Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-05-18

We find, in the Port Huron Commercial, a
very sensible letter, written from Detroit,
which contains the following paragraphs
We copy them, as the best embodiment of
simple facts, connected with this great thor
oughfare, that we have seen, and as a matter
of general interest and information. We
may say that the road is new, in good condl-
ton, and doing great business. We under
stand that through tickets to Detroit and
Chicago, by this route, can be purchased at
the Western office, in this city -
" Business has called me over the Great
Western Railway, running from the Falls of
Niagara to Detroit the last two weeks. This
is destined to be one of the best roads upon
the continent, and in the summer season a
remarkably pleasant route, SO soon as it shall
| be levelled up and gravelled. Leaving the De-
troit river, the road runs along in sight of the
| beautiful st. Clair Lake, in full view of the
| steam and sail vessels constantly passing up
and down. The road has but two or three
slight curves between Detroit river and Chat
ham, distance of forty-fve miles. The track
leaves where the river Thames empties into
the lake, and follows that stream te London,
a distance of one hundred and ten miles from
Detroit. The track is upon an exact air line,
fifty-four miles east from Chatham, and is
very straight throughout the line. The coun-
try Is very heavily timbered on the route from
Detroit to Lonoon. From London to Hamil-
ton, and in fact, to the Falls, the country is
quite rolling but from Detroit to London it
is almost dead level. London contains
population of over ten thousand, is lighted
with gas, and exhibits quite a city-ike ap-
pearance. There is an excllentfarming coun-
try about it, which has heretofore been its
man support, as it was entirely inland pre-
vious to the building of this road. Another
road is now being built, from Toronto, through
London, to Port Sarnia, opposite your place.
a number of fourishing villages have sprung
up along the line, between London and Ham
ilton, the most prominent of which is Wood
stock. Il is indeed a very fourishing village.
The next in importance is Paris, which is one
hundred and tifty-seven miles from Detroit,
and thirty eight miles west of Hamilton. At
Paris, the Buffalo, Brantford, and Goderirh
Railway intersects the Great Western, and is
to cross it at that point. Cars are now run
ming from Paris to Buffalo direct, OF rather to
Waterloo opposite Black Rock, distance Of
eighty miles. 1t is said to be very straight
road. The company building that road have
lately succeeded in raising all the means re-
quired for building the entire road to Code
rich, and the grading west Of Paris has been
commenced. The main village of Paris is
| little off from the track of the Great Western
Railway, and consequently ] cannot speak Of
| its merits or dement's, except from some
specimens in the shape of females, who pass
over the road occasionally, and assemble at
the cars to receive aad bid good bye to friends.
They are decidedly the best looking, and
most intelligent, to appearance, Of any have
discovered Ill my peregrinations. Dundas is
| the next town Of Importance, being five miles
west OF Hamilton. The railroad passes along
| on the side of a mountain, or immense hill,
some ITO feet above the town, the village be-
ing on a nice level plat of ground, and hand
somely laid out. From the cars horse in
the street looks about as large as a moderate
sized dog. This is tile terminus of ship
canal, which runs from the bay at Hamilton.
This Is more romantic sight than can be found
upon any railroad route in the United States
The next place is Hamilton, situated upon
bay, projecting out from the head of Lake
Ontario. 1t is very enterprising town, and
contains population ofperhaps fifteen thous-
and. The harbor is a good one. Steamboats,
leave here for Toronto, Rochester, Oswego,
&c. All of the machinery, cars, &C. are man
ufactured here. The cars will compare favor
ably with any built in the United States
Hamilton has an excellent farming country
about it, and must eventually become prom
incnt city of Canada West. Its position will
make il so. Hamilton is 1856 miles from
Detroit and 43 from the falls. Passengers
coming over this road by day light are in full
view of Lake Ontario, for distance of twenty
miles. 1t is magnificent sight to look out
upon the placid waters of that beautiful lake,
the catching at intervals the canvass and steam
which are propeling the messengers of com
merce to and fro.
The next place is st. GATHERINGS, PIT miles
from Detroit, and IL from the falls This
seems to be thrifty place. Three miles east
OF this is Thorold, Of no particular importance
except that the Welland Canal passes through
there. The canal was first built through St.
GATHERINGS. The Welland Canal is Is miles
long, from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. There
are Is locks. There is much shipping through
this channel.