Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-04-04
Correspondence of the Virginian
The Route to California-and what the Travel
Ter Sees. Feels and Thinks on the Way.

The Route to California-and whatth Travel
Ter Sees Feels and Thinks on tho Way
To the Editors ofthe Lynchbarg Prgindn
In the journey to our Ei Dorado, tho traveller
has hardly recovered from the effects of his en-
counter with the storm god off Hatteras before he
is apprized, by the report of the brass toIr-
FOUNDER in the steamers bow, that he is at Aspn
wall. The noise and confusion" attendant on the
hour of departure for California out babes Babel.
Late comers, by the noon railway trains, hurry
up the gangways, fearful of being too late In
one corner of tho ladies' saloon is n group whose
firm inter grasp of hands, silent lips and moisten-
cd eyes betoken deep sorrow at the near pres
enoe of the hour of long separation. That
noise upon the quarter deck is from bevy of
fast boys, who are hastily imbibing parting
drink with one, of whom their latest recollec,ions
may prove those shouts of thoughtless revelry.
At length the order for all but passengers to go
ashore is given. Hurried and fearful ndieus are
spoken; the gang panks bend under the rush TO
the pier; the hausers ARE let go and hauled in.
and the staunch, fleet and beautiful "Winois,"
this 9Th day of February, SO, moves with grace
full air into the stream. amid the of the sig
nal gun, the waving of handkerchiefs and the
reiterated cheers from the crowds which darken
the wharves, and the sides and rigging of neigh
boring shipping.
While moving slowly down the Ndrro,cs, to.
wards the broad Atlantic, Gordon, formed of the
thrown across the extreme after part of the steam
or. In front walks the inilexible purser, who,
unwilling tn carry" dead -heads' or skulkers. ex-
amines our tickets, pockets one, returns n check
| and we pass to the rear. Ca reaching the Hook
| tho veteran pilot Ia default of his services thus
| far would vitate our insurance) is discharged ;
| and with cargo of "skulkers," is soon bending
sail and oar for the city. With accelerated speed
night soon comes on, and in the morning the
shores of Jersey and our gallant steamer are in
| fog Another day discloses the proximity of
Hatteras, as by the rising winds, the plunging of
the strong ribbed steamer and the numerous CON
tribuons to Neptune,whch appear to have been
levied on many undnlating stomachs.
The voyager upon the great deep does not
realize its extent, from the simple fact that all
| around him is water--for the area of ocean ac-
tually visible is small-but it is the continued,
| onward progress of the vessel. ever onward
through a wilderness and towards horizon of
water with no land in sight that affords con-
cepton of the vastness, the immensely, the eter-
nifty, almost.of the sea- Passing the Lesser Ba-
hamas, we are reminded that of the group
though barren end uninhabited. is yet rich in
| historic association; for upon that sterile spot
first appeared the light to Columbus and his dis
contented crew, on the evening previous TO his
recorded discovery of land; and though not first
trodden by the foot of the great adventurer, it
NAV be said to have been the first land seen bv
him west of the Cauarirs. On the sixth day we
were IN a warm. sunny and fruitful cline. amid
perpetual, glorious summer. We had been run
ming all day between the mountains on the east
coast Of Cuba, and the high mountains and hills
Of st. Domingo; and rapidly approaching the
loftier mountains of Jamaica The sight and
scenery were animatiDg and exciting in the ox-
treme. The moon (nearly full orbed) shone with
that clear, silver light seen only in the tropics
The milky way was gittering and resplenJent
with stars. whose brilliancy and beauty wers
scarce dmned by the nearer and greater light Of
the moon; and the buoyant. fresh and balmv
tropical winds, the profound measureless sea and
the starry roof Of the Universe, far toward Heav.
On, inspired thoughts of happier worlds Pas.
sing by Port Royal. in the morning, up the arm
OF the sea towards Kingston, the gorgeous hem.
~ and splendor of tropical scenery met the
eye on every side. The horizon on either hand