The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1848-08-12
Correspondence of The Cecil Wing
NO. VII NOT ES
FROM THE
Vallev of tho Cnnnecf}cnf

| Our last lett us on the banks OF the
Connecticut between Hartford and
Springfield, We now resume our trusty
staff and trudge on as best we may be-
meath burning sun, reflected from sands
that would not discredit Sahara itself.
self. At Warehouse Point, the Rail Road
crosses the river from Windsor Locke on
the Western banks, and thence to Spring
field continues close upon the Eastern
side. The bridge on which the railway
is carried across the river, some quarter
Of mile in length, and at the height OF
80 or 40 feet, was near being the scene
of tragic accident, two years ago. A
blast Of wind on one stormy night, lifted
the entire bridge from its firm abutments
and, hurled it on the rocks below,
dashing it to atoms. it was teartullv
dark and stormy winter night, and the
train from Boston was expected every
moment. There was a station at the
Eastern end of the bridge but the mail
train was accustomed to pass it without
stopping. Would they pass on now!
Or would they learn OF the accident
when too late to stop the train, and be
hurled into the abyss below A horse
man was dispatched instantly towards
Springfield, and in few minutes met
the rapidly advancing tram. But amid
the bowling Of the tempest, the rafting
OF machinery, and the shrieking of the
steam whistle, his voice was drowned,
and in the darkness of the night, he was
himself unseen. But as the Engine shot
past him the words, sThe BRIDGE" fell on
the Engineers ear, more like the pre-
sentiment of a dream, than a distinct
voice and he determined 10 halt and re-
connoitre; and well was it for those pas
sengers that he did thus determine, for
in a moment more, engine, cars and pas
sengers would have been dashed in one
mass among the fragments of the bridge
below, and the corps editorial through.
out the land would have been spared the
trouble of racking their brains for
slcader''
From Warehouse Point we took the
Rail Road track, hard though it was to
creep along at snal's pace while the Lo-
conceive shot by offering most inviting
ly its cushioned CATS, and comfortable
shade. On our left hand rolled the Con
necticut leaplng over dam and rock like
steed impatient of the curb; and hurry
ing onward to the Ocean. On the right
the country stretches away broken and
hilly with here and there some good
ground, but on the whole presenting lt-
tie to charm the eye OF the tourist or ag-
riculturist. A few hours of uninterest
ing travel brings us to Springfield, and
now we are in the ebay State,' proud
Old Massachusetts,, and we'll may she be
proud both of her past renown and pres
ent greatness, a greatness founded not on
the sword, nor on gold, its welding hand,
but on intelligence, industry, morals, and
Religion. Long may the same founda-
ton sustain her still growing fabric and
may the cap stone ofthe edifce be laid
on the morning when, the angel shall
declare that "time shall be no longer.n
Springfield lisa busy, manufacturing
town, and though there are here and
there spots Of rare beauty, 1t would hard
ly be called a pretty place by the mere
connoisseur. In the centre of the town
the great Western Rail Road from Bos-
ton to Albany intersects the Connecti-
cut River Road, and from their vast de-
pot, as from the heart of some huge mon
ster, continued pulsations of trade and
travel are necessarily poured forth, over
their iron arteries. One train in every
ten minutes during the day would not
be too large an average for all that enter
the depot from the four cardinal Points,
and the ringing of bells and screaming OF
whistles is incessant.
Among the objects worth seeing in
Springfield is the 'cemetry. Beautifully
situated with pleasing variety of hill
md vale, and natural forest, it is much
by spouting fountains, and |