192 THE REV. J. G. WOOD. 



On November 5th torchlight processions perambu- 

 lated the town, not in honour of Gruy Eawkes' fiasco, 

 as my father at first supposed, but for electioneering 

 purposes. Later in the evening a fire occurred in the 

 neighbourhood. This resulted in a good deal of noise: 



The engine continually rings a big bell, which gives right of 

 passage. The men yell and shout, and all the church bells of the 

 district bang at random. The track of the engine is marked as far 

 as you can see by a train of burning coal ; which word reminds me 

 that this is a smokeless city, like Paris. No one would think of 

 burning any coal except anthracite. I have now learnt the meaning 

 of the word " build " a fire. The coal must be broken into knobs 

 not larger than the asbestos balls in a gas-stove, and they must be 

 built in the same manner. It takes a little more trouble at first, but 

 there is none afterwards. No smoky chimneys ; no soot ; no poking 

 or raking. Only, when fresh coal is put on, it must not be shovelled 

 on anyhow, but laid on so as to allow air to pass freely. The heat is 

 bright and clear, and there is no dust flying about. For a kitchen 

 stove it would be invaluable, as the flues would never get choked. 

 . . . " Coat " and " boat " are here dissyllables. Tremont (three 

 mountains) is pronounced " Tremmont " ; Boston is pronounced 

 " Borston." 



During the first week of the Boston visit the city 

 was in the full flow of electioneering excitement ; and, 

 seeing how absorbed all Americans become in political 

 affairs at such times, it is really astonishing that the 

 rate of attendance at the lectures was maintained. Yet 

 the hall was crowded to overflowing upon each occasion 

 My father saw something of the manner of voting, and 

 has thus described his experiences: 



November llth. On Tuesday, Dr. C drove me to four 



of the voting places, and I went through all the proceedings except 



