children recite, and sing in honour of the American soldiers and sailors. Tuesday 30th is called Decoration Day, it is a public holiday, the mayor and corporation of every city, also the old soldiers and sailors from the various posts and regiments go in procession to the different cemeteries an decorate the graves of their comrades with flags and bouquets of flowers, the service is very beautiful and impressive. Flowers are strewn on the waters in memory of the Sailors.
April. Piano recital at the Tuilleries, Neapolitan Room.
Sunday June 4th. Went to Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge Mass., went up the tower, from the top of which is a splendid view of the country around Boston, saw the graves of Longfellow (poet) Edwin Booth (actor) and several other eminent personages. Wednesday 7th. concert, cake and ice cream at Malden Universalist church.
Monday 29th. went to Hollis Theatre to see 'On Satan's Mount'. Wednesday 15th went to see Ringling's circus in Boston. 17th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, grand procession and fireworks in Charlestown.
2nd Went to Dorchester Heights, an immense hill on breastworks thrown up by American soldiers in one night (March 4th 1776) enabling them to drive back the British, on March 17th, which is called Evacuation Day. Went with Mr A.Carr to see the Graduation Exercises in Malden Auditorium.
Sunday
spent at Cambridge Mass., saw the Aggasiz Museum at Harvard
University, Longfellow's old home, and the old Elm tree under which
Washington took command of his troops in 1775. Friday evening at
Revere Beach also on Monday evening. July 17th with Mr A Carr. Sunday
went to Lynan Beach, also Sunday 9th at Revere.
Thursday
20th went with Uncle to Nantucket Beach and Paragon Park, a very
enjoyable sail of an hour's duration. July 3rd at 12pm went to see a
large bonfire nearly 100 feet high to celebrate the 4th of July,
which is the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
July 4th. Saw the fireworks on Boston Common in the evening.
August. Stayed two weeks with Mrs A Carr had a pleasant day at Norumbega Park with Mrs Towle and Mrs Hoar also had a visit from Miss Webb and went with her to Revere beach, Cambridge and the Natural History Rooms in Boston.
Aug 30th. I, in company with Mrs Hoar started for Whitman a long but pleasant journey on the electric cars. Arriving at the home of friends, we received a warm welcome, and a cordial invitation to stay. August 31st. Attended an American wedding and reception. Sept. 4th visited Attwoods' wooden box factory and had a sail on the pond. Sept. 5th. spent the afternoon and evening at the home of Mrs C Larry, met some very nice people who had travelled in Europe, and who invited us to spend the next evening with them which I did, and enjoyed it immensely especially looking at the pictures which Mr Brigham had taken on his various trips. (Just missed an auto ride).
Sept. 6th. In the morning, Mrs Larry went with me through a paper box factory, which was very interesting. Also visited some people who came from Halifax, Yorkshire, Eng. who were so pleased to see anyone from that county, that they immediately invited me to stay a week with them.
Sept. 7th. Went on the electric cars to Plymouth, Mass. visited the Plymouth Dock, Pilgrim Hall, the Pilgrims' monument and other places of interest, altogether had lovely day.
Sept 9th.
Left Whitman for East Bridgewater, where we received a warm welcome from Mrs Brown and family, and the next few weeks, we enjoyed ourselves immensely, the weather was splendid and we drove out to some interesting place or other every day, visiting Halifax, Hanson, East Bridgewater (where we saw the State Normal School) and various lovely ponds.
One drive in particular I must not forget to mention and that was between the ponds at Halifax, the leaves on the trees had got their lovely autumn tints, and the scenery altogether was almost indescribable. Visited two Dahlia farms one of which covers ten acres of ground (700 different kinds). went twice to the city of Brockton and Oct went to the famous Brockton Fair.
Spent one Sunday with Mr and Mrs F Black at their home in Whitman. Through the kindness of Mrs Black, we were one working day shown through the Regal (Shoe) Factory, from beginning to end, which was a great privilege, accorded to one, as a visitor from England. We made several visits to our friends in Whitman, Mr & Mrs Larry and Mr & Mrs Walsh.
I also paid a visit to the Yorkshire people.
I must not forget to mention the delicious fruit we had here, just as much as we wanted, of apples, pears, peaches, grapes, and the quantity of apples which lay rotting on the ground made me feel almost sick. Mrs Brown's pumpkin pies are also worthy of mention. Snakes are plentiful in this part of the country.
October 1st. returned to Malden, where we found all well, but poor little Fluffy and Filibuster had died in our absence. 26th. Reception at Mr Guilbert's to meet Mr & Mrs Edmund Brease. Box party at the Majestic, the play (As Ye Sow) was fine. Oct. 22nd saw Cleopatra, Nov. 4th Much Ado About Nothing, both at Castle Square Theatre. Nov. 4th went to Lowell on the electric cars spent the weekend with Miss Webb. Nov. 12th. Spent afternoon and evening at Everett. Nov. 9th saw the Opera Aida.
Nov. 9th. Saw and heard Ottley Cranston in The Valkyrie.
Nov. 19th spent the day in Boston by Miss Smithurst's invitation. 21st. Simpless recital in Malden Auditorium. 23rd Megatherian Club Concert. 24th saw the play Isle of Spice in Malden
Theatre.
26th
afternoon concert in Chickering Hall supper at Smithursts evening in
Symphony Hall.
( Chickering were local piano manufacturers, and this Hall was another combined showroom and concert hall.)
30th
Thanksgiving day, spent with Mr & Mrs Webb at Haggetts, weather
7
above zero with a lovely East wind. the Lion and the Mouse at the
Park with Mr Breese as the lion.Spent Xmas day in Boston (Dilworth
St) also New Year's Day. During January, saw the pantomime Fantasma,
Lew Dockstader's minstrels Wonderland, at the Majestic. The Silver
king at the Empire, Oliver Twist at Castle Square, and Mme Sarah
Berhardt twice at the Boston theatre. Piano recital by Charles Weyman
and Julian Pascal at Steinert Hall also Victor talking machine
recital at the same place. Jan. 29th.1906. Megatherian Club concert
in Malden Auditorium. Feb. 1st Babes in the Wood at Boston Theatre.
Concert at Chickering Hall (Kneisel Quartette) spent the evening at
Dilworth Street.Feb. 8th. Went with Mrs Bryant & Mr A Carr to
the
Park Square Roller Skating Rink. 15th Amateur Theatricals at Jordan
Hall.
18th.
Went to Charles Street Church (African Methodist Episcopal) in the
morning. Vesper service at Trinity Church (4pm).
Monday 19th went into the Boston State House, sat in the ladies' gallery of the House of Representatives during a discussion on the practicability of having Fire extinguishers on the steam cars. Saw the log book of the Mayflower in the State Library also the flags of the Civil and Spanish American wars in Memorial Hall. The interior of the State House is very beautiful a large amount of marble being used in its construction. In the main Entrance Hall, are facsimiles of the Washington brasses in Sulgrave Church. Robert Washington, of Sulgrave, Northampton, England, was uncle to the great grandfather of George Washington.
Had a lovely view of the country from the dome of the State House, which was built in 1798. (116 steps).
Thursday 20th went into Faneuil Hall, which is called the cradle of Liberty. the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston visited London in 1896 and mementoes of their visit are to be found in the London room of the Company's museum in Faneuil Hall, where may be seen the various banners and pictures of the various battles. A very interesting collection.
Wednesday 21st went to a concert in Roxburgh on the invitation of Miss Smithurst, with whom I stayed the night.
Thursday 22nd attended a reception at the State House held by the Governor of Massachusetts Curtis Guild, and his wife.
Easter Sunday, heard Ben Davies in 'The Seasons' (Boston Symphony Hall).
May 12th went to Lowell on the electric cars by way of Billerica, spent the weekend with Mr & Mrs Webb.
May 29th visited the Pierce Schools and heard the childrens' exercises .
May 30th. Memorial or Decoration Day, went to Forest Hills Cemetery. June 1st. Went to Revere Beach. 9th. Heard 'The Mikado' in Castle Square theatre. 10th visited the grounds of 'Holm Lea' Mrs Sargent's place in Brookline. 13th saw 'The Tourists' at the Majestic 16th 'Il Trovatore' at Castle Square, also trips to the beach. Fra Diavolo, Martha
Sept. 3rd had a good time in Wonderland (Revere).
9th car ride to Echo Bridge, & Newton Upper Falls.
Trip to Salem Willows (another amusement park, at Salem) and City Point.
Sept.
12th. Left North Station Boston at 9.30am for Niagara Falls, arrived
there at 4am, 13th, stayed at the International Hotel.
13th Sept. Breakfast at 9am, then out to view the magnificent falls, which are so tremendously beautiful, as well as wonderful, that it is almost impossible to describe them.
Luncheon at 1 pm then a drive to different places of interest, first to the Shredded Wheat Factory where we saw the whole process of biscuit and triscuit making, baking, packing and sealing all being done by electricity 5000 baked at once, and 100000 packages made up in one day.
Next visited Goat Island and three sister islands, then over the International Bridge to the Canadian side of the falls, and return to our hotel for dinner.
Friday
14th 7am took cars for Leviston by the Great Gorge route, a most
wonderful ride along the side of the rapids. At Leviston we took the
steamer for Toronto, the passage across Lake Ontario being pretty
rough. 11.30am arrived at Toronto where we took carriages and drove
to all the places of interest.
1pm dinner at the Grand Trunk Railway station. 2pm Boarded the steamer once more for Niagara where we arrived at 6 in good time for the Boston train. Our sleeping cars were very comfortable, and I for one was tired enough to sleep soundly till 6am. 9am we had breakfast at Greenfield after which we proceeded on our way to Boston where we arrived at 12.40 pm Saturday Sept. 15th. more than satisfied with our delightful trip to the falls of Niagara.
Sat. Sept. 22nd saw 'The Press Agent' at the Majestic Theatre, at the close of the performance I took the car for Lowell, where i spent a very pleasant weekend.
Sunday
23rd had a nice time in Chelmsford seeing all kinds of curios and
lovely things, besides visiting the cider mill, which happened to be
working on that day.
Monday 24 went all through the jail at Lowell, a wonderful institution of its kind, everything being spotlessly clean and the food of the best. tuesday 25th went all through Lowell City Hall and electric power house (one engine 2100 horsepower, 3 engines combined 500o horsepower). At 3 pm Mrs Hoar and I took cars for Malden arriving there about 5pm. Sunday 30th spent the afternoon and evening with my relations in Everett and enjoyed it very much.
Saturday Oct 6th spent the evening with Mrs Arthur Carr & ??? at their home in Roxbury. I have had some pleasant times. Nov28th my friend and I started for Whitman to spend Thanksgiving with our friends there. we stayed a week and had a good time altogether.
Dec 23rd went to Lowell to spend Xmas with friends there, had a Xmas tree and a most enjoyable time. Dec 26th went to the Lowell Opera House to see Nance O'Neill in Leah the Jewess .
March 6th 1907 went to Whitman and stayed a week with my friends Mr & Mrs Larry, also stayed a few days with Mrs Brown & had a lovely sleigh ride, the last of the season. Spent Easter in Lowell with Mr & Mrs Webb. June 16th. went to Chelmsford, a very quaint old place, suburb of Lowell, stayed four days.
Sept 1st. visited Chelmsford again and from there went with Mrs Hoar & Mrs Batchelor on a trip to New Hampshire, had a sixty mile sail on Lake Winnipesaukee, from Alton Bay to Center Harbor. Had luncheon on the boat (Mount Washington) and enjoyed it immensely.
Sept 8th went to Revere Beach carnival. 9th to Boston Common to see the illuminated fountain 6 distinct colours and shapes.
Nov. 26th went to Lowell for Thanksgiving, after the great dinner which is like our Xmas dinners at home went with Mr B & Miss Lyness to the Opera House. Nov 29th Mrs Hoar is taken sick and i stay with her till Dec. 14th. then return to Malden for Christmas.
Dec. 17th went to hear the San Carlo opera Company at the Majestic Theatre, in Rigoletto and The Barber of Seville.
19th
opera Traviata, tenor Constantino, soprano Alice Nielssen
20th Don Giovanni. Dec. 25th had a box party at the Majestic for the opera Aida. Dec 28th opera La Gioconda
Tenor Sign. Constantino, Soprano Madame Nordica.
Jan. 4th. went to Lowell to meet Mrs Shannon of Laconia N.H., stayed 10 days. March 27th visited Lowell again had a good time going round with Mildred Shannon, saw East Lynne at the Opera House
June 20th 1908. went to Whitman and stayed a week with Mrs Larry, also visited Mrs E Brown, Mrs Mellor, and Mr & Mrs Henry Brigham, who took me to ride in their auto, which I enjoyed very much.
July 3rd the night before the 4th (July 4th is independence day and is 50 times worse than our 5th of November, or Halloween) in Lowell again to see the fun, met Mrs Raymond Bowes (Ella Shannon) of Franconia. monster parade and great attractions on the Common.
Sunday 5th a hot day 93 in the shade. Wed. 8th. went to Buffalo Bill's wild West show. Mon 13th. Lakeview park and theatre.
Sat. 18th. returned to Malden. Sun. 19th. Visited Castle Island & Fort Independence at City Point, South Boston.
Tuesday
28th. Started for
Laconia N.H. & met with a very cordial reception from Mr
&
Mrs E.H. Shannon & family. had a lovely drive up Cotton Hill
(1700 feet above sea level) where we had a splendid view of Belknap
and other mountains. Laconia by the way is 100 miles from Boston and
is rightly named the City of Lakes, being bounded by lakes Winnesquam
on S and W, Opeechee near centre, Winnepesaukee and Paugus on North
and East.
Thursday 30th took electric cars from Laconia to Lakeport where we boarded the steamer Gov. Endicottt for a five hours sail on lake Winnepesaukee to melvin village and return. The weather and scenery were both delightful, had a good view of the White Mountains.
Friday 31st. Had a long drive with Miss Shannon along the side of Lake Winnesquam.
Sat. August 1st. Took electric cars from Laconia to the Weirs where a fine water carnival was held on the lake, high diving, balloon ascension etc. Sun. 2nd. attended church in the morning, had a long drive in the afternoon, through Gilford, Lily Pond and Lakeport, had a splendid view of the White Mountains across the lake. Monday 3rd went through the foundry of the Electric car shops. Tues 4th. Took a long walk through the woods up Mile Hill.
Wed 5th. Rain fell in torrents all day, thunderstorm in the evening. Thursday 6th. visited Mr Shannon's farm in the morning, and at 1.50 took the train to Lowell, having enjoyed the trip to the City of Lakes very much indeed. Wed. 12th return to Malden. 19th return to Lowell.
Thurs. 20th saw the great fireman's parade, 64 companies with old time engines and hand pumps.
Sunday August 23rd at 7.45 am took electric cars for Manchester N.H. (53 miles) arrived there at 10 am. At 10.20 took the car for Goffstown N.H. and the Uncanoonuc Mountains 1348ft above sea level, arriving at the summit about 11.30 am. After viewing the landscape we found a nice spot in the woods where we boiled our kettle and spread our luncheon which we enjoyed most heartily after which we wandered through the lovely woods, and climbed up to the tower of the hotel, from which we had a magnificent view of the surrounding country and some of the White Mountains. Arrived home in Lowell about 7.30pm.
Friday 28th. Went to Lakeview and Willowdale parks, had luncheon on the shore of the beautiful Lake Mascuppic.
Sat. 29th had a good time in the woods of Chelmsford. Sunday 30th. Took a long walk along the boulevard, and route of the great automobile race. Had a visit in the evening from Mr & Mrs Sweetser. (Mrs S is an English girl from St. Helens). Mon. 31st. another long walk and a visit from Miss stanley & Mrs Jackson, the latter comes from Nottingham, England. Fri. Sept. 4th returned to Malden.
Monday Sept 14th went to Dorchester on a visit to my friends Mr & Mrs Hodges where I spent a very pleasant week. Mon. 28th went to the Boston Food Fair in the Park Square Coliseum heard Sousa's Band. Tues 29th went with Mrs Arthur Carr to Norwood where we spent a very pleasant day with our friends Mr & Mrs Linsenbarche. Thurs. Oct. 9th saw 'The Merry Widow' at the Tremont Theatre. Sat. 10th saw the play 'If I were King' at the Boston Theatre. Sun. 11th Lyman Howe's Pictures @3. Wed. 14th The Stubbornness of Geraldine at the Castle Square Theatre. Fri. Hathaway's theatre Malden with Mrs Alderman Carr. spent the evening of that day with Mr Towle.
Sat. went to Mechanics Food Fair. sun. visited Mrs Demase in Linden, also my relatives in Everett. Mon. sent off trunks.
Tues. 20th left Boston at 4 pm on RMS Saxonia, friends to see me off were Aunt Laura, Mrs A. Carr, Mrs Bryant, Mrs E.Carr, Mrs Demase, Miss Horne, Miss Mildred Carr, Miss Stanley, Mrs Bachelder from Lowell, Miss Shannon from Laconia N.H.
Wed. 21st on deck all day. Thurs. 22nd ditto. Friday 23rd S.S. Mauretania passed about noon. Sat. 24th & Sun.25th - out all day. North German liner 'Prince Willhelm' passed in the morning. Monday 26th. Northerly winds & rough sea, no ladies allowed on deck spent most of the day looking out of portholes at the great waves, which rolled away out and in the distance looked like snow-capped mountains. Had the tea table all to myself.
Tuesday and Wednesday 27 & 28. Fair weather, out all day. thurs. 29th passengers for Queenstown left at 1.30. White star liner Majestic passed on her way to Charlestown.