, 1853-08-06

Il
Steilacoom, from whom we have had The
pleasure of receiving an interesting letter
by last mail, we are happy to state has Ia
ken unto himself bride, lady fair of Bal
timore, and may be expected home in the fall
He was a valuable friend to the COLUMBIAN
in its first struggles for life, and we shall be
glad TO bid him warm welcome back
We give the following extracts from hi.
letter. 1t is dated
BALTIMORE, Nd, May 81, 1858.
"The novel excitement consequent on
my arrival in the eStates-engagements here
and there, a perfect tumult of sensations,
gaiety and depression of spirits, not a little
embittered by the conviction of the distance
which separates me from the ever to be
loved, beautiful and happy Stcilacoom, has
not only prevented me from writing to you,
but even now fills me with thousand iren-
zied notions, which robs me of happiness,
and makes me often heartily regret that
business, or any other cause could induce
me to venture so far from the land of my
adoption-the land above all others how-
ing with milk and honey"
Alas how true il is that he who has
tasted the joys of life on Puget Sound, can
never again be content with the artificial
pleasure or (what to him is more than ever
" dull monotony of life in the States.
! left Puget Sound on the lst of March
as you are aware, in the ship Mason,n &C.
companied by my friend K. NJ. HALL, and
arrived in San Francisco after a pleasant
run Of nine days. We spent few days in
that city very pleasantly, and on the 10th
embarked on the famous steamship " Gold
en- Gate for Panama. Not the pen of the
greatest writer that ever welded that
mighty instrument" could fully portray
the characters or describe the daily scenes
on that beautiful and grand ship, amidst
miscellaneous assomblage of people of all
nations, numbering in the cabin more than
three hundred, a fourth Of whom we're
ladies'. Every possible attention was given
TO the Passengers - even their strangesl
wishes seemed to have been anticipated,
which, with uninterrupted delightful wealth
er combined to keep up a constant joyous
ness. No orders were heard on board
nothing but the hum Of busy life and mirth
met the ear. The day was generally spent
in reading and conversation, and the even.
ing in singing and promenading. In short,
the whole made up an assemblage Of the
most brilliant and intellectual society, in
which were singuIarly blended peculiarly
of character, simplicity and intelligence
The steamer averaged during her trip over
300 miles day, SO that we soon arrived at
Panama. Nothing could exceed the op-
pressve heat and misery in crossing the
jnstly dreaded Islhmus. Many die on the
road, not few arc murdered, and people
become so selfish, that should their friends
become sick they will almost leave them to
their fate. We were fortunate, however,
and crossed without difficulty. Having no
detention at Aspinwal, we were at sea again
in three days after leaving Panama, and ar
rived in New York on the 9th Of April,
making the passage from San Francisco in
2l days and a few hours.
With the best regards to yourselves and
all my friends, in which R. NJ. HALL ioins
me, coupled with an earnest wish that we
shall soon be with you again,
/ am, yours very respectfully,
JAMES HALL.