The true Democrat., 1857-06-02
Letter from New York.

around the southern extremity of Lake Michi- gan This sheet of water, although its bosom is spotted with canvas duck, and its eastern shore frequented by Michiganders, still it is no duck puddle, assure you. The villages along this route, Michigan city, Niles, Marshall, kal- amazoo and Ann Arbor, are larger and better looking places than I expected to see. The country is well settled, and much of it is fine grain producing land, nearly all of which is now in cultivation. The people have availed themselves of the excellent water power which is so abundant, and have constructed numerous manufactories upon the many beautiful streams that wind about through the country. The spirits of progress and industry which charac- terize the free States, have converted these hill-sides and marshes into smiling gardens.- The green fields and meadows on every hand, the good condition of the fences, and the neat looking farmhouses all over the country give evidence that drones do not live in this region A smoky log cabin weather boarded all around with raccoon and deer skins with a stack of fishing poles in one chimney corner and fire pan in the other, is not to be seen They arc people ofthe nineteenth century, and they have long since placed the words " wait' and can't in the list of obsolete terms.
 When we reached Detroit city it was after nightfall, cold and raining, yet we were soor comfortably seated in a cab, and in few mi nutes were enjoying good warm supper at the Riddle House. Think of that you who have called cabmen and omnibus drivers great nui- sances Rain or sunshine, cold or hot, daylight or dark, they are always at the depot when the trains arrive When you see them in the cold seet leaning against the iron posts and chains as far as they can into the space which they are not allowed to enter, calling out the names oi their respective hotels think what you would do in a strange city where no cabman's voice was heard. There are greater nuisances in this spectable people. The next morning we cross ed Detroit river without having our baggage subjected to official inspection was the case with one unfortunate lady and were soon seate4 | Railway of Upper Canada. The conductors announcement of the villages, Chatham, Lon- don, Paris, Hamilton Queenston, and Elgjn as we successvely arrived at them, reminded us that we were not passing over Uncle sans dirt In the saloons and dining rooms too, instead o the portrait of Washington, and the surrender of Bursoyne, were hung Prince Albert aud thC Queen, death of Warren Putuam'S Flight and such others as indicated national feelings and prejudces different from my own. But ah me lf you could only see the Canadian laoses going to market when suooziugly reclining on tho Car seats, looking as sweet as their mali gtr is fresh and well hooped as their buckets o butter, and with eyes as sparkling as their owl beautiful cascades on bright May moming-l say if you could thus see them, l know you would advocate annexation. Canada is a very densey umbered country and tseems sn.ula that cedar which out west grows only amou- rocks or in sterile places, stands here iii thick forests, in the marshes that do notdry up evel in summer. W heat is extensively raised, thou.I the prospect of the present crop IS indeed gloomy. It was not injured by the frost as i was in the southern country, but was heavet up by the alternate freezes and thaws so tha 1t could not take root in the soil. The receu heavy rains, l learn, have somewhat settled th, ground, and it is now supposed that at lea, enough for home consumption will be made inf ri. i1 ,ta | have advanced twenty per cent within the las few days. But to return. The route led u along the south side of Lake St. Clair, and
 portion of the southern shore of Lake Ontario pree ices which gave us magnificent views Q these great sail spotted basins of fresh water some of the steamers that ply between th potts ou the lake shores are handsome lookju. vessels, though navigation is dangerous an, one would think from the great number c maats that appear above tic water here au, there, that all the wrecked vessels in the woII. alc brought to these northern lakes. TheIa way crosses over the Wclland canal, which con meets lakes Erie and Ontario It is hv thi connection that vessels feghted with the pro duce of the Upper NJ ssissippi river countr, can proceed from Chicago direct to Liverpool and Iy its succession ol locks they are le down easily into lake Ontario, the difference Q level between the two lakes being equal to th
 descent of the Niagara river inclusive Of it great falls. Early in the evening we reache, the great suspension bridge which grandl, uuites American and British domain. It i thrown across the Niagara river about tw, miles below the Falls, and is the greates achievement of science and art to be found O. cur continent. The length of the span iron the centres of opposite towers is 622 feet The height of the towers above the track is G feet, the number of No 9 wires in each cab
 which is 10 inches in diameter, is 3,569, an, the height of the track above the water is 9, feet. The bridge is supported by four of tn above mentioned cables, and is capable, it i estimated of supporting 1920 tons, vet it i rarely subjected to more than 1000 tons. A strong as it may be, I would dislike to be on
 of thousand men marching over it to the al of Yankee Doodle, and I must confess that
 entertained feeling of satisfaction when th car wheels again rolled on terra firma wher l could not see the deep chasm that had yawn ed so far below. It is to be hoped that it vii never give way, but if it should, the unfortu nate sinners in the descending train will hay time to repent before they reach the water-- During the evening we visited the Falls, o which I have nothing to say more than if yor imagine the Mississippi river going whole ham mon" for three miles, making the leap in pro portion to its magnitude, you will have a goo, picture Of this cataract and the rapids above Took the New York Central road for Alba n.y. where we visjte,l the capitol and from th, cupoIa of which had a fine view of the Hud
 son, the city and the surrounding country, em-