Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-03-18

flush times they are ''pitched" along the banks
to await further use then hanled out with the
capstaD and OK or mule power Some OF the
largest logs make as much as six or seven cords
of wood At one of the plantations steam
saw mill was erected to pull out the wood upon
the bank. whence it was conveyed on railroad
track TO the sugar house and wood yard for
burning or for hogsheads. The saw was unique
propelled by the same steam power that haul
| ed ND the logs and carried off the block on the
railroad. 1t was cross cut saw, cutting off the
logs in lengths for cord wood, and worked as
tonishingly. Indeed ''of all the saws that ever
saw saw, never saw Il saw saw as that saw
saws"
Passing up the river | rather Involuntary
visited the ancient capital of louisiana, Donald
sonville, and the present capital, Baton Rouge.
Donaldsonvlle is an effete Creole town, talking
French, watching passing steamboats,, and smell
inc of onions goats and whiskey. Baton Rouge
is beautifully situated on bluff commanding O
view of the Mississippi River for miles both up
and down. The,Capital is built of white marble
nearly cube in shape, thanked by imposing towers
and with battlement style of cornice and ballus.
trade. The State Institution for the Deaf and
Dumb and the Blind will be a handsome edllce
when completed, and is delightfully."- located on
an eminence gently swelling to good distance
from the river side.
Baton Rouge has fine business and dwelling
houses, but its ambition must be completely o.
verborne by New Orleans. 1t has quiet, listless
look, as if it even now was easily satisfied. The
streets are handsomely laid off-wide and set
with rows of trees, which are now opening their
foliage in profusion. 1.-THE grass does not grow
in the green streets it is due less to the enter
prise of the populace than of the Creole cows,
goats and ponies which seemed its busiest cti-
Zans.
The Legislature of Louisiana, was in session,
and can only say for it that it is too much like
the Virginia Legislature. Its members general
" seem to speak better French, but worse Eng
lsh than our body One member very like one
of our own in manner and matter was inyeigh-
ing ferociously against the injustice of taxing
his constituents TO build railroad which did
not benefit them and the other members were
improving the occasion to read their papers,
crack jokes, and "leg around generally" In
short it was only necessary to shut my eyes
slightly to imagine myself half asleep under
precisely similar arguments and circumstances
in the Capitol at Richmond.
This Southern climate is luxurious. Summer
clothing has been the fashion since / reached
Mobile. Spring vegetables have been q most
grateful symptom of Summer. Tables are load
ed with spinach, lettuce artichokes, celery, peas,
asparagus, and perennial hens eggs The fields
are Ngreen as grass" clover Is ankle deep;
flowers are blooming of every hue; and fruit is
forming on the trees; strawberries are already
in shape: all nature is rejoicing in full Spring;
and the birds and frogs are too yocferous.
The banks of the lower Mississippi present
scene of striking beauty. The plantations all
front upon the river and extend indefinitely
backwards The smooth level of the land and
the curving course of the river bring all the
buildings in sight for miles; while the pictu-
rescue style ofthe Southern houses mostly of
one story, with spreading verandas, and all EN-
powered in beautiful shrubbery, gives the per-
lection of rural river scenery.
| am afoat again, on the father of waters, and
favored by seeing it in its full majesty, it being
now on something Of "bust." Its banks are
brm full to the levees and the amphibious in
habitants were busy as beavers all day Sunday,
damming the encroaching waters. But my pa
per and your patience is not sufficient for so
vast q subject at this present writing. Indeed
the Mississippi beggars description, and must be
seen to be appreciated; all my excited anticpa-
tions of its mighty currents failed TO reach the
realization Its vast volume of turbid waters,
and its resistless power is almost Incompetent
sible. Mans boasted might over material
things, seems utterly COMPOUNDED by its over
whelmng forces. Its rolling waters, seem
nearer symbol of eternity-"labitur ct labetur
per omne volubile aevum." Yours