Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-11-26


Mr.. EDITOR The season is fast drawing
nigh which is day of rejoicing to most of the
inhabitants of this place and vicinity. That
time is the "close of navigation" Some per-
haps will start at this remark, butts it not true.
Even he who utters regret as the chilling sea-
son curdes the waters around, that long win
ter is before us, will find lurking behind the
thought sweet rejoicing for the day. l am
aware that many who pay an occasional visit to
this place imagine, we, the Inhabitants, drag out
a miserable existence for the space of three or
four months each year. They seem to think
we burrow, something as does the badger, and
do nothing but eat and moan for the white
winged messengers from the other side Jordan I;
in this they are much mistaken. How often is
the inquiry made by such, "what do you do in
the winter! is it not lonely do,on here!" &c.
know the inhabitants in this little world one
side are few, but the greatest portion, are those
that during the season of navigation are dill
gent in their business, from early morn until
late at night; here there is no ten hour city
system, no custom to open stores, shops &C., at
seven and close at eight, giving respite to the
man of business and recreation to the clerk or
apprentice. The body is wrought upon by
constant labor and toll during the navigable
months, until each look care worn, weary and
exhausted AN rejoice that the time has arri-
we'd when rest, quietness and little solitude,
if you so please to call it, is or may be ours,
with sufficient employment to fan into vigorous
exercise the mental faculties of our natures !;
the body regains its wonted strength, the mind
is being strengthened and expanded by the Pc
rusal Of the various periodicals of the age and
well selected library. The merchant and for
warder rejoices; they can seat themselves in
their counting rooms withou fear of being
aroused by the nerve thrilling whistle of the
propeller, or the CHATTER of the steamboat bell
to night of drudgery-but free from excite.
ment they can have the opportunity, for they
esteem such the bright spots of existence and
look often forward to this time, when they can
undisturbed extract and hive knowledge from
the flower fields of literature. The mechanic
rejoices and labors not in fear his customer
will be left behind to his great disadvantage by
the first conveyance, unless he burns the mid.
night taper or wakes up the morning with arti-
cial light The lumberman rejoices that care in
n great measure has gone over to await the forth
coming Of spring time. The landlord rejoices
that the small hours of morning are not lost in
drowsiness, "setting up" for the doxoogy of
his crowd, busy here and there with the mer-
chant, mechanic or vesse-he too can find les-
ure to reap harvest in literature and fill the
mind with something more than unpaid bills
and slippery customers-he can now retire
with an understanding that he can sleep all orer,
not expecting to be disturbed by the " heave-ho"
of the sailor or the hurrah of the ever wakeful
captain, knocking admittance for his passengers.
The sailor also rejoces rs he looks back through
his hair breadth escapes and perhaps upon deeds
of daring to save fellow shipmate from the
yawning abyss, and laughs at the element over
which he has toicd and watched, which now
seems to wear the garment of the Greenland
ers foe; he too has sufficient time, and he i'm
proves it, to take in ballast for the mind, rattle
down the main rigging of the man and trim bis
sails to the breeze of knowledge.
Yes-all, all rejoice in full view of our win
ter employment and pastime and are ever happy
in the anticipation. CONFINEMENT.
Grand Haven, Nov. %, 1851.
rSye We are pleased TO learn that orr friend