The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-02-06
From The Boston Daily T imesl
ORIGINAL SKETCHES OF THE WEST.
BY A GENTLEMAN OF Mass. VOW IN 81 LOUIS

BY GENTLEMAN OF MASS, NOW ST. LOUIS.
The traveller is first introduced TO the
Western country, and obtains his first no
tions of Western life and manners, on board
a steamboat. You there meet with men
from, aimos, every part of the Union and The
word-but no character is more distinctly
marked than that of the bold, frank, inde-
pendent, Western farmer. A western steam
boat, |, Is difficult, if not impossible TO de-
scribe. These immense floating palaces
are perfectly unique, in form and arrange
ment-unlke any other craft ia the known
world. The first view Of them reminds you
ofNenice-the gondoliers, and their sea- girt
isle-for they are quite as gay and fanciful
IN appearance as the Venetian barges that
we read of in Eastern story.
When | arrived ut Pittsburgh, in May
last, there were nearly thirty boat, lying at
the landing-somc with flsgs flying, some
letting off stenm-- some starting, some haul
ed up for repairs. The landing WINS cover
ed with boxes and bales, and heaps of
goods and furniture, aud lhronged with
travellers and merchants, teamsters, hotel
and steamboat agents, &c. &c. The sight
was one of the most novel that can be I'M
agined.
The passage from Pittsburg to ST. Louis,
down the Ohio, generally occupies from six
TIA eight days-distnnce about 1900 miles
Life, on board Western steamboat, after
the two or three first days, when the novel
~ of the thing has worn off, becomes quite
dull and monotorious. You are turned out
of your berth in the morning, quite carly,
by the ringing Of a bell, and by saunterng
about in the Social Hall, or by pacing the
guards, contrive TO kill time until breakfast,
aud then your feelings become little
culmed, aud you feel in better humor for
the dsv.
As soou as the morning table is cleared,
aud the hall restored TO order, some Of the
passengers take n book or newspaper, mad
secure a comfortable sea, in the cabin, or a
cool and shady retreat on the guards.
Others, who have forGed sort of tempor-
nry chatling acquaintance, Of necessity
collect together in clubs, and discuss the
politics of the day, the peculiarilies OF the
country, or the Specializing projects that at
tract public nltentioa at the ume. Some
try hand at cards, and other games. A
mother class, too idle to read, too stupid TO
talk, or too lazy to do any thing else, thr Nv
themselves at full length into their berths
aud live out the day in dreamy forgetful-
ness.-The officers of the boat are engaged
IN their several departments; the cooks
and walters are busy below, preparing the
next meal and the crew are employed in
tending the fires, or cleaning the lower
deck. The river is smooth aud CLASSY,
and nothing is heard, as the boat ploushs
81. h,t lac
deep, unceasing hosrse cough Of the steam
pipes, echoing through the sounding forest.
that border the river.
On the Ohio, nothing can be seen for
hours, but The smooth water, dense forests,
and the clear blue sky, At sea, says
Washington Irving, every thing Tint breaks
the monotouy Of the surrounding expanse,
is an object Of attention. So it is on the
Western rivers. Even the flight Of dozen
turkey -buzzards, a swan or duck sailing
in the still coves, will sometimes produce a
rush from one side Of the boat to the other,
which will cause it to roll, and plunge, aud
labor, to the great terror of sensitive ladies'
and the infinite amusement Of the boat
bows and deck hands.
Down nll the rivers which feed the Ohio
float daily immense RATS of timber, and
fat-boats, peoplcd with emigrants. They
sometimes consist of two or three distine
RATS, lsshed together for mutual AID and
convenience, making one grapd concern
two hundred feet in length, aud about sixty
wide. At each end there are three Im
mense oars, or rudders, by which the un-
wie1dy mass is guided. On these rats.
there are frequently several families, with
every appointment Of the Western cuiigrant
10 the centre, stands rude but comtortable
.hantee, at once parlor, kitchen, bedroom
aud store house. The funnel OF cook
steve pierces the ro,f, and the outside OF lt'
wall is hung with a mixed tapestry eI
meat, sporting apparatus, and a variety ol
male aud female wearing apparel. Horses,
dogs, wagons, anu implements Of husbau-
dry, lie scattered about in great disorder.
These rats are composed entirely Of pine
plank, and shingles, and are valued at from
i've to hf'een thousand dollars when they
rsach 81. Louis.
4 powerful steamboat plougns up the
calls waters with tremendous force, and
creates quite q turmoil, on the bosorn Of a
river und the pilo; will often anuse the
dozing passengers BY running The boa, very
uer these immense timber RATS, leayin, ,
then to pitch and toss 10 the wake Of The
boat, thruvins dosn the crew, upsetiing
tt.ir sL,u,ees. aud disturbing oil their rude
"6xins." Sometimes an unlucky skifi
will get in,s The wake of The boat, and then
Va be uuis the poor fellow Who 10 so un-