TOGETHER WITH THE REVISED ORATIONS OF RUFUS CHOATE AND JOHN S. JULY 5, 1858. REPORTED FOR THE BOSTON COURIER. BOSTON: OFFICE OF THE BOSTON COURIER. EIGHTY-SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE. The Eighty-second Anniversary of American Independence was observed with more than the usual spirit and splendor. Of crowd, bustle and clamor, there was much the same excess as at any time the past ten years; but the entertainments provided for the public amusement and edification were far superior to any ever before prepared. There were the eloquent orations of Messrs. Holmes and Choate, and their attendant events of interest; there were sports for the children and mammoth concerts for all,-two features hitherto unknown and capable of being vastly improved upon; there was a regatta-in any form comparatively a novelty-surpassing any preceding exhibition of the kind. The other displays-fireworks, processions, balloon ascensions, &c., &c., all passed off with admirable effect. The city was crowded with a larger host, perhaps, than has ever before gathered within its walls, and most happily, the joyous freedom of the day, which was bright, and clear, and mild, as if specially prearranged by contract, was marred by no disturbing tumults, no perceptible prevalence of drunkenness, no accidents, excepting two or three of slight account, which might have occurred on any other day. On the whole, the celebration was the most satisfactory in every respect, and the most thoroughly enjoyed, within our recollection. We trust it may ever be equally so. THE FIRST EXPLOSIVE DEMONSTRATIONS Were called into life by a midnight alarm of fire, which, not serious in itself, aroused the cheap patriotic sentiment of every fire-eater throughout the city. By one o'clock in the morning the voice of the multitude crying "Sleep no more," had been almost everywhere heard. Tired Nature's sweet restorer stepped out. The combined clatter of gunpowder |