The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-06-15
THE UNION
AND
8ester# 8e#t#ee.
BiddefOrd, Friday Morning, June s, 1855
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
AMERICAN HousE.

Our readers will perceive from the head
ing that the Editor has stepped out from
his sanetum for few days, and is now find
ing comfortable home in the "quaker
city," lie lef, on Monday, via. Boston and
New York, taking the Norwich route to
New York, and thence through the state Of
{" Camden and Amboy" by railroad, arriv-
ing here about noun Tuesday. The entire
time of making the journey was about "a
hours-pretiy we'll for distance of near
four hundred and 6fty miles. Twen'y.three
years ago, availing himself Of the most
speedy conveyances, It consumed como sew
enty.two hours of his f" valuable time" to
accomplish the same distance. He will not
philOsOphize about the wonderful improve
ments which have been made in the speed OF
travelling, but pitching OF once into res me-
dia, advise all whose eyes are southwark
turned, by all means 10 take the Norwich
route, aud patronize, as we did, the Steam
er Commonwealth. This boat is the finest
boat, without exception, we ever saw, and
we have seen the floating palaces OF the
father Of waters and the no less splendid
boats Of the Northern lakes. She was built
at an expense of over $500 900 last year and
in elegance and comfort is cxccllcd by no
boat moving on the Eastern waters. Her
dimensions are as follows length $50
feet, width AZ e., depth Ofhold l3la feet
Tonnage about 1900, and her engines are
some 1000 horse power. She has 76 inch
cylinder, and her engine is IL feet stroke
In her lower cabin there are GIG berths,a and
there are 10 State rooms, besides the berths
in the Ladies cabin. She can accommodate
700 passengers, giving berths to oil. We
have never travelled in boat in which tho
motion Of tho machinery was less disagreed
bic. The Norwich route from Boston to
New York is in many respects the mos
agreeable. Travellers by this can generally
obtain n good nights rest on board OF the
boats, and then arrive in New York in sea.
son to take the morning cars to Philadcl-
phia, or to places west, if destined to places
beyond the city of Gotham. SO much for
the route to this city.
Philadelphia at this season OF the year
shows to the best advantage. Tho squares
are now most inviting in their appearance,
and the streets much cleaner than they will
be later in the season. We have visited,
daily, one or the other Of the public squares,
and marked with pleasure the satisfaction
and enjoyment of those who are seen there
In Independence and Walnut Street Squares
the tree, arc emo old HieLOriss and others
Of different varieties. Some OF the Squares
have flower plats, which look very pretty
In all of the squares there nrc to be seen
the nimble grey squirrels in great numbers,
gambOlling among the trees, or running
about under them. They are perfectly do
mestica,ed, and seem to have little fear Of
man. 1t is a pleasant sight to see the
children throwing nuts to them. Some IRE
so tame as to be seduced into the lap by
presents Of nuts and cakes. They belong to
the city, are fed by it, and provided with
boxes among the branches Of the trees,
which they use US their dwelling.
A visit to the market in any city will al.
ways be paying operation. The Market
Houses here are situated in Market Street.
They consist of number Of low, wooden
buildings, extending near mile in length.
The Stalls in these buildings are let to in
diyiduals, and in them you will find an
abundance Of Gil kinds of meats, vegetables,
and other articles Of family consumption
Il is now the season Of Strawberries, and
they are very plenty. These, together
with green peas, lettuce, and other vegcta-
bles are found on the tables Of the Hotels
in great profusion. A very largo proper
ton Of the trading in the Market is done by
women, who seem to make excellent and
agreeable traders. We noticed that in aud
around nearly all the stalls except those
occupied for meats, are decorated with boz
quets which shows the Philadelphians to DO
people Of culture and refined taste.