New Ipswich Library (Postcard)

New Ipswich Historical Society

Undated postcard of the New Ipswich Library. Note the arched entrance.

On this day - January 2, 1898

William Jurian Kaula diary

2 JAN 1898 

It was such a bright and sunny day for a mid-winter that I took one of my long-planned trips on top of the huge three-horse omnibus' which traverse all over Paris.  My travels were in the direction of the Grands Boulevards, the Porte St. Dennis, the Gare de l'Est.  This is about three miles from the Montparnasse quartier and a portion of the city that I seldom visit.  Near the Gare is a beautiful Gothic church of St. Laurent.  The church was founded in the first century but has been rebuilt many times.  If it is allowed to remain in its present condition they can do nothing better.  The Gare de l'Est is as ugly in architecture as most railway stations.  The Gare du Nord is nearby.  It has the distinction of being the largest in Paris.  No one ever goes to see railroad stations in taking in the "sights" of Paris.  They are familiar enough in going and coming into and from Paris.  The aspect of the streets remains much the same all over Paris.  The prevailing architecture of the houses is uniform throughout.  There is not that confused jumble of all styles and heights which makes the streets of the large cities in the States so ugly, and what is still better, most streets in Paris are lined with trees.

Further on we crossed the Canal St. Martin* not far from the Bassin de la Villette**.  There are a few other canals which run into this canal of St. Martin - the Canal de l'Pircq cuts off a curve in the river and is fifty-four miles long.  Most of the rivers in France are used as canals when practicable.  We are now in the N.E. portion of Paris and ascending the hill to the park of the Buttes-Chaumont.  The park covers only a portion of the hill and not the highest land.  This region was notorious as being a nest for thieves and criminals.  Here once stood a gibbet of Monfaucon where criminals were hanged.  The Communists built one of their best strongholds on the heights in 1871 and it was the last to capitulate only after Montmarte had fallen and the batteries directed with a tremendous fire.

The site of the park is of a very uneven aspect owing to the quarries formerly here.  It is now splendidly arranged into cliffs, caves and a miniature lake.  The highest rock is surmounted by a small temple from which a splendid view can be obtained of Paris in clear weather.  There is one grotto with a cascade falling from the rocks above - even the stalactites are artificial, but the whole design is ingenious and very real in effect.  There are several bridges - one long suspension bridge from the rocks across the lake, and one more famous which has recently taken the name of "Le Pont Maudit" - an innocent little arch but with an awful history of suicides.  Below lies the grotto and the lake some hundred-and-fifty feet down.  Over three-hundred people have jumped to death - once there was twenty suicides in thirty days (June '96) and sometimes two or three in a single day.

*The canals of Paris are not as picturesque as those that I saw in Antwerp where there was much color and variety.  But an idler could find much of interest hanging around the docks and a painter could find material in all times of thee day and weather.

**The Bassin de la Villette contains the greatest docks in Paris.  The canal boats come from all parts of France.  There are canals that connect with the principal rivers in France and besides the Scheldt, the Muse in Belgium and Germany.  Lyons, Marseilles, and the Mediterranean can be reached by canal and river.  Also Germany and Switzerland by the Canal de l'Est.  The ocean is reached with communication with Havre and Rouen and by the Seine river.  Products come from all parts of the world but the chief cargos are mostly of grain, stone for buildings, gravel, sand, wood, coal and wine.

On this day - January 2, 1909

James Roger diary entry

2nd (Saturday)

Hard frost fine day, cool west wind.  David packing ice at Joe’s.  I took Hamish to Greenville for noon train.  He did not feel well this morning, but felt better when we got to Greenville.  Berkely met him there.  I brought grain, bought hoof pad for Pete, brought laundry.  I swept Church and lit fire in cellar.  Miss Palmer &c left this afternoon.

On this day - January 2, 2014

Taylor Road, New Ipswich, NH - January 2, 2014