The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-30


eoocped out like an immense bowl OF verdure, on
the rim ut which we appeared 20 be suspended.
We actually overhuDg the vast hollow, "nlle
just hey ond, deep cutting as II through the
side OF the bowl, gave exit &c the rod. jump
ed out upon The platform, On the other SIDE OF
which freight train was advancing, and III
CURED of rough look ng individual, Shas the
place was called In England | should have
go, no answer, or a surly or at best stupid
one, but here my man was both. competent ard
willing TO give me every Information.
The spot had no other name, be said,
but Relay House, az it was q place
for changing horses in the old @ehlng
times Where we stood was all made ground,
the hillside having been cut away 10 make
room. and the earth turned over into the val
ley, a. immense expense as it WAS very table
"Yonder cutting through the bin had been lately
made,D satd be, "a. cost of 100000" Before
that the road USED 20 wind round by way
which be showed me, where now the Washing
ton branch forks off over bridge tbas was
one Of the greatest pieces Of rechanical work"
in all the States IN facr, thls was he Wash
ington junction. Eve are coming up froc. that
way" added my informant; aud 81 the freight
train inst then cot into motion towards Raltl-
more, he NODDED 10 me and jumped upon one Of
the cars laden with coal. you'll see the
bridge when you pass the cut be .lled out to
me as they moved of. | perceived IL already,
and the gulf which it spanned, in fore-shorten-
Ing, and as soon az we emerged from the cut. as
my polite man Of Goals had informed ne, the
whole bold and massive profile Of the bridge
WIS full III view, gray stone, iron railing, Lofty
aTches--a work worthy Of Rome.
+ was a good deal pleased with this incident,
illustrating the intelligence and politeness Of
my country men OF all classes although had
never travel. d in other countries | should not
have noticed it. / stood on The platform OF the
car TO get better view OF the bridge, and the
conductor, seeing my curiosity, without I'D" be-
gan 10 crafty me by pointing out the various
objects Of interest that we passed. 10 Europe
tLey would have been ruined castles, very pc
taresque and of extremely little use 8, the
present generation but here they were chiefly
the fine mills on the Patapsco, actually il ope-
ration, and to my notion more beautiful from
their real utility and fitness than the most ac-
curate copy Of Stolzentel's wouli b., over
hanging the ledgy and ripping stream. This"
said my polite conductor, presently, 'lS Eli
colts mills
1t lay in deep hollow, which we crossed en-
q auseway and bridge. The hills that hem 10
the village are green and bowery with trees;
there must be tine building sites on their table
SUBMITS some of which were indeed already
occupied with fine seats and groves ] had in-
tended TO stop at Ellicott's Mills in order to
visit Doughoregan Manor, about FIVE miles dis
tant the celebrated seat of Charles Carroll Of
Carrollton, where he habitually resided; but as
We hid accepted an invitation from trends
higher up the country, we postponed this plea
sure to future period
After leaving Ellicott's Mills, and from there
nearly to Frederick, or rather to Morocacy,
the road still skirts the Patapsco, which dimi-
nishes indeed rapidly ia size, but heightens in
beauty The rain of the day before. affecting
it's whole valley, had MAIDS it's waters turbid
and mud coiored; but ! was informed that
usually they are, unlike more Southern rivers,
clear and transparent. The banks are richly
shaded, and where the bed expands to embrace
an island or fat bottom, these are covered
with the finest corn have yet seen.
We then reached the Planes" the first Of
which lifts us out of the valley Of the Patapsco,
the second carries US down into that Of the No
nocacy tributary Of the Potomac. On cross
ing it, where we stopped again TO drop our
passengers for Frederick city, some three niles
by the Branch, the scenery once more was
strikingly beautiful. The richest Of valleys,
watered by The clear Monocacy stretch ID be ore
US, and we began to see the blue outline of the
mou"tans : blue By that noon light. The eie-
vations are not very great but they are the FIRST
swels of the Blue Ridge, 10 which We were fast
approaching.
covered with crops Of corn aud wheat, the lat
ter all in golden stacks and ricks--we cafue up
Old the Potomac at the Point Of Rocks" where
beautiful covered wooden bridge, resting Oh
high stone piers, communicates with Loudol
county, Virginia. Our hearts beat little fas
ter at sight of the famous Old Dominion, which.
however, we were not destined yet TO enter.
The track follows the river, indeed; but on its
left or north bank, making its way for the Gap
at Harper's Ferry. which soon becomes visible
before us is the blue mountain boundary OF the
horizon, the gate Of the great Virginia Valley.
But we shall not yet pass that gate. We have
something yet to observe among the farms OF
Frederick county. The spot where we have
halted-tbanks to hospital invitafion-a coun-
try house in the very bosom of the mountains,
with its rich fields, its negro quarter, and ell
the social features Of the interior Of Merry land
promises tine and useful study. More OF that
in my next. RUFus RANBLER.