The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1858-06-12
Letter from Michigan.
Correspondence OF gbr Californian,


Mn, EpToR The season here in Miehi-
gan Is decidedly and most peryersely back
ward, though we had indications months ago
Of an "early opening" The Goddess Of
Spring Is most deseryedly earning for her
self the sinister character Of an arrant coguef.
She began her Irritation very early, and smi.
led most lovingly and bewitchingy upon field
and woodland, and hnded a thousand tender
expectations, which alas tho frosts Of her
ayerted face have blghted, She suffered
herself to he Gerenaded, courted leased and
almost seolded by master Robin Redbreast,
aud spruce "Robert Of Lincoln Bryant
would suy-toward whom she cast many
warm and thrilling glance, and made innu-
mcrable pledges Of eternal fidelity, But oh,
tickle and false she has broken her plghted
faith and the last that was seen Of her, she
was dancing a Sehottische with old Boreas,
Oft toward the north pole Thus she is zen
to be like-not all, not many but rs com
mon report goes--likc some Of her sex. Itis
now the 2ith Of May and our plum and apple
trees are just blossomng. The past hard
peaches many Of the choicest varieties have
died, and those which are not dead rather
linger than liVc. The whcat-our staple aud
pride-never looked better at this season.-
IL has escaped the insect Of the fall, and the
frostS Of the winter and the cold and rainy
weather which we have had has given il a
strong and vigorous root, and dark luxur-
ant color and ten thousand thousand acres
in our state, are waving in hopeful prospect
Of bounteous harvest, aud you may set it
down, that, unless some unforeseen calamity
should befall our wheat, or France and Eng
land should be so considerable Of Brother
Jonalhans interests, especially Of his western
farmer-boys, as to get into a Wharf.-The price
agchcrdi Thing, cu,f hldRt motley last enough
If they get Sl.00 per bushcl for wheat, which
will bring flour at about 500 per barrel II,
New York
Our town was, visited during the latter
part Of winter with serious public calamity
The State Insane Asylum, located in this
place, and which has been for some time in
process Of erection, was-a part of tide
stroycd by fire. II was being built upon
plan somewhat "magnifeal." Its length is
70 i'T=st' fHrt1 ana It's Ti5TfI 200 feet. The
central building, which is now consumed, AID
which was designed for offices, residence of
superintendent Physicians, &c, was built
two years ago, and was nearly finished The
state committee have very wisely determined
to push forward the work of completing the
wings as soon as possible for. the reception
of inmates, Of whom, as ssaas, we have our
full quota and who are as yet lily provided
for in our county houses ard elseu here.
We are pushing forward the works Of in. /
ternal improvements with as much vigor and
dispatch as the hard times will allow Of
The Detroit and Milwaukee X, r., which I
passes through our state east and west, much !
nearer the centre than any other road. il |
completed to within five miles of The city of |
Grand Rapids town Of 10000 Inhabitants
situated below the head ef navigation ON the
Grand River The city papers celebrated the
event by the following laconc notice ayes
terday the citizens of Grand Rapids could
breakfast at home and take tea in Detroit
the first time for 6000 years" Another road
is under contract from Indiana, north through
this place and Grand Rapids, and so on
through the vast lumber regions of the north
to Grand Traverse Bay, on the upper wa,ers
OF Lake Michigan. Public lands have been
appropriated for the building of n large part
of this road. These roads will rapidly devsl-
op the vast lumber, and especially mineral
wealth of our state, Of which there seems to
be an inexhaustibie supply, both of copper
iron, coal, and gypsum.
During the winter and especially during
the Spring, we have bountifully shared in
the glorious work of grace which has been
wrought with such amazing and delightful
power throughout our land. For some two
months, the house Of God was thronged at
the morning prayer meeting. Scores Rave 4
been hopefully converted who seemed con-
hrmed not only in impenitencc, but in open
and fragrant ungodliness.. 1t has reached
tne rouhddff0HS OF society as no other reyiyaI
ever has IN the new villages and cities of the
west Some two hundred in this place have
already united with the various Christian
churches and many others are hopefully con-
verified.
The Lord grant that this may BE- the be-
ginning of new order Of things in our land.
Unless revivals of pure religion of great pow
err aud depth aud extent, become more gem
erai In our land, it seems to my eye that
dense clouds are lowering on the sky of her
future. What butsSch revivnls can elevate
md strengthen the neral sentiment of tho
milton, Allay party nnimositiCs, give justice
,rA rinLL IL A...-.-..... ~ ~