New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-07-15
SUMNER RAMBLES.
Eastern Michigan.

ANN ARBoR, (Mlch.,) July TO- ls52.
A soft, cool day was chosen from week
ofheat and dust for an excursion to this beautiful
village. The morning train for Chicago leaves
Detroit at nine, and it is worthy of notice that
both in leaving and returning, the spacious depot
is kent clear of the clamorous crowd of hackmen,
porters. and runners" which usually confuse
the traveller at a stopping place, so that ample
room and leisure are afforded to have everything
done "decently and in order" The same pro-.
priety seems to be Observed on the entire route
from Buffalo westward.
The country is level for many miles after leaving
Detroit, only redeemed by the slightest possible
unduaton from the fairness Of prarie-land, yet
fertile, with rich fields of ripenng grain, patches
of me adow, and tracts of heavily timbered land.
Occasionally new "clearings' remind one of olden
times. and the Lighthouses are generally very neat
in their appearance. There is peculiar beauty
in these woods the trees are lofty and have more
spreading tops than is usual in the primeyal forest.
Extensive groves, or rather orchards, OF the
weeping elm, with it's luxuriant trailing foliage,
the straight tall trunks entwined with the wild
creepeT give picturesque loneliness to the land
scape. Their drapery, though OF brilliant green,
brings TO nina the ~t0telY southern swamp trees,
covered with the moss that waves like a shrOud
among their leaves. Here and there clusters Of
Young oaks looking like a nursery of fruit trees,
and thickets of bushes ringing some winding
stream, vay the forest scenery. Passing two
pretty villages, we find the country more varied
and broken as we approach lpSlant, thriving
little town with broad streets. well shaded by old
forest trees ard many country seats tastetully
adorned with gardens and groves. The winding
Hureu, flow ing gently along to mngle its clear
waters with Lake Erie, is as serpentine as the
HOusatonic. The track crosses lt seven times
within few miles. Bordered by thick bushes,
bending willows, oaks, or bursting from the
close embrace Of the woods, Ike nymph from
her lealy bower it gives Us glimpses Of enchanting
scenery and presently the eve is caught by one of
the peculiar features OF Michigan landscape, the
oak openings. The dense forest, with its luXurlant
garnture, Is varied here and there by pirk-lrke
slopes. thinly sprink led with ancient oaks shading
n green sward, enameled with wild flowers, or
partially covered with an underground OF dwarf
bushes. Occasionally, groups stand at intervals
in the open space, and groves Of young trees,
most gracefully disposed in the picture, rival the
art Of the landscape gardener The upands swell
gradually into hills, which of imposing hight,
around Ann Arbor, all adorned with these beauti-
ful openings. 4 winding dell stretching mile
or two from he village affords the most aiming
of walks under the shade OF oaks and elms thas
studily maintain their RIGHT OF soil; it is called
"Glen Maryland | believe had a title to the
name, before the one which has been made classic
by poet s reyeres.
The village of Ann ArbOr has now nearly four
thousand inhabitants, several churches of differ
ent denominations, a lOurshlng Female Seminary
under the OF the Misses Clark and Uniyer-
sity maintained by the State. The first settlers
came about 1894, and lodged for some weeks UNI
der the shelter OF their sleigh box and rude bow
er Of trees covered with buhil0-skins. This print
tive aIbor, or the beauty Of the Oak-grOyes, fur
nished name to the place, and the prefix "Ann,"
was given in honor of the name of the wives of two
of the pioneers. The first garden was on the spot
now occupied by the public square, and formerly
a place OF council for the Indians. The village,
with its surroundings Of fine natural scenery, is
often visited by Travellers and is important as the
site of the first established literary institution of
Michigan. The buildings, half a mile from the
town. are neat and spacious, and advantageOusly
situated; the grounds commanding superb views
on every side. The library is not large, but is
well selected. A fine building few rods across
the green, is appropriated to the Medical depart
ment and four handsome houses at the corners,
with large gardens, occupied by the Profess
ors.
The Huron River is the pride of Washtenaw
County. Some years since, a resident penned
few beautiful lines to flying swan, seen by mid
night, in the valley of "The bright, swift river of
the bark canoe but its day of romance is over,
that the ralcars bearing their freight ofcares
and busy energies, rush past its waters twice ev-
cry day. E.FE.