, 1854-10-21
For the Pioneer and Democrat.
A Ramble down the Sound.

A Ramble down the Sound.
FRIEND Wiley !; After getting on board
the Major 7ompIins, we glided down the
beautiful waters Of the Sound, l beheld for
the first time the magnificent scenery along
its shores. Old, sOmbre looking trees
standing in gloomy grandeur, like the ghosts
of the departed aborigines looking on in
solemn silence at the innovations Of the hyds
Boston tyres. ..s.... +
Towns appear to have sprung into ex-
istence as if touched by the wand Of
magician, and have become the busy
marts of trade and commerce. The re-
sources of this country seem TO be fast de-
veloping themselves-in agricultural pro-
ductions, lumber, and coal, while her FISH
ing grounds will equal if not excel any in
| the world.
The thousand islands of the Sound are
in part finely wooded upon Others again
are to be found the most beautiful prairies
sloping down to the waters edge. They
range in size from one mile in length and
breadth to sixty. Should desire to live
the life recluse, would take possession
of one of these isolated islands-leaVe the
cursed multitude and
Think like a sage, though feel like a man"
At Whidby's island the scenery to say
the least is gorgeous. The placid waters
of the bay are rejecting back the sun
beams in silver sheen. Mountains away
of in the distance looking as blue as the
veins IN a virgins bosom While the gran
deur of Washington and Oregon-the
snow-covered peaks of the Cascade range
are looming up against the heavens reyel-
ing in light peculiarly their own, add to
the sumblmity of the scene and while our
vessel is walking the waters like q thing
of life" they appear and disappear with
their snow-capped SUBMITS looking down
with perfect GOODNESS on the lazy clouds
hanging midway beneath, like the views Of
a panorama.
/ saw set of bipeds represented to be
human beings, the "red men Of the for
est l thought Of
"Low, the poor Indian ~
and felt persuaded in my mind, that the
sooner they rdmoscd the ranehe on terra
frma" the better-as it will save sympathy
on the part of the whites, and degradation
and misery on themselves. Poor devils
their brief candle" win. soon flicker out,
and Ned Buntline, and the contributors
to the popular magazines Of the East will
have to look somewhere else for heroes and
heroines, for their lofty strung and highfa-
.lutin novels. p. ...-... .....
The Indians on Vancouver island appear
to be different breed Of pups, than those
higher up the Sound-more Englishized,
by being crossed, probably. ~.
will not speak Of the towns along the
Sound, nor fatter the citizens, as they
wouldn't pay me for 6lo'oing-farther than
that there appears to be cities struggling
into birth.
The soil Of that portion Of Vancouver
island which saw, is as good apparently
as any on the Pacific coast The citizens
Of Victoria are coruteous and hospitable,
and expressed great deal Of kindness to
US, while there. - -...... ,..s-
After leaving Victoria we steamed over
to the British feet composed Of the men
of-war President, so guns Pique, 40 ;
steamer Virago, 6 /; and the prize, Russian
ship Sitka-lying o short distance from
that plnce. We went on board the Presi-
dent where we were treated with all due
respect-the officers taking us over the yes
sci and showing US the damage done in the
late engagement with the Russians at Pc
tropolovski There we're large number
Of fine looking, able bodied seamen on
board-food for powder. When leaving
the feet the steamer " Tompkins" fred
salute and the fine brass baud Of the Presi-
dent struck up Hail Columbia 2 and
feeling Of reciprocity was shown through
out. L.t....-'.... ..-..
The steamer Major Tompkins" has fill
ed up the vacuum in business and trade of
the Sound, and the citizens wonder how
they got along before without it, since it has
commenced regular trips between Olympia
and VictoriaI The proprietor Of the Tes-'
sci has adopted the sentiment of Richelieu,
and l hope he will adhere to it--that
there is no such word as fail y and should
he not succeed Il nil Be tie fault of the
people Of the Sound-and not that Of " the
Prince Of good fellows" John II. Scranton !;
or the commander james M. Hunt, real
tre gentleman,--alive not only TO tho in
terests Of the people of the Sound, but to
tho comfort of his passengers.
Yours &c. RAMBLER.
Olympia, Oct. 17ih, '54. IT ..,-s
..r.'. .#.