The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-10-21
BRANDON, Thursday October 81, 184z

to Pittsburgh, and paid one charge for cxtr
baggage. All the passengers were served il
the same way, and all agreed that it was ont
Of the grossest impositions ever practced il
this country. never intend to travel owe
the same road again, and advise all persons
travelling West, to 90 via Canal and Rail
road to Harrisburg, or via the Northern
route, and Buffalo. The route by stage a
cross the mountains is more fatiguing than
either ofthe others, besides which, you mus
submit to outrageous charges for extra bag.
gage at Cumberland, and the most impu-
dent treatment on the whole route. l took a
boat at Brownsville, at p. NJ, next day,
Oct. 2, and arrived in Pittsburgh on Sunday
morning.
The N1onongahcla House is the best Hotel
| have ever see this side the Mountains, and
compares well with the Astor and fremont
of eastern renown. The tables are bountifully
supplied and the servants very polite and
attentive. There is nothing which so wins
upon the travellers affections as good COM
Portable hotel, where clean rooms are to be
found, good food and plenty of it.
Pittsburgh is well named the Iron City.
A stranger is astonished to find so many fur
naces and torges in constant operation, and
incredulous when told of the amount of iron
which is snelted, and manufactured in this
city.
Soft coal is used for fuel, almost exclusive
ly; which causes the city to be cnvelopcd in
dense black smoke. This smoke and SCOT,
like gloomy pail, hangs over the town, al
most yelling the sun itself, giving to the at
mosphere a sombre and melancholy hue,
which is appalling when first witnessed, and
reminds one wildly of the dun leaden aspect
said to have hung over the Inflated cities of
Southern Europe, when visited by volcanic
eruptions Every thing has dingy, coal-pit
look here the houses are all black with
SCOT, and the inhabitants about the same.
Pittsburgh is separated from Allegheny city,
by the Allegheny River on one side and from
Sligo, on the other side, by the Monongahe-
la River and is situated upon point of
land, at the confluence of the two rivers
which unite, and from the Ohio river.
Allegheny city would be very pleasant
place were it not for the smoke in which it
is shrouded. Near by are several high hills
one of which l assembled. The view was
magnificent, -extending over a large area
comprising Pittsburgh, Allegheny and Sligo,
with large extent of country. Pittsburgh
lays at the base of the hill, and as | listened
to the roar of the forges-the clangor of the
numberless hammers, and the hum of the
busy city at my feet, and saw the lurid flame
stream from the countless fres-the whole
partially concealed by black smoke, and SCOT,
l invountarily compared the place to the
Pandemonium of heather Mythology; and
thought the evil spirits could desire no more
hidcous place. in which to perform their un-
holy meant ations
But turning from this picture, nature seem
ed to be reposing in all her beauty,-the riv-
ers were vending their peaceful way amid
green hills and sunny wales; while far as the
eye could reach, the landscape was dotted
with villas, gardens and beautiful woodland
scenery. 1 have seldom enjoyed more beau
tiful scenery in one day, than have to day,
in the vicinity of this city,
l am truly yours,