The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1850-06-22
[Correspondenc Of the Cecil Wing J


TowANpA, Pa, June 10, 1880.
DEAR RICKETTS, AT 8 O'Clock on
Thursday morning we left Wilkesharrr
and struck across the mountains and this
evening, after a weary journey OF two
DAYS and a half, arrived here. When you
gel out Of Wyoming valley the road is one
OF the toughest, stonlest and hlll''st IN
America. Now you ascend a mountain
for miles, with dens- pine forests on either
side of you, and here and there an occa-
slonal cabin stuck IN cleared patch on
the mountain side. Now you descend
and wind through valley, among farm
houses, mills and factories, and now again
you Chamber along rough road with the
mountain towering high above you, the
river rushing swiftly below, and culti-
waited plain stretching away as far as the
eye can reach on the opposite bank.
Wyoming is celebrated in History and
song is ground made classic, hnt have
seen some valleys | considered prettler.
Perhaps it may be bad taste in me; but |
must say there are valleys along the Sus-
quehanna, which far surpass Wyoming,
divested of its associations, in natural seem
cry and beauty.
The land through Luzerne and Wyo-
ming counties is not in near as high a
state of cultivation as in the other coun-
ties through which we have passed. Ii
is, generally speaking, rough and very
stony, and much Of it appears to have
been but lately cleared, as it still abounds
with stumps. The houses in comparison
with those of Lancaster, DauphIn and the
adjacent counties are very small and mean.
In one OF my letters mentioned some
large barns; but l have since seen. some
much larger. In one near Selin's Grove
counted 65 windows and doors. But
the owners of many OF the largest houses
and barns are lamentabIy ignorant. We
have fell in with many Intelligent people
in Pennsylvania; but majority OF the
rich farmers are ignorant-very ignorant.
They take no newspapers, and the main
object of their lives appear to be to make
and hoard shlllings. The Marylanders
PIl admit are not such hard working,
industrious set of people, but they are
much more intelligent.
After you pass Columbia negroes become
very scarce, and you can travel day
without meeting single one. The peo-
pie through the state are opposed to slav-
ery-they know its effects--they know
ITS tendency is to degrade white labor, but
they have no great liking for Afrlc's sable
sons. And you seldom find one in favor
Of the unqualified abolition Of slavery.
The crops throughout the state look
fine and promise an abundant harv' st.
There is a great deal otrye raised here.
Nearly every farmer has field or two Of
it growing, and they wonder how the peo-
pie in Maryland are able 10 get along
without rye to feed their horses.
l have passed through SC many towns
since l last wrote you that it is impossible
to give you even sketch of them. One
esture about the mos: of them | admire
very much, they are generally we'll fur
ushed with shade trees. You can stand
on mountain peak and gaze down on the
busy little town halt hidden among trees
and shrubhery, Ii the Inhabitants had
taste enough, or sense enough, | don't
know which is wanting, not to daub their
buildings with a coating of intoerable red
paint, they would present a much neater
aud pretlIer appearance. But parcel Of
houses or harms painted with that horrid
Dutch red is enough to spoil the beauty Of
any scene.
Towanda has a population of about
1000 and is very handsome town. Some
years ago fire consumed the greater part
of it. But it has since been rebuilt. The
buildings are large and handsome and in
their structure display grea, deal OF taste
The citizens are pushing, energetic men,
and in a few years Towanda will be an
extensive and houri<hing place. We have
LETT the Dutch country behind us, and red
houses and barns are becoming scarce.
When they disappear entirely l shall not
be sorry, for l have grown weary OF them.
w.