Boston,  August 24, 1887.

      Our editor suggests that theological themes have been sufficiently aired for the present. Thus to save from the waste basket some very carefully prepared word, along that line as had suggested, I withhold them until a more promising time. Readers may congratulate themselves upon what they have escaped, and thank the editor for discriminating in their favor. I had taken off my coat for "the greatest effort of my life," but I will don it again and notify the ice man we have sufficient of his commodity for the season.
    

     Our yachting season is at its height. Boston is ahead of herself; her Volunteer leading both her Puritan and Mayflower, the latter not holding her own. Some say this is to be accounted for on the grounds of the Mayflower having transferred her allegiance to New York. The Scotchman has(?) arrived with his Thistle and now it is said the VoIunteer is to be renamed Donkey. I foolishly inquired why. The reply was "because a Donkey is the only thing that can get away with a thistle." That's very well, but what's the matter with hardtack, bee-hives, and the Rebellion, I replied. An average of six columns an issue of the Boston and New York papers is devoted to yachting matters. People must have something to talk about and no doubt there is much to edify in the subject as presented in these many columns.
   

     I suppose the good people of Eastern Oxford are deeply interested in railroad extension, more especially the 1,000 voters along the line and terminus of the proposed extension. I shall soon expect to hear of weekly railroad meetings in the town: of Peru, Dixfield, Mexico and Rumford - and why not Byron, Roxbury and Carthage? - to agitate and discuss the question. Franchise League would be an appropriate name for such meetings, the object of which, the extension of the railroad will be quite in keeping with its name. There is every reasonable argument for this extension, and only lame, one legged hobbies that can be offered in opposition. A free right of way should be granted by these towns.  The towns through which the road is to pass ahould immediately petition, if necessary, for power to make such a grant. Personal damages will have to be met, which a committee of the League could soon ascertain and provide for. I find the value of real estate in these towns is nearly $1,500,000. Three-tenths of one per cent of this at most will meet all land damages, which would be much more than made up in an immediate increase in valuation. There are facts here too patent for discussion. Courtesy on the part of the good citizens of this community would seem to demand that they should afford a free right of way to an in-stitution which comes to them, affording such store of enrichment. It would be a mark of approval that would greatly encourage those who are bearing the burden of venture, in that of time and money, in this enterprise. Sentiment is as essential as means for the real success of any enterprise; and it is the good, people who skirt this proposed line that must supply the sentiments. A person with means, seeking a field for investment, and having his attention called to this enterprise and learning that a free right of way could not be obtained. would naturally  conclude that the enterprise would be a failure, so far as the support and sympathy of the people is concerned, which, is no small thing in this case. The men of this stamp who built up the city of Lewiston were forced to abandon Rumford Falls, as a natural source of power, because they got no encouragement of this character from the more penurious than wise holders of adjoining property. A person owning a loaf, which in order to get it cut must give one-half of it, would be extremely foolish not to do so.
    

     I should judge from the tenor of an article in the TELEPHONE of the 18th inst. that there was an unfortunate apathy among the farmers of Eastern Oxford, but I trust this is technical rather than practical; and if I can judge from reports of the last fair and show, success was the result, which would seem to so affirm. I can't see as it matters who leads, when satisfactory results are obtained. Whoever shall lead must not expect to escape criticism, and the matter of criticism may as well be too little or too much horse trotting as any thing else.

     If Col. Eustis' enemies (if such they are) persist, they will either make him Governor or send him to Congress. A thing that is rarely ever estimated by its true  value is what an honored man owes his enemies for such advancement. We should all remember that "whom the devil would destroy he first makes mad." Increasing interests attend our many religious conventions, thus is religion becoming practical and popular.
                                                                    
                                                                                                                      Shomer