The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1856-09-10

omo-but as you long since told me poetry
was not my forte, Iorbpar nfiicting more Of
i on you or your readers.
After refreshing sleep. stole from my
couch at e.rly dawn and beheld in the dim
distance the city Of fAnnapolis with her towers
and spires rising toward the heavens. As
the steamer sped on wistlully gazed back
on the Capital Of Maryland which in olden
times was distinguished for scholarship and
learning, and which had given to the country
the talent and wisdom Of such meifasa Pink.
ney, and which has in part furnished William
Writ with the graceful armor in which he
fought life's battle. Ii was there, too, that
the u. 5. Congress held its session when
General Washington resigned his Commission
as Commander n-Chief Of the American
Army, and by that act endeavored to teach
his countrymen that the post Of honor is a
private station.
But the Steamer speeds on and gives no
time Tor moralizing on the past. New OBJ
jects greet the eye. We have left the Bay
and entered Patapsco river, which the waters
Of the bay swell into little sea, that is grace
fully bearing on its bosom myriads Of sailing
and steam craft. Now Baltimore is visible
in the far of distance, sitting like a graceful
Queen with her feet upon the sea her seat a
thousand hills that rise as they recc,le until
her brow seems hidden by the graceful clouds
that float beneath the horizon and bounds the
view.
Tie steamer still speeds on. We have
nesrrd North Point, the spot where the Brit
ish under Gen' Ross landed in 1914, and
which was so calamity defended by the Bal
timoreans-many Of whom fell upon the field
tO rise no more but their memories will live
forever, and their names are inscribed upon
"batte monument" in the heart Of that city
which they died to save.
| On the other hand stands Fort McIIenry,
from which Gen'l Boss was repulsed. to the
surprise Of the whole nation. lndissolubly
associated with Fort McHenry is the name
Of Francis 8. Key, author Of the /" Star Span
g'el Banner song that will liye, forever
and thrill the heart wherever sung. 1t was
composed under the following circumstances:
Key left the city under flag of truce few
days before Gen. Ross sailed up, for the pur-
pose Of obtaining the release Of an American
who was on board one Of the British ships.
On reaching the British ships he went on
board, and fearing lest he would disclose their
plan for attacking the city, they refused to
allow him to return, and there he lay with
in sight Of Fort McIlenry, gazing on our Ma.
tional Flag, listening to the cannon's roar
that seemed destined to destroy the devoted
Fort. Night coming on he could no longer
behold his country's nag, ana the artiiir,,
still belehed forth its fiery thunder: his heart
died within him as he watched for the dawn OF
day which he feared would show that the
American Flag had been struck and the Brit
ish huisted in its stead. Day dawned and
the Star Spanged Banner waved in the NOR
ning's breeze above the Fort; and there il
still waves full high advanced, not star dim
med or stripe erased; and despite the rev.
dictionary conduct Of Congress breathed a
fervent prayer that IT might ever wave
Der the land Of the free and the home Of the brave
1 By this time the boat had reached her wharf
and tor brief space fancied myself at the
Tower of,Babel. But pressing through the
crowd of porters, cabmen, carriers, &c, sn0n
found myself in pleasant quarters at Bar.
NUNS Hotel, where | find myself addressing
you.
Baltimore is evidently in prosperous con-
dition. and is rapidly increasing in population
and wealth. and if she would import mort
freely the products and inventions Of the old
world, she might yet become Southern New
York.
Twill nat attempt 10 cnumerate " the sight
| saw" but will content myself by informing
YOU that assembled the Monument, which i
$50 feet in height aud stands upon elevate,
ground-l50 feet is the height from whcl
you obtain view. shall not attempt [,
describe nv sensations as the Monumental
City in all her grandeur seemed to lie at m,
feet, on those feelings by which the min,
was overcharged and felt confused as the ey,
drank in new objects Of beauty and sublimity
as il rested on the bosnm Of the Bay, and thl
woodlands that adorned the FAR Of mOuntain
that rose ia majesty towards the clouds
Neither can describe the only perfect rain
bow | ever saw. Its coiors were clear
bright. beautiful and distinct, and formed
complete circle except across narrow grave
walk. About third of the circle appeared |
be below where stood, lending its saricgate
tints alike TO the brick walls and green shrub
berry below US. Ny sensations | can nesc
describe, but shall ever feel that | was "a
vored. and that none who were with me vii
ever forget the joy they experienced 10 "a
zing upon one o. the loycliest sights natur
can produce. u.
Baltimore, Aug. IS, 1856.
.~>-~e~@~>~>-.----~---
+ WHY lie DON'T PROPOSE.