The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-07-07


seas, roads and rivers the world has assumed a
new aspect and as ours is the country in which
steam navigation was first used, SC. we, as a ma
ton, likely TO derive the greatest benefit from
it. Our immense territory is consolidated-the
great distances from place to place are annihila-
ted-and our giant rivers, whose currents would
have ever deied the united strength of horse and
man, are now navigable as the ocean itself
As a nation we have right to be proud of our
means of travelling. They are the finest in the
world. Compare our steamboats, with those OF
European countries-Engand and France, for in
stance In an English steamboat or Steamship
for they are mostly Of the class of sea vessels
you are crowded along with a hundred other S,
into dark hole called the cabin, which Is not
much larger than the cabin of an ordinary mer-
chant vessel, and here you are expected to sit,
eat and sleep. The first Of these operations is
the easiest of accomplishment, as you will rarely
have an opportunity Of walking in such dingy
hole. As to the last, you will find it dffcult-for
the cabin Of an English steamer, for what reason
know not, is generally filled with squalling chill
dren and their care-takers. With regard to eat
ing, it is generally acknowledged by travellers
that the fare upon our roads and rivers is infinite
ly superior. All these defects may be charged to
the systems of monopoly which exist upon Euro
pean roads and steamboat routes.
On the other hand, let examine the internal
and external accommodations of our own beautiful
boats. Here, though "cabined," you are not con-
fined and, instead of the gloomy little apartment
you may have met with in an English steamer,
you find room almost large enough for crick-
ct ground, with ceiling as lofty as ball ROOM
This saloon dipipo RON, is IN . st,,I.
of oriental elegance. You are never troubled
with children or chdrcn's maids, and you are
woman hater, you need not get into the COM
pany of the ladies either. They have 'boudoir''
of their own as kind of ''interior of the harem,"
into which no gentleman except he who is fortu-
nate enough to own little piece of property in
side, ever dares to intrude.
Besides these, there is a neutral ground, and a
smoking ground, and promenade ground, and
comfortable sleeping places, and breakfasts, din
ners and suppers, that should satisfy the most fas-
tidious palate. In fact, you have only changed
your home for locomotive hotel of the first class
In railroad travelling we are behind the English
in speed. Their railroads constructed with
more care, and at greater expense; but when
it is recollected that these roads pass through
thickly populated districts, while ours traverse
the wilderness, the difference of patronage will
be seen at once to account for the superiority of
English railways.
Altogether, in our stages, railway cars and
steamboats,, we enjoy the easiest and pleasantest
travelling in the world. Formerly-we mean un-
til steam was fairly misunderstanding was
looked upon as a hardship-an adventure now
it is more of luxury, for few persons in our com.
munity fare quite so well at home as they do up.
on our first class steamers. Those that ply upon
the North River, and also those running between
New York and Boston, may very appropriately
be termed floating palaces" 1t may also be re.
marked that these boats possess accommodations
superior TO the steamboats, upon the Mississippi
and other Western rivers The construction ei
the latter renders them less capable Of containing
large dining rooms and their table is not so well
served but when it is considered that YOU NAV
travel from New Orleans to St. Louis, distance
oftwelve hundred miles, for twelve dollars, meals
berths, &c., included, it will not be wondered a,
that some economy is observed in their dinners
The great competition, within the last few years
has reduced the price Of travelling TO such an ex.
tent This price, Zone cent mile, with three
meals day,) is, we believe, the cheapest travel
ling in the world.
| tits to be borne in mind that the English ocean
steamers, those that run to Boston and New York
are exceptions to all other English Tor French
steamships.