The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-08-04

SARATOGA SPRINGS, July 81.
Sdratoga-5muicanL Locomotives.

| j. q. BENNETT, ESQ.,,
| Dear Sir-The first impressions of an European
on visiting this spot will perhaps be read with al
| interest more than commensurate with their in
| trinsc Importance | started from New York
few days ago for this celebrated place. We EN-
barked at seven in the evening in vessel which
notwithstanding all | had previously heard, excite,
feelings of unqualified establishment A floatn,
structure above three hundred feet long and thre.
stores'hgh! consisting ofsuits of saloons spendidl
furnished, large dormitories supplied with severa
hundred beds, beside innnmerable separate bed
rooms or estate rooms" as they are called, eacl
appointed in the first style Of convenience ant
luxury. In this floating palace was transported
over nearly three degrees OF latitude for two dollars
Cor eight and sixpence English,) Of which one
fourth paid for the use of one Of the said state
rooms. After sitting on the upper deck viewing
the magnificent scenery Of the Hudson, for a few
hours by the clear mild light of the full moon, re.
tired to my room, Of which had received the key
on the payment OF the above mentioned fifty cent;
at the captains office. When entered this cham
Der, could not help calling to mind the accounts
given by some English tourists Of the steamboat
travelling OF this country, and contrasting it with
this first experience of mine. The chamber was
neat in the highest conceivable degree. The wood
work coated with the finest white paint A hand
some Brussels carpet manufactured, however, al
this side of the Atlantic as afterwards learned,)
covered The floor. Two berths (these rooms are
Intended also to accommodate married people,
were furnished with the finest linen and white
counterpanes Two neat chairs, stool for the
portmanteau, a mahogany washstand supplied with
q 81 If oIap turn IN
a couple Of squares of Windsor soap, and couple
of the whiest, cleanes and finest towels, the whole
surmount.d by large mirror in highly polished
mahogany frame. After an excellent nights rest
found myself at the wharf in Troy. A civil, re-
spectacle looking servant tapping at my door, at
tended with my boots and warm water, profering
at the same time the aid of barber.
Taking this, my first experience of American
travelling, a sample, and considering what !
have been taught to expect by my countrymen
tourists who ndte their adventures for the edifica
ton Of the public, you will not be surprised if am
perplexed. Having travelled much in every part
Of Europe, can have no hestutlon in saying that
nothing in the art of locometion can be found
there-no, not even in England itself, to parallel
this The speed too The distance to Troy is, |
am informed, not much under $50 miles, and this
passed over in l0t hours, being at the rate Of
ttle less than Is miles an hour, speed which not
many years ago was regarded as unattainable on
water
Being to certain extent conversant with ma
chinery, may be allowed to say word in COM
mendation also Of that department of the vessel.
The workmanship and materials were indeed OF
the first order, and would have done no discredit
to the most accredited engineers Of London, Bir-
mingham, or Glasgow. The excellence of con-
struction both Of the vessel and machinery was
manifested in striking manner BY the absence Of
that shaking OF the structure and "thuml ing" ct
the piston, which Is so annoying even In the best
and largest English steam ships In the room |
occupied was sensible OF no effects Of The machi-
merry; indeed could scarcely have discovered by
any sensible effects that the vessel was worked by
machinery at all. | intended to have continued
this letter so as to include part Of my experience
tn place, but my paper Is run out and with your
favor shall reserve what further have to say till
my next. AN EUROPEAN TRAVELLER.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, Aug L.
Travelling bst,ceen Troy and Ssratoga-Emjoy-
mcM at the Springs.
]. G. BENNETT, ESQ.
In my last gave the impression Of an European
traveller on ascending the Hudson. Breakfasting
al Troy, started by railway for this place, which
we reached in about three hours. ! cannot extend
to the railway appointment on this particular route
the same degree Of praise justly merited by the
liver travelling. The cars are execrable, and the
most culpable negligence and paltry economy are
shewn in many Of their arrangements. will only
mention the absence Of those necessary springs
which are called in England BUFFERS" the purpose
of which is to prevent the shocks which are pro-
duced at starting and stopping, and indeed at every
sudden change Of speed. The shocks we suffered
seemed as though they would have dislocated all
the joints in the body.
Well, here we are, in the far famed Saratoga,
packed closelyas human bodies can be consistent
" with continued respiration Every one seems
restess-not knowing what to do with himself
each asking the other when he intends leaving?
Comfortable and convenient homes have been ex-
changed for over-crowded hotels and boarding
occupations have been surrender
ed without any definite purpose or really any enjoy
able substitute. This place bears notshe least re-
semblance to any European watering place. Here
are not the rouge and noire tables, and the even
log delassemens of Baden Baden. Here are not
the confusion Of tongues--he profusion OF wealth
the brilliant nobesse collected from various ma
tions-the retinue Of attendants-the dazzling
equipages-the lofty tltles-and the thousand name
less etceteras which utter all constitute the attrac-
ton and charm-(be 1t rational and commendable
or noD-ot the great European watering places.
The absence of that particular class Of persons who
from hereditary wealth, have habitual leisure
who have nothing to do but to enjoy life-who revel
in the rehnements-whoa are the patrons and nurses
Of the artists especially remarked by the foreign
uisitor. Every one here seems to be in false
position, and to be conscious of it. There is uni
versal restlessness-movement and activity without
any discoverable obect-a total absence Of repose
Men and women walk up and down the colonnade
of the u. s. Hotel at the rate Of four miles ar
hour-listen with anxiety for the dinner bell; wher
they hear it their countenances shew immediate
relief, not because they are hungry and are abou
to eat, but because dinner is event in the day
and breaks the universal tedium. They march to
the crowded tables like the pensioners in Green
wlch Hospital, where they are duly packed to
gether as Close as the dimensions OF their bodie
will permit. Your elbows are pinned down to TIL
side, wedged against your neghbois', and In man
Ipuang your food you are compelled to observe
the rule of pano-furtr PLAYERS, all movement bcnl