The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-11-16

RAmhaes sA tAs Wsst.
PROM oUx novna ooRRssRoNDnr.
CHICAGO, H., Nov. 10. 1864.
Situation Of Observation-Disclosures Of Streas-Soctesy-
Young Mems Inststsse-Tksir Library and Lectures-
Ameodoe Of TAaokey-CswciwnaH Fsrses-ArcAitec-
ture-C acknowledgements upon it-Hotels-Pricate
Residemocs-Easterw Friswds Net Here-Rev. DR.. But
Ter, @ Chria CkuscA-Paid Fire Deportwent-As Sue
cess and BeneftELine Of Travel to Chica9o-Aspec
Of ne Country IN Indtano-IIinois-T1e Prairie
Prairie on Nre-ka~ner in which the Raisody Track
& Carried into Chicago.
The Queen Of the West did mot captivate me long
though her charms are far from being despicsble.
Almost everybody knows how Cincinnati stands, on
the lofty slopDg bank OF the Ohio hideous, naked
slope Of waterworn earth when the river isaow, and
showing the marks Of its immense rise; ct other times
making the incredible difference Of some sixty feet.
From the brow Of this slope the city rises pre
ty steep hill, something like Atlantic street in
Brooklyn, to broad table land which Ia the princi
pal level Of Cincinnati. The sereets parallel to the
river are numbered First, Second, Third, &C.; tho
cross streets are vsriously named from trees,
like Philadelphia, Is Walnut, Sycamore, Vine. But
Cincinnati reeem bles New York more than PhlAdel-
phia, without yet having the metropolitan aspect Of
either. The manners Of the people are moro oour
teous than at the Eas-there il less hurry and dis
traction. In Intellectual culture, it begins to vie
with Boston, and partakes largely Of the spirit Of
Massachusetts, in It's social e but Is vastly moro &C.
nial and less cliquey lii may coin tie wOrd), less
pretentous In fact as indeed has far inferior pre-
tensions, We must allow.
yr1o 10 Iua< s<ukA heo Hnn fho
bss. have eeen out of New York. where the Mer-
camille Library distances all competition. They have
IA 900 volumes and reading room Of really noble
extent and admirable arrangement. Their enterprise
in the matter Of lectures merits ell praise. All the
principal stars of the East their list. Tack
cry vas engaged by them-ns, by some ihdivi
cuals thiDk-at great risk, but left the country
without even sending them, word-a singulArity
which l hope admits Of explanation. The ferries
are unworthy Of Cincinnati. Too only communica-
ton between the city and Covington, on the
Kentucky eide, is hardly superior to the old
Brooklyn horte boats. TIE immense difference be-
tween high and low water is it is true, disadvan-
tage to them but surely it is one that Yankee inge-
nuity and enterprise might easily overcome. It
looks ss puch as ones neck is worth to descend in
buggy the naked and steep bank to the ferry; and
then you mount the boats side by crazy make
SHIFT for bridge, without even side-rail to pro
tect it.
70 architectural beauty this Western metropolis
has yet great claims. Most persons speak OF the
Catholic cathedral as something fne It 10 of
white marble, to the cross that crowns its lofty
spire, has sn uD6nishe portico Of giant columns,
and the roof Is supported within BY noble colcn
made Of massive grsy stone With rich as capitals, o,a
retiring space at the sanctuary end. Without
this majesty Of vastness in the portion Of the temple
which is appropriated to the worship, no matter
what cost may be lavished on the part which
~. oHoto t4a IN
man Catholic church will produce the impression
of awe al sublmisy which is felt in the cathedras
Of Europe. Can it be that they have lost the mighty
conviction which inspired the old unknown cathe-
votsries, without suspectng It, Of the "unspirtnal
god" utiity As lover OF art, should be glad to
think otherwise. for | should be sorry we're my
country to lose the only chance it has of possessing
the glories and suhlimties Of religious architecture
and if the Catholics would only once build rs real
cathednls we might do like the English, and appro-
pirate them to ourselves As yet, must say they
have not built church worth our taking; ct which
feel very much Disputed. We have done nearly
as well a. they ourselves, and In the way Of paro-
chia churches better.
The Burnett Houee is reckoned the best in Cincin.
matt, but as we were staying with friends, cannot
speak of is merits Our locG'e was very attractive,
and gave pleasant notion Of . domestic residence
in Western city-gaiden court in front OF the wide
double house, and . longer range OF shiubbery and
ees between the house and its neighbor, formed
found many An old Eastern friend, long lost sight Of,
d, micDjated there, as we'll as here, among whom
we may mention the Rev. DR.. G. M. Butler formerly
o. Warrington city. who has just assumed the
rectolsbip Of Christ Church. But the thing which
impressed most with II sense Of prac deal utility
II The sphere Of municipal and social progress In
c nciI natl, was the new paid fire corps FJr nine
nor tbs, was told, there bad not been fire in this
CITY serious enough to be noticed. The steam fire
epr mes are particularly gu cessful experiment;
and ,he gain to public and especially, juvenile mo
rslty from the breaking up Of those rendezvous Of
disorder, idleness and mischief In large citytha
engine houses Of volunteer companes-has been
marked. How long will metropolitan New York
endure system that experience shows to be fraught
with go many evils2
As wished to visit Chicago and Milwaukee
before the cold Get in, quilted Cincinnati after
few DAYS Five railroads, five changes of cars, and
fifteen hours travel, carried me across Indiana and
Illinois to this city. The line is very level In Iud
ana there are beautiful woods 70 diversity it,
trail road, q region Of bound'ess prairie,
mostly denuded Of wood, breaks upon you. As
far as the eye can reach extends the same level
plain, covered with dry yellow grass, and showing,
lean. Occasionally there is thin grove Of low
osks and at distance OF ten miles tho horizon is
fripged with wood. Flocks Of wild geese are scared
up by tho advancing train, and twinkling flights Of
prairie chickens. At niehtiall the scene became
splendid. The prairie was on fire all around US.
You would have said that an enemy was passing
through it, marking his path by hundreds OF burn
ing villages Once or twice We dsshed right
Though . burning grove, and it was curious as
we'll pitiful to see trees whose tops were still
covered with autumnal leaves, their trunks all
blazing brands. About halfpast 10 o'clock P. NJ.
We came upon Lake Michigan, and the cars rolled
along In front Of the city Of Chicago, on . track
laid upon piles right through the lake, with water
ON both sides, and defended on the lake side by
solid stone breakw ater. RUF. RAMBLER.
OUR CINCINNATI CORRESPONDENCE.
CINCINNATI, Nov. l, 1854.
Last Words about " The Giades" of PennsyiUania
-70wnoments in the Aleghanies- Heakhiness
ofthis Regio~-B. + o. r. r. from Cumberland
Wea-BeaSty and P'ctSresquensss of the Route
-Iresfles on Cheat Rivera Viec Missed
HaAeys of Westen Virgiaia-W heeling-Ks