The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1859-07-18
Editorial Correspondence.
In REFRIGERATION, NEAR CHICAGO, !
Iniu Ia 20

July IA, $50.
have spent some three weeks about as
idly and uselessly, believe, as ever man
that is, if relaxation and entire oblivious-
ness of all sorts of business and temporal
cares is useless episode in life.
1t is very hot, "piping hot" awful hot,
hereabouts, and had serious time in situ-
ating myself comfortably. Fret tried
the open dir and the shade Of thick-set trees.
1t wouldn't do. The sun would peer in
The air was still and suffocating. Not n
leaf shook. The perspiration ran in little
rivulets to my heels. My shoes were tight,
and held water. When they.flled up and ran
over, concluded to try some other dodge.
The next day located myself in the cellar.
| found it an improvement. congratulated
myself on having at last discovered re-
treat where should be safe from the assaults
of the fiery javelins. Alas for the pride Of
human Judgment and the confidence of hu-
man hopes was besieged in my citadel of
repose. The beleaguering forces were fierce
and furious. They shot their darts through
every loop-hole and crevice. And | surren-
dered. But the day was nearly done. On
emerging from my fortress, waved my tor
mentor sort Of sardonic adieu, Us he bowed
his head below the rim Of the horizon. But
night brought no relief. | rolled and roasted.
Morning came again, hotter than ever. What
was to be done? sat down to breakfast.
sWhere did this cool milk come from Pr
"The refrigerator.o "Been there oil night?n
eyes" sThat's the place for me-" And
thither repaired. There am at present To-
Gated. So far find it delightful and refresh
ing. But they tell me the mercury is rising,
and how may find it tomorrow 1t is unsafe
to predict. Sufficient unto the day. etc.,
however, but for the present, am decidedly
comfortable, thank you
looked around this neighborhood little
before the s'heated term' came on. / saw
but three things that interested me much,
though more extensive observations might
have discovered others; they, were the Steam
Fire Engine; the painting of The Village
Blacksmith and piece of statuary in the
city cemetery. All of which gave me
pleasure, and enlarged my understanding and
information.
The steam fire engine is great institution.
1t is one Of the great inventions of modern
times. AS Yankee would say, (and / may
be pardoned for Yankee expressions,) it is
just about the thing. visited the houses
where they are kept. / examined the ma.
chinery, and the arrangements for their ope.
ration. Horses are kept harnessed. Mer
are hired and kept in attendance. Unde,
this system, but few men are needed
Kindling wood is kept before the furnac,
door. When the alarm bell rings, they hitcl
the horses, stick in the kindling wood, ant
start off. Before they have travelled half
dozen blocks steam is up and the pumps ar,
ready to move. isaw them operate, one day
heard az alarm. saw the smoke. | start
ed direct for the fire. 1t was about egh
blocks off. Two engines were about tw,
blocks nearer than |. One of them wa
farther off than | was. walked at mod
| crate rate. When got on the ground, the
| were all at work, and had actually subdue
flames had spread over half the deck an,
pretty much cleaned out the cabin. But th
resistless torrents swept them off at dash
and left the Goals instantly Kissing but harm
less. The steam FIRE engine and paid fir
department constitute an achievement tha
the age may we'll congratulate itself over.
The picture to which | alude, surprise
me. 1t is the original from Mr.. Herring
from which the engraving in our sanctur
was taken. l cannot say that the engravin
has ever pleased me as much as il general
seems to please others. 1t is we'll enough
1t is clear, bold picture. But never care
much for it. don't know why, except tina
| the subject was one to which was indiffe,
ent. A horse, a dog, and blacksmith's sho O,
has no particular attractions for me, some
how, even if there is a man driving nails an
woman with lunch on the premises. Tt
laudations of tho critics upon the painting
took for exaggerations, and didn't expect
find it amounting to much, judging from n
own standpoint. But it is a great pictur
1t is worthy of all the praise that has bee
bestowed upon it. Humble as the subject il
! have hardly ever seen one that gave n
more pleasure. The engraving is very q
cnrate representation of it, with the exec,
ton that the nose is a little too ridgy. 81
that marvellous coloring, which constitut
| the charm and glory Of the picture, could n
be conveyed by the artists graver. 1t is |
iiaring, Haunting work. The excellence
+ the eelering consists in its surprising
close resemblance to nature. 1t looks so Iii