Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1854-12-22
PENNSYLVANIA.


Correspondence Of the American Citizen, LOWELL Mass
MR. EDITOR: In my last, I proposed
giving you way-side notes Of my journey
up the Susquehanna, but really SO many
things have interposed, that l have scarce
ly found leisure even to recur to those
notes, until the present time. However,
will waive apologies, and endeavor by
future promptness to atone for past relnis-
ness. ..... -a...
As VIC leave Philadelphia, We are borne
along by the indefatigable iron horse
through an interesting and beautiful region
of country. The immediate vicinity of the
city is delightful, the country seats so COM
bining nature and art as to leave most
agreeable impression upon the mind. We
find on advancing into the interior, an un-
commonly fine farming section, affording a
pleasant variety of scenery, and yet it has
no particularly marked features. Judging
from the bird's-eye view We have Of Lam
caster, it must be lovely and fourishipg
city of some twelve or fifteen thousand in
habitants. Soon after passing Lancaster,
we strike the Susquehanna, which adds
immeasurably to the effect Of the ever
changing prospect as We glide along.
At Harrisburg we are allowed little
time, but not sufficient to look about. In
the section through which the cars pass,
tbs buildings are dilapidated and the
streets present anything but an attractive
aspect but at = little distance We see the
State Capitol looking down upon us in
truly imposing grandeur, impressins US
with the idea that the location is indeed
beautiful, and the edifce worthy the noble
"keystoue State" I am told this city is
charming one, and only regret not hav-
ing leisure to bear witness to the same,
with my own eyes.
The scenery now becomes more and
more delightful, and ere long there is
kind of enchantment thrown about by the
mingling of the waters Of the "blue Juni-
alta" with the quiet and peaceful Susque-
hanna. The graceful bending of the
streams, the lawns Of the extended banks,
tastefully interspersed with s-oups of way
ing trees-indeed the whole prospect is full
of beauty, fillirg the mind Of every lover
of nature with the mos: pleasing emotions
Here, at the Junction, we exchange the
railway car for the slow but sure canal
packet boat. At first We feel restless and
dissatisfied in anticipation of the time that
must be spent in getting over the next
forty or fifty miles at such snai's pace.
We look at the narrow dimensions of the
boat, and at the multitude Of passengers,
and exclaim, mentally, at least-"How
unendurdJle % We endeavor to rest
awhile, and pcrchance take book, or re-
sign ourselves to the land Of dreams, to
wear away the time, which we are resolved
must hang heavily upon US. But at length
better feelings return, and with them,
determination to glean-some little pleasure,
at least, even from this monotony; but
where or how is the question. We 60 on
deck, and behold the query is already
solved, for scene of surprising interest
bursts upon the view Here two streams,
one natural, the other artificial, pursue
their courses side by side most harmoni-
ously-that Of art, our unpretendirg canal,
is sometimes shaded by profusion of trees
upon its banks, picturesque from their
wildness; On the right side az we pass up,
may be seen first the smooth path, with
the patient and hard driven horses on the
trot-next comes the broad
Susquehanna, now just at hand, now max
ing graceful curve, so that field or lawn |
with clusters Of trees spread out between
The two streams. Beyond the river the
scenery is diversified with mountains, hills,
valleys, farm houses and occasional vii
ages. On the left Of the canal may be
seen the county road, above which pre-
,ipitous mountains now raise their proud
heads and then slope away and give place
o the cultivated field or rural hamlet
md then soon again may be seen towering
heights reposing in majestic dignity, and
ooking down upon us, as pigmles, as we
Iuietly wcnd our way at their feet. Se-
insgrove and Northumberland are the
argest towns passed during our present trip
Is a whole the scenery thus far on the.
iver exceeds our expectations-much OF
certainly compares very favorably with
hat on the far famed Hudson. 1t is both
noble and beautiful stream, but unfor-
unately has not sufficient depth of water
0 make it available in navigation.
At Lewisburg left the boat for a So {
ourn of some weeks. Lewisburg is about
mile from the canal town of perhaps
our thousand inhabitants, and the seat of
.cwi,burg University. 1t is pleasantly {
ituated on the west branch of the Sus-
uehauna, and regularly laid out, resemb-