The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1859-02-23

different destinations on the shores of
Texas. We were informed, however,
that no steamer left for Texas for two
days. one having left that morning
Accordingly we made the best Of being
detained and enjoyed ourselves saunter.
ing around the city and viewing the
many beautiful improvements both pub
lie and private. We journeyed the
whole length of the wharf, viewing the
countless masts of vessels from every
cline and laden with the products of
almost every country on the globe. We
visited the markets and the public
squares and gardens where tropical
fruits and flowers are cultivated for their
beauty and rarity, and are never seen
farther north. We found the weather,
as you may expect, exceedingly warm at
this time of the year. Many of the
citizens had left and more were leaving,
constantly expecting visit from that
dreaded Southern disease, the Yellow
Fever. After enduring the disappoint-
ment of being detained for two days in
this closely. cheated atmosphere, We were
truly glad to learn that the steamer GAL
weston had arrived and would depart
the next morning for our destination. -
The next morning after taking hasty
breakfast and paying our bills, We left
the St. Charles and proceeded to our
boat, anxious to get once more on our
journey. Our haste being our only luck
that time, as the boat was putting and
blowing, waiting for the Texas mail to
come down from the Post Office. In a
few moments the mail cart came down;
driven by a Moorish looking African
whistling leisutely along. and superin-
tended by corpulent official, smoking
dark looking pipe and sitting astride
the mail bags. 1t took but short time
to transfer the Texas news from the cart
to the deck of the boat. when the bell
rung, the steam whistled. we showed
out and were once more afoat.
The scenery from New Orleans to the
mouth of the Mississippi is very singular
the banks on either side are on Level
with the river, as far AS the eye car
reach, with nothing to break the unva'
fied monotonous-looking surface, but
the one continuous cane-brake, which
extends for miles on either side, inhabi
ted only by the snake and the alligator
At the mouth of the river is small
village called Balize, with population
of perhaps three OR four hunded. The
inhabitants live by fishing and plotting
vessels in and out Of the mouth Of thu
river over the bars. The buildings II
the town are built on piles driven into
the soft mud, and are set up about tel
feet high to keep the tids-nater from
washing them away. As we neared tn
town a pilot was rowed out to US an,
came on board. AS soon as he took hi
place at the wheel the forward part Q
the vessel was cleared of passengers ant
we all looked on with anxiety and sus
tpense 40 We passed over the. i.... 80 II.
mouth Of the great Mississippi. Thes
bars are formed by the action of tn
river current against the incoming tide
washing up the mud and sand and leay
ing it in ridges, often obstructing tn
channel and making it difficult for YES
sells to pass in and out of the river
sometimes detaining them for days.
We however met with no delay and afte
a few slight scrapings passed out int
the ever stormy Gulf of Mexico.
1t is difficult thing to find NOR
restless set of beings than the passenger
of a crowded ship, and after saunterin
around until evening I hunted up m
six foot by three berth, turned in an
soon the cares and vexations of this sui
, lunary sphere were forgotten. By 81
o'clock on the following morning at th
sound of gong. l was awakened, an
making hasty toilet assembled to til
deck the wind was blowing gale. "
were out Of sight Of land and the blu
| waters below were in a perfect turmo
: as we sped along. Being now out ;
, sea we had nothing to do but eat, drinl
smoke and sleep. Our meals passed o
pleasantly, differing little from mo,
!. northern tables. by the abundance /,
different tropical fruits many vacal
seat, however, proclaimed the influene
of sea sickness by an abrupt depa
2 tare. e,s
8 Next morning We came in sight
a Galveston and after few hours sail el
). tered the harbor and landed at this bea,
: tiful island-city. We were informed
J, our captain that our vessel would n
y depart until four o'clock that afternoon
and we were much pleased to have 1
. opportunity of spending few hours
= viewing the beauties Of this tropic
d city.
Vi Galveston is situated on an islar
h bearing the same name, just off the Goa
J. of Texas it is port for vessels crui
}. ing in the Gulf to run in for provision
# and water. The city contains pop
e lation estimated at eight thousand. L.
d entire island is a lagoon or gravel.be
n washed up by the action Of the wate
n and is nowhere more than ten feet abo
is the sea level. The city is beautiful
J. laid out at right angles on perfect
At level piece of ground the streets a
% all paved with sea shells; many of the
q are lined on either side with trees OF
d Southern growth. a few only Of which
70 can name, such as the China tree, Ca
4 tus, Orange. Lemon, Palmetto and t
10 Tamarand tree, full Of long brown pc
nt and the Banana, with its broad, vic
d spreading leaves, furnishes an excelle
= shade for the over heated and wea
,e pedestrian. The buildings are mos
at Of wood, but nice and neatly paints
ID and the profusion of vines and shru
o. berry which luxuriates there makes III,
he pleasant and inviting. The only wa
On used by the citizens, is caught on
~ roofs and run into huge wooden cistel
. huilt Ahova tha Ground no Trash wa