The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1853-12-31
Correspondence Of Tie Cecil Wig.
Letter from the Wcst.-Nc, 4,

CincinnaL-its dirty sireeis-iishnndyomr tr0nen
and rice rersn- ucse,H tOraS--their appear-
ance from the boat--Neir hiy'cry-migraioru
propensi!ieS ot The res!ern peOpie--irGreiiiag
on resfern steamboat-he company serring
up mc0is-unuscment ofHe pnssengerS- card
playing disposition y The compuny, &c, wiih
other matters.
One remarkable feature OF the Queen
City" are its dirty streets, the side
walks, in place Of clean washed brick,
are coated over with dirt about quarter
of an inch thick, forming kind OF car
pet. The exceptions to this rule are
few, even their most fashionable streets
being not exempt from this too common
appendagr OF western cities and towns.
Cincinnati has many fine buildings but
! ornament appears to be but secondary
motive with the builders, and h"rcr in
walking through its broad, plain, and
Philadrlphia-llkr streets, we are Imprpst
with an idea of its utility rather than
beauty.
1t has been famed for ugl y women,
and it can present very strong claims
to hat distinction. met with some
however, who are quite handsome; still
they lack that classic, poetic silye Of
beauty, which is distinguishing char
actprrstic of our Maryland bellies. But
! viii LAY more abou, the western ladies'
in future.
The towns along the Ohio are pretty
hard looking places, take them in genrr-
al They are in a ma jorl,v of Instances
mlserably dilapidaied and dirty dirt
is IA distinguishing feature OF the West
efn country, however, 10 all appearance
from the boat. didn't land at any of
the minor places along the river, be-
tween this city and Wheeling, tul judg-
ing from the ma or ones, the Appearance
OF the small towns from the RIVER is d
true index to their reality.
The numerous towns with which the
western rivers are dotted have in most
instances been built up, or rather com
menced by spectators, for the accom-
mediation of an imaginary population,
who We're to lmnlgrate from the East
and convert them INTO tine cities lmme-
diat'ly. But emigration west has no
PERMANENT stopping = lace. The prom.
i.ed land is still little tuIthtrn west,
and thus they keep pushing on toward
the setting sun, marilng the primitive
beauty-ltit has dny--oi the wilderness
giving it rough sketch Of civilization
aS Ii.ey move on.
a lrlp on a western steamboat is in.
trrrsting. That great variety Of Scrne-
~, and mixed company which the trav-
ellrr is continually meeting w:th. serves
to keep the wayiarer in an agrerbiy
state OF mind. On the regular pa>sen.
ger Packet, the fare Is very good, may
say first rate; and serving meals is re-
duc2d TO system. When the riands
are duly ranged on the tabIt-v Mich
is done Oy the chief trwart " ith mathr-
NAUTICAL preciSlon--and chairs placed,
every passenger deposits his hat in his
stale room, and stands at the back OF his
chair. The Captain stewart then posts
himself at the upper end of the table,
and with bell in hand, awaits the move.
meats below. Some other high func.
tlonary OF the boat-the Clerk, perhaps
3 V,
! invariably the stern part of the cabin,
which is separated from the gentIemen's
prortnce by folding doors to the table.
! " hen the talr sex are ali seated-and it
is sacrlrge for gentleman to take his
Seat betore-the stewart rings his bell;
then what rush every man for him
self and the dinner for us all! The meal
being over, the next thing generally is
a CIGAR, drink at the bal-.tor every
boat is provided with liquor bar--a
promenade on the deck, sc.
The next thing in order after the
dishes are "ciear-d off, is The cards;
when the mysteries of euchrp, whist, old.
sledge, SC, are discussed. Betting, lat.
terIy, is Not permitted on the boats, and
have seldom seen other than games 10.
amusement played-tho' betting some.
times-late in the night, when orderly
folks have retired is re,orted to- Then
poker is the game. On some hard boat>
on the lower Ohio and Mississippi,
nave seen the Tin piled up.
1t is amusing to see the company, af-
Ter dark, When all are collected III the
cabin, dividing off into chapters. The
| hard-cases take the bow of the boat
where the bar is located; and here is
where the loud laughing, obscene jest,
and polker-if any is played-is carried
! on.
The more polished sort occupy CEN
raj position, playing at cards or read
ing. The "upper ten" occupy the ia
/ bes nearest the ladies' cabin, and gen
orally spend their time very sedately in
reading. The privileged characters are
! those who are ancumbered with ladies'.
"hese have the envlabla license of en-
'ering the ladies cabin and ho ding
sweet converse" with the gentle sex.